Long Time Gone

By: J. A. Jance

Narrated by: Tim Jerome

Length: 10 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best-selling master J. A. Jance brings back J. P. Beaumont, one of the most enduring and endearing characters in contemporary fiction, in a riveting story about a shocking, long-buried case of murder.

After more than 20 years of distinguished service with the Seattle Police Department, Jonas Piedmont Beaumont is now working for the Washington State Attorney's Special Homicide Investigation Team or, as it's more commonly referred to, the SHIT squad. But the more things change, the more they stay the same.

An eyewitness to a 50-year-old murder has just come forward, and Beau has been hand-picked to lead the investigation. While undergoing hypnotherapy, a middle-aged nun unexpectedly recalls the grisly details of a cold-blooded killing she witnessed when she was five years old. Though fear has kept these memories repressed for half a century, they've now risen to the surface to cast a harsh light on a deadly plot that spans two generations. And Beau's caught in the glare, facing a ruthless band of coconspirators willing to go to any lengths to keep their secrets hidden.

Filled with all of the Jance trademarks, heart-stopping suspense, deeply drawn characters, local flavor, intelligence, and humanity, Long Time Gone is a crowning achievement in this best-selling author's career.

©2005 J.A. Jance (P)2005 BBC Audiobooks America and © 2005 HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Taut, colorful....The clever and complex plot line involving the nun shows Jance at her best." (Publishers Weekly)

Review

Good read, far far better than "Sins of the Father" the early JP Beaumont, good reading

corny

narrator was great. Story a bit corny. Jance is always entertaining. Missing some depth as in earlier stories.

well read

enjoyed narrator. took a while to adjust to the different voice.
Looking forward to future readings.

Great story, weak narration

Would you try another book from J.A. Jance and/or Tim Jerome?

I really enjoy the Beaumont series from JA Jance. It's always disappointing to hear a change in narrators as I think most of us get used to, or even like, the particular narrator doing a series. But the story itself on this one was really good and a good departure from some of the previous work.

What didn’t you like about Tim Jerome’s performance?

The voice characterization of two of the support characters, Amy and Ron Peters, had inconsistent voice and accents. Most of the time a Scottish/slightly brogue accent would creep in during the speaking. The inconsistency was annoying as was the brogue since neither character was introduced as having that background.

Easy listening!

This went so quickly that I can’t wait for the next in the series. Happy listening!

Bad narrator

The series had been narrated forever by Gene Engene and he fit the character of JP Beaumont, not to mention, he knows the area where the books take place, so there were no bad phonetic pronunciations of places in and around Seattle. This narrator was making everyone sound either whiny or have an Irish accent. Just doesn't have the same timbre as Gene.

Interesting story

I liked this story. However, I sure miss Gene Engene as the narrator. I am from Washington state. I had to laugh when this narrator pronounced certain Washington towns. I don’t know if Gene Engene is from Washington but he does a much better job with pronunciations.

narrators

I love J A Jance books. I hate that the publishers cant stick with the same narrator to play the character. Tim did an excellent job. Why don't you guys listen to us? We buy the books!

Great book.

Loved the story.
Didn’t care for readers voice, like reader of the first Beaumont books

Jan's review

Would you consider the audio edition of Long Time Gone to be better than the print version?

Yes as I felt I was in the room with the characters. I really like the descriptions of the various places where the story took place.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I am a huge fan of Beaumont. I read the book prior to this one when his wife died. I am hoping for a sequel.

Have you listened to any of Tim Jerome’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No this is my first that I can recall.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Probably Witness to murder as a child peeking through the basement window saw her friend killed and repressed it for 50 years. Becoming a nun which helped her forget.

Any additional comments?

I am hoping for a sequel because I like JP Beaumont. Not a fan of the other series.