Betrayal of Trust: A J. P. Beaumont Novel

“Murder, teenage bullying, sleazy adults, and good police work add up to another fine entry by Jance.”
—The Oklahoman

Betrayal of Trust is the twentieth mystery by New York Times bestseller J.A. Jance to feature Seattle p.i. J. P. Beaumont—and it is another surefire winner from the author the Chattanooga Times calls, “One of the best—if not the best.” When Beau discovers a snuff film recorded on a smart phone—a horrific crime that has a devastating effect on two troubled teens—his investigation unleashes a firestorm that blazes all the way up through the halls of Washington state government. Betrayal of Trust is certain to win this phenomenal crime fiction master (“In the elite company of Sue Grafton and Patricia Cornwell”—Flint Journal) a wealth of new fans while enthralling the army of devoted readers already addicted to the potent Jance magic.

At first glance, what happens on the video appearsto be a childish game: a teenage girl with dark,wavy hair smiles for the camera, a blue scarf tied around her neck. Then things turn dark andgruesome, and the girl ends up dead.

When a snuff film is discovered on a cell phone belonging to the governor of Washington State's grandson—a boy with a troubled background who swears he doesn't know the victim—the governor turns to an old friend, J. P. Beaumont, for help. Of the many horrors the Seattle private investigator has witnessed over the years, this one ranks near the top—especially since the crime's multiple perpetrators might well be minors.

But this case of an apparent juvenile prank gone hideously wrong has deeper, more startling implications, leading Beau and Mel Soames—his partner in life and work—down a twisted path of corruption and lies that must be exposed before more young lives are obliterated.

“Brilliant....Jance...has crafted a mystery that Hillerman would be proud of and that her fans will love.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Believable and intense.” - West Coast Review of Books

“A gripping tale that’s easily one of [Jance’s] best.” - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“Jance...knows how to grab our attention.“ - Washington Post

“Jance has a sure hand. . . . Engrossing.” - Publishers Weekly

“Solid....Jance’s denunciation of adolescent bullying and adult hypocrisy rings true.” - Publishers Weekly on Betrayal of Trust