Second Watch: A J. P. Beaumont Novel    by J. A. Jance Order:  USA  Can William Morrow, 2013 (2013) Hardcover, e-Book      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth J.A. Jance's fans can always count on her for a really good read. Second Watch is from her J.P. Beaumont series. Poor J.P. is laid up with not one but two knee replacements! Been there, done that, but only one at a time. He's feeling his age; he's no spring chicken any more. Am there also. While doing rehab in the hospital, he has a series of dreams that take him back to his early days on the force at Seattle P.D.. He's visited during a hallucination by the first murder victim whose case he caught as a rookie cop. The young girl's murder was never solved. J.P. had personally assured the girl's mother that the police would find the murderer. Here it is many years later and he has still not been able to keep his promise. So while he's laid up, he starts digging into the cold case. And finds that evidence from that crime has disappeared and the murder book along with it. J.P. doesn't want to believe that any officer was responsible for the disappearance of evidence that might help him clear up the case. That's all you need to know about the plot. Take it from me that it's a super one. As are the characters Jance creates and brings to life. Vietnam plays a big part in this recital. There is too much to say about the Vietnam War, so I will let the author reveal her feelings directly. J.P. has the able assistance of his third wife, Mel. He still has feelings for his first wife, but was well rid of the second one, Karen. J.P.'s enforced recovery gives him the opportunity to go back in time to revisit some of the good things that happened in his life as well as the bad ones. Some reflection on our lives would be good for all of us. Don't miss this new episode in J.P.'s life. I hope the next one from Jance features Joanna Brady, another character we have come to know and love, who has her own series. Jance is a prolific writer and I have read and enjoyed all of her mysteries. Hope to continue doing so for a good long time. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews