FIFTY YEARS AGO, WHEN SHE WAS FIVE, SISTER MARY KATHERINE WITNESSED SOMETHING TERRIBLE . . .

A former Seattle policeman now working for the Washington State Attorney's Special Homicide Investigation Team, J.P. Beaumont has been hand-picked to lead the investigation into a half-century-old murder. An eyewitness to the crime, a middle-aged nun, has now recalled grisly, forgotten details while undergoing hypnotherapy.

It's a case as cold as the grave, and it's running headlong into another that's tearing at Beau's heart: the vicious slaying of his former partner's ex-wife. What's worse, his rapidly unraveling friend is the prime suspect.

Caught in the middle of a lethal conspiracy that spans two generations and a killing that hits too close to home -- targeted by a vengeful adversary and tempted by a potential romance that threatens to reawaken his personal demons -- Beaumont may suddenly have more on his plate than he can handle, and far too much to survive.

Years ago, at a signing in Sierra Vista, a fan asked for my address, saying she wanted to send me something. Weeks later, a brown Manila envelope arrived. Inside were reports, detailing a case in which forgotten memories provided the impetus to clear a case some fifty years cold. The police reports were fascinating as was the fact that an accomplice, then in her eighties, actually went to prison for the crime. Run those police reports through the Waring Blender of my mind and fingers? Voila'! The result is Long Time Gone. J. P. Beaumont is definitely back!

JAJ