Helpful Score: 1
I have to say that this is the first Ali Reynolds mystery that I have read. I know eight books into a series that there would be a lot of background information that I would be missing out on. As I was reading, I didnt feel that I needed all that information. It would have helped me understand the main characters actions but wasnt necessary to the storyline.
Former reporter Ali Reynolds learns that someone she knows is suspected in the killing of her current boyfriends ex-fiance. Lynn Martinson, the suspect and former victim of Richard Lowensdale, who Ali helped bring in. Ali is asked by Lynns mother to help her daughter because she knows that someone else was responsible for Gemma Ralstons murder.
Not only has Gemmas body been found but also another mans body was found not far from her. With the possibility of the two deaths related, the police and Ali try to connect dots that dont seem to be matching up. And so starts another plot line in Jances novel. This one involves a boy named A.J. Sanders whose father was a criminal but who mysteriously shows back up and buys him a car for his 16th birthday and tells him of a secret box that holds the key to paying for his collage. On his quest to find this chest he stumbles upon a woman dying and in the hopes of saving her he sends a text to 911 only to realize if he is found at the crime scene then his mother will find out about his skipping school and his fathers secret stash. A.J. leaves the scene of the crime leaving behind his shovel.
As the clues keep piling up the reader starts to wonder if this case will ever get solved. With several plot lines weaving in and around each other I was left confused because of the amount of heavy details that seemed to have no reason being added except maybe to confuse the reader, I had to give this a little lower rating. But in the end, this was a nice light mystery read and I think if you are a devoted J.A. Jance fan you wont be disappointed. I for one will be looking to start this series from the beginning because I want to know more about Alis life.
(I received this audiobook from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review.)
Former reporter Ali Reynolds learns that someone she knows is suspected in the killing of her current boyfriends ex-fiance. Lynn Martinson, the suspect and former victim of Richard Lowensdale, who Ali helped bring in. Ali is asked by Lynns mother to help her daughter because she knows that someone else was responsible for Gemma Ralstons murder.
Not only has Gemmas body been found but also another mans body was found not far from her. With the possibility of the two deaths related, the police and Ali try to connect dots that dont seem to be matching up. And so starts another plot line in Jances novel. This one involves a boy named A.J. Sanders whose father was a criminal but who mysteriously shows back up and buys him a car for his 16th birthday and tells him of a secret box that holds the key to paying for his collage. On his quest to find this chest he stumbles upon a woman dying and in the hopes of saving her he sends a text to 911 only to realize if he is found at the crime scene then his mother will find out about his skipping school and his fathers secret stash. A.J. leaves the scene of the crime leaving behind his shovel.
As the clues keep piling up the reader starts to wonder if this case will ever get solved. With several plot lines weaving in and around each other I was left confused because of the amount of heavy details that seemed to have no reason being added except maybe to confuse the reader, I had to give this a little lower rating. But in the end, this was a nice light mystery read and I think if you are a devoted J.A. Jance fan you wont be disappointed. I for one will be looking to start this series from the beginning because I want to know more about Alis life.
(I received this audiobook from the publisher at no charge and in no way influenced my review.)
I've never met a J.A.Jance book I haven't liked and she doesn't disappoint with 'Deadly Stakes'. If you have read all of J.A.Jance's books you reminisce along with Beau as he looks back at cases he didn't solve early in his career. You, too will remember a lot of the people and places he is visits again in order to put the case to rest. If it's your first read the book will grab your undivided attention immediately. Always captivating, never boring, suspense to the end. A recommended read for any time of the year.
This is a beautiful gift copy!
Former reporter turned media consultant for the Yavapai County, Arizona, police, Ali Reynolds angers her law-enforcement colleagues when she agrees to help Lynn Martinson and her boyfriend, Chip Ralston, both accused of murdering Chips gold-digging ex-wife, Gemma. Gemmas body, with Lynns cell phone lying near it, was found in the desert by teen A. J. Sanders. After a second body is found in the same area, A. J. becomes a suspect, and Ali becomes involved sorting out his troubles, too. Are the two cases connected? When Ali gets close to finding the real killer, she is kidnapped, and her boyfriend and his colleague must race to find her by illegally hacking into phone records. Fast pacing, multiple plot lines, a fascinating look at online research, and sympathetic characters all provide appeal in Jances suspenseful story. The eighth in the series. This is a great read!
Former reporter turned media consultant for the Yavapai County, Arizona, police, Ali Reynolds angers her law-enforcement colleagues when she agrees to help Lynn Martinson and her boyfriend, Chip Ralston, both accused of murdering Chips gold-digging ex-wife, Gemma. Gemmas body, with Lynns cell phone lying near it, was found in the desert by teen A. J. Sanders. After a second body is found in the same area, A. J. becomes a suspect, and Ali becomes involved sorting out his troubles, too. Are the two cases connected? When Ali gets close to finding the real killer, she is kidnapped, and her boyfriend and his colleague must race to find her by illegally hacking into phone records. Fast pacing, multiple plot lines, a fascinating look at online research, and sympathetic characters all provide appeal in Jances suspenseful story. The eighth in the series. This is a great read!
Good story, enjoyed very much. Once again a story to hold you and you don't want to put it down. Jance is always enjoyable and she never disappoints. Wonderful ending to this one.
Loved the book. I have read all of the Ali Reynolds series and each one leaves me looking forward to the next one.
