Excellent story in the Joanna Brady series. Couldn't put it down. Great twists you don't expect and satisfying, ending that doesn't feel rushed.
I don't think I will ever tire of Jance's Joanna Brady mysteries. For me, they are the perfect blend of character, setting, and story. Joanna is independent, brave, sharp as a tack, and loaded with common sense. Her mind has a laser-like quality that can cut to the heart of a problem and come up with a solution using her available resources. I love watching her in action. The setting of Cochise County, Arizona, and the old mining town of Bisbee is one that I'm very familiar with, and so is Jance (who grew up there). As for the story, Jance is brilliant at weaving together a fast pace with various subplots that range from the personal and emotional-- like the deaths of loved ones and pregnancy-- to more topical issues that can still hit close to home. The trouble is, there's not much I can say about those topical issues without giving away a lot of the story.
Since I can't talk about the plot, I will say that there's a fine scene involving Joanna who's got herself into a bit of a pickle, and she finds that she's got to rely on the Little Red Hen and a dog. (Two of the best things you can depend on when you find yourself in a similar mess.) For me, the continued high quality of this series all boils down to character. Like the FBI agent Joanna is saddled with... or the chief deputy who's still a question mark in Joanna's mind. There's only one character I can do without in this entire series, and that's Marliss Shackelford the local journalist. That character works my last nerve, but I don't think Jance will ever get rid of her. Marliss is just too much fun to write.
Now, if you've arrived at the opinion that I love this series and enjoy what Jance can do with her characters and a puzzling murder or two, I'd have to admit that you have reached your destination. If you're not familiar with this series, I wholeheartedly recommend that you dive right in. You can probably start anywhere, but be forewarned: the personal lives of the characters will then be all out of sequence.
Since I can't talk about the plot, I will say that there's a fine scene involving Joanna who's got herself into a bit of a pickle, and she finds that she's got to rely on the Little Red Hen and a dog. (Two of the best things you can depend on when you find yourself in a similar mess.) For me, the continued high quality of this series all boils down to character. Like the FBI agent Joanna is saddled with... or the chief deputy who's still a question mark in Joanna's mind. There's only one character I can do without in this entire series, and that's Marliss Shackelford the local journalist. That character works my last nerve, but I don't think Jance will ever get rid of her. Marliss is just too much fun to write.
Now, if you've arrived at the opinion that I love this series and enjoy what Jance can do with her characters and a puzzling murder or two, I'd have to admit that you have reached your destination. If you're not familiar with this series, I wholeheartedly recommend that you dive right in. You can probably start anywhere, but be forewarned: the personal lives of the characters will then be all out of sequence.
Arizona sheriff Joanna Brady returns in this outstanding new mystery set in the beautiful desert country of the Southwest.
With a baby on the way, sudden deaths in the family from which to recover, a re-election campaign looming, and a daughter heading off for college, Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady has her hands full when a puzzling new case hits her department, demanding every resource she has at her disposal.
Two women have fallen to their deaths from a small nearby peak, referred to by Bisbee locals as Geronimo. What's the connection between these two women? Is this a case of murder/suicide or is it a double homicide? And if someone else is responsible, is it possible that the perpetrator may, even now, be on the hunt for another victim?
With a baby on the way, sudden deaths in the family from which to recover, a re-election campaign looming, and a daughter heading off for college, Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady has her hands full when a puzzling new case hits her department, demanding every resource she has at her disposal.
Two women have fallen to their deaths from a small nearby peak, referred to by Bisbee locals as Geronimo. What's the connection between these two women? Is this a case of murder/suicide or is it a double homicide? And if someone else is responsible, is it possible that the perpetrator may, even now, be on the hunt for another victim?
When the bodies of two women are found at the foot of a local peak, the investigation pushes Sheriff Joanna Brady into an investigation that reveals a number of ugly secrets within her jurisdiction.
#17 in the series. Lots of backstory explanation so that it's fine for a new reader to start here, and so much that for me it was annoying. Brady is in fine form again, delegating with reluctance even though she knows she has capable subordinates, still dealing with mommy issues, and habitually late for dinner. I like most of the regular supporting characters too and glad to see Montoya again. But IMO, Jance did a poor job with presenting the mystery. Giant leaps in logic from all the law enforcement, not to mention all the suspects go right along with it too. We readers know it's a murder mystery but the characters aren't supposed to right up front. Two bodies at the bottom of a cliff, with no signs of any injuries other than the fall - your mind does not automatically leap to homicide. Or a lesbian murder-suicide, which comes up too many times in the first part with absolutely no supporting evidence. And weird errors, like why would a microbiologist be cataloging cacti? Why was the FBI there anyway, it wasn't really a kidnapping. Brady tells the FBI agent that slick mud is caliche, which is so wrong that I almost quit there. Then with 3 pages to go, there's a scene where they release a ton of balloons, thereby trashing the environment with plastic crap for years to come - I hate people who do that so much that I wanted to throw it across the room. I could go on. But I finished it, it's a pretty fast read, and I mostly liked how Jance handled (oops no spoilers) what one victim was really up to. I have liked most of the series but I'll think twice before spending time on another.
I tried this series several years ago, notice I said 'tried'
I didn't make it even half way into this book, slow slow slow drag drag drag
Her parents died in an auto accident--ok move on we don't need that on every page
She has to plan the funeral without her brother--ok move on we don't need that on every other page
She is 8 months pregnant--ok move on we don't need to be told that on every page
She has an incompetent deputy--ok move one we don't need to know on every page
She didn't have a good relationship with her Mother--ok move on what does that have to do with this story?
She is made to sound like 'supercop' for the things she does at 8 months pregnant? really? no cop that far along is going to do the things she does--unbelievable!
I read on the Amazon reviews that the second half is a little better, IF you can make it that far, if you can get through the slow draggy boring first half
No wonder I gave up on this series
I didn't make it even half way into this book, slow slow slow drag drag drag
Her parents died in an auto accident--ok move on we don't need that on every page
She has to plan the funeral without her brother--ok move on we don't need that on every other page
She is 8 months pregnant--ok move on we don't need to be told that on every page
She has an incompetent deputy--ok move one we don't need to know on every page
She didn't have a good relationship with her Mother--ok move on what does that have to do with this story?
She is made to sound like 'supercop' for the things she does at 8 months pregnant? really? no cop that far along is going to do the things she does--unbelievable!
I read on the Amazon reviews that the second half is a little better, IF you can make it that far, if you can get through the slow draggy boring first half
No wonder I gave up on this series
This is a wonderful story by her and a fast read. I enjoy all of her stories and this is no exception. I can hardly wait until the next one arrives. Great author of mysteries and suspense.
