Helpful Score: 1
When I began this series, I had started in the middle and I am so glad that I have gone back to the beginning and learned about Ali and her life from the beginning. In doing so, Ali has become a better over all character.
Two very different, but in some ways similar storylines keep the reader engrossed in this very good 3rd installment of the Ali Reynolds series.
When Ali is invited to the Ashcroft home she is very curious as to why - during tea it is revealed that Arabell's nephew is threatening to steal her money and have her committed. So to save herself, she reveals to Ali that she had been a victim of sexual abuse and with Ali's help she hopes to fend off the blackmail attempts with the truth. But Arabella is having second thoughts about the truth coming out.
That should be enough to keep Ali busy, so when her friend Dave Holman reveals to Ali that his own daughter, a sexually abused teen, has run away he asks for Ali's help in locating her. When she returns home, Ali takes in this lying manipulating child, but the problems are compounded when Crystal recognizes a killer and Ali's life hangs in the balance as she tries to protect Crystal, help Arabella, all the while trying to figure out who is telling the truth, who is out for their own benefit and who will take in the rhinestone cowboy outfit wearing gay butler. That part is really funny, but a great character has been discovered that will hopefully carry this series for many years to come.
Two very different, but in some ways similar storylines keep the reader engrossed in this very good 3rd installment of the Ali Reynolds series.
When Ali is invited to the Ashcroft home she is very curious as to why - during tea it is revealed that Arabell's nephew is threatening to steal her money and have her committed. So to save herself, she reveals to Ali that she had been a victim of sexual abuse and with Ali's help she hopes to fend off the blackmail attempts with the truth. But Arabella is having second thoughts about the truth coming out.
That should be enough to keep Ali busy, so when her friend Dave Holman reveals to Ali that his own daughter, a sexually abused teen, has run away he asks for Ali's help in locating her. When she returns home, Ali takes in this lying manipulating child, but the problems are compounded when Crystal recognizes a killer and Ali's life hangs in the balance as she tries to protect Crystal, help Arabella, all the while trying to figure out who is telling the truth, who is out for their own benefit and who will take in the rhinestone cowboy outfit wearing gay butler. That part is really funny, but a great character has been discovered that will hopefully carry this series for many years to come.
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
As always Jance never disappoints, very enjoyable.
Mary P. (riverratreader) - , reviewed Hand of Evil (Alison Reynolds, Bk 3) on + 164 more book reviews
With his hand trapped in the door of a speeding car, a man is dragged to his death along a deserted Phoenix road. His remains are so gruesome even the prowling coyotes keep their distance. The killer is long gone, crisscrossing the Southwest on a grisly murder spree. Meanwhile, former newscaster Ali Reynolds receives a mysterious call from an elderly family member requesting a meeting. Before she can understand why, she learns a friend's teenage daughter had disappeared. Her perilous quest to find the girl unveils a deadly ring of horrifying secrets with two indiscriminate killers at the center...
Fast read, can't put it down.
I just couldn't get into this one. I have read JA Jance books before but all the Johanna Brady series, so maybe I should have started from book one, but in any case, I made it about 50 pages and I really wasn't interested any more.
With this third volume, Jance's Alison Reynolds series has finally come into its own. While the previous books were good, I somehow never connected with the character - until now. Ali and her supporting cast come alive in this book of murder and mayhem like Jance has never written before. From the book's opening murder, the action begins and though it never gets frenetic, it never stops. Not content with a single homicide, Jance weaves a tale that includes a teenage runaway, insanity, incest, pedophilia, and egomania - did she leave anything out? By the end of the story it felt like being taken on a roller coaster ride while forced to juggle several objects standing up in the cars. Yet somehow she manages to keep all the threads together and weave them into a fascinating and intriguing tapestry with a depth of color. For the first time in this series I am left looking forward to Ali's next adventure.
The book begins with a gruesome murder and no clue as to who did it or why. As the plot unfolds, Ali Reynolds is drawn into situations that spiral out of control with her life, as well as others, being put into danger. Two murderers are on the loose and Ali finds herself in danger from both of them. A good book that keeps you wanting to know what happens with some interesting twists and turns.
enjoyed it
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Once again, plenty of action, good story line, surprises also along the way. Jance did it again, enjoyed it and read it in one day. I've demolished the first 3 of this series in as many days and am going on to the next one. Looking forward to the rest of this series, up to the newest ones.
Jance has created yet another series (her fourth), this time featuring a former Los Angeles TV journalist with an amazingly complicated backstory and a penchant for getting herself tangled up in murders. The plot has more noodles than a case of Top Ramen, including a runaway teen, several pedophiles, a nutty old lady in a crumbling mansion, and a trio of rich college kids who object strenuously to people interfering with their fun.
I loved this book. I think I will pick up the other books in this series
