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Book Reviews of Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5)

Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5)
Skeleton Canyon - Joanna Brady, Bk 5
Author: J. A. Jance
ISBN-13: 9780380724338
ISBN-10: 0380724332
Publication Date: 8/1/1998
Pages: 400
Rating:
  • Currently 3.9/5 Stars.
 144

3.9 stars, based on 144 ratings
Publisher: Avon
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

25 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

sealady avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 657 more book reviews
Amazon.com: "Although J.A. Jance and Tony Hillerman (Coyote Waits, The Fallen Man) are in many ways poles apart as mystery writers, they are united on at least two fronts: their appreciation of the hypnotically arid beauty of the American Southwest; and their sense that this landscape is peculiarly capable of engendering horrific violence. In Skeleton Canyon Jance writes: "Overhead, the stars shone like glittering diamonds against a velvet sky. The starlight was so bright that the mountains, rocks, and trees around her emerged from the gloom. Sitting there in the half-lit dark of Skeleton Canyon, it was easy for Brianna to sense time falling away from her. This rugged, almost empty corner of the Arizona desert had changed so little that even now an occasional jaguar, roaming north from the mountains of Mexico, had been spotted by a solitary rancher. And if the wild canyons of the Peloncillos still played host to an assortment of wildlife, it wasn't so far off to imagine that human outlaws still ranged that same habitat as well."
Brianna O'Brien never returns from Skeleton Canyon, where she had waited under cover of darkness to rendezvous, à la Juliet and Romeo, with her boyfriend, Ignacio Ybarra. In investigating Brianna's murder, Sheriff Joanna Brady must confront both the blatant racism of the O'Brien family--horrified to discover that their daughter could have been involved with a Mexican boy--and the family's dark past. There are skeletons in canyons, and skeletons as well locked behind the doors of the sprawling O'Brien compound. Home is where the heart is--but home is also host to a lethal nest of lies, greed, and secrets. --Kelly Flynn "
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 108 more book reviews
another JA Jance thriller starring Joanne Brady. I couldn't put it down, I was actually reading it in my car while stuck in traffic!
familiagarduno avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 164 more book reviews
Well, I assume this isn't the first in the series, however you never feel lost as you followed the mystery. I love how there was more than one story running around the book, but yet they all tied together for a crazy ending! This book will keep you turning page after page until you can finish it up, and you won't be disappointed for sticking with it! 5 Stars for a great mystery!
tioga avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 167 more book reviews
Joanna is again embroiled in a mixed bag of crimes and agencies. Good, as usual, in this series by J.A.Jance
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 29 more book reviews
I would highly recommend this book, I enjoyed it tremendously. If you like Jance, you will like this book. This is a Joanna Brady book.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 20 more book reviews
Sheriff Joanna Brady,has various dealing with solving crimes and murders in Cochise County, AZ.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 117 more book reviews
A teenage girl steals away to meet her boyfriend in the desert. When her lifeless body is found,suspicion naturally falls on her boyfriend. But Sheriff Joanna Brady has doubts as to the boyfriends guilt. Could it be this teenager stumbled onto something too dangerous to know?
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 69 more book reviews
Jance writes a colorful location mystery with a strong female sheriff. A joy to read.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 1472 more book reviews
Early Joanna Brady mystery, shows promise of what the series will become but is flawed by unbelievable sub-plot involving the victim's parents.
Smokey avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 265 more book reviews
Brianna never returned from Skeleton Canyon- the pretty, popular teen was murdered, and her boyfriend has been accused.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 74 more book reviews
Excellent JA Jance.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 141 more book reviews
J.A,Jance is getting better and better. I love Joanna Brady.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 22 more book reviews
Sheriff Joanna Brady of Cochise County.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 77 more book reviews
A real page turner--Brianna O'Brien never returns from Skeleton Canyon because someone has murdered the pretty, popular teenager who had stolen away to rendezvous with her boyfriend. Sheriff Joanna Brady knows the pain of losing a loved one to violence and senses dark mysteries locked behind doors of the sprawling O'Brien family compound. She finds lies, greed and secrets in the Arizona desert.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 153 more book reviews
Sheriff Joanna Brady is on the trail of smugglers and murderers. A really good book.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 16 more book reviews
Very exciting! 5th in the Joanna Brady mystery series
CraftyTJ avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 381 more book reviews
In Skeleton Canyon Jance writes: "Overhead, the stars shone like glittering diamonds against a velvet sky. The starlight was so bright that the mountains, rocks, and trees around her emerged from the gloom. Sitting there in the half-lit dark of Skeleton Canyon, it was easy for Brianna to sense time falling away from her. This rugged, almost empty corner of the Arizona desert had changed so little that even now an occasional jaguar, roaming north from the mountains of Mexico, had been spotted by a solitary rancher. And if the wild canyons of the Peloncillos still played host to an assortment of wildlife, it wasn't so far off to imagine that human outlaws still ranged that same habitat as well."
Brianna O'Brien never returns from Skeleton Canyon, where she had waited under cover of darkness to rendezvous, à la Juliet and Romeo, with her boyfriend, Ignacio Ybarra. In investigating Brianna's murder, Sheriff Joanna Brady must confront both the blatant racism of the O'Brien family--horrified to discover that their daughter could have been involved with a Mexican boy--and the family's dark past. There are skeletons in canyons, and skeletons as well locked behind the doors of the sprawling O'Brien compound. Home is where the heart is--but home is also host to a lethal nest of lies, greed, and secrets.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 504 more book reviews
As always, a wonderful storyline, super characters, a believable sheriff that remains a lady. Loved the book / excellant read!
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 593 more book reviews
excellent crime drama.
reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 9 more book reviews
Great book.
cyndij avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 1032 more book reviews
I'm finding Jance a pretty consistent read so far. I enjoy the puzzles, there's usually a little twist, and Brady is a sympathetic character. But I'm not going to remember each plot six months from now, I read too much and there's nothing that really stands out. The above book description isn't exactly the way the plot unfolds, plus there's some inconsistencies within the plot, but the investigation moves along nicely and I'm liking the way the characters evolve. I thought O'Brien had an awfully quick change of heart at the very end, but it did humanize him somewhat. As a recent Arizona transplant I'm also interested in all the places mentioned...think I'll have to visit Bisbee sometime soon.
spiritwof avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 5 more book reviews
I thought it was a good mystery. Enjoyed the desert atmosphere.
Will continue reading and enjoying this series that is new to me !
maggieminnich avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 400 more book reviews
The focus of this book is solving a hideous crime when an older teenage girl turns up dead in the mountains of southern Arizona. There is a twist and turn here and there, but all-in-all, I don't think this book is up to par with the previous four in the series. While still fairly new on the job as Sheriff, Joanna continues to struggle with being the boss to her Chief Deputy. I understand she's trying to find her role, but to let him talk to her in the way he does is unacceptable. I found this rather irritating and distracting, and lost some respect and admiration for our hero. Still, in the end the crime is solved, but this book is not my favorite of the series.
iluvamystery avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 64 more book reviews
Sheriff Joanna Brady is at the top of her form in this mystery which seamlessly blends the challenges of her professional and personal life.

A must read for Brady fans.
mary2029 avatar reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 35 more book reviews
This story involves the star-crossed Romeo/Juliet relationship between a rich Anglo girl and her Latino boyfriend. A subplot involves Sheriff Joanna Brady's friend, Angie, and an English ornithologist. The characters generally ring true, and the descriptions of Arizona ferocity of thunderstorms are spot on. While this is not the strongest entry in the series, it was an enjoyable read.