|
[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
J. A. Jance combines her two popular series protagonists in an adventure that both groups of her fans will enjoy. Former Seattle detective J.P. Beaumont will travel to Bisbee, Arizona and come across Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady. It will not be a merry encounter but they will have to work together to solve a case that will affect lives in both of their jurisdictions. Bisbee artist Rochelle Baxter has passed away under mysterious circumstances the night before a local gallery opening. At first it seems that the painter died of natural causes but there is evidence leading to something else. When the local police try to contact Ms. Baxterís next-of-kin in Washington they start to get the runaround. It is not until Sheriff Brady gets involved that she learns that Rochelle was not who she claimed to be. Her name was Latisha Walls and she was in the Witness Protection Program. The powers that be are in a panic because the victim was about to testify in a volatile case in Washington State. Her testimony would have put several influential people in jail. Her death will complicate manners. In order to protect the chain of custody they send J. P. Beaumont to take the case files to Arizona and assist the Arizona police in their investigation. Beaumont is a bit apprehensive about going to Bisbee since it is the hometown of his deceased wife. In a previous novel, Beau learns that his wife was a serial killer and he was forced to kill her in self-defense. The wounds are still fresh in his mind and he still has not healed from the experience. Sheriff Brady is not happy with this Washington intruder getting involved in her police investigation and she is going to make Beaumontís stay miserable. As soon as he finds out that he is now a victim of a runaround, J.P. decides to do his own investigation and gets to learn more about the Cochise County case than the local police. Eventually both characters will work together to uncover a conspiracy as well as a hidden danger that can be found at local junkyards. The author manages to satisfy both Beaumont and Brady fans with this crossover novel. It is not flawless but it manages to be entertaining. Several supporting characters from both series make an appearance where we get to learn to what has happened in their lives. Readers unfamiliar with either Beau or Joanna will get a sneak preview of both these characters in this unique setting. Jance novels are very fulfilling where we get to see how the local characters evolve from story to story. Except for the bookís ending, the two lead characters behave, as they would normally do in their own books. Janceís books are pure enjoyment and a breath of fresh air. It is refreshing to see an author who can write a quality novel that anyone can enjoy. If you have not read any of her books before now is your chance. Enjoy.
Reviewed by Angel L. Soto, October 2002
This book has more than one review. Click here to show all.
[ Top ]
QUICK SEARCH:
Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]
| 
