This 1993 page turner introduces Jance's long running series featuring (about to be) Arizona sheriff Joanna Brady. The wife of a critically wounded deputy sheriff suspected of attempted suicide, murder, and drug smuggling, Joanna must cope with a professional serial killer, his runaway mistress, the veiled accusations of authorities who suspect her of complicity in a drug ring, and her interfering shrew of a mother while trying to care for a nine year old daughter, a blue tick hound named Sadie, and 10 unnamed cattle. Fortunately, her deceased father, himself a former sheriff, taught her to think clearly and shoot straight.
In addition to the story, I enjoyed Jance's descriptions of the Arizona desert and wildlife which evoked for me memories of the 1950s when I lived there for a while. I will continue to read more of Jance's Joanna Brady novels as well as her stories featuring retired Seattle detective J. P. Beaumont.

Interesting start to the series. I was engaged enough that I continued by reading the next 6 books.

Fast-paced, engaging, and fun, Desert Heat was the perfect book for a hot summer day like today. For my cozy followers, this wasn't quite a cozy, but it was still excellent.

Joanna was a determined, strong, and smart woman who didn't take nonsense from anyone. I really loved Angie Kellogg and her character, and I hope she comes back in the next books. Really each and every character was well thought-out and each one was a pleasure to read about.

The mystery was stellar, absolutely stellar. It was by far the star of the entire book and it was intricately pieced together in such a way that I absolutely did not expect the end. Filled with small-town corruption, personal issues, and a faked suicide, the mystery was by far one of the best I've read in a while.

Overall an excellent book. Just like Loyalty, this series will be perfect when I want something a little bit different from a cozy. Recommend!

now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.

The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.

i would highly recommend this author and this book.

I have read this series out of order so I knew a little of Joana's origins before being elected sheriff before I read this story. However, this was a wonderful book and was a lovely beginning to a great series..I love Joana Brady and I am looking forward to reading another book in this series.

Couldn't put it down.

Joanna on her tenth wedding anniversary finds her husband sheriff Andrew Brady shot. Investigations shows that he tried to commit suicide. She's going to clear her husband's name. One minute you'll be holding your breath scared, next minute you'll have a lump in your throat. Author builds her characters carefully, when needed sex scenes written, but tastefully. And some of us have a mother like that to. Will be reading more about Joanna.

Having read the later books in this series, I already knew what was going to happen in book #1. That did not make it any less sad, impactful, and even a great novel to read. Absolutely loved it!

This is the first book in the Joanna Brady series, which is not only well written but with great plot twists and mysteries to keep you turning the pages. I believe there are 16 books in this series, and I look forward to reading the rest of them!

I'm not going to give this any stars, because it was the reading of this audio book that really turned me off. The audio quality was horrible & the reader just didn't do a thing for me. I listened to another by this publisher, Books In Motion, & it wasn't great either. That reader was much better. This one sounded like Martin's secretary (his sister IRL) in "Gross Pointe Blank" talking with a cheap microphone in an echoing tunnel. A fun voice for short bits ONLY.

From what I did hear of the story, it wasn't really sucking me in, anyway. Lots of words for very little payoff.

Having read Outlaw Mountain I'm intrigued by the Joanna Brady story so I'm starting at the beginning...its the back story of how she becomes sheriff through the investigation of her husband's murder...spot on!!!

Great characters. Will definitely continue this series

3.5 stars and an interesting start to what I will expect to be a good series. I plan to continue along one of these days.