Good introduction to the series that sets up the circumstances of how Joanna Brady becomes the sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona. .....Ed

This is a fast read that could nearly be classified as a modern Western. Takes place in Bisbee, AZ (near border with Mexico) and Bisbee includes a few grizzly old cowboys, redecorated saloons, etc. This came out approx 1997 and is dated in a few ways. The main character spends a fair amount of time looking for a payphone (in what is now the age of cell phones). In some ways this is a formulaic story where a young women gets hit hard by life, yet manages to turn things around. This is the first in what is currently a 15-book series. Suspect it modernizes over time. One rather distasteful sex scene (the girl didn't want to do it with the murderer), and lots of implied violence. Decent read for those who like the Southwest, longer series, and female sheriffs!

A new to me series in the independent woman genre. Joanna Brady's husband is shot and left for dead. He was a deputy sheriff and running for sheriff in Bisbee, AZ. Suddenly, it seems everyone believes he was on the take, but Joanna and a few supporters do not believe this of him and set out to prove that he was murdered. A couple of convenient plot lines, but I was interested in the main character and will give the author another chance to see how this story develops.

Fun car trip read. Young wife refuses to believe her husband was suicidal after he was shot. She uncovers corruption, faces a cartel hitman, clears the father of her child, and steps into her father's shoes. The part about the black sheep of the family and the eccentric money management was a stretch.... but ok.

Joanna Brady was happily married. Suddenly, her life changes, and she is left to solve the murder of her husband because she does not believe he committed crimes as an officer of the law. As she works to put the pieces together, she find herself, her daughter and her mother in danger. But she does what she has to do to bring about justice.

I enjoyed this first book in the Joanna Brady series so much. She's a strong and capable woman. She's believable as a character. Above all, she is honest. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Great book!

I’m not sure why I haven’t read any J.A. Jance before. What a great book, the first book in the Joanna Brady series. Not only a page-turner but great characters. Yowzer.

I liked the location, the cast and the story.

I am so glad I started this series, this book had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down. a gripping action packed must read.

Joanna Brady was told that Sheriff Andy Brady, Joanna’s husband, death was a suicide. Joanna wouldn’t believe it and neither did Sheriff Andy’s father. After realizing that the Chief of Police of Cochise County wasn’t going to investigate the case as a murder, Joanna went in search of her husband’s murderer. Ellen Travola did an okay job in storytelling.

Dated but perfect, this is a great start to the Joanna Brady series. Not sure how I waited so long to start it, but am in a roll to read the entire series this year. We forget, or never knew, a time when there were no cell phones or Google searches. This mystery is made better for lack of the modern tech, and a reminder of how things got done with simple intuition and hard work.

Part of the Library summer reading challenge I had to read a book set in my home state, and I saw that J.A. Jance was a pretty popular AZ mystery writer from the 90's so I thought I'd give it a chance. It was a fine. This book reminded me of the mysteries that are left at the cabin you're renting in Flagstaff.