a light easy-to-read crime novel from JA Jance that delivers a good plotline, a sensible introduction to a main character and a solid base from which to launch a series.

Joanna Brady, sheriff's daughter and a deputy's wife, has her world rocked when she finds her husband dying from a gunshot wound. But then there are accusations of him being a dirty cop and Joanna is determined to find the proof to clear his name and that of her family as well as prepare for her husband's funeral.

Jance's introduction of Brady, her family and what I expect will become some key characters in the books following this, is well done. The historical information of the main character is there but it is not overloaded and is of importance to the book as it shows the point of does we ever know truly those closest to us?

That I said the book is lightweight is in context to the fact that it deals with everything in a manner that is easy to read and doesn't need a degree in lexicography! which is what I am looking for in a weekend read. I look forward to reading more of the Brady series and other books by this author.

I enjoyed this book but it really should've been read first, since I have read later in the series, it seemed more like a rerun. The book starts with Joanna waiting with her mother and daughter for her husband to come home for their anniversary, when he doesn't show she starts looking and finds him shot. The rumors are going around town that it was a suicide and that he had been crooked. Joanna knows that isn't true and looks for the truth.

Perfect for homesickness ❤️

When I visit Arizona, I like to read a story set in Arizona. So I’ve been holding onto this book for just the right time. It came highly recommended to me. It was published in 2009 so there are some things that are dated. However, the female character is strong and her daughter is adorable. I look forward to continuing reading more books in this series.

This book was so terrible. Hundreds of pages of nothing happening at all then three pages of action right at the end and the whole story is wrapped up tight.
Completely implausible circumstances lead to more implausible events lead to yet more insane conclusions.
Don't bother.

Excellent introduction to a female sheriff and the culture and beauty of southern Arizona. Read them all.

My husband and I visited Bisbee, Arizona this year, mainly because we wanted to see where these books took place. It added a wonderful new dimension as I eagerly reread this book. Great summer weekend read--fast-paced with a kick-ass heroine.

Trying out this author and I don’t think it’s my style. The writing is too repetitive and the characters and not very developed.

Great start to a series. Really like this tough, determined heroine.

Interesting mystery & series opener with a sympathetic lead.

3.5 stars. It’s one of the rare books set in the desert that actually feels like the Southwest and not something out of an Acme cartoon. The story is good, if a little formulaic, but that goes with the genre. Enjoyable

This series was recommended to me because I enjoy modern westerns with a strong female lead. I decided to start at the beginning with the first Joanna Brady book in the series and listened to the audio. I can normally adapt to books that were written a while ago, but I really struggled with this one which came out in the early '90s. It just doesn't hold up... What was considered a strong female lead at that time made my skin crawl at times. Perhaps it doesn't even hold up for that time, either? I was a college student during the time this was written, and I can't help thinking that even for that time the characters were not believable and did not act or respond to the situations in any kind of reasonable ways. The narrator certainly didn't help the situation. Jenny sounded like a cartoon character toddler even though she is 10 years old.
I did enjoy the storyline, although it dragged on too long because a normal person, strong female lead or not, would have figured out what was happening immediately. I have hope for more recent books in the series and will give another book a try at some point when I'm looking for a breezy, light read.