Judgment Call (Joanna Brady Series #15)

by J. A. Jance Narrated by Hillary Huber

Overview

“The Arizona desert comes to life in the mysteries of J.A. Jance.”
-Arizona Republic

The New York Times bestselling master of mystery and suspense, J.A. Jance-whom the Chattanooga Times ranks “among the best, if not the best”-brings back her enormously popular series protagonist, Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady. With Judgment Call, Jance achieves a new high in crime fiction, as Brady wrestles with her conflicting roles of law officer and mother when her daughter discovers the murdered body of the local high school principal, and the ensuing investigation reveals secrets no parent wants to hear. At once a breathtaking recreation of the rugged landscape of the American Southwest, a moving story of a mother's concerns for her endangered child, and thrilling masterwork of brutal crime and expert detection, Judgment Call is prime J.A. Jance, a treat for anyone who loves a good cop story wrapped around a superior family drama.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

In bestseller Jance’s satisfying 15th novel of suspense featuring Cochise County, Ariz., sheriff Joanna Brady (after 2009’s Fire and Ice), Brady’s 15-year-old daughter, Jenny, discovers her high school principal, Debra Highsmith, shot to death in the desert near their family home. Jenny phones Brady, who hops on her horse and rides to the crime scene. Who might have wanted to kill the extremely private Highsmith, who appears to have had no friends and no next of kin? When a second murder follows within as many days, Brady really has her hands full, especially since important intel about the crimes is hitting the Internet even before she can begin lining up suspects. Meanwhile, Brady’s trying her best to juggle the life-or-death circumstances of her job with a private life. Jance smoothly intertwines the threads of multiple subplots, complete with a red herring or two. The solution to a 25-year-old mystery surrounding the death of Joanna’s father is a bonus. 10-city author tour. Agent: Alice Volpe, Northwest Literary Agency. (Aug.)

Library Journal - Audio

This title is the 15th in the series featuring Cochise County, AZ, sheriff Joanna Brady. Though new listeners will enjoy the police procedural details, fans will find comfort and familiarity in returning to Joanna and her family, community, and colleagues after a few years. Here, Joanna's daughter discovers the body of her high school principal while out on an early morning ride. The investigation stalls for a while as police can discover little about the victim's background. Reader Hillary Huber does a great job with all characters, especially the steady and resourceful sheriff. VERDICT Recommended for Jance's fans and for mystery collections.—Kristen L. Smith, Loras Coll. Lib., Dubuque, IA

AUGUST 2012 - AudioFile

Sherriff Joanna Brady is shaken when her teenaged daughter, Jenny, discovers murder victim Debra Highsmith, her high school principal—and then uses her smartphone to take a photo, which goes viral. Narrator Hillary Huber’s unique husky voice may come as a surprise--but she’s a master at storytelling. Huber takes the listener on a fast-paced hunt for the killer, perfectly portraying the various characters, especially the slightly whiny teen. The plot is exciting and unpredictable, filled with up-to-date technology and interesting details about Joanna’s life, past and present. Even though this is a long-running series, new listeners can join right in. Fans are sure to enjoy discovering new secrets about Joanna’s father’s death. M.M.G. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940173519443
Publisher:	HarperCollins
Publication date:	07/24/2012
Series:	Joanna Brady Series , #15
Edition description:	Unabridged

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