Book Reviews of Desert Heat (Joanna Brady, Bk 1)

I've been reading (well, actually listening to them on tape) Jance's Joanna Brady series for years. I've probably read 5 or 6 of them, all from later in the series. It's no secret that in the later books, she's the sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, living in the old mining town of Bisbee.

This is the first in the series, and I loved it. As someone else said in their comments, it connects all the dots for those who have read later books in the series, which makes it very satisfying. If you haven't read any of the series, by all means start here. You do want to read this series.

The blurb above tells you about the plot. It's a good story. For most of the book, everyone but Joanna believes that her husband, the deputy sheriff that died of a gunshot wound, killed himself because his crooked dealings with drug dealers were unraveling. Joanna knows that's not possible, but she's the only one who believes it.

If I didn't know things from reading later books, I might have found the depth of the conspiracy against her and her husband too depressing to enjoy the story. Luckily, I know that it all turns out all right, so I could stand it. Things get pretty dark for Joanna before the light comes on in the end.

It's a sign of an excellent writer when the troubles of the characters in the story have that kind of an effect on the reader. Jance is a top-flight, first class mystery writer. Read the book.

Having read most of the other Joanna Brady books, I found that this one connected all the dots. If you are just starting this series, this is the first one.

1ST OF THE JOANNA BRADY SERIES. IT GETS YOU STARTED AND ITS HARD TO STOP FROM THERE. READ THEM ALL.

good book. i thoroughly enjoyed this read.

Good, easy read. This book had the character development that I missed from Skeleton Canyon.

I really enjoyed this book. I had never read any books by JA Jance before and someone told me she was a good writer soI gave it a try - well worth it. This book had believable characters and really was engrossing. I could not put it down - needed to see "who done it." I would recommend it. Easy reading and makes you want to see what is in store next for the main character, Joanna Brady. I just ordered the 2nd book in this series.

This was my first J.A. Jance book and I thought it was excellent. I couldn't put it down and just wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next. It was a very fast paced book and you should put it on your list of books to read.

First in the Joanna Brady series, J.A. has done an excellent job with this story. She has started your interest in what she writes about Brady later.

Two men are killed, one is a deputy in the sheriff's department in Cochise County who was running for sheriff. His wife, Joanna, cannot believe all the rumors that begin swirling around about her husband including suicide, and she sets out to find out who killed her husband and why. Her hunt puts her in danger as well as her 9 year old daughter and she discovers that the killers will stop at nothing to keep her from learning the truth. A good quick read.

First book of Jance for me. I will be reading more of her work

Think that this has to be one of the best Mystery series ever. Couldn't put it down and couldn't wait to read the next book

Good book, an easy read with alot of excitment.

This is the first book I have read by J A Jance, but it will certainly not be the last. The storyline held my interest from the 1st to the last page. Can't wait to start on book 2

this book is very good it ie about a woman who trys to clear her husband's name while dealing with his death It flows well and shows the human emotions well

A cop lies dying beneath the blistering Arizona sun-a local lawman who may well have become the next sheriff of Cochise County. The police brass claim that Andy Brady was dirty, and that his shooting was a suicide attempt. Joanna Brady, his devoted wife and mother of their nine-year-old daughter knows a cover-up when she hears one... and a murder when she sees it. But her determined efforts to hunt down an assassin and clear her husband's name are placing Joanna and her surviving family in harm's way-because in the desert, the one thing more lethal than a rattler's bite... is the truth.
My first J.A. Jance read and I loved it!

A cop lies dying beneath the blistering Arizona sun - a local lawman who may well have become the next sheriff of Cochise County. The police brass claim that Andy Brady was dirty, and that his shooting was a suicide atttempt. Joanna Brady, his devoted wife and mother of their nine-year-old daughter, knows a cover-up when she hears one...and murder when she sees it. But her determined efforts to hunt down an assassin and clear her husband's name are placing Joanna and her surviving family in harm's way - because in the desert, the one thing more lethal han a rattler's bite...is the truth.

From back of book:

Andy Brady was an honest lawman, a good husband and candidate for Sheriff of Cochise County -- until a bullet abruptly destoryed his future. Now the police brass are claiming he was a maverick whose involvement in drug-running drove him to suicide. But Andy's strong-willed wife, Joanna, knows a cover-up when she hears one ... and murder when she sees it. And she is relentlessly determined to clear her husband's name. But her obessive hunt for a killer threatens to place both Joanna and her nine-year old daughter Jenny in serious jeopardy. Because, in the desert, the truth can be more lethal than a rattlesnake's bite.

Sheriff Andy Brady is killed and Joanna Brady works to find his killer and clear Andy's name. A good read!!

Love Jance

Life is good for Joanna Brady in the small desert community of Bisbee. She has Jenny, her adored 9 year old daughter, and solid, honest and loving husband, Andy, a local lawman who's running for Sheriff of Cochise County. But her good life explodes when a bullet destroys Andy's future and leaves him dying beneath the blistering AZ sun.

first of series, female sheriff

The first Joanna Brady book - how she decides to become sheriff.

Introducing Joanna Brady. Andy Brady was an honest lawman, a good husband and candidate for Sheriff of Cochise County -- until a bullet destroyed his future. His wife, Joanna, knows a cover-up when she hears it -- and murder when she sees it. And she is determined to clear her husband's name.

Life is good for Joanna Brady in the small desert community of Bisbee. She has Jenny, her adored Nine year old daughter, and solid honest and loving husband, Andy, a local lawman who's running for Sheriff of Cochise county. But her good life explodes when a bullet destroys Andy Brady's future and leaves him dying beneath the blistering Arizona sun.
The police brass claim that Andy was dirty---up to his neck in drugs and smuggling--and that the shooting was a suicide attempt. Joanna knows a cover up when she hears one...and murder when she sees it. But her determined efforts to track down an assassin and clear her husbands name are placing herself and her Jenny in serious jeopardy. Because, in the desert, the truth can be far more lethal than a rattlers bite.

Liked this very much. Looking forward to the rest.

This is a Joanna Brady book. One of the first of the Brady series, if not the first.

This is the first in the Joanna Brady series and I liked it very much! I plan on reading all in the series.

NOTE: The cover is not the same as the picture shown, but it's the same book.

Loved it! My first J.A. Jance book...will continue to read more!!

excellent

first in the Joanna Brady series

First in the series starring Joanna Brady, sheriff. Exciting and a fast read.

I absolutely loved this book! I wanted to get into a new series and JA Jance was recommended. This is the first in the Joanna Brady series and I am hooked! Can't wait to get all the others!!!

THIS IS THE FIRST IN THE JOANNA BRADY SERIES.IT IS THE FIRST J.A.JANCE BOOK I'VE EVER READ .NOW I'M HUNTING FOR THE REST IN THE SERIES

This was a first for me by this author. Good book.

Easy read. Looking forward to reading next book in the series.

Joanna Brady, the beginning. JA Jance never fails!

The first of the Joanna Brady series, well written and well developed.

First in the Joanna Brady series; Andy Brady was honest lawman, good husband and candidate for Sheriff untill he gets fatally shot; Cover up ensues and strong willed wife Joanna, and daughter Jenny, look for the truth.

Sheriff Joanna Brady,has various dealing with solving crimes and murders in Cochise County, AZ.