Amazon.com: "Although J.A. Jance and Tony Hillerman (Coyote Waits, The Fallen Man) are in many ways poles apart as mystery writers, they are united on at least two fronts: their appreciation of the hypnotically arid beauty of the American Southwest; and their sense that this landscape is peculiarly capable of engendering horrific violence. In Skeleton Canyon Jance writes: "Overhead, the stars shone like glittering diamonds against a velvet sky. The starlight was so bright that the mountains, rocks, and trees around her emerged from the gloom. Sitting there in the half-lit dark of Skeleton Canyon, it was easy for Brianna to sense time falling away from her. This rugged, almost empty corner of the Arizona desert had changed so little that even now an occasional jaguar, roaming north from the mountains of Mexico, had been spotted by a solitary rancher. And if the wild canyons of the Peloncillos still played host to an assortment of wildlife, it wasn't so far off to imagine that human outlaws still ranged that same habitat as well."
Brianna O'Brien never returns from Skeleton Canyon, where she had waited under cover of darkness to rendezvous, à la Juliet and Romeo, with her boyfriend, Ignacio Ybarra. In investigating Brianna's murder, Sheriff Joanna Brady must confront both the blatant racism of the O'Brien family--horrified to discover that their daughter could have been involved with a Mexican boy--and the family's dark past. There are skeletons in canyons, and skeletons as well locked behind the doors of the sprawling O'Brien compound. Home is where the heart is--but home is also host to a lethal nest of lies, greed, and secrets. --Kelly Flynn "
Brianna O'Brien never returns from Skeleton Canyon, where she had waited under cover of darkness to rendezvous, à la Juliet and Romeo, with her boyfriend, Ignacio Ybarra. In investigating Brianna's murder, Sheriff Joanna Brady must confront both the blatant racism of the O'Brien family--horrified to discover that their daughter could have been involved with a Mexican boy--and the family's dark past. There are skeletons in canyons, and skeletons as well locked behind the doors of the sprawling O'Brien compound. Home is where the heart is--but home is also host to a lethal nest of lies, greed, and secrets. --Kelly Flynn "
another JA Jance thriller starring Joanne Brady. I couldn't put it down, I was actually reading it in my car while stuck in traffic!
Kristina B. (familiagarduno) reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 164 more book reviews
Well, I assume this isn't the first in the series, however you never feel lost as you followed the mystery. I love how there was more than one story running around the book, but yet they all tied together for a crazy ending! This book will keep you turning page after page until you can finish it up, and you won't be disappointed for sticking with it! 5 Stars for a great mystery!
Joanna is again embroiled in a mixed bag of crimes and agencies. Good, as usual, in this series by J.A.Jance
I would highly recommend this book, I enjoyed it tremendously. If you like Jance, you will like this book. This is a Joanna Brady book.
Sheriff Joanna Brady,has various dealing with solving crimes and murders in Cochise County, AZ.
A teenage girl steals away to meet her boyfriend in the desert. When her lifeless body is found,suspicion naturally falls on her boyfriend. But Sheriff Joanna Brady has doubts as to the boyfriends guilt. Could it be this teenager stumbled onto something too dangerous to know?
Jance writes a colorful location mystery with a strong female sheriff. A joy to read.
Early Joanna Brady mystery, shows promise of what the series will become but is flawed by unbelievable sub-plot involving the victim's parents.
Brianna never returned from Skeleton Canyon- the pretty, popular teen was murdered, and her boyfriend has been accused.
Peggy Jean E. (literaryswapper) reviewed Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady, Bk 5) on + 74 more book reviews
Excellent JA Jance.
J.A,Jance is getting better and better. I love Joanna Brady.
Sheriff Joanna Brady of Cochise County.
A real page turner--Brianna O'Brien never returns from Skeleton Canyon because someone has murdered the pretty, popular teenager who had stolen away to rendezvous with her boyfriend. Sheriff Joanna Brady knows the pain of losing a loved one to violence and senses dark mysteries locked behind doors of the sprawling O'Brien family compound. She finds lies, greed and secrets in the Arizona desert.
Sheriff Joanna Brady is on the trail of smugglers and murderers. A really good book.
Very exciting! 5th in the Joanna Brady mystery series
In Skeleton Canyon Jance writes: "Overhead, the stars shone like glittering diamonds against a velvet sky. The starlight was so bright that the mountains, rocks, and trees around her emerged from the gloom. Sitting there in the half-lit dark of Skeleton Canyon, it was easy for Brianna to sense time falling away from her. This rugged, almost empty corner of the Arizona desert had changed so little that even now an occasional jaguar, roaming north from the mountains of Mexico, had been spotted by a solitary rancher. And if the wild canyons of the Peloncillos still played host to an assortment of wildlife, it wasn't so far off to imagine that human outlaws still ranged that same habitat as well."
Brianna O'Brien never returns from Skeleton Canyon, where she had waited under cover of darkness to rendezvous, à la Juliet and Romeo, with her boyfriend, Ignacio Ybarra. In investigating Brianna's murder, Sheriff Joanna Brady must confront both the blatant racism of the O'Brien family--horrified to discover that their daughter could have been involved with a Mexican boy--and the family's dark past. There are skeletons in canyons, and skeletons as well locked behind the doors of the sprawling O'Brien compound. Home is where the heart is--but home is also host to a lethal nest of lies, greed, and secrets.
Brianna O'Brien never returns from Skeleton Canyon, where she had waited under cover of darkness to rendezvous, à la Juliet and Romeo, with her boyfriend, Ignacio Ybarra. In investigating Brianna's murder, Sheriff Joanna Brady must confront both the blatant racism of the O'Brien family--horrified to discover that their daughter could have been involved with a Mexican boy--and the family's dark past. There are skeletons in canyons, and skeletons as well locked behind the doors of the sprawling O'Brien compound. Home is where the heart is--but home is also host to a lethal nest of lies, greed, and secrets.
ANDRE' E. J. (Expeditious) -
As always, a wonderful storyline, super characters, a believable sheriff that remains a lady. Loved the book / excellant read!
excellent crime drama.
Great book.
I'm finding Jance a pretty consistent read so far. I enjoy the puzzles, there's usually a little twist, and Brady is a sympathetic character. But I'm not going to remember each plot six months from now, I read too much and there's nothing that really stands out. The above book description isn't exactly the way the plot unfolds, plus there's some inconsistencies within the plot, but the investigation moves along nicely and I'm liking the way the characters evolve. I thought O'Brien had an awfully quick change of heart at the very end, but it did humanize him somewhat. As a recent Arizona transplant I'm also interested in all the places mentioned...think I'll have to visit Bisbee sometime soon.
I thought it was a good mystery. Enjoyed the desert atmosphere.
Will continue reading and enjoying this series that is new to me !
Will continue reading and enjoying this series that is new to me !
The focus of this book is solving a hideous crime when an older teenage girl turns up dead in the mountains of southern Arizona. There is a twist and turn here and there, but all-in-all, I don't think this book is up to par with the previous four in the series. While still fairly new on the job as Sheriff, Joanna continues to struggle with being the boss to her Chief Deputy. I understand she's trying to find her role, but to let him talk to her in the way he does is unacceptable. I found this rather irritating and distracting, and lost some respect and admiration for our hero. Still, in the end the crime is solved, but this book is not my favorite of the series.
Sheriff Joanna Brady is at the top of her form in this mystery which seamlessly blends the challenges of her professional and personal life.
A must read for Brady fans.
A must read for Brady fans.
This story involves the star-crossed Romeo/Juliet relationship between a rich Anglo girl and her Latino boyfriend. A subplot involves Sheriff Joanna Brady's friend, Angie, and an English ornithologist. The characters generally ring true, and the descriptions of Arizona ferocity of thunderstorms are spot on. While this is not the strongest entry in the series, it was an enjoyable read.
