This is my first J.A. Jance book. I fully enjoyed it. It was a quick read but kept my interest throughout the book.

Ali Reynolds, 40 something woman with a 22 year old son, has just been terminated from her TV journalist position due to age & sex discrimination. Shortly after, Ali discovers that her husband knew about the termination and has been cheating on her for quite awhile. When Ali gets a call from her hometown of Sedona, Arizona indicating a very close friend is sick and is missing, there is no hesitation in packing up herself and her son for a visit to her parents. In investigating her friend's disappearance, Ali turns herself into an amateur detective.

I am very interested in reading more in this series to discover what other adventures Ali gets into while discovering herself.

This 2nd book in the Ali Reynolds series did not intrigue me as much as the first. I thought the story was a bit far fetched but still intrigued me enough to see what happens when Ali Reynolds goes back to L.A. to finalize the divorce from her cheating husband. Though I see that many reviews do not seem to enjoy this series as much as Jance’s other ones, I am intrigued by the character of Ali as she is about the same age I am now. I will continue on with series to catch up on Ali’s adventures.

The 3rd in the Ali Reynolds series captivated me with the multiple plots within the book. Ali is back in Sedona dealing with the aftermath of her cheating husband’s death and gets involved in several murder mysteries including a family that was her benefactor as a teenager. The topic of sexual abuse of minor girls and the effect it has on their physical and mental health was intriguing. This book allowed for exploration into Ali’s past and the dynamic relationships with her family and friends. Ali’s character was further developed by obtaining a better understanding the effect that being “poor” had on her life and desire to become an independent woman.

I continue to enjoy the Mauser Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear. The development of Mauser character throughout each book intrigues me. In this latest book of the series, Maisie encounters gypsies and brings to light her own heritage. Also, Maisie will deal further with her past in regards to her former love, Simon.