From Publishers Weekly
At the start of this disappointing thriller from bestseller Jance (
Long Time Gone), Alison Reynolds, a 45-year-old Los Angeles television news anchor, loses her job, realizes her marriage is a sham and learns that her childhood friend Reenie Bernard has disappeared after being diagnosed with ALS. Alison efficiently handles the first two problems, hiring attorneys specializing in discrimination and divorce. With her supportive college student son, Chris, she heads for Sedona, Ariz., her hometown, to visit her sympathetic parents and await news of Reenie. When Chris sets up a blog for her, Alison, usually tense and judgmental, begins revealing herself to strangers, a practice that leads to a personal threat. After Reenie's body is found, the police pronounce her a suicide; Alison disagrees and begins to investigate her friend's life. The reader learns much about age and sex discrimination, spousal abuse, the effects of catastrophic illness on families and anonymous Internet communication. The result, though, is a polemical novel with poorly developed characters and predictable situations uncharacteristic of this talented author.
(Jan.) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Review
“Jance proves once again she is the undisputed mistress of the mystery novel.” (Tucson Citizen )
“An intriguing plot, colorful characters.” (San Diego Union-Tribune )
“Credible and entertaining.” (Orlando Sentinel )
“Jance delivers a devilish page-turner.” (People )
“Suspenseful, action-packed.” (Dallas Morning News )
“Taut . . . entertaining.” (Entertainment Weekly )
“J.A. Jance does not disappoint her fans.” (Washington Times )
