Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady Mysteries, Book 5) [Hardcover]

J.A. Jance (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1998

Brianna "Bree" O'Brien went to Skeleton Canyon for a romantic tryst with her boyfriend, Ignacio Ybarra--a rendezvous she never lived to experience. Sheriff Joanna Brady's investigation into the cruel death of the popular teenager is leading her from the isolated desert canyon into the luxurious O'Brien family compound--and into a complex web of crime, hatred, and deception that could have devastating and deadly consequences.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Once again, relationships between mothers and daughters shape and give humanity to an exciting mystery in J.A. Jance's excellent series about Joanna Brady, the sheriff of Bisbee, Arizona. Bree O'Brien, high school valedictorian and cheerleader, has upset her wealthy parents by taking up with Ignacio Ybarra, a hardworking Hispanic football star. The last words found in Bree's journal after she is discovered murdered in Skeleton Canyon while waiting for Ignacio are "My Mother is a liar." Sheriff Brady, torn between the temporary loss of her own daughter (to camp) and strange behavior by her demanding mother, looks for a link between Bree's death and suspicious activities at the O'Brien home near the Mexican border. As always, the desert environment--in this case, the dangers of fast floods--plays a major part in the story. Other Brady books include Desert Heat, Tombstone Courage, Shoot Don't Shoot, and Dead to Rights. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Joanna Brady, sheriff of Tombstone and star of Jance's award-winning mystery series, is summoned to the murderously hot Skeleton Canyon to investigate a killing.
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 450 pages
• Publisher: G K Hall & Co; Lrg edition (January 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0783883560
• ISBN-13: 978-0783883564
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,987,566 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

J.A. Jance is the top 10 New York Times bestselling author of the Joanna Brady series; the J. P. Beaumont series; three interrelated thrillers featuring the Walker family; and Edge of Evil, the first in a series featuring Ali Reynolds. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best in this series, August 9, 2000

By 

Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady Mysteries, Book 5) (Mass Market Paperback)

Joanna Brady seems more decisive and more skilled in her job as sheriff of Cochise Country, Arizona, in this installment of the series. Her co-workers still doubt her ability at times, but her straightforward approach and honesty seem to be winning them over. In this book, a young teenager, Bree O'Brien, is brutally murdered on the way to a rendezvous with her secret lover, Ignacio Yberra. Her father, who harbors a prejudice against Mexicans, immediately blames Ignacio. Mr. O'Brien is a wealthy and influential man who counts the Governor as a close friend, so Joanna has to approach the case in a careful and discreet manner. She decides to treat it as any other case, and is criticized by a local reporter for not giving it a higher priority. At the same time she is drawn into a case where illegal Freon from Mexico is being smuggled into Arizona. Eventually these two cases prove to have some common threads. On the home front, Joanna's daughter Jenny goes off to camp for the first time, with the usual angst on the part of both mother and daughter. Joanna's mother Eleanor pulls a very surprising move which leaves her a bit bewildered. I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys a good mystery with a look into the personal life of the heroine.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Skeletons in the Canyon and in the Closet!, April 15, 2005

By 

Susie Morris "Book Junkie" (Southern California) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady Mysteries, Book 5) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is another great book in the Joanna Brady series by J.A. Jance. This time she throws a little romance into the mix of things as Brianna O'Brien is found murdered and her Hispanic boyfriend is the main suspect for some, while others don't believe he could kill. This teenage girl had many secrets and her boyfriend was only one of them. While investigating this crime, everyone's favorite female sheriff, Joanna Brady, uncovers more than she bargained for and has a difficult time in dealing with some of it.

Again, we see some of the cast of support characters return, but others are mentioned in passing, so we know they will be back in future tomes. We're given a little glimpse of what's in store for Joanna Brady with her daughter growing up quickly and her mother's new relationship that seems to have transposed some of the former anger and has made her almost approachable.

I find it interesting that Jance not only tells a wonderful story, but throws in a moral issue as well. She deals with the topic of racism in this book and does so in a very civilized way showing the prejudices of some and the extremes they will go to continue that narrow-mindedness. However, she also gives us hope for the future. She shows us that no matter what the odds some will not follow in their parents' beliefs and will, instead, have friends based on things other than the color of skin or social standing.

And along with the story line and moral issue, you can always rely on Jance to paint a mental picture of the Arizona desert at it's best. Having lived in Arizona, I can remember the millions of stars in the sky that Jance describes in detail. I can remember the rugged beauty of the various wilderness areas that are similar to those portrayed. No one gives a better mental image of these things than Jance does. Having read all of the books in this series, I feel like I've actually been to Bisbee, Arizona. I'm sure if I ever do get the chance to visit that town; I'll see things as I've seen them before in my mind while reading these novels.

After reading the first book in the Joanna Brady series, I didn't think Jance would be able to keep up with the standard she set. I was very mistaken. She has not only achieved that level of excellence but has surpassed it and continues to set new standards with each new book she writes.

I highly recommend not only SKELETON CANYON, but any and all books in this series. They're wonderful, exciting and highly addicting! I do suggest that you read them in order to get the background on the characters - it's not mandatory, but will make for a more enjoyable read and will let your imagination run wild with possible scenarios for the future!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One fine series that started out great&keeps getting better, July 6, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Skeleton Canyon (Joanna Brady Mysteries, Book 5) (Hardcover)

What began as a simple teenage disappearance has turned ugly with the
discovery of the murdered corpse of Bree O'Brien. Cochise County, Arizona
Sheriff Joanna Brady begins to investigate the killing of the high school
valedictorian. The victim's wealthy parents insist that their daughter's
boy friend, Ignacio Ybarra is the killer. Joanna quickly learns that
Bree's father despises anyone of Hispanic dissent, forcing his daughter to
clandestinely meet with Ignacio, who is quickly proved innocent of any
wrong doing.

As Joanna continues to find clues, the case seems to get more
complicated rather than closer to being solved. Joanna begins to wonder
whether the illegal smuggling of freon across the border might be linked to
the murder. Eventually all roads lead to one place: the O'Briens. Did
they murder their own daughter to maintain a lavish lifestyle that
apparently is supported by illegal means? If it is true that they murdered
their own daughter, will they not be willing to eliminate an obstinate law
enforcement official before she uncovers the truth? If they did not do it,
Joanna must return to square one wondering who did and why?

The who-done-it is exciting and fun, but that is not what makes
SKELETON CANYON and the previous four Joanna Brady mysteries a wondrous
reading experience. It is Joanna, a lonely person, who has dedicated her
life to her deceased spouse and J.A. Jance's brilliant depiction of Arizona
(including the environment, the climate, and the racial relationships).
This is one series that seems to be getting better as each new tale
refreshes the entire collection.

Harriet Klausner