Trial by Fire

I have read most of this author's books. I have enjoyed everyone of them. She never disappoints!

J.A.Jance proves over and over again that she is a vastly talented writer who has what it takes to tell a good story and keep you entertained and engrossed in her books. Ali Reynolds is twitched into place as a media person for the Sheriff while the usual person is off on administrative leave (you know what that means).She didn't plan for the job but got talked into it by a slick cowboy sheriff with a plan to improve his office. An elderly woman is found naked in a burning house, outside of town and there is no clothing or personel articles with the woman, no way to identify her and she is barely alive and not given much chance of living. There in lies the mystery and to get to the answer you will have to read this very entertaining and well written, fast paced novel. I loved it and read it in one sitting.

Yet another great J. A. Jance book! I have loved reading her books for years and have been excited to get in at the beginning of this particular series as I didn't discover her writings until she was well into her J. P. Beaumont and Joanna Brady series. This book is part of the Ali Reynolds series that takes place in Arizona. The book flows nicely and I didn't want to put it down so ended up reading until 2:30AM to finish it. That is my criteria for a good book. Am I willing to lose sleep to finish it? Absolutely yes! In her usual way, Jance keeps her regular characters advancing in their lives, Ali advancing in hers, and then throw in a great suspenseful mystery and you have a series worth reading. This one also keeps us with the times with Ali using her laptop computer extensively, email, GPS system, air cards, etc. and even better yet, the 70 plus year old nun that she is working with is right up to date with the technology also. It is this technology that saves the nun's life and brings help in the nick of time. As a reviewer, I have been reading an assortment of books over the last few months. Some that were dreadfully dull. I was so happy to be offered this book to read that when it came during the Christmas holidays, I put it away and saved it for when life calmed back down and I could curl up with my book and be lost in the story. It was great. The book didn't disappoint and if you are a J. A. Jance fan, you will definitely want to read this book.

TRAIL BY FIRE by J.A. Jance is the fourth book in the Ali Reynolds series and by far the best one. I had stopped reading Jance after trudging through the first three titles of this once favorite author, but with the current offering Jance lets her talent for characterization roam free. Hence, a much stronger suspense/thrill novel. The plot is complex without digging around to create problems for Ali Reynolds to endure, which for the first three made the reader feel burdened. Jance allows Ali to let go of self and focus her concerns on other characters in the story, which is a relief. This is a good read as Ali takes a temporary job as media consultant to the local sheriff's office and uses her talents to defuse situations from the other side of the media fence. Several threads extend Ali's story, but do not over power the mystery/suspense of the novel. An excellent work in which to explore what puts Jance at the top of the game. Nash Black, author of Indie finalists WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and HAINTS.

I picked this book at random to try on my new kindle my lovely grandchildren bought me for Christmas. Even with me pushing the turn page button before I was ready and have to use the previous button a lot it was worth it. The book kept me interested and I stayed up and finished it. As a long time reader of most anything but with favorite authors suspense and mystery I would recomend this book highly. J. A. Vance will be added to my list along side Robert Parker, J.D.Robb, James Patterson, etc.