"A well crafted police procedural"
In Cochise County, Arizona twelve-year-old Jenny Brady
and her friend Dora Matthews sneak out of the Girl Scout's
camp after lights are out to smoke cigarettes. However,
the two mischievous girls soon find a corpse. Though she
has a homicide to investigate, Jenny's mother Joanna, the
county sheriff, is livid with her daughter, not only for
sneaking out but for smoking as well. However, Joanna revises her concern when a hit and run
driver kills Dora. Not believing in coincidences, Joanna
worries that someone wants to eliminate the witnesses to
the first killing, which makes her beloved daughter a
potential next victim. Joanna uses all her police skills
to uncover the identity of the culprit before Jenny becomes
the next casualty. As expected from J. A. Jance (see the Beaumont
mysteries as well as other novels in this series), PARADISE
LOST is paradise found by fans of police procedurals. An
intense personal side to Joanna leads to a taut story line
that enhances the who-done-it. Both subplots converge on
the heroine as her personal life and professional lives
collide. Whether it is Seattle or Arizona, Ms. Jance
always provides a powerhouse of entertainment. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted August 4, 2001
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