Outlaw Mountain

This is a series I've enjoyed since it began, although I have not been reading them in any particular order. In this one, Joanna Brady, sheriff of Cochise County is called upon to investigate and help solve the mystery surrounding the death of an elderly woman whose body is found impaled on hundreds of cactus spines. At first, it appears that the old lady, who was known to drink more than a few at a time, may have just gotten lost driving in the desert while drunk, left her car in the middle of the night, slipped, fallen and lost the battle to the giant cactus.

Although the death doesn't occur inside her jurisdiction, there are several other factors that involve Cochise County officials, and Sheriff Brady begins to suspect murder. There are several likely villains in this one, and more appearances by Joanna's other family members. In addition, the side story of "Junior" the lost man-child found abandoned at the local church, and who somehow ends up in Joanna's temporary custody, adds a strong sense of family, caring, and humanity that makes this series one I keep returning to.

If you haven't tried any of these, I'd recommend grabbing one the next time they pop up. I haven't found it necessary to read them in order, so start anyplace you want to. ( )

Joanna Brady series female sheriff in Cocise County, SW Arizona ( )