Downfall [with bonus novella 'Random Acts']

by J. A. Jance

Series: Joanna Brady (17 + Short Story)

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149	4	184,090	(4.13)	1
"Jance starts her books fast . . . and keeps things moving with cinematic panache." --Los Angeles Times A puzzling new case has just hit Sheriff Joanna Brady's department, demanding every resource she has at her disposal--as well as help from neighboring law enforcement agencies and the Feds. The bodies of two women have been found at the base of a nearby peak, known to Bisbee locals as Geronimo. Is this a terrible accident, a case of murder/suicide, or a double homicide? The investigation takes a puzzling twist when Joanna discovers that one victim was a local teacher and minister's wife, while the other was a brilliant microbiologist working toward her Ph.D.--two vastly different women with seemingly no connections to link them. As Joanna and her team methodically hunt down answers, they begin to uncover a knotty web of sordid secrets and evil lies--clues that take the valiant sheriff down a winding and dangerous road that leads shockingly close to home . . . and close to a desperate and determined killer. "Jance skillfully avoids the predictable." --South Florida Sun Sentinel… (more)

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Joanna is the sheriff for Cochise County. Her mother and stepfather have just died, her teenage daughter is just off to college, her son is starting kindergarten, and she is 4 months pregnant. Although technically on leave, she is back at work on a double homicide, which becomes more complicated with each passing day (or hour!). Before all is said and done, Joanna is in extreme danger, but as usual her quick thinking, and good work by her team save the day. There's some pretty dark plot action. (

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cherybear | Jan 31, 2021 |

I've been reading J.A. Jance's Joanna Brady books for years, and Jance still manages to make each one compelling as she builds Brady's world.

This one begins with the discovery of the bodies of two women at the base of a local peak known as Geronimo. As the investigation proceeds, layer after layer is peeled back until multiple unsavory secrets are revealed. Brady is is in the thick of it, as usual, and as usual is juggling not only criminal investigations but an upcoming election, seismic changes in her family, and the approaching birth of her third child.

The observant reader will probably have at least part of the mystery solved before it's revealed on the page, but there are plenty of twists and turns, along with more fine character development of the supporting cast. (

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LyndaInOregon | Jul 25, 2020 |

First read of 2018! A female sheriff, investigating the death of two women, finds danger in her own work environment. A little too much detail, but a good story with a strong female heroine. (

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LivelyLady | Jan 5, 2018 |

Joanna Brady has a lot going on, between her pregnancy, the very recent death of her mother and stepfather, and her daughter's departure for college. Before her parents' funeral is even planned, a double homicide followed by a single homicide giver her plenty of distraction from her grief. Two women are discovered dead from a fall near the local legend cliff Geronimo, and when a kidnapping is involved a sympathetic FBI agent steps in to help. (

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sleahey | May 3, 2017 |

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Joanna Brady (17 + Short Story)

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Downfall by J. A. Jance

Random Acts by J. A. Jance

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Downfall [with bonus novella 'Random Acts']

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"Jance starts her books fast . . . and keeps things moving with cinematic panache." --Los Angeles Times A puzzling new case has just hit Sheriff Joanna Brady's department, demanding every resource she has at her disposal--as well as help from neighboring law enforcement agencies and the Feds. The bodies of two women have been found at the base of a nearby peak, known to Bisbee locals as Geronimo. Is this a terrible accident, a case of murder/suicide, or a double homicide? The investigation takes a puzzling twist when Joanna discovers that one victim was a local teacher and minister's wife, while the other was a brilliant microbiologist working toward her Ph.D.--two vastly different women with seemingly no connections to link them. As Joanna and her team methodically hunt down answers, they begin to uncover a knotty web of sordid secrets and evil lies--clues that take the valiant sheriff down a winding and dangerous road that leads shockingly close to home . . . and close to a desperate and determined killer. "Jance skillfully avoids the predictable." --South Florida Sun Sentinel

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