Another Review at MyShelf.Com

Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Release Date: June, 2004
ISBN: 159058113X
Awards:  
Format Reviewed: Hardcover
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Genre:   Mystery / Detective
Reviewed: 2004
Reviewer: Nancy Mehl

Desert Shadows
Publishing Can Be Murder
A Lena Jones Mystery, No. 3
 
By Betty Webb

     In the third installment of the Lena Jones Series, private investigator Jones becomes involved in the death of Gloriana Alden-Taylor when her partner, Jimmy, asks for her help. His cousin Owen, who worked for Gloriana, has been arrested for her murder. Alden-Taylor, who ran an obnoxious small press specializing in racist material, died from eating a salad seasoned with water hemlock, a plant that is readily available to anyone who has recently been in the vicinity of a nearby canyon where is grows in abundance. Jimmy insists that Owen is innocent, but at times Lena isn’t so sure. Of course there are a host of other possibilities. In a business like Patriot Press, enemies are easily made and many of them seem to be likely candidates. Suspicion is cast on almost everyone, including Gloriana’s own relatives and authors, as well as her publishing competitors. Gloriana wasn’t well liked and a lot of people are happy she’s gone. To complicate things, as Lena is trying to unravel an oftentimes confusing and mysterious puzzle, her old boyfriend Dusty arrives on the scene. He says he is sorry for his past infidelity and blames his problems on alcohol. He asks for another chance, claiming that he is fighting to stay sober because he loves her. But Lena is afraid to trust him, or anyone for that matter. A monster dwells in a dark closet in Lena’s psyche, and court-ordered meetings with a therapist threaten to let it out unless Lena can keep up the defenses she has built up over the years. A mother who deserted her and events in a series of foster homes when she was a child push her to the breaking point.

   In Desert Shadows, Betty Webb presents her best work yet. The writing is strong and fast-paced. Webb combines story and character development with perfect timing. Readers will be captured not only by the well-written plot, they will also become intrigued with Jones, who evolves a little more through each installment. Webb’s series is like a bag of potato chips--once you start, you can’t stop! I suggest that you start with Desert Noir, then delve into Desert Wives. All are highly recommended, and as an addicted fan, I can hardly wait for the next novel!

HIGHEST RECOMMENDATION

Other reviews in this series

Desert Noir, No 1
Desert Wives, No 2
Desert Shadows, No 3
Desert Run
, No 4
Desert Cut
, No 5
Desert Lost, No 6
Desert Wind, No 7
Desert Redemption, No 10

Reviewed 2004

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