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