Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The A List by J. A. Jance Narrator: Karen Ziemba
Series: Ali Reynolds #14
Published by Simon & Schuster Audio on April 2, 2018
Genres: Mystery
Length: 11 hours, 24 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: Publisher
Goodreads
Amazon, Audible, Libro.fm, Barnes & Noble
More than ten years after the abrupt end of her high-profile broadcasting career, Ali Reynolds has made a good life for herself in her hometown of Sedona, Arizona. She has a new house, a new husband, and a flourishing cybersecurity company called High Noon Enterprises, where her team of veritable technological wizards hunts down criminals one case at a time.
But the death of an old friend brings Ali back to the last story she ever reported: a feel-good human interest piece about a young man in need of a kidney to save his life, which quickly spiraled into a medical mismanagement scandal that landed a prestigious local doctor in prison for murder.
Years may have passed, but Dr. Edward Gilchrist has not forgotten those responsible for his downfall—certainly not Ali Reynolds, who exposed his dirty deeds to the world. Life without parole won’t stop him from getting his revenge. Tattooed on his arm are the initials of those who put him behind bars, and he won’t stop until every person on that Annihilation List is dead.
I have read all three series by J.A. Jance for a long time. I always recommend to read series in order. This Ali Reynolds series, is probably the least realistic of the three, and is not based on law enforcement personnel like the other series. I still love it. Ali was a news anchor who was briefly in law enforcement and now works with her husband’s high-tech firm.
I reviewed Man Overboard (#12). It involved AI, artificial intelligence. Then Duel to the Death (#13) picks up right where it ended. And I loved it so much! The focus was on Stuart Ramey and the AI more than Ali and B.
The A List covers many years, about 20, starting with Ali still in CA as a news anchor. She is not even in several parts of the story. The story ends in the present day when Ali is in danger. The AI Frigg is back in action, despite Stuart’s best efforts to make her access only legal information sources. Frigg pursues all important data without regard to legal aspects but saves lives.
I was captivated by the families and their precious children with health issues which might have been prevented. The mothers worked very hard to get and provide information to help everyone they could. What a tense story with the bad actors getting their way for far too long, but Ali with Frigg’s help brings them to justice using legal methods. The details of the “hits” by criminals out for revenge and Ali’s legal knowledge to stay within the law to thwart them were exciting
Narration:
Karen Ziemba narrated this as well as the previous two books, so I am familiar and comfortable with her. I was able to listen at 1.5x as I have more recently rather than 1.25x speed in the past. She was easy to understand and the voices were a bit different for each of the characters. I love her voice for Frigg! The performance added to my enjoyment of the mystery plot.
Listen to a clip:
About J. A. Jance
Judith Ann Jance is the top 10 New York Times bestselling author of the Joanna Brady series; the J. P. Beaumont series; three interrelated thrillers featuring the Walker family; and Edge of Evil, the first in a series featuring Ali Reynolds. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.
Series:
* J.P. Beaumont * Joanna Brady * Ali Reynolds * Walker Family
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 2019 Audiobooks
- 2019 Releases
I really need ot get to a Jance book at some point. I’m pretty sure I’d enjoy them. Looks like there are a few series to choose from. Glad you loved this one, Anne!
There are 3 series and I loved them all. A male police detective in Seattle. A female daughter of sheriff now sheriff in Arizona. And this one who was first a news anchor, then police, then wife of security guy. All enjoyable.
Thanks for sharing this series by Jance as I’ve followed your posts for the other two. I’m continuing to collect the books in the hopes that I can start one of them soon. Great review, Anne?
I’ve enjoyed all 3 of her series. There are some aspects which don’t quite seem realistic but I do really enjoy the law enforcement aspects. We do get the criminal point of view which is interesting as well.