Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Blessing of the Lost Girls by J. A. Jance Series: Joanna Brady and Brandon Walker #1
Published by William Morrow on September 19, 2023
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 384
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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When human remains are found in Joanna Brady's Cochise County, the victim turns out to be a missing young woman of Apache descent. As part of a newly formed Missing and Murdered Indigenous People's Task Force, Dan Pardee, a former Border Patrol Shadow Wolf and Brandon Walker's son-in-law, catches the case and ends up in Sheriff Joanna Brady's jurisdiction. Will Dan find out what led to this young woman's death? There's a long case ahead, and the task force will do anything to bring down a serial killer before he can strike again.
I have read all four series by J.A. Jance for a long time. I always recommend to read series in order. This Joanna Brady – Brandon Walker series is a spin-off of their two individual series. I have read both of those series so it was easy for me to start, already knowing all the characters. The naming of the series is bizarre because Brandon Walker won’t really be in this series. I think this will be about his son-in-law Dan Pardee primarily.
The point of view here was primarily Dan Pardee, but a bit of the serial killer. Dan has left the Shadow Wolves where he was a border patrol agent. Now he is in a new group MIP – Missing / Murdered Indigenous Persons. It is a team of investigators with Native heritage looking for missing persons of that heritage.
The identification of a body which was burned and dumped a few years ago, starts a fresh look into the case as it has just been identified. More evidence comes about quickly in a unique way. Dan gets a tip and looks at similar cases finding young women of all heritage have disappeared or been murdered in the same methods. It feels like Dan is getting the information in a deluge without as much investigating on his part. The forensics gave him a big assist.
Joanna Brady was hardly in the story and that makes me sad because I really enjoy her. She and her family play a role though and we do get to catch up with them. There is nice background and family issues for Dan as well. His wife is dealing with care for her elderly mother. The personal aspects provide another layer and those layers add to the interest and complexity of Blessing of the Lost Girls.
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
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:
- 23-COYER
Oh, dear, a spinoff! I’m getting further behind. Great review, Anne💜
The other series are really, really great. I don’t know what this series is going to be. The Joanna Brady series is probably my favorite of this author.
It has been a long time since I read anything by JA Jance but I used to love her books. Other than the lack of Joanne Brady this does sound like a good read – and a good reminder for me to pick something up by her! I’m sure I’m missing some of the Joanne Brady books. That was my favorite series.
yes I enjoy all her series but the Joanna Brady ones are my favorite of hers. Lately she has written more Ali Reynolds which I like the tech stuff but otherwise find it kind of unrealistic.
I do love when added layers help the story. It’s a difficult line sometimes.
It can be complex to read sometimes but also more interesting. Too much can be confusing though.