Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Girl From Devil's Lake by J. A. Jance Narrator: Hillary Huber
Series: Joanna Brady #21
Published by HarperAudio, William Morrow on September 30, 2025
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 336
Length: 9 hours, 52 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Sheriff Joanna Brady is looking forward to the holidays with her busy family, and to celebrating her daughter Jenny’s graduation from the police academy. But the family is interrupted when a body is discovered beneath a flooded bridge in the Arizona desert, and Joanna is called onto the case. A young boy was murdered, and the details of the crime scene tell Joanna two things: This was not the killer’s first murder. And it’s only a matter of time before he kills again.
As Joanna digs deeper into the case, she begins to understand this murder is just one piece of a much, much bigger puzzle. She uncovers unlikely connections between cases of mysterious deaths and missing persons, having long since gone cold, that extend far beyond the confines of her small town and include the discovery of a body near Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. To get justice for the victims and to save the town of Bisbee from a predator, Joanna must chase down every dangerous lead.
I have read all four series by J.A. Jance for a long time.  I always recommend to read series in order.  I love all the series because they are smart, compassionate and fun.
The Girl From Devil’s Lake is in the Joanna Brady series. I have read every one of them. I find it the most grounded and realistic of the author’s series.  Joanna Brady is the daughter, grand-daughter and widow of cops in this county. She had no law enforcement experience and had to educate herself as a new widow, elected sheriff. That is many years ago.
Now Joanna is happily remarried with two young children, recently winning her latest election. Her husband is a successful author. Her oldest daughter is graduating the police academy and planning to marry.
Policing is getting more complicated with traffickers and drug cartel bad guys now in her jails, instead of just local wrongdoers. Joanna has built a great relationship with her Mexican counterparts.  When a young boy is found dead after some flooding, she eventually works out that he is from Mexico not the US.
The case is difficult without much physical evidence. Eventually, as they track the boy’s movements a shocking suspect emerges, but without enough evidence. Joanna wants to keep the details and investigation quiet so they have a better chance of catching what she now believes is an experienced long-term killer.
A profile of the murder is developed with specific characteristics which starts bringing in more possible victims. Joanna believes she may have a leak because of her journalistic nemesis keeps coming up with stories. Eventually with the help of others across the country there is enough evidence for an arrest. But nothing ever goes that easily.
I loved this with flashbacks from the killer going from childhood forward. They are interspersed with Joanna’s days in the present, until they collide. Unfortunately for the killer, Joanna isn’t just a pretty face. She has serious experience and skills, with a great team around her.
Narration:
Hillary Huber is a narrator well-known and enjoyed by me. She narrates many series I love with skill. Interestingly, she was the initial narrator for the series, then came a series of one timers and now she has narrated the last several.  I read ebooks for the series and didn’t start audio until her return.  Her voice for Joanna is clear and no nonsense, which is fitting for this strong, intelligent woman. I appreciate her performance which keeps me in the story. I listened in my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Hillary Huber
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:
- 25-Audio
- 25-COYER
I’m glad you’re enjoying this series, it sounds good. I prefer to read series books in order too.
This is my favorite of her 3 series but I enjoy them all.
These do sound really good and sadly I haven’t read even one of her books. Maybe I’ll start with this series.
Well it’s my favorite and the most realistic I think. The Ali Reynolds one is new also and has some AI but I don’t find it as realistic overall. It’s fun though. The oldest JP Beaumont is just older so I wouldn’t start there although I’ve read them all but when they were newer.
One day I’ll start this series, especially since I have so many of the books. Glad you’re still loving it, Anne💜
yes I love this series. I’ve enjoyed all of this author but this one is a favorite.
I used to really love the Joanna Brady series but got away from it a number of years ago. This sounds good and definitely like a page turner!
I think it’s the most realistic of her series, but I enjoy them all.
I feel like I have listened to Hillary Huber before.
Hillary Huber has a HUGE collection of books she has narrated. I always enjoy her.