J.A. Jance Edge of Evil

Edge of Evil

J.A. Jance

Avon, Jan 2006, $7.99, 400 pp.

ISBN 0060828412

Alison Reynolds is having one of the worst weeks after life. After giving the eleven o'clock broadcast, the anchorwoman is ambushed by the news director fires her because they are bringing in a younger anchor person. Her husband, a network executive, knew about the firing but didn't tell her. Her parents call to tell Alison that her best friend Reenie is missing and later call again to inform her that Reenie's body has been found along with her destroyed car. The police believe she drove it off a dangerously winding and wet road after she was diagnosed with ALS.

Alison's son Chris sets her up with a blog and she writes what is going on in her life to an ever growing audience. She drives up to Sedona where Reenie and Alison's family like to give her support Reenie's loved ones but the reporter has questions that cast doubt on her death being a suicide. The suicide note was written on a computer and wasn't signed. Alison doesn't think that she would have written a note like that since she sent cards for every occasion. In fact, Rennie sent Alison a card on the day she died that didn't sound like she was depressed and going to kill herself. Alison uses her investigative skills to trace Rennie's last hours hoping to find out who (as she believes) murdered her best friend.

J.A. Jance is one of the best mystery writers publishing today. The key to her success is her protagonists like J.B. Beaumont and Joanna Brady, both of whom have their own series because readers care about them and want to read about what is about what is going on in their lives. Ms. Jance has written about another delightful heroine who also deserves her own series. The mystery itself is well thought out with the unusual amount of red herrings and unexpected twists to keep the reader off guard. Misdirection is used to keep readers off balance and wondering if Reenie did or didn't commit suicide. Readers will love this exciting thriller so much they will finish it in one sitting.

Harriet Klausner