Deadly Stakes by J. A. Jance, a Mysterious Review.

Review: Former investigative reporter Ali Reynolds has trained at the police academy, but has not yet accepted a position with any department or agency. Though unlicensed and without any official credentials, she's asked by a former colleague, Brenda Riley, to appear on a local Scene of the Crime television news magazine to tell the story of a cyberstalker, Richard Lowensdale. Two years earlier, Brenda had been a victim of the man and when he was found dead, Brenda was framed for his murder. Her appearance attracts the attention of Lynn Martinson, another victim of Lowensdale, who finds herself in a similar situation: accused of the murder of her boyfriend's ex-wife, Gemma Ralston. Ali agrees to assist in the investigation, a decision that may have deadly consequences in Deadly States, the eighth mystery in this series by J. A. Jance.

Gemma's body had been found by A. J. Sanders, a teenager who had been in the desert searching for a box his missing father James told him contained enough money to get him through college. True enough, but when James's body is also found not far from that of Gemma, A. J. becomes a person of interest in both cases. Ali is convinced A. J. is innocent, yet he is the only person with a connection to two dead bodies that seem to have nothing else in common.

Deadly States is a thrilling mystery with a well-developed storyline, a strong, intelligent woman as its central character, and a solid supporting cast. Though Ali sometimes — more like often — acts impulsively and frequently incurs the frustration of local officials with her involvement, she has a great passion for the law and seeks to ensure that justice is served.

Special thanks to guest reviewer Betty of The Betz Review for contributing her review of Deadly Stakes.

Acknowledgment: Simon & Schuster provided a copy of Deadly Stakes for this review.

Left for Dead
Touchstone (Hardcover), February 2012
ISBN-13: 9781451628586; ISBN-10: 1451628587

Moving Target
Touchstone (Hardcover), February 2014
ISBN-13: 9781476745008; ISBN-10: 1476745005

Deadly Stakes

An Ali Reynolds Mystery by J. A. Jance