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Rating: 
Summary: Didn't know it was Jance's writing!
Review: I have read most of the books written by Jance and thoroughly enjoyed most.......especially the Beaumont books.
This book was the most disjointed and difficult to follow book I
have ever read. Each time I picked it up had to go back and read
the previous chapter to figure out what I was reading. Seems as if
she did not have her thoughts in order when writing......think she
should go back to Seattle and Beaumont as they are most interesting, exciting and even funny at times.
Rating: 
Summary: Much of this book comes from my own history.
Review: My first non-series book, HOTH reflects some of my own history as a librarian on an Indian reservation. The Native American stories and legends are the real Tohono O'othham legends I learned as a story teller on the reservation. This book would appeal to readers who enjoy Tony Hillerman, although my regular fans should be advised that this is an "R" rather than a "PG-13" read
Rating:
Summary: Didn't know it was Jance's writing!
Review: Neither a J. P. Beaumont nor a Joanna Brady story, this is a real page-turner. A widowed mother and her son are the targets of an ex-college professor who is a sadistic serial killer, who has just been released from jail after serving a sentence for the killing of a Native American girl.The sympathetic portrayal of a native american culture is reminiscent of Tony Hillerman's novels. A thoroly enjoyable story.
Rating: 
Summary: A Real Change of Pace for Jance
Review: Neither a J. P. Beaumont nor a Joanna Brady story, this is a real page-turner. A widowed mother and her son are the targets of an ex-college professor who is a sadistic serial killer, who has just been released from jail after serving a sentence for the killing of a Native American girl. The sympathetic portrayal of a native american culture is reminiscent of Tony Hillerman's novels. A thoroly enjoyable story.
Rating:
Summary: A provoking series break from J.A. Jance
Review: Protagonist Diane Ladd may not be strong woman Joanna Brady, but J.A. Jance's native American lore and unveiling the evilness stalking Ladd was page-turning. Although another reviewer berates Ladd's stupidity during the climax of the story, a parent might understand her actions. Or any reader who has experienced unexplainable violence. The fluidness of Joanna Brady series is missing, so thus the 4 stars. But I liked the break from Brady and J.P. Beaumont series, and look forward to reading Kiss of the Bees.
Rating:
Summary: 3 min. review
Review: This book was a treasure of native american lore. As one who has lived in Arizona for most of my adult life, I welcome interesting books that contain anecdotal information about the native americans that we (anglos) have displaced. The stories from the native americans of southern Arizona that headline the chapters made this a very interesting read. The rest of the story may not have been the best mystery fiction I've read, but the fact that she included these stories about creation of the various tribes and families of animals and man, make this a memorable novel...I just wanted more of it. I think this is a better book than some of her Joanna Brady novels and the JP Beaumont series, but then I am a romantic where the Native American culture is concerned. I will read the sequel and hope the author adds to the repertoire of stories from the native americans to keep a bit of enchantment wound throughout another murder mystery where some of the characters are psycho dregs of society.
Rating:
Summary: A great introduction to the author
Review: This is the first book of Jance's I picked up. The Arizona setting was enjoyable, as were the Indian characters . I would recommend this novel, and I'm looking forward to some of the other Jance offerings.
Rating:
Summary: Climax was nastier than expected & My Rating Plummeted
Review: Until the end of chapter 20, I planned to give this book four or five stars. I enjoyed the native legends. I cared about the two heroines, Rita (formerly Dancing Quail) and Diana Ladd, not to mention Diana's young son, David. The flashbacks to the characters' pasts were absorbing. However, I hated what happened to Diana in the climax. Ms. Jance gave us plenty of warning that her villain was a homicidal sociopath. That was enough for me. I didn't need for Diana to suffer as she did. True, what she went through was probably no worse [and didn't last as long] than what the heroine went through in *The Hellfire Club*, but that was by Peter Straub. When I read his books (or those by Stephen King or Barbara Hambly, etc.), I know what I'm getting into. I'd read only three other Jance books before this one, and they certainly didn't lead me to expect that the climax would be so brutal. What made that climax even more offensive to me was that Diana, up until then, wa! ! s portrayed as a reasonably smart and strong woman preparing for the probablity the psycho would be after her. Suddenly she jettisons most of her brains and common sense so the psycho's tricks work. I don't accept the period the book is set in as an excuse for her [initially] poor showing. Years before Diana was even born, my Granny took a frying pan to the head of a big drunk who was trying to beat her up and knocked him out cold. I admit that the book improved once Diana got her smarts back. I liked the end. I'm sure I would have enjoyed this book more if I'd known what I was letting myself in for. Well, you've been warned. Enjoy. Tip for readers: "Tucson" is pronouced "too-sahn", not "tuck-sahn." Ann E. Nichols
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