Rating: 
Summary: DESERT NOIR MARKS AUSPICIOUS DEBUT
Review: As a desert mystery writer with my first novel having recently been published, I was greatly impressed by Betty Webb's debut mystery. Set in Scottsdale, it marks the literary birth of Lena Jones--the newest female PI in the long and distinguished line launched by Marcia Muller over two decades ago. Lena Jones knows little about her personal history--as a small child a bullet erased her memory and landed her in a series of foster homes. This case, a mystery involving the art world, gives Lena hope she might discover the truth about her actual identity. It also involves the murder of one of Lena's close friends. There are plenty of suspects ranging from the victim's husband to artists, family members, and professional rivals. In addition to the mystery elements, the novel presents a realistic picture of life in modern Arizona ranging from its deep native cultural roots to its contemporary urban sprawl. All in all, DESERT NOIR marks an impressive and auspicious debut for Betty Webb.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome debut-rippling with suspense, humor, and atmosphere
Review: Betty Webb is a resident of Scottsdale, Arizona and gives readers an intense perspective of what it's like to live there. Her own personal politics are revealed through the multi-dimensional character of Lena Jones. In fact, all her characters and sense of place are so vivid they practically leap off the page and paint themselves on a cinematic canvas. Not much impresses me anymore. So many novels have cookie-cutter plots and stereotypical characters. Even seasoned authors that I normally like grow stale over time. Betty Webb's set of characters potentially have the depth to transcend these limitations. Lena Jones is a private investigator who left the local police force who views the development and deterioration of the Arizona landscape with a sadness and anger that I share. She is a white woman cast adrift in a sea of unanswered questions as she searches for the truth about her origins and tries to find her friend's murderer. I am overly impressed by this debut and heartily recommend it to everyone. It has it all: romance, angst, and action combined with a heart and soul that is incredibly rare in a world that grows increasingly more violent and fast-paced. Adding to this already rich tapestry are wonderful passages about the Pima Indians and other indigenous people supplanted by the already overdeveloped part of the country.
Rating:
Summary: Desert Noir: Ripped from the headlines
Review: Betty Webb's novel about a murder in Scottsdale arts scene is ripped from the headlines. The action in Desert Noir fast and eerily familiar for people who live in metro Phoenix. The author presents a deep cast of suspects, all of whom have good reason to have done the evil deed. The PI heroine unwraps the mystery in true who done it fashion. The scenes, locales and people in the book are all true to life in Scottsdale, a resort-lined city with quite a bit to hide.
Rating: 
Summary: an intriguing read
Review: Here are the reasons why I would recommend this novel as an interesting and intriguing read: the descriptions of the desert, and the novel's spunky and intelligent protagonist, Lena Jones. Mystery-wise, "Desert Noir" by Betty Webb, is a rather straight read: when Lena Jones, ex-police officer, and currently a private detective, discovers the severely beaten up body of her friend, Clarice Kobe, she immediately suspects Clarice's estranged, and soon about-to-be-ex-husband, Jay, of the brutal murder. And indeed evidence seems to point to Jay's guilt. So that Lena is rather surprised when Jay's lawyer attempts to hire her to prove Jay innocent of the charge. Only the fact that Jay happens to be related by marriage Lena's patron of sorts, makes her agree to look into the case. What she discovers is that there was a whole other side to Clarice that she had no idea existed, and that there were more than enough people who wished Clarice dead. Unexpectedly, the search for Clarice's murderer also brings Lena face to face with her own mysterious and violent past. When Lena was four years old, she was brought to the emergency ward, with a bullet in her forehead. The assault had robbed her of all memory of who she was, and who had attempted to murder her. While trying to piece together the reason behind Clarice's murder, Lena discovers a clue about that horrible night all those years ago. Now Lena must not only try to solve Clarice's murder, but also decide if she wishes to discover what happened to her that fateful night and who she really is. The mystery of Clarice's murder is pretty straight forward. Lena questions the suspects and follows the clues until she finally nabs the murderer. What really makes this mystery novel however are the brilliant and vividly beautiful descriptions of the desert, as well as Lena's wry ruminations on how the Scottsdale city fathers are doing their level best to destroy the desert charm of the city as well as what little is left of the desert. And then there is the dark mystery of Lena's identity and the attempt of her life. Why would anyone want to kill a four year old child? THIS is the mystery that will probably propel me to read further Lean Jones mysteries. For while "Desert Noir" is quite well written, and the characters are rather well portrayed, the entire mystery about who murdered Clarice and why, did not always hold my attention. The mystery surrounding Lena's past however had me riveted. And I look forward to future Lena Jones mystery novels where more and more of Lena's past will be uncovered.
Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre at Best
Review: I read mysteries for the simple enjoyment of it all. I don't expect great literature - but I struggled to get through this one. Maybe I've been spoiled by J.A. Jance. I've come to expect interesting plots and subplots, compelling dialog, and likeable characters. None of these are evident in Desert Noir. I'll continue my search for new mystery/suspense writers.
Rating:
Summary: Mediocre at Best
Review: I read mysteries for the simple enjoyment of it all. I don't expect great literature - but I struggled to get through this one. Maybe I've been spoiled by J.A. Jance. I've come to expect interesting plots and subplots, compelling dialog, and likeable characters. None of these are evident in Desert Noir. I'll continue my search for new mystery/suspense writers.
Rating:
Summary: Desert Scars
Review: Lena Jones has issues with bullets. The first bullet scarred her face when she was a child. The second bullet ended her career as a cop. If you want to know about the third bullet, you'll have to read Betty Webb's excellent debut novel, Desert Noir. We catch up with Lena Jones early on in her career as a private eye for Desert Investigations in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her apartment and office are on art gallery row and the dead body that gets the story rolling is an art gallery owner acquaintance of Lena's from across the street named Clarice Kobe. The violent ex-husband is accused and Lena is coerced into working for his lawyer. Clarice Kobe's up-the-hill family, and George Haozous, an angry Native American artist, also become suspects. The mystery plays out among the city [both ritzy and rundown], the rez, and the desert. Other characters include Jimmy Sisiwan, Lena's cyberhead nontraditional traditional Native American partner, and Dusty, Lena's cowboy lover from a local dude ranch. One of my favorite elements in the story is Lena's daily jog to a butte in a park in the middle of the city, a remnant of the once grand desert that has been scarred by the city. There are similarities to Judith Van Gieson's Neil Hamel novels and I suspect that Neil's fans could easily become fans of Lena's. Fans of Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee novels should appreciate Webb's skillful use of the desert setting and sensitivity to native american culture and realities. I enjoyed Desert Noir immensely and look forward to reading Desert Wives, Betty Webb's second Lena Jones mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Desert Scars
Review: Lena Jones has issues with bullets. The first bullet scarred her face when she was a child. The second bullet ended her career as a cop. If you want to know about the third bullet, you'll have to read Betty Webb's excellent debut novel, Desert Noir. We catch up with Lena Jones early on in her career as a private eye for Desert Investigations in Scottsdale, Arizona. Her apartment and office are on art gallery row and the dead body that gets the story rolling is an art gallery owner acquaintance of Lena's from across the street named Clarice Kobe. The violent ex-husband is accused and Lena is coerced into working for his lawyer. Clarice Kobe's up-the-hill family, and George Haozous, an angry Native American artist, also become suspects. The mystery plays out among the city [both ritzy and rundown], the rez, and the desert. Other characters include Jimmy Sisiwan, Lena's cyberhead nontraditional traditional Native American partner, and Dusty, Lena's cowboy lover from a local dude ranch. One of my favorite elements in the story is Lena's daily jog to a butte in a park in the middle of the city, a remnant of the once grand desert that has been scarred by the city. There are similarities to Judith Van Gieson's Neil Hamel novels and I suspect that Neil's fans could easily become fans of Lena's. Fans of Tony Hillerman's Leaphorn and Chee novels should appreciate Webb's skillful use of the desert setting and sensitivity to native american culture and realities. I enjoyed Desert Noir immensely and look forward to reading Desert Wives, Betty Webb's second Lena Jones mystery.
Rating: 
Summary: Kept me turning pages; I hope that this will become a series
Review: This was a very unique book. As a native New Yorker who has never met an Indian or been to the Southwest, it provided a fascinating introduction to Scottsdale, AZ. And I was fascinated with the main character, Lena, as she searched for her own identity along with proving her client innocent, etc.
There were also many gut-wrenching glimpses into Lena's childhood in foster care; the book made me thankful for my own loving family, and helped me become more empathetic to those les fortunate. Although parts of the book seemed unbelievably far-fetched, it nonetheless held my interest to the very last page, and makes me hope that it will become a series, and eager to read
subsequent books. My one and only quibble is with the vulgarity of the language. I don't expect violent criminals to say "Golly, gee, he shot me!" -- but, to put it mildly, every character doesn't have to use vulgarity/profanity on every page. However, I'm admittedly a prude. The book was unusual as well as outstanding, and I grealy enjoyed it.
Rating:
Summary: Fabulous debut novel
Review: With a compelling story and a wonderfully sympathetic female heroine, this book has all of the components of a wonderful mystery. The main character is well-developed and offers hints at an intriguing backstory yet to be developed in future books. I am looking forward to the sequel, "Desert Wives."
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