Book Review: Dead Wrong

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Dead Wrong     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
J. A. Jance
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Woman Main Character
Series: Joanna Brady # 12
Morrow, Jul 2006, $25.95

Running for reelection while pregnant, Joanna Brady wins another term as sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, which shows the voters have confidence in her skills. Meanwhile the cops tie a homicide victim, who many believe deserved death due to his disgusting past, to a highly regarded state judge and personal link to Joanna via a connection to her deceased father, a decorated sheriff.

The department also handles the vicious beating of Animal Control Officer Jeannine Phillips, which the cops take as a personal affront forcing Brady to keep a tighter reign on her staff than usual. Finally dealing with illegal immigrant trafficking is taking a toll on the overworked staff. However, as difficult as the case load is, the worst thing to happen to Joanna is her insufferable in-laws come en masse to celebrate the soon to born child to tire the weary Sheriff further.

Somewhat with the feel of Fargo (for obvious reasons), DEAD WRONG is a terrific Sheriff Brady police procedural as the department struggles with being understaffed and over-demanded. The cases as always look deeply at current social problems haunting society such as the impact of alcoholism on a family and late pregnancy on the job especially a demanding dangerous occupation. J.A. Jance is at her best with this strong crime drama.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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