We’re long time Jance fans (except for her “modern” Ali Reynolds series), and have read all previous 14 Sheriff Joanna Brady novels (not to mention her entire JP Beaumont and Walker Family bibliography). We’ve enjoyed the steady progression of the Brady family, including Joanna’s re-marriage and new baby, not easy with her 24-hour on-call demanding job. In “Judgment”, her own daughter discovers the dead body of the local high school principal, and the school secretary is about the only person who can shed any light at all on the victim. The plot continues to unfold to help law enforcement solve a difficult crime.

Like many readers, we were surprised that the book seemed to end with maybe another 50 pages to go. As a shocker to long time readers of this series, new developments in the death of Joanna’s father come to light, and bear some relation to the crime just solved. A very satisfying ending then concludes this particular entry in the set. All told, we have here maybe not the sharpest mystery, the most compelling plot, or the most amazing detective work – but the big payoff at the end changed the somewhat ordinary to somewhat extraordinary. A must read for the fan club, but others might find it a little lukewarm.