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Joanna Brady #1
Desert Heat
Life is good for Joanna Brady in the small desert community of Bisbee. She has Jenny, her adored nine-year-old daughter, and solid, honest, and loving husband, Andy, a local lawman who's running for Sheriff of Cochise County. But her good life explodes when a bullet destroys Andy Brady's future and leaves him dying beneath the blistering Arizona sun.
The police brass claim that Andy was dirty -- up to his neck in drugs and smuggling -- and that the shooting was a suicide attempt. Joanna knows a cover-up when she hears one...and murder when she sees it. But her determined efforts to track down an assassin and clear her husband's name are placing herself and her Jenny in serious jeopardy. Because, in the desert, the truth can be far more lethal than a rattler's bite.
The police brass claim that Andy was dirty -- up to his neck in drugs and smuggling -- and that the shooting was a suicide attempt. Joanna knows a cover-up when she hears one...and murder when she sees it. But her determined efforts to track down an assassin and clear her husband's name are placing herself and her Jenny in serious jeopardy. Because, in the desert, the truth can be far more lethal than a rattler's bite.
246 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1993
1266 people are currently reading
6186 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Jance
117 books4,192 followersJudith Ann Jance is the top 10 New York Times bestselling author of the Joanna Brady series; the J. P. Beaumont series; three interrelated thrillers featuring the Walker family; and Edge of Evil, the first in a series featuring Ali Reynolds. Born in South Dakota and brought up in Bisbee, Arizona, Jance lives with her husband in Seattle, Washington, and Tucson, Arizona.
Series:
* J.P. Beaumont
* Joanna Brady
* Ali Reynolds
* Walker Family
Series:
* J.P. Beaumont
* Joanna Brady
* Ali Reynolds
* Walker Family
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 858 reviews
July 6, 2022
4.5⭐ Wow! Why did I wait so long to read this series?
The writing is great. The characters and story pulled me in from the very first page. I feel connected to one of the characters immediately even though he probably had two dialogues. How does J.A. Jance do it?! I can't wait to listen to more.
I went into this one blind and enjoyed it so I won't get into plot details. Joanna Brady is an insurance agent in Bisbee, Arizona. She's married to Andy, a cop and they have a nine-year-old daughter named Jenny. Their life will soon turn upside down. I find the reveal predictable otherwise I would bump this up. Nevertheless, it was an awesome beginning to a series.
There are two versions of the audiobook and I chose the one read by Hillary Huber as always I enjoy her performance. And yay, the whole series is on Hoopla!
The writing is great. The characters and story pulled me in from the very first page. I feel connected to one of the characters immediately even though he probably had two dialogues. How does J.A. Jance do it?! I can't wait to listen to more.
I went into this one blind and enjoyed it so I won't get into plot details. Joanna Brady is an insurance agent in Bisbee, Arizona. She's married to Andy, a cop and they have a nine-year-old daughter named Jenny. Their life will soon turn upside down. I find the reveal predictable otherwise I would bump this up. Nevertheless, it was an awesome beginning to a series.
There are two versions of the audiobook and I chose the one read by Hillary Huber as always I enjoy her performance. And yay, the whole series is on Hoopla!
October 31, 2021
4 Stars for Desert Heat (audiobook) by J. A. Jance read by Ellen Travolta.
This is a really gripping story. The author did a great job of creating a lot suspense and juggling quite a few characters. I especially liked that I’ve been to many of the locations that were mentioned in the story. It’s a treat reading local authors.
This is a really gripping story. The author did a great job of creating a lot suspense and juggling quite a few characters. I especially liked that I’ve been to many of the locations that were mentioned in the story. It’s a treat reading local authors.
July 19, 2015
a light easy-to-read crime novel from JA Jance that delivers a good plotline, a sensible introduction to a main character and a solid base from which to launch a series.
Joanna Brady, sheriff's daughter and a deputy's wife, has her world rocked when she finds her husband dying from a gunshot wound. But then there are accusations of him being a dirty cop and Joanna is determined to find the proof to clear his name and that of her family as well as prepare for her husband's funeral.
Jance's introduction of Brady, her family and what I expect will become some key characters in the books following this, is well done. The historical information of the main character is there but it is not overloaded and is of importance to the book as it shows the point of does we ever know truly those closest to us?
That I said the book is lightweight is in context to the fact that it deals with everything in a manner that is easy to read and doesn't need a degree in lexicography! which is what I am looking for in a weekend read. I look forward to reading more of the Brady series and other books by this author.
Joanna Brady, sheriff's daughter and a deputy's wife, has her world rocked when she finds her husband dying from a gunshot wound. But then there are accusations of him being a dirty cop and Joanna is determined to find the proof to clear his name and that of her family as well as prepare for her husband's funeral.
Jance's introduction of Brady, her family and what I expect will become some key characters in the books following this, is well done. The historical information of the main character is there but it is not overloaded and is of importance to the book as it shows the point of does we ever know truly those closest to us?
That I said the book is lightweight is in context to the fact that it deals with everything in a manner that is easy to read and doesn't need a degree in lexicography! which is what I am looking for in a weekend read. I look forward to reading more of the Brady series and other books by this author.
September 14, 2018
I liked this and will be reading the next in the series. I liked the strong female lead and she could be a good character to build a series around.
February 22, 2017
Interesting start to the series. I was engaged enough that I continued by reading the next 6 books.
July 5, 2022
De vertaling is a real partypooper 👎🏼 Lees dit niet in het Nederlands besties
September 17, 2015
When this book was over, all I could think was, "Finally!" First, the narrator was awful, her game show host voice so ill-suited to story reading. Ugh, her pacing, her inflection, her style--terrible!
Second, and more importantly, the writing was bad. I don't often say a book is bad; usually I can find something redeeming. Not in this case. The narrative was mediocre, reparative, downright boring. The characters, especially the protagonist, was horribly underdeveloped and poorly revealed. And so inconsistent it was confusing.
The only reason I finished this one was because I didn't have another audiobook ready to go. And by getting to the end, I learned the protagonist goes from blubbering, floundering, confused new widow storming from one pointless errand to the next, and then she runs for sheriff. Of course she does. She did nothing at all to solve her husband's murder except run around yelling at everyone that it had been murder, so naturally, the author made her sheriff.
Ahh. This is one to pass. There are so many books and so little time, don't waste yours with this one.
Second, and more importantly, the writing was bad. I don't often say a book is bad; usually I can find something redeeming. Not in this case. The narrative was mediocre, reparative, downright boring. The characters, especially the protagonist, was horribly underdeveloped and poorly revealed. And so inconsistent it was confusing.
The only reason I finished this one was because I didn't have another audiobook ready to go. And by getting to the end, I learned the protagonist goes from blubbering, floundering, confused new widow storming from one pointless errand to the next, and then she runs for sheriff. Of course she does. She did nothing at all to solve her husband's murder except run around yelling at everyone that it had been murder, so naturally, the author made her sheriff.
Ahh. This is one to pass. There are so many books and so little time, don't waste yours with this one.
August 14, 2008
DESERT HEAT - G
Jance, J.A. - 1st in Joanna Brady series
Life is good for Joanna Brady in the small desert community of Bisbee. She has Jenny, her adored nine-year-old daughter, and solid, honest, and loving husband, Andy, a local lawman who's running for Sheriff of Cochise County. But her good life explodes when a bullet destroys Andy Brady's future and leaves him dying beneath the blistering Arizona sun.
The police brass claim that Andy was dirty--up to his neck in drugs and smuggling--and that the shooting was a suicide attempt. Joanna knows a cover-up when she hears one...and murder when she sees it. But her determined effort to track down an assassin and clear her husband's name are placing herself and her Jenny in serious jeopardy. Because, in the desert, the truth can be far more lethal than a rattler's bite.
I didn't care for Joanna as much as Beaumont, but I'll read more of these.
Jance, J.A. - 1st in Joanna Brady series
Life is good for Joanna Brady in the small desert community of Bisbee. She has Jenny, her adored nine-year-old daughter, and solid, honest, and loving husband, Andy, a local lawman who's running for Sheriff of Cochise County. But her good life explodes when a bullet destroys Andy Brady's future and leaves him dying beneath the blistering Arizona sun.
The police brass claim that Andy was dirty--up to his neck in drugs and smuggling--and that the shooting was a suicide attempt. Joanna knows a cover-up when she hears one...and murder when she sees it. But her determined effort to track down an assassin and clear her husband's name are placing herself and her Jenny in serious jeopardy. Because, in the desert, the truth can be far more lethal than a rattler's bite.
I didn't care for Joanna as much as Beaumont, but I'll read more of these.
July 17, 2017
I am so glad I started this series, this book had me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down. a gripping action packed must read.
February 11, 2024
Great characters. Will definitely continue this series
March 23, 2022
This is book #1 in Joanna Brady series. I've read quite a few of them, so it was nice to read #1 because it gave me a great look at the backstory that kicked this series off. This filled in some gaps for me.
I like this author. She creates great stories. Her mysteries always seem to pull me in. The MC is a solid character and she is easy to like. Actually most of the characters are easy to like.
The reason this was just 3 stars and not 4 was the writing. It wasn't awful, but it felt a little clunky, especially with all of the adverbs. Almost everything had an adverb attached. So 3 stars.
I like this author. She creates great stories. Her mysteries always seem to pull me in. The MC is a solid character and she is easy to like. Actually most of the characters are easy to like.
The reason this was just 3 stars and not 4 was the writing. It wasn't awful, but it felt a little clunky, especially with all of the adverbs. Almost everything had an adverb attached. So 3 stars.
February 22, 2018
Two young women, one with nothing to lose and one with everything to lose, join forces to fight police corruption in the desert town of Bisbee, Arizona. Written in 1993, Desert Heat is so well written that the story is still riveting in 2018; not stale. There is great character development, perfect for the first book of a very popular series. The reader cares enough about the "white hat" people to be curious about their futures. J.A. Jance is also known for the J.P. Beaumont series.
December 2, 2022
I only picked this book up because I love the JP Beaumont series so much. I was not disappointed. This is a great mystery and as per the norm with Jance it was really well written. There are plenty of red herrings in this novel and it will keep you guessing until the end. Well worth reading if you are JP Beaumont fan.
July 6, 2022
Read LONG before GoodReads.
I read everything in this series, love it.
I read everything in this series, love it.
July 8, 2009
It was fun to read about the beginning of Joanna and how she became the sheriff. I've read some of the later books in this series and so this was nice. There are some pretty violent sex scenes that were disturbing but all in all it was well written. I'm only giving it three stars because it's not a great piece of literature and didn't make me think or ponder life at all. Just a quick fun mystery. I read it in one day and it's easy easy. I had pretty much figured out the mystery and who was involved before I got done, but it was still fun. Don't expect your world to change over this one, but it's great for when you need a no brainer!
July 22, 2018
Desert Heat by J.A. Jance is the first suspense novel in the Brady Series. It introduces Joanna Brady , wife of a murdered Sheriffs Deputy in Cochise County Arizona.
The novel deftly introduces the family and region history which lead to this crime. The various factors driving Joanna to respond to and fight to solve the murder are carefully followed and met head on by Joanna, a strong woman following her father and husband in the role of crime fighter.
The determination shown by Joanna in this book made me want to learn more about her in the later . books in Jance's series.
Overall, a very satisfying story with good characters and a good premise.
The novel deftly introduces the family and region history which lead to this crime. The various factors driving Joanna to respond to and fight to solve the murder are carefully followed and met head on by Joanna, a strong woman following her father and husband in the role of crime fighter.
The determination shown by Joanna in this book made me want to learn more about her in the later . books in Jance's series.
Overall, a very satisfying story with good characters and a good premise.
December 20, 2015
Couldn't put it down.
Joanna on her tenth wedding anniversary finds her husband sheriff Andrew Brady shot. Investigations shows that he tried to commit suicide. She's going to clear her husband's name. One minute you'll be holding your breath scared, next minute you'll have a lump in your throat. Author builds her characters carefully, when needed sex scenes written, but tastefully. And some of us have a mother like that to. Will be reading more about Joanna.
Joanna on her tenth wedding anniversary finds her husband sheriff Andrew Brady shot. Investigations shows that he tried to commit suicide. She's going to clear her husband's name. One minute you'll be holding your breath scared, next minute you'll have a lump in your throat. Author builds her characters carefully, when needed sex scenes written, but tastefully. And some of us have a mother like that to. Will be reading more about Joanna.
May 4, 2025
I enjoyed this book but it really should've been read first, since I have read later in the series, it seemed more like a rerun. The book starts with Joanna waiting with her mother and daughter for her husband to come home for their anniversary, when he doesn't show she starts looking and finds him shot. The rumors are going around town that it was a suicide and that he had been crooked. Joanna knows that isn't true and looks for the truth.
November 10, 2015
When her policeman husband is murdered in the desert and accused of corruption, Joanna Brady sets out to clear his name even though it endangers the rest of her family. This is a good prequel to the Sheriff Brady series and is a relaxing mystery read.
May 30, 2020
Great book!
February 16, 2022
Interesting mystery & series opener with a sympathetic lead.
May 6, 2025
Listened to this. Published in the early 90s so it was entertaining to follow a story with no cell phones, tablets, social media and where the characters used pay phones and waited until they saw someone to get a status.
Wrapped up very fast - a good airplane/beach book.
Wrapped up very fast - a good airplane/beach book.
March 11, 2021
A more recently released book in this series caught my eye some time ago. Since recently moving to southern Arizona, the locale was of interest like series I have enjoyed set in Minnesota. I finally located this first book in the series to give it a try. I am glad I did. A very definite 4 stars.
J.A. Jance has created an excellent entry for this series. She describes the environment and region so you can feel it. Maybe now living in south Arizona helps with that. There is a line at the point in the story when the main character, Joanna Brady, finds her Sheriff's Deputy husband lying in a wash beneath a bridge near their home. He has been shot and she has used the radio in his department car to call for help. As she waits with her husband, she hears the coyotes' chorus and only after they quiet does she hear the distant wail of sirens. The connection of emergency sirens, the wail of train whistles, and coyote calls are all so familiar.
This story is about a young wife and mother. The daughter of a past Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona and resident of Bisbee, Arizona. It is her 10th Anniversary and her husband has arranged for a night in the local hotel to celebrate, but he doesn't arrive to pick her up. Instead, she finds him critically wounded. That is only the beginning of her life coming apart, though.
Next come the rumors. He recently deposited nearly $10,000 into their joint account. He recent purchased a diamond ring (an engagement ring he could never afford). An agent of the DEA becomes involved. A past friend known to be involved with the drug trade is found dead in Mexico. Her husband's gun may have been involved.
Joanna refuses to believe the rumors, though. This wasn't the man she knew, not the man she loved. When he dies suddenly in the hospital, she suspect more foul play involved. Against all odds, she pursues the truth ... no matter how painful it might turn out to be.
A woman of courage. A devoted mother. A very good opening book to the series.
J.A. Jance has created an excellent entry for this series. She describes the environment and region so you can feel it. Maybe now living in south Arizona helps with that. There is a line at the point in the story when the main character, Joanna Brady, finds her Sheriff's Deputy husband lying in a wash beneath a bridge near their home. He has been shot and she has used the radio in his department car to call for help. As she waits with her husband, she hears the coyotes' chorus and only after they quiet does she hear the distant wail of sirens. The connection of emergency sirens, the wail of train whistles, and coyote calls are all so familiar.
This story is about a young wife and mother. The daughter of a past Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona and resident of Bisbee, Arizona. It is her 10th Anniversary and her husband has arranged for a night in the local hotel to celebrate, but he doesn't arrive to pick her up. Instead, she finds him critically wounded. That is only the beginning of her life coming apart, though.
Next come the rumors. He recently deposited nearly $10,000 into their joint account. He recent purchased a diamond ring (an engagement ring he could never afford). An agent of the DEA becomes involved. A past friend known to be involved with the drug trade is found dead in Mexico. Her husband's gun may have been involved.
Joanna refuses to believe the rumors, though. This wasn't the man she knew, not the man she loved. When he dies suddenly in the hospital, she suspect more foul play involved. Against all odds, she pursues the truth ... no matter how painful it might turn out to be.
A woman of courage. A devoted mother. A very good opening book to the series.
June 14, 2017
Fast-paced, engaging, and fun, Desert Heat was the perfect book for a hot summer day like today. For my cozy followers, this wasn't quite a cozy, but it was still excellent.
Joanna was a determined, strong, and smart woman who didn't take nonsense from anyone. I really loved Angie Kellogg and her character, and I hope she comes back in the next books. Really each and every character was well thought-out and each one was a pleasure to read about.
The mystery was stellar, absolutely stellar. It was by far the star of the entire book and it was intricately pieced together in such a way that I absolutely did not expect the end. Filled with small-town corruption, personal issues, and a faked suicide, the mystery was by far one of the best I've read in a while.
Overall an excellent book. Just like Loyalty, this series will be perfect when I want something a little bit different from a cozy. Recommend!
Joanna was a determined, strong, and smart woman who didn't take nonsense from anyone. I really loved Angie Kellogg and her character, and I hope she comes back in the next books. Really each and every character was well thought-out and each one was a pleasure to read about.
The mystery was stellar, absolutely stellar. It was by far the star of the entire book and it was intricately pieced together in such a way that I absolutely did not expect the end. Filled with small-town corruption, personal issues, and a faked suicide, the mystery was by far one of the best I've read in a while.
Overall an excellent book. Just like Loyalty, this series will be perfect when I want something a little bit different from a cozy. Recommend!
October 17, 2018
now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative book. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this book.
August 17, 2019
I don't think this series is for me. Although there were parts I liked, there were far more parts where I found myself saying things like "That makes NO sense!" or "Why the heck did she do THAT???" or "What is she THINKING???"
There are plenty of decent reviews, however, so I guess it's just not the series for me.
There are plenty of decent reviews, however, so I guess it's just not the series for me.
January 29, 2016
Woo hoo, I am out of my mystery slump!
I really liked Desert Heat and the leading lady, Joanna Brady. It was a quick read, but kept me guessing until the end. I also enjoyed that there was a dual perspective by Joanna and Angie.
I will be continuing with this series.
I really liked Desert Heat and the leading lady, Joanna Brady. It was a quick read, but kept me guessing until the end. I also enjoyed that there was a dual perspective by Joanna and Angie.
I will be continuing with this series.
August 18, 2016
I liked the main character. She's spunky. I'll definitely read more of this series.
October 12, 2022
Take notes, Rian Johnson. This is how you subvert expectations. Going into this short mystery/procedural, I was expecting that the wife of the deceased main character would be the one discovering all the secrets and single-handedly solving what happened to her husband. As it turns out, the real hero of the story is the girlfriend/victim of the assassin, Angie. Without her, the corruption wouldn't have been uncovered, and the death of Joanna's husband would have remained a mystery. This novel bounces back and forth between our protagonist Joanna, the girlfriend Angie, and Tony, the assassin. The swap in perspectives keeps the story interesting and the plot moving, and Angie's perspective injected something fresh into this (sometimes) tired genre.
The writing style might have been a bit simple at times, but occasionally that's what's needed in a novel like this, because the focus is on the plot. Joanna acted as I believe someone in her position and her background warranted. We tend to forget that each person deals with grief differently, and we project our own judgments and emotions onto characters- and in this case then we wouldn't have a story.
I would have liked to see the author go a bit deeper into character development on Joanna, her family, and some of the other residents of the town, but I suspect that is coming in the future novels. I'm honestly okay with Joanna running for sheriff, because I believe that will bring more interesting stories and believable situations in the future. I also hope that we see Angie again- I really liked her and appreciated her perspective.
If you're looking for a quick little murder mystery set in Arizona with some pursuit and danger baked in, this is it. I had a lot of fun with it, and I'm going to dive right into book two of the series.
The writing style might have been a bit simple at times, but occasionally that's what's needed in a novel like this, because the focus is on the plot. Joanna acted as I believe someone in her position and her background warranted. We tend to forget that each person deals with grief differently, and we project our own judgments and emotions onto characters- and in this case then we wouldn't have a story.
I would have liked to see the author go a bit deeper into character development on Joanna, her family, and some of the other residents of the town, but I suspect that is coming in the future novels. I'm honestly okay with Joanna running for sheriff, because I believe that will bring more interesting stories and believable situations in the future. I also hope that we see Angie again- I really liked her and appreciated her perspective.
If you're looking for a quick little murder mystery set in Arizona with some pursuit and danger baked in, this is it. I had a lot of fun with it, and I'm going to dive right into book two of the series.
October 2, 2018
Joanna Brady was happily married. Suddenly, her life changes, and she is left to solve the murder of her husband because she does not believe he committed crimes as an officer of the law. As she works to put the pieces together, she find herself, her daughter and her mother in danger. But she does what she has to do to bring about justice.
I enjoyed this first book in the Joanna Brady series so much. She's a strong and capable woman. She's believable as a character. Above all, she is honest. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 858 reviews