Play Audiobook Sample
Desert Cut: A Lena Jones Mystery Audiobook
Play Audiobook Sample
(3.16) - 109 listener ratings
Quick Stats About this Audiobook
Total Audiobook Chapters:
Longest Chapter Length:
Shortest Chapter Length:
Average Chapter Length:
Audiobooks by this Author:
Publisher Description
Arizona is still a wicked frontier.
While scouting locations for a film documentary on Arizona's Apache Wars, private investigator Lena Jones and Oscar-winning director Warren Quinn discover the mutilated body of a young girl. The gruesome manner of the child's death evokes memories of Lena's own rough childhood.
Clashing with the local law, Lena's investigation uncovers a small town with a big secret, for Los Perdidos is not the Eden it first appears to be. Founded by the descendants of pioneers who fought Geronimo, the townspeople have now armed themselves against the hordes of illegal immigrants streaming across the Arizona-Mexico border. A significant population of documented foreign-born residents also lives and works in Los Perdedos at a modern plant. Lena senses a sinister force at work in the town—but where?
Then two more girls disappear from Los Perdidos, and as the death toll mounts, Lena is tempted to implement some frontier justice of her own. When she finally unmasks the killer, she discovers a chain of horrific crimes responsible for subjugating millions of girls and women around the globe.
In Desert Cut, the still vivid memory of Geronimo's war mixes with the modern immigration war, the hard life on the Arizona-Mexico border contrasts with Hollywood's slick production meetings, and the cruelty of an ancient practice is tempered by a growing underground railroad fighting to save its young victims.
Download and start listening now!
"I love all of Betty Webb's Lena Jones books. This one takes a tough look at a disturbing practice. Some parts were hard to read, because of the graphic nature of the crime, but it certainly opened my mind to what goes on in other parts of the world. Made me sad, but a good read, nevertheless."
— Dee (5 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
-
“The longtime journalist manages to fuel her plot from the starkest of news stories without compromising the fast-paced action…A propulsive, thought-provoking read.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“It is a compelling story that will appeal to a broad range of mystery readers—and may bring increased attention to a too-little-known series.”
— Booklist (starred review) -
“This Southwestern series has a depth that enhances the reader’s pleasure.”
— Library Journal -
“Webb’s dark tale of a clash of cultures is emotionally draining and intellectually challenging.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“There are many layers to Desert Cut that Betty Webb deftly handles, not allowing them to become overwhelming, but allowing them to weave a richly detailed story.”
— TheMysteryReader.com
Desert Cut Listener Reviews
-
" Unflinching, compelling novel exposing the horrors of female genital mutilation. Riveting read by a socially conscious author. "
— Victoria, 7/17/2013 -
" Rather dark, but if this is truly going on in USA, it's scary! Lena stumbles on the body of a young girl. She's dead, but no visible signs of how she died. Haunted by this child, Lena begins snooping around and finds disturbing facts - and a possible connection to her pasat. "
— Sue, 10/26/2012 -
" Betty Webb writes about occurrences that most people are unaware are happening in our country. She's not my favorite writer, but I always learn something from her writings. "
— Carol, 4/28/2012 -
" I'm a Betty Webb fan - especially the Lena Jones series! Betty gives you a bit of history that leaves you wanting more and believe me, you'll go searching out the history of it all! "
— Lena, 2/27/2012 -
" Webb doesn't shy away from explicit. While these stories need to be told, all consider long and hard before reading another Lena Jones mystery. "
— Virginia, 7/10/2011 -
" Good read, listened to it while at work. Grabs you from the very start. "
— Renee, 7/8/2011 -
" Love this series set in Arizona. "
— Linda, 6/11/2011 -
" Betty Webb writes suspenseful mysteries. She also writes about significant social problems. "Desert Cut" is difficult to read because it's about female genital mutilation, but it is an important and well written mystery. "
— Alan, 12/24/2010 -
" Rather dark, but if this is truly going on in USA, it's scary! Lena stumbles on the body of a young girl. She's dead, but no visible signs of how she died. Haunted by this child, Lena begins snooping around and finds disturbing facts - and a possible connection to her pasat. "
— Sue, 8/19/2010 -
" Webb doesn't shy away from explicit. While these stories need to be told, all consider long and hard before reading another Lena Jones mystery. "
— Virginia, 4/2/2010 -
" Betty Webb writes suspenseful mysteries. She also writes about significant social problems. "Desert Cut" is difficult to read because it's about female genital mutilation, but it is an important and well written mystery. "
— Alan, 2/20/2010 -
" I'm a Betty Webb fan - especially the Lena Jones series! Betty gives you a bit of history that leaves you wanting more and believe me, you'll go searching out the history of it all! "
— Lena, 4/19/2009 -
" Betty Webb writes about occurrences that most people are unaware are happening in our country. She's not my favorite writer, but I always learn something from her writings. "
— Carol, 8/19/2008 -
" Love this series set in Arizona. "
— Linda, 2/26/2008
About Betty Webb
Betty Webb worked as a journalist and often bases her mystery novels on stories she covered as a reporter. Currently a creative writing teacher at Phoenix College, she is a member of the National Federation of Press Women, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the Society of Southwestern Authors.
About Marguerite Gavin
Marguerite Gavin is a seasoned theater veteran, a five-time nominee for the prestigious Audie Award, and the winner of numerous AudioFile Earphones and Publishers Weekly awards. She has been an actor, director, and audiobook narrator for her entire professional career. With over four hundred titles to her credit, her narration spans nearly every genre, from nonfiction to mystery, science fiction, fantasy, romance, and children’s fiction. AudioFile magazine says, “Marguerite Gavin…has a sonorous voice, rich and full of emotion.”