New York Times bestselling author J.A. Jance’s sleuth Ali Reynolds is back for another thrilling adventure as she strives to grant a dying woman’s last request—to find the people who nearly killed her.
Ali Reynolds is back in the thick of it in the latest adventure in the New York Times bestselling suspense series. Taking on a media relations position with the Yavapai County Police Department, Ali puts her reporting (and crime solving) skills to good use—and her first time out on the job, it’s trial by fire...
When a subdivision-in-the-making goes up in flames, everyone hopes that the unfinished, unoccupied homes will yield no victims. But one woman is found barely alive and burned beyond recognition. She is taken to the ER, where for months she lies in a medically induced coma, unclaimed and unidentified. When she finally emerges from her coma, the life she awakens to is bleak and lonely. Badly disfigured and with no clue as to who she is or where she came from, she is brought to the nuns at a Sisters of Providence Convent.
At the convent, she is nursed and cared for. But before she can begin her painful and difficult recovery, Jane Doe is diagnosed with a hopeless and swift-moving cancer. Now with sudden desperation, there are two things she must find out. Ali Reynolds is called upon to grant this dying woman’s final wishes—to find the people who saved her life, and the people who tried to kill her.
Download and start listening now!
"Apparently, this is the fifth book with the Ali Reynolds character. I like her and found it an interesting book. Now I have the four previous ones to read. Yippee! I like both the Joanna Brady books and the J.P. Beaumont mysteries so it's fun to discover a new protagonist. The only problem is that it kept my reading late at night and I couldn't go to sleep!"
— Ruth (4 out of 5 stars)
“Fast pacing, surprising plot twists, and a strong, principled heroine make for a satisfying read.”
— BooklistJance delivers a devilish page-turner.
— PeopleCompelling... satisfying.
— USA Today“Ziemba keeps the story moving, delineating the characters more by what they're feeling than by age, sex, or ethnicity. She brings out Ali’s resourcefulness as well as her vulnerability…engrossing.”
— AudioFile" Enjoying the characters that continue from one series to another. "
— Joanne, 4/27/2017" This is the 5th book in the Ali Reynolds series by J.A. Jance. It is worth noting that this is the best book of the series thus far, although Jance recycled many ideas previously used earlier in the Joanna Brady series. Ali is hired by the county sheriff's department as a Public Information Officer, and runs into problems with the officers who won't accept her and even more problems with the receptionist - themes taken directly from Joanna Brady. And of course, in keeping with the general theme of the series, Joanna gets drawn into the investigation of an arson/attempt murder, leading to a showdown between her and the criminals before the case is resolved. Probably the thing that makes this the best of the series is that it feels like Jance has figured out who Ali is, and is comfortable writing her stories - even if they are recycled from earlier Joanna Brady stories. It was a fast read, and whiled away a few hours on a rainy day - and that is enough to get a satisfactory recommendation "
— Bruce, 2/12/2014" The BEST book in the Ali Reynonlds series so far. I was hooked from the first page to the last! "
— Annie, 2/9/2014" Really like this book. I go through authors collections quickly and just picked this one up for something new to try. Not fast moving, but the story has a flow to it, like a river instead of the reapids. Still, the story was interesting and the characters were good. I will try more from this author. "
— Amy, 2/8/2014" Maybe I just can't get over Joanna Brady...This is the second novel I've read with Jances'new character who is a would be divoriced ,now luckily widowed newspaper reporter who solves mysteries for the local police department. I started reading really enjoying the plot line of a woman who awakes with severe burns and can't remember her name and who wishes to harm her. A nun called "The Angel of Death' who works with unidentified patients who have no known relatives asks Ali to help her locate her friends and family. It just seemed to go down hill from there. "
— Betsy, 1/26/2014" New turn and new direction! So far I like... I miss Ali's blogging though! This will be interesting, but the story line is starting to sound like Joanna Brady. I almost wonder if there is a chance that they will eventually meet? "
— Jennifer, 1/24/2014" I like JA Jance, this one was ok, an interesting read with a good plot. But I wasn't wowed. "
— Elizabeth, 1/19/2014" Several people, who don't seem to have anything in common, are being stalked. "
— Vicky, 1/18/2014" I liked this book. Ali is asked to become the Public Affairs spokesman for the Yavapai County Sheriff. Events quickly unfold which draw in Ali, as she helps Sister Anselm discover the identity of a woman found in an arson fire. The books keeps your attention throughout, and has a very nice ending. "
— David, 1/17/2014" For a suspense novel this was relatively slow paced. The last 1/4 of the book was more active. Not a very believable plot line. 3- "
— Mary, 1/15/2014" would give this a 3.5. was in the mood for a quick read mystery and this fit the bill. I figured out the murderer about half way thru but still enjoyed it. "
— Joanne, 12/16/2013" Pretty good story. I read one of the earlier ones and did not realize it was a series. "
— Deby, 12/7/2013" I enjoy this series. Light reading, Good mystery. Author likes strong women. "
— Barbara, 12/2/2013" Not my normal read, but my sweet husband wanted to get me something (and he knows i like books) so giving it a go. it was hard to get into (i need something a little deeper) but i actually liked it more towards the end. "
— Mandy, 11/19/2013" Good, lighter reading. Fast read. Not to complicated. "
— Sheryl, 10/24/2013" This is a good book and good series. "
— Lori, 9/14/2013" My favorite Ali Reynolds by far. I love it that JA Jance has created another strong female detective. Her location descriptions are spot on and her female characters are very realistic and are women I would like to meet! "
— Tammy, 8/14/2013" Typical Jance book. "
— Al, 5/22/2013" I like all her books, but this was a little more fluffy than others. "
— Charles, 10/15/2012" QV recommended this--I've not read the previous books in the series--enjoyed it! "
— Patricia, 9/9/2012" It took me a while to get into this book...most likely because I'm reading the series out of order. After reading another Ali story, I went back to where I had left off on this one and was able to get into it...and I'm glad I did. Jance's style is really growing on me :) "
— Terri, 8/6/2012" I always enjoy JA Jance's books. This is her third series, and like the others, you feel like you are a character in the book looking on. "
— Norma, 6/20/2012" This is the latest in her Ali Reynolds series, and another enjoyable outing. Now that Ali has settled into her new house that she inherited, the local sheriff asks her to temporarily take the position as Public Information Officer. Along the way she helps solve a crime. "
— Macjest, 4/9/2012" I was about halfway through this book before I realized I'd read this one before. That tells you everything you need or know about how memorable it is. I enjoy Jance's books for sheer mindless bubblegum, and it fits the bill. "
— Widdershins, 12/16/2011" Decent mystery, but not quite my cup of tea. "
— Tom, 11/14/2011" This series keeps getting better. Ali is doing media relations for the police when she is sucked into a case where a woman is left to burn in a house fire. She has come a long way from a TV anchor. "
— Jo, 4/27/2011" I liked this book and I like the Ali Reynolds series, but, right now I'm reading books that don't require a lot of brain power, and this is one of them. <br/>My suggestion would be to read this series from the beginning, so the set up on Ali's character doesn't seem so contrived . . . "
— Amy, 4/26/2011" Pretty good story. I read one of the earlier ones and did not realize it was a series. "
— Deby, 4/22/2011" Typical Jance mystery/police procedural. I enjoyed it. "
— Lee, 4/11/2011" Getting to like this series by Jance better than the the JoAnna Brady ones. Characterization good. Woman found in burning building, initially no reason could be found for the arson. Involvement with Sister Anselm an interesting addition. "
— Shirley, 4/3/2011" Great book. First time I have read an Ali Reynolds book. It took me a while to get hooked - then I had to finish the book. "
— Karl, 3/26/2011" Good book...I think this is an author I could get hooked on. Plenty of mystery, intrigue and edge of your seat, page turning events. "
— Crystal, 3/26/2011" So far, this book is hard to put down. "
— Darlene, 2/25/2011" Good, lighter reading. Fast read. Not to complicated. "
— Sheryl, 2/11/2011" Great female protagonist in a fast moving mystery. Interesting side stories and characters. Hard to put down quick read. From a Seattle author I enjoy. "
— Teri, 2/1/2011" Quick pacing and good use of the Arizona landscape, as I have come to expect from Ms. Jance. An enjoyable enough read that I plan to go back and read the earlier books in the series. "
— Bonnie, 1/25/2011" I have read most of J.A. Jance and I am a fan. Her mysteries are always interesting and a fast read and this Ali Reynolds tale is no different. "
— Mary, 1/21/2011J. A. Jance is the New York Times bestselling author of the Ali Reynolds series, the J. P. Beaumont series, the Joanna Brady series, and a number of novels featuring the Walker family. Before becoming an author, she worked as a librarian and teacher on a Native American reservation.
Karen Ziemba is an Earphones Award-winning narrator and a Tony Award-winning actor, singer, and dancer. In 2000 she received the Tony Award for Best Featured Actress, along with the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards, starring in Susan Stroman and John Weidman’s hit musical Contact. She also starred as “Roxie Hart” in Chicago and “Rita Racine” in Steel Pier, for which she received her first Tony award nomination as well as Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle nominations. She is also active on tours to American cities and has made appearances in television series dramas.