Devil's Claw

By: J. A. Jance

Narrated by: C. J. Critt

In the night-still canyons of the Arizona desert, a girl is on the run. Alone but for her beloved red-tailed hawk, she flees from the dark shadows of her young life, the horror she has witnessed…and the terror that now stalks her.

New York Times bestselling author J.A. Jance returns with her eighth novel in the highly acclaimed Joanna Brady mystery series. Set against the backdrop of the modern west, this gripping tale finds Sheriff Brady juggling a precarious overload in both her personal and professional lives. About to be married, Joanna's facing a daughter turning twelve and going on twenty, a meddlesome mother micro-managing her wedding, and new in-laws arriving any day. The sudden death of her much-loved neighbor and handyman, Clayton Rhodes, creates further turmoil, leaving Joanna shocked, saddened, and the target of Clayton's irate and irrational daughter, who accuses the Sheriff's Department of covering up a possible murder.

But amidst the uproar, the report of a homicide at Cochise Stronghold in the Dragoon Mountains quickly captures Joanna's full attention. An Indian woman has been found shot to death--a woman recently released from prision after serving time for the manslaughter killing of her husband. She is the mother of a missing fifteen-year-old, Lucy Ridder.

The death at first appears to be a case of domestic rage finally exploding'and a troubled teen runaway may be a victim, or a cold-blooded killer. Yet as Joanna deals with the long-standing troubles of Clayton Rhodes' family and digs deeper into the mysterious life of Lucy and her family, she discovers that investigating family hostilities is leading her down a twisted trail of hatred, greed, and far-reaching consequences--and into a dangerous world where violence is the first response and long buried secrets are a reason to kill…or die.

Once again, J.A. Jance delivers a gritty, deftly written thriller that unfolds on a vivid landscape of raw beauty and unrelenting danger. And, as always, Sheriff Joanna Brady brings the setting to life with the sensitivity, spirit, and intense passion for justice that makes Jance novels ring with authenticity.

Good book. Mispronounced "Ft Huachucha" nags a bit

If you like the Joanna Brady series, this book is pretty satisfying. It has all the family stresses combined with Joanna's struggles with being female and running the department. One of the reasons I like this series so much, is it is set in Southern Arizona where I live. So the places mentioned and used in the story are familiar -- I've been to most of them. That's why C.J. Critt's mispronouncing "Ft Hauchucha" as "Fort Wah-HACK-A" instead of "Fort Wah-CHOO-Ka" throughout the book bothered me so much. I tried really hard not to wince everytime she said it, but couldn't shake it...

Always a nail biter!

I can never leave one of these mysteries before long as I have to know what is next. I enjoy the trials of a female protagonist working as a boss with male cohorts, along with her struggles as a mother and wife that most women can relate to. Thanks for the enjoyable reading/ listening!

Love J A Jance books but disliked the perfomer

Any additional comments?

I have always enjoyed reading Jance books but the performance was so distracting, I wanted to scream...please get a new reader.

Devil's Claw Review

Excellent story with a number of wrist and turned. Enjoyed the Right Red the hawk.

Character development

Liked the various relationships within and the strengthening of Main character being able
To better appreciate others more.