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Joanna Brady #19
Missing and Endangered
Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady’s professional and personal lives collide when her college-age daughter is involved in a missing persons case in this evocative and atmospheric mystery in J. A. Jance’s New York Times bestselling suspense series, set in the beautiful desert country of the American Southwest.
When Jennifer Brady returns to Northern Arizona University for her sophomore year, she quickly becomes a big sister to her new roommate, Beth Rankin, a brilliant yet sheltered sixteen-year-old freshman. For a homeschooled Beth, college is her first taste of both freedom and unfettered access to the internet, and Jenny is concerned that she is too naive.
With Beth at war with her parents, Jenny asks to invite Beth home for Christmas, and Sheriff Joanna Brady says yes. After all, what could go wrong? Within hours, however, Joanna’s department is sucked into a complex officer-involved shooting that places two vulnerable young children in jeopardy. When Beth disappears while visiting over Christmas vacation, Joanna finds herself in a case fraught with landmines. With her own daughter’s well-being at stake, the seasoned sheriff knows there’s no room for the slightest mistake as hope ticks away for a fragile young girl who has gone missing and endangered.
When Jennifer Brady returns to Northern Arizona University for her sophomore year, she quickly becomes a big sister to her new roommate, Beth Rankin, a brilliant yet sheltered sixteen-year-old freshman. For a homeschooled Beth, college is her first taste of both freedom and unfettered access to the internet, and Jenny is concerned that she is too naive.
With Beth at war with her parents, Jenny asks to invite Beth home for Christmas, and Sheriff Joanna Brady says yes. After all, what could go wrong? Within hours, however, Joanna’s department is sucked into a complex officer-involved shooting that places two vulnerable young children in jeopardy. When Beth disappears while visiting over Christmas vacation, Joanna finds herself in a case fraught with landmines. With her own daughter’s well-being at stake, the seasoned sheriff knows there’s no room for the slightest mistake as hope ticks away for a fragile young girl who has gone missing and endangered.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2021
1726 people are currently reading
4453 people want to read
About the author
J.A. Jance
117 books4,191 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 844 reviews
May 6, 2021
Missing and Endangered by J.A. Jance is a 2021 William Morrow publication.
Sheriff Brady- dependable, as ever!
Jennifer Brady’s college roommate has gone missing. Quickly becoming proactive, Jennifer calls her mother for advice and help.
Meanwhile, one of Joanna’s officers was shot in the line of duty. The case becomes more complicated when two young children get caught in the crossfire.
This story allows Jennifer to share the spotlight with her mother. I enjoyed this thread because of the spotlight it shines on the continual exploitation of young people on the internet by sexual predators.
The main case, though, is the officer involved shooting. This case highlights child abuse and neglect, various criminal activities, and of course murder. Elements of this thread are heartbreaking. Joanna’s tenderness towards the young victims was especially poignant.
Overall, this is another solid addition to the series, and I really enjoyed it.
4 stars
Sheriff Brady- dependable, as ever!
Jennifer Brady’s college roommate has gone missing. Quickly becoming proactive, Jennifer calls her mother for advice and help.
Meanwhile, one of Joanna’s officers was shot in the line of duty. The case becomes more complicated when two young children get caught in the crossfire.
This story allows Jennifer to share the spotlight with her mother. I enjoyed this thread because of the spotlight it shines on the continual exploitation of young people on the internet by sexual predators.
The main case, though, is the officer involved shooting. This case highlights child abuse and neglect, various criminal activities, and of course murder. Elements of this thread are heartbreaking. Joanna’s tenderness towards the young victims was especially poignant.
Overall, this is another solid addition to the series, and I really enjoyed it.
4 stars
April 4, 2021
2.5 stars, rounded up
I used to be a huge fan of the Joanna Brady series. But this book was so predictable, I almost returned it to the library without finishing it.
There are two storylines here. The first premise is that Deputy Ruiz is sent out to deliver a restraining order, but it quickly devolves into an officer involved shooting, with one person dead and the deputy severely wounded. What’s odd is that the wife who requested the order is in the house, naked, along with her two children who have been locked in a bedroom. Well, am I the only one that recognized how this really played out?
Meanwhile, Jenny asks to bring her roommate home from college for the Xmas holidays. The roommate is involved in an online romance and again, it was way too obvious how this would play out.
At least the various resolutions to the plot lines were decent and satisfying.
I am clearly in the minority here, as the book currently has a GR rating of over 4. But I, for one, will not be bothering with any more of Jance’s books as I recently was similarly disappointed in her latest Ali Reynolds book.
Hilary Huber was the narrator. I was less than impressed with her skills as well. She read the story more than she imparted any emotion into it.
I used to be a huge fan of the Joanna Brady series. But this book was so predictable, I almost returned it to the library without finishing it.
There are two storylines here. The first premise is that Deputy Ruiz is sent out to deliver a restraining order, but it quickly devolves into an officer involved shooting, with one person dead and the deputy severely wounded. What’s odd is that the wife who requested the order is in the house, naked, along with her two children who have been locked in a bedroom. Well, am I the only one that recognized how this really played out?
Meanwhile, Jenny asks to bring her roommate home from college for the Xmas holidays. The roommate is involved in an online romance and again, it was way too obvious how this would play out.
At least the various resolutions to the plot lines were decent and satisfying.
I am clearly in the minority here, as the book currently has a GR rating of over 4. But I, for one, will not be bothering with any more of Jance’s books as I recently was similarly disappointed in her latest Ali Reynolds book.
Hilary Huber was the narrator. I was less than impressed with her skills as well. She read the story more than she imparted any emotion into it.
February 9, 2021
Joanna Brady is back and better than ever. The character development in this series continues to be top notch -- and not just for Joanna. Her family and county employees are not forgotten. As is usual for a book in this series, there is not much time for Joanna to coast. She has a key employee retiring, an officer involved in a shooting, concerns about an unfit mother, misogynist men from other agencies to deal with, and then her daughter's roommate is the victim of sextortion. I breezed through this one and all things were tied up quite neatly by the end. One thing I am confused about, though, is the title. It just does not seem to fit with the narrative as a whole. The book itself, though, is one of the best so far and as the wife of a LEO and mother of one as well, I appreciate books that shed light on what it is like to work in that world.
Thank you to William Morrow and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to William Morrow and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.
February 15, 2021
It's been three long years since the last Joanna Brady mystery, Field of Bones, so I couldn't wait to pick up Missing and Endangered. J.A. Jance's series set in Cochise County, Arizona, is one of my all-time favorites and never disappoints. Jance grew up in Bisbee, and her setting is so true-to-life you can almost follow her descriptions like a road map. (Yes, I've been there many, many times and have followed those descriptions.)
Written over twenty-eight years, this series-- so far-- describes nine years in the life of Joanna Brady, from her first becoming sheriff to now when her eldest daughter is a college sophomore. Jance's smooth pace and narrative chops draw readers right into the story, and one of the things I admire most about it is how well it shows the daily lives of law enforcement in one sparsely populated county with an area larger than some states. We see how budget cuts affect the department, how the sheriff's office interacts with other law enforcement agencies, and what parts paperwork and the media plays in it all. Joanna has worked hard in her job as sheriff, gaining knowledge and experience, and one of the ways that experience pays off is in her networking skills. She may not know the answer to something but chances are one of her contacts does-- and she does it all while juggling an extremely busy family life.
One thing that I admire even more about this series than the way it portrays the daily life of a sheriff is the "people angle." As Jenny tells her mother, "Your job is about way more than just catching bad people; it's about helping good people, too, and about putting broken lives back together." You may be pleased to know that, in this series, Jance concentrates more on the good people and putting lives back together than she does on the criminals. In Missing and Endangered, readers can feel a sense of dread crawling up their spines at Beth Rankin's naivete. Their hearts can break over two little children who face becoming lost in a system of bureaucracy. But they can also rest assured that Joanna Brady is going to do everything in her power to make things right.
It was three long years since the last Brady mystery, but I found that I hadn't forgotten a thing. This is the type of series with the kind of characters that sticks with you. If you doubt you'll pick this book up because it's book number nineteen and you just don't want to invest that kind of time in a long-running series, well... as much as I want you to read all nineteen books, I will say that you can pick this one up and read it as a standalone. The subplot concerning an officer-involved shooting has Joanna thinking about many incidents from her past, so the backstory is there and you won't feel confused.
Missing and Endangered is vintage Jance, and now I'm back to cooling my heels until my next visit with one of my favorite sheriffs, Joanna Brady. But no matter how long, I know it will be worth the wait.
Written over twenty-eight years, this series-- so far-- describes nine years in the life of Joanna Brady, from her first becoming sheriff to now when her eldest daughter is a college sophomore. Jance's smooth pace and narrative chops draw readers right into the story, and one of the things I admire most about it is how well it shows the daily lives of law enforcement in one sparsely populated county with an area larger than some states. We see how budget cuts affect the department, how the sheriff's office interacts with other law enforcement agencies, and what parts paperwork and the media plays in it all. Joanna has worked hard in her job as sheriff, gaining knowledge and experience, and one of the ways that experience pays off is in her networking skills. She may not know the answer to something but chances are one of her contacts does-- and she does it all while juggling an extremely busy family life.
One thing that I admire even more about this series than the way it portrays the daily life of a sheriff is the "people angle." As Jenny tells her mother, "Your job is about way more than just catching bad people; it's about helping good people, too, and about putting broken lives back together." You may be pleased to know that, in this series, Jance concentrates more on the good people and putting lives back together than she does on the criminals. In Missing and Endangered, readers can feel a sense of dread crawling up their spines at Beth Rankin's naivete. Their hearts can break over two little children who face becoming lost in a system of bureaucracy. But they can also rest assured that Joanna Brady is going to do everything in her power to make things right.
It was three long years since the last Brady mystery, but I found that I hadn't forgotten a thing. This is the type of series with the kind of characters that sticks with you. If you doubt you'll pick this book up because it's book number nineteen and you just don't want to invest that kind of time in a long-running series, well... as much as I want you to read all nineteen books, I will say that you can pick this one up and read it as a standalone. The subplot concerning an officer-involved shooting has Joanna thinking about many incidents from her past, so the backstory is there and you won't feel confused.
Missing and Endangered is vintage Jance, and now I'm back to cooling my heels until my next visit with one of my favorite sheriffs, Joanna Brady. But no matter how long, I know it will be worth the wait.
October 9, 2024
I had read all of the J. A. Jance Series about Sheriff JoAnn Brady. I thought the series was finished and she was busy writing the Ali Reynolds Series. I was looking for something to read and decided to check out some of the authors I followed but had not read recently. I was so surprised to find a new episode of the Brady Series. Jance is a master storyteller. She has a way of grabbing your attention and pulling you into the story and not letting you go. The plot was complex and the pace was fast. Jance makes her characters so real and the dialogue is believable. In this story maybe the ending worked out better than in real life.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and twenty-eight minutes. Hillary Huber does a good job narrating the story.
I read this as an audiobook downloaded from Audible. The book is ten hours and twenty-eight minutes. Hillary Huber does a good job narrating the story.
March 6, 2021
I feel that I'm being quite generous with my two star rating. I do not understand the rave reviews for this book. Perhaps readers are so fond of J.A. Jance that they don't want to rate it it for what it is? Herd mentality? I really disliked this book. I found most of the characters unbelievable and too black and white: the bad guys were too bad and the good guys were too good. People are not like that; they are shades of gray. Even the worst among us have some good qualities. I think that makes for more compelling character development as well. The two story lines were also rather boring. I don't like that they didn't intersect, and the overly happy ending and quick resolution was a big disappointment.
January 11, 2021
Other than a short story co-written with Eric Van Lustbader in a collection compiled by members of International Thriller writers, I've had no real acquaintance with this author. After reading this one - the (wow!) 19th in his Sheriff Joanna Brady series - I'll be watching for more. And no worries about it standing alone; plenty of time (almost too much) is spent rehashing past situations and relationships so I never felt lost.
As this one begins, Joanna gets a call from her daughter, Jenny, who is attending Northern Arizona University Flagstaff on a rodeo team scholarship. Her ultra-sheltered roommate, Beth, is estranged from her ultra-straight-laced parents and has nowhere to go for Christmas vacation. Could she bring Beth home with her to be with Joanna, her writer-husband Butch Dixon and her two much-younger siblings?
Of course, was the response. Before that happens, though, Joanna, chief at the Cochise County Justice Center, must continue to deal with employee issues and pushing through her request for next year's budget. But then she gets a call that one of her deputies has been shot while investigating a domestic violence case. As for Beth, she's gone head-over-heels for the guy she met online - and it looks as if that may be a big mistake that could spell danger for both Beth and Jenny.
Ultimately, Joanna has no choice but to get involved in both situations; luckily, she has plenty of old contacts to all in for help and a husband who's more than willing to pitch in wherever and whenever he's needed (should she part company with him, in fact, I'd be more than happy to interview him for a similar job). By the end, everybody involved gets a good workout - including the reader - and now I'm looking forward to Joanna's next adventure. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
As this one begins, Joanna gets a call from her daughter, Jenny, who is attending Northern Arizona University Flagstaff on a rodeo team scholarship. Her ultra-sheltered roommate, Beth, is estranged from her ultra-straight-laced parents and has nowhere to go for Christmas vacation. Could she bring Beth home with her to be with Joanna, her writer-husband Butch Dixon and her two much-younger siblings?
Of course, was the response. Before that happens, though, Joanna, chief at the Cochise County Justice Center, must continue to deal with employee issues and pushing through her request for next year's budget. But then she gets a call that one of her deputies has been shot while investigating a domestic violence case. As for Beth, she's gone head-over-heels for the guy she met online - and it looks as if that may be a big mistake that could spell danger for both Beth and Jenny.
Ultimately, Joanna has no choice but to get involved in both situations; luckily, she has plenty of old contacts to all in for help and a husband who's more than willing to pitch in wherever and whenever he's needed (should she part company with him, in fact, I'd be more than happy to interview him for a similar job). By the end, everybody involved gets a good workout - including the reader - and now I'm looking forward to Joanna's next adventure. Thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for allowing me to read and review a pre-release copy.
May 27, 2021
This is book #19 in the Joanna Brady series. I haven't read them all, but I have listened to more than a few. This author is a solid 3 stars for me, which is sometimes just what I need. I love this genre and this author can create some fun stories, that often grip the mom side of my heart. This easily pulls me in.
The female MC, Joanna Brady, is the sheriff of a small Arizona town and she is also a wife and mother. I like that she is just normal as far as MCs go. She is tethered nicely to real life. I like how she has progressed over the handful of novels I've read. Her character is never stagnant.
In this installment, there are two different story lines taking place. One is a case she is working on about an officer involved shooting, and the other deals with the college friend of her daughter's. I liked both stories equally.
The ending was a little on the theatrical side (some of the other books in this series also ended the same way), but not a deal breaker. I liked this one. I wish half stars were a thing, I'd definitely give it 3.5. But alas, it is not so...so 3 stars.
The female MC, Joanna Brady, is the sheriff of a small Arizona town and she is also a wife and mother. I like that she is just normal as far as MCs go. She is tethered nicely to real life. I like how she has progressed over the handful of novels I've read. Her character is never stagnant.
In this installment, there are two different story lines taking place. One is a case she is working on about an officer involved shooting, and the other deals with the college friend of her daughter's. I liked both stories equally.
The ending was a little on the theatrical side (some of the other books in this series also ended the same way), but not a deal breaker. I liked this one. I wish half stars were a thing, I'd definitely give it 3.5. But alas, it is not so...so 3 stars.
August 11, 2022
Triggers: Sextortion, Drugs, Child Neglect and/or Abuse, Death of a Loved One, Homicide, hints of self-harm (i.e. suicide), reference to cancer and death due to illness, Gun Violence, Grooming
This was a fantastic, quick paced read for those that A.) Don't mind law enforcement type "cozy" mysteries & B.) Need something to get out of a reading slump. There is a lot going on in this book of the series, of which is my first, however it all mostly ties together and reaches a satisfying resolution at the end without coming across as pedantic or trite. Jance draws you in to turning that page without realizing & before you know it, 20-30 pages have gone by easy. I'll leave it here because *spoilers* but I will say that with the author's style & flow of writing, it doesn't matter what book in the series you pick up and read. Highly recommend!
This was a fantastic, quick paced read for those that A.) Don't mind law enforcement type "cozy" mysteries & B.) Need something to get out of a reading slump. There is a lot going on in this book of the series, of which is my first, however it all mostly ties together and reaches a satisfying resolution at the end without coming across as pedantic or trite. Jance draws you in to turning that page without realizing & before you know it, 20-30 pages have gone by easy. I'll leave it here because *spoilers* but I will say that with the author's style & flow of writing, it doesn't matter what book in the series you pick up and read. Highly recommend!
April 1, 2021
Sheriff Joanna Brady's oldest daughter Jenny is in her 2nd year at Northern Arizona University. Jenny asks her mom if she can bring roommate Beth home for Christmas. Beth is estranged from her parents and Jenny is her only friend. Beth met a man online. He tells her he is in governmental cyber security so he blurs his image and can only call her at midnight. Red flag!
Joanna is dealing with her own set of problems at work. Her department is understaffed, her best staffer is retiring, there's an officer involved shooting with a fatality and officer injury, plus 2 kids are in danger from an unstable mother.
I've been waiting for a new Joanna Brady book for over 2 years. I've read every one of these books and they are all on my bookshelves except for the latest two. Missing and Endangered is #18, but if you haven't read any yet, the background is well explained in the first few pages. These books always involve a clean mystery with no bad language or sexual scenes. Joanna's family and staff are all like old friends with me.
Joanna is dealing with her own set of problems at work. Her department is understaffed, her best staffer is retiring, there's an officer involved shooting with a fatality and officer injury, plus 2 kids are in danger from an unstable mother.
I've been waiting for a new Joanna Brady book for over 2 years. I've read every one of these books and they are all on my bookshelves except for the latest two. Missing and Endangered is #18, but if you haven't read any yet, the background is well explained in the first few pages. These books always involve a clean mystery with no bad language or sexual scenes. Joanna's family and staff are all like old friends with me.
March 4, 2021
MISSING AND ENDANGERED is a great novel! This story concerns Jenny when she returns to college and befriends her new room-mate Beth. Jenny believes Beth is a little nieve, and then Beth goes missing. Thank goodness Jenny has a mother who is a Sherriff! Many people will love this book!
August 2, 2021
Coming off a couple subpar books, it was SO refreshing to read a well written, well plotted book with characters I love. Good for Jennifer Brady for her recognition of excellent women and choice of career. Good for JA Jance for bringing attention to this issue
April 3, 2021
J.A. Jance has been writing mysteries for a long time. Since the 1980’s she has been busy, producing three successful ongoing series with strong leading characters battling crime, including Seattle Detective J.P. Beaumont, Los Angeles news anchor Ali Reynolds, and Arizona County Sherriff Joanna Brady. All three series have built-up a consistent audience and stayed strong over the years.
In my younger years I enjoyed reading the Beaumont books and enjoying the local scenery of Seattle and the greater pacific Northwest. As I got older, I found myself being drawn into the Sherriff Joanna Brady books for several reasons. First, there were be few females in a lead mystery role in the early 1990’s, and we experienced her professional development into an outstanding lead investigator. Second, I love reading about her family development from the beginning of the series when her first husband was killed. I enjoy watching her children growing up and her multi-talented second husband become a successful novelist. Third, I love visiting with the rest of the citizens of Joanna’s home town of Bisbee and all of the connected and competing relationships that go on in a small-town setting.
“Missing and Endangered” is the 19th book in the long-running Sherriff Joanna Brady mysteries series by J.A. Jance. When the book begins in early December, Joanna is juggling several things, including terrible news at work, taking care of her home while her husband Butch is on book tour supporting his new release, and preparing for her oldest daughter, Jennifer, to come home for the Christmas holidays.
It doesn’t take long for additional challenges to rise. First, a member of Brady’s team is involved in an officer shooting that places the lives of two young children at risk. To make matters worse, Detective Dave Newton is the assigned DPS officer assigned to investigate the shooting. Joanna has had multiple run-ins with Newton, who is carrying a big chip on his shoulder, always looking for a way to find ways to blame her and her department. Although Brady is supposed to keep her distance from the case, the more she finds out about it, things are not seeming to be as they first appeared.
Joanna is not the only one involved in a mystery in this book. There is a second one involving her daughter, Jennifer, a sophomore attending Northern Arizona University. Her new freshman roommate is Beth Rankin, a brilliant yet naïve sixteen-year-old freshman experiencing life outside of homeschooling by an extremely religious mother for the first time. Beth has purchased her first cellphone and laptop which were never allowed at home, and unfortunately experiences the dark side of internet-based relationships. When things get back and cyber bullying rears its ugly head, Beth suffers an attack of retribution that exposes her privacy and forces her to turn to Jennifer for support and protection.
Both Joanna and Jennifer Brady find themselves committed to sacrificing whatever it takes to to save two young children and a friend who cannot defend themselves. Even if it means sacrificing themselves…
Sherriff Brady has always had a special place in my heart. Each time I read her books, I get to sit right up from as Sherriff Brady takes on what seem like impossible challenges and she finds ways to overcome them, often with the help of others in a team manner. In early books, Brady faced the challenge of being a female in a man’s world of law enforcement as well as a single mother. In later books, she faced the challenge of raising young children and sharing her life with another person. In recent books, she has faced the revealing of crushing family secrets. the loss of lost ones, and mentoring her college age daughter.
In some ways I feel like this is like the prime example of what a successful cozy mystery series should be. I mean that with no disrespect whatsoever. In my opinion, J.A. Jance has created and successfully maintained a high bar of enjoyment with her Sherriff Brady mystery series. Brady’s world of Bisbee and Southwest Arizona is filled with beloved and memorable characters, a small Hallmark like town charm with western history, and intriguing mysteries that keep your attention. It's a special kind of mind candy that delivers a different colored gem each time.
Overall, this was the kind of escapist read I expected and it delivered in a pleasing manner. I enjoy spending time with Sherriff Brady, her team, her family, and the rest of the citizens of Bisbee. I am also appreciating the development and growth of her daughter, Jennifer, as a college student and independent young lady, much like her mother before her. Brady generation 2.0 is finding her place in an eventual lead role. I cannot until we meet again next year. Hopefully you will make a visit too. It will be enjoyable and well-worth it.
In my younger years I enjoyed reading the Beaumont books and enjoying the local scenery of Seattle and the greater pacific Northwest. As I got older, I found myself being drawn into the Sherriff Joanna Brady books for several reasons. First, there were be few females in a lead mystery role in the early 1990’s, and we experienced her professional development into an outstanding lead investigator. Second, I love reading about her family development from the beginning of the series when her first husband was killed. I enjoy watching her children growing up and her multi-talented second husband become a successful novelist. Third, I love visiting with the rest of the citizens of Joanna’s home town of Bisbee and all of the connected and competing relationships that go on in a small-town setting.
“Missing and Endangered” is the 19th book in the long-running Sherriff Joanna Brady mysteries series by J.A. Jance. When the book begins in early December, Joanna is juggling several things, including terrible news at work, taking care of her home while her husband Butch is on book tour supporting his new release, and preparing for her oldest daughter, Jennifer, to come home for the Christmas holidays.
It doesn’t take long for additional challenges to rise. First, a member of Brady’s team is involved in an officer shooting that places the lives of two young children at risk. To make matters worse, Detective Dave Newton is the assigned DPS officer assigned to investigate the shooting. Joanna has had multiple run-ins with Newton, who is carrying a big chip on his shoulder, always looking for a way to find ways to blame her and her department. Although Brady is supposed to keep her distance from the case, the more she finds out about it, things are not seeming to be as they first appeared.
Joanna is not the only one involved in a mystery in this book. There is a second one involving her daughter, Jennifer, a sophomore attending Northern Arizona University. Her new freshman roommate is Beth Rankin, a brilliant yet naïve sixteen-year-old freshman experiencing life outside of homeschooling by an extremely religious mother for the first time. Beth has purchased her first cellphone and laptop which were never allowed at home, and unfortunately experiences the dark side of internet-based relationships. When things get back and cyber bullying rears its ugly head, Beth suffers an attack of retribution that exposes her privacy and forces her to turn to Jennifer for support and protection.
Both Joanna and Jennifer Brady find themselves committed to sacrificing whatever it takes to to save two young children and a friend who cannot defend themselves. Even if it means sacrificing themselves…
Sherriff Brady has always had a special place in my heart. Each time I read her books, I get to sit right up from as Sherriff Brady takes on what seem like impossible challenges and she finds ways to overcome them, often with the help of others in a team manner. In early books, Brady faced the challenge of being a female in a man’s world of law enforcement as well as a single mother. In later books, she faced the challenge of raising young children and sharing her life with another person. In recent books, she has faced the revealing of crushing family secrets. the loss of lost ones, and mentoring her college age daughter.
In some ways I feel like this is like the prime example of what a successful cozy mystery series should be. I mean that with no disrespect whatsoever. In my opinion, J.A. Jance has created and successfully maintained a high bar of enjoyment with her Sherriff Brady mystery series. Brady’s world of Bisbee and Southwest Arizona is filled with beloved and memorable characters, a small Hallmark like town charm with western history, and intriguing mysteries that keep your attention. It's a special kind of mind candy that delivers a different colored gem each time.
Overall, this was the kind of escapist read I expected and it delivered in a pleasing manner. I enjoy spending time with Sherriff Brady, her team, her family, and the rest of the citizens of Bisbee. I am also appreciating the development and growth of her daughter, Jennifer, as a college student and independent young lady, much like her mother before her. Brady generation 2.0 is finding her place in an eventual lead role. I cannot until we meet again next year. Hopefully you will make a visit too. It will be enjoyable and well-worth it.
February 24, 2021
I love author J. A. Jance, and Joanna Brady is my favorite series. I am never disappointed ! Great book, please keep them coming. I strongly recommend this book/series, and anything the author writes.
February 23, 2021
I will grab a new J.A. Jance as soon as it hits the display. When the February edition of the Costco magazine announced the date the book would be in stores, I was there.
Good addition to a series that has covered close to two decades in the life of an insurance agent turned county sheriff. If you haven't read the previous 18 books, which include two that costar Joanna Brady and J.P. Beaumont, you may want to start earlier in the series and work your way through in order. There are a lot of references to happenings in earlier books and while this could be a standalone you'll get more out of it if you have read the rest of the series.
A little strained on credibility at times. Jenny's a sophomore and her roommate Beth is a freshman. Maybe things have changed but in my dorm days most people returning to university housing after their freshman year opted to choose a roommate rather than have one assigned at random, which reduced the conflicts in asking strangers to live together.
Also, how old IS Sage? She was born at the beginning of "Field of Bones", in November of the previous year (election night). So she's about to turn one, which fits with being in a walker since many 12-month-olds are not quite ready to walk. At the end of the book she's described as two. And early in the book Joanna's hoping that Sage will be out of diapers soon. 1 year old? Not likely.
I was half expecting the two strands of the plot (the victimization of Beth and the murder of Leon) to be brought together at some point, but that really would have been a bit much to believe and I'm glad Jance didn't try to do that.
Fast read and I stayed up far too late trying to finish it. This is another on my list of "need to go back and reread the series" books. A nice addition to the Joanna Brady canon.
Good addition to a series that has covered close to two decades in the life of an insurance agent turned county sheriff. If you haven't read the previous 18 books, which include two that costar Joanna Brady and J.P. Beaumont, you may want to start earlier in the series and work your way through in order. There are a lot of references to happenings in earlier books and while this could be a standalone you'll get more out of it if you have read the rest of the series.
A little strained on credibility at times. Jenny's a sophomore and her roommate Beth is a freshman. Maybe things have changed but in my dorm days most people returning to university housing after their freshman year opted to choose a roommate rather than have one assigned at random, which reduced the conflicts in asking strangers to live together.
Also, how old IS Sage? She was born at the beginning of "Field of Bones", in November of the previous year (election night). So she's about to turn one, which fits with being in a walker since many 12-month-olds are not quite ready to walk. At the end of the book she's described as two. And early in the book Joanna's hoping that Sage will be out of diapers soon. 1 year old? Not likely.
I was half expecting the two strands of the plot (the victimization of Beth and the murder of Leon) to be brought together at some point, but that really would have been a bit much to believe and I'm glad Jance didn't try to do that.
Fast read and I stayed up far too late trying to finish it. This is another on my list of "need to go back and reread the series" books. A nice addition to the Joanna Brady canon.
May 29, 2021
I've been reading these books for many years and Jance's writing is not improving with age or experience. Some of her series are now unreadable, and this one is getting there. The second half of the book was ok because she really started working THIS story instead of summarizing other books or stories she never got around to writing. News flash, I don't need to know the back story of every minor character or detail of Joanne's life like who makes dinner, how she came to have in-home help, how the receptionist got her job, why they have rolling shutters, where they park their cars, who drives better in the snow, etc. And if I did, I'd at least prefer to get it in an interesting way other than, "she remembered laying on the ground while pregnant and shooting at an armed suspect from underneath the car".
Probably time to hang it up. I think it's probably time for me to stop picking these books up.
Probably time to hang it up. I think it's probably time for me to stop picking these books up.
August 14, 2021
I thought this was a very different book about Sheriff Brady with her daughter taking up so much space.
December 4, 2021
Jance’s 19th offering in her Sheriff Joanna Brady police procedural series has the Cochise County, Arizona law enforcement officer dealing with her Deputy Armando Ruiz being involved in a shooting when he served a no-contact order to Leon Hogan. Meanwhile, Joanna’s roommate in college is enthralled with an on-line romance despite having never met the guy. Definitely bad news!
July 30, 2024
I enjoyed both the Sheriff Brady series and the author's JP Beaumont series. The characters have become familiar and the stories are engaging.
This novel has 2 main storylines - first, there is an officer-involved shooting that results in the death of the shooter and serious injuries to the officer; second, Joanna's daughter, Jenny is at school and her roommate has become involved in an online relationship that has gotten out of hand. There are also some changes coming for the sheriff's office. Both storylines are engaging and deal with some serious issues, including cyberbullying, extortion, and domestic violence.
I think one of the reasons that I enjoy this series is that the characters are not static; they grow, they learn, they develop and change. Although enough info is given to enjoy this as a standalone, I think you gain insights by reading the series, in order. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
This novel has 2 main storylines - first, there is an officer-involved shooting that results in the death of the shooter and serious injuries to the officer; second, Joanna's daughter, Jenny is at school and her roommate has become involved in an online relationship that has gotten out of hand. There are also some changes coming for the sheriff's office. Both storylines are engaging and deal with some serious issues, including cyberbullying, extortion, and domestic violence.
I think one of the reasons that I enjoy this series is that the characters are not static; they grow, they learn, they develop and change. Although enough info is given to enjoy this as a standalone, I think you gain insights by reading the series, in order. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
October 28, 2021
I like this series a lot and was happy for another adventure with the bunch. Jen's roomate at college gets involved with a very dangerous man and Jen's life is also in danger. Bit of a little different story but plenty going on in the home town.
May 28, 2021
I won this in a good reads giveaway. It’s hard coming into a series that’s been going on for so long without any background info but I still enjoyed this book
May 26, 2021
I love the Joanna Brady series, and this was one of the best!
March 15, 2021
This is a wonderful book. Joanna Brady is a terrific heroine who is smart enough to surround herself with great people.
February 17, 2021
Another awesome Joanna Brady novel! I wait forever for JA Jance to release a new story and don’t even care which of her characters are the lucky releasee! She weaves an amazing story with just the right amount of crime, drama and family. Even if you haven’t been following this series you can pick it up and understand the background as she peppers in the history without boring her long time readers. Time well spent!
November 17, 2021
TO BE FAIR, I dropped myself into the 19th book in a series. But I do that with mystery series all the time.
That being said, this was not for me. Like I know stuff happened, but did it really? Also, I thought the author had to be a man because the writing of the teen girls was off. But I was definitely wrong. She just has such a disconnect, it didn’t translate at all.
That being said, this was not for me. Like I know stuff happened, but did it really? Also, I thought the author had to be a man because the writing of the teen girls was off. But I was definitely wrong. She just has such a disconnect, it didn’t translate at all.
October 31, 2021
4.5 stars rounded up.
The author knows how to keep the plot moving .. and it’s a good plot. Bravo.
My favorite of all Jance’s series
.. (i have read practically all of them :)
The author knows how to keep the plot moving .. and it’s a good plot. Bravo.
My favorite of all Jance’s series
.. (i have read practically all of them :)
November 15, 2021
obviously you can expect much picking up the 19th book in a series but this was on the “new” shelf at the library and I finished it. so. onward.
August 9, 2022
First, usually, although not always, how quickly I finish a book tells how much I enjoyed it. Less than 24 hours I spent on this first Joanna Brady book I’ve read in a few years, and one with over 300 pages; yippee! It was paced well for me in the place I’m currently in with my health and life, but engaging and with enough going on that I was fully invested in reading it as quickly as possible, thanks to both the ensuing story line as well as the character development.
While I had missed the birth of Brady’s third child, books I’ll have to backtrack and read, pretty much all the previous characters we’re still present. Jance keeps the Joanna Brady books feel true by not stagnating her stories through keeping her characters stay on and on; some are replaced through growing story lines. Additionally, while I do not live there, I’m familiar with the area surrounding Bisbee, Arizona, and have various friends there still yet today. So my familiarity with the area keeps Janice’s Brady books interesting for me.
I loved having two separate stories going, and Jance does this particularly well, IMO! The story lines were not only relevant in our world today, but sadly so. Jance tied up loose ends and the book ended as well as possible with all that had ensued. I was so very happy to read a story by an author who would and could give her readers over 300 pages because most nowadays seem to fall very short of that. A good book, for me, keeps the reader along for a well written book of substantial size, and Jance did this, again, in my opinion. Thank you, Ms. Jance, for an excellent and compelling story!
While I had missed the birth of Brady’s third child, books I’ll have to backtrack and read, pretty much all the previous characters we’re still present. Jance keeps the Joanna Brady books feel true by not stagnating her stories through keeping her characters stay on and on; some are replaced through growing story lines. Additionally, while I do not live there, I’m familiar with the area surrounding Bisbee, Arizona, and have various friends there still yet today. So my familiarity with the area keeps Janice’s Brady books interesting for me.
I loved having two separate stories going, and Jance does this particularly well, IMO! The story lines were not only relevant in our world today, but sadly so. Jance tied up loose ends and the book ended as well as possible with all that had ensued. I was so very happy to read a story by an author who would and could give her readers over 300 pages because most nowadays seem to fall very short of that. A good book, for me, keeps the reader along for a well written book of substantial size, and Jance did this, again, in my opinion. Thank you, Ms. Jance, for an excellent and compelling story!
March 1, 2021
Joanna Brady is the Sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona, and this latest installment in J.A. Jance’s series takes place as Christmas is fast approaching. This means that Joanna’s oldest daughter, Jennifer, will be returning home from Northern Arizona University for her break. She asks permission to bring her rather naïve 16-year-old freshman roommate, Beth Rankin, home for the holidays.
Beth accepts the invitation because she had a fight with her mother and father over Thanksgiving and has no intention of going home for Christmas. Her parents are very religious and strict; they have tried to keep her close to their ways of thinking about life, especially when it involves technology, about which she has little experience. She had been home-schooled and overly protected. Once on her own, she purchases a computer and a smartphone, and then manages to connect with a boy through an online dating site.
Ron is her first boyfriend, and she falls hard for the guy. He turns out not to be who she thinks he is, and trouble arises when “sexploitation” becomes a serious part of the plot. Even before the girls leave school to go to the Brady house, a bit of friction erupts between them. Beth has taken to locking herself in the bathroom in the middle of the night to FaceTime with Ron, who asks her to send him a nude picture of herself. Jenny has no idea that her roommate is up to these “games,” but Beth’s behavior is starting to annoy her.
On one occasion, Jenny needs to go to the bathroom, so Beth maneuvers Ron off the phone. He is furious and does not call back for two days, leaving Beth devastated and hysterical as she fears losing him. Her unworldliness and innocence make her perfect prey for a controlling young man like Ron. When she finds the naked photos on the internet, she runs away and drops her phone in the snow. Jenny calls her mother to report Beth missing and is told to contact the police and alert campus security.
While all of this is playing out, Joanna’s deputy, Armando Ruiz, is called upon to serve a no-contact protection order to Leon Hogan. This should have been an easy task, but it turns tragic when Hogan rushes out of his trailer and shoots at Ruiz, who is forced to defend himself and kills the man. Ruiz is also shot and ends up in the hospital needing emergency surgery. This complicates Joanna's life even more than usual, and she has great concern for the children whose father is now dead. She is also worried about the well-being of his soon-to-be ex-wife, who is suddenly a widow. But the circumstances of the couple’s relationship feed suspicion about who the aggressor in the marriage really was.
The sheriff’s office is under investigation for the shooting, adding to the pressure Joanna faces daily. At this point, her husband is on a book tour, so she is handling work, the girls and household activities on her own. He ends up coming home early, which makes getting ready for Christmas and other daily chores easier.
MISSING AND ENDANGERED is more than just a straightforward police procedural. It incorporates family life, a mystery and personal daily interactions that are complicated, timely and moving. Joanna Brady is a solidly constructed character, and over the years Jance has enhanced her personality, creating a multifaceted leading lady. The supporting players here are finely honed, and the plot is timely and thought-provoking. The narrative is masterful, and newcomers will not miss any of the backstories. Jance does a wonderful job filling in the blanks so that readers never lose any of the nuances of this well-told, suspenseful and intriguing story.
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
Beth accepts the invitation because she had a fight with her mother and father over Thanksgiving and has no intention of going home for Christmas. Her parents are very religious and strict; they have tried to keep her close to their ways of thinking about life, especially when it involves technology, about which she has little experience. She had been home-schooled and overly protected. Once on her own, she purchases a computer and a smartphone, and then manages to connect with a boy through an online dating site.
Ron is her first boyfriend, and she falls hard for the guy. He turns out not to be who she thinks he is, and trouble arises when “sexploitation” becomes a serious part of the plot. Even before the girls leave school to go to the Brady house, a bit of friction erupts between them. Beth has taken to locking herself in the bathroom in the middle of the night to FaceTime with Ron, who asks her to send him a nude picture of herself. Jenny has no idea that her roommate is up to these “games,” but Beth’s behavior is starting to annoy her.
On one occasion, Jenny needs to go to the bathroom, so Beth maneuvers Ron off the phone. He is furious and does not call back for two days, leaving Beth devastated and hysterical as she fears losing him. Her unworldliness and innocence make her perfect prey for a controlling young man like Ron. When she finds the naked photos on the internet, she runs away and drops her phone in the snow. Jenny calls her mother to report Beth missing and is told to contact the police and alert campus security.
While all of this is playing out, Joanna’s deputy, Armando Ruiz, is called upon to serve a no-contact protection order to Leon Hogan. This should have been an easy task, but it turns tragic when Hogan rushes out of his trailer and shoots at Ruiz, who is forced to defend himself and kills the man. Ruiz is also shot and ends up in the hospital needing emergency surgery. This complicates Joanna's life even more than usual, and she has great concern for the children whose father is now dead. She is also worried about the well-being of his soon-to-be ex-wife, who is suddenly a widow. But the circumstances of the couple’s relationship feed suspicion about who the aggressor in the marriage really was.
The sheriff’s office is under investigation for the shooting, adding to the pressure Joanna faces daily. At this point, her husband is on a book tour, so she is handling work, the girls and household activities on her own. He ends up coming home early, which makes getting ready for Christmas and other daily chores easier.
MISSING AND ENDANGERED is more than just a straightforward police procedural. It incorporates family life, a mystery and personal daily interactions that are complicated, timely and moving. Joanna Brady is a solidly constructed character, and over the years Jance has enhanced her personality, creating a multifaceted leading lady. The supporting players here are finely honed, and the plot is timely and thought-provoking. The narrative is masterful, and newcomers will not miss any of the backstories. Jance does a wonderful job filling in the blanks so that readers never lose any of the nuances of this well-told, suspenseful and intriguing story.
Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
September 6, 2021
Jennifer Brady is a Sophmore at Northern Arizona University and her new college roommate is Beth Rankin, a brilliant but very sheltered sixteen year old who is getting her first taste of freedom and access to the internet. It turns out Beth has a boyfriend that she met online. Jenny has invited Beth home for Christmas and Sheriff Joanna Brady is fine with the idea. She thinks of great, extra help for the holidays! She should know better by now.
Joanna is knee deep in a case of a violent offender who has left two vulnerable children in a dangerous situation. Jenny's relationship with Beth seems to upset Beth's boyfriend and has unwittingly made her a target, Meanwhile back at the homestead, Butch is endeavoring to hold down the holiday fort.
What could possibly go wrong? Two Thumbs up!
I have ready many of J.A. Jance's books and always enjoy them so this one is no exception and it's focus on cyber bullying is a real issue for many people that I think anybody who has kids should read it.
Joanna is knee deep in a case of a violent offender who has left two vulnerable children in a dangerous situation. Jenny's relationship with Beth seems to upset Beth's boyfriend and has unwittingly made her a target, Meanwhile back at the homestead, Butch is endeavoring to hold down the holiday fort.
What could possibly go wrong? Two Thumbs up!
I have ready many of J.A. Jance's books and always enjoy them so this one is no exception and it's focus on cyber bullying is a real issue for many people that I think anybody who has kids should read it.
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