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Joanna Brady #2
Tombstone Courage
After solving the mystery of Andy Brady's murder and foiling a large drug-trafficking ring, it has been suggested to Andy's widow that she take over Andy's bid to run for Sherriff.
Her father was a very popular sherriff in the past and JoAnna figures she's qualified so she runs and wins!
Now, Cochise County Arizona has its first female sherriff who is well experienced in beaurocratic nonsense, but now police procedure, but wants to be a sherriff, not just a paper-pusher!
Her father was a very popular sherriff in the past and JoAnna figures she's qualified so she runs and wins!
Now, Cochise County Arizona has its first female sherriff who is well experienced in beaurocratic nonsense, but now police procedure, but wants to be a sherriff, not just a paper-pusher!
300 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1994
About the author
J.A. Jance
136 books4,297 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
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 495 reviews
September 9, 2022
There's a new sheriff in town!
Tombstone Courage (1994) is book #2 in Joanna Brady series that takes place two months after the first novel, Desert Heat.
After a tragic family loss a few months prior, Joanna Brady moves forward in a new role as the first female sheriff of Cochise County and the state of AZ. There's a lot of resistance and hostility from the boys at the Sheriff's Department that she's a woman and has no law enforcement experience.
With no uniform and a new 9mm Colt that she owned for two weeks, Joanna is in "learning as she goes" mode. She's faced with two homicides in the town's open pit mine.
I'm loving this series! Joanna Brady is a great character; tough, confident and feisty. I'm having a great time listening to the audiobook read by Hillary Huber.
March 9, 2022
4 Stars for Tombstone Courage: Joanna Brady Mystery Series, Book 2 (audiobook) by J. A. Jance read by Nancy Lee-Painter.
The first day on the job, Cochise County’s new sheriff has a murder to solve. She immediately goes to work trying to make her dead husband’s clothes fit. There is no time to prepare for this new job as she has a murderer to track down.
The first day on the job, Cochise County’s new sheriff has a murder to solve. She immediately goes to work trying to make her dead husband’s clothes fit. There is no time to prepare for this new job as she has a murderer to track down.
September 19, 2018
I felt the beginning of the book was really slow paced and that there was a lot that felt like filler. A few of the characters felt a little flat.
The plot was good, but after a long slow start, the ending felt way too fast. The interdepartmental issues that Joanna in her new position as Sheriff faced felt real and were good.
I'll keep reading this series.
The plot was good, but after a long slow start, the ending felt way too fast. The interdepartmental issues that Joanna in her new position as Sheriff faced felt real and were good.
I'll keep reading this series.
September 26, 2015
Good second entry in the Joanna Brady series. This is the followup to Desert Heat where at the end, Joanna is considering running for sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona. In this volume, she is elected sheriff but her lack of experience makes it very hard for her to assume a leadership position, especially since one of her main deputies was campaigning for another person during the election. Then once she gets elected, she has a double murder on her hands, one of which occurred many years before. The current murder is of a local rancher who is accused by his daughter of molestation when she was young. But is that what really happened? Joanna is really feeling her way in this one and along the way makes some key mistakes in law enforcement but with a little help is able to come to the right conclusions. At the end, she is enrolled in a law enforcement course to help her in her duties and responsibilities. The next novel should provide more details...looking forward to it!
October 12, 2020
It's been a while since I read this but I love strong female protagonists and the fact that Joanna became an acting sheriff.
January 8, 2016
This is my fourth book that I've read in this series and so far, this is my favorite one. They have all been 3 stars, but I can give this one 4 stars. I think I liked this one more because it gave me some much needed back story. I liked the explanation about Joanna's rise to sheriff and I also liked the details about her family life.
March 17, 2024
Good characters and story. Eii definitely continue the series
November 24, 2025
It will be interesting to watch her grow in this series.
April 27, 2011
I ordered a huge box of books off ebay from some poor sap who basically gave 22 books away for 2.00. When I got the box it was full of books by JA Jance and Stuart Woods. From there my love affair began with JA Jance's series. I read all of Joanna Brady's books out of order but I loved each and every one. I even went on the author's website and read where she told how she got the idea for each of the books she has written. It only made me love each book more :) How sad was I when I realized yesterday that I am now up-to-date on all the Joanna Brady books!! Now I am just hoping she continues to write this series.. I have to know what happens to her little family :)
January 29, 2016
I'm liking this series!
In the second novel in the Joanna Brady series, Joanna is running for sheriff and in her sleepy town of Bisbee, Arizona a murder occurs. The murder is connected with a lawsuit between a father and a daughter.
Through out the novel, Joanna's storyline took a back seat, and the murder and the relationships between this family took priority. I found it a bit odd that there was so much about this family. I also didn't like how not much information was given out. It only came together at the end of the novel.
I will be continuing this series.
In the second novel in the Joanna Brady series, Joanna is running for sheriff and in her sleepy town of Bisbee, Arizona a murder occurs. The murder is connected with a lawsuit between a father and a daughter.
Through out the novel, Joanna's storyline took a back seat, and the murder and the relationships between this family took priority. I found it a bit odd that there was so much about this family. I also didn't like how not much information was given out. It only came together at the end of the novel.
I will be continuing this series.
February 2, 2019
I really,REALLY wish some of you guys would learn the difference between the REVIEW of a book and GIVING AWAY THE ENTIRE STORY! Dont you all realize that people come to the reviews and read so they can decide if the book is good enough to make the investment of our time in reading it or not? NOT to have it read FOR US? At least label your review "Spoilers Alert"! If you insist on giving the story away please? A review is what you thought of how the book was written and WHY you recommend or do not recommend the book. Its NOT a synopsis of the book.
March 14, 2021
Tombstone Courage by J.A. Jance is the second in a series centered on Joanna Brady, unlikely new sheriff of Cochise County, Arizona. I have found a series I believe I will thoroughly enjoy for much pleasurable reading to come.
Tombstone Courage we learn is a phrase used to describe a failing of law enforcement officers ... failure to call for backup.
Joanna Brady becomes the newly elected Sheriff of Cochise County in an election where the two registered candidates had recently been killed. One was her husband, Andy Brady. When all candidates had to be write-ins to be voted for, Joanna win in a landslide. Her troubles, however, are only beginning. As the first female to hold the office of county sheriff anywhere in the state, there is immediate skepticism by the officers she inherits and resistance from them, many openly. In addition, one of the old-time ranchers in the area goes missing, only to turn up dead at the bottom of a mine pit. Additionally, his aren't the only remains found there.
Who killed the rancher and why? Could it have anything to do with a family law suit heading to court from his oldest daughter accusing him of assault when she was growing up?
Joanna finds herself battling not only the internal conflicts of departmental problems but her lack of true police procedure knowledge combined by an instinct to get involved in aspects she might best not concern herself with. Those instincts, however, are what led to solving the murder of her husband. Those instincts lead her in a direction others have failed to consider or be sensitive to. It is also those instincts that puts her in the position of confronting Tombstone Courage.
A very intriguing and fun read.
Tombstone Courage we learn is a phrase used to describe a failing of law enforcement officers ... failure to call for backup.
Joanna Brady becomes the newly elected Sheriff of Cochise County in an election where the two registered candidates had recently been killed. One was her husband, Andy Brady. When all candidates had to be write-ins to be voted for, Joanna win in a landslide. Her troubles, however, are only beginning. As the first female to hold the office of county sheriff anywhere in the state, there is immediate skepticism by the officers she inherits and resistance from them, many openly. In addition, one of the old-time ranchers in the area goes missing, only to turn up dead at the bottom of a mine pit. Additionally, his aren't the only remains found there.
Who killed the rancher and why? Could it have anything to do with a family law suit heading to court from his oldest daughter accusing him of assault when she was growing up?
Joanna finds herself battling not only the internal conflicts of departmental problems but her lack of true police procedure knowledge combined by an instinct to get involved in aspects she might best not concern herself with. Those instincts, however, are what led to solving the murder of her husband. Those instincts lead her in a direction others have failed to consider or be sensitive to. It is also those instincts that puts her in the position of confronting Tombstone Courage.
A very intriguing and fun read.
January 6, 2019
Tombstone Courage is the second in the Sheriff Joanna Brady series. It provides the back-story on how Joanna Brady became a sheriff. The mystery itself was somewhat predictable, I had an inkling where the story was going to go from the beginning. Definitely enough here for me to move on to book #3.
May 31, 2020
Great mystery! 4+ stars
March 2, 2025
Joanna Brady makes the perfect Sheriff. A hurt and frustrated daughter, bureaucratic systems, and a frustration I too had to prove being a qualified woman in a position normally held by men. But when a person can balance all the above in excellence and exceptionalism it makes for an excellent read.
October 19, 2009
The murder in this mystery doesn’t occur until about half way through. And that’s okay because what Jance is really writing about is family relationships, life in a small western town, women breaking stereotypes and pushing the ceiling. By the time the dastardly deed happens I had actually forgotten I was reading a mystery. The characters are well drawn out and unfolding events are logical—there’s never a moment when you think ‘this doesn’t make sense.’
This is my third Jance novel. I liked her style enough to pick up two more in the Brady series. I am not sure if I am a fan yet but there seems to be more substance to her writing than typical of the genre. If you said to me a year ago ‘you’ll be reading murder mysteries and liking them’ I would have snickered and walked away. I may just be a phase—but I’m having a good time.
This is my third Jance novel. I liked her style enough to pick up two more in the Brady series. I am not sure if I am a fan yet but there seems to be more substance to her writing than typical of the genre. If you said to me a year ago ‘you’ll be reading murder mysteries and liking them’ I would have snickered and walked away. I may just be a phase—but I’m having a good time.
October 4, 2018
Joanna Brady is the newly elected Sheriff. The only female Sheriff in the state of Arizona. If that were not enough pressure, she has to deal with hostile deputies, the investigation of two homicides, and find a way to cope with her husband's death and reassure her young daughter that all will be well.
If this continues, Joanna Brady is going to wind up being one of my fictional heroes. She's a strong woman. I enjoyed this book every bit as much as DESERT HEAT, the first book in the series--maybe even more so due to the complexity of the plot. I highly recommend these books. They are not fluffy mysteries. They're about real life and real problems. You go, Joanna Brady! Can't wait to see what you'll do next.
April 15, 2022
Before starting my review, I read a few of the existing reviews, and one
of them, by GR member Ubalstecha, really says what I was thinking.
Joanna Brady is a terrific character, and she gets off to a good start in spite of many difficulties in this first book as sheriff. I listened to this book, and it took a while to get used to Hillary Huber's voice; she's a good narrator, not great.
I give this 4.5 stars, which I can't do within the GR system. Well worth your time to read or listen to this book.
of them, by GR member Ubalstecha, really says what I was thinking.
Joanna Brady is a terrific character, and she gets off to a good start in spite of many difficulties in this first book as sheriff. I listened to this book, and it took a while to get used to Hillary Huber's voice; she's a good narrator, not great.
I give this 4.5 stars, which I can't do within the GR system. Well worth your time to read or listen to this book.
June 29, 2026
I can see where J.A. Jance is easing into the Joanna Brady character with this one. Brady has won the bid for sheriff but now has to deal with the patriarchy and small-mindedness.
A family rife with a history of mental illness has many secrets uncovered after a body is found in a glory hole (I know. Try not to laugh every time it is mentioned).
The Arizona desert shows the ruthlessness of a small town.
I enjoyed this, but something is missing to give it the extra pow for a 5-star read.
4 solid stars!
A family rife with a history of mental illness has many secrets uncovered after a body is found in a glory hole (I know. Try not to laugh every time it is mentioned).
The Arizona desert shows the ruthlessness of a small town.
I enjoyed this, but something is missing to give it the extra pow for a 5-star read.
4 solid stars!
August 1, 2008
TOMBSTONE COURAGE - Ex
Jance, J.A. - 2nd in Joanna Brady series
When a young widow named Joanna Brady runs for sheriff in Cochise County, Arizona, she earns the enmity of the local police force and gets involved in investigating a strange double homicide.
Enjoyed. Like this even better than the 1st book.
Jance, J.A. - 2nd in Joanna Brady series
When a young widow named Joanna Brady runs for sheriff in Cochise County, Arizona, she earns the enmity of the local police force and gets involved in investigating a strange double homicide.
Enjoyed. Like this even better than the 1st book.
June 18, 2014
I don't know how, but with every Jance book, I become a bigger fan. This second in the series kept me reading instead of napping on the commuter train in the morning. A bunch of new characters that I look forward to know more about in the coming novels.
November 27, 2020
Two-haiku review:
Rancher being sued
Daughter said he molested
Then there's a murder
Enjoyed it a lot
Good series second entry
Like main character
Rancher being sued
Daughter said he molested
Then there's a murder
Enjoyed it a lot
Good series second entry
Like main character
October 9, 2018
It was ok. It picked right up where the last book left off, which was good. Joanna ends up having to solve 2 murders 2 days after she’s sworn in as the new sheriff, the position her husband was running for when he was killed. So she’s a new widow, trying to help her daughter grieve & accept her mother’s new job (Joanna worked in an insurance office before) and deal with the rampant sexism in the Sheriff’s office. What I like about this series is that the books are easy reads.
August 23, 2020
Notes:
Narration by Hillary Huber was good.
Character driven plot. I like the main characters. The case was handled in a willy-nilly fashion but kind of makes sense in context of the story.
Entertaining but not really sold on it. Library only has a handful of the series on audio. Will put the next audio available book on my TBR to try later.
Narration by Hillary Huber was good.
Character driven plot. I like the main characters. The case was handled in a willy-nilly fashion but kind of makes sense in context of the story.
Entertaining but not really sold on it. Library only has a handful of the series on audio. Will put the next audio available book on my TBR to try later.
August 7, 2020
Another great for this series
It was fun to read the #2 in the series already knowing what happens in the series later. It was like going back in time with your favorite characters and learning new stories about them. Highly recommended.
It was fun to read the #2 in the series already knowing what happens in the series later. It was like going back in time with your favorite characters and learning new stories about them. Highly recommended.
June 12, 2021
Joanna Brady has won election for sheriff of Cochise County AZ and assumed office immediately afterward and now things are happening so fast she doesn’t have a chance to catch her breath. With no direct experience in law enforcement, she faces a steep learning curve on the job, both with her staff and with running two new murder investigations. Although I’ll definitely continue reading this series, the ending was not as convincing as that of the two others I’ve read.
December 29, 2021
2.5 stars, possibly 3. I was very disappointed in this book. It was so S.L.O.W. Nothing even happened until about 50% through. Joanna was barely even in the first half. Even the murder was just ‘ah’. However the ending was good, though predictable. Can’t decide if I want to try book #3 or not.
April 17, 2019
This is a good easy read. It started off kind of slow but the paced picked up and I had to read it as fast as I could
January 16, 2021
Nice 2nd book in the series. Definitely built up a mystery, so much so I was concerned we'd be left with questions. Can't wait to see how some of these Characters play out in the coming books.
January 26, 2021
Why is this series so much fun?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 495 reviews