Helpful Score: 2
Too many subplots not resolved. Not sure what the main plot really was. Ending was soft and not well developed earlier on. But I still enjoyed the read.
Russ
Russ
Helpful Score: 2
In this book, Jance does not follow either one of her popular series, electing instead to write about a high profile tv journalist, Alison Reynolds, who loses her job because she is "over the hill" at forty.
She finds herself embroiled in murder and mayhem, and narrowly misses being killed herself. Good book, as are all Jance books.
She finds herself embroiled in murder and mayhem, and narrowly misses being killed herself. Good book, as are all Jance books.
Helpful Score: 1
Suddenly finding herself out of a job, 45 year old Allison Reynolds broadcasting days are over. Informed that the station was looking for new a direction, Ali soon realizes that new meant younger so what was she to do. Her husband, a broadcasting executives neglected to tell her tell her of this new agenda in addition to his other extra curricular activities. So with no job and a divorce in the air, Ali is at loose ends. When a call comes in from her parents in Sedona, AZ that a childhood friend is missing, Ali heads home.
Ali knows that Reenie wouldn't have killed herself. She had too much to live for even with a diagnosis that is devastating, Reenie wouldn't leave her young children, not without at least leaving a card for them.
With Ali's investigative broadcasting background she delves in to seek the truth behind Reenie's death. Seeking comfort in her parents Sugarloaf Cafe and a new blog that her son has set up for her; Ali's back in the real world again. Unfortunately, the real world has quite a few wackos and between Rennie's killer and the people that she has attracted with her blog, Ali is in for quite a ride.
I had started this series a little backwards, with book 4, and needed to start over to understand the back story on Ali. I am so glad that I did. This is quite an interesting story and quite an interesting lead character.
Ali knows that Reenie wouldn't have killed herself. She had too much to live for even with a diagnosis that is devastating, Reenie wouldn't leave her young children, not without at least leaving a card for them.
With Ali's investigative broadcasting background she delves in to seek the truth behind Reenie's death. Seeking comfort in her parents Sugarloaf Cafe and a new blog that her son has set up for her; Ali's back in the real world again. Unfortunately, the real world has quite a few wackos and between Rennie's killer and the people that she has attracted with her blog, Ali is in for quite a ride.
I had started this series a little backwards, with book 4, and needed to start over to understand the back story on Ali. I am so glad that I did. This is quite an interesting story and quite an interesting lead character.
Helpful Score: 1
This was my first Jance novel to read,and was drawn to this series because I live in the Sedona area and was curious. I became enthralled with the characters right away, and couldn't wait for the next chapter. It's an easy read, and although not 'edge of your seat' mystery, has some twist and turns I didn't see coming. Enjoyed it very much, and must say I have become a fan of this series. It appears they get better as the series grows.
Helpful Score: 1
This is not one of my favorite JA Jance stories but was okay.
....ALison Reynolds a successful newsbroadcaster has been fired from her job to be replaced by someone younger, at the same time her marriage is failing. Then she gets word from home that her best friend, Rennie is missing and then found dead. While everyone thinks its suicide Ali is determined to find out the truth.
....ALison Reynolds a successful newsbroadcaster has been fired from her job to be replaced by someone younger, at the same time her marriage is failing. Then she gets word from home that her best friend, Rennie is missing and then found dead. While everyone thinks its suicide Ali is determined to find out the truth.
Helpful Score: 1
Allison Reynolds is an anchor woman on a leading LA television station. But Allison is fired because she is over forty and is replaced by a younger woman. However, the male anchors are all older than Allison but their jobs are secure. Allison herself replaced an older woman when she took the job. Her marriage crashes, she is out of a job and when she hears about her best friend's death, she returns to her hometown and decides to stay. She runs a blog her son set up for her, helps out in her folk's diner and refuses to accept suicide as the cause of death of her friend. She sues her husband for divorce and sues the station that fired her for discrimination. Jance once again has filled iout the characters and still runs a fast paced plot.
Four stars.
Four stars.
Helpful Score: 1
This book had me hanging on the edge(ha..) of my seat...i couldn't put it down. I LOVE all of the J.A. Jance novels. A must read!
Helpful Score: 1
I am a huge JA Jance fan so imagine my surprise when I was terribly disappointed with this book. It reads "Novel of Suspense" on the cover but it was not suspenseful. It did not hold my interest, and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. This is just my humble opinion so try it for yourself and see what you think!
Oh MAN! I loved the Sheriff Joanna Brady character. My Dad convinced me to give the Beau books a chance, they were great too. But now, there's Ali. I first liked Brady because I'm from Arizona. But Ali is from Arizona, lived in L.A. (so did I) and is a journalist who becomes a blogger. Like all Jance, this book has the mystery and the twists and turns and thrills, but also has strong character development and her characters have strong relationships.
I really liked this book and look forward to reading the second one. Ali is a very strong person and stands up for herself against all odds.
Beverly B. (SmoothCollieLover) reviewed Edge of Evil (Alison Reynolds, Bk 1) on + 35 more book reviews
Jance introduces a new character in this mystery/thriller, Alison Reynolds, former journalist who returns home to Sedona AZ in time to solve the mysterious death of her best friend.
I enjoyed her other books in her other series better. Some of the characters, as in her Brady books, are just a little "goody two shoes" for my taste.
The end of her high-profile broadcasting career came too soon for TV journalist Alison Reynolds - bounced off the air by executives who wanted a "younger face." With a divorce from her cheating husband of ten years also pending, there is nothing keeping her in LA any longer. Cut loose from her moorings, Ali is summoned back home to Sedona, AZ, by the death of a childhood friend....(Back of Book)
This was a good read, J.A. Jance is one of my favorite writers.
This was a good read, J.A. Jance is one of my favorite writers.
Broadcaster is fired in the search for a younger face. Returns home due to the death of a childhood friend. Launches an on-line blog as therapy for others in similar situations. Killer begins to hunt her. Good and enjoyable.
I started reading this book, but I quit out of boredom. Some of Jance's books are better than others, and this wasn't one of her greatest.
Los Angeles TV journalist Alison Reynolds is "let go" after executives announce that a younger face is needed on the set. The realization that her husband is cheating on her and the suspicious death of a childhood friend summon Alison back home to Sedona, Arizona. After establishing an on-line blog as therapy for herself and others in similar situations, Alison is threatened by an irate wife abuser. She also continues to investigate her friend's apparent suicide but is instead hunted herself.
This one keeps you guessing, there are so many shady people.
Over-written thriller with a complex and strong female protagonist dealing with the loss of her job, the implosion of her marriage, and the death of her best friend. Mix in discussions of blogging, domestic abuse, assisted suicide, and medical scams, and you have a barrel full of red herrings that draws attention away from the main story. I spotted The Villain as soon as the character appeared on the page, and when the heroine finally tumbles to it, 300+ pages later, there's a sudden and all-too-neat resolution.
This book was pretty good- better than most of Jance's recent books I thought.
all of J. A. Jance's books are great....
Jance is a master of mystery thrillers
I've had this book for awhile and didn't read it because I'd read some iffy reviews, along with good ones.
I give this book a good 8 or better, I was really into it during the two nights it took to read it. [I read for hrs]
The book's premise is good, Ali, a 45 year old news anchor woman gets fired for being too old while her fellow [male] anchors are a lot older. She is replaced by a young bimbo. She finds out that week that her exec husband is having two affairs with two young bimbos. Her best friend died, maybe by suicide.
Her college aged son and she go to her home town for the funeral and her son teaches her how to blog. In her blog she talks about her friend's ALS and she gets involved with a poster who is being abused. Somehow the abused woman's husband checks her mail and threatens Ali that if his wife leaves, he's coming after her.
All the while Ali is investigating her friend's death.
There are some red herrings, twists and turns in the mystery and some comforting day to day stuff as Ali works as a waitress in her parent's diner when her dad is injured, her divorce from her rotten husband and her funny conversations with her "Rottweiler attorney" and other scenes which make Ali more real.
There is danger and action and suspense. Mostly I like the book because slowly Ali stops being the victim and fights back in all areas of her life and is a winner.
So I think the book is a really going one. I like J.A. Jance, I've read both her Detective Beaumont stories as well as Joann Brady.
I give this book a good 8 or better, I was really into it during the two nights it took to read it. [I read for hrs]
The book's premise is good, Ali, a 45 year old news anchor woman gets fired for being too old while her fellow [male] anchors are a lot older. She is replaced by a young bimbo. She finds out that week that her exec husband is having two affairs with two young bimbos. Her best friend died, maybe by suicide.
Her college aged son and she go to her home town for the funeral and her son teaches her how to blog. In her blog she talks about her friend's ALS and she gets involved with a poster who is being abused. Somehow the abused woman's husband checks her mail and threatens Ali that if his wife leaves, he's coming after her.
All the while Ali is investigating her friend's death.
There are some red herrings, twists and turns in the mystery and some comforting day to day stuff as Ali works as a waitress in her parent's diner when her dad is injured, her divorce from her rotten husband and her funny conversations with her "Rottweiler attorney" and other scenes which make Ali more real.
There is danger and action and suspense. Mostly I like the book because slowly Ali stops being the victim and fights back in all areas of her life and is a winner.
So I think the book is a really going one. I like J.A. Jance, I've read both her Detective Beaumont stories as well as Joann Brady.
I enjoyed the book, although not as much as I enjoy her Joanna Brady mysteries....
The end of her high-profile broadcasting career came too soon for TV journalist Alison Reynolds-bounced off the air by executives who wanted a "younger face." With a divorce from her cheating husband of ten years also pending, there is nothing keeping her in L.A. any longer. Cut loose from her moorings, Ali is summoned back home to Sedona, Arizona, by the death of a childhood friend. Once there she seeks solace in the comforting rhythms of her parents' diner, the Sugarloaf Cafe, and launches an on-line blog as therapy for others who have been similarly cut loose.
But when threatening posts begin appearing, Ali finds out that running a blog is far more up-close and personal than sitting behind a news desk. And far more dangerous. Sunddenly something dark and deadly is swirling around her life...and a killer may be hunting her next.
But when threatening posts begin appearing, Ali finds out that running a blog is far more up-close and personal than sitting behind a news desk. And far more dangerous. Sunddenly something dark and deadly is swirling around her life...and a killer may be hunting her next.
Very good story with a twist at the end.
I like Jance's writing - a bit like Sue Grafton at her best. Good dialogue and characters, realistic suspense and plot twists. Definitely worth the read.
great book!
Great Yarn...
Good escape literature - J.A. Jance knows how to hold your attention!
I enjoyed it very much
Bonnie A. (ladycholla) -
Hadn't started this series, and now I'm glad I did. It reminds me of others of her series, action, adventure, mystery to solve and a cast of good characters. Hope all enjoy. Reminds me of my life and travels throughout AZ. where I was raised, the locations are like going back to my home state. Old friends revisited and to cap it all off, Samantha the cat. She is like the cat you see as my icon, he now has only one eye due to tangling with some raspberry bushes in pursuit of a mouse. That's the price he paid for tunnel vision. Couldn't save the eye, but saved the cat. He now has to go out with a "kitty holster" on and be on a lead. He's learning to live with it. He enjoys the long cable and does still enjoy life.
Jance is a Seattle writer, and has gotten better with each book. This is a stand-alone novel, rather than one of her two series.This is one of my favorites. A page turner about a journalist who loses her job,leaves her husband, then begins to investigate the death of a dear friend.
Great book - J.A. Jance never disappoints!
Edge of Evil introduces a new J.A. Jance character named Alison Reynolds who returns to her childhood home due to the death of a childhood friend. Another great read from author J.A. Jance!
A masterwork of unrelenting suspense.
Alison Reynolds has been a TV broadcaster all her adult life. Now, having reached her forties, she finds the station no longer wants her and her husband has been having affairs. When her friend dies in an automobile wreck, Alison goes home to attend the funeral and try to put her own life back together. Her son Chris sets up an internet blog as an ongoing outlet for her journalistic talents, but the past and present keep overlapping to threaten her with both physical and emotional harm. A good read -especially if you're a Jance fan!
I enjoyed this book a great deal. Jance's introduction of a new character is an event. I think this series is going to be as good as the other two she has going.
This is not one of her reoccuring characters. This is a stand alone book. It is very modern, there is usage of blog for those who have never seen it. I found it very interesting, of course I am a fan of J.A. Jance. Those of you who have never tried her I suggest you do if you like mysteries she is good and I like Sheriff Brady and Beau Beaumont too. Sit back with coffee or chocolate and enjoy
I've read every J.A. Jance book and I really liked this new character and location. It was very enjoyable.
A very interesting plot, and a look inside the media of the internet as well. Weel written, andkeeps you guessing.
Great story aboutt real life people. I really enjoyed this one.
Jance is always good
J.A. Jance is one of my favorite's. This book was very entertaining.... and a surprise ending.
TV Journalist Alison Reynolds has been bounced off the air in favor of someone with a "younger face". She is called home to Arizona by the death of a childhood friend. Once there, she seeks solace in the comforting rhythms of her parents diner. She then launches an on-line blog for others who have been similarly cut loose. But when threatening blogs begin appearing she realizes that a killer is hunting her. Fans of the Joanna Brady and J. P. Beaumont series will love this book by the same author.
different from other jance novels but a fast read and keeps your attention
A very good story and a quick read.
From back cover:
Ali finds that running a blog is far more up close and personal than sitting behind a news desk.... and far more dangerous. Something dark and deadly is swirling around her.... and a killer may be hunting her next. A spellbinding suspense.
Ali finds that running a blog is far more up close and personal than sitting behind a news desk.... and far more dangerous. Something dark and deadly is swirling around her.... and a killer may be hunting her next. A spellbinding suspense.
This is a departure from her usual characters but it is another great mystery.
I enjoyed this first in a new series. From Publishers Weekly: "At the start of this disappointing thriller from bestseller Jance (Long Time Gone), Alison Reynolds, a 45-year-old Los Angeles television news anchor, loses her job, realizes her marriage is a sham and learns that her childhood friend Reenie Bernard has disappeared after being diagnosed with ALS. Alison efficiently handles the first two problems, hiring attorneys specializing in discrimination and divorce. With her supportive college student son, Chris, she heads for Sedona, Ariz., her hometown, to visit her sympathetic parents and await news of Reenie. When Chris sets up a blog for her, Alison, usually tense and judgmental, begins revealing herself to strangers, a practice that leads to a personal threat. After Reenie's body is found, the police pronounce her a suicide; Alison disagrees and begins to investigate her friend's life. The reader learns much about age and sex discrimination, spousal abuse, the effects of catastrophic illness on families and anonymous Internet communication. The result, though, is a polemical novel with poorly developed characters and predictable situations uncharacteristic of this talented author." Copyright © Reed Business Information
Tucson Citizen: "Jance proves once again she is the undisputed mistress of the mystery novel."
Tucson Citizen: "Jance proves once again she is the undisputed mistress of the mystery novel."
High-profile broadcaster Alison Reynolds finds herself replaced by a "younger face", a cheating husband and a missing best friend. She returns home to Sedona,Arizona to help her parents ii their diner and launches an on-line blog to help others who have been cut loose.
Easy reading but a very good story. I couldn't put it down and finished it in a day.
If you like J.A. Jance, you will like this one.
Alison Reynolds, a high-profile broadcaster, is let go from her job for someone with a "younger face". She goes home and starts an on-line blog as therapy. What happens next is a great read.
The end of her high-profile broadcasting career came too soon for TV journalist Alison Reynolds, bounced off the air by executives who wanted a younger face. With a divorce from her cheating husband of 10 years also pending, there is nothing keeping her in LA any longer. Cut loose from her moorings, Ali is summoned back home to Sedona, AZ, by the death of a childhood friend......
The end of her high-profile broadcasting career came too soon for the TV journalist Alison Reynolds-bounced off the air by executives who wanted a "younger face." With a divorce from her cheating husband of ten years also pending, there is nothing keeping her in L.A. any longer. Cut loose from her moorings, Ali is summoned back home to Sedona, AZ, by the death of a childhood friend. Once there she seeks solace in the comforting rhythms of her parents' diner, the Sugarloaf Cafe and launches an on-line blog as therapy for others who have been similarly cut loose.
Ali Reynolds is a TV journalist who is fired from her job due to her age. She goes back to her childhood home due to the death of a close childhood friend as she now has no ties. She works in her parents' diner and starts an online blog thanks to her son but the situation becomes dangerous. A killer may be out to stop her.
Seemingly a murder mystery in which a recently fired television anchor cannot accept that her friend's death was a suicide, this book also has a serious side, tackling issues like domestic abuse and the deadly illness known as Lou Gehrig's disease. The blend of heartwarming scenes of family reunion and support mixed with scenes of the protagonist's confrontation with bad guys of varying degrees of badness was just right. Definitely recommended.
I didn't like this as much as her series books, felt the characters were not developed strongly.
I love this author anyway, but I really enjoyed this book! Very different...an anchorwoman who gets fired and finds out her husband has a girlfriend. She hires lawyer and goes home to help out her parents. Meanwhile her best friend dies and she doesn't believe its a suicide. She starts a blog (what a modern addition to a plot!) and she includes alot of the blog in the book....not a serial killer for once! no sex for once! enjoy!!
First in a new series by Jance. I really loved this character and I encourage you to check out the jance website....she has recipes!
Good book; very fast read.
Very good mystery... looking forward the the second book...
Riveting..........
Suspense, wit and surprise--a real page turner.
Stand alone novel by the author of the Joanna Brady and J.P. Beaumont series.
I found it hard to put down.
If you like JA Jance, you'll like this book.
