by J. A. Jance
Part of Joanna Brady, book 15
First published 2012
Sheriff Joanna Brady faces her worst nightmare when her daughter Jenny discovers the body of high school principal Debra Highsmith in the Arizona desert. The Cochise County sheriff must navigate between her duties as a law officer and her instincts as a mother. The investigation takes a disturbing turn when a crime scene photo surfaces on Facebook, one that only someone close to the murder could have taken. Joanna uncovers a web of teenage resentment against the dead principal, including a video that calls for Highsmith's death. The evidence points to a privileged student whose wealthy doctor father has already hired lawyers. But the principal herself harbored dark secrets from her past. As Joanna deals with budget cuts, new staff, and family pressures, she discovers that her own daughter may not be as innocent as she believed. The case forces her to walk an impossible line between seeking justice and protecting her family.
Genres: suspense, mystery, crime, detective
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, suspenseful
Tropes: family-drama, investigation, mother-daughter
Setting: Arizona, Cochise County
387 pages · Hardcover · William Morrow