Reviews

Desert Heat by J.A. Jance

reikista's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

A quick, suspenseful read, with unexpected turns but not a lot of depth.  I enjoyed the presence of the landscape and AZ locations 

skbaar's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious fast-paced

4.0

chelseabrianna's review against another edition

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dark mysterious tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

booksuzi54's review against another edition

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4.0

Though I read the series as it became available in the 1990's, I thought to reread it in audio. I did not care for the reader in this version. That said, the mystery ,and the twisty turns on the way to solving it, was as good as ever. A fast paced series with great characters.

jlcolumbe's review against another edition

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mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

january313reads's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

3.0

abomke's review against another edition

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fast-paced

3.25

mama_pug's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 stars
I liked this book. Had a bit of a giggle at the book because it’s dated, people having to find pay phones to call other people was cute. Felt like I was reading a historical book

snodingham's review against another edition

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3.0

Part of the Library summer reading challenge I had to read a book set in my home state, and I saw that J.A. Jance was a pretty popular AZ mystery writer from the 90's so I thought I'd give it a chance. It was a fine. This book reminded me of the mysteries that are left at the cabin you're renting in Flagstaff.

gadrake's review against another edition

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3.0

This is a fast read that could nearly be classified as a modern Western. Takes place in Bisbee, AZ (near border with Mexico) and Bisbee includes a few grizzly old cowboys, redecorated saloons, etc. This came out approx 1997 and is dated in a few ways. The main character spends a fair amount of time looking for a payphone (in what is now the age of cell phones). In some ways this is a formulaic story where a young women gets hit hard by life, yet manages to turn things around. This is the first in what is currently a 15-book series. Suspect it modernizes over time. One rather distasteful sex scene (the girl didn't want to do it with the murderer), and lots of implied violence. Decent read for those who like the Southwest, longer series, and female sheriffs!