Cold Betrayal: An Ali Reynolds Novel

Two cases engage Ali Reynolds and her new husband, tech guru B. Simpson, in bestseller Jance’s lively 10th novel featuring the former L.A. TV newscaster now living in her hometown of Sedona, Ariz. (after 2014’s Moving Target). The first one involves Ali’s daughter-in-law, Athena, whose grandmother is being pushed off her Minnesota farm. The second begins when pregnant teen Enid Tower escapes from a secretive polygamous cult and is badly injured after being hit by a car on an Arizona highway. As a result of the accident, she gives birth prematurely to a girl. Sister Anselm, nun extraordinaire and patient advocate, attends to Enid and her baby in the hospital. The investigation of the cult leads to horrendous violence, which doesn’t quite pass the believability test. Anselm’s scenes—low-key but compelling—are the best thing in the book. But the prolific Jance knows how to tell a story, so series fans won’t be disappointed. Agent: Alice Volpe, Northwest Literary Agency. (Mar.)