Desert Vengeance: A Lena Jones Mystery

At the outset of Webb’s fine ninth Lena Jones mystery (after 2014’s Desert Rage), the Scottsdale, Ariz., PI and former policewoman is waiting for Brian Wycoff on his release from prison. Wycoff, who raped Lena when she was a nine-year-old in foster care, has served 25 years for his crimes against children. Lena intends to stalk him and inform his new neighbors of his past, but she alters her plans after Wycoff’s wife is shot dead and he flees to the farm owned by his sister and her family. When Wycoff is subsequently maimed and murdered, Lena agrees to investigate on behalf of the woman arrested for the crime. Her inquiries and the way her moral decisions affect her make for compelling reading. Webb offers fans the profound pleasure of watching Lena mature as she comes one step closer to understanding and accepting her difficult past, while providing new readers with an introduction to this strong and genuinely likable character. (Feb.)

This review has been updated to reflect the hardcover ISBN of the books.