Missing and Endangered: A Brady Novel of Suspense

In bestseller Jance’s riveting 19th novel featuring Cochise County, Ariz., sheriff Joanna Brady (after 2018’s Field of Bones), Deputy Armando Ruiz tries to serve Leon Hogan with a no-contact order as requested by the man’s estranged wife. Their encounter turns deadly when Leon opens fire and hits Armando, who shoots back, killing Leon. As the hospitalized Armando fights for his life, Joanna monitors the case from afar, prohibited from actively investigating the shooting so as not to prejudice the case in favor of her deputy. Meanwhile, Joanna’s daughter Jennifer, a sophomore at Northern Arizona University, worries about her new roommate, naive Beth Rankin, who’s caught up in an internet dating scheme. The two parallel cases provide plenty of action while keeping a premium on character studies and violence to a minimum. Once again, the compassionate, intelligent Joanna balances a busy home life and a complex job with aplomb. This long-running series consistently entertains. Agent: Alice Volpe, Northwest Literary. (Feb.)