Betty Webb

Desert Rage: a Lena Jones Mystery Betty Webb

Brief Description: Ferociously ambitious U. S. Senatorial candidate Juliana Thorsson has been keeping a secret. _x000D_ The horrific slaughter of a prominent doctor, his wife, and their ten-year-old son inside their Scottsdale home brings Thorsson to Private Investigator Lena Jones. The slain family s 14-year old, Alison, and her boyfriend, Kyle, have confessed to the murders. Thorsson wants to hire Lena to discover if Alison is telling the truth, but before accepting the job, Lena demands to know why a rising political star wants to involve herself with the fate of a girl she s never met. Desperate for Lena s help, Thorsson reveals her explosive secret that Alison is the candidate s biological daughter, a fact she s kept hidden for years. But that s not all. Thorsson then confides something even more unusual than a mere hidden pregnancy, something that could ruin her political plans forever. _x000D_ Suspecting that Alison s parents had secrets of their own that could have led to the murders, Lena finally accepts Thorsson's assignment. But interviewing those who knew the family well soon puts Lena -- now a strong defender of the two teens -- in danger of her life. _x000D_ Fast paced, probing, and filled with the trademark twists of the Lena Jones series, Betty Webb is unsparing of her characters yet writes their stories with wit and compassion. _x000D_"Marc Notes: Merchandise Category: GEN.; Product may be returned to the supplier. Publisher Marketing: Ferociously ambitious U. S. Senatorial candidate Juliana Thorsson has been keeping a secret. The horrific slaughter of a prominent doctor, his wife, and their ten-year-old son inside their Scottsdale home brings Thorsson to Private Investigator Lena Jones. The slain family s 14-year-old, Alison, and her boyfriend, Kyle, have confessed to the murders. Thorsson wants to hire Lena to discover if Alison is telling the truth, but before accepting the job, Lena demands to know why a rising political star wants to involve herself with the fate of a girl she s never met. Desperate for Lena s help, Thorsson reveals her explosive secret that Ali son is the candidate s biological daughter, a fact she s kept hidden for years. But that s not all. Thorsson then confides something even more unusual than a mere hidden pregnancy, something that could ruin her political plans forever. Suspecting that Alison s parents had secrets of their own that could have led to the murders, Lena finally accepts Thorsson s assignment. But interviewing those who knew the family well soon puts Lena now a strong defender of the two teens in danger of her life. Fast-paced, probing, and - filled with the trademark twists of the Lena Jones series, Desert Rage once again shows that Betty Webb is unsparing of her characters yet writes their stories with wit and compassion." Review Citations:

Publishers Weekly 08/04/2014 (EAN 9781464203107, Hardcover)

Booklist 09/15/2014 pg. 30 (EAN 9781464203107, Hardcover)

Booklist 09/15/2014 pg. 30 (EAN 9781464203138, Open Ebook)

Publishers Weekly 08/04/2014 pg. 32 (EAN 9781464203121, Paperback)

Booklist 09/15/2014 pg. 30 (EAN 9781464203121, Paperback)

Contributor Bio:  Webb, Betty Betty Webb is the author of the acclaimed Lena Jones mystery series, which includes ""Desert Cut"" and ""Desert Wives."" A former Californian who once lived on a boat, like the zookeeper protagonist of ""The Anteater of Death,"" Betty now lives in landlocked Arizona, where she volunteers at the Phoenix Zoo. She also teaches Creative Writing at Phoenix College and is a member of the National Association of Press Women, Mystery Writers of America, and the Authors Guild.