Cold Betrayal

Cold Betrayal by J.A. Jance

Ali Reynolds is back in COLD BETRAYAL, the 10th installment in J. A. Jance’s popular thriller series. Ali is married to a very wealthy man who owns and runs High Noon Enterprises, a security company that is equipped to do much more then install alarms or do surveillance for clients. Money is plentiful for the couple, and the corporation is how Ali can immerse herself in two separate cases.

The first case involves Betsy Peterson, a widow who is estranged from her son and daughter-in-law. After being awakened by her dog in the middle of the night to find that her house smells of gas, she runs outside into the snow and calls 911. A very young officer responds but doesn't take her complaint seriously. She claims someone came into the house and tried to kill her. Everybody in law enforcement believes she is nothing but a lonely, dotty old lady who should be living in an assisted care facility. Betsy is outraged. Despite her age (she's in her 80s), she has all of her faculties and is totally lucid.

Ali steps in to give the woman advice and support, even enlisting her husband, B., who provides a high-tech security system around and in her home. Sure enough, though, it doesn't take long for the thief to move again.

The other case is about a polygamous cult that lives outside an Arizona city and named itself The Family, which is run by a misogynist tyrant who the law ignores. A pregnant girl manages to escape, but as soon as the cult's bounty hunter is about to grab her, she runs into oncoming traffic. She is hit and thrown by a truck, and her injuries are critical. Ali’s friend, Sister Anselm, and the young man who was driving the truck keep a constant vigil in the hospital. She’s in danger not only from the accident, but also from the cult.

J. A. Jance weaves a rich tale covering problems with the elderly and with charismatic men who start cults and turn them into prisons. Her characters are neatly drawn, and fans of the series will be delighted with this latest installment. In an interview, Jance was asked if Ali has changed as the series unfolds. Her answer: "Yes, she learned to trust again. And she has found a worthy partner [to marry in B.] I think both those things make her more capable and more interesting." I couldn’t agree more!

Review from Amazon