Cruel Intent,   ISBN:9781416566359

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The prolific Jance opens a new series here, featuring former TV journalist Ali Reynolds, trying to remodel a home in Sedona, Ariz.
Everyone knows remodeling can be tough ... but not everyone finds their contractor the prime suspect in the murder of his wife, Morgan. Ali doesn't think Bryan Forester is guilty, even though Morgan was known to be sleeping around.
The widowed Ali soon discovers a website for "married singles" like Morgan. It might turn out to be a very dangerous investigation.
But the best thing about a Jance book isn't just the plot, inventive as it might be, but the characters and relationships. Here we meet Ali's son, a teacher, and his girlfriend, a wounded veteran of the Iraq war. Then there's a young computer genius and the butler she inherited from the house's former owner.
The book is exciting and fun, just what we've come to expect from this author.

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Ali Reynolds is remodeling her new home. Things are going well till her contractor Bryan Forester becomes the number one suspect in the murder of his wife. Rumor has it that Mr. Forester is hurting for money. Ali doesn't believe the rumors. In fact Ali does not believe Bryan is capable of murdering his wife. She plans to prove his innocence. In doing so, Ali has just marked herself as the next target.

Cruel Intent is the fourth book featuring ex-television journalist, Ali Reynolds. This book can be read as a stand alone novel. Cruel Intent is the first book I have read by Mrs. Janice, though she has written many novels. You could tell that Ali Reynolds still had the journalist in her. She had determination and a nose for not letting go of anything, even if it got her in trouble. Unfortunately, I found the rest of the characters as well as the story line somewhat lacking. While, this book started out on a high note, it moved slowly through out the rest of the book. There was enough of an interest in what J. A. Janice and her novels are about that I would be willing to give her books another try.

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This review could be a spoiler.

How many coincidences can have a book to solve the crime?

1) Do you have an outsourcing company to check your computer's files twice a day to keep it virus free?

2) Do you buy a weapon just because and that weapon saves your life the day after you bought it?

3) Do you have an Internet company to back-up your files every other day?

And many more.

Customer Rating: 

Cruel intent follows protaganist Ali Reynolds as she finds herself defending a man framed for the murder of his wife.

Its a decent tale, Ali has more story threads going on in her life than a socialite pop star. Aside from the serial killer tale, Ali visits a blog for struggling women, mediates between her son, his new fiancee and grandparents, tries to build a new home, and chooses a recipient for a colledge scholarship.

The writing and storylines aren't bad, but my rating slips to three stars as Jance appears to have gone for quantity over quality. Some of the characters are pretty stereotyped; The teenage mother who may be a scholarship winner was raped by an 'african american' (the only time ethnicity was mentioned in the novel), the ridiculously named Bart Simpson is a computer nerd, bitter about the cool kids treating him bad in high school and likes Star Trek.

the solutions to her problems are also a little too easy. If anyone is upset Ali talks to them, or knows the right person to talk to them. Her scholarship decision is solved in the most contrived manner imaginable and seems unlikely.

Anyways don't read this book for the suspence angle. While the concept of a serial killer using a dating website to choose victims and also to steal identities to frame others is smart, the actual character fails to inspire fear, he seems the cliche, killing his own promiscuous wife over and over in different woman.

Instead read this novel if you like strong female protaganists with complicated personal lives, and easy afternoon reads

Customer Rating: 

Cruel Intent by J. A. Jance

Ali Reynolds just wanted to get into her house and make Thanksgiving dinner. Little did she know that a serial killer would thrust his ugly way into her hopes for a pleasant holiday.

This mystery really moved. Jance put the pedal to the metal and never let up. Ali is a likeable heroine who cares about people around her. She is tolerant of others and their differences. Her butler, Leland, provides her with a steady hand when she lets her emotions run away. Her relationship with her Mother and Dad came off as authentic and familiar. I found her a very believable character. Peter Winters, the psychopathic serial killer was almost stereotypically evil. He had no redeeming characteristics. Jance populated the book with characters that are entertaining and believable. The tension in the story and the action will provide every adrenal junkie a great rush. I liked the book enough to go out and get the two Ali Reynold's novels that preceded it.

I highly recommend the book.