Deadly Stakes by J.A. Jance

Ali Reynolds is an academy trained police applicant, but the job never materialized.  She's also an ex-journalist.  When a woman she met casually asks her to help prove her innocence in the death of her boyfriend's ex-wife, she decides to take the job.

Touchstone Books and Net Galley let me download the ebook of this story for review (thank you).  The book is already available at your local bookstore, so check with them for a copy.

I've read J A Jance for years and have followed her characters through highs and lows.  It's been a while, though, so when I saw this one I had an urge to see if her writing had changed; I knew her characters had in this book.

There are two stories intertwined in this mystery.  The murdered victim was not alone; there was another body in close proximity.  The only thing relating them is the young boy who found the murdered woman and texted for help and the fact that he is the son of the murdered man.  The man and woman did not know each other.

This is a mix of a dysfunctional family, a con man going straight, greed, love, and honor.  The story is a bit convoluted, but it all ties together at the end.  Ms. Jance keeps your mind busy and releases her clues piece by piece.  

Why not see if you can figure out who murdered whom?

Happy reading.