Rated of 5
by Betty Dull Mystery
The first half of this book is pretty much standard mystery - the protagonist, a private detective, discovers the body of a murdered child and decides she is the one to bring the murderer to justice. The author keeps the plot moving as the detective interviews people who might give her the information she needs to solve the crime. The second half is a polemic against the cruelty of an ancient practice somehow imported from Africa to southern Arizona. There is little mystery or entertainment value in this half of the book and I can't think of anyone who might enjoy it. Skip this one. There are many better books on the market.
Rated of 5
by Ginger Just So So
This book was mediocre. Aside from Lena, the characters were not very well constructed and had little depth. The dialogue was just ordinary. She kept my attention, however, with the mystery that was unfolding. The main theme of the novel was one that shed light on a barbarous practice in today's world to which millions of women are subjected by cultures that are clearly misogynist. While Ms Webb was graphic about the practice and its consequences (to the point of being distasteful), I was disappointed that she did not go into more detail about the cultural background of this heinous custom. She, however, caused me to want to educate myself about this horrendous practice and what is being done to alleviate it.
Rated of 5
by Kathryn An Enlightening Page-turner
Betty Webb’s fifth book in her Lena Jones series is another page-turner. This is not one of those “formula” mysteries that seem to flood the bookshelves. The Arizona desert setting is authentic. Her characters are complex and interesting. The plot twists and turns enough to keep you interested until the very last page. The subject of the book is horrifying and current; Webb has done her homework. She even shares resources on the topic in her author’s notes at the back of the book. You will not only enjoy the mystery but learn something as well. Wow!
Rated of 5
by Kim Didn't love it, didn't hate it.
Although Desert Cut by Betty Jones is the 6th in a series, for the most part it does a good job of standing on its own. I was conscious of having missed the “back-story,” but it didn’t interfere with my enjoyment of the novel. I found the main character quite likable and well fleshed-out. The mystery itself kept me involved, with many twists & suspects, keeping me guessing "who done it" until the very end.
With the exception of Lena Jones & her partner, however, Webb’s characters are flat and predictable. They're caricatures; they play "stock" roles. I found this aspect of Webb's writing disappointing.
Also, I'm under the impression the author's mysteries revolve around "issues" of which she feels the reader should be aware. I find this tremendously presumptuous and rather annoying. I generally avoid books that ambush me with a “message.”
If I have the opportunity to read another Lena Jones mystery, I'll probably do so, since I did find the character intriguing, someone I'd like to know better. I won't go out of my way to find one, though. C+.
Rated of 5
by Patricia Cut It
The opening chapters are overlong and overwritten, with unnecessary explanations and descriptions. It is not until Chapter 12 that the unsavory premise is identified, one that might be considered inflammatory given today's Moslem/Christian conflicts. Female circumcision in primitive societies is not unknown; however, the unbelievably cruel methods described are, in the literature, rare. Normal physical functions would be almost impossible were this extreme "surgery" performed, and repeated opening and closing the resulting wounds would soon lead to death through blood loss or suicide. Judicious editing (as well as some copy editing) might improve readability as well as reduce the crudeness of some of the descriptive passages.
Rated of 5
by Jean Desert Cut
The sixth of Lena Jones mysteries deals with another important social problem. Ms. Webb cleverly uses Lena Jones to bring the readers attention to this social atrocity.I found Lena Jones to be one of the politest P.I.'s I have ever met. Her distaste for the problem presented does not come through with the passion that such a revolting crime merits and she claims to have. Making this problem more widely known would have been better served through a non fiction account of the occurrences.As a mystery I found the book readable, however I found it difficult to befriend Ms. Jones but perhaps a female reader would feel closer to her.This is a light book that fails to anger the reader as the author intended.
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