I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Clawback by J.A. Jance
Published by Touchstone
Publication Date March 8th, 2016
Source: Netgalley
Genres: Mystery
Goodreads
In New York Times bestselling author J.A. Jance’s latest thriller, Ali Reynolds faces her most controversial mystery yet, solving the murder of a man whose Ponzi scheme bankrupted hundreds of people, and left them seeking justice…or revenge.
When Ali’s parents lose their life savings to a Ponzi scheme, her father goes to confront his long-time friend and financial advisor, only to stumble into the scene of a bloody double homicide. With her father suddenly a prime suspect, Ali and her husband work to clear her father’s name, while at the same time seeking justice for her parents as well as the scheme’s other suddenly impoverished victims, one of whom is a stone cold killer.
First Impressions
Clawback by J.A. Jance felt like it had been ripped from a 48 hours episode. With a financial scandal that ends in murder the reader can only expect twists and turns.
Impressions While Reading
Like in 48 Hours, the viewer always has an inkling of the outcome as the suspect is only interviewed from the shoulders up, panning away at the shows end to reveal an orange jumpsuit. This installment of the Ali Reynolds series was no different. At the beginning, the reader is “in the know” but it is the cat and mouse chase that held my attention. In the past, Ali Reynolds and her team Olivia Pope it. They wear white hats, and skirt the law to achieve justice. The swiftness in action by Cami, Stu, B and of course Ali created a fast paced read that is highly addicting.
Currently, this is a commercial which shows an elderly gentleman selling a rusty bike at a garage sale. Later, with a new coat of paint the same bike is sold back to him. The commercial makes me frustrated. This is how I felt while reading of the villains in the story. Jason and Jessie were calculated there is no denying that. However, their operation felt like an episode of Tool Time. It was only a matter of time before Tim Allen crewed up. Jason and Jessie were believable as Ponzi-schemers. However, their conversations on pulling the wool over people’s eyes did become repetitive and was ready to move on.
Final Impressions
Clawback by J.A. Jance was a different in the fact that it took a more realistic turn. Unfortunately, scams are attempted on a regular basis. Therefore, the addition felt more realistic than its predecessors. My only complaint was that the ending was a little too drawn out. Something that could have been covered in a page took up three and seemed unnecessary. Although, as a whole, I very much enjoyed this installment to the Ali Reynolds series and should proudly sit next to the rest of J.A. Jance’s mysteries.
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