Arizona Dreams

Jon Talton
Poisoned Pen Press (2006)
ISBN 2006900743
Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (7/06)

Dr. David Mapstone, a Deputy, previously was a history professor and his main purpose now was to write a history book for the Sheriff’s department. A former student, Dana, showed up at his office with a letter that her deceased father left with a confessional of a murder he committed 40 years earlier and the location of the grave in the dessert. Because his work didn’t involve investigations he suggested the case be turned over to an active Deputy, however, the student insisted that Mapstone conduct the investigation himself.

The plot thickens with twists and turns when he and his wife Lindsey, who is also a Deputy, are called by a neighbor to a murder in their neighborhood. While at the murder scene Lindsey spots her half-sister Robin, whom she hasn’t seen for many years, in the crowd. Suspicions arise as to why she is at the scene.

During the investigation as a result of the letter given to Mapstone by Dana, it is found that the body in the grave was not buried there 40 years ago, but as recent as two weeks. When Mapstone attempts to find Dana, she is nowhere to be found. Suspicions arise as to the validity of the letter as well as who Dana really is. Finally, when she is found, it ends up that she is the wife of a politician that has a grudge against the Sheriff, Mapstone’s boss.

From there the plot thickens even more so, with every chapter being an unpredictable chain of events that occur. More bodies are found, Dana appears and disappears, Mapstone, and his wife Lindsey gets more involved against the direction of the Sheriff, and ultimately the investigation leads to a corrupt real-estate development called ‘Arizona Dreams.” 

Jon Talton’s expert writing skills keep the reader turning pages. There is no indication or hint of what will happen next, even if it looks predictable, it’s not what you would expect the events to be. And, the ending is certainly not one that the reader would anticipate or even figure out in advance. Is this a good read? Yes, definitely! 

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