Desert Shadows

By Betty Webb

After Scottsdale publisher Gloriana Allerton is poisoned at the annual Southwestern Publishers’ Convention and a Pima Indian friend is accused of the murder, Lena Jones begins to investigate the seldom talked about side of the business—racist publishing. To her horror, Lena finds herself rubbing elbows with extremist politicians and members of local fascist groups. Though she becomes a target for murder because of her investigations, an attempt against Lena Jones’ life pales in comparison to what happens when she is granted a meeting with the Aryan Brotherhood leader at the Arizona State Prison complex. On her way to the Death Row visiting room, a Black trustee nicknamed “Green,” because of his startling green eyes, looks into Lena’s face. And calls her by her mother’s name. Found shot in the head at the age of four, her memory gone, the green-eyed Lena Jones had been raised in a series of abusive foster homes which left her emotionally—and physically—scarred. For years, Lena had searched for her biological parents with the same intensity with which she searched for killers. But now, with a possible answer to her identity right in front of her, Lena begins to realize that the truth may come at a very high price… Her own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Release date: May 27, 2010
• ISBN: 9781615952250

Betty Webb

As a journalist, Betty Webb interviewed U.S. presidents, astronauts, and Nobel Prize winners, as well as the homeless, dying, and polygamy runaways. The dark Lena Jones mysteries are based on stories she covered as a reporter. Betty's humorous Gunn Zoo series debuted with the critically acclaimed The Anteater of Death, followed by The Koala of Death. A book reviewer at Mystery Scene Magazine, Betty is a member of National Federation of Press Women, Mystery Writers of America, and the National Organization of Zoo Keepers.

Reviews for Desert Shadows

[auntieknickers · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Scottsdale private eye Lena Jones investigates a right-wing publisher's murder, and gets a little closer to solving her own personal mystery. Recommended.

[condorena · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Betty Webb places a murder tight in the center of a conference for independent publishers. I found it very educational as well as entertaining. I didn't feel it was as good as DESERT WIVES which I thought was excellent, but I look forward to more of this series.