Spoiler Warning
This review may contain spoilers. Read at your own discretion if you haven't finished the book yet.
Overview
Tombstone Courage is the second Joanna Brady mystery, following Joanna as she navigates her first months as sheriff of Cochise County while investigating a murder case that proves more complex than it first appears.
The Case
A woman is dead, her husband is the obvious suspect, and it looks like a tragic case of domestic violence that finally went too far. But Sheriff Joanna Brady isn't satisfied with the obvious answer.
As she digs deeper, she uncovers layers of secrets, lies, and complications that challenge everything she thought she knew about the case.
What I Loved
Joanna's Learning Curve
This book shows the reality of Joanna's new job. She's not a natural-born sheriff with all the answers. She makes mistakes, she's overwhelmed, she has doubts. But she also has good instincts, she's willing to learn, and she won't give up when she knows something's wrong.
Watching her find her footing - learning to work with her deputies, navigate county politics, balance the administrative and investigative aspects of the job - feels real and earned.
The Mystery Itself
What appears straightforward becomes increasingly complex. Jance layers the mystery well, with each discovery leading to new questions. The solution makes sense but isn't obvious until the pieces finally come together.
Sensitive Subject Matter
Domestic violence is at the heart of this case, and Jance handles it with appropriate seriousness. She doesn't sensationalize or simplify. The reality of the issue - the complexity, the power dynamics, the difficulty of intervention - is treated with respect.
The Balancing Act
Joanna's struggle to balance everything feels painfully real:
- Being a good sheriff
- Being a good mother
- Being a good daughter (dealing with her own mother's opinions)
- Processing her own grief (still mourning Andy)
- Proving herself to skeptics
- Just getting enough sleep
Arizona Setting
The historic mining town of Bisbee and nearby Tombstone provide rich atmosphere. The geography, history, and culture of southern Arizona continue to be integral to the story rather than just backdrop.
Character Development
Joanna's Evolution
We see real growth from book one:
- More confident in some ways, still uncertain in others
- Learning the job's realities, not just the campaign promises
- Building working relationships with her deputies
- Figuring out how to lead people, not just win elections
- Dealing with the loneliness of being the boss
Supporting Cast
The deputies, Joanna's family, and other recurring characters get more development. We're starting to see the ensemble that will carry the series.
The Investigation
Joanna must:
- Question the obvious conclusion when her gut says something's wrong
- Navigate family dynamics and painful histories
- Deal with powerful people who want a quick resolution
- Balance thoroughness with department resources
- Trust her instincts while still being open to evidence
Themes
Leadership and Learning
Joanna is learning leadership on the job, with all the mistakes and growth that entails.
Justice vs. Convenience
The pressure to take the easy answer versus doing the work to find the real truth.
Women in Authority
Joanna continues to face skepticism and resistance simply for being female in a traditionally male role.
The Personal Cost of Service
What it means to be a public servant when you also have a young daughter who needs you.
Why 4.1 Stars?
This is a solid mystery with good character development and important themes. It's slightly less impactful than the first book (which had the emotional punch of Andy's death driving it), but it's a necessary and well-executed follow-up that shows Joanna in the reality of her job.
The mystery is engaging, the character work is strong, and it moves the series forward effectively.
Who Should Read This
- Fans of the first Joanna Brady book
- Readers who enjoy seeing characters grow into their roles
- Anyone interested in female sheriff protagonists
- Fans of Arizona settings
- Readers who appreciate mysteries that tackle serious issues
- Those who enjoy character-driven crime fiction
Final Thoughts
Tombstone Courage does what a good second book should do - it shows the protagonist dealing with the reality of the situation established in book one. Joanna is no longer running on campaign adrenaline and grief; she's doing the daily work of being sheriff, with all its challenges and rewards.
J.A. Jance continues to write with empathy and skill, creating mysteries that engage while developing characters worth following for the long haul.
If you enjoyed Desert Heat, this is a worthy continuation of Joanna's journey. ⭐⭐⭐⭐
My Notes & Takeaways
A Sheriff Finds Her Footing
Tombstone Courage is the second Joanna Brady mystery, showing our newly elected sheriff navigating the challenges of her new role while tackling a case that hits close to home.
The Case
When a woman is murdered and her husband becomes the obvious suspect, it looks like a straightforward domestic violence case. But Joanna's instincts tell her there's more to the story, and she refuses to take the easy answer.
Meanwhile, she's dealing with:
- A department skeptical of their new female boss
- The demands of single motherhood
- The politics of being an elected official
- Her own doubts about her capabilities
What Works
Joanna's Growth: We see her learning to be sheriff - making mistakes, asking for help, but also trusting her instincts and standing her ground when necessary.
The Case Complexity: What starts as seemingly straightforward becomes layered with secrets, lies, and unexpected connections.
Domestic Violence Theme: Jance handles the difficult subject matter with sensitivity while not shying away from the reality.
Balancing Act: Joanna's struggle to balance being sheriff, mother, and woman feels authentic and relatable.
Arizona Atmosphere: The Bisbee and Tombstone settings continue to shine, with the history and culture of the region enriching the story.
Character Development
Joanna as Sheriff: No longer the grieving widow running on determination, Joanna now has to actually do the job. We see her:
- Building relationships with her deputies
- Learning when to delegate and when to get involved
- Dealing with budget constraints and politics
- Balancing administrative duties with investigative work
- Proving herself to skeptics
The Personal Cost: The job takes a toll. Joanna misses time with her daughter, struggles with exhaustion, and questions whether she can really do this long-term.
The Investigation
The case forces Joanna to:
- Question obvious conclusions
- Navigate sensitive family dynamics
- Dig into the past to understand the present
- Trust her gut when evidence points elsewhere
- Deal with powerful people who want the easy answer
Why It Resonates
Second books in a series can be tricky - the setup is done, but the series isn't fully established. Jance handles it well by showing Joanna in the reality of her new job, stripped of the campaign drama and funeral emotion that drove the first book.
This is about whether she can actually be sheriff, not just win the election.
