A Last Goodbye

The Last Goodbye is an Ali Reynolds novel by J. A. Jance. The book is cute and good. It puts Ali in a different kind of situation than she normally is in. Ali has finally decided to marry B. Simpson. They decided on a Christmas Eve wedding in Las Vegas. Ali went online and made all the plans and bookings. It would have taken her Mother a lot longer to plan a wedding; but she had planned two previous ones for Ali and now Ali wanted to plan her own. Maybe it would work out better. Mom, however, made her own dress, Colleen’s flower girl dress, Colin’s ring bearer suit, and cummerbunds for all the men in the wedding. The logistics of getting everyone to Las Vegas and in accommodations preferable to them was a headache; but finally everyone was there and ready to go. B in his role as a new grandfather, took Colleen and Colin out for last minute Christmas presents. Once the twins were reassured that Santa would find them in Ali’s suite with its fireplace, they were excited to go. On their way back into the hotel, they rescued a puppy. A man opened the door of his car and threw the puppy out. Colin raced out to rescue it before it was run over. The puppy was really an older dog. She was a reddish-brown, long-haired miniature dachshund who had obviously been doted upon. She preferred being hand fed and sleeping on the bed. They hired a dog sitter to stay with the dog in Ali’s room while they went about the business of getting married. However, they also began searching for the dog’s owner. She did have a chip which revealed only that her name was Daisy and her owner was no longer at the phone number they had. Could they find the dog’s owner or would they have to put her in an Animal shelter? Could they get this done before they left on their honeymoon and before everyone else left for home? It is just a quick and cute mystery unlike others Ali has to solve. I really liked it.

J.A Jance has become one of my favorite, preferred authors. The Ali Reynolds series is quickly becoming my favorite series of the four she has written: J.P. Beaumont (Seattle, WA Policeman Detective) was her first series, Joanne Brady (Cochise Country, AZ Sheriff; my favorite and my introduction to the southwest when I moved to Cochise County, AZ 3 years ago), and the Walker Family (Pima County (Tucson), AZ Sheriff) is her fourth series are all excellent. Having said that, it would be very difficult for me to decide which of the four series is my favorite. I supposed the favorite would have to be whichever series Jances\’ latest book is from. Can\’t wait to read more! My only other favorite, preferred authors is Kathy Reichs, author of the \”Temperance Brennan\” or \”Bones\” series, which I would assume most TV watchers and medical/forensic mystery readers know of. She writes several series as well: Virals (teenage mysteries)\’ Eposure, Code and Seizure. As both a retired U.S. Army NCO and forensic psychologist, I find these series extremely engrossing and highly enjoyable. I would recommend them to anyone who has an interest in mystery stories. The Reich series for medical/forensic/police mysteries and J.A. Jance for non-standard Sheriff/police mysteries. They are truly worth your time and energy. And, on Kindle especially, the price is inconsequential.

If you\’re looking for a big advance in the storyline in Jance\’s Ali Reynolds series, I\’d suggest you wait for the next book. If you don\’t like dogs you might want to give this story a pass, too. But if you\’re looking to spend a little time with characters you\’ve grown to love, then settle down for some Christmas cheer that will tug on your heartstrings. This is just the type of story that many authors\’ fans want to see: little vignettes of their favorite characters\’ lives that won\’t fit comfortably into a novel; something that will help tide them over until the next book is published. \”A Last Goodbye\” also has the added bonus of Jance blending her own life into the story. One cold, wet night Jance herself found a terrified miniature dachshund running down the side of a busy street. That little dog, Bella, is now a part of Jance\’s life and goes with her on book tours. It was lovely to read this blending of fact and fiction even if it did make me break into tears at the end. The Author\’s Note after the story tells you about the dogs Jance has loved throughout her life, and will evoke smiles and similar memories from any pet owner. Do you need to be a follower of the Ali Reynolds series in order to make sense of this story? Not at all. Don\’t be afraid to jump right in. To be honest, I wanted to read this story because I\’ve met Bella. Somehow I knew the fictional Bella would be very bit as memorable as the real one.

Really good easy read by a great author. Would reccomend to everyone

as always a good read

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