Dead to Rights

By: J. A. Jance

Narrated by: C. J. Critt

Harsh truths and small-town murder lethally intertwine in a stunning and evocative thriller from New York Times best-selling author J. A. Jance.

. A woman is cruelly cut down in a remote corner of Arizona, killed on her 19th wedding anniversary by a drunk motorist. A year later, the driver himself dies badly, and all suspicions point to the slain woman's still-grieving husband as his murderer. But the truth is rarely black and white in the long Southwestern shadows, and one law officer is not rushing to condemn the tragic widower so quickly - Joanna Brady, sheriff of Cochise County. Brady's convictions, however, are leading her on a twisted trail through inhospitable country - and setting her on a path that will bring her face-to-face with cold, calculating death in the high, lonely desert.

©1996 J.A. Jance (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers

Dragged On

I really liked the continuing story line but very disappointed in the narration Really felt like I was being read a fairytale, very clear but honestly lacked sense of suspense or drama won’t be reading the next book if this narrator is used

narration

How could the performance have been better?

This narrator timing is all wrong it's kind of hard to listen to her. But love the books

I'd rather read it myself

What did you love best about Dead to Rights?

Enjoyable story. I like the series.

Did the plot keep you on the edge of your seat? How?

Author is a good storyteller.

Would you be willing to try another one of C. J. Critt’s performances?

Only if I have to to finish series.

Any additional comments?

I read these to enjoy the storytelling. A good story is worth rereading. I really dislike listening to this reader, her voice grates on my ears. I'll probably give up and just read it for myself. I like audio books because I can listen and craft at the same time, but not this one.

Narrator just doesn't gel with this genre

I'm a huge fan of J.A. Jance, and am thoroughly enjoying the Joanna Brady series. Narrator C.J. Critt, however, delivers the story with the chirpy, sweet, upbeat enthusiasm of Harriet Nelson reading a bedtime story to a second-grader. That may work will with Dr. Seuss, but not with murder mysteries.

Great narration story not her best

CJ Critt was great as always. The story was lacking and it was a struggle to complete. This was not her best work

New Narrator tremendous!

What did you love best about Dead to Rights?

Seeing Joanna awaken to her own talents & have more confidence in her instincts as she frees herself from the negative impact of her judgmental Mother is great!

Who was your favorite character and why?

Joanna...naturally :-)

What does C. J. Critt bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Coming into a series after another narrator has begun is unfortunate for the listeners & extremely unfair to the next narrator. CJ Critt is always terrific in her work, even though a different style than the also good Huber (Books 1-3). Not sure how anyone could not love CJ's work. Maybe just because she's different. Before the end of any first chapter, you're convinced Critt has a cast of people in the recording booth with her. Ignore anything bad about CJ Critt and check it out for yourself. You'll be happy you did.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I often wanted to shout at her Mother for being so critical, grumpy and judgmental. So happy to watch her wake-up to her mother's manipulation.

Bad Narration ruins the book

Why is it the publisher has to ruin a perfectly good series by not only changing the narrator mid stream but changing to a narrator that was worse than the last.

As an avid, borderline obsessive audio book listener, the narration is just as important as the story itself in my opinion. It took me awhile to get past the nasal Hillary Huber, but she established herself as the voice of Joanna Brady.

Fortunately if the author is good, you can most times overlook bad narration, but it is not enjoyable. This is the case with C.J. Critt. Terrible inflections and a much too old of a voice for Joanna. Not to mention not very good with continuity.

Will probably move pass the books she has narrated in this series and try the next narrator.

Story was good

The overall story was good. Not as good as the first ones, I think the narrator wasn’t as good as Huber, she made it hard to figure out who was supposed to talking and what gender.

Great read

Always enjoy her books I return to them again and again for bed time story reading. Good narrators keep the story moving

Can't get past the narrator!!

I enjoyed books 1-3. Hillary Huber did a good job building the characters. Then I started book 4. UGH…the narrator is terrible. She sounds much older than the character of Joanne Brady and a heavy smoker. She over exaggerates too much and has ruined most of the characters. I purchased book 5 but I’m going to request a refund. I’m not sure I can get through book 4.