Collateral Damage – J.A. Jance

It’s the start of a new year, and B Simpson is preparing to fly overseas to attend a ransomware conference, representing High Noon Enterprises.  As he and his hired driver, Hal, head for the airport, Hal notices a truck following them a bit too closely. Assuming it’s nothing more than a tailgater, he continues the journey, until the truck pulls alongside him and attempts to ram the car, resulting in a serious crash, with both B & Hal suffering significant injuries.  

Ali Reynolds is enjoying some alone time, when long time employee Stu Ramey shows up at her & B’s home to tell her of the accident. As they quickly head to the hospital, they learn that B is stable after surgery, but Hal is critical and requiring life support.  B reassures Ali that he’ll be fine, but that she must take his place at the conference to represent High Noon, to which Ali reluctantly agrees. Meanwhile, the police investigating the scene learn that the crash was intentional – and believe that B was the intended target of the perpetrator.  As the detectives start digging into B & Hal’s background, the focus quickly turns to Ali as a potential suspect, as she would have the most to gain if B had been killed. 

As Ali and a High Noon colleague prepare to head to London, Stu and Frigg – Stu’s AI computer – start their own investigation into the crash. As Frigg does her thing, albeit more than a bit illegally, she is able to link several seemingly random deaths together, with the one denominator being a recently paroled former cop, Frank Munoz. But can Ali & Stu steer the detectives in the right direction without compromising High Noon & Frigg? 

I love ALL of Jance’s series, and this book is another great addition to the Ali Reynolds saga. I love the growth in the characters from book to book – it’s like welcoming old friends in for a visit. Honestly too, Frigg is just such a refreshing & unique character – I never tire of her exploits!  Great read, great series! 

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley & Gallery Books in exchange for an objective review. Do you love to read?? Visit netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!