Dressed only in an oversized t-shirt, with a burlap sack covering her head, the body of a girl swings gently from the branches in the breeze. A newly-lit candle burns on the ground below. The killer was here just moments ago…
Taking a much-needed break in a cabin in the woods with her service dog Cisco, Detective Katie Scott is disturbed by a sharp knocking at the door. Outside, she finds a terrified girl called TJ,begging for help—she says she has found a dead girl in the forest. When they reach the scene, Katie turns to ask TJfurther questions, but she has vanished.
At dawn the next day, the body of another girl is found laid out only a mile from the first. To Katie’s horror, she realizes it is TJ. The scene looks eerily similar, with a small shrine below her feet. What kind of monster would do this? And if a twisted serial killer is at work, who is their next victim?
As more bodies and shrines emerge, Katie needs to find the link between the girls and the unhinged killer. But when she stumbles across a cold case that the local police seem determined to keep quiet, Katie realizes danger could be closer to her than she first thought. How much will Katie sacrifice to find the killer and can she stop more innocent lives from being taken?
Taking a much-needed break in a cabin in the woods with her service dog Cisco, Detective Katie Scott is disturbed by a sharp knocking at the door. Outside, she finds a terrified girl called TJ,begging for help—she says she has found a dead girl in the forest. When they reach the scene, Katie turns to ask TJfurther questions, but she has vanished.
At dawn the next day, the body of another girl is found laid out only a mile from the first. To Katie’s horror, she realizes it is TJ. The scene looks eerily similar, with a small shrine below her feet. What kind of monster would do this? And if a twisted serial killer is at work, who is their next victim?
As more bodies and shrines emerge, Katie needs to find the link between the girls and the unhinged killer. But when she stumbles across a cold case that the local police seem determined to keep quiet, Katie realizes danger could be closer to her than she first thought. How much will Katie sacrifice to find the killer and can she stop more innocent lives from being taken?
An addictive crime fiction novel for fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh. A nail-biting rollercoaster ride from USA Today and Amazon bestseller Jennifer Chase!
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MY THOUGHTS:
Author: Jennifer Chase
Series: Detective Katie Scott #14
Publisher: Bookouture
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Format: Kindle ARC
No. of Pages: 349
Date of Publication: August 20, 2025
My Rating: 5 Stars
Detective Katie Scott’s forced two-week vacation takes a turn for the worse from the tense opening scene. Peace and quiet are nowhere to be found for Katie. After a terrified girl knocks on her door, begging for help, Katie discovers something horrifying and immediately contacts the local police.
At first, the police chief is skeptical and sarcastic, but Katie’s presence may have been a sign of providence. Her involvement in the terrible crime she uncovers proves crucial. It soon becomes evident that this won’t be the only murder, and Katie’s experience, beyond her role as a cold case detective, is invaluable.
One thing Katie begins to realize is that something is very wrong in a small town that has boasted no murders in two decades. Why now? What is more is that tragically more murders occur and Katie and those from her police force realize that something sinister is going on and she doesn’t plan on leaving until she stops the killer.
As the series progresses, readers have come to understand how Katie has coped with PTSD after her time in the military and how her canine partner, Cisco, has been invaluable to her. Katie has also faced relationship difficulties, but these may be taking a turn for the better. This dynamic makes the story even more compelling. In fact, it was a one-sitting read that kept me on the edge of my seat. Katie deserves the best, and I can’t wait to see what’s next in store for her. While this book could work as a standalone novel, as this is a fantastic long-running series, reading it from the beginning would be recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells.
In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.
Sign up to be the first to hear about new releases from Jennifer Chase here: https://geni.us/B097H5XLDVsocial
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