What do you think?
Rate this book
Chalk Outline
Jake & Darius are seasoned homicide detectives that have seen their share of murders. But even they can't get used to children as victims. During one investigation they meet and become intertwined with Jessica, the mother of one of the killer’s victims. She reveals a rare gift that may help them catch the killer. Jake is skeptical but Darius puts his faith in her. But when the latest child victim is close to one of their own they go into overdrive to find the killer. Will Jessica's gift be what helps them learn the identity of the killer? And for Jessica - is it really a gift or is it a curse?
114 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 5, 2015
1 person is currently reading
28 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 5, 2017
A great fresh take on crime fiction. Full review on way.
November 7, 2017
Do you believe in Psychics?
Do you think that a Psychic could assist police detectives to solve a murder?
How would the Psychic convince the police detectives to believe her?
“Chalk Outline” written by Veronica Smith, investigates this paranormal dilemma by taking the reader on a suspenseful thrill-ride journey filled with gruesome corners and curves. From the abnormal ranges of reality, fringing on terror-jam-packed montages, and then transforms into a real-life crime chronicle!
Here is just a morsel of the author’s scrumptious stance:
“It was dusk by the time most of the personnel left. The ME van had driven off a while ago and there were only a few people left at the scene. An ambulance was finishing up repacking the equipment that unfortunately hadn’t been needed. The yellow crime scene tape was still up. And the chalk outline, so horribly small, was still on the ground. Jake and Darius were wrapping things up near the entrance to the alley when Jake thought he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. “Did you see that Darius?” Jake asked him. Darius replied, “What was I supposed to see?” “I don’t know,” muttered Jake. He looked around and heard a noise on the other side of the dumpster. Probably just rats, but still…it was a little kid who had been there. The thought of rats where that little boy had been made him angry for some reason. He walked down the alley and stopped short to see a woman curled up like a fetus on the ground within the markings of the chalk outline. She had put her purse down on the ground a foot away. She was staring wide eyed at nothing and moaning.”
This is my first time reading a novel by this author, so I possessed no preconceived notions, went into this with an open mind and an open heart.
TRIUMPH! Was I thrown!
The elasticity of the pace, the interweaving of anxiety, aggression, suspense, police procedure, with real human circumstances, fierce obsession of each very well-developed character was corporeal.
However, Dearest Reader, I never reveal spoilers, as I possess too much respect for you to ever spoil a narrative!
I am an independent ARC reader reviewer blogger and I originally received this novel free from the publisher and I chose to voluntarily review it.
Date Published: September 11th, 2015
Format: e-book (kindle), Prime paperback
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Psychics
Available at: Amazon.com
Do you think that a Psychic could assist police detectives to solve a murder?
How would the Psychic convince the police detectives to believe her?
“Chalk Outline” written by Veronica Smith, investigates this paranormal dilemma by taking the reader on a suspenseful thrill-ride journey filled with gruesome corners and curves. From the abnormal ranges of reality, fringing on terror-jam-packed montages, and then transforms into a real-life crime chronicle!
Here is just a morsel of the author’s scrumptious stance:
“It was dusk by the time most of the personnel left. The ME van had driven off a while ago and there were only a few people left at the scene. An ambulance was finishing up repacking the equipment that unfortunately hadn’t been needed. The yellow crime scene tape was still up. And the chalk outline, so horribly small, was still on the ground. Jake and Darius were wrapping things up near the entrance to the alley when Jake thought he saw something move out of the corner of his eye. “Did you see that Darius?” Jake asked him. Darius replied, “What was I supposed to see?” “I don’t know,” muttered Jake. He looked around and heard a noise on the other side of the dumpster. Probably just rats, but still…it was a little kid who had been there. The thought of rats where that little boy had been made him angry for some reason. He walked down the alley and stopped short to see a woman curled up like a fetus on the ground within the markings of the chalk outline. She had put her purse down on the ground a foot away. She was staring wide eyed at nothing and moaning.”
This is my first time reading a novel by this author, so I possessed no preconceived notions, went into this with an open mind and an open heart.
TRIUMPH! Was I thrown!
The elasticity of the pace, the interweaving of anxiety, aggression, suspense, police procedure, with real human circumstances, fierce obsession of each very well-developed character was corporeal.
However, Dearest Reader, I never reveal spoilers, as I possess too much respect for you to ever spoil a narrative!
I am an independent ARC reader reviewer blogger and I originally received this novel free from the publisher and I chose to voluntarily review it.
Date Published: September 11th, 2015
Format: e-book (kindle), Prime paperback
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Psychics
Available at: Amazon.com
October 15, 2015
A quick crime read with a hint of the supernatural and a creepy killer. What more could you want? I look forward to seeing what Veronica Smith does in the future.
Note: I recently learned that real life police don't do chalk outlines for dead bodies, so that was constantly in the back of my mind. Stupid brain.
Note: I recently learned that real life police don't do chalk outlines for dead bodies, so that was constantly in the back of my mind. Stupid brain.
October 15, 2015
Downright Enjoyable
Pick up a copy and settle in for a great read as you get your taste for crime reading fulfilled with Chalk Outline from Veronica Smith. An atypical murder mystery with well-developed writing and characters will keep you reading through to the end of this wholly engrossing story. Spectral undercurrents keep readers slightly off balance ... in a good way.
Pick up a copy and settle in for a great read as you get your taste for crime reading fulfilled with Chalk Outline from Veronica Smith. An atypical murder mystery with well-developed writing and characters will keep you reading through to the end of this wholly engrossing story. Spectral undercurrents keep readers slightly off balance ... in a good way.
October 16, 2015
Great book
This novella was very entertaining. It had everything a good book should have--great characters, suspense, a really bad guy and a little humor. I would definitely recommend this suspenseful story. I am looking forward to more by this talented author.
This novella was very entertaining. It had everything a good book should have--great characters, suspense, a really bad guy and a little humor. I would definitely recommend this suspenseful story. I am looking forward to more by this talented author.
May 15, 2018
Let me just start out with this: if you know me, you know I am Criminal Justice Major ok? Now go look at the cover of this book. Now tell me; this cover doesn’t just make those who enjoy investigating crime or reading crime will not want to check this book out. Meaning I had to read it, right? Ok then, here’s the scoop!
Next, I learn that the book has Detectives in it, meaning yes, I am going not going to be putting this book down anytime soon. And their names are Darius and Jake, and they have been doing their jobs for quite some time, so it’s not like its nothing new to them. These guys have seen their fair share of… well you know, just about anything.
But let’s face it people, when the victim ends up being a child, the entire universe feels it, and mourns with you. Everyone will be watching, and you know it. From the victim’s parents, to the Newspapers, the TV stations, and not just the local ones either, and it will be on blast on social media. So, your best bet is to be on your best behavior and do everything you can. And God willing, at top speeds. And doing this job: isn’t going to easy….
And what’s even worse, is the person isn’t stopping with one child, no this killer is going on a vendetta for more and more children. Putting everyone on edge that have Children.
Eventually, Darius and Jake meet Jessica. A mother to one of the victims. Jessica has gifts, as she calls them. And she thinks that these gifts may be able to help the Detectives catch this morbid killer and bring him to justice.
Yes, it is Jake is in fact skeptical, but Darius, he is not. And he is going to put his faith is Jessica. And he wants to use her skills to help find this person and solve this mystery.
And when the killer finally strikes way too close to home, the team go into overdrive to solve this case. This is when Jessica will start wondering if this gift is a curse, after all. Because now her gift has bought the truth into reality right in front of her very own eyes. Is this the answer she really wanted? Is this what Darius and Jake expected too?
To get all your answers answered, you must read this book and find out. But I promise you, it is a five-star age turned that will keep you guessing with every turn of that page. So why not get your copy today and find what you’ve been wondering! I promise you an exciting ride, because this writer will give you the thrill you have been craving and much more!
Next, I learn that the book has Detectives in it, meaning yes, I am going not going to be putting this book down anytime soon. And their names are Darius and Jake, and they have been doing their jobs for quite some time, so it’s not like its nothing new to them. These guys have seen their fair share of… well you know, just about anything.
But let’s face it people, when the victim ends up being a child, the entire universe feels it, and mourns with you. Everyone will be watching, and you know it. From the victim’s parents, to the Newspapers, the TV stations, and not just the local ones either, and it will be on blast on social media. So, your best bet is to be on your best behavior and do everything you can. And God willing, at top speeds. And doing this job: isn’t going to easy….
And what’s even worse, is the person isn’t stopping with one child, no this killer is going on a vendetta for more and more children. Putting everyone on edge that have Children.
Eventually, Darius and Jake meet Jessica. A mother to one of the victims. Jessica has gifts, as she calls them. And she thinks that these gifts may be able to help the Detectives catch this morbid killer and bring him to justice.
Yes, it is Jake is in fact skeptical, but Darius, he is not. And he is going to put his faith is Jessica. And he wants to use her skills to help find this person and solve this mystery.
And when the killer finally strikes way too close to home, the team go into overdrive to solve this case. This is when Jessica will start wondering if this gift is a curse, after all. Because now her gift has bought the truth into reality right in front of her very own eyes. Is this the answer she really wanted? Is this what Darius and Jake expected too?
To get all your answers answered, you must read this book and find out. But I promise you, it is a five-star age turned that will keep you guessing with every turn of that page. So why not get your copy today and find what you’ve been wondering! I promise you an exciting ride, because this writer will give you the thrill you have been craving and much more!
May 25, 2019
This was a little out of my comfort zone, reading-wise, but compelling, nonetheless. This read like a perfect episode of a favorite, slightly paranormal cop show...only there's no way to close your eyes/skip past bits in a book. That being said...when's the next episode coming out?
April 5, 2020
Well paced, great characters but a bit of a dark subject for her first full length book. A child killer is stalking the streets, can their psychic help the detectives catch him before the next child goes missing? Good read, looking forward to more from this author.
August 3, 2025
I found this gem at a book swap in Conroe, TX today! And I’m glad I did. An enticing, quick read for any crime junkies like myself. An added bonus was the story being set in Houston since I’m a native :)
May 9, 2016
I really enjoyed this story. A serial killer is on the loose and police partners, Jake and Darius, can't seem to find any clues. Then at the scene of one of the murders, they meet Jessica, a woman who can see the last vision the victims themselves saw. Using her special abilities, the hunt is on. This book has more inside the pages than just a murder mystery and I think readers are going to love the author's writing style and the way the author has of making the characters come to life. This is one to grab!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews