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Detective Katie Scott #8
Three Small Bones
Smoke curls from what’s left of the beautiful family home on the edge of the woods. The heat is unbearable as she descends the stairs to the basement, past a set of bicycles––two big, one small. That’s when she sees three little white bones in the cracked earth at her feet, turning her blood to ice…
When firefighters tackling a blazing house in a quiet suburb of Pine Valley, California discover human remains, Detective Katie Scott races to 717 Maple Street. She calls a halt to the excavations the moment she sees the full number and size of the bones; someone has buried a whole family down here.
Working night and day, it’s up to Katie to prove her theory that the fire was no accident, that someone wanted to expose the secret in the basement. Tiny traces of explosives residue found at the scene is all the proof she needs. But the Cross family have been missing for months––leaving friends and loved ones in agonizing pain––what twisted soul would do this now? And why?
The case takes another heart-shattering turn when Katie’s suspicions over recent renovation work on the house leads to the discovery of more bodies in the back yard: two little girls, buried years apart. What other devastating secrets are hidden in this perfect family home? It’s a dead end at every turn as Katie tracks down anyone who knew the family. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, reports of the Cross’s landlord harassing the family before they went missing gives Katie a crucial lead. With a menacing grey sedan following her every move, how many more innocent lives will be lost before Katie can dig up the truth?
When firefighters tackling a blazing house in a quiet suburb of Pine Valley, California discover human remains, Detective Katie Scott races to 717 Maple Street. She calls a halt to the excavations the moment she sees the full number and size of the bones; someone has buried a whole family down here.
Working night and day, it’s up to Katie to prove her theory that the fire was no accident, that someone wanted to expose the secret in the basement. Tiny traces of explosives residue found at the scene is all the proof she needs. But the Cross family have been missing for months––leaving friends and loved ones in agonizing pain––what twisted soul would do this now? And why?
The case takes another heart-shattering turn when Katie’s suspicions over recent renovation work on the house leads to the discovery of more bodies in the back yard: two little girls, buried years apart. What other devastating secrets are hidden in this perfect family home? It’s a dead end at every turn as Katie tracks down anyone who knew the family. Just when it looks like all hope is lost, reports of the Cross’s landlord harassing the family before they went missing gives Katie a crucial lead. With a menacing grey sedan following her every move, how many more innocent lives will be lost before Katie can dig up the truth?
343 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2022
2838 people are currently reading
844 people want to read
About the author
Jennifer Chase
32 books586 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and USA Today Best Selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. She has written the popular Detective Katie Scott Series and the Emily Stone Thriller Series.
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. www.authorjenniferchase.com
Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and USA Today Best Selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. She has written the popular Detective Katie Scott Series and the Emily Stone Thriller Series.
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. www.authorjenniferchase.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 128 reviews
September 18, 2022
I had not read any Jennifer Chase books prior to this one, never mind any in her Katie Scott series!
This is Book 8, so we have Katie well established as the main protagonist. I didn't feel like I had missed anything though, aside from the actual experience of seeing the character develop through the series. Katie Scott is a strong character on which to base a series.
This case is a memorable and intriguing one, and the pacing was perfect for the story of an unusual police procedural novel.
I couldn't see where the resolution would come from.
I enjoyed the ending too and I will be interested to read the next installment in the series.
This is Book 8, so we have Katie well established as the main protagonist. I didn't feel like I had missed anything though, aside from the actual experience of seeing the character develop through the series. Katie Scott is a strong character on which to base a series.
This case is a memorable and intriguing one, and the pacing was perfect for the story of an unusual police procedural novel.
I couldn't see where the resolution would come from.
I enjoyed the ending too and I will be interested to read the next installment in the series.
January 3, 2023
Three Small Bones is the third book I have read by Jennifer Chase. Ever since I read Dead Cold, an Emily Stone novel, I grab anything I see from her. Some books are five star, others not, but that won’t keep me from reading on.
A house burns down. Is it to cover up the murders that are discovered, or to expose the crime? As the investigation heats up, those doing the investigating become targets. The hunters become the hunted.
What does the death of Sara Simms, twenty five years ago, have to do with the death of the Cross family, who went missing much later?
Jennifer Chase uses her skills from real life to create her novels. I do love a dog in a story, especially a K9 and her experience in dog training shows.
The last ten to fifteen percent of the novel made for urgent, suspenseful reading.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Three Small Bones by Jennifer Chase.
A house burns down. Is it to cover up the murders that are discovered, or to expose the crime? As the investigation heats up, those doing the investigating become targets. The hunters become the hunted.
What does the death of Sara Simms, twenty five years ago, have to do with the death of the Cross family, who went missing much later?
Jennifer Chase uses her skills from real life to create her novels. I do love a dog in a story, especially a K9 and her experience in dog training shows.
The last ten to fifteen percent of the novel made for urgent, suspenseful reading.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Three Small Bones by Jennifer Chase.
August 20, 2022
This is the eighth book to feature Detective Katie Scott and her partner k9 Cisco and what a read. It starts off with three little bones which are found in the debris of a house fire in the basement. When sifting through the debris the bones of two bodies are found. The more they dig the more they find. A whole family has been killed and buried why. Add in a very strange landlord, a dodgy construction company and a cold case from twenty five years ago. Katie has so many clues but no viable suspects. Then members of her team start being attacked. It looks like someone wants to shut down their investigation why? This would have been a five star read but for the ending. It was an anti climax after all the tension and suspense. All in all an entertaining read.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
June 9, 2023
Three Small Bones just upped the thrill to a new level with its suspenseful plot! I just loved this installment of the Katie Scott series. I've followed this series from book one and have grown pretty fond of the main - recurring characters. This page turner was well plotted & I just can't get over the fact of how the twists had me so nervous for Katie all the time. This was definitely a unique case and I have loved it if there were more chapters on the flashbacks regarding Sara Simms and also some more detail into the why after the who was revealed. After the plot & characters what interests me a lot is the psychology of the criminal. But I can forgive because I enjoyed this book so much! Nonetheless, this was a banger of a book & definitely took the thrill up a notch. I can't wait to meet Katie & Gav in the next book!
Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture & Jennifer Chase for an arc?
Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture & Jennifer Chase for an arc?
August 11, 2022
I've not read any of the previous installments of the Detective Katie Scott Series, or anything else written by Jennifer Chase, so I came into this book 'blind' - I was intrigued by the synopsis; it sounded just like my type of book - mystery, thriller and police procedural - right up my alley, but alas! it was not to be! I didn't get properly 'stuck in' until I passed the halfway point, and by the end, although justice prevailed and all was once again well with the world, I was left wondering why it all happened in the first place!
The plot was fairly decent, although it became quite odd once the action kicked in, but it never really gelled together for me and I was left baffled as to why everything was happening, even though the investigation was explained, in excruciating detail at times. Also, there were lots of trees and lots of plants, all of which were described, again in detail, to set scenes and give atmosphere. I get it, I really do, but it was very repetitive and I found it distracting. I'm not against lengthy, sometimes unnecessary detail and description - I'm a Stephen King fan, I'm used to it, but when it becomes something that noticeably takes my attention from the story over and over again, to the point where I don't want to hear a description of another tree or flower bed ever, ever again, then it's gone too far. At least for me.
Detective Katie Scott has got some mad issues going on! She suffers from PTSD after two tours of Afghanistan, and I can wholly sympathise with that, but again, her symptoms seem to arise at the strangest times, and she has the oddest thought patterns - particularly when talking to possible witnesses, or when thinking about her fiancé Carl. I only really liked her when she was with her dog Cisco (who is a retiree from the K-9 division) and when she was painting a room in her house. I just couldn't connect with her at all, and that's such a shame, because I really wanted to! Her partner McGaven seemed more real to me than she did and I didn't really glean much info about him other than that he feels awkward in spas and looks after Katie when she does something ridiculously idiotic - like chasing a killer on her own.
I know, I know! It sounds like I couldn't stand the book, but it's not that at all! It contains all the elements of a great piece of fiction, but it just didn't feel balanced enough for me to be satisfied with it.
But that's just me!
Three Small Bones publishes in September, and I'm sure fans of the series will love it.
Star Rating: 3
CAWPILE Rating: 6/10
Characters: 7/10
Atmosphere: 6/10
Writing: 6/10
Plot: 5/10
Intrigue: 7/10
Logic: 5/10
Enjoyment: 5/10
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture publishers and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The plot was fairly decent, although it became quite odd once the action kicked in, but it never really gelled together for me and I was left baffled as to why everything was happening, even though the investigation was explained, in excruciating detail at times. Also, there were lots of trees and lots of plants, all of which were described, again in detail, to set scenes and give atmosphere. I get it, I really do, but it was very repetitive and I found it distracting. I'm not against lengthy, sometimes unnecessary detail and description - I'm a Stephen King fan, I'm used to it, but when it becomes something that noticeably takes my attention from the story over and over again, to the point where I don't want to hear a description of another tree or flower bed ever, ever again, then it's gone too far. At least for me.
Detective Katie Scott has got some mad issues going on! She suffers from PTSD after two tours of Afghanistan, and I can wholly sympathise with that, but again, her symptoms seem to arise at the strangest times, and she has the oddest thought patterns - particularly when talking to possible witnesses, or when thinking about her fiancé Carl. I only really liked her when she was with her dog Cisco (who is a retiree from the K-9 division) and when she was painting a room in her house. I just couldn't connect with her at all, and that's such a shame, because I really wanted to! Her partner McGaven seemed more real to me than she did and I didn't really glean much info about him other than that he feels awkward in spas and looks after Katie when she does something ridiculously idiotic - like chasing a killer on her own.
I know, I know! It sounds like I couldn't stand the book, but it's not that at all! It contains all the elements of a great piece of fiction, but it just didn't feel balanced enough for me to be satisfied with it.
But that's just me!
Three Small Bones publishes in September, and I'm sure fans of the series will love it.
Star Rating: 3
CAWPILE Rating: 6/10
Characters: 7/10
Atmosphere: 6/10
Writing: 6/10
Plot: 5/10
Intrigue: 7/10
Logic: 5/10
Enjoyment: 5/10
Many thanks to the author, Bookouture publishers and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 22, 2022
I wanted to like it. It had an interesting premise but was bogged down by its own complexity and then the reveal was just mediocre. I also found myself annoyed by the MC and her antics and, for a procedural mystery, they followed no actual process, plus their investigative skills were awful. When they would question a witness, I found myself wondering why they didn’t follow up on certain things or ask additional questions. Mostly likable characters and a great dog are probably the best things I can say about this book.
January 2, 2023
Three Small Bones is the 8th book in the excellent and compelling Detective Katie Scott series. It is a fantastic series, but you could pick this book up and read it on its own even without reading the other books. I love this series and look forward to each book. Three Small Bones finds Katie fixing up her home as her fiancé Chad wants them to pick out a new home together and sell this one. Katie has mixed feelings over selling her childhood home, but is busy painting and improving it. Cisco, her trusty German shepherd, is by her side and helping out with his amazing training that he learned in the military.
Katie is called to a scene that started out as a house fire, but then bones were found. Katie and her partner work tirelessly to uncover what happened here. Was the fire set to cover the bodies found buried in the basement? Who did this and why? Another body is found in the backyard. Is it related even though the bones are much older? This book will keep you guessing and flipping pages faster and faster as you read on. I've read a lot of good mysteries and this rates up with the very best. As the investigation continues it seems that someone is trying to kill everyone working on the case! It gets too close to home with one of the murders and everyone is shaken. Will Katie, Cisco, Chad, and McGaven all make it out alive? Will they solve the case before anyone else is murdered?
Do yourself a favor and read this book as soon as possible. I was so stressed at the end as the suspense is unbelievable! Jennifer Chase does an amazing job with character development and a suspenseful story. You won't be able to put this one down. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of Three Small Bones in exchange for a fair review. #ThreeSmallBones
Katie is called to a scene that started out as a house fire, but then bones were found. Katie and her partner work tirelessly to uncover what happened here. Was the fire set to cover the bodies found buried in the basement? Who did this and why? Another body is found in the backyard. Is it related even though the bones are much older? This book will keep you guessing and flipping pages faster and faster as you read on. I've read a lot of good mysteries and this rates up with the very best. As the investigation continues it seems that someone is trying to kill everyone working on the case! It gets too close to home with one of the murders and everyone is shaken. Will Katie, Cisco, Chad, and McGaven all make it out alive? Will they solve the case before anyone else is murdered?
Do yourself a favor and read this book as soon as possible. I was so stressed at the end as the suspense is unbelievable! Jennifer Chase does an amazing job with character development and a suspenseful story. You won't be able to put this one down. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of Three Small Bones in exchange for a fair review. #ThreeSmallBones
September 16, 2022
Detective Katie Scott is in the midst of painting her house when she is called to what ends up being a gruesome crime scene. Despite the fact that she and fiancé Chad are planning to buy a house together, she feels impelled to fix up the house she is in now, rather reluctant give it up.
Before Katie can finish her paint job, she is called to the scene of a fire. While Chad is there in his capacity of fighting fires, Katie is there for an entirely different reason. At the scene of the devastating fire, human remains were found. As Katie starts to uncover the scene, she discovers that the bones were the remains of more than one person, several in fact.
Katie struggles to determine the order of events. Were the people killed and the fire set in order for the bodies to be unearthed? Or were there two separate crimes there? Katie works nonstop to find the answers she needs, and this starts with identifying the bodies. As her investigation continues, she learns that the last residents of the home were the Cross family. Katie is hoping to find there whereabouts now and truly hopes they were not the bodies found.
Sadly, these are not the only bones that were discovered. Soon, the bodies of two small girls were found, but the examination later proved that these bodies were not buried at the same time. Katie definitely has a quandary on her hands. Unfortunately, her leads keep coming up empty, but Katie never lets up. Interviewing anyone connected to the home and to the Cross family, Katie slowly begins to put the clues together that will solve this cases that are apparently connected.
What a thrilling addition to the exciting Detective Katie Scott series. I have read and loved every previous title in this series and found this latest installment to be just as engaging. Just as chilling. Just as impossible to put down. Katie has proved to be a compelling protagonist, and often has bouts with PTSD from her time in the armed forces. Thankfully, she has her K9 partner Cisco as an amazing support dog who also proves useful during the course of this investigation. Along with Cisco being at Katie's side, she also has her reliable partner McGaven with her every step of the way.
Many thanks Bookouture to and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Before Katie can finish her paint job, she is called to the scene of a fire. While Chad is there in his capacity of fighting fires, Katie is there for an entirely different reason. At the scene of the devastating fire, human remains were found. As Katie starts to uncover the scene, she discovers that the bones were the remains of more than one person, several in fact.
Katie struggles to determine the order of events. Were the people killed and the fire set in order for the bodies to be unearthed? Or were there two separate crimes there? Katie works nonstop to find the answers she needs, and this starts with identifying the bodies. As her investigation continues, she learns that the last residents of the home were the Cross family. Katie is hoping to find there whereabouts now and truly hopes they were not the bodies found.
Sadly, these are not the only bones that were discovered. Soon, the bodies of two small girls were found, but the examination later proved that these bodies were not buried at the same time. Katie definitely has a quandary on her hands. Unfortunately, her leads keep coming up empty, but Katie never lets up. Interviewing anyone connected to the home and to the Cross family, Katie slowly begins to put the clues together that will solve this cases that are apparently connected.
What a thrilling addition to the exciting Detective Katie Scott series. I have read and loved every previous title in this series and found this latest installment to be just as engaging. Just as chilling. Just as impossible to put down. Katie has proved to be a compelling protagonist, and often has bouts with PTSD from her time in the armed forces. Thankfully, she has her K9 partner Cisco as an amazing support dog who also proves useful during the course of this investigation. Along with Cisco being at Katie's side, she also has her reliable partner McGaven with her every step of the way.
Many thanks Bookouture to and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
January 13, 2024
When human remains are found onsite of a residential arson, Detectives Katie Scott and Sean McGaven are called in.
The Cross family were the last tenants of 717 Maple Street, harassed by a disgruntled landlord. Thought to already have left the area, now their remains lay on the grounds. What anyone didn't expect was a fourth victim, effectively opening up a 25 year old missing child cold case.
Katie is convinced that the arson covered up two separate crimes and evidence of a renovated basement confirms her theory. But what links the Cross murders and the one of young Sara Simms? Also, why is the killer picking off everyone involved, one by one? Of course, this also means that Katie, Chad, Gav, John and Uncle Wayne have a target on their backs. They'll have to keep their wits about them and try not to do anything risky as they investigative- something Katie didn't get the memo for!
Three Small Bones is the eighth book in the Detective Katie Scott series and it's yet another enthralling addition. By now, most characters are well established and it's always nice to catch up with them. I love cracking into a new book knowing that everything will be immediately familiar and this series is one of few that constantly emits that vibe.
Looking forward to reading book 9!
4.75���
The Cross family were the last tenants of 717 Maple Street, harassed by a disgruntled landlord. Thought to already have left the area, now their remains lay on the grounds. What anyone didn't expect was a fourth victim, effectively opening up a 25 year old missing child cold case.
Katie is convinced that the arson covered up two separate crimes and evidence of a renovated basement confirms her theory. But what links the Cross murders and the one of young Sara Simms? Also, why is the killer picking off everyone involved, one by one? Of course, this also means that Katie, Chad, Gav, John and Uncle Wayne have a target on their backs. They'll have to keep their wits about them and try not to do anything risky as they investigative- something Katie didn't get the memo for!
Three Small Bones is the eighth book in the Detective Katie Scott series and it's yet another enthralling addition. By now, most characters are well established and it's always nice to catch up with them. I love cracking into a new book knowing that everything will be immediately familiar and this series is one of few that constantly emits that vibe.
Looking forward to reading book 9!
4.75���
December 6, 2023
2 stars simply for the five minutes when i thought chad was dead and actually started enjoying the book
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2023
Another entertaining instalment but not without it's issues. Foremost, the plot structure is pretty much the same as the previous books. In fact, they're all a reincarnation of each other; ain't broke don't fix it I suppose.
As before, the story is interesting and pacy enough to draw you in and keep you turning the pages. It is somewhat convoluted, perhaps unnecessarily so, with quite a few characters and potential villains. Typically of this series, any of the characters could easily be made to fit as the villain in the final reveal. Yeah, the ending, as always, could be considered weak. A Scooby Do capture of the perp is fairly representative of how the heroine brings the story to a conclusion.
However much I've enjoyed the book/series, I also find it irritating to say the least. Repeatedly, we're told how fantastic Scott is but that's not how the book reads to me. There is nothing noteworthy about the investigation and solving the case appears nothing short of blindly stumbling into a situation. As tenacious as she is there is no intelligent deduction.
What I find boring is the dog. As I recall It's never been called to do anything one might expect of an Alsatian; just in case it gets hurt....but it wears a bullet proof vest. Seriously?
Then there's the boyfriend, Chad. What a nauseating and insipid character he is. Replacing him with John would improve this dull relationship.
All in all, a very generous four stars for a book/series that is enjoyable so long as it's not too closely examined.
As before, the story is interesting and pacy enough to draw you in and keep you turning the pages. It is somewhat convoluted, perhaps unnecessarily so, with quite a few characters and potential villains. Typically of this series, any of the characters could easily be made to fit as the villain in the final reveal. Yeah, the ending, as always, could be considered weak. A Scooby Do capture of the perp is fairly representative of how the heroine brings the story to a conclusion.
However much I've enjoyed the book/series, I also find it irritating to say the least. Repeatedly, we're told how fantastic Scott is but that's not how the book reads to me. There is nothing noteworthy about the investigation and solving the case appears nothing short of blindly stumbling into a situation. As tenacious as she is there is no intelligent deduction.
What I find boring is the dog. As I recall It's never been called to do anything one might expect of an Alsatian; just in case it gets hurt....but it wears a bullet proof vest. Seriously?
Then there's the boyfriend, Chad. What a nauseating and insipid character he is. Replacing him with John would improve this dull relationship.
All in all, a very generous four stars for a book/series that is enjoyable so long as it's not too closely examined.
August 12, 2022
Detective Katie Scott is in full decorating mode, brightening up her beloved family home before making the momentous decision with fiancé Chad about where to live after they're married. However everything is sidelined when partner Sean McGaven arrives at her door explaining how skeletal remains have been found after a house fire in Pine Valley and, as they run the cold case department, the investigation is theirs.
After a second shocking discovery Katie realises there will be no simple solution to what is already a confusing case meaning long hours will be the norm until it is solved. When members of the investigation team are targeted it suddenly becomes clear no one involved is safe from the attentions of their killer and, as the body count increases, Katie finds herself playing a traumatic game of cat and mouse.
Book eight in Jennifer Chase's brilliant series finds Katie and Chad looking forward to married life but, as regular readers of these cold case mysteries know, nothing is ever that simple! Katie and McGaven have such an easy relationship now that everything just slots into place, with tension increasing steadily throughout, meaning I just kept reading one more chapter until it was done!
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent highly recommended read.
After a second shocking discovery Katie realises there will be no simple solution to what is already a confusing case meaning long hours will be the norm until it is solved. When members of the investigation team are targeted it suddenly becomes clear no one involved is safe from the attentions of their killer and, as the body count increases, Katie finds herself playing a traumatic game of cat and mouse.
Book eight in Jennifer Chase's brilliant series finds Katie and Chad looking forward to married life but, as regular readers of these cold case mysteries know, nothing is ever that simple! Katie and McGaven have such an easy relationship now that everything just slots into place, with tension increasing steadily throughout, meaning I just kept reading one more chapter until it was done!
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an excellent highly recommended read.
June 13, 2023
Three Small Bones is book eight by Jennifer Chase in the Detective Katie Scott series. A fire crew tackles a burning building in a beautiful Pine Valley, California suburb. Detective Katie Scott became involved in discovering human remains with her faithful companion Cisco. However, the human remains were of the family of the house that had gone missing, and it is now up to Detective Katie Scott to find the answers. The readers of Three Small Bones will continue to follow Detective Katie Scott to discover what happens.
Three Small Bones is the first book I have read by Jennifer Chase, and it is enjoyable to read. It did take me a while to engage with this book. However, I did about halfway through the book. I did enjoy Jennifer Chase written style and her portrayal of her characters. Jennifer Chase excellently did the description of the settings of Three Small Bones.
The readers of Three Small Bones will understand the importance of rescue dogs to law enforcement officers. Also, the readers of Three Small Bones will realize the importance of CPR in an emergency.
I recommend this book.
Three Small Bones is the first book I have read by Jennifer Chase, and it is enjoyable to read. It did take me a while to engage with this book. However, I did about halfway through the book. I did enjoy Jennifer Chase written style and her portrayal of her characters. Jennifer Chase excellently did the description of the settings of Three Small Bones.
The readers of Three Small Bones will understand the importance of rescue dogs to law enforcement officers. Also, the readers of Three Small Bones will realize the importance of CPR in an emergency.
I recommend this book.
September 18, 2022
Three Small Bones by Jennifer Chase
Detective Katie Scott #8
Old bones and a few newer ones join a few current murder cases that may or may not overlap as Katie and her work partner, McGaven, tackle a new police procedural who-done-it.
What I liked:
* Katie: ex-military, K-9 handler and owner of ex-military K-9 Cisco, niece of local sheriff, engaged to Chad, suffers from PTSD, sees overall pictures, great puzzle solver, invested in her work, impulsive at times
* Ciscso: K-9 partner, retired from military, companion to Katie, skilled at his job, loving and protective
* Chad: firefighter, new arson inspector, Katie’s childhood friend and fiancé, didn’t see a lot of him but he seems a good match for Katie
* McGaven: detective, Katie’s work partner, calm presence, good balance to Katie, in a relationship with Denise
* John: forensics specialist, ex-Navy SEAL, hit hard by one death in this story, has chemistry with Katie not acted on
* Sheriff Scott: Katie’s uncle, experienced, wise, protective, in charge, cares for his team, strong, takes care of Cisco if Katie is busy, good man
* The way the team worked together
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* That it was easy to know the victims and wish Karma would smack the evil doers
* The red herrings, twists, and turns
* The way the various cases in this story were eventually solved
* Knowing that there will be another book in the series soon
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the way the minds of murderers must work…and their careless disregard of human life
* The pain and loss experienced by more than one character in the book.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
Detective Katie Scott #8
Old bones and a few newer ones join a few current murder cases that may or may not overlap as Katie and her work partner, McGaven, tackle a new police procedural who-done-it.
What I liked:
* Katie: ex-military, K-9 handler and owner of ex-military K-9 Cisco, niece of local sheriff, engaged to Chad, suffers from PTSD, sees overall pictures, great puzzle solver, invested in her work, impulsive at times
* Ciscso: K-9 partner, retired from military, companion to Katie, skilled at his job, loving and protective
* Chad: firefighter, new arson inspector, Katie’s childhood friend and fiancé, didn’t see a lot of him but he seems a good match for Katie
* McGaven: detective, Katie’s work partner, calm presence, good balance to Katie, in a relationship with Denise
* John: forensics specialist, ex-Navy SEAL, hit hard by one death in this story, has chemistry with Katie not acted on
* Sheriff Scott: Katie’s uncle, experienced, wise, protective, in charge, cares for his team, strong, takes care of Cisco if Katie is busy, good man
* The way the team worked together
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* That it was easy to know the victims and wish Karma would smack the evil doers
* The red herrings, twists, and turns
* The way the various cases in this story were eventually solved
* Knowing that there will be another book in the series soon
What I didn’t like:
* Who and what I was meant not to like
* Thinking about the way the minds of murderers must work…and their careless disregard of human life
* The pain and loss experienced by more than one character in the book.
Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
October 17, 2022
Three Small Bones by Jennifer Chase is the WoW eighth book in the brilliant Detective Katie Scott series and what an excellent series this has been. It been a series that has had me sitting on the edge of my seat with so many twists and turns. This has been one of my favourite series and every book has been a 5 star read!
Big thank you to thank netgalley and Bookouture the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Big thank you to thank netgalley and Bookouture the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2022
Thrilling. Tense. Packed full of suspense. Just wow. Loved loved loved this one. Very highly recommend this series and this book.
January 4, 2024
Best book of the series so far.
September 8, 2022
LOVE REVIEW LATER TODAY
September 12, 2022
Detective Katie Scott is back with a puzzling cold case. When a suspicious fire breaks out at a rental house and bodies are found. But they are not the only bodies on the property. The problem is it appears at least one set of remains was buried at a different time to the others.
And just as Katie and her partner McGaven begin to consider this shocking revelation. Katie has to deal with the fact she's working with her fiancée Chad. Who has been assigned as the arson investigator. But the pair have a rule to keep work and their private lives separate.
Yet, when Katie receives a desperate call from a colleague that someone close to the team has been murdered. All rules are thrown out of the window.
And as the body count rises so do the threats, and with a killer who will stop at nothing to ensure they stay out of jail, lots of procedural detail, and a high stakes confrontation. This was an enjoyable read and great addition to the series.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
And just as Katie and her partner McGaven begin to consider this shocking revelation. Katie has to deal with the fact she's working with her fiancée Chad. Who has been assigned as the arson investigator. But the pair have a rule to keep work and their private lives separate.
Yet, when Katie receives a desperate call from a colleague that someone close to the team has been murdered. All rules are thrown out of the window.
And as the body count rises so do the threats, and with a killer who will stop at nothing to ensure they stay out of jail, lots of procedural detail, and a high stakes confrontation. This was an enjoyable read and great addition to the series.
**I was kindly provided with an ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**
July 20, 2024
This mystery was ok. However I was continually distracted by the author's choice of names. Set in California where the Spanish have lived for centuries and Spanish names are everywhere, not one person had a Hispanic name. The names were what I would call white-bread with absolutely no flavor. There were no names with any variety or imagination. Oh wait the dog was Cisco. Frankly it was ridiculous. No Armenians in California? No African-Americans. No Italians! No Japanese or Chinese! I won't be able to read another one. Very disconcerting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 5, 2022
A THRILLING ENTRY IN AN AMAZING SERIES!
A fire destroys the old house at 717 Maple. With all signs pointing to arson, it’s the unexpected grisly discovery of three dismembered fingers that leads to Detective Katie Scott being called to the scene. Upon arrival Scott does what she does best, and it doesn’t take long for her to unearth bodies buried in the basement. Not sure who they are, how they died, or even how long they’ve been hidden away, the excavation is expanded and leads to more complications … and more questions. But the investigation spikes to downright dangerous when one of the bodies is tied to a cold case of a missing child who disappeared twenty-five years ago. It’s this stirring up of the past that triggers the killer to take aim at Scott and her team, putting her … and everyone she loves … in the crosshairs of a sick unpredictable murderer, who up until now, has gotten away with murder. But Scott means to put an end to that lucky streak.
Author Jennifer Chase ups her game with this spine-tingling mystery. Easily the best entry thus far in an amazing series, it’s all good for devoted readers that the Detective Katie Scott Mysteries just keeps getting better and better and better. And you can include me in the ‘devoted reader’ grouping. I’ve been an ardent fan right from the beginning and fully admit to being completely into the character of Katie Scott and her extended family. Love her … and Cisco … her partner Detective McGaven … and Cisco … Chad, Sheriff Wayne Scott, Detective Hamilton … and did I mention Cisco? Yeah, that dog is my ultimate fav and obsession, even beating out Katie for the top spot. And psst: Cisco even gets a chance to be heroic and save a life in this installment! But no spoilers from me as to how he pulls off that trick and earns himself a big box of Chewy toys that should take him round about just under an hour to demolish! But about those favorite characters … yeah, there’s a subtle hint that there may be storm clouds ahead for one of them. I hope not and am not mentioning which one because I don’t do spoilers, but as long as Katie doesn’t switch out and replace Cisco with another dog/friend/companion, I’m fine! But we’ll see where it goes.
In terms of what to expect from THREE SMALL BONES, let me deconstruct this 8th entry in the Detective Katie Scott Mysteries a bit for you. The storyline is complex and keeps you on your toes. The investigation is in Scott’s lane since it involves a cold case and cold cases are her specialty. In terms of the action, it is non-stop and includes twists and turns that keep you guessing. As to the pace of this thriller, no doubt it's accelerated and I’d put it in the category of a ‘trigger-happy blistering race to the finish’. The suspects are plentiful leaving us plenty of room to play detective and guess who dunnit. Personally, I had no idea who the murderer was until the reveal at the very end. All-in-all, it holds our attention and delivers a wallop of an ending, and there’s not much more fans of this genre can ask for. So if you're a fan, here's another stellar entry to sink your teeth into. And if you're a newbie to this series, it's the perfect time to download your first copy and hop onboard! I know I'm influenced to buy a series by the number of entries because there's nothing worse than scurrying around for something to read. So eight in the series means seven more books by this author for you to love if this first one checks all your boxes and turns you into a fan! I’m betting it will.
Oh, and one more thing ... Chase really shows off her writing chops in some pretty tense action scenes that had me holding my breath. There were three chapters that were real nail-biters for me (chapters 25, 29, and 48 to be exact), so keep the caffeine nearby so you can keep up and not miss a single word. As for negatives, I have none to report. Everything was spot on and designed to thrill. It’s what made THREE SMALL BONES such an enjoyable albeit nerve-racking read! But don’t worry, Cisco’s got you covered! He always does. So curl up on the couch, keep your beverage of choice nearby and maybe some treats ... make that 'definitely' some treats ... and have yourself a read that you are sure to enjoy! Kudos to the author for delivering a winner!
A fire destroys the old house at 717 Maple. With all signs pointing to arson, it’s the unexpected grisly discovery of three dismembered fingers that leads to Detective Katie Scott being called to the scene. Upon arrival Scott does what she does best, and it doesn’t take long for her to unearth bodies buried in the basement. Not sure who they are, how they died, or even how long they’ve been hidden away, the excavation is expanded and leads to more complications … and more questions. But the investigation spikes to downright dangerous when one of the bodies is tied to a cold case of a missing child who disappeared twenty-five years ago. It’s this stirring up of the past that triggers the killer to take aim at Scott and her team, putting her … and everyone she loves … in the crosshairs of a sick unpredictable murderer, who up until now, has gotten away with murder. But Scott means to put an end to that lucky streak.
Author Jennifer Chase ups her game with this spine-tingling mystery. Easily the best entry thus far in an amazing series, it’s all good for devoted readers that the Detective Katie Scott Mysteries just keeps getting better and better and better. And you can include me in the ‘devoted reader’ grouping. I’ve been an ardent fan right from the beginning and fully admit to being completely into the character of Katie Scott and her extended family. Love her … and Cisco … her partner Detective McGaven … and Cisco … Chad, Sheriff Wayne Scott, Detective Hamilton … and did I mention Cisco? Yeah, that dog is my ultimate fav and obsession, even beating out Katie for the top spot. And psst: Cisco even gets a chance to be heroic and save a life in this installment! But no spoilers from me as to how he pulls off that trick and earns himself a big box of Chewy toys that should take him round about just under an hour to demolish! But about those favorite characters … yeah, there’s a subtle hint that there may be storm clouds ahead for one of them. I hope not and am not mentioning which one because I don’t do spoilers, but as long as Katie doesn’t switch out and replace Cisco with another dog/friend/companion, I’m fine! But we’ll see where it goes.
In terms of what to expect from THREE SMALL BONES, let me deconstruct this 8th entry in the Detective Katie Scott Mysteries a bit for you. The storyline is complex and keeps you on your toes. The investigation is in Scott’s lane since it involves a cold case and cold cases are her specialty. In terms of the action, it is non-stop and includes twists and turns that keep you guessing. As to the pace of this thriller, no doubt it's accelerated and I’d put it in the category of a ‘trigger-happy blistering race to the finish’. The suspects are plentiful leaving us plenty of room to play detective and guess who dunnit. Personally, I had no idea who the murderer was until the reveal at the very end. All-in-all, it holds our attention and delivers a wallop of an ending, and there’s not much more fans of this genre can ask for. So if you're a fan, here's another stellar entry to sink your teeth into. And if you're a newbie to this series, it's the perfect time to download your first copy and hop onboard! I know I'm influenced to buy a series by the number of entries because there's nothing worse than scurrying around for something to read. So eight in the series means seven more books by this author for you to love if this first one checks all your boxes and turns you into a fan! I’m betting it will.
Oh, and one more thing ... Chase really shows off her writing chops in some pretty tense action scenes that had me holding my breath. There were three chapters that were real nail-biters for me (chapters 25, 29, and 48 to be exact), so keep the caffeine nearby so you can keep up and not miss a single word. As for negatives, I have none to report. Everything was spot on and designed to thrill. It’s what made THREE SMALL BONES such an enjoyable albeit nerve-racking read! But don’t worry, Cisco’s got you covered! He always does. So curl up on the couch, keep your beverage of choice nearby and maybe some treats ... make that 'definitely' some treats ... and have yourself a read that you are sure to enjoy! Kudos to the author for delivering a winner!
September 10, 2022
I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Three Small Bones, the eighth novel to feature Detective Katie Scott of the Pine Valley, Northern California’s Sheriff’s Office.
A house catches fire and arson is suspected. More worryingly the firefighters uncover human bones in the basement. Investigation of the bones uncovers two decaying bodies and further investigation uncovers two more, these ones children. This is a further mystery as the children’s bodies were buried years apart.
I thoroughly enjoyed Three Small Bones, which is an event filled read with some interesting twists and turns. It should be noted for those of a squeamish nature that this novel has a higher body count and more violence than most novels in the series, although it is not overly graphic.
I like the premise of two murders years apart getting mixed up together and it works well with Katie seeing the first one as the key to the second. It mixes her cold case expertise with a present day investigation. The details may vary and some of them are a bit shocking but this is a standard procedural in the sense that it starts with a need to identify the bodies, a wide open field of suspects and a few characters acting suspiciously. The perpetrator’s identity is guessable but the motive is fairly elusive despite several clues in the narrative. The final action scenes are tense and slightly stressful as it becomes personal to Katie.
This is a fast moving novel, hardly offering the reader time to breathe before the next event.
Katie and her coworkers are by now old friends. They are nice people but not particularly nuanced, not that this is important as the novel is all about the plot. On the personal front Katie has some friction with her fiancé, Chad about their future living arrangements. I have no understanding of why they don’t live together already.
Three Small Bones is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
A house catches fire and arson is suspected. More worryingly the firefighters uncover human bones in the basement. Investigation of the bones uncovers two decaying bodies and further investigation uncovers two more, these ones children. This is a further mystery as the children’s bodies were buried years apart.
I thoroughly enjoyed Three Small Bones, which is an event filled read with some interesting twists and turns. It should be noted for those of a squeamish nature that this novel has a higher body count and more violence than most novels in the series, although it is not overly graphic.
I like the premise of two murders years apart getting mixed up together and it works well with Katie seeing the first one as the key to the second. It mixes her cold case expertise with a present day investigation. The details may vary and some of them are a bit shocking but this is a standard procedural in the sense that it starts with a need to identify the bodies, a wide open field of suspects and a few characters acting suspiciously. The perpetrator’s identity is guessable but the motive is fairly elusive despite several clues in the narrative. The final action scenes are tense and slightly stressful as it becomes personal to Katie.
This is a fast moving novel, hardly offering the reader time to breathe before the next event.
Katie and her coworkers are by now old friends. They are nice people but not particularly nuanced, not that this is important as the novel is all about the plot. On the personal front Katie has some friction with her fiancé, Chad about their future living arrangements. I have no understanding of why they don’t live together already.
Three Small Bones is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
October 29, 2022
Detective Katie Scott, an Afghanistan veteran, and her partner are called to the smoking shell of a vacant house where arson is suspected, due to the fact that human remains have been found in the cellar. While examining the scene they come upon more bones and eventually end up with the remains of four people: two children and two adults. Who were the victims, and is there any connection between the three most recent ones, a family, and a young girl who turns out to have been killed a quarter of a century before? As Katie investigates, more murders are committed, including members of her own team. The hunt for the killer truly becomes a race against time when her fiancé, a firefighter who was also involved in the investigation, becomes a target.
I enjoyed many things about this book, especially Katie’s relationship with her retired military dog, Cisco, and her struggles with PTSD were sympathetically portrayed. It was well written and the mystery was interesting. I was able to follow the relationships between the characters relatively easily despite not having read any of the previous entries in the series, although I’m sure that I would have picked up more of the nuances if I had.
I wasn’t, however, particularly wowed by the solution, which in some ways left me with more questions than answers. I didn’t feel all the strings were pulled together at the end, including whether the fire was actually set, as Katie believed at one point, to draw attention to the murders, or how the person had access to certain information, particularly about the investigating team. I’m also not a huge fan of the character who bullheadedly puts him/herself into danger by ignoring orders from superiors; it also doesn’t seem like it would have gotten Katie very far in the military. I would, however, consider reading more books in this series and by the author.
I received a copy of Three Small Bones from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed many things about this book, especially Katie’s relationship with her retired military dog, Cisco, and her struggles with PTSD were sympathetically portrayed. It was well written and the mystery was interesting. I was able to follow the relationships between the characters relatively easily despite not having read any of the previous entries in the series, although I’m sure that I would have picked up more of the nuances if I had.
I wasn’t, however, particularly wowed by the solution, which in some ways left me with more questions than answers. I didn’t feel all the strings were pulled together at the end, including whether the fire was actually set, as Katie believed at one point, to draw attention to the murders, or how the person had access to certain information, particularly about the investigating team. I’m also not a huge fan of the character who bullheadedly puts him/herself into danger by ignoring orders from superiors; it also doesn’t seem like it would have gotten Katie very far in the military. I would, however, consider reading more books in this series and by the author.
I received a copy of Three Small Bones from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 27, 2022
Being a dog lover I am always happy when there is a new instalment of a series with one of my favourite characters: Cisco the German Shepard.
Cisco is not the thirteen-in-a-dozen kind of dog. He is a retired soldier and now, in his spare time, he loves nothing more – apart from fetching a ball maybe – than catching bad guys (or girls 😉 ). He loves helping his boss Katie and her partner Gav and tracking and tracing is what he nose and ears are made for.
It’s not the first time he is the one saving the day and in this case he is vital too.
Katie does not always take him with her though. Often she leaves hem at home. She loves him deeply and she wants to protect him. I get that loud and clear. I would not want anything to happen to my dog either. But Cisco is not a softie. He is a well trained soldier and police officer. He wants to be where the action is.
I would love for him to get a more important role and I understand he can not always accompany her, but maybe Denise would not mind doggie sitting him than in the police station? I feel for him when he has to stay at home all day long.
When Katie and Gav arrive at the scene of a house fire, they know this case will be handled by Detective Hamilton afterwards. She and her partner are in charge of cold cases and this is not one of them. This changes soon though. It seems like it’s a mixture of a brand new case and a 25 year old one. Katie and Gav will have to work together with Hamilton to solve this mystery. They have to hurry, because someone does not like the idea of being discovered.
They decide the best way to keep something buried is to silence those who could start to talk.
So who is this cruel person? Katie, Gav and Cisco are determined to unmask them.
Another great book in the series. Not my favourite, but still a solid 4,5 stars.
Thank you
Cisco is not the thirteen-in-a-dozen kind of dog. He is a retired soldier and now, in his spare time, he loves nothing more – apart from fetching a ball maybe – than catching bad guys (or girls 😉 ). He loves helping his boss Katie and her partner Gav and tracking and tracing is what he nose and ears are made for.
It’s not the first time he is the one saving the day and in this case he is vital too.
Katie does not always take him with her though. Often she leaves hem at home. She loves him deeply and she wants to protect him. I get that loud and clear. I would not want anything to happen to my dog either. But Cisco is not a softie. He is a well trained soldier and police officer. He wants to be where the action is.
I would love for him to get a more important role and I understand he can not always accompany her, but maybe Denise would not mind doggie sitting him than in the police station? I feel for him when he has to stay at home all day long.
When Katie and Gav arrive at the scene of a house fire, they know this case will be handled by Detective Hamilton afterwards. She and her partner are in charge of cold cases and this is not one of them. This changes soon though. It seems like it’s a mixture of a brand new case and a 25 year old one. Katie and Gav will have to work together with Hamilton to solve this mystery. They have to hurry, because someone does not like the idea of being discovered.
They decide the best way to keep something buried is to silence those who could start to talk.
So who is this cruel person? Katie, Gav and Cisco are determined to unmask them.
Another great book in the series. Not my favourite, but still a solid 4,5 stars.
Thank you
October 13, 2022
Incoming! Minority opinion incoming.
This would’ve had a higher rating if I’d turned off my left brain soon after getting into the book. I switched to Audible version, and I usually rate audiobooks higher than Kindle versions. The stellar narration by Lisa Rost-Welling bumped my overall rating to 4 stars from 3.0-3.5 stars.
Detectives Katie Scott and Sean McGaven investigate after four skeletons are discovered in a house partially destroyed by arson. The story is set in current time, with flashbacks to twenty-five years ago, when a twelve-year-old girl vanished from their small town. In addition to the cold cases, there are current time murders, so the storyline has good twists and red herrings.
There are protocol/procedural problems, many due to Detective Scott’s less than optimal decision-making. Her illogical and emotion-based actions are hard to believe—especially after she relates war experiences during her two tours In Afghanistan. She also leaves her retired, K-9 Corps dog at home—to keep him safe. That war dog was her partner in Afghanistan, so why not now? She also misses clues and/or doesn’t follow up, and the forensics techs miss/overlook evidence. IMHO, there are dubious explanations and some odd plot-points, which might be due to author trying to conceal the villains.
When a pathologist reads the missing girl’s cold case file to the cops, he never speaks the day, month, or year. He says: “summer, twenty-five years ago.” That’s imprecise. If I were reading a file to cops, I’d say the complete date. Then, here’s something mentioned in passing, that’s atypical in a MISPER case. The girl was still missing, but her family moved away two years later. If you were her mom or dad, could you move away? To another state?
This would’ve had a higher rating if I’d turned off my left brain soon after getting into the book. I switched to Audible version, and I usually rate audiobooks higher than Kindle versions. The stellar narration by Lisa Rost-Welling bumped my overall rating to 4 stars from 3.0-3.5 stars.
Detectives Katie Scott and Sean McGaven investigate after four skeletons are discovered in a house partially destroyed by arson. The story is set in current time, with flashbacks to twenty-five years ago, when a twelve-year-old girl vanished from their small town. In addition to the cold cases, there are current time murders, so the storyline has good twists and red herrings.
There are protocol/procedural problems, many due to Detective Scott’s less than optimal decision-making. Her illogical and emotion-based actions are hard to believe—especially after she relates war experiences during her two tours In Afghanistan. She also leaves her retired, K-9 Corps dog at home—to keep him safe. That war dog was her partner in Afghanistan, so why not now? She also misses clues and/or doesn’t follow up, and the forensics techs miss/overlook evidence. IMHO, there are dubious explanations and some odd plot-points, which might be due to author trying to conceal the villains.
When a pathologist reads the missing girl’s cold case file to the cops, he never speaks the day, month, or year. He says: “summer, twenty-five years ago.” That’s imprecise. If I were reading a file to cops, I’d say the complete date. Then, here’s something mentioned in passing, that’s atypical in a MISPER case. The girl was still missing, but her family moved away two years later. If you were her mom or dad, could you move away? To another state?
August 15, 2022
343 pages
4 stars
Afghanistan veteran Detective Katie Scott still has trouble with PTSD. Thankfully, he dog Cisco, who was in the service with her is still by her side. Katie never knows when her PTSD will act up.
When her partner, Detective McGaven tells her they have a skeleton in a burned out house, the cold case detectives are on their way.
What they eventually discover are three skeletons in the burned out basement, and a fourth in the yard. The fourth is twenty-five years old. The three turn out to be a family who supposedly moved out months earlier.
They meet the creepy landlord, the construction brothers who claim they did no work on the house and a host of other neighbors and acquaintances.
Then more bodies begin to fall. One of the polices’ own is killed. A professor who was assisting in the investigation is stalked. Katie is threatened.
This is a police procedural that deals with a very twisty case. It keeps the reader interested.
There seem to be small parts of the book that are unnecessary. It slows down in places.Katie’s PTSD seems to pop up at inconsistent times. Almost like the author must mention it as an afterthought. This is my first Jennifer Chase novel, and I do believe I’ll give her another try. I enjoyed the book - in parts.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
4 stars
Afghanistan veteran Detective Katie Scott still has trouble with PTSD. Thankfully, he dog Cisco, who was in the service with her is still by her side. Katie never knows when her PTSD will act up.
When her partner, Detective McGaven tells her they have a skeleton in a burned out house, the cold case detectives are on their way.
What they eventually discover are three skeletons in the burned out basement, and a fourth in the yard. The fourth is twenty-five years old. The three turn out to be a family who supposedly moved out months earlier.
They meet the creepy landlord, the construction brothers who claim they did no work on the house and a host of other neighbors and acquaintances.
Then more bodies begin to fall. One of the polices’ own is killed. A professor who was assisting in the investigation is stalked. Katie is threatened.
This is a police procedural that deals with a very twisty case. It keeps the reader interested.
There seem to be small parts of the book that are unnecessary. It slows down in places.Katie’s PTSD seems to pop up at inconsistent times. Almost like the author must mention it as an afterthought. This is my first Jennifer Chase novel, and I do believe I’ll give her another try. I enjoyed the book - in parts.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for forwarding to me a copy of this good book for me to read, enjoy and review. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.
January 13, 2023
Now I absolutely LOVE the Detective Katie Scott series. I've always found them compelling, hugely gripping and totally unputdownable so I was super excited to recieve this one in my inbox.
Book #7 Silent Little Angel's was by far my favourite so I couldn't wait to get to grips with the next installment and dived straight in, ignoring life in general (sorry family).
Now whilst as expected I was hooked from the get go, for some reason I didn't find this one as shocking as the previous books and in all honesty it was predictable in places :(
Three small bones are found are found in the debris of a basement burned down in a house fire. On investigation the bones of two other bodies are discovered ... the more they dog, the more are uncovered. It seems that a whole family have been buried in the basement.. the question is who are they and Why?
Detective Katie Scott is tasked with finding out what happened. Add a dodgy construction company, strange landlord and a 25 year old cold case to the mix and what to you get... confusion!
There are so many clues but zero suspects, Detective Scott doesn't have any idea what her teams next steps are and when they start getting attacked its obvious that someone is trying to halt the investigation.
This would have been a 5* if it wasn't for the slight predictability and ending. After the amazing build up and suspense the ending felt like an anti climax sadly.
Huge thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
Book #7 Silent Little Angel's was by far my favourite so I couldn't wait to get to grips with the next installment and dived straight in, ignoring life in general (sorry family).
Now whilst as expected I was hooked from the get go, for some reason I didn't find this one as shocking as the previous books and in all honesty it was predictable in places :(
Three small bones are found are found in the debris of a basement burned down in a house fire. On investigation the bones of two other bodies are discovered ... the more they dog, the more are uncovered. It seems that a whole family have been buried in the basement.. the question is who are they and Why?
Detective Katie Scott is tasked with finding out what happened. Add a dodgy construction company, strange landlord and a 25 year old cold case to the mix and what to you get... confusion!
There are so many clues but zero suspects, Detective Scott doesn't have any idea what her teams next steps are and when they start getting attacked its obvious that someone is trying to halt the investigation.
This would have been a 5* if it wasn't for the slight predictability and ending. After the amazing build up and suspense the ending felt like an anti climax sadly.
Huge thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
August 15, 2022
In this next book in the Detective Katie Scott series, Katie and MacGavin are investigating bodies found at the scene of an arson. It takes some real teamwork to figure out who the bodies are and how they are connected to the property they were found on. Katie and MacGavin are two of my favorite detectives, and Cisco as always is my absolute favorite doggo!
When the police and other support workers that were working on this case started being targeted it becomes a race to figure out who is behind this and why. I was left a bit confused as to how the killer knew all of the many people who were working on this case to target. But it did help the tension build as we were trying to figure out who would be next on the killer's list.
This seemed a bit of a slower-paced book compared to the others I've read in this series. The action doesn't begin to ramp up until closer to the end when they are closing in on the person who is behind everything. At that point, I was glued to my chair flipping pages wondering how Katie and MacGavin were going to get out of the situation they found themselves in.
I'm very looking forward to more books in this series.
When the police and other support workers that were working on this case started being targeted it becomes a race to figure out who is behind this and why. I was left a bit confused as to how the killer knew all of the many people who were working on this case to target. But it did help the tension build as we were trying to figure out who would be next on the killer's list.
This seemed a bit of a slower-paced book compared to the others I've read in this series. The action doesn't begin to ramp up until closer to the end when they are closing in on the person who is behind everything. At that point, I was glued to my chair flipping pages wondering how Katie and MacGavin were going to get out of the situation they found themselves in.
I'm very looking forward to more books in this series.
September 19, 2022
This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Detective Katie Scott is one of my favourite detective series. She will fight tooth and nail to find out what happened in her cases. She is a bit of a wildcard as she regularly runs into danger and doesn't think about the consequences but she always does it with the thought of catching the killer. This may be the 8th book in the series but you could read it as a standalone.
This case was fascinating and every time Katie and the team discovered a new clue it became weirder and weirder. When members of the team started being targeted the tension just skyrocketed. I was eagerly swiping page after page in a desperate attempt to make sure everyone was okay. Like if I finished it quickly enough it would save someone.
Jennifer really drew me into the case and held my attention. The story was very fast-paced. It was very easy to sit here and read chapter after chapter and not notice how long I had been sitting still for!
Another excellent addition to the series. Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via NetGalley and for letting me take part in this tour.
This case was fascinating and every time Katie and the team discovered a new clue it became weirder and weirder. When members of the team started being targeted the tension just skyrocketed. I was eagerly swiping page after page in a desperate attempt to make sure everyone was okay. Like if I finished it quickly enough it would save someone.
Jennifer really drew me into the case and held my attention. The story was very fast-paced. It was very easy to sit here and read chapter after chapter and not notice how long I had been sitting still for!
Another excellent addition to the series. Thank you to Bookouture for my copy of this book via NetGalley and for letting me take part in this tour.
September 19, 2022
Three Small Books by Jennifer Chase had me hooked on to the story till the last page This book is the eght in the series featuring Detective Katie Scott. This can be every well enjoyed as a standalone story too.
Since I first read one of the earlier books of Katie Scott in the series, I have loved her. She is part of the team that investigates the missing persons cases. Along with her partner Mc Gaven she pursues the case relentlessly till the culprit is brought to the fore.
This story starts with the discovery of three small bones in a house with a fire disacster which puts her and Chad on the same case. The investigation of arson leads to a really twisted case. For more details read the story and you will not regret it.
The twisted plot, so many different angles to the missing persons and the arson case and the comraderie and the working chemistry between the partners is all a great reason to read the story and this time the ending is a real thrilling part.
I would like to thank Bookouture and the author for accepting my request to review the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Since I first read one of the earlier books of Katie Scott in the series, I have loved her. She is part of the team that investigates the missing persons cases. Along with her partner Mc Gaven she pursues the case relentlessly till the culprit is brought to the fore.
This story starts with the discovery of three small bones in a house with a fire disacster which puts her and Chad on the same case. The investigation of arson leads to a really twisted case. For more details read the story and you will not regret it.
The twisted plot, so many different angles to the missing persons and the arson case and the comraderie and the working chemistry between the partners is all a great reason to read the story and this time the ending is a real thrilling part.
I would like to thank Bookouture and the author for accepting my request to review the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
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