Detective Katie Scott #8
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?
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Review
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
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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.
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Author Links
@JChaseNovelist
https://www.instagram.com/jenchaseauthor/
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Book Link
https://geni.us/B0B69ZKF88social
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