Book Description:
Half-buried in the muddy earth and surrounded by puddles of water lies the naked body of a beautiful young girl. Her pale skin looks like porcelain in the early morning light. Her fragile arms bent and crooked like a broken doll.
When Detective Katie Scott is called to the discovery of a young girl buried on the grounds of a former children’s home in Pine Valley, California, she’s hopeful it’s the end to a devastating cold case she’s been working on. No one has seen Candace Harlan since she ran away from Elm Hill Manor five years ago. Her death will be a tragedy, but it will also bring peace to those who miss her most. But the girl in the ground is not Candace.
The victim is almost identical to Candace in every way, but fear grips Katie as she takes in the black ink that decorates the girl’s back—a terrifying message tattooed on her skin after she drew her last breath.
Forcing down traumatic memories of losing her own parents, Katie is certain someone mistook this poor soul for Candace, and that this crumbling home for lost girls is at the heart of this terrible crime. She sets to work digging into the tragic history of the owners who lost so many children of their own and tracking down the last six residents and the staff who cared for them—but no one wants to talk, let alone remember.
The next day, as second girl’s body is found down by the creek at high water, the same words etched into her skin. Katie’s worst fear is confirmed: someone is picking off the last of the Elm Hill girls one by one. But what does the tattoo mean? And what monster would target these innocent girls who have already been through so much?
Katie must dig deep to confront her own fears and protect the vulnerable—but as the body count rises further, will there be anyone left to save?
An absolutely gripping, dark, and totally unputdownable serial killer thriller that will keep you racing through the pages all night long. Fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh will read in one sitting!
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'Last Girls Alive ' by Jennifer Chase.
Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous
Publication date 7th October 2020
This is the first book that I have read by this author. This is the fourth book in the 'Detective Katie Scott' series. Although this is part of a series it can easily be read as a standalone although I will probably read the previous books to get to know Katie's past more.
I was originally drawn to this book by its intriguing colourful cover and interesting sounding blurb. I was also drawn to the the book as the write up read that fans of Melinda Leigh will read in one sitting. I'm a big fan of Melinda Leigh so wanted to see if it loved up to the promise. I must admit I was also biased due to the publisher being Bookouture. I have yet to read a book published by Bookouture that I haven't enjoyed. Hopefully this won't be the first... Watch this space! (Written before I started reading the book).
This novel consists of a prologue and 57 chapters. The chapters are medium in length so ideal to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!
This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Katie. I enjoy books written in third person with several protagonists as it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters.
This book is based in California, US 🇺🇸.
Wow!!! What can I say about this page turning, nail biting crime thriller!! It was absolutely fantastically written and had me completely hooked from the first page until the cliffhanger (of sorts) ending that leaves you wanting more. Fantastic descriptions that really painted the picture throughout and put me in the book.
The storyline itself was unique, fast paced and filled with nail biting suspension. It was packed with action and very importantly the storyline was believable. I loved the twist at about 80% and I would never have guessed the perp so definitely bonus points there, nothing worse than working out the perp and you're not even half way through the book!! It kept me hooked throughout and I cannot wait to read more in this series, not only the ones after but the ones I have yet to read. I have found another top author to follow for sure!!
The characters were well defined and realistic. I loved the fact that there was a strong female role model, being female myself. Katie is definitely a very likeable character who is suffering ptsd and is a force to be reckoned with. I loved her relationship with her partner Gav who is also another great character. I cannot wait to read more about the them all and follow their relationships!!
Overall a nail biting, suspense packed action crammed thriller that keeps you on edge.
Genres covered include Romance novel, Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Hardboiled, Noir Fiction, Psychological Fiction and Police Procedural.
I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Melinda Leigh, C. Taylor, Carol Wyer and Angela Marsons.
364 pages.
This book is £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon which I think is an absolute bargain for this book!!!
Rated 5 /5 (I LOVED IT!!! ) on Goodreads, Instagram, Amazon UK and Amazon US and on over 30 Facebook pages plus my blog on Facebook.
Feel free to add me on Goodreads or follow me on my website or Facebook for more reviews
@JenniferChase @Bookouture @Bookworm1986 @bookworm86
Author Bio:
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.
@JChaseNovelist
Buy Links:
Amazon: https://bit.ly/36fgQok
Apple: https://apple.co/2W0Vhly
Kobo: https://bit.ly/3gHgkS1
Google: https://bit.ly/2Ck152u
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