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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC and the opportunity to provide a review for Little Girls Sleeping.
This read was a struggle for me. Jennifer Chase has very solid ideas for what could be an exciting novel. I was hooked reading the synopsis. However, the execution is seriously lacking. The entire novel felt superficial and disjointed. Character development was non-existent and what we were told about the characters was only surface details. Relationships between the characters were lacking chemistry, and each character was formulaic, which isn't necessarily an issue so long as you use a different formula for each character. Scenes were not linked together well and were often mired in unnecessary and repetitive detail and dialogue.
This read was a struggle for me. Jennifer Chase has very solid ideas for what could be an exciting novel. I was hooked reading the synopsis. However, the execution is seriously lacking. The entire novel felt superficial and disjointed. Character development was non-existent and what we were told about the characters was only surface details. Relationships between the characters were lacking chemistry, and each character was formulaic, which isn't necessarily an issue so long as you use a different formula for each character. Scenes were not linked together well and were often mired in unnecessary and repetitive detail and dialogue.
Unfortunately this book just wasn’t for me. It started out well, but I soon found Katie to be irritating and not overly likeable. A lot of time was spent going over details that had already been provided instead of any real character development, so I found that I wasn’t really interested in any of the characters. Throughout I had many questions and wondered why there was no follow through on most of the plot lines - it was almost as though the author was just trying to get us to the end as soon as possible so didn’t try to flesh anything out except to go on about poor Katie and all the near-misses she kept having *eyeroll* I found that Katie didn’t seem to have any real revelations, she just kept stumbling across things. Although I found it easy to read I must admit as soon as I knew who was responsible I thought about calling it a day.
Thanks Netgalley.
Thanks Netgalley.
This was an absolutely fantastic start to a new series that I can't wait to read more of!
Katie Scott is a young woman who has recently returned to the United States following a deployment to Afghanistan. She had previously served as a patrol officer for the Sacramento Police Department and isn't quite sure if she wants to return to that job or remain in her childhood hometown to work for her uncle in the Pine Valley Sheriff's Office. Katie is an incredibly well developed character. She is likeable, strong-willed, and vulnerable enough to make her even more relatable to readers. Having served in the military myself and dealing with anxiety and PTSD, I greatly appreciated the level of authenticity presented throughout the story. There was never a moment when I didn't believe or empathize with Katie's struggles to cope with her previous experiences. Her emotions are so honestly expressed that readers can't help but relate to her circumstances and condition. Katie's character spoke highly in regards to the author's level of research and the advisers she consulted in creating an authentic work of fiction that could be enjoyed by laymen as well as providing the representation that service members and law enforcement officials greatly appreciate seeing reflected across all media formats.
Fast-paced chapters kept the tension and suspense mounting until the very end. I especially enjoyed the moments when the narrative switched to the killer's perspective. The creep factor was turned way up with this character! These multiple points of view created an enlightening and entertaining way to examine both the good and bad forces surrounding crime.
Katie's work in the Army as an explosives detection dog handler introduces readers to her dog Cisco, who served alongside her in Afghanistan and is now retired. Their bond is beautiful to read about and highlights the exceptional and important work dogs provide to humans.
I continue to be such a fan of how the author uses her experience in criminology to craft such compelling cases and characters from aspects of both the investigative and criminal sides of law enforcement. The use of forensics and profiling make this a riveting read that will satisfy any fan of true crime or crime thrillers. Her books are completely underrated and an absolute steal for the quality of writing she delivers every time!
High expectations have been set for this series, and I will definitely be waiting with anticipation for the next installment!
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookoture and Jennifer Chase for the chance to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.
The book opens with an unknown man who is creating his masterpiece: a grave. We then jump to four years later when Katie Scott is flying back home after two years in the army in Afghanistan working with the K9 unit finding explosives. Unsure what career path to take now she’s home Katie takes a temporary position at the Sheriff's Office. One day she happens upon the cold case of missing eight-year-old Chelsea Compton. Reminded by the disappearance and murder of her childhood friend, Jenny, and feeling the crime was improperly investigated, she begins her own search for the girl.
When Katie locates not just Chelsea’s grave, but a row of graves in a remote area, the case becomes more than anyone had first thought. When another girl goes missing Katie vows to find the killer before it’s too late.
This was an easy read but it felt predictable. The elements for a great thriller were all there but that magic element was elusive. Katie was a whiny character that I just couldn’t take too. Though she was lavished with praise in the novel her discoveries were written as accidents instead of the result of her investigative techniques so I failed to agree with the consensus that she was a skilled detective. Only surface details were given for all the characters with Katie’s ptsd not even managing to provide depth for her character and becoming repetitive.
On a positive note, the crime scenes were chilling and the killer began as someone eerie and sinister. His twisted ideology made him a killer I was excited to read but again I felt like his character was underdeveloped and there was no real climax, just disappointment at the way it concluded. It felt like the author tried to do too much so the story and characters were rushed in exchange for packing a lot in. Crime fiction is a saturated market and sadly this one just didn’t stand out among the quality that is out there.
The book opens with an unknown man who is creating his masterpiece: a grave. We then jump to four years later when Katie Scott is flying back home after two years in the army in Afghanistan working with the K9 unit finding explosives. Unsure what career path to take now she’s home Katie takes a temporary position at the Sheriff's Office. One day she happens upon the cold case of missing eight-year-old Chelsea Compton. Reminded by the disappearance and murder of her childhood friend, Jenny, and feeling the crime was improperly investigated, she begins her own search for the girl.
When Katie locates not just Chelsea’s grave, but a row of graves in a remote area, the case becomes more than anyone had first thought. When another girl goes missing Katie vows to find the killer before it’s too late.
This was an easy read but it felt predictable. The elements for a great thriller were all there but that magic element was elusive. Katie was a whiny character that I just couldn’t take too. Though she was lavished with praise in the novel her discoveries were written as accidents instead of the result of her investigative techniques so I failed to agree with the consensus that she was a skilled detective. Only surface details were given for all the characters with Katie’s ptsd not even managing to provide depth for her character and becoming repetitive.
On a positive note, the crime scenes were chilling and the killer began as someone eerie and sinister. His twisted ideology made him a killer I was excited to read but again I felt like his character was underdeveloped and there was no real climax, just disappointment at the way it concluded. It felt like the author tried to do too much so the story and characters were rushed in exchange for packing a lot in. Crime fiction is a saturated market and sadly this one just didn’t stand out among the quality that is out there.
This is the first book in a series following Detective Kate Scott, a former Army veteran working in a Californian Sheriff’s department on cold cases. It is written by Jennifer Chase, and throughout the book you can tell she has thoroughly researched all aspects of the story and clearly has links to forensics and criminology. She was clearly well versed in the subject, making a lot of the information and character interaction incredibly believable.
For me, the clear knowledge and understanding was a major plus with the story. The writing was interesting as well and I found the characters to be relatable when they needed to be and dislikable when required as well.
So, why 3 stars? It seems like I really enjoyed this book, so why not a 5 star read?!
3 stars is NOT a bad rating. This doesn’t mean I hated the book. It just means I wasn’t as in to it as I hoped I would be. I was really excited about it but instead of having me on the edge of my seat desperate to read the next one, I was left feeling a little deflated at the end. It was just ok. I wasn’t that intrigued by the plot points, the character dilemmas or the murder investigation. I just thought it was ok.
I will totally read the next in the series, but I’m hoping for a little more than this. Fingers crossed.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions in this review are my own.
For me, the clear knowledge and understanding was a major plus with the story. The writing was interesting as well and I found the characters to be relatable when they needed to be and dislikable when required as well.
So, why 3 stars? It seems like I really enjoyed this book, so why not a 5 star read?!
3 stars is NOT a bad rating. This doesn’t mean I hated the book. It just means I wasn’t as in to it as I hoped I would be. I was really excited about it but instead of having me on the edge of my seat desperate to read the next one, I was left feeling a little deflated at the end. It was just ok. I wasn’t that intrigued by the plot points, the character dilemmas or the murder investigation. I just thought it was ok.
I will totally read the next in the series, but I’m hoping for a little more than this. Fingers crossed.
I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest opinion. All opinions in this review are my own.
This is the first book in the Detective Katie Scott series by international award-winning crime writer and criminologist Jennifer Chase, and boy does it start with an almighty bang. Ms Chase holds a bachelor's degree in police forensics and a master's degree in criminology & criminal justice which all lend authenticity and realism to the story; you can just tell that she knows the ins and outs of criminal investigation. Protagonist Katie is an intriguing character who I hope we will learn more about as the series progresses as she has a very interesting backstory. Having recently returned home from Afghanistan she is now on the case of a brutal serial killer who is murdering young girls in the local area.
It was, however, a tad predictable in parts and the killer isn't as difficult to figure out as I would've liked. There is never a dull moment with plenty of action though and the story moves at a rapid-fire pace. Katie's canine partner, Cisco, is such a fantastic part of the plot which animal lovers are sure to love with the fierce loyalty she shows towards her owner. What pushed it from a three star read to a four star was the strength of the writing, characterisation and because the parts that discussed police procedure were based firmly in reality. Certainly a promising start to the series. I look forward to the follow-up. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
It was, however, a tad predictable in parts and the killer isn't as difficult to figure out as I would've liked. There is never a dull moment with plenty of action though and the story moves at a rapid-fire pace. Katie's canine partner, Cisco, is such a fantastic part of the plot which animal lovers are sure to love with the fierce loyalty she shows towards her owner. What pushed it from a three star read to a four star was the strength of the writing, characterisation and because the parts that discussed police procedure were based firmly in reality. Certainly a promising start to the series. I look forward to the follow-up. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.
I enjoyed this book! It's definitely more of a police procedural than a thriller but it's well written and I can't wait to find out more about Katie in the coming books!