Detective Katie Scott: Book 8
Publication Date: September 16, 2022
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?
The discovery of bones in the aftermath of a house fire sets the stage for Detective Katie Scott’s next adventure.
Author Jennifer Chase delivers the eighth installment of the series featuring Detective Katie Scott in Three Small Bones. Readers new to this author will have no trouble jumping into the series out of sequence.
Detective Scott and her partner are tasked with determining the identity of the skeletal remains that have been buried in the basement. Following a hunch, the detectives discover additional bodies buried on the property. The ensuing investigation yields leads that initially don’t seem to move the detectives any closer to a solution.
The author skillfully weaves the suspense elements throughout the story. There’s even someone following Detective Scott, which makes the reader wonder if something is going to happen to her before the case is solved.
Three Small Bones provides a solid thriller that will keep you guessing until the end. As someone new to the series, I can look forward to reading the other books while waiting for Detective Scott’s next adventure to be written.
Jennifer Chase is a multi-award-winning author and consulting criminologist. She has authored eight crime fiction novels, including the multiple award-winning Emily Stone thriller series along with a screenwriting workbook.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor degree in police forensics and a Master’s degree in criminology. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, 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.
