I’m afraid I only enjoyed the last half of this book. The first half was really slow and hard to get into. Nothing much seemed to be happening. Katie was a very morose character and hard to empathise with. I know she was probably suffering from PTSD, even though it’s not said, but it just made the book very hard to get to grips with as she just seemed to plod along, to begin with. There were extended scenes that don’t lead anywhere or really serve a purpose like when she is searching the three grids looking for Chelsea to no avail. It repeats and reiterates that she was in the army way too many times, yes we know that your training is coming in handy you don’t need to tell us for the millionth time!
The scene setting near the beginning was very obvious and somewhat clunky. She just happens to find a cold case file and decides to do some off-book investigating. It would have been nicer if it had developed more organically. She ruffled way too many feathers, and I think she would be better suited to being a private investigator rather than working for the police as she wanted to go it alone too much. The vulcanising of Detective Templeton was crass and over the top. It all felt overdone and not realistic.
I remember reading reviews for a book and someone saying about how silly it was that she almost gets run over and then goes for a picnic, I hadn’t remembered it was this book I’d seen that comment, but as soon as I read it, I totally agreed. It was as if she hadn’t almost been killed and just carried on life as usual. I suppose that was her ’training’ kicking in!
The last half of the book really picks up; this is when the action and findings finally start to happen. It was this half that had me gripped, and I couldn’t put the book down as I knew we were going to find out who had been taking and killing the girls. I didn’t guess which was a good thing, which means the author did keep the suspense and everything close to her chest.
Overall, it was just an ok read; I’m not sure I’ll be hunting any of the author’s previous work down.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for a copy of this book.

Really enjoyed this book. A good read, which was done over two days, but I felt that the story line has been done before

Will definitely read more by this author though, especially as it looks to be a series.

Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great read!

Detective Karie Scott Book 1

Katie Scott is flying back home after serving two years in Afghanistan, working with the K-9 unit. She takes a temporary job in a sheriffs office doing clerical work. She finds herself investigating the disappearance of eight year old Chelsea Compton, a cold case. It reminded Katie of the disappearance and murder of her best friend Jenny, a childhood friend. It took me a few chapters before I got caught up in this story. Katie has a gritty backstory of which I hope we learn more of as the series progresses. It's quite a chilling read with lots of twists.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Jennifer Chase for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I read by this author and I was really wowed by it. This is also the first book in her new Detective Katie Scott series.

This book is about a returning vet battling her own demons while trying to find a serial killer who is murdering young girls. Katie Scott returns to her family home after serving and tries to figure out what her next move is. She accidentally sees a cold case on her Uncle’s desk and begins to investigate. She stumbles upon the killers grave site and that’s when the fight between good and evil takes place.

I have to say what caught my interest was the description of the book and boy this book did not disappoint. The book did start off slower but that was great because we got to know all the characters better. By half way through I couldn’t put the book down and was trying to read as fast as I could so I could find out who the killer was. The ending took me by surprise and I was literally gasping for air hoping everything would turn out ok.

Between the plot, characters and all the twists in this book it made it an easy and fast read. I would definitely recommend it and happily give it 5 Hearts❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Little Girls Sleeping’ by Jennifer Chase in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Chelsea Compton was eight when abducted four years ago and despite an investigation led by Detective Templeton her body was never found. Katie Scott returns home following a tour of duty in Afghanistan and her uncle, the sheriff of Pine Valley, gives her a job doing admin, but Katie’s intrigued by Chelsea and wants to find out what happened to her so that her family has closure. During her search through old files she discovers that other girls of a similar age have disappeared and she’s determined to put a stop to who’s taking them before any others go missing.

This is a nail-biting thriller with a well-thought-out plot, lots of excitement and drama with a number of viable suspects. I was gripped from page one, through each twist and turn, trying to guess the identity of the abductor but unable to, until I reached the climax which was shocking and totally unexpected. This is the first in the Detective Katie Scott series and I can wholeheartedly recommend it. I’m very much looking forward to the next.

I was excited to get a chance to read the first book in what promises to be an engaging new series! Little Girls Sleeping was gripping from start to end and I'm already excited to see how the series continues.

This is a new series with a Detective named Katie Scott and although this book had a really slow start to it I ended up liking this book a lot! There is a serial killer abducting little girls and killing them and it's up to Katie to chase the clues to find the serial killer. I like the mystery to this book and I really liked Katie Scott . I look forward to watching for the sequel to this book. I enjoyed the quick read!

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley!!

8 year old Chelsea is missing in California. This hits close to home for Detective Katie Scott and reminds her of her own friend who went missing years ago. While investigating, Detective learns this situation is much darker and bigger than she thought. Then another little girl goes missing. Will they solve this crime before it's too late? Who's responsible???!

This book had me on the edge of my seat!

Just brilliant!!! Katie was my hero. I thought that the homecoming was a great way to bring her back and the story that she fell into was sad and so intense. I still am not sure what is going to happen with Katie and the men in her life, but she has many things to settle first. Serial killers, attacks, murders, suicides? what times them all together or who? Thank you NetGalley.

The beginning of this was a little slow for me but By chapter 4 I was hooked! I can’t wait to find out what happens next with my new friend, Katie. I loved how Jennifer Chase wasn’t scared to say exactly what you were thinking. This guy could low key be a suspect , she doesn’t pretend like you don’t know that too. Some parts were a little wordy and I could have done with more romance (or just some good old fashioned sexual tension). Overall it was a win, I recommend you read this one, Little Girls Sleeping is a thriller that will keep you second guessing. Thanks to Net Galley for this ARC and opportunity for review.

Returning from her deployment overseas Katie Scott isn't sure she's ready to return to the police department. While she's taking some time to figure things out she's helping out with data entry at the local sheriff's department.

A cold case about missing girls catches her eye. She starts to investigate and gets herself in some trouble. Can she solve the case of the missing girls without getting herself killed?

It took me a while to get into this book but something kept me coming back. I ended up enjoying the story quite a bit. Katie is a great character and I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series to see what happens next. In the mean time I plan on checking out other books by Jennifer Chase.

Thank you to #NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader's copy.

Katie Scott has returned from a tour with the K-9 unit within the military and is based in her home town. While she acclimatises back to civvy life with her dog, Cisco, she works for her uncle who is the sheriff. A cold case piques her interest and she begins to work it secretly until she makes a grizzle discovery. Her position changes and soon Katie is fighting for her own life.

This was the first book I have read my this author and it won’t be the last. Very descriptive without being grizzly and gory. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

A good police procedural by Jennifer Chase. The book had me stuck to it literally all through the day in between my chores. The story was pretty much formulaic. Little girls kidnapped and were never to be found. Till Katie was appointed. Katie as a war veteran and a cop was shown in a brilliant light. The entire book was from her POV. She was good in her work, she followed the clues diligently. She had great cop instincts, and she never gave up. All that made me admire her throughout the book. She managed to get to the graves of two kids. From that point on, investigation rolled on based on coroner's report and the forensics.

The story and the writing was solid. It was swift paced and at no point, did I feel my concentration lagging. My niggles did buzz into my ear at times. Katie was told to be brilliant by everyone, even people who hardly knew her. Apparently, she had the gift. More characterization of Katie and detailed backstory and reasons by the killer would have uplifted the story for me.

Overall, a great read. Had fun trying to follow the clues. And yes, I was wrong about the identity of the killer. Eager to read book 2 by this author as I would like to know where Katie's goes from here.

This book has a very strong main character Katie Scott, she is very likable, and I found myself really routing for her. The book kept me gripped until the end as I didn't guess who the killer was, although I was a little disappointed with the ending. I would definitely read the next book

Firstly thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this advanced copy. This is my first ever Jennifer Chase book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I read it in one sitting and could not put it down. A real page turner. I really enjoyed her writing and the scenery just came to live. Really loved the character of Katie and the scenes with her and Cisco were great. A totally enjoyable read and I would have no hesitation in recommending this book. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Interesting and intriguing story with a good cast of characters and a fast moving plot. Looking forward to the next one.

Katie Scott, former soldier and police officer, has left the military and returned home to Pine Valley. Her uncle, Wayne Scott, the sheriff of Pine Valley has offered her a job at the department until she decides what she wants to do. While overseas, Katie worked with K9 Cisco, uncovering explosives and her uncle has “pulled strings” to reunite her with Cisco. A young girl has been missing for several years and while filing cold cases, Katie sees areas in the paperwork that she feels could be reexamined. With Cisco’s help, she continues to search areas where the girl was last seen. When she accidentally slips down a steep-slope she is near what looks like a tunnel. What she discovers will blow the case wide open…she has found a hidden cemetery. After her discovery, her uncle swears her in as a detective and assigns her to assist with what is now a homicide investigation. An amazing beginning to a new series by Ms. Chase. I look forward to more stories about this strong, capable woman who through her military and police training relied on dedicated police work as well as gut feelings to solve the case. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

I really wanted to like this book. Based on the synopsis, it's exactly the type of story I really enjoy. With that being said, I really didn't enjoy it. It was difficult to get into - the writing was choppy and disjointed, the characters bland. I tried ... really tried ... Unfortunately, this is one series I won't be reading.

Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.

This is the first book in a new series and I want more. Katie is a complex, developing character that draws the reader in. The case in this one is full of twists and I didn't see the villain coming. The relationships between Katie, her uncle, and coworkers are interesting and add a lot to the story. I'm very interested in seeing where things go.