A clever and wonderfully chilling thriller that is frighteningly believable ! A must read ! I highly recommend ! Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this book ! Opinions are solely my own ! #Netgalley #Bookouture #PrettyBrokenDolls

Pretty Broken Dolls is the sixth instalment in Jennifer Chases Detective Katie Scott series set in Pine Valley, California. Having followed this compelling series from the start I was keen to jump straight in and read this next superb instalment. The book starts with a chilling prologue that immediately had me hooked, then jumps to a time period one year later.

This is a compelling read full of intrigue and explosive surprises. Drama, secrets, lies, betrayal and deceit never wane in this dark, tense procedural and it moves with lightning speed. Katie is living with PTSD as a result of her years in the military and her partner is away on a course in Los Angeles for 6 months but she has ways of coping that seem to work for her. There are twists etched throughout, facilitating a great guessing session for the reader. Telling the story solely from Katie’s perspective was a good move as I got to live in the pockets of Katie and the rest of the investigation team. There is action aplenty I was exhausted by the time I had reached the fabulous conclusion!

Disclosure: Thank you to Bookouture for providing a digital ARC of Pretty Broken Dolls by Jennifer Chase via Netgalley for review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Wow, I just finished reading this book and I have to tell you that I was reading it every chance I got so it only took me a couple of days to finish.

Katie and her partner Gav are back, solving baffling and gruesome murders. For some reason, they have been tasked with a current case, even though they are cold case officers, and the murders they are trying to solve are very tricky ones indeed. There are so many twists and turns, I didn't know who the murderer was until the very last minute! So many likely candidates, I was suspecting everyone.

The only thing that I found a bit annoying is that when Chad went away for a while, Katie was musing about their relationship being over - which is kinda crazy considering they were engaged and this was only a temporary thing, him being away. I still liked Cisco more than Chad in this book as well, to be honest.

4 stars from me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Pretty Broken Dolls' by Jennifer Chase.

Read and reviewed via NetGalley for Jennifer Chase, Bookouture publishers and Bookouture anonymous

Publication date 5th August 2021.

This is the third book I have read by this author. It is also the sixth book in her 'Detective Katie Scott' series. I have previously read 'Last Girls Alive' which is the fourth book in this series and 'The Fragile Ones' which is the fifth book in this series which I also recommend. All books can be read as standalones.


I was originally drawn to this book by its beautiful eye catching cover and its intriguing synopsis and title. The synopsis stated that 'Fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh better hold on tight for a nail-biting rollercoaster ride! .' I am a huge fan of Lisa Regan and Melinda Leigh so am looking forward to seeing if this lives up to this statement. I am also a huge fan of Jennifer Chase and if this is half as good as' The Fragile Ones' or 'Last Girls Alive' it is sure to be a page turning read. 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 52 chapters. The chapters are short to medium in length so possible to read 'just one more chapter' before bed...OK, I know yeah right, but still just in case!

This book is based in California, USA 🇺🇸.

This book is written in third person perspective and the main protagonist is Detective Katie Scott. The benefits of third person perspective are that it let's you see the bigger picture of what's going on and you get to know more characters more, what they are thinking and what they are doing. It feels like you get to see the whole picture and not miss out on anything.


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 last. 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. When Katie knew about her phone I knew straight away that something was going to happen to a certain someone when it was arranged so that came as no surprise. Sorry to be vague but don't want to give anything away for future readers but once you've read it you'll know what I mean. I had no idea who the killer was until just before Katie worked it out so a HUGE WELL DONE Jennifer. It is getting harder and harder to shock me but you definitely did it this time. The fact that on your previous book I had worked it out at approx 50% shows that you are making it harder for the reader to work out which is great!!! There were many red herrings throughout which did make me doubt myself at time. 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 really enjoyed meeting all the characters again especially Katie and Gav but also getting to meet several other characters. 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 am so happy by what happened at the end and it was definitely well deserved for him!!! I cannot wait to read more about the them all and follow their relationships!!

Congratulations Jennifer on yet another fantastic book. I cannot wait until for your next one!!! Keep up the amazing writing!!!

Overall a nail biting, addictive, page turning suspense packed action crammed psychological thriller that keeps you on edge.


Genres covered in this novel include Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Crime Fiction, Hardboiled, Noir Fiction, Psychological Fiction and Police Procedural amongst others.

I would recommend this book to the fans of the above as well as fans of Melinda Leigh, C. L Taylor, Angela Marsons, Carol Wyer and anyone who has read any of Jennifer's previous books.

302 pages.

This book is just £1.99 to purchase on kindle via Amazon or free on Kindle Unlimited 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.

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This was the first book from the Detective Katie Scott series and it definitely wont be the last because I absolutely loved it. One of my favourite things about this book is definitely Katie and McGaven. I really enjoyed their relationship dynamic and the fact that they seemed to really understand each other. I also really loved Cisco and found him to be a great addition to the team.

I really enjoyed all of the twists that were thrown in especially at times when I thought I knew who the killer was. I didn’t figure out who it was until right before it was revealed so I definitely enjoyed that. I can’t wait to find out what happens with Katie and McGaven next.

This investigation was the toughest yet. And it hit close to home for K9 trainer Katie and Cisco. I loved the book! And I hope that there will be help for Katie soon. She needs to do something for herself and get better, or she will wear herself out. And that would be a shame! Can’t wait for the next book. Highly recommended series.

Pretty Broken Dolls by Jennifer Chase
Detective Katie Scott #6

Katie solves another cold case and is assigned a new one that if solved might unearth a serial killer and in so doing save future lives. This is a pretty straightforward police procedural with minimal personal information shared about Katie, her fiancé, and her team.

What I liked:
* Katie: ex-military K-9 veteran, cold case police detective, engaged, good friend, good leader, puzzle solver, works for her uncle the sheriff, works well with her team, loves her K-9 partner, suffers from PTSD.
* Cisco: Her black German Shepherd K-9 partner who has been with her to war and was discharged into her arms. He’s there for her no matter what.
* Chad: Katie’s fiancé, fireman, diver, soon to become a fire investigator. Didn’t see much of him but he seems to be a good fit with Katie.
* Deputy Sean McGaven: Katie’s work partner, calm, inquisitive, strong, positive, personable, a great work partner, and in a relationship with one of Katie’s friends.
* Katie’s uncle: loving, kind, strong, equal-handed, professional, caring, plays no favorites, would like to get to know him better…perhaps in a future book.
* The way the case unfolds as a true police procedural with hints, clues, red herrings, threats, and all the rest.
* The way Katie feels about this case and how it may/may not relate to her
* Wanting to see the psycho sicko caught and put away

What I didn’t like:
* What and whom I was meant not to like
* Thinking about how the same experience in two people’s lives can create such different outcomes…not a dislike but it did make me wish some experiences could be avoided altogether and wonder if some people are broken before the incident occurs.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes
Do you need to read previous books first? Probably not, but it would help a lot ;)

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4-5 Stars

Cold Case Detective Katie Scott and her partner Deputy Sean McGaven might be facing their most challenging case. Over the past three years, three women have been viciously murdered and posed as dolls. The last case happened a year ago in their jurisdiction, but was being handled by the FBI. Now that FBI agent has asked Katie to take a fresh look at the case along with the previous cases. Katie & Sean arrive to examine the home of the most recent victim and are almost killed. When another murdered woman is found posed at the fairgrounds, Katie and Sean are assigned this new case and need to find the killer before they strike again. They learn that the murdered women all shared one connection; will Katie find herself as the next target? A chilling and complex mystery that will find her fighting for her friend’s life as well as her own. I enjoy Katie’s character as she is able to perceive facets of a case that others seem to miss while Sean adds that bit of humor that keeps her balanced. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Jennifer Chase is back with the sixth instalment of her Detective Katie Scott series. This time Detective Scott is on the hunt for a serial killer that has been killing women and leaving them looking like broken dolls for others to find. The killer has struck in different parts of California and now they are in Detective Katie Scott and Deputy Sean McGaven’s territory – Pine Valley.

Helping them out is Special Agent Dane Campbell who has been following the killer and trying to work out who they are and bring them to justice. It isn’t long before Katie realises that there is a connection to her past and her military career and the plot starts to unravel for her.

Jennifer Chase is a pure master when it comes to writing exciting, edge of your seat thrillers. I have loved this series since the very beginning and look forward to meeting Katie again with each new book. I also know that the writing will be spot on and the cases gruesome and yet enthralling.

Pretty Broken Dolls had me second-guessing each new character that appeared, wondering what they had to do with the case and could they be the killer. With all the twists, turns, and red herrings thrown in I was left guessing for a long time and only clicked just before the reveal. I love a book that I can’t second guess.

As with all of the others in the series, this book is fast-paced and I flew through it in just two sittings. I did not want to put it down. I now can’t wait for book seven, bring it on!

Another brilliant book in the Detective Katie Scott series.
Katie and McGaven are asked to help with some cold cases which are related to a murder in their county.
Agent Campbell asks specifically for their help, but Katie thinks there’s something off about him, so doesn’t fully trust him.
They start to look into the cases and then another murder takes place. When the bodies are found it’s obvious the killer has issues as make up is smeared on their faces.
The victims seem to have a connection to the K9 training unit where Katie did her training, but they are finding it difficult to work out the motive.
McGaven is concerned that the killer will come after Katie due to her link with the K9 team, but she doesn’t agree.
There is a nail biting conclusion to the story and the identity of the killer was a complete surprise for me.
This is a gripping crime thriller that I really enjoyed. I can’t wait to see what’s next for Katie, McGaven and of course, Cisco.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Pretty Broken Dolls is the sixth instalment in the Detective Katie Scott series set in Pine Valley, California, with a plot underpinned by dread and urgency. Sheriff Katie and Deputy Sean McGaven have been working their way through some cold cases with similar modus operandi when they are called to a murder scene where a woman has been tied to a Ferris wheel with her throat brutally cut and a ring hanging on a thread of ribbon in close proximity to the body. This all but confirms that the serial killer they believe is now prowling the state for new prey has landed in their neck of the woods. They have been assigned to work with Special Agent Dane Campbell of the California High Crimes Task Force as this is the third victim, and the first committed in Pine Valley, Sacramento, under Katie’s jurisdiction. Katie soon realises that all the victims are connected to the Military K9 Section and that her own life could also be in danger. Dane brings to their attention more cases including one in which the victim had been impaled on a metal fence behind her own home in the shade of the trees, her face applied with gaudy, heavy-handed make-up making her look almost clown-like in appearance.

The murderer appears to be committing one murder per year, so the team are in a race against time to stop the annual cull as the date is looming larger. If all of the victims were in the military could it be really Katie who is the target of the killer’s rage? This is a compelling and twisty read full of intrigue and unusual, explosive surprises. There's exciting drama, secrets, lies, betrayal and deceit that never lets up in this dark, palpably tense procedural and it moves at a rapid-fire pace in which you truly feel sympathy for Katie and her predicament when it comes to living with PTSD, especially when her significant other is away on a course in LA for 6 months, but it does lead to some fascinating character development as she pushes through it. There are plenty of twists, turns and red herrings spliced throughout providing an endless guessing game; one I failed pretty miserably at. I particularly enjoyed that it was told solely from Katie’s perspective as you get to live the investigation alongside her and the team. The killings are odd and gruesome, there is a tonne of action and you never feel like there's a dull moment making it a clever, entertaining read. Highly recommended.

Detective Katie Scott and Deputy Sean McGaven are working on cold cases and when a recent murder ties to older cases they soon realize that they are on the trail of a serial killer. While the scenes are certainly gruesome, one thing is clear. They are posed in a certain way with very specific details. Beyond that, Katie begans to notice an eerie connection, all while dealing PTSD as a result of her years in the military.

Katie has easily proven herself to her boss and uncle Sheriff Scott, but now Special Agent Dane Campbell has asked her to dive deep into his investigation. Why does the FBI need her help when they have proven and dependable profilers? Although not quite comfortable working with Campbell, Katie and McGaven soldier on.

Meanwhile, Katie has her trusty former K9 partner Cisco, and he proves more than helpful while Katie digs deep to solve the murders. When Katie begins to see a deeper reason why they were pulled into the case, danger seems to trail very close at their heels. With unexpected twists and conflicting danger, Katie is determined to solve the murders, even though her PTSD is at war with the fact that her fiancé has had to leave town for extended training. Nonetheless, Katie's professionalism and wit shines through, and she faces constant danger with strength and determination.

Pretty Broken Dolls proves to be an excellent addition to a compelling series and I am more than eager to see what more is in store for Katie as she works hard at putting cold cases to rest.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Katie and McGaven are asked by FBI Agent Campbell to help solve an open serial killer case. Gruesome murdered women, left on display with layers of makeup - little leads, no connection - Campbell is desperate for help.
Katie takes it on - only to realize these murders are ritual, the annual date quickly approaching.
This is the first book in the series I have read - and I want more! Suspense up to the end, characters I enjoyed, and K9 units. Loved it!

Detective Katie Scott and her canine sidekick Cisco are back with a cold case that hits a little close to home. As Katie and Deputy McGaven are asked to assist a rather elusive agent who is looking into a series of deaths that have occurred over a number of years and maybe linked to Katie's time as a K9 handler in the army.

And with puzzling moments, plenty of forensic detail and some danger this was an interesting read, with a killer I did not see coming. And I was certainly engaged throughout.

Would recommend.

By now, it’s pretty clear that I am a big fan of this series and Jennifer Chase’s writing in general, so I’m going to approach this review from that point of view. That being said, this was another winner in the Katie Scott series, which really just keeps revealing more and more about Katie and the relationships in her life.

The mystery itself was really intriguing. There was so little to work with, and the clues were very strategically dropped throughout that it was really interesting to see how Katie and McGaven had to work through everything to get to the bottom of things. Plus, there was a big question mark in the background of the whole thing - I don’t want to give too us away, but the way in which they get the cases is weird and turns weirder. I liked that element.

I also liked how it resolved. I still had some questions, but that’s how it is with cold cases - you’re never gong to know every answer in the end after so many years. Some things are just left in the void.

I especially loved this book for the development of some of the characters. I feel like we really got to see a lot of McGaven’s personality come out in this one and we saw a lot of him and Katie bonding and really becoming partners. They just really seemed to click in this one. Also, there’s something (again, I don’t want to give it away) which really shows how special the relationship between Katie and Chad is. That added a really special layer too.

Overall, you really need to be reading the Katie Scott series. It’s a great character-driven mystery series and it just keeps getting better and better!

Jennifer Chase has created such a relatable, compassionate, and driven character in Katie Scott. She is vulnerable while tough. She cares deeply. In Pretty Broken Dolls, she's gets involved in a case that is technically not one of her cases. The FBI asks for her involvement, and the Sheriff (also her Uncle) agree that Katie can give their unsolvable case fresh eyes. But, Katie's gut tells here there's more to this case than she can put her finger on. And, it may hit very close to home. A fantastic addition to this series -- I cannot wait to see where Ms. Chase takes Katie next!

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Pretty Broken Dolls’, the sixth in the Detective Katie Scott series written by Jennifer Chase, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

The body of a woman is found impaled on an iron fence in the woods behind her house, her face covered with garish makeup. Detective Katie Scott and Deputy Sean McGaven have been assigned to work with Special Agent Dane Campbell of the California High Crimes Task Force as this is the third victim, and the first committed in Pine Valley, Sacramento, so is under Katie’s jurisdiction. Katie soon realises that all the victims are connected to the Military K9 Section and that her own life could also be in danger.

‘Pretty Broken Dolls’ is another exciting instalment in the Detective Katie Scott series and just as thrilling as those previously. It has an action-packed plot that contains masses of suspense, drama and twists and turns, and becomes even more tense as Katie puts her life at risk as she rescues her friend and brings the killer into the open. This is an exceptionally compelling thriller that I’ve loved reading and have thoroughly enjoyed catching up with Katie, her hard-working and dedicated colleague Sean McGaven, and her fiancé Chad. I’ve been so involved in the story I couldn’t put it down and finished it in a day. Is it possible that this is the final book of the series? I hope not as I’m so looking forward to Katie and Chad’s wedding and for them to live happily ever after.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Pretty Broken Dolls, the sixth novel to feature Detective Katie Scott of the Pine Valley, California Sheriff’s Office.

Katie is called to a murder scene where a woman has been daubed with garish make up, tied to a Ferris wheel and had her throat cut. A ring hanging on a ribbon near her body confirms that California’s newest serial killer has reached Pine Valley. Investigating this and the previous murders Katie discovers that they have all worked in the military like her. Is she the next victim?

I thoroughly enjoyed Pretty Broken Dolls, which, like the other novels in the series, offers thrills, spills and plenty of twists and turns. The novel is told from Katie’s point of view so the reader gets to live the investigation with her. I must admit that I felt she was a bit slow on the uptake in this one, as, unusually, I guessed a few key elements before her. Not that it really mattered as she always gets there and there are still plenty of developments and twists I didn’t get. I also thought that the plot is clever, as linking it to Katie’s past gives the reader a sense of dread and urgency. Obviously the reader could ask questions about the likelihood of certain aspects of the plot, but it’s entertainment, good entertainment at that, so who cares?

Katie is still struggling with her PTSD, perhaps exacerbated by her fiancé disappearing to Los Angeles for a 6 month course, but she has coping mechanisms that seem to work. I like Katie and she’s a pleasure to spend time with.

Pretty Broken Dolls is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

This is my first book in the series of detective Katie Scott and I really enjoyed it. A great and fast moving storyline with good likeable characters, especially liked Katie and McGavin’s partnership. Perfect quick read.

Many thanks to the author, the publisher and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

detective Katie Scott and Deputy Sean McGaven are called in to her uncles office who is the Sheriff . and the man she seen that morning watching her on the search at the farm is in his office special agent Campell , he want s there help on three homicides of women and he thinks they are linked .but as the case goes on Katie could be a target as they all connected as the women where all on K9 Military Training Program and all the women quit a job they loved and then another women is murdered Katie is getting married to Chad but he gets an offer to do a training program with the fire station so its just Katie and her beloved Cisco , wont say no more but so so good each series gets better and better