Little Girls Sleeping: Detective Katie Scott Book 1 is the story of Katie Scott, a young woman who has recently returned to her home town after serving in the military with Cisco, the dog that had been by her side as her protector through battles and now her faithful companion in Pine Valley. They are ready to start life as civilians as she goes to work at her uncle’s police station. Katie wants time to decide if she wants to go back into police work or start a brand new career so she takes a temporary job working in the records room. But when she accidentally comes across a cold case file about some missing girls, she knows she must find the killer. Katie is sworn in as a temporary detective and will stop at nothing until she solves the case.

Little Girls Sleeping has action and suspense on every page with Katie facing many setbacks and life-threatening situations before the thrilling unexpected conclusion. I found it hard to put down Little Girls Sleeping because I so wanted to know who the killer really was. I was sure I knew the answer several times and was convinced I knew who but changed my mind a few times. I did not expect the book to end the way it did and was surprised but not disappointed with the ending. Little Girls Sleeping is very well written by Jennifer Chase and I look forward to reading more books about Katie and her crime-stopping cases. As the subtitle says, this is an absolutely gripping crime thriller!

An eight-year-old girl, Chelsea Compton, is missing in Pine Valley, California. For newly minted Detective Katie Scott, it’s a grim reminder of the disappearance of a childhood friend. Due to the lack of any leads, Chelsea’s case has been declared cold by the police. However, Katie’s military training and her sixth sense tell her otherwise. She starts investigating on her own and, to her horror, unearths a row of graves in a remote location deep in the mountainous forests. Each of these graves contains a brightly colored teddy bear and …. some more bodies. Amidst all this, another little girl goes missing. Suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder due to her military experiences and still haunted by her childhood friend’s disappearance, Katie vows to protect the abducted girl. But can she? Read Little Girls Sleeping by Jennifer Chase to find out.

Jennifer Chase has crafted an absolutely gripping, page-turning crime thriller. She handles the girl-gone-missing-serial-killer-on-the-loose narrative in a refreshingly different manner. Jennifer provides a thorough description of Katie’s investigative methods. Consequently, I was in Katie’s head the whole time and felt like I was the one solving the mystery. Further, her meticulousness in exploring the off-beat locations, interviewing people not on the police’s radar in a gentle manner (unlike the lead detective’s rude approach) and having her partner’s back no matter what warmed me (and the rest of her uniformed colleagues) up to her in no time. Her pet dog, Cisco, deserves a special mention as he is crucial in solving the case. Chase provides a list of possible suspects. However, the identity of the serial killer was indeed a revelation, once more emphasizing the fact that psychopaths live among us in plain sight. Further, she provides glimpses into the killer’s psyche, revealing his motive for the murders. A beautiful cover, an ominous title, an even more engaging plot and a determined, brave detective – what more do you need in a book to keep you occupied for the weekend? Little Girls Sleeping by Jennifer Chase is highly recommended for fans of mystery/thrillers.

In Jennifer Chase’s latest series of crime thrillers, you’ll meet her newest female protagonist, Katie Scott. Katie has recently returned from military service and brings with her a heightened set of survival skills as she steps back into her previous work in the police force. She finds her work really cut out for her in Little Girls Sleeping when she begins to investigate a cold case involving an 8-year-old girl. Her extraordinary, finely honed perceptiveness, along with help from her beloved ex-military dog, Cisco, leads her along paths previously unexplored. Katie does indeed find the body of the beautifully dressed child, put to rest on hand-sewn satin in a stained and polished coffin, but she is puzzled: she asks herself is this the only victim? Could there be more? The thought makes this tough, but sensitive woman flinch but she is even more determined to locate the killer.

There is no doubt about it: Jennifer Chase certainly knows how to write a gripping crime thriller. Little Girls Sleeping will grab you quickly and not let you go till you’re finished reading. Along the way, you’ll be guessing, as I constantly was, as to the identity of the killer. Chase drops hints but don’t be surprised if you think you’ve got it all figured out only to find you haven’t. You’ll also be intrigued by the killer’s motivations and methodology…certainly a different take on child killers. It's little wonder Jennifer Chase is an award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author. What makes her writing so excellent is her credentials: with degrees in forensics and criminology, certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling, she is well equipped to offer readers believable fiction. If you’re not familiar with this crime fiction author, acquaint yourself today by picking up Little Girls Sleeping. Thrilling and chilling!

Katie wasn't sure of her place when she left the army. Her previous employment and her familial connections meant she at least had some time to find out. Working as an admin was different from the action-packed life she had been used to. It wasn't long, however, before a cold case revived a ghost from the past. The abandoned case of Chelsea Compton brought back the memories of her own friend, Jenny. Returning from war is never easy, but her nightmares were altering. Now the ghost of her friend was asking her to find the truth, to discover what became of that little girl, and when Katie decides to do something, nothing and no one can stop her. One thing is certain, the connections she is making haven't been seen before. She fears if she doesn't find the person responsible soon then another life will be lost, especially given what she uncovers.

I have to say Jennifer Chase's Little Girls Sleeping is one of the most inspired crime thrillers I have ever read. I love how I was not only taken by the hand into Katie's life but forced to enter the mind of a serial killer, a person who, like every good antagonist, is the hero of their own story. There has been so much attention and thought woven into the telling that every aspect of this book is perfect in its own right. Trials and hardships of everyday life mingle with unspoken insecurities and past regrets to drive Katie to see things and understand things overlooked by others. She is an amazing character, strong and vivid. I didn't want to put this book down, and I certainly want to discover more titles by this author. Jennifer Chase is truly a master of this genre and succeeded in making me fully invest in this book. Without a doubt, Little Girls Sleeping gets my whole-hearted recommendation.

"Little Girls Sleeping" (Detective Katie Scott Book 1) by Jennifer Chase. It is a great beginning to a new series, the description of this book is what made me want to read it . I haven't read a thriller in awhile and I am glad I chose to give this a try.

The Protagonist Katie is well developed, likeable and her uncle, aunt and Chad, a childhood friend were all likeable side characters. Templeton is a jerk as he tries to undermine Katie throughout the story.

I found that the beginning was slow but half way through I couldn’t put the book down as I wanted to know who the killer was. The description of the setting and crime scenes are strong and really drew me in. The ending was shocking and totally unexpected.

Highly recommended. A fabulous first book for an author I will definitely follow in the future.