The Fragile Ones: An absolutely gripping mystery and suspense novel (Detective Katie Scott, #5)

by Jennifer Chase

When the bodies of eleven and twelve-year-old sisters, Tessa and Megan, are found at the bottom of a ravine—dressed in matching pastel summer outfits, their small bodies broken from the fall—Detective Katie Scott is called to one of the most shocking and heartbreaking crime scenes of her career.

Carefully picking through the fragile remains, Katie makes the first of many disturbing discoveries: the girls were not biological sisters. The youngest, Megan, is a DNA match to a kidnapping case years before. The tiny number burnt into her skin the mark of a terrifying killer intent on keeping count of his collection.

Her PTSD from the army triggered, Katie is left reeling as she maps other missing children in the local area. Has this twisted soul found a way to stay nearby his victims? Could he be watching now as Katie hits one dead end after another?

A wild storm building, matching a fiber found during the autopsy to a nearby boatyard is the break Katie needs. But when another girl goes missing, just as lightning strikes and the power goes out, Katie only has her instincts, her team and her service dog to rely on. As time runs out for Katie to finds the stolen child alive, who will become the next number on this monster’s deadly list?

Fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh, you better buckle-up for the ride of your life! BEWARE – this gripping crime thriller is guaranteed to keep you up all night!

• ISBN10: 1838888969
• ISBN13: 9781838888961
• Publish Date: 8 March 2021
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: GB
• Imprint: Bookouture
• Format: Paperback (US Trade)
• Pages: 276
• Language: English

Reviews

[Nadz@Totally Addicted to Reading]

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.The Fragile Ones was my introduction into the world of Jennifer Chase. Despite it being the fifth book in the Detective Katie Scott series, I had no difficulty following the story. Each book follows a different case. The author provides sufficient background information, making it easy for readers to follow, no matter where in the series they decide to start. The synopsis influenced my decision to read this book, as I am always up for a good mystery.

In this installment cold case detective Katie Scott is investigating the murder of two pre-teen sisters, Tessa and Megan Mayfield. The girls went missing two years ago, and Kate discovered their bodies while taking a documentary film crew on a tour of the rural area of the county. Katie wanted her and her partner to work the case as the timeline from the girls went missing to the discovery of their bodies would make this a cold case. Katie struggles with PTSD and because of the nature of the case, she encounters some difficult. However, the loving support of her uncle/boss, her work partner, her faithful German shepherd and her loving boyfriend aids in bringing a measure of calm to her life.

Despite the challenges, Katie will not stop until she finds justice for these precious victims. The further she and her partner dig, the more unsettling the case becomes. Evidence uncovered revealed that there was more to the case that they initially thought, but someone is determined to stop them from uncovering the truth.

For the first twenty percent, the story moved at a slow pace. The author familiarized/re-familiarized readers with the characters. Shortly thereafter, the story picked up the pace, making for an intense read. Danger and suspense kept me on the edge of my seat. As the danger escalated, I feared for Katie and her partner. Despite the many clues provided, I could not unravel the mystery. The large suspect pool did not make it any easier.

I enjoyed my introduction to the characters. I loved the relationship Katie shared with her uncle, her work partner, and her dog. She had few interactions with her significant other, Chad, therefore I am not in a position to speak on the authenticity of their relationship. However. there was a moment in the story where I got some insight into his feelings for her.

The Fragile Ones delivered a well-paced mystery that kept me engaged from start to finish. Overall, a solid read and one I would recommend to mystery fans.This review was originally posted on Totally Addicted to Reading

[Emma (SCR)]

This review was originally posted on Star Crossed Reviews I received this book for free from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Bookouture for letting me take part in this tour and for my copy of this book via Netgalley. I love Detective Scott so I was very excited to see what trouble she got herself into this time.

Katie is finally getting a grip on her PTSD when it is triggered again by this case. Jennifer shows that no matter how far you think you have got and how under control you are unfortunately you can always be triggered. Katie does show us that you can overcome these moments and keep going. Katie is resilient and will never give up on her case. I was exhausted just reading everything she goes through in this book so I can only imagine how she felt.

The case itself is complex. The killer is very disturbed and is an extreme manipulator. Jennifer had me tense and on edge until the very end. She really puts her characters through the wringer! I was shocked when everything was finally revealed. Jennifer did such a good job of layering the story and providing that shock ending.

This book will grip you from the first page until the last. I can't wait for more!