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My Review

Another police procedural with a raised body count. This brought Katie and her trained dog Cisco to investigate when bodies of girls started turning up.

With a past in Katie’s life about a disappearing friend, she took each case personally and worked hard at it. This too had her determination stamped on every page. With PTSD and other problems, she managed to work hard to get to the killer.

This book had more about her personal life and backstory rather than the investigation which slowed the pace quite a bit. More suspense and twists would have made it thrilling. Nevertheless, with Deputy McGaven by her side, she was soon brought to track, and they raced to get to the killer.

Overall, the story was interesting and quite a quick read. My favorite was Cisco, I loved him. He captured my heart.

My Rating

Book Links

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Book Blurb

Half-buried in the muddy earth and surrounded by puddles of water lies the naked body of a beautiful young girl. Her pale skin looks like porcelain in the early morning light. Her fragile arms bent and crooked like a broken doll.

When Detective Katie Scott is called to the discovery of a young girl buried on the grounds of a former children’s home in Pine Valley, California, she’s hopeful it’s the end to a devastating cold case she’s been working on. No one has seen Candace Harlan since she ran away from Elm Hill Manor five years ago. Her death will be a tragedy, but it will also bring peace to those who miss her most. But the girl in the ground is not Candace.

The victim is almost identical to Candace in every way, but fear grips Katie as she takes in the black ink that decorates the girl’s back – a terrifying message tattooed on her skin after she drew her last breath.

Forcing down traumatic memories of losing her own parents, Katie is certain someone mistook this poor soul for Candace, and that this crumbling home for lost girls is at the heart of this terrible crime. She sets to work digging into the tragic history of the owners who lost so many children of their own and tracking down the last six residents and the staff who cared for them – but no one wants to talk, let alone remember.

The next day, as second girl’s body is found down by the creek at high water, the same words etched into her skin. Katie’s worst fear is confirmed: someone is picking off the last of the Elm Hill girls one by one. But what does the tattoo mean? And what monster would target these innocent girls who have already been through so much?

Katie must dig deep to confront her own fears and protect the vulnerable – but as the body count rises further, will there be anyone left to save?

Book Details

Publication Date: October 2020

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher, and this is my journey into its pages, straight from the heart!! STRICTLY HONEST AND UNBIASED.

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