The Whispering Girls
Jennifer Chase
338 pages
Bookouture
published August 20, 2025
About the book
Dressed only in an oversized t-shirt, with a burlap sack covering her head, the body of a girl swings gently from the branches in the breeze. A newly-lit candle burns on the ground below. The killer was here just moments ago…
Taking a much-needed break in a cabin in the woods with her service dog Cisco, Detective Katie Scott is disturbed by a sharp knocking at the door. Outside, she finds a terrified girl called TJ, begging for help—she says she has found a dead girl in the forest. When they reach the scene, Katie turns to ask TJ further questions, but she has vanished.
At dawn the next day, the body of another girl is found laid out only a mile from the first. To Katie’s horror, she realizes it is TJ. The scene looks eerily similar, with a small shrine below her feet. What kind of monster would do this? And if a twisted serial killer is at work, who is their next victim?
As more bodies and shrines emerge, Katie needs to find the link between the girls and the unhinged killer. But when she stumbles across a cold case that the local police seem determined to keep quiet, Katie realizes danger could be closer to her than she first thought. How much will Katie sacrifice to find the killer and can she stop more innocent lives from being taken?
An addictive crime fiction novel for fans of Lisa Regan, Rachel Caine and Melinda Leigh. A nail-biting rollercoaster ride from USA Today and Amazon bestseller Jennifer Chase!
My Review
I’ve been fascinated by this series from the start. Well, the first book I read. Katie’s fiancé disappears and is missing for a few books. That really drew me in and made me want to devour those first few books. And the series just keeps hitting high notes.
This one picks up right after book 13 with Katie forced to take a vacation to decompress from her last intense case. Do you think she gets a break? Of course not, she stumbles into a serial killer case by a young girl and an incapacitated chief. She brings in McGaven and John to assist and they run into more than they bargained for. I love that Cisco, Katie’s dog, always finds a way to be part of the action without seeming forced. I relate to Katie and all she’s been through and that when she is supposed to be resting, she’s willing to jump in and fight for justice.
There were plenty of characters which means plenty of potential suspects. And did I figure this one out? No. Not even close. Am I disappointed? Also, no. I enjoy the writing style of the author, the main character and her team. Cisco and the process.
And I loved the progression of Katie’s personal life at the end. I find I am just as drawn to the recurring characters in the series as I am with the cases. A great mix of the two.
If you’re a fan of tense crime novels with a great team working to solve the case, I highly recommend this series.
About the authorJennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and best-selling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor degree in police forensics and a master’s degree in criminology & criminal justice. These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent psychopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells.
In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling. She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists, and member of the International Thriller Writers.
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