?The Fragile Ones by Jennifer Chase

?The Fragile Ones

Posted on May 6, 2021 by Nadene @ Totally Addicted to Reading in Reviews / 22 Comments

?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.

Story Evaluation
Plot
4.5
Characters
4
World Building
4.5
Writing Style
4
Pacing
4
Cover
4
Enjoyment
4
Ending
4.5
Overall: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

 

Book Excerpt:
PROLOGUE

“Please can we go?” whined Tessa as she followed her mother through the living room and into the kitchen. “Please,” she said again, pushing her blonde curls away from her eyes. “I really want to go to the swing by the creek.”
“Not by yourself,” countered Mrs. Mayfield, ignoring her daughter’s angry stare. “We’ve talked about this before.”
“Yes, and you said I couldn’t go alone, and I’m not. Megan will be with me.” Tessa’s older sister was barely a year older and her best friend. Her mother began emptying the dishwasher, putting plates and glasses away in the cabinet. It was unclear if she was thinking about what Tessa had said or not, so she tried again. “I’m almost eleven and Megan is almost twelve. We’re practically teenagers,” she said. “Besides, Janey and her brother will probably be there.”
Mrs. Mayfield laughed. “You know, you would be a good lawyer the way you make your case.”
“I don’t want to be a lawyer. I’m going to be a vet,” Tessa said, grinning.
“Well, I know you are going to be whatever you want to be.” Mrs. Mayfield laughed to herself as she slipped the last piece of silverware into the drawer and turned to face her daughter. At the sound of her name, Megan had joined Tessa in the doorway and they both stood quietly waiting for an answer. Glancing at the wall clock with a sigh, she said, “You both have to be back by four thirty, not a second later. Understand?”
“Thank you! Thank you!” Tessa said, grabbing her sister’s hand in glee. Both girls were in denim shorts and pastel T-shirts with their favorite matching blue sneakers.
“Be home on time,” their mom called after them.
“We will,” chimed the girls.
Mrs. Mayfield heard the front door shut, followed by the sound of running footsteps.
She smiled and went back to her chores as the afternoon ticked by.

At 4:45 p.m. Mrs. Mayfield was waiting impatiently to hear the girls enter the house with a list of a dozen reasons why they were late—but the front door never opened. An hour after that, unable to wait any longer, she looked outside, thinking that the girls might be in the yard.
Debris from a croquet set littered the lawn; the wooden mallets abandoned and colored balls scattered as if the girls had been playing only moments ago. The trampoline in the corner had one of the girls’ bright blue sweatshirts hanging on the edge. It swayed slightly in the breeze.
There was no sign of them.
She ran through the house to the backyard, but it, too, was deserted. No whispers. No giggles. No shrieks of laughter. The wind was picking up and whistling through the branches and leaves of the surrounding trees—almost whispering a warning.
Mrs. Mayfield pulled off her apron and reached for her coat, deciding to walk to the creek and bring the girls back herself. At this point, she was more angry than concerned, knowing how they could be forgetful when they were having fun, and often lost track of time.
But surely they would be on their way home by now? she thought to herself as her pace quickened from a fast walk to a jog. Against her better judgment, and knowing that she couldn’t shelter them forever, she had crumbled and let them go down to the creek where one of the neighboring boys had constructed a swing that they loved to play on.
And now fear ripped through her body. “Tessa!” she yelled. “Megan!” Terrible scenarios shuffled through her thoughts as she tried desperately to keep her emotions on an even keel.
“Tessa! Megan!”
She yelled their names over and over until her voice went hoarse. Her chest felt strangely heavy and her vision blurred as she ran, but her strength and mother’s instinct pushed her forward, down the trail leading to the creek. The trail was well-worn by local kids looking for adventure and fun. Stumbling as she ran, she frantically turned left and then right. There wasn’t a soul around… She was alone. She kept moving.
Looking up at the tall pine trees, everything spun in a dizzying blur of forest and darkening sky. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut and open again, then stopped for a moment to listen.
The swing was only visible at the bottom of the path just above the creek and she could hear the water rushing below. Peering over the edge, there was no sign of them—or anyone. She kept turning, expecting to see her girls everywhere she looked. They weren’t there. All around her were discarded candy wrappers and remnants of fast food containers. Proof that children played here often.
There was no sound apart from the whisper of the trees. No children laughing nearby.
“Megan! Tessa!” she yelled again, but there was only silence. She ran all the way up the trail to the street, still calling their names in a full-blown panic.
Mrs. Mayfield turned her attention up the road, her mother’s instinct in high gear. Something blue lying beneath a bush caught her eye and she ran towards it.
She leaned down and her hand trembled over the light blue canvas before she forced herself to grab the abandoned blue sneaker.
“No,” she said, barely breathing.
Written on the side tread of the shoe with a thick black pen was one word: Tessa.


 

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About Jennifer Chase

Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and USA Today BestSelling 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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22 responses to “?The Fragile Ones by Jennifer Chase

  1. Jennifer Chase’s The Fragile Ones sounds like a book that I would enjoy. I do enjoy your review style.

  2. the cover and the title are intriguing.. and while i think the book itself might hurt me a bit, i am adding it to my tbr