The HBS Author's Spotlight SHOWCASES Jennifer Chase's New Book: SCENE OF THE CRIME.
Author Jennifer Chase is the award-winning Mystery writer of the Emily Stone Thriller Series.
Scene of the Crime
A Chip Palmer Forensic Mystery
Author: Jennifer Chase
AVAILABLE
Amazon
A calculating cold-blooded predator closes in…
When a community has barely recovered from a ruthless serial killer six months earlier; now two more horrifying murders hit the radar again. It leaves police burdened with two of the most shockingly contaminated crime scenes ever documented in California’s law enforcement history. The Slayer works behind the scenes as a sinister puppet master, precisely pulling the strings, taunting the police without leaving any viable evidence, and orchestrating his killer hit squads.
The sheriff and district attorney bring in the best investigators. Reunited again, Dr. Chip Palmer, a reclusive forensic expert, joins DA Inspector Kate Rawlins to sort through the crime scene aftermath in search of the truth—all without a probable suspect or a solid motive. Complicating the investigation—sparks reignite between the two.
Ratcheting up the suspense, Chip suffers a nasty fall hitting his head, impairing his perception and giving him a mind-blowing ability for specific detailed recall. Palmer and Rawlins assemble an unusual team including a rookie detective, a forensic supervisor, and an ex-military operative turned bodyguard. After one of their own is kidnapped and the investigation is taken over by the FBI, the now rogue team must pull together their own resources—alone—with a killer waiting to take each one of them out. Scene of the Crime takes no prisoners and leaves everyone fighting to stay alive.
Excerpt from SCENE OF THE CRIME
CHAPTER 2
THE DUSTY POLICE SEDAN EASED into an available parking space behind the forensic van. There was already the usual parade of law enforcement personnel crowding the scene—some official and others using their position as an opportunity to visit the area. It was generally the same level of interest when there was a horrific murder under unusual circumstances.
Special DA Inspector Kate Rawlins stepped from the vehicle and quickly surveyed the area in a slow steady turn. It was an older, more crime-ridden part of town, but still nothing compared to the crime statistics of larger cities. It averaged about ten to twelve homicides a year— sometimes less. She recalled some of the murder cases she worked in Phoenix and how there had been a steady flow of murders and gang shootings every week—sometimes every two or three days.
She was now the special investigator from the district attorney’s office in charge of the Monterey County Violent Crimes Division in California, and it still made her uneasy; however, no one knew her feelings as she held her position with authority and toughness. It helped that her stature of five-foot-ten gave her some advantage, but her tenacity for finding the bad guys and bringing them to justice overrode her height, as well as any of her other insecurities.
“Inspector Rawlins?” spoke a voice from behind her.
She turned and saw a skinny, awkward police officer, barely thirty, if that, dressed in civilian clothes fidgeting with his tie waiting for her response. There had been a hiring freeze at the sheriff’s department due to budget negotiations, which meant that the DA’s office would take lead on violent crime cases. Kate had been verbal about her ridiculously heavy workloads and need for another detective. The police department, district attorney’s office, and the county made some concessions and promised her another detective. The eager-faced young man who stood before her was the person they sent from the burglary division.
“Yes,” she replied, still examining the surrounding areas as she grabbed her small flashlight and notebook. She slipped her cell phone into her pocket.
“Um, I’m David, Detective David Springfield reporting.”
She looked him straight in the eye and asked, “Springfield, how many murder cases have you worked?” Kate raised an eyebrow waiting for his reply—even though she already knew his answer. She had done her homework on Springfield before she met him.
“Two,” he replied. “But I have a degree in psychology and criminal justice. Not to mention I’ve worked burglary for two years and…”
Ignoring the verbal resume, she asked, “What were your responsibilities at the murder scenes?”
“I was first officer and secured the scenes, and coordinated with forensics.”
“I see,” Kate said. “You up for this, Springfield?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Do me a favor. Don’t call me ma’am, and we’ll get along just fine.” She headed toward the crime scene.
“Yes, sir, uh, I mean, yes, Inspector Rawlins.”
“Rawlins is just fine.” She tried to keep a straight face and couldn’t help but like the young detective already. She had her work cut out for her, but she was always up for the challenge of molding a new detective.
As Kate neared the area and made her way under the crime scene tape, she had that same feeling whenever she approached any murder scene—slightly queasy stomach and every nerve in her body tingled in anticipation. Many questions already plagued her mind.
She noticed little garbage strewn around the areas except for a couple of flattened aluminum cans and took note of everything that may or may not seem out of place.
Several uniformed officers cleared the way, their faces were solemn and many didn’t meet her gaze. Two forensic techs waited at the entrance of the abandoned water facility.
It struck Kate as odd that forensics wasn’t already documenting the scene as it was generally protocol of her crime scenes. She searched for the first officer at the scene and saw a stocky, dark-haired deputy with a notebook keeping track of who entered the area. She quickly glanced at his nametag: it read Ramirez.
“Deputy Ramirez,” she began. “What do we have? Why hasn’t forensics processed the scene yet?” She patiently waited for the answer.
The deputy took a breath before he answered. “I’ve never seen a scene like this. I mean, I’ve seen bloody crime scenes before, but this is… horrible… and actually… unusual.”
Kate thought the deputy looked like he had seen a ghost.
What was going on?
It was as if these patrol officers had never been to a crime scene before.
“Springfield, you ready?” she commanded and turned toward him.
“Inspector?” said Ramirez.
“Yes,” she faced the deputy.
“You’re going to need to put hazmat on.”
“What?” she said. “Do we need to call in the hazardous materials unit?”
“No. It’s… it’s just a real mess.”
Kate blinked several times and imagined what horrible mess she would find and hoped that her new partner wouldn’t throw up all over his shiny shoes. She glanced at Springfield, whose expression mimicked her gut impression. He would soon learn how to mask what he really thought and felt.
The forensic techs had already anticipated the need for the hazardous jumpsuits and booties for the inspector and detective. They were essentially heavy-duty, paper-like material to keep clothing clean and were not made to keep biochemical and other airborne poisons from entering the body.
Kate secured her paper booties over her shoes and pulled on a pair of blue latex gloves. She didn’t look directly at Springfield but could feel his trepidation from his stilted silence. It wasn’t difficult to remember the first homicide she had worked. Every horrifying detail was still vivid in her mind: the room, the bodies, the blood spatter covering the walls and ceiling from the shotgun blasts. It had been an exceptionally hot day, sticky and reeking, which made the crime scene even more ripe and nauseating.
One of the crime scene techs said, “Let us know what you want us to do, if anything. Just keep going straight, and you’ll see it on the left side.”
Kate again thought everyone was acting as if they had never been on or seen a crime scene before. She entered the water drainage tunnel followed closely by her new partner as the cement beneath her feet sloped slightly forward.
It was silent. Hollow. Dark.
A mild stench of stagnant water permeated her senses. It reminded her of low tide, tolerable but not pleasant.
Author Genre: Mystery & Thrillers, Horror, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Website: Author Jennifer Chase
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Author Description: Jennifer 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.
Jennifer Chase was born and raised in California and still lives there with her husband, dogs and cats. In addition to writing and consulting, Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors, both at the beach and hiking, and engaging in some amateur photography.
Author's Book List
Dead Cold
- An Emily Stone ThrillerWhat happens when one California community has a disturbing spike in homicides? It catapults cops into a deadly game of murder. Frozen human body parts hideously displayed at the crime scenes offers a horrifying interpretation that only a sadistic serial killer could design—and execute.
On the hunt for a complex serial killer, vigilante detective Emily Stone must face her most daring case yet. Stone’s proven top-notch profiling skills and forensic expertise may not be enough this time.
Young and ambitious, Detective Danny Starr, catches the homicide cases and discovers that it will test everything he knows about police work and the criminal mind. Can he handle these escalating cases or will the police department have to call in reinforcements—the FBI.
Emily Stone’s covert team pushes with extreme urgency to unravel the grisly clues, while keeping their identities hidden from the police. With one last-ditch effort, Stone dangles someone she loves as bait to draw out the killer. She then forces the killer out of their comfort zone with her partner Rick Lopez, and with help from a longtime friend Jordan Smith. A revelation of the serial killer’s identity leaves the team with volatile emotions that could destroy them.
The killer continues to taunt and expertly manipulate the police, as well as Stone’s team, and as they run out of time—they leave behind everyone and everything—in Dead Cold.
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Body of the Crime
- A Chip Palmer Forensic MysteryThree grisly murders linked to five old cold cases, dubbed the Flower Girl Murders, pushes detectives to their limit to find a clever and extremely brutal serial killer, leaving a California town demanding justice. The District Attorney’s Serial Special Task Force retains the help of the reclusive Dr. Chip Palmer, a forensic expert and criminal profiler, to steer them in the right direction. Palmer is known for his astute academic interpretations of serial and predatory crimes, along with his unconventional tactics that goes against general police procedures. He is partnered with the tough and beautiful D.A. Inspector Kate Rawlins, a homicide detective transplanted from Phoenix, and the chemistry ignites between the team—both good and deadly.
The Flower Girl Murders leaves three homicides, five cold cases, two seasoned detectives, three suspects, and one serial killer calling all the shots. The investigation must rely on one eccentric forensic scientist to unravel the clues to solve the case. But at what cost?
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Dark Pursuit
- Emily Stone Series Book 5Vigilante detective Emily Stone has covertly hunted down killers and closed more serial cases than most seasoned homicide cops combined. Her exceptional profiling skills and forensic techniques, along with deductive crime scene investigations, have made her a compelling force that cannot be beat.
She has reached her ultimate breaking point and now must face her toughest opponent yet – her biggest fears.
With preciseness, the Tick-Tock Killer has taken his next child victim and promised to dump the body precisely four days later, mocking police and the community. Stone struggles to balance her inner demons and ghosts from the past, against the wits of a brutal and cunning serial killer in an all-out battle of psychological warfare.
Can Stone save the next child in time? Dark Pursuit is an action-packed cat and mouse game that will take you to dark places rarely explored.
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Dead Burn
- Emily Stone Series Book 4Terrified California residents face the shocking dilemma of yet another serial killer roaming freely in their neighborhoods. However, this time it is an evolving serial killer anomaly that relentlessly searches for, hunts down, and ingeniously traps his victims before unleashing his fiery rage. Always two steps ahead of the cops and fire investigators, the killer hones in on the next sinful target leaving a trail of bones and ashes behind as evidence. It rocks the criminal justice system to the core as a string of arson murders hits inside their turf.
Vigilante detective Emily Stone hunts serial killers and child abductors, covertly and under the law enforcement radar, with her intrinsic skills of criminal profiling and forensic investigation. With Stone’s toughest case yet, the arson serial killer immediately crosses her radar and sends her into the dark territory of a lethal pyromaniac’s mind – to the point of no return.
While following the clues of the relentless firebomber, Stone grabs the attention of a government anti-terrorist organization called GATE that oversees all law enforcement cases across the U.S., which now focuses their sights on her proven abilities. They have very specific plans for her, whether she likes it or not.
Everything teeters on the edge of reality, as Stone must battle for her life between a hired assassin and an arson serial killer. Lines are drawn on both sides of the law. Friendships and lovers are tested.
Everyone sins… Are you willing to pay for yours?
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KOBO Store
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Dark Mind
- Emily Stone Series Book 3A Serial Killer Plagues an Island Paradise
Vigilante detective Emily Stone continues her covert pursuits to find serial killers and child abductors, all under the radar while shadowing police investigations.
Emily searches for an abducted nine-year-old girl taken by ruthless and enterprising slave brokers. Following the clues from California to the garden island of Kauai, she begins to piece together the evidence and ventures deep into the jungle.
It doesn’t take long before Emily is thrown into the middle of murder, mayhem, and conspiracy. Locals aren’t talking as a serial killer now stalks the island, taking women in a brutal frenzy of ancient superstitions and folklore. Local cops are unprepared for what lies ahead. In a race against the clock, Emily and her team must identify the killer before time runs out.
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Dead Game
- Emily Stone Series Book 2In her independent efforts to catch child killers, Emily Stone discovers the evidence that the cops can’t — or won’t — uncover. Now, this covert investigator is back on the hunt for the world’s most sick and twisted murderers. But even with help from ex-police detective Rick Lopez, this time she’s facing her most dangerous opponent yet.
The headlines in the San Jose Mercury News blare updates on a serial killer who seems able to slaughter with impunity. Men, women — it doesn’t matter; the victims serve only to satisfy a perverted need to kill. The killer watches the moment of death on multiple computer screens, over and over again. The only connection is that they’re all devotees of the latest video-game craze — a sophisticated brain-puzzler called EagleEye.
When the killer goes after Lopez’s law-enforcement mentor, Lopez and Stone decide to give the cops a little extra, unsolicited help. What follows takes them deep inside a shocking high-tech world, a kind of social-networking community for serial killers. But when they start getting too close to the truth, all hell’s going to break loose.
Now, Stone and Lopez become the killer’s next target as Stone must make a difficult decision to leave the ones she loves in an all-or-nothing effort for survival. Can they stay alive long enough to blow the whistle on this unlikely perpetrator?
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Compulsion
- Emily Stone Series Book 1When Serial Killers Terrorize a California Beach Community, One Woman Stands in Their Way
Emily Stone doesn’t have a badge. But that hasn’t stopped her from tracking down some of the West’s most dangerous child-killers. Armed with a digital SLR camera, laptop computer and her trusty Beretta, Stone uses her innate gift for detective work to identify the perps — and then anonymously e-mail the evidence to the cops.
Now, the hunt for two brazen serial killers on the loose right in her own coastal California town threatens to expose Stone’s identity — unraveling her carefully constructed cover and jeopardizing her life’s work. But when she gets too close to the action, this razor-sharp hunter becomes the hunted. Cooperating with the handsome local police detective could be the only hope for stopping the rampage directed at unsuspecting young women — and saving herself. Can they piece together the clues in time?
Compulsion mixes CSI-style investigation with a ripped-from-the-headlines plot and a dose of romance for a keeps-you-guessing, fast-paced and savvy thriller, right up until the shocking finale.
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Silent Partner
- One K9 Cop, One Serial KillerOne Cop, One Serial Killer, One Witness
Who Will Survive?
Northern California’s elite Police K9 Units arrive at an abandoned warehouse after a high-speed chase and apprehend two killers after they have fled a grisly murder scene. This barely scratches the surface of a bloody trail from a prolific serial killer that leads to unlocking the insidious secrets of one family’s history, while tearing a police department apart.
Jack Davis, a top K9 cop with an unprecedented integrity, finds himself falling for a beautiful murder suspect and struggling with departmental codes.
Megan O’Connell, suffering from agoraphobia, is the prime murder suspect in her sister’s brutal murder.
Darrell Brooks, a psychopath who loves to kill, is on a quest to drive Megan insane for profit.
Everyone is a suspect. Everyone has a secret. Someone else must die to keep the truth buried forever. Silent Partner is a suspense ride along that will keep you guessing until the bitter end.
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First Watch
- A Short StoryWhat started as a routine traffic stop on a deserted country road, turned into a terrifying battle of life and death. Could all the horror stories be true?
The chase is on…
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Never Forgotten
- An Emily Stone Short StoryVigilante detective Emily Stone has proven her abilities, forensic knowledge, and criminal hunting aptitude in locating serial killers and child abductors. She solves these cases all under the law enforcement radar. Her relentless drive propels her to dedicate her life to this cause.
What was Emily Stone like as a teenager? What changed her life so drastically, which set in motion her fate as a phantom investigator? You might be surprised as Emily embarks on her first investigation that hit close to home. Find out her secrets in NEVER FORGOTTEN.
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How To Write a Screenplay
- A Step By Step ProcessA Simple Building Block Process to Write a Professional Screenplay from Beginning to End!
This complete instructional manual will give you a ten-step building block process to get you motivated, keep you on track, and will ultimately propel you to create the first draft of your screenplay. It is designed for beginners and intermediate writers. Each building block is divided into three categories of lessons and comprehension, testing, and assignments. Every assignment will build on the previous one to give you a solid, structured foundation that will ultimately become your screenplay. Watching movies and reading scripts are a fun part of the process. This book is designed to be interactive, enjoyable, and will give you results. Why not start writing your screenplay today?
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Author Recommended by: HBSystems Publications
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