We're really excited to be part of Jennifer Chase's DEAD COLD Blog Tour!
Title: DEAD COLD
Author: Jennifer Chase
Publisher: JEC Press
Pages: 326
Genre: Crime Thriller
What 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.
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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ESCAPE WAS IMPOSSIBLE. TEARS STREAMED down her
face as she sat in the darkness and waited for the man to return. There was no
other choice—but to wait.
She hadn’t eaten anything in three days and had only a
limited amount of water—her strength continued to fade with every hour. With
her wrists and ankles secured with duct tape, her skin stung with pain every
time she struggled to move. At least the man had peeled the tape from her eyes
and mouth so that she could see something besides pitch-blackness.
Even if she could escape, the only way to safety was jumping
into the frigid water, but she could not swim and would drown before ever
reaching the shore.
The only thing thirteen-year-old Kayla Swanson thought about
was home. Fond memories flashed through her mind of her parents, her little
brother, and her dog Charlie. She was never going to see them again. Their
smiling faces were forever etched in Kayla’s mind, and she constantly held them
close to her heart.
The boat rocked, and seemed to sway more violently as the
tide flooded in and out of the harbor. Kayla could hear a consistent clanking
noise above her as the boat rolled back and forth. The sound had a hypnotic
quality, and kept her mind on something else besides when the man would return
and what he would do next.
Her lips were dry and cracked as she bordered on dehydration.
Even her tears dried on her cheeks, leaving her skin stiff and drawn. Her body
began to shake, not only from fear, but also because of the extreme exhaustion
and the constant dampness all around her.
The boat rocked more, but this time it shifted from the
opposite sides. Kayla heard soft footsteps above, which she knew wasn’t her
captor’s heavy walk. She strained her eyes in the darkness and thought she saw
a thin shadow stealthily move along the upper deck.
Was it a ghost?
Kayla remembered a television series where a team of people
hunted ghosts and they had said that ghosts could
occupy any type of space, house, property, and even a boat.
She blinked her eyes several times and hoped that she could
catch a glimpse of the ghost again. With every ounce of declining strength,
Kayla scooted her body closer to the narrow stairs leading to the upper deck.
Painfully craning her neck, she strained to see something up
in the darkness.
The dark shadowed areas played tricks on her eyes—it was
there, then it wasn’t.
She waited for several minutes.
Nothing appeared.
The only sounds she heard were the usual boat noises she had
grown accustomed to hearing. Whatever she thought she heard was gone now. It
was most likely her imagination trying to give her some hope and a few moments
break from her dire circumstances.
As she relaxed her shoulders and leaned back against the
wall, the reality of her world pressing down hard. Tears streamed down her
face. She tasted the saltiness that settled around her mouth. Her last moments
were approaching, and there was nothing she could do.
Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning crime fiction author and 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 sociopath, 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.
Where are you from?
The California coast. It’s where I call home.
Tell us your latest news?
I’ve just released the crime thriller Dead Cold. It’s the sixth book in the stand-alone, award winning Emily Stone series. This installment revolves around a serial killer hunting in a small California community and leaving frozen body parts in public places for the cops to unravel. Emily Stone is a vigilante detective who hunts down serial killers and some of the most dangerous criminals. She manages this covert and under the law enforcement radar, and sends a complete investigation to the police detective in charge, but things don’t always go as planned.
When and why did you begin writing?
I have loved books and writing for as long as I can remember. It’s always been a part of my life. I didn’t immediately go into professional writing because I was in the business corporate world. I didn’t publish my first novel until 2008.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always thought of myself as writer, but it really wasn’t until I was a published author that the word “writer” really meant more to me.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I was writing screenplays and was outlining another script, Compulsion, which eventually turned into my first published novel. This story was inspired from my experience with a violent sociopath that threatened my life for more than two years. There were so many incidents that happened to me that it really sounded more like a movie than real life. I wanted a different kind of character and eventually Emily Stone was born. You’ll just have to guess which scenes were based on my own experience.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes, I love to keep readers guessing throughout the novel. I love action scenes and give readers an insight into the point of view of various characters. My screenwriting experience has definitely given me a unique writing style with the action and dialogue.
How did you come up with the title?
All of the Emily Stone Thrillers have Dead or Dark in the title. With Dead Cold, it refers to the frozen body parts investigation left by an unusual serial killer.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I love for readers to experience a roller coaster ride into the world of psychopath killers and in-depth police investigations rooting for the good guys. With my academic background of criminology and forensics, I include tidbits of interesting information that most haven’t heard or read about.
How much of the book is realistic?
The police investigations, forensics, and predatory behaviors of the killer are based on realistic foundations.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Yes, every killer I write about has some aspects of the next-door violent sociopath that threatened my life. All of the characters are based on various people I’ve met, observed, read about, along with my own creative interpretations of the combinations.
What books have most influenced your life most?
If we are talking about fictional books, there are so many from the time I was first learning to read until adulthood. I’ve loved The Secret Garden and Nancy Drew Mysteries when I was young to Stephen King, Jeffrey Deaver, David Baldacci, early James Patterson, Dean Koontz, and many, many more.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
This is a great question, but a difficult one. I would have to say Jeffrey Deaver with his Lincoln Rhyme Series. When I read the first one, it hit such a writer’s chord with me and I’ve loved his work ever since. I had the chance to meet Mr. Deaver in 2014 at Bouchercon at Long Beach, California. It was a thrill!
What book are you reading now?
I’m reading The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I’m having a great time finding and reading independent authors. There are many wonderful authors to experience.
What are your current projects?
I have several projects in the works. There will be a new release from my other forensic mystery series, Scene of the Crime, coming out before the end of the year. An Emily Stone Novella will be released at the beginning of 2018 along with the next Emily Stone Thriller, Dark Lies, in spring of 2018.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?
The independent authors that I’ve met, read, and worked with on group promotional activities have been an inspiration and support to me. People I’ve met in the criminal justice system and law enforcement have been extremely supportive of my books.
What would you like my readers to know?
If you’ve been looking for a new crime thriller series with an original heroine, then I have a series for you. I love hearing from readers, please feel free to connect with me on social media.
Thank you so much for the interview opportunity.
The California coast. It’s where I call home.
Tell us your latest news?
I’ve just released the crime thriller Dead Cold. It’s the sixth book in the stand-alone, award winning Emily Stone series. This installment revolves around a serial killer hunting in a small California community and leaving frozen body parts in public places for the cops to unravel. Emily Stone is a vigilante detective who hunts down serial killers and some of the most dangerous criminals. She manages this covert and under the law enforcement radar, and sends a complete investigation to the police detective in charge, but things don’t always go as planned.
When and why did you begin writing?
I have loved books and writing for as long as I can remember. It’s always been a part of my life. I didn’t immediately go into professional writing because I was in the business corporate world. I didn’t publish my first novel until 2008.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I’ve always thought of myself as writer, but it really wasn’t until I was a published author that the word “writer” really meant more to me.
What inspired you to write your first book?
I was writing screenplays and was outlining another script, Compulsion, which eventually turned into my first published novel. This story was inspired from my experience with a violent sociopath that threatened my life for more than two years. There were so many incidents that happened to me that it really sounded more like a movie than real life. I wanted a different kind of character and eventually Emily Stone was born. You’ll just have to guess which scenes were based on my own experience.
Do you have a specific writing style?
Yes, I love to keep readers guessing throughout the novel. I love action scenes and give readers an insight into the point of view of various characters. My screenwriting experience has definitely given me a unique writing style with the action and dialogue.
How did you come up with the title?
All of the Emily Stone Thrillers have Dead or Dark in the title. With Dead Cold, it refers to the frozen body parts investigation left by an unusual serial killer.
Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I love for readers to experience a roller coaster ride into the world of psychopath killers and in-depth police investigations rooting for the good guys. With my academic background of criminology and forensics, I include tidbits of interesting information that most haven’t heard or read about.
How much of the book is realistic?
The police investigations, forensics, and predatory behaviors of the killer are based on realistic foundations.
Are experiences based on someone you know, or events in your own life?
Yes, every killer I write about has some aspects of the next-door violent sociopath that threatened my life. All of the characters are based on various people I’ve met, observed, read about, along with my own creative interpretations of the combinations.
What books have most influenced your life most?
If we are talking about fictional books, there are so many from the time I was first learning to read until adulthood. I’ve loved The Secret Garden and Nancy Drew Mysteries when I was young to Stephen King, Jeffrey Deaver, David Baldacci, early James Patterson, Dean Koontz, and many, many more.
If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?
This is a great question, but a difficult one. I would have to say Jeffrey Deaver with his Lincoln Rhyme Series. When I read the first one, it hit such a writer’s chord with me and I’ve loved his work ever since. I had the chance to meet Mr. Deaver in 2014 at Bouchercon at Long Beach, California. It was a thrill!
What book are you reading now?
I’m reading The Silent Corner by Dean Koontz.
Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?
I’m having a great time finding and reading independent authors. There are many wonderful authors to experience.
What are your current projects?
I have several projects in the works. There will be a new release from my other forensic mystery series, Scene of the Crime, coming out before the end of the year. An Emily Stone Novella will be released at the beginning of 2018 along with the next Emily Stone Thriller, Dark Lies, in spring of 2018.
Name one entity that you feel supported you outside of family members?
The independent authors that I’ve met, read, and worked with on group promotional activities have been an inspiration and support to me. People I’ve met in the criminal justice system and law enforcement have been extremely supportive of my books.
What would you like my readers to know?
If you’ve been looking for a new crime thriller series with an original heroine, then I have a series for you. I love hearing from readers, please feel free to connect with me on social media.
Thank you so much for the interview opportunity.
Thanks so much for the interview and hosting DEAD COLD today :)
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