Dark Pursuit

Emily Stone Series, Book 5

Fiction - Thriller - General
539 Pages
Reviewed on 03/22/2015
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Jennifer Chase is an award-winning author and consulting criminologist. She has authored five crime fiction novels, including the award-winning Emily Stone thriller series along with a screenwriting workbook.
Jennifer holds a Bachelor degree in police forensics and a Master's degree in criminology. 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.

More info: www.authorjenniferchase.com

    Book Review

Reviewed by Paul Johnson for Readers' Favorite

Emily Stone, former police officer, is a vigilante detective who spends her time hunting down serial killers, particularly those that prey on children. Because of her exceptional profiling skills, she and her partner-lover Rick have closed more serial cases than many seasoned homicide detectives. Her prolific profiling skills and outstanding forensic techniques, along with deductive crime scene investigations, have set her up as major thorn in the side of many serial killers.

This story opens with a vehicle pursuit that immediately grabs the reader’s attention. At the end of the chase, Emily learns the true identity of the killer and almost loses her life in the process. The killer decides to let her live, at least for a while. In this book, Emily and Rick (a former detective), are hunting the Tick-Tock Killer, a serial killer who targets children. The killer is mocking the authorities by telling them where he will dump the next body. This creates a heightened sense of urgency for everyone concerned. Can Emily find and stop him before another child becomes a victim…

The fast paced action and plot momentum keep the reader’s attention to the very end. Although this book is part of a series, there is an extensive back story that fills the reader in on why and how Emily has chosen to pursue this career. The author has created a strong female protagonist that shows strengths and weaknesses. Her characterization is well developed and the plotting is superior as well. I recommend this book for anyone that enjoys great, well-written thrillers.

Jessyca Garcia

Dark Pursuit is the fifth book by Jennifer Chase in the Emily Stone series. This is an action packed book, starting from the very first page. Emily Stone and Rick Lopez are on a race against time to stop a serial killer whose victims are children.

Dark Pursuit is the first book I have read in Chase’s series. If the other books in the series are as good as this one, then they are all must-reads. Dark Pursuit is made up of three parts. The first part starts with a car chase and Emily ends up seeing the results of an unspeakable crime committed by a serial killer. The second part is the tale of Emily’s police career and the events she witnessed to put her on the path of becoming a “phantom detective” who hunts serial killers. The third part of the book is where Emily tries to find the Tick-Tock Killer and his next victim.

There were so many things that made Dark Pursuit a good book. I liked that while Emily and Rick are both partners and lovers, that their relationship was not the focus of the story. I also think that it is so wonderfully creepy that the Tick-Tock Killer communicates with his dead mother. I love how Chase made Emily Stone a strong female character who can take care of herself. I wish there were more female characters like that in books.

Reading Dark Pursuit is not recommended if you are about to go to bed. This book will give you an adrenaline rush that will keep you awake the whole night just trying to finish it. I am now definitely a fan of Jennifer Chase and her Emily Stone series. I would like to read her other books in the series, just not before going to sleep.

Trudi LoPreto

Dark Pursuit (Emily Stone Series Book 5) by Jennifer Chase is an action filled thriller that was hard to put down. I did not read books one to four but Dark Pursuit stands alone as a great read. Emily is a detective who works with her friend and love interest, Rick. Emily has quietly solved several crimes and sends the results anonymously to the police for them to capture the bad guys. Emily is now faced with a new case when the serial Tick-Tock killer has kidnapped and killed several young girls. Emily is determined not to let his latest victim, Sara, be harmed. The Tick-Tock killer plays a game of cat and mouse with Emily, Rick and the police by promising to end Sara’s life in exactly four days. The chase is dangerous, frightening and scary as it pushes Emily mentally and physically further than she has ever been on any other case. As the hour draws near, the exciting climactic end will leave you holding your breath.

Dark Pursuit is a well written thriller that took me into both the detective's and the killer's minds. Jennifer Chase has expertly written a story that portrays a psychological picture of both evil and good by letting us understand what Emily and the Tick-Tock killer are doing and why they are doing it. The climax of the last few chapters kept me glued to my Kindle until I reached the end. If you like thrillers, mysteries, and mind boggling adventure then this is a must-read. I can’t wait to go back and read the other Emily Stone books and anything else that Jennifer Chase has written.