Jennifer Chase is a multi award-winning and USA Today BestSelling crime fiction author, as well as a consulting criminologist. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s 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.
Her latest book is the crime thriller, Pretty Broken Dolls.
You can visit her website at www.authorjenniferchase.com or connect with her on Twitter, Goodreads and Facebook.
Can you tell us what your new book is about?
Pretty Broken Dolls revolves around a police investigation of several cold cases involving previous military female K9 handlers who were brutally killed and posed in a garish display. Each victim is posed at various public locations with horrific makeup making them appear to be dolls. The cases are now becoming faster and more deadly.
Can you tell us a little about your main and supporting characters?
The main character is Detective Katie Scott. She was a patrol officer for Sacramento Police Department and a two year Army K9 handler veteran. She was lucky to have brought her working K9 home—a black German shepherd named Cisco. Carrying some mental baggage from her time in Afghanistan, she manages her PTSD with courage and perseverance as she focuses on cold cases with the Pine Valley Sheriff's Department. To make matters a bit more complicated her uncle is the sheriff, but he's tougher on her than he is with the other detectives. She wouldn't have it any other way. He's her only living relative as her parents were killed in a car accident when she was a teen.
Katie's partner, Deputy Sean McGaven, is a capable and strong partner, and between the two of them, they manage the cold cases together. They have become great friends and he calms her sometimes impetuous moves when they are investigating cases.
Chad Ferguson is Katie's fiancƩ and childhood friend as they grew up together in Pine Valley. He's also a local firefighter and soon to be fire inspector.
Forensic Supervisor John Blackburn adds interest and strength to Katie's team. He's also a military veteran and they have an unwritten bond, which causes a few waves with her fiancƩ.
Your book is set in a fictitious place in the California Sierra Mountains called Pine Valley, California. Can you tell us why you chose this location in particular?
I wanted to create a crime series in the mountains because it can take in so many areas for crime scenes and adds extra interest to the story. It gives such a diverse range to criminal investigations as opposed to a big city.
How long did it take you to write your book?
I wrote the first draft of my book in about two months. It takes another couple of months to go through the editing process and then the final proof.
What has been the most pivotal point of your writing life?
I love writing and have been involved in it for most of my life. But it was when I could write books as my main job, instead of second job, that made it such a wonderful and pivotal point in my life. I'm thankful every day.
What kind of advice would you give other crime fiction authors?
There's so much advice out there, but I believe in the
basics. Write. Write. And Write. Write what you love and don't let anyone tell
you what they think you should write.
Happy writing.
