The story starts immediately, wasting no time but to begin the investigation of a crime. The book is predominantly from Erin Prince's point of view in a third-person voice, and readers are able to follow the investigation alongside her as well as Todd Brooks's. While the protagonist, Erin is very self-critical and doesn't come across as a likeable character. Erin already guesses the criminal, so it's a very long story, following leads to ultimately proving the guess that was made within the first few chapters. Though the twist is pleasantly revealed. The story is stiff and not gripping, but the book is very descriptive and easy to follow.

I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author. ( )

Thank you to @katieandbreypa and @authorstacygreen for an ARC of Killing Jane, the first book in the Erin Prince series. I will say that there are trigger warnings for gruesome murder details, date rape, and BDSM.

This book pulled me in from the start. Erin is a freshly promoted homicide investigator, and this is her first major case, alongside her newly arrived partner, Todd Brooks. Their first crime scene is that of Bonnie Archer, brutally murdered in the most despicable way possible. At the scene, the date of one of the Jack the Ripper murders is scratched into the wooden beam, along with the word "whore." Found near the body was a note with the name Jane, and now it's a race to find out who Jane is before more people die.

Erin Prince was born the rich, entitled daughter of a highly influential DC power player, but when she was able, she left that life to live on her own terms. She tries not to let her past effect her ability to do her job, but the family, friends, and suspects in this murder hit a little too close to home and her ability to stay neutral may be compromised. For the most part, Erin is a likeable character, a doting mother, close with her twin brother Brad, a good detective; however, she second-guesses herself a lot and seems to need validation for the things she's saying and doing. I guess that makes her flawed and human, but I could have done with a little more strength of character.

Todd Brooks is new to Erin's department and to being her partner, but he's been a cop for several years and handled his fair share of high-profile cases. He isn't overbearing with Erin, or talk down to her, but he does think she still has a lot to learn about how to investigate homicides. Overall, they get along well, although they do have their moments, just like any other partner relationship, especially one just starting out. I look forward to see how this partnership grows.

I was trying to figure this out the entire book, and failed at it miserably. There were multiple suspects, and no one seemed to fit, especially after the second murder when there didn't seem to be any overlap of the two women. And is the killer really a female? Are they truly searching for Jane the Ripper, or is that a red herring to distract them from the real killer?

All in all, a great, twisty read with an "I didn't see that coming" conclusion. I can hardly wait to pick up the next one. If you enjoy Karin Slaughter's books, then you will probably enjoy this fast-paced series. ( )

This book pulled me in from the start. Erin is a freshly promoted homicide investigator, and this is her first major case, alongside her newly arrived partner, Todd Brooks. Their first crime scene is that of Bonnie Archer, brutally murdered in the most despicable way possible. At the scene, the date of one of the Jack the Ripper murders is scratched into the wooden beam, along with the word "whore." Found near the body was a note with the name Jane, and now it's a race to find out who Jane is before more people die.

Erin Prince was born the rich, entitled daughter of a highly influential DC power player, but when she was able, she left that life to live on her own terms. She tries not to let her past effect her ability to do her job, but the family, friends, and suspects in this murder hit a little too close to home and her ability to stay neutral may be compromised. For the most part, Erin is a likeable character, a doting mother, close with her twin brother Brad, a good detective; however, she second-guesses herself a lot and seems to need validation for the things she's saying and doing. I guess that makes her flawed and human, but I could have done with a little more strength of character.

Todd Brooks is new to Erin's department and to being her partner, but he's been a cop for several years and handled his fair share of high-profile cases. He isn't overbearing with Erin, or talk down to her, but he does think she still has a lot to learn about how to investigate homicides. Overall, they get along well, although they do have their moments, just like any other partner relationship, especially one just starting out. I look forward to see how this partnership grows.

I was trying to figure this out the entire book, and failed at it miserably. There were multiple suspects, and no one seemed to fit, especially after the second murder when there didn't seem to be any overlap of the two women. And is the killer really a female? Are they truly searching for Jane the Ripper, or is that a red herring to distract them from the real killer?

All in all, a great, twisty read with an "I didn't see that coming" conclusion. I can hardly wait to pick up the next one. If you enjoy Karin Slaughter's books, then you will probably enjoy this fast-paced series. ( )

The story starts immediately, wasting no time but to begin the investigation of a crime. The book is predominantly from Erin Prince's point of view in a third-person voice, and readers are able to follow the investigation alongside her as well as Todd Brooks's. While the protagonist, Erin is very self-critical and doesn't come across as a likeable character. Erin already guesses the criminal, so it's a very long story, following leads to ultimately proving the guess that was made within the first few chapters. Though the twist is pleasantly revealed. The story is stiff and not gripping, but the book is very descriptive and easy to follow.

I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author. ( )

Killing Jane, the first book in Stacy Green's Erin Prince, is a perplexing mystery with somewhat dark and disturbing subject matter.

Rookie homicide detective Erin Prince's first case as a lead investigator is the particularly brutal and gruesome murder of Bonnie Archer. As Erin quickly discovers, Bonnie is a well-liked woman in her mid twenties who has managed to turn her life around after years of addiction. She is enrolled in an adult education program where she is close to getting her GED and volunteers to tutor other students in her spare time. However, Erin soon learns that Bonnie is involved in some very unsavory things that are a direct reaction from her still unresolved issues from her childhood. After another grisly murder, Erin and her new partner, Todd Beckett, are under extreme pressure to catch the murderer before he or she kills again.

Although new to homicide, Erin is a veteran police detective who previously worked in sex crimes which makes her so-called "rookie" mistakes during the investigation quite puzzling. She is incredibly insecure and plagued with self-doubt. From a wealthy and privileged background, Erin relates a little too closely to the people she is questioning and her skewed perspective makes her rather insensitive, impatient and downright antagonistic during interviews. She is prone to angry outbursts which make her appear argumentative, unprofessional, childish and overly emotional. When she calms down, Erin realizes she should have held her tongue and although she is quick to apologize, she NEVER seems learns from her mistakes.

Todd is a seasoned investigator who is nothing like his disagreeable, unsympathetic and unlikable new partner. Although he is patient, methodical and analytical, he does eventually become frustrated with Erin's propensity to fly off the handle at the least bit of provocation. Todd is much more open-minded about possible scenarios for the murders they are investigating and although he has doubts about Erin's theories, he does not entirely discount her suppositions.

Their investigation yields few viable leads but Erin and Todd diligently follow what little evidence they uncover. Stonewalled by Bonnie's family, they nonetheless continue chipping away until they discover the truth about their victim's past. They try to be sensitive with her parents but Erin does not hesitate to push them for answers. After the second vicious killing, Erin and Todd are determined to find the connection between the victims but they both feel like they are going in circles since their investigation quickly stalls. Will they put together the pieces of the of puzzle and arrest the murderer before it is too late?

Killing Jane is an intriguing police procedural that fans of the genre will enjoy. This first outing in the Stacy Green's Erin Prince series is full of unexpected twists and turns. Although the case is solved by the novel's end, the conclusion is ambiguous enough that readers will wonder whether or not the perpetrator will return in future installments. All in all, a solid start to the series but hopefully the lead protagonist will be a little more likable in the next book. ( )