To Catch a Killer

Erin Blake, Book 1

By: Sheryl Scarborough

Narrated by: Christy Romano

In To Catch a Killer, a contemporary mystery by debut author Sheryl Scarborough, a teenage girl uses forensic science to solve the cold-case murder of her mother.

Erin Blake has one of those names. A name that, like Natalee Holloway or Elizabeth Smart, is inextricably linked to a grisly crime. As a toddler, Erin survived for three days alongside the corpse of her murdered mother, and the case - which remains unsolved - fascinated a nation. Her father's identity unknown, Erin was taken in by her mother's best friend and has become a relatively normal teen in spite of the looming questions about her past.

Fourteen years later, Erin is once again at the center of a brutal homicide when she finds the body of her biology teacher. When questioned by the police, Erin tells almost the whole truth, but never voices her suspicions that her mother's killer has struck again in order to protect the casework she's secretly doing on her own.

Inspired by her uncle, an FBI agent, Erin has ramped up her forensic hobby into a full-blown cold-case investigation. This new murder makes her certain she's close to the truth, but when all the evidence starts to point the authorities straight to Erin, she turns to her longtime crush (and fellow suspect) Journey Michaels to help her crack the case before it's too late.

©2017 Sheryl Scarborough (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Narrator Christy Romano captures fearless 17-year-old Erin Blake convincingly. When she was two, Erin spent three days beside her murdered mother's body, and now she's determined to find her killer. Romano also effectively depicts secondary characters: Rachel, Erin's guardian, who was also her mother's best friend, as well as gutsy, eccentric Samantha and kind, level-headed Lysa, Erin's friends, who add warmth and support to her life. Each chapter begins with a helpful quote about detecting or forensics from a book by Erin's uncle, FBI agent Victor Fleming. Tension escalates, and so does Romano's delivery when Erin's favorite science teacher, who is also helping with the case, is brutally murdered. Listeners will root for Erin, both in her in her single-minded pursuit and in her partnership with her secret crush as they join forces to identify the perpetrator. Listeners of all ages will enjoy this roller-coaster mystery. ( AudioFile Magazine)

No violence, gore, sex or foul language!

This is an enjoyable listen with several likable characters & great narration. Its not quite a young adult book. It’s more than just a murder mystery. So much more. There are heartwarming family elements that I especially enjoyed. I listen to about two mystery/psychological thrillers a week. This was a fresh new take on that genre. The protagonist is a teenage girl, but don’t let that turn you off from this book, Good solid writing, smart characters & spot on narration makes this easy listen a winner, especially if you need a break from the intense psychological thrillers I usually listen to. A nice clean summer listen. No gore, no sex, no foul language.

Suspenseful

A bit juvenile, but the main characters were teenagers so what should I expect. It is written as if the writer is just starting out and read that way as well. The reader could have been a little more enthusiatic. My interest was held enough to want to know how it would end, and although I had the killer pegged by the middle of the story, the rest I was pleasantly surprised about. Nice story, beautiful ending.

Pretty good

It was a fun read--reminded me of what it was like to be in high school. I guessed the killer right off the bat, but that didn't make the book less enjoyable.

I loved listening to this with my teenagers!

We would listen to this while travelling to and from training sessions. I would say it's a YA mystery novel, but I think it would appeal to many experienced adult listeners too.

Really great read for all ages..

I really enjoyed reading this book. I'm not a young adult..but it was fun and the story line really suspenseful. Good read for all ages.

Modern-day Nancy Drew

Great book for Teenagers...... felt odd as an adult listening to a teenagers 💘 😻 lust.... but the rest of the book was very intriguing and hope to hear more.

I really enjoyed this book and it's narration.

A well written story about a young girls search for answers in the cold case of her mother's murder.

Very cute story..

The story is kinda like a rom/com you can see the ending come but thee characters are so realistic you cheer them on anyway

good Book

a nice book to just calmly listen to something and overall admire the story very nice storyline and it's very shocking who the killer is at the very end so please read it and enjoy it.

Edge of my seat!

This story had me hooked from start to finish! Such a great book and very well read.