I don't really know what I was expecting. I read the book before this and was disappointed that it wasn't really a continuation of The Butterfly Garden. The characters are mentioned as they are in this book but it's not the same. Some parts of the story were interesting but the rest didn't hold my attention.

FBI agent Mercedes Ramirez finds an abused, blood-covered little boy on her front porch clutching a teddy bear. He tells her an angel killed his parents and made him watch. The angel also told him he would be safe with Mercedes. Soon more children show up on her front porch and Mercedes and her fellow agents must race to find out who the killer is and why they picked her. I was very excited to read the final book in the Collector series and it definitely did not disappoint! My emotions ran the gauntlet between horror at what abuses were inflicted on the children, anger at the failure of the overburdened system to keep these children safe after being removed from an abusive environment and happiness for the progress and healing of the victims from the first two books in the series achieved. I became quite attached to several of the characters over the series and will miss them, which proves how incredible Dot Hutchison's writing is. Although I enjoyed this book, I must advise readers that this book contains very vivid scenes of child abuse that will be disturbing to read.

4.5 stars. A seriously great read.

I read the three books in this series in order and I recommend that though I don't think it's strictly necessary. If you want to jump right in with this book, you'll be just fine. In some ways, I think this is the best book of the trilogy, but the more I think on it, the more the books can't really be compared to each other. They're all so different.

The series as a whole centers around an FBI task force, the second and third books more so than the first, and each book focuses on a different member of that group. In each book there is a case to be solved and the case from this book might be the most interesting: Agent Ramirez finds abused children on her doorstep who claim they've been sent there by an angel who just murdered their parents. I mean, come on. That's the coolest premise I've read in a long time. And the book doesn't fail to deliver.

One of the best things I can say about this book is how memorable the characters are. I read each of these books right when they came out, so went about a year between them, and I still had no trouble remembering who was who and what their history was. Let me just say this is not a common occurrence for me. I have trouble remembering what happened from week to week on tv shows, let alone a year between books. But not here. Every character is as vivid and filled out as a real-life person. And they all play off each other so well, in a way that feels so real, so true.

I hope this author writes more books. She's got a lifelong fan in me. And if you give her a try, probably in you too.

SO I was already a fan, just so everyone is aware. I loved the first in the series, the second was a little lacking for me, but the third...fantastic. I thought this was very close to how I felt when I finished The Butterfly Garden.

I just love the characters, and all our favorites make the return with a new face thrown in as well. The story ebbs and flows and draws you in. You just want to read, read, and read some more. I love the banter between the agents and of course the butterflies relationship with Pryia.

Mystery aspect, yes, I was still guessing at the end. If you are a fan of this series, you will enjoy this third novel. Thank you to the publishers and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I enjoyed this book. It was nice to catch up with some of my favorite characters. I don’t want to give anything away, pick up a copy, and enjoy!

This is the 3rd book in the collector series. I really enjoyed this series. It did focus more on Mercedes personal life than on the case itself , but all in all well worth the read

Was waiting for this to come out.
And it didn't disappoint!
Can't wait for more from this author.


Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for an early release of this book

I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of The Summer Children, the third novel in The Collector Series, featuring FBI Agent Mercedes Ramirez.

Mercedes returns home from date night to find a bloodied child on her doorstep. 8 year old Ronnie Wilkes is unharmed and says an angel killed his mum and dad and took him to Mercedes who would keep him safe. He is just the first.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Summer Children which is another fine addition to a very readable series. As Mercedes works for CAC (Crimes against Children) the subject matter can be harrowing and will not suit all readers but for those of a stronger constitution it is an absorbing read. The premise of a vigilante killing abusive parents is not original but Ms Hutchison puts her own stamp on it with some chilling detail and linking it to Mercedes' past.

The novel is told from Mercedes' first person viewpoint, interspersed with first person accounts of the fears and experiences of an unnamed child. I like the immediacy of living the investigation with Mercedes which puts a human face on a difficult subject and makes it more personal as she deals with her own feelings and the child's chapters are a master stroke, really explaining what an abused child suffers. They are difficult to read but very informative and really put the rest of the novel into perspective.

It is not, however, all doom and gloom or darkness in the novel. Mercedes and the team have strong bonds so there is humour in the banter between them, ongoing domestic issues and lots of love and support. Despite the difficult subject matter it makes for a pleasant read.

I found The Summer Children impossible to put down so I have no hesitation in recommending it as a good read.

I have been following this series ever since I read the first book back in 2016. The Butterfly Garden blew me away with one of the most disturbing and twisted serial killer cases I’ve encountered to this date. And somehow, I think The Summer Children is my new favorite of the series. Because while I remember having some doubts about the pace in the middle of the first book, it was literally hook, line and sinker with The Summer Children. I practically devoured this third book of The Collector series and couldn’t let go until the final page. Dot Hutchison has created another intense, disturbing and painful case, and this time things are getting really personal for Mercedes Ramirez. The Summer Children is intense until the very last page and despite the heavy subject I loved every single minute of the ride. Why? First of all, the writing style is just as strong as ever, engaging, gritty and with a perfect mix of suspense, shocking moments and a healthy dose of bantering and a dash of humor. I also loved the mix of normal chapters with the thoughts in cursive! The characters are both well developed and very easy to like and I just love the dynamics between Mercedes and the rest of her team. And no, I’m not just biased by the fact she consistantly uses Spanish phrases and words in her dialogue (don’t worry, non-Spanish speakers will still be able to understand the dialogue perfectly!) The characters in general feel very realistic and all have their flaws and history, making them that much more human and very easy to warm up to. The serial killer in this case has an underlying message that will make you think… A trigger warning is in place for graphic scenes and child abuse for those who can’t stomach these elements in stories. But not without a note that these elements are very well incorporated into the story and not abused in any way. There are also lots of twists and turns included as they try to figure out who is behind it all. The Summer Children was strong from start to finish and this is the main reason this third book is now my new favorite of the series. And I just can’t wait to find out what the next book has in store for us next year.

I thought it was going to be hard to outshine The Butterfly Garden, since it’s one of the best/most disturbed serial killer characterizations I’ve come across. But somehow, I think The Summer Children is the best book yet. From a consistant and superfast pace to likeable and realistic characters, a well developed plot and another intriguing and disturbing case… This third book just ticked all the boxed for me. Add the joy of revisiting old favorite characters and their bantering, and you have a new favorite The Collector book. Can you guess already I can recommend this one if you can stomach the graphic scenes and child abuse triggers?

I have received a netgalley arc (in return for an honest review) of every book in the Collector Series by Dot Hutchison and each one was brilliant, captivating and beautiful. Each one disturbing, funny, uncomfortable and passionate.



The Summer Children was no different. I laughed, I cried and I enjoyed myself. I ate up page after page, deeply involved with some new characters and old characters I have grown to love.



Anyone who knows me well can tell you Butterfly Garden is one of my favorite novels of all time and I have re read it every year since it came out. The Summer Children will be the same. I was so invested and so interested. I am hopeful that there will be more novels in this collection. The story line was colorful, original and nerve wracking.



This book is not for a the faint of heart, it is for lovers of TV like SVU and Criminal Minds. There is child abuse, murder and rape in this novel. While I am against rape as plot in many ways and recently read a book that I hated because of it's use of rape...This novel handles it with the care needed, and in a way that makes you remember that in real life these things happen to children.



I also liked that the main character, Mercedes, is a Hispanic lesbian and she is written in a tasteful way that showcases the diversity needed in literature.



The character dynamics and development are rich and made me feel so connected to each of them I was sad to leave their world.



I will be buying a physical copy of this novel as well, to support the author and so I can physically grip it's pages and cover as I re read it every year.



Thank you Dot Hutchison- I looked forward to everything you write.

I've been eagerly awaiting for this, the third in The Collector series, to show up on Netgalley, and I read it within 24 hours of its appearance. My thoughts here are written immediately after finishing. This one didn't grab me and make me love it the way the second book did - but honestly, for me, that second book was a tough act to follow, and this is still a fabulous book. It shows the same skill in drawing characters and again, excellent writing, plus another great plot. Definitely worth the obsessive Netgalley-checking to get my hands on it!

Debating this book? Don’t. GET IT NOW.

What’s better than an episode of a crime drama? Reading a book that puts you in the shoes of both the agent and the victim. The storyline takes off immediately and never bored me. I felt so invested in the storyline that it was impossible to put it down. There are so many details without being overwhelming and it’s clear the author did her research in writing this book. When you think you’ve got it figured out, BAM! Something surprises you.

I must also say that I loved how a same sex relationship was a part of the story without needing pointed out or made a storyline itself.

A serial killer is taking out abusive and neglectful parents. FBI agent Mercedes Ramirez find their children, one by one on her doorstep after the killer has taken revenge on the child’s parents. This vigilante believes she is saving the children she “liberates”, and she’s not finished yet. At what point does a vigilante become a hero, or a hero a vigilante? Hutchinson has created a three-dimensional, sympathetic character in Mercedes, a woman with a tormented past of her own

I absolutely adore this series. I read this in one sitting and am sad to see it end. The Butterfly Garden was the most compelling of the trilogy, but this one was much stronger than Roses of may. I cannot wait for more from this author and I loved hearing Mercedes’ story.

Won't download, can't read it, nothing there. Book doesn't work