Second grade school teacher Elle Harrison's life hasn't been the same since the murder of her husband Charlie two years ago. She tries to move forward with her life by putting her house up for sale, but when the first day of the school begins, Elle's life gets a tad bit more complicated when she discovers the dead body of the school's principal. And if that isn't enough, Elle finds out that there is a hit list, and she's next on the list! When dead bodies start to accumulate, Elle is determined to solve the murder mystery, and find the killer before she ends up as the next victim!

In Child's Play, the third book in the Elle Harrison Thriller Series, author Merry Jones weaves an intriguing thriller that engages the reader in solving the mystery all the while keeping them guessing along the way. This is a riveting tale of murder, mystery and suspense set in Philadelphia, and written in the first person narrative with Elle Harrison taking the reader along for the ride on her zany adventure to uncover the mystery surrounding the school murders.

Mixed with humor, danger, paranormal involvement, potential suspects and enough twists and turns that keeps you turning the pages until the surprising conclusion, you'll find yourself recruited as one of Elle's amateur sleuths on a quest to solve the puzzle of the school murders. The author weaves a masterful tale that takes the reader in many directions: between the murder mystery, Elle's psychological backstory, Elle's relationship with her best friends, and the paranormal activity, you can't help but try and keep up with this fast-paced riveting thriller.

With a quirky cast of characters who are very entertaining: from zany Elle and her hilarious best friends Susan, Becky, and Jenny; to ghostly Charlie who communicates with Elle from beyond the grave; to a host of potential suspects who each have a motive for murder; they keep the reader on their toes wondering who really is the murderer.

With witty and humorous dialogue and interactions; an intriguing storyline that takes the reader on a madcap adventure that alternates between the present with Elle's memory flashbacks to the past; and a richly detailed description of familiar Philadelphia landmarks; Child's Play is a tantalizing whodunit mystery thriller that will engage your imagination to the very end!

RATING: 4 STARS

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author /publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours.

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I never read this series before and was a little upset that it was the third in a series but the description still drew me in and I am glad. It was thoroughly enjoyable and there were a few twists that were handled well. I liked the Elle and wouldn't mind going back and seeing where her story began.

Childs Play was well crafted and entertaining and worth the read.

Here is a review by Jennifer: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1891907979

I really liked this book!

It was suspenseful, creepy, and you constantly had the feeling that something bad was going to happen. I very much enjoyed the writing style and having it be from the perspective of one character.

Elle Harrison is a second grade teacher, and she is in need of a change. After her husband's murder two years ago, she's ready to move on. She's selling her house and trying new things. The new school year is about to start when tragedy strikes. Just before the first day of school, Elle learns that a former student, Ty Evans, has been released from juvenile detention where he served time for killing his abusive father. Within days of his release, Elle’s school principal, who’d tormented Ty as a child, is brutally murdered. There are more killings, and they all have one thing in common, Ty.

Ty seeks Elle out, confiding that she’s the only adult he’s ever trusted. She tries to be open-minded, even wonders if he’s been wrongly condemned. But when she’s assaulted in the night, she suspects that Ty is her attacker. Is he a serial killer? Is she his next intended victim?

This was a fast paced book and it kept me on my toes. You definitely started to feel the paranoia that Elle was experiencing. While this is book three in the Elle Harrison series, it definitely holds it's own as a stand alone book. I didn't find myself confused or lost with the characters or events. I would definitely recommend this!

Thank you to the publisher for an ebook copy in exchange for an honest review.

Having a background in psychology and suffering through my own blackout related episodes post trauma I felt really connected to this book. It very much felt like Merry Jones accurately captured that kind of trauma in her main character including the frustration with people around you not understanding to the point of judging you or believing you about what you're experiencing. The way she developed not only the main character but her friends showed a real understanding and compassion for this type of experience.

The only thing I had trouble with was how much wine the author had Elle constantly drinking because it had been mentioned she had seen a professional and been formally diagnosed for the blackouts. This means she would’ve been told to limit if not avoid alcohol which would exacerbate these episodes but that was never touched upon. Despite her friends knowing about these problems instead of them helping her to avoid alcohol they encouraged it but then would berate her later for drinking herself into oblivion.

This was such a fantastically twisted story I had to know how it would end especially because I had emphasized so much with Elle. By the time the truth was revealed I did NOT see that ending coming.

It was such a great thriller with bodies dropping left and right, it reminded me of those slasher films I become addicted to during every Halloween season. When I went to look up more information about the author I discovered this is actually the 3rd book in a series but it was so good I didn’t feel like I had missed out on anything by not reading the first two, it works as a stand-alone. I’m definitely going to look up those first two now to see if they’re as good as this one.

The author had me hooked from the very beginning of this book!
It's a rather dark psychological thriller with lots of twists and turns to the story. Every time I thought that I knew who the killer was, something else would happen to change my mind.

The main character, Elle, has been through enough stress and sadness to last a lifetime! I liked her personality. The author really gave us a well developed character to worry about. Some of the tension filled scenes made me glad that I was not reading this home alone! I would have turned every light on in the house if that were the case.

This an excellent thriller that I would definitely recommend!

* I was provided an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley. I voluntarily read and reviewed it on my own.

Child's play was my first literary interaction with author Merry Jones and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. I was unaware that this was book 3 of a series, as it is definitely strong enough to be the stand alone.

I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this book from NetGalley & the author Merry Jones in exchange for a fair honest review of its content.

This book was a fantastic terrifying twisted, horrific mystery with a hint of fun that dives into the how unlucky can you be the life of Ellie Harrison. A Widowed school teacher, with a full plate of preparing for the upcoming school year, selling her home did I mention all after seeing her murdered husband's ghost. When tragedy strikes again involving a former student. Although the story was predictable at times it kept my attention and I wanted to know what happened next.

I would definitely recommend this book to others and I will most definitely be checking out Ms. Jones other books.

I really enjoyed this book. I had to keep changing my mind about "who dunnit" through out. I found the whole "pulling an Elle" a little over used but otherwise I really liked the storyline and how it all came together.
I will certainly be reading more form this author.

It’s been two years since Elle Harrison’s husband was murdered and now the second grade teacher is ready to move forward. She learns a former student, Ty Evans has been released from juvenile detention after killing his abusive father. Not long after Ty is released, Elle’s principle is murdered as a matter fact almost everyone who had some contact with tie in the past ends up dead. When the boys little brother Seth shows up in class bruised, Elle reports his condition to the authorities and Seth and his sister Katie are taken away from home. Ty seeks out his former teacher, the only adult he ever trusted looking for help, but when Elle herself is later assaulted under cover of darkness, she begins to wonder if the boy that she knew all those years ago has really become a killer.

I want to take a minute to thank Oceanview Publishing and Merry Jones for my advanced copy of Child’s play. I enjoyed it more then I initially thought I would. I will be honest I picked this up not knowing anything about the author or even that this is actually the third book in a series. I am so glad that the series centers around Elle Harrison I loved her as a character. She has gone through so much hardship that I almost feel like she is a magnet for sadness.
The first day of school, Ellie goes in early to get her room ready for the onslaught of new students. She stumbles across the body of the school principal, brutally murdered. The day before school starts Ty one of Elle’s former students comes out of jail for killing his father. Or did he????? Ty’s younger brother Seth is in Elle’s class keeping the teacher and the former student still connected. Will it be a good thing will it be a murderous combination? All and all a good read I would give it 4 stars for the simple fact that I hated the character of Jerry. YOU will Love this book but learn to loath Jerry by the last page of this chilling who done it novel.