Touch of Red

August 15, 2017
Forensics expert Brooke Porter has been working with Detective Sean Byrne for a while, and when a brutal case brings them closer together, her heart-pounding terror will only be quelled by a certain handsome heartthrob. This 12th book in Griffin's Tracers series starts at the scene of a bloody, violent murder where Brooke gathers evidence that indicates a missing witness--a child who saw a woman murdered. In addition to finding the killer, she is also concerned with protecting this kid. As if that weren't enough to worry about, her ex is stalking her. It's only after she's shot at while protecting their witness that Brooke finally opens up to Sean, both physically and emotionally. Despite her protestations of not wanting a relationship and his of being patient, the romance unfolds as seamlessly as it can with a dangerous murderer on the loose. A second victim turns up more clues, and Brooke's insistence on helping with the investigation leads her and Sean to their only real argument. When she realizes that his motivation is her safety and not total control, her fears of falling into another relationship like her last are resolved. Ultimately, the best part of this well-paced thriller comes in the last 50 or so pages when the killer is revealed and the chase is on. It would be easy to fall into the helpless victim/heroic savior trope, but Griffin does a good job of turning those cliches on their sides. Brooke is as independent and stubborn as Sean is nurturing and sensitive. Scorching-hot chemistry and a happily-ever-after-you'll enjoy rooting for, but readers put off by graphic violence might find that it's not for the faint of heart.

COPYRIGHT(2017) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

September 25, 2017
Griffin never disappoints with her exciting, well-researched, fast-paced romantic thrillers, and her 12th Tracers novel (after At Close Range) is a fine example. The murder of a young barista is particularly brutal, but it’s nothing that Austin, Tex., crime scene investigator Brooke Porter hasn’t seen before. Looking for the tiniest shred of evidence, she finds traces of a hidden eyewitness who may be the key to finding the culprit. Homicide detective Sean Byrne respects Brooke’s tenacity and skill. He doesn’t want her to play detective, possibly bringing herself to the attention of the killer and making herself a target, but he realizes that his personal feelings for Brooke may be coloring his perspective. Despite Brooke being skittish from a previous relationship, Sean’s determined to earn her trust and explore their undeniable chemistry. For fans of the long-running series, Griffin tosses in mentions of the many Delphi Center crime scene experts who have recently gotten married or paired off to round out an engrossing story full of twists, turns, and sexy interludes. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary.