I featured this one on my blog last spring. My number one hold out when I was pitched this book was time and the fact that this was the third book in an established series. I was worried that I would be lost in the series so I decided to just do a feature instead. Holy moly do I wish I had read these books sooner! They can absolutely be read out of order and they are fully binge worthy so even if you read one you might find yourself reading them all (like me!) because they are all just so good and fast paced.
I can see why Griffin has such a big fan following. It’s rare to find a suspenseful murder mystery that’s twisty AND has a good romance at its core. In my experience I haven’t been able to find a book like this. I love romantic suspense but often it’s heavy on the romance and light on the mystery but not so with Griffin’s books. They are just so balanced and I can’t say enough good things about all of her books that I’ve read so far. I’m currently four books into her Tracers series and already worried about what I am going to read next to fill the void so if anyone has recommendations let me know!
This book had a very twisty and dark murder at it’s core and I actually found myself double checking my locks at night just to be sure. This was a very suspenseful read and I personally felt like this was the most suspenseful in the series overall. I loved how Griffin kept readers on their toes with this book—-so well done! And you better believe I have the next book on my preorder!
Summary
When the shocking discovery of a murdered woman’s body disturbs the tranquility of tourist season, the police detective in charge of the puzzling case must work alongside the new filmmaker in town to pursue every lead in the new romantic thriller from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.
After a scandal derails her television reporting career, Macey Burns comes looking for a change of pace in Lost Beach, Texas. She’s ready to focus on her first passion–documentary filmmaking–and has a new job working for the island’s tourism board, shooting footage of the idyllic beachside community. Her plans for a relaxing rebound are dashed when she realizes the cottage she’s renting belonged to the woman whose body was just found in the sand dunes.
Detective Owen Breda is under intense pressure to solve this murder. Violent crimes are rising in his small town, and he can’t stand to see anyone else hurt…especially not the beautiful documentarian who keeps showing up at the precinct.
With the clock ticking, cameras rolling, and body count climbing, Macey and Owen must use all their resources to find the killer without getting caught in the crosshairs. (summary from Goodreads)
Review
In this series, I loved Flight the best as an all around read, but this one was the most suspenseful for me in this series. I loved how this murder mystery and the murderer were on the darker side with a lot to keep readers guessing about who was responsible and why. I loved loved loved reading this one! I downloaded this one while we were in Disneyland and while I loved being on vacation my mind kept drifting back to this book and trying to figure out the clues and who could be the murderer. I was fully preoccupied by this book and couldn’t wait to get back to reading it every single second I could! I think I read this one in like a day as well. It had my full attention to say the least!
I simply love how well written the romances are for each of the books. Owen is a sexy cop with this great protectiveness that will win readers over. He isn’t overly protective and lets Macey be independent while at the same time his presence is there to take care of her and protect her from a murderer who is a little too close to her. We meet Owen in the previous book in this series and he’s kind of the ‘bad boy’ cop who comes into work hung over and gets by thanks to his brother also being on the force but in this book we see Owen clean up his act and take on this complex murder. He is attracted to Macey but in some ways he feels like she’s in the way of his investigation so he doesn’t immediately take over and try to protect her which let’s her grow as a character. But by the end he is fully smitten with her and in full protective mode. I loved the evolution of their romance and thought it worked really well.
This mystery is definitely darker and more twisty than the previous books but I am absolutely here for it! I love seeing other characters from other books in the series on the periphery of the story without being to focal point. I can totally see why Griffin has such a devoted following. This book is well balance with murder and romance and the murder mysteries just get better and better and more dark! I am so here for it and I cannot wait to see where the next book takes readers! I am a confirmed Griffin fan!
Book Info and Rating
Format
368 pages, Mass Market PaperbackPublished
May 24, 2022 by Berkley BooksISBN
9780593197387 (ISBN10: 0593197380)
Review copy provided by, personal collection. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 5 stars
Genre: romantic suspense, mystery
The Lit Bitch 