This book about Mia was the one I wanted to read the most. Mia has been on the periphery of the books in this series since the first book and in book two we meet her potential love interest, Ric. So I was super excited to check this one out as soon as I was done with the last book. I read this book in about 12 hours for the record. I devoured it and the suspense was intense in this one!
While this is a series, there is no need to read the books in order. Sure Mia meets Ric in the book before this one but there isn’t much else that happens other than that. So if you are thinking about reading the books out of order you can absolutely do that and not be lost at all. In the series so far I would have to say this is probably my favorite. The mystery in book 2 was intense and so good but as far as all around story telling—-romance and mystery—-this is a more balanced book.
This book had it all. Sex, money, power, kidnapping, murder for hire, prostitutes, elected officials, romance, forensic science, cold cases. ALL THE THINGS. I loved how this one unfolded and left me wanting more in each chapter. Ric sometimes got on my nerves but ultimately I loved him and Mia together and loved seeing how this one came together and HOW it came together is so worth it! Suspense and thriller fans will be fully invested in this one and looking over their shoulders.
Summary
TRACING KILLERS IS MIA VOSS’S BUSINESS. AND HER WORK JUST GOT PERSONAL.
At first, Mia Voss thinks it’s just bad luck when her already lousy day ends with a carjacking, but what seems like a random incident is followed by another sinister episode. A DNA expert, Mia has made it her mission to put away vicious criminals. Suddenly, she’s become the target of one. And the only way to protect the people she loves most is to deliberately destroy her reputation and risk letting a killer walk free.
Once, Mia trusted Detective Ric Santos, but that was before Ric let his turbulent past ruin his chances with Mia, the sexiest, most intriguing woman he’s ever met. But he can tell when she’s lying—and when she’s scared. The key to catching a sadistic madman lies within a long-buried cold case that has haunted Mia for years. Only she can uncover the truth, but first, Ric will have to get her to entrust him with her secrets . . . and her life. (summary from Goodreads)
Review
The turns this mystery took were completely unexpected and I had no idea when I started the book that we were going to end up where we did in the end. I was a bit sensational but I LOVED it. It was interesting to read about the DNA evidence and how they unmasked the killer using a mix of DNA evidence and good old fashion police work! That was one of the things I liked best about this book was the balance. I thought it would be more science based since Mia is a forensic scientist specializing in DNA, this book definitely had a DNA aspect but it was largely about good solid police work and trying to connect cold cases and solve the current one by finding the common link. It was a really really well done mystery and could have easily been ripped from headline news! Great job on the mystery.
The romance was also pretty hot and they fit well together. Part of my was frustrated by Ric’s desire to control so much of the choices that Mia made and he was a little too controlling at times but as we learned more about his character, I found myself falling for him the same as Mia. He had a lot more redeeming qualities than I was expecting when we were first introduced to him and I thought he was a good match for Mia in the end even if she seemed more nurturing and emotional than Ric wanted but in the end they found a balance and I think they ended up being a good match for each other.
I don’t want to spoil anything in this book for anyone but there is a lot to try and sort through if you love mysteries and suspense. There are always so many questions—–but it’s the why that always drive me when I am reading murder mysteries. Why is the killer targeting Mia. That is what drove me to keep reading. She seemed like the least likely target but in the end it was thrilling to find out the why! If you love a twisty mystery with a far reaching scope then this is going to be a good option for you! Now I am eager to get back to book 4! I can’t wait to keep reading this series!
Book Info and Rating
Format
387 pages, Mass Market PaperbackPublished
November 30, 2010 by Pocket Star Books RomanceISBN
9781439152966 (ISBN10: 1439152969)
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 