Don’t mind me binge reading this whole series just like I said I was NOT going to do. I thought I would read maybe one or two books in this series and then put it down. Sorry not sorry because as I am writing this I am currently halfway done through the tenth book! I have absolutely devoured these books and I have been loving them. Some more than others but overall this is a wonderful series! If you love fast paced thrillers with a romance then you do not want to miss these books!
One of the things that I really love about this series is the variety of mystery that you get. I have read a lot of big time crime books/series like the Kay Scarpetta books and often those books always feature a deranged serial killer. But this series really hits on a lot of various crimes. Sometimes you might get a deranged serial killer, while other times you might get a government conspiracy or terrorist cell. I love the variety and complexity of the cases, it keeps things interesting and fresh. Plus the amount of research that goes into just one of these books has to be substantial.
Griffin writes with such knowledge of police procedures, military protocols, and forensic science. She is truly a marvel and must spend so much time researching her topics but it is really fascinating and keeps the series fresh, exciting, and authentic! Every time I open one of Griffin’s books I never know what the main crime will be but I know it’s going to be well written and researched! This series can absolutely be read out of order so grab a book and dive in, you will NOT be disappointed!
Summary
Sophie Barrett Thinks She’s Lucky To Be Alive.
She May Be Dead Wrong.
On a sweltering summer afternoon, Sophie Barrett walks into a nightmare. A sniper has opened fire on a college campus. When the carnage is over, three people – plus the shooter – are dead and dozens more are injured. Sophie escapes virtually unscathed. Yet as details emerge from the investigation, she becomes convinced that this wasn’t the random, senseless act it appeared to be. No one wants to believe her – not the cops, not her colleagues at the Delphi Center crime lab, and definitely not Jonah Macon, the homicide detective who’s already saved her life once.
Jonah has all kinds of reasons for hoping Sophie is mistaken. Involving himself with a key witness could derail an already messy investigation, not to mention jeopardize his career. But Sophie is as determined and fearless as she is sexy. If he can’t resist her, he can at least swear to protect her. Because if Sophie is right, she’s made herself the target of a killer without a conscience. And the real terror is only just beginning…. (summary from Goodreads)
Review
Sophie Barrett was featured in the very first book in this series and has been a background character in the books leading up to this one. Initially I wasn’t a fan of Sophie, but then she grew on me and I was excited to see that she was getting her own story in this one. Although I have to admit this one featured a school shooting which might be a trigger for some readers. When this book was written in 2012 mass shootings were an issue but not in the way that they have been in recent years so just keep that in mind if you are picking this up for the first time. If you have seen the film Jack Reacher or read the book that it’s based on (One Shot), this plot will feel similar. I have only seen the film but there were some parallels in this book with the plot in the Reacher novel. But for me it was better because it featured a romance too!
I loved the Jack Reacher film so this book was right up my alley. It had a conspiracy that never left me feeling bored. Personally, Sophie’s character grated on my nerves from time to time, and I sometimes felt like her and Jonah rushed their relationship as Sophie was still dealing with some PTSD from the previous book so it felt a little weird to have them hook up now in this book. I know this book was written ten years ago and since then PTSD and mental health and relationships have shifted drastically so for the time it probably felt appropriate in a way that maybe it doesn’t now. Wit that in mind, I did still enjoy the book and the romance was (as per usual) hot and I enjoyed Jonah as a romance interested.
One thing that I thought was interesting about Sophie’s character was in earlier books she was an aspiring singer and now she has had a shift in her priorities and wants to be a PR rep for the Delphi Center. I am not sure how I felt about that. In a way I felt sad and mourned the fact that she didn’t continue to pursue her dream of becoming a singer but I think the author did a good job explaining and justifying WHY Sophie had a change of heart professionally. Overall this was a solid installment to a fantastic series. If you haven’t read this series yet, it’s one you do not want to miss! All the books are wonderful!
Book Info and Rating
Format: 401 pages mass market paperback
Published: August 30th 2011 by Pocket Star
ISBN: 9781451617368
Review copy provided by personal collection. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: mystery, thriller, romantic suspense
The Lit Bitch 