Review: Last Seen Alone by Laura Griffin

After finishing the Tracers series and a short segue into the Wolfe Security series, I had a moment where I thought about switching to something else, but I just couldn’t bring myself to look for something else to read so I decided to stick with something I knew would be good and that is basically any book by Laura Griffin! I picked up this standalone book and was eager to dive back into another murder mystery that I knew would be solid and well researched.

All of Laura Griffin’s books can be read as standalone book, even in the series even with a few appearances of other fringe characters from other books. Everything is bluring together now but I feel like this book might have Fiona Glass in it and she was in the Wolfe Security Series and the Tracer books as well as having her own series. I love getting to explore characters with in Griffin’s various worlds. It makes it feel connected and realistic like these people and events could be happening in real life.

Griffin does such a great job creating realistic plots, stories, and characters. All of her research and vast knowledge of police procedures, law, and forensics is staggering and I am always in awe of her ability to write so knowledgeably about so many different topics. This book had a little bit of everything and definitely had a more modern plot and had an interesting take on attorney client privilege.

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Review: Her Deadly Secrets (Wolfe Security #2) by Laura Griffin

When I was first introduced to the Wolfe Security team, Jeremy was the one I was interested in. I always like a strong silent type and I thought that Jeremy fit the bill. I also liked the hint of a romance for him in one of the Tracers books—even if it didn’t go anywhere in the book. I was really excited to see he got his own story in this book but I was surprised that his wasn’t the first one of the series since we met him in other books in the Tracer series. That’s probably why I accidentally read this book first!

The Wolfe Security books can be read out of order, I know because that’s what I did! But to be fair, all of Griffin’s books can be read out of order as well. Characters are introduced from other series but almost always have no impact on the larger narrative. For example, we might meet police sketch artist Fiona Glass in various books throughout the Wolfe Security and Tracers books but we never actually interact with her more than in passing, though she does end up with her own book series later on. Griffin always does a fantastic job at introducing new and old characters without confusing readers or muddling the plot from previous books etc.

When I picked this one up, I was eager to get to know Jeremy more—-that was my only motivation, though I have to say the idea of a bodyguard romance appealed to me ever since the first time we meet the Wolfe Security team in one of the Tracer books. It was the romance troupe I didn’t know I needed. I love the intimacy and connection that bodyguard and client must have. Even if it isn’t necessarily romantic, I am sure there is a level of trust and intimacy that they must have in order to have a successful partnership—-and leave it to Griffin to add the romantic layer though!

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Review: Desperate Girls (Wolfe Security #1) by Laura Griffin

I should just re-name my blog ‘Laura Griffin Fan Girl Website’. After finishing the Tracers series I promised myself I would move on to something else, but I just couldn’t say goodbye to some of the characters from Griffin’s books yet! In the Tracers series books, we meet a few of the Wolfe Security characters and I thought it would be fun to read a bit more about them in this short series. Currently it’s only two books, but I hope we get a couple of more!

The Wolfe Security books can be read out of order—-I actually read the second one first by mistake and had no trouble doing that. I should also note that you don’t need to read the Tracer books to read this series. We just happen to cross paths with some of the characters in other books in the Tracers series but all of Griffin’s books can be read as standalone books.

I really liked the idea of a bodyguard romance. It’s something I never really thought about before or thought that I would enjoy, but after being introduced to the subject in the Tracers books, I was intrigued and excited to check out this series. Knowing that Griffin always writes such great mysteries as well as romance, I knew I would be getting a quality book but with a new subject matter. I knew this wasn’t going to be the typical cop romantic suspense, and considering the main character in this one is a lawyer, I figured it might be more like a Law and Order episode—-heavy on the law part!

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Review: Stone Cold Heart (Tracers 13) by Laura Griffin

I finally made it to the last book in this length series. I don’t know that I am ready for this series. to end yet—-but it appears to be the end at least for the foreseeable future. I personally feel like there are more stories in this series as there are some reoccurring characters in the books that I think could have interesting stories to tell—-the one I am thinking of inparticular is Ben. He’s been a long standing character in the books and I would love to see him have his own book. Same with Ric Santos’s brother.

Who knows maybe there will be other books in this series in the future but considering this book was written in 2019 and author Laura Griffin has since written a number of other books and side series, I feel like this one could be over at least for now. Obviously I am a big fan of this series as I have been reading it for the last couple of months now and haven’t really taken much of a break. I promised myself I would switch to something else after I was done with this book.

Spoiler—-I didn’t. I picked up MORE Laura Griffin books. For whatever reason, I am so invested in her books and I think it’s because I haven’t been disappointed yet! Her mysteries are so wonderfully complex and interesting not to mention the romance that is subtly woven in really makes for quick reads for me. If you haven’t read her books yet just jump right in! Each can be read as a standalone so hope around if you want!

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Special Feature: Muffin But The Truth (A Bakeshop Mystery #16) by Ellie Alexander

Ellie Alexander has written a number of cozy mysteries series, her most well known being this one. Clearly it’s popular as it currently has 16 books in the series! I have skipped around in this series without too much trouble and I have also read some of Alexander’s other book series and really enjoyed her mix of classic Oregon towns and interesting characters—-not to mention the food!

Alexander is from Oregon and this particular series is set in Ashland. I live in Oregon so naturally I am partial to any book set in the PacNW. Ashland is a fun town and they have an annual Shakespeare Festival there as well so I love that Alexander incorporates this into her books. I can personally attest that these books authentically portray Oregon and the charm of some of our quirky towns which is one of the reasons I love her books because she really shows our lovely state in all its glory.

Whenever I read one of her books, I always know I am going to get a well written and fun mystery as well as a few good recipes or two! The Bakeshop Mysteries are so fun and I have loved reading them over the years, even reading them out of order they all can read like stand alone books. If you haven’t read this series yet maybe this is your sign to pick it up and give it a shot! I don’t think you will be disappointed. I can’t wait to review this latest novel a little later in the spring! It’s out now though so don’t miss it!

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