Friday, February 3, 2017

Review: At Close Range by Laura Griffin


Publication Date: January 31st 2017 by Pocket Books
Purchase Links: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

About the book:

New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin “delivers the goods” (Publishers Weekly) again with the eleventh title in the gritty, heart-pounding Tracers series.

When a lakeside tryst ends in a double murder, police detective Daniele Harper arrives on the scene determined to get answers. Clues are everywhere, but nothing adds up. Dani turns to the Delphi Center crime lab for help, but soon regrets it when her secret attraction to their chief firearms examiner threatens to distract her from the most important case of her career.

As a ballistics expert and former Navy SEAL, Scott Black knows firearms, and he knows he can help Dani unravel her case. Scott has managed to hide his interest in his best friend’s younger sister for years, but when her investigation brings them together, the sparks between them quickly burn out of control. Scott resolves to keep his hands off Dani and his eyes on the goal—identifying a killer. But when that killer zeroes in on her, all bets are off. There isn’t a line Scott won’t cross to convince Dani to trust him so that he can help her take down a ruthless murderer who has her in his sights.

My Thoughts:
A couple is found shot and killed in the forest, and Dani finds herself heading the investigation into their deaths. The murders are high profile, but Dani finds more questions than answers as she investigates.  Integral to the investigation is the Delphi Center, a forensic specialty center lending its services to the local police in cases where quick, solid answers are necessary.  Scott Black, Dani’s long time unrequited crush, is the resident expert of ballistics from the Delphi Center assigned to the case throwing Dani and Scott together after an steamy New Year’s encounter six months earlier.  They shared a drunken, passionate kiss, and since then Scott has been avoiding her.  Can they keep things professional tracking down a ruthless killer? I certainly hoped not!

At Close Range blended together all the things I love in romantic suspense: lots of action, danger, and a romance full of chemistry!  I do love a romance of unrequited love!  Scott and Dani’s history is full of yearning and denial, setting the romance up for an inevitable collision; something a long time coming! Scott was the best friend of Dani’s older brother, and basically for fifteen years Dani has secretly lusted for him.  She knows his reputation with women. Never seeing him with the same one twice, Dani’s very hesitant to start anything with Scott, even with the explosive chemistry they share.  She doesn’t want to be another notch in his bedpost and lose their friendship in the process, but at the same time working together they can’t resist the insane pull between them: 

“Scott, aren’t you worried about everything?”
“No.”
“I am.” She eased back and looked at him.  “This could ruin our friendship.”
“I don’t want to be your friend anymore, Daniele.” He slid a hand up to cup her face. “It’s this or nothing for us.”

They spend nights together after barely surviving the attacks thrown their way, and all that pent up attraction boils to the surface making for some pretty heated scenes!   It was a, hot, exciting read!

I’ve only read one other book in the Tracers series, but this didn’t hamper my enjoyment at all.  At Close Range can be read and enjoyed completely as a stand-alone story.  Buckle up for an intense ride!

4 Suns



1 comment:

  1. I love me a good romantic suspense book and this one sounds like the perfect read for a cold winter weekend. :) Great review!

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