Review: Flight by Laura Griffin

Author: Laura Griffin
Publisher: Berkely
Publication Date:  March 2021

When former forensic photographer Miranda Rhoads moves to the seaside town of Lost Beach, she's decided to make her living as a wildlife photographer and put crime scenes behind her. But her plans are quickly upended when one morning, she comes across a couple sleeping in a canoe, entwined in an embrace. Looking closer, she realizes the man and woman aren't asleep – they've been murdered.

Detective Joel Breda sets out to find answers – not only about the unidentified victims in the marshy death scene, but also about the aloof and beautiful photographer who seems to know more about his investigation than he does.

As they begin to unravel the motivation of a merciless serial killer, Miranda and Joel must race against the clock to make an arrest before the killer can find them first.

Flight is the second book in The Texas Murder Files series.  It is loosely connected to the first book, so it really could be read as a stand alone.  This one takes place in Lost Beach.  Miranda has moved there for a few months to recoup from a taxing career as a forensic photographer.  When she stumbles upon a dead couple in a canoe, she gets pulled back in to her career.

I liked this a bit more than the first book.  I liked the romance part of it a lot more.  I felt like the couple made sense and their romance really added to the story. I really liked Joel and his fellow detectives. I felt like their comradery really felt genuine.  I know I will look forward to their stories.  I also enjoyed the mystery as it kept me guessing.  Overall, this was is worth a shot.

Review: Desperate Girls by Laura Griffin

Author: Laura Griffin
Publisher: Gallery Books
Date of publication: August 2018

Defense attorney Brynn Holloran is right at home among cops, criminals, and tough-as-nails prosecutors. With her sharp wit and pointed words, she has a tendency to intimidate, and she likes it that way. She’s a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, but in her personal life, she’s a mess.

When a vicious murderer she once helped prosecute resurfaces and starts a killing spree to wipeout those who put him behind bars, one thing becomes clear: Brynn needs to run for her life.

With no help from the police, Brynn is forced to take matters into her own hands, turning to a private security firm for protection. But when Brynn defies advice and gets involved in the investigation, even the former Secret Service agent assigned to protect her may not be able to keep her safe. With every new clue she discovers, Brynn is pulled back into the vortex of a disturbing case from her past.

As the clock ticks down on a manhunt, Brynn’s desperate search for the truth unearths long-buried secrets and reignites a killer’s fury.

Desperate Girls is the first in the Wolfe Security series.  It looks like the series will focus on different bodyguards from the security agency.  This one is Erik and Brynn's story.  When a convicted murderer escapes and kills one of the prosecutors on his case, Brynn and her law colleagues are put under private protection.  Brynn was also a prosecutor on that case. 

This was an enjoyable mystery with a bit of romance thrown in.  I didn't feel like the romance overshadowed the mystery.  There ended up being two mysteries actually and the second one was a nice surprise.  I will admit that Brynn drove me crazy in the beginning.  She kept trying to defy the bodyguards assigned to protect her life.  I'm not sure she ever really took the danger she was in seriously until toward the end.  That was frustrating.  The rest of the characters were interesting.  I liked the police detective, Lindsey.  I would love to see more of her in a future book.  

I do have to add that the title of this book baffles me.  It doesn't really fit the plot of the book.  It's almost like someone picked the title without reading it.  The synopsis above doesn't really fit all that well either.  At any rate, I would recommend this one.  It's a fairly quick read with interesting characters and a good mystery.

Far Gone by Laura Griffin

Author: Laura Griffin
Publisher: Gallery Books
Date of publication. April 2014

To save her only brother, Andrea Finch must face down a criminal mastermind, the FBI, and her own demons in this thrilling novel from the author of the bestselling Tracers series.

Police detective Andrea Finch is a rising star in her department until a split-second decision derails her career. Disgraced and disillusioned, she's on leave from her job when she gets an urgent call from her younger brother. She'd prefer to ignore his latest plea for cash, but this time instinct tells her something is very wrong. Andrea's search for answers takes her to a dusty Texas border town where danger lurks in plain sight and nothing is quite what it seems.

FBI agent Jon North is working undercover in west Texas investigating an unsolved murder that may be linked to a broader plot. But when the evidence points to Andrea's brother, Jon finds that persuading the stubborn cop to help will be harder than cracking his toughest case.

Andrea must find a way to do what's right while protecting her only sibling. As the clock ticks down on a deadly plot, Andrea and Jon race to confront a heartless killer who will stop at nothing to deliver a final, terrifying message. 

As I was listening to this book, I kept asking myself why I had I never read anything by this author before.  You all know I am a fan of romantic suspense books, so it is a wonder that I have only just discovered this author recently. I really enjoyed this story.  I thought it was the perfect mix of suspense and romance.

The mystery was solid.  I  liked that it kept me guessing and was surprised at the end.  I loved Andrea and Jon together.  They were both strong independent characters and were well matched.  I do love a strong female lead and Andrea fit the bill. I loved her independence and that she didn't need to be rescued.  Their attraction and chemistry was instant.  Their banter had me laughing more than once.

I definitely recommend this one.  I am going to be seeking out her "Tracers" series. I hear it is a good one.