Twisted - Laura Griffin

Book Blurb:
Rookie detective Allison Doyle only has room in her life for one goal: to prove to everyone that she is every bit as capable as the men in her small-town Texas police department. But when a vicious murder sends shockwaves through her community, Allison finds herself at the epicenter of a bigger challenge than she ever imagined. Legendary FBI profiler Mark Wolfe arrives to consult on the case and puts forth a startling new theory—that the crime is not the handiwork of the police’s prime suspect, but of an elusive psychopath Mark has been hunting for more than a decade.

Teaming up with Mark puts Allison’s professional reputation—and her heart—in jeopardy, but she shoves these risks aside so she can tap into one of the FBI’s best assets. With Mark’s help, as well as the elite group of forensic scientists known as the Tracers, Allison uncovers the killer’s true identity. Or does she? As the net tightens around a psychopath, Allison begins to wonder if she and Mark have trapped a killer or become ensnared themselves….

In My Own Words:
Not many police forces are keen on accepting help from the FBI so when rookie Allison teams up with Mark Wolfe, no one thinks this is the best move for her career.  But when Mark tells Allison and the task force his idea that the prime suspect in a recent murder isn't the guy they are looking for, Allison decides to take her own path and follow Mark's lead.  Mark has been hunting this killer for years, the last thing he needs is a young rookie cop mucking up his investigation.  Soon Mark figures out that Allison is a good person to have on his side and they form an easy relationship.  When Allison believes that she knows the bad guy, the heat is on.  But who is the one caught, the bad guy or them?

Review:
This was not my favorite Tracer book.  I didn't feel that the Tracers were very involved.  One of the reasons I love the Tracer series is to get to see the inner workings of the Dephi Center, not a whole lot of that.  The chemistry between Mark and Allison seemed almost forced.  I wish there would have been a little....more.

Unforgivable - Laura Griffin

Book Blurb:
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.

In My Own Words:
Mia has spent years building up her reputation as a leading DNA expert. Priding herself on being ahead of the criminals AND up on the newest research, Mia is a sought after expert.  When Mia's life takes a turn with a seemingly cut and dry carjacking, she is shaken but refuses to let the bad guy get the better of her...until her sister and nephew are threatened.  When that call comes, she realizes she will do anything to keep them safe, including risking her reputation, her job and her life to keep them safe.

Detective Ric Santos has worked with Mia before.  He respected her then, and at the time thought something more could come of it before his old demons came to the forefront.  Now he is working with her again and can tell she is holding back from him.  Can he get her to trust him in time to help her?  Will he be to late to save her life AND her reputation?  And can he keep his hands off of her in the mean time?

Review:
Book 3 in the Tracers series keeps the action on high octane.  I really enjoyed this book, and I think it was my favorite of the series thus far.  Each book seems to offer a different "type" of Tracer.  Mia is a meek mannered woman who has a sole focus on her career but don't discount her as mild, she can have sass when she needs to and she isn't afraid to get down and dirty when the need arises.  Ric fights his attraction for a long time, and it is fun to see him cave and let loose.  They are not only a great couple, but they make an awesome team as well.  I liked that there are a lot of technical information in the book without overwhelming you with mumbo jumbo that doesn't really affect the outcome of the story.  I can't wait for the next Tracer book.

Unspeakable ~ Laura Griffin

Synopsis:
Elaina McCord’s dream of being an FBI profiler is threatened by her very first case—investigating a string of murders near a Texas beach resort. The victims, all young women, were drugged and brutally murdered, their bodies abandoned in desolate marshland. Elaina’s hunch—met with disbelief by local police—is that these are only the latest offerings from a serial killer who has been perfecting his art for years, growing bolder and more cunning with each strike.
True-crime writer Troy Stockton has a reputation as an irresistible playboy who gets his story at any cost. He’s the last person Elaina should trust, let alone be attracted to. But right now Troy, along with the elite team of forensics experts known as the Tracers, is her only ally in a case that’s turning dangerously personal. A killer is reaching out to Elaina, taunting her, letting her know how ruthless he is and how close he’s getting. Now it’s not just her career that’s in jeopardy—it’s her life. . . .

Review:
Unspeakable is the 2nd book in the Tracer series.  Elaina is a green FBI agent and was told to obtain her goal of being a profiler with the BAU, she needed more field experience.  She is shipped to the middle of nowhere, Texas.  While there she becomes the fixation of a serial killer known as the Paradise Killer.  While investigating and meeting with no help from the local police, she meets Troy Stockton who has taken a personal interest in the case she is currently working on.  Troy would like nothing more than to have his cake and eat it to, per se, but Elaina is working on her career and has decided to focus solely on her career but needs Troy to help her with the case as he is the only one that seems to believe her theories.  This is a non stop thriller.  You are introduced to the killer and his neurosis early on, but he isn't identified by his character until the end.

Notable Quote:
..."and why did you decide to stay?"  "I don't know," she said.  "I guess because they wanted me to leave."

Rating:
This was my first Laura Griffin book and it won't be my last.  There was non stop action and intrigue.  I thought I had the killer pegged early on then I changed my mind a dozen times.  I loved the chemistry between Elaina and Troy not only in the bedroom, but also on the case.  The story is more suspense than romance but I enjoyed it from cover to cover.  Through this story we met and got to know Ric a cop and Mia a scientist with the Tracer group who are in the next book and I can't wait to read it.