Publisher: Pocket
Publish Date: June 25th
How I got this book: Edelweiss
The seventh thrilling novel in the Tracers series from an author who “excels at detailing the mystery and the chase” (Publishers Weekly) features a forensic photographer and an FBI agent who form an uneasy partnership to find a vicious criminal.With the click of her camera, Maddie Callahan inadvertently added herself to the hit list of a criminal mastermind the FBI’s been investigating for months. Agent Brian Beckmann is determined to protect the sexy photographer, but she may be his only lead.
As a forensic photographer, Maddie is used to seeing violence up close, but she’s never before been a target. When a freelance photo shoot goes awry, she realizes she may have seen, and perhaps photographed, the kidnapping of a key witness in a federal probe. And although her camera was stolen, Maddie has something that could be even more valuable to investigators. With the help of her colleagues at the Tracers crime lab, Maddie uncovers DNA evidence that provides a desperately needed break in the case.
Although Brian is reluctant to involve Maddie, she’s determined to help with the investigation and the two set out to track a vicious criminal known as The Doctor, whose far-reaching violence has led to multiple deaths. But as the task force gets closer to catching the deadly Doctor, Maddie is in more danger than ever…
*Blurb from Goodreads*
I came in late to the Tracers series, but everything I’ve read of Griffin’s has blown me away. After I put one of her books down, I’m always anxious to get the next.
Maddie loves her job taking crime scene photos, but the side business of taking wedding, engagement and personal photos is rewarding as well. When her brand new camera is stolen, Maddie finds out that she may have inadvertently witnessed a crime, and is thrust into the middle on an ongoing FBI investigation involving kidnapping, murder and torture.
Brian is new to the FBI, and this case is one that has had him running in circles. First he lost his witness, then he can’t stop his attraction to the newest witness in the case, the cool-as-a-cucumber Maddie. Brian isn’t sure about her, but when Maddie helps their investigation as much as possible, Brian will do anything to protect her, especially when Maddie finds herself in the crosshairs.
While I really liked this book, it wasn’t my favorite in the series so far. There didn’t seem to be as much hard-hitting action as previous books, and I always loved the high level of suspense that Griffin puts into her novels. For me, with this installment, that was missing. However, I have to say that I adored the romance and friendship between Brian and Maddie. I loved that Brian was willing to chase Maddie, at her pace, and win her over little by little. He refused to accept her brushing him off and proved to Maddie that he was not only her friend, but romance potential as well.
Given Maddie’s history, I felt devastated for her. I could understand why she wanted to stay as far away from falling in love as possible, however I never really understood her reluctance to Brian being younger than her. Other than her mentioning it a few times throughout the book, it never really played a part for either of them, in my opinion. I did really enjoy watching Maddie grow past her trauma in life and come out so healthy in the end, especially when she confronts her ex. 🙂
The mystery surrounding this case was very different. I’m so used to my romantic suspense villains being about terrorists or crime lords, so seeing The Doctor as the big bad was a huge change for me. Granted, that didn’t stop him for being a sadistic bastard, but it was somewhat refreshing to have a totally different bad guy and plot line. I was shocked with the twist that Griffin threw in at the end, and couldn’t believe who all was involved with the case. It was a twist I definitely wasn’t expecting.
All in all I really liked the seventh Tracers book. The romance seemed to be a larger focus of this book, and I liked the slow building relationship between Brian and Maddie. While I would have liked for more action and pulse-pounding suspense, I was intrigued by the unique plot lines. Once again I’m anxious for the next book in the series!
I give Exposed a B-
Haven’t read the review – so excited for this coming out tomorrow. Did a live chat with Laura last night – was great fun! 😀 And got to ask loads of questions which she answered! 😀
I still have to start reading her books, I do have one or two on my shelves already. Thanks for the review, and I do hope the next one will blow you away again.
Came back to read the review after finishing it. My grade would be a B+. This was definitely a more romance centric book and I loved it for that . . especially after the pulse pounding excitement of Scorched, was lovely to see a different pace from Ms Griffin. Not my overall fave of the series but a great addition nether the less.
@xaurianx – You have so much good reading ahead of you!!
@Willa – Very true! It was more romantic. But I agree, not my favorite.