Touch of Red by Laura Griffin: Review

Posted October 31, 2017 in review Tags: 4 stars, coworkers, Giveaway

Touch of Red by Laura Griffin
Pages: 368

Series: Tracers #12
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Source: ARC, NetGalley
Also in this series: Deep Dark, At Close Range
Also by this author: Deep Dark, At Close Range, Cover of Night, Desperate Girls, Her Deadly Secrets, Last Seen Alone, Deep Tide

Goodreads

When crime scene investigator Brooke Porter arrives at the home of a murdered woman, the only thing more shocking than the carnage is the evidence that someone escaped the scene. But where is this witness now? A thorough search of the area yields more questions than answers, and before Brooke even packs up her evidence kit, she’s made it her goal to find the witness and get them out of harm’s way.

Homicide detective Sean Byrne has seen his share of bloody crime scenes, but this one is particularly disturbing, especially because Brooke Porter is smack in the middle of it. Sean has had his eye on the sexy CSI for months, and he’s determined to help her with her current case—even if it means putting his attraction on hold so he and Brooke can track down a murderer. But as the investigation—and their relationship—heats up, Sean realizes that keeping his work and his personal life separate is more complicated than he ever imagined; especially when the killer sets his sights on Brooke.

Touch of Red is a murder mystery woven into a love story. Brooke is a crime scene tech and Sean is a detective. Their jobs have them crossing paths occasionally and Sean has always been attracted to Brooke. On their current case, Brooke takes a very special interest and this pushes her and Sean to work closely together. Brook is attracted to Sean as well but she is on a diet….a man-free diet!

Brooke’s ex is a controlling jerk who happens to be a cop as well. He is struggling to accept that the relationship is over despite Brooke’s repeated insistence it is, in fact, VERY over. She also doesn’t want to admit that she can’t handle this. Her track record with men is not good and she is embarrassed that she made such a colossal mistake in dating this guy. Sean picks up on the issues Brooke is having and won’t let her brush it off as if its nothing.

And all this happens while Brooke and Sean are attempting to find a missing witness that could solve a strange case with seemingly no motive. The murder mystery is one of the things I love most about the Tracers series! Griffin writes great mysteries that you have to peel back in layers. She mixes it well with the budding romance and adds just the right touch of steamy scenes! Touch of Red is perfect for those of us who like real mystery and suspense with our steamy love stories! While I appreciated the steaminess between these 2, I did feel that the romance left something to be desired. I am just not sure I believe these two could make it long term.