Hidden (Texas Murder Files, #1)

by Laura Griffin

An ambitious female reporter tracks a deadly threat in Austin, Texas, in the newest riveting thriller by New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.

When a woman is found brutally murdered on Austin’s lakeside hike-and-bike trail, investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads turns up on the scene demanding access and answers. She tries to pry information out of the lead detective, Jacob Merritt. But this case is unlike any he’s ever seen, and nothing adds up. With the pressure building, Jacob knows the last thing he needs is a romantic entanglement, but he can’t convince himself to stay away from Bailey.

Bailey has a hunch that the victim wasn’t who she claimed to be and believes this mugging-turned-murder could have been a targeted hit. When she digs deeper, the trail leads her to a high-tech fortress on the outskirts of Austin, where researchers are pushing the boundaries of a cutting-edge technology that could be deadly in the wrong hands.

As a ruthless hit man’s mission becomes clear, Bailey and Jacob join together in a desperate search to locate the next target before the clock ticks down in this lethal game of hide-and-seek.

• ISBN10: 0593197321
• ISBN13: 9780593197325
• Publish Date: 25 August 2020
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Berkley Publishing Corporation,U.S.
• Format: Paperback (US Mass Market)
• Pages: 368
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780593197325

Reviews

[kimbacaffeinate]

Coffee Dates with Hidden

• First Date: We as the reader are witness to the events leading up to the homicide along Austin's lakeside hike-and-bike trail.  Investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads gets a tip that something is up and heads to the lake. Lead detective, Jacob Merritt is on scene when Bailey tries to pry information from our tight-lipped detective. Both have a job to do and their paths continue to cross as the chemistry between them grows. Detective Merritt isn't willing to give up investigating when the Feds take over and Bailey get's a lead that might just spell trouble.
• Second Date: Pizza, craft beer, and angles. The two spend time together as Merritt tries to warn Bailey off the case, but this ace reporter is finding connections and offering tips. The case is interesting, with topics and discoveries relevant to today's headlines as big brother watches.
• Third Date: As another woman faces danger, the romance gains traction. The steamy scenes are fade to black and while I could characterize this as insta-love, their attraction felt genuine. As trust built, they shared more on the case and even tracked a lead together before a climatic closure to their investigations. Griffin let us spend some time with the couple and wrapped up loose threads, leaving me smiling and looking forward to the next book in the Texas Murder Files.

This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer