Deep Dark by Laura Griffin

Deep Dark (Tracers, #10)

by Laura Griffin

The moment detective Reed Novak steps onto the crime scene, he knows the case is going to rock his world. A beautiful young woman murdered at home. No sign of forced entry. No motive. She's obviously not the killer's first victim, and Reed's instincts tell him she won't be his last. Reed's first clue comes via a mysterious text that links to a dating profile, but even more intriguing than the clue is the person who sent it. As a white-hat hacker in the Delphi Center's cyber investigation unit, Laney Knox sneaks into some of the deepest, darkest corners of the Internet looking for predators. Laney would prefer to stay away from Austin PD's most recent murder case, but she can't ignore the chilling similarities between that crime and her own brutal attack years ago. Laney offers to help the sexy lead detective, but he wants more from her than just a promising tip--Reed wants her trust. Laney resists, but as their relationship deepens she's tempted to reveal the closely guarded secrets that could make her a key witness... or the killer's next victim.

Reviewed by Lynn on

5 of 5 stars

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Anyone who dares to venture into the world of online dating may rethink their dating habits after reading Deep Dark!

Delaney 'Laney' Knox is a twenty-four-year-old kick-ass white-hat hacker working for The Delphi Centre as an investigator. When the body of a young woman is discovered, Laney's reminded of an incident from her past. Determined to assist in solving the case and erase the memories that have haunted her, she gets more than she bargained when she messages the chief detective in an unconventional way.

Reed Novak is a thirty-nine-year-old detective with Austin PD, jaded with life generally. He's still sharp as a button when it comes to his job and a new case always fires up his enthusiasm. When a body is discovered with no clues or evidence left at the scene of the crime, he's as determined as ever to find the perpetrator. So, his interest is more than piqued when he receives an unexpected message about the case from an anonymous source, in an unconventional way. He's just as intrigued to know the sender as he is to solve the case.

The beginning was a slow start for me, but it didn't take very long to become engrossed in this original and fast-paced novel. The intrigue definitely kept my attention and the pages turning as Reed and Laney investigated the case. There may be a fifteen year age gap between the protagonists but the pairing works incredibly well and doesn't feel forced. Both are workaholics and loners with a passion for their work with a shared sense of duty work ethic. Their lust filled chemistry, always smouldering under the surface, as they attempt to fight against the attraction for each other.

I'm blown away by the author's attention to detail with the research for this well-written novel. I was on my toes right until the revealing of the murderer, which was a surprise.

If you enjoy the Romantic Suspense genre as much as I do, you'll love this adrenalin-charged, well thought out and intelligent novel. This is the tenth novel in the Tracers series and a standalone. I'll be reading the other nine novels in the series as soon as I can and will add Laura Griffin to my favourite author list.

The question I asked myself after reading Deep Dark is: Why has it taken me so long to discover Laura Griffin?

4.5 Stars

***arc generously received courtesy of Pocket Books via NetGalley***

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 20 May, 2016: Finished reading
  • 20 May, 2016: Reviewed