Cover Image: At Close Range

At Close Range

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Member Reviews

ARC provided by the Publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
At Close Range is a romantic suspense story. I think Laura Griffin did a good job writing the story plot.

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At Close Range by Laura Griffin is a great thriller/police procedural that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There’s murder, criminals running afoot, and a great romance that you’ll love, especially because the main couple are equals in every way, although the hero is very protective of the heroine. There are many twists and turns here that will excite readers, and when you find out the why’s and how’s of the case, and those responsible for the killings, it’s a doozy.

Daniele is a detective who is still trying to find her footing in the police department she works for. She is given great responsibility, and takes charge of her cases, which gives her some anxiety. But she has a supportive group, such as her brother and her co-workers. The latest case she’s investigating involves a man and woman shot at close range at a lake. It appears they were have a late night tryst and were interrupted by the shooter, who has targeted them for reasons still unknown. The deceased male is a married scientist, and his lover is a younger woman he works with. Daniele believes there’s more to this case than an angry wife who has hired a hitman to take out her faithless husband and his side piece.

Also helping with the investigation is Scott Black, former Navy Seal and a longtime friend of Daniele’s brother. Daniele once had a crush on Scott, which has morphed into a adult attraction. Scott keeps his distance from Daniele because he can’t give her what she wants. But then when other bodies start lining up, and Scott is implicated in their deaths, Daniele must find out who is framing Scott and why? As she gets closer to the truth, she becomes a target. Scott refuses to let her walk into danger, and even though it may cost him his job, he’ll help her figure out who wants to take him down, including solving a puzzle that not only involves murder, but the cloning of human beings.

At Close Range is a tight romantic thriller with some shocks, especially in regards to an evil rich man type who wants to clone people for his own devious reasons. Daniele is a strong and intelligent heroine who longs for respect from her peers, which she already has. She has a bit of a self esteem issue when it comes to her job. But Scott is there to help her find her footing. They also end up in a steamy relationship with fast and furious sex. Can we say hot le hot? Laura Griffin really knows how to write love scenes, as well as a great crime story with bad guys, shoot outs and an ending that may make your jaw drop because it’s so unbelievable.

Fan of romantic suspense featuring cops and bad guys, including a great heroine and hero must check this book out. Your heart will race until the final page

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I'm always glad to discover writers whose style I enjoy and Laura Griffin is one of them.

The suspense and action is fast and furious. The dialogue sounds natural to my reading ears which is vital for me as a reader.

To me, it is hard to capture the nuances and subtleties of the feelings happening between two protagonists but Laura Griffin managed to very well.

There is quite a lot of explicit sex going on so this book will not be suitable for readers who prefer clean. Less of it would have been nice.

Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for the review copy. Sorry it took so long but this is my honest review.

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Not bad, At Close Range is a good romantic suspense book, although I wanted to have more suspense, and to be a little bit darker for book in this genre.

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Well this story has been a long time coming for those of us that are long time readers of this series. Dani and Scott have been circling each other a long time now and seeing them finally admit to and deal with their feelings was a welcome relief from the tension. Griffin’s Tracers series began many books ago with a story where we were introduced to the crime-solving powers of the individuals at the Delphi center, a cutting edge state of the art forensics center with all different specialties and as many unique individuals in employ as there are sexy and interesting cops that run into their paths. Daniele has worked a long time to be taken seriously as a detective, getting out from under the thumb of her brother, while still being irresistibly dawn to his best friend Scott. When she finds herself in charge of her very first investigation, she knows that Scott and she will have to work closely together, but soon the danger surrounding them is unresolvable. Scott knows that he needs to do everything he can to make sure that Dani stays safe, even from his own desires and emotions, but being around her so much with none of the usual barriers between them has become more torturous than ever. I loved seeing Scott and Dani circle closer to one another and finally collide in a clash of passion, danger, and love. Dani was a hard as hell woman that has had to be stronger than the men around her in order to prove herself in her field, but she is still that young girl who crushed on and then fell head over heels for her brother’s best friend. Seeing her stand up for herself and for Scott as the danger increase and the evidence stacks up against them showed us that she really was a perfect partner for Scott. Scott is a bad ass former SEAL whose daily life revolves around crime and guns—not really a way to get more macho than that is there? When he stops fighting his feelings for Dani, finally admitting that he couldn’t live without her in his everyday life, his protective streak and sweetness become even more apparent that his badassness. Passions run high between Dani and Scott from the very beginning of their introductions to our imaginations, and when they finally embrace those desires, Dani and Scott are inseparable and obviously in love. I was thrilled to see the trust Dani had in Scott, even as everyone around them doubted him, and that trust obviously is what made their relationship so strong. I look forward to seeing these two in future novels, seeing how their HEA just keeps getting better and better. Once again Griffin hits every hot button of romantic suspense in this novel of danger, trust, and love between two people who are opening their eyes to the true nature of their fate in one another’s lives. Another work of art, Laura.

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I'm not sure what I was thinking when I requested this book! The 11th book in a series, I never like to start in the middle of any series, even if they are episodic. However, not only did I realize this too late, but I had already started reading by the time I caught on to it being a series. (I was very excited to read this so I guess I skipped over all of the important details.)

I want to start with the fact that I LOVE shifting POV's, that pulls me in almost every time. Laura does a fantastic job developing her characters. I loved all of them, for different reasons, but I loved them non-the-less. Dani and Scott... well, I'm not dishing details, but you are sure to love... every.single.thing.about.THEM! <3

This book was sexy, for sure Scott was, but the book was as well. It was witty and gritty, and did I mention sexy? The intensity of certain scenes were fantastic, it made me read faster and then re-read again to make sure I didn't miss a thing!

I will; surely be checking out my local library for the beginning of this series!

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A female detective tries to solve a double murder alongside a ballistics expert whom she develops feelings for in this action packed Romantic Suspense thriller. This book is part of a series but can be read alone. This books has the right balance of romance and suspense to make this a must read.
.

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Pocket Books and NetGalley provided me with an electronic copy of At Close Range. This is my honest opinion of the book.

Daniele Harper, Police Detective for the San Marcos PD, is handed a double murder case with puzzling clues. Turning to the Delphi Center Crime Lab and the chief firearms examiner, Scott Black, for help, will Dani be able to hide her attraction to her brother's friend and focus on the killer? When complications arise that no one expected, will Scott's involvement in the case end up being a liability?

At Close Range features Detective Daniele Harper and the Delphi Center Crime Lab in a fast paced and thrilling story. As Dani and her team investigate, seemingly unrelated situations raise red flags that the initial crime was more than it appeared at first glance.

The author falls into the same trap that plagues writers in the genre, namely that the romance feels forced unnaturally into the story to fulfill a prerequisite. The crime and law enforcement parts of the story are interesting enough and could carry the plot on their own. The only other aspect to At Close Range that really bothered me was the way in which Daniele was portrayed. As a police detective from a long line of law enforcement personnel, Dani would have had more mental strength than the author chose to give her. Regular readers of romantic suspense will probably enjoy At Close Range.

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If you are a romantic suspense reader, heavy on the suspense, then "At Close Range" is a must read for you. I enjoyed it so much that I read it in one sitting. Detective Dani Harper is such a strong woman and the lead on the latest case, while Scott, her brother's best friend and the man she has been in love with is also a suspect. The action is fast and furious, the suspense and drama is ongoing from start to finish, with Dani and Scott working together to solve the case. The heat between them gets hotter as the case gathers momentum. A great romantic suspense book for me is always one with strong characters, especially when the strength is with both the man and the woman. Laura Griffin gives that and more in her latest 'Tracers' book. I would like to thank NetGalley and Pocket Books for gifting me "At Close Range". My opinion is my own. This is mine. 5 Stars!

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Her courage humbled him. It was a different kind from what he had. He had courage in combat, but emotional courage had always been in short supply.

One word. Tension. If that is your word, you will be all over this. Dani Harper has been given the role of lead investigator in a case of a double murder. An affair that has gone terribly wrong. Ballistics expert and former Navy SEAL, Scott Black, has grown up with Dani and her brothers, however their relationship continues to bring out the fireworks. When the case leads to Scott as the #1 suspect, Dani can not believe it and Scott takes the case in personally to determine who had set him up as the fall guy. Dani and Scott go on a lead from Texas to Arizona as the case takes a more sinister turn.

A few things that I like about this book. It is heavy on the CSI and the relationships. When you put science and relationships together, you are always engaged. What I didn't like about this book and I think it could have done better without was the sex. The tension fizzles out when the plot becomes about the sex. However, the plot the why and the how kept you guessing until the end.

A Special Thank You to Gallery, Threshold, Pocket Books and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

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I have GOT to go back and read the beginning of this series! Seriously, I. Am. Loving. Them!

At Close Range delivers one heck of a suspense plot--a double murder that appears to be a crime of passion suddenly turns into a complex crime with a body count that is twice that, and the perpetrator soon appears to have the police detective who is put in charge of the case in his or her cross-hairs as well. Throw in a slow burning romance--SMPD detective Dani Harper has had a "thing" for Delphi Center's ballistics expert Scott Black, her older brother's best friend, since she was a teen, and has been trying to avoid him for months since a drunken New Year's Eve kiss led to awkwardness. But now they're working together, trying to solve the puzzle before anyone else gets killed, literally dodging bullets and finding resisting each other to be harder than ever.

So, yeah--it's an incredible ride!

At Close Range had me on the edge of my seat, guessing what was really going on right up until the very end. And the chemistry between Scott and Dani? Fantastic. Adding to the drama of the book is the fact that Dani's partner, Ric Santos and his wife Mia (hero and heroine of Unforgivable ) spend the bulk of the book waiting for their first baby to be born--Baby Santos is amazingly unwilling to make his debut--and there's a hint that detective Sean Byrne and Delphi's Center Brooke Porter might be subjects of a future series book--fingers crossed!

Whomever's next on the list, though, you'd better believe I'll be first in line for it!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

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I have just recenty gotten back into romance. My favorite is suspense/thriller. I love having a book that keeps me on my toes. This book had a great balance of romance and suspense. One thing is for sure though...I gotta read the other ten books in this series! I really enjoyed the authors writing style. Between the chemistry and suspense, I could not put this down! I don't think I have read a book by Laura Griffin before this but, I am definitely more keen on keeping my eyes and ears perked for her books. The characters are well developed...whether that's a book #11 thing or just talented writing...I don't know. I'll have to rad the first books in this series, which I have no complaints about. I have a book group and I told my "fluffy readers" in my group that they would really appreciate the balance of the plot, chemistry, and suspense. I really enjoyed a few of the characters, especially Scott...he seems so sexy and strong and masculine! From reading the synopsis' and excerpts from the other books, he's a fantastic twist in this series (another great reason to read this series and this book!)

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Wow! This book is non stop action from beginning to end. Laura Griffin is one of the few authors I have found that can write such fabulous romantic suspense. She has the right combo of mystery and steam.

This is the story of Dani Harper and Scott Black. He's best friends with her brother and they are brought together on a double homicide that takes some interesting twists. I loved this book from beginning to end. I loved seeing Rick and Mia again - their book is how I discovered Laura Griffin.

This book can be read standalone, but I highly recommend this whole series if you are looking for a great combo of steamy romance and intriguing mysteries.

Many many thanks to the publisher for an ARC of this book via Netgalley!!

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At Close Range is book eleven in the Tracers Series. It’s the second one I’ve read and I must say that I am in love with this author’s work. The suspense keeps you wanting more and more and the chemistry between Dani and Scott is smoking hot.
Dani is working as lead investigator on a murder case. As if that isn’t hard enough on it’s own, Scott becomes the prime suspect. Dani feels in her heart that Scott could never murder anyone like this, but everyone is trying to convince her that it is a possibility. They’ve known each other forever; he’s her brother’s best friend, but one drunken kiss could be clouding her judgement.
I didn’t want to put this book down but at the same time I didn’t want it to end and kept putting it down to drag it out. I want to go back and read this series from the beginning because it’s so good. I would highly recommend this to any one who likes romantic suspense.

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Laura Griffin comes back with a new title in the series “Tracers”. This is the 11th book, yet I still cannot get enough. I have read two order books (for which I did not get to make a review) and I couldn’t wait to start with another one. This is just one of those series one cannot seem to let go or get bored with.

This book brings detective Daniele Hunter in the spotlight. She has been assigned as the lead detective to a double homicide and is determined to get to the bottom of things. Yet some clues may not be a simple to interpret and the case proves to be a lot more difficult.

What I mostly liked about the plot was that all things were more complex then what surface may have shown. Starting with the case and all the way to the relationship between Dani and Scott nothing is as it seems. The attention to details and the great timing of major events is fabulous as well.

The writing was exceptional as always. The author did not lose herself in the details of the case and maintained a line between police related facts and romance. The story inclines more towards the first, so the case is the focus point. Even if the story is not told on the first person the author offers a glimpse into all characters and the POVs are nicely delimited with an “*” which helps separate ones from the others.

I intentionally left the characters discussion for the end as there are a lot of things to mention. First of all, all characters seem to have something to hide or at least they seem to have a shady side. They are very well developed and their role is vital to the case. There are a lot of names, but I cannot mention one who did not have a purpose. The most insight we have is for Dani, whose struggle to keep her team focused and to prove herself as a great detective, combined with the conflicted feelings she has for Scott, is very well captured.

This was a great read, I would include this one in the mystery crime area with a light Romance on the side. Even if I loved it so much, I decided to go with 4 stars, as there was a point when I felt a slight indecision on where to shift the case and there was one character who in the beginning seems to be a not so nice guy but later on he is very helpful in solving it. I suspected him as being the killer J I also did not understand completely why Dani became a target. Minor things for such an incredible story. Congrats to the author!!

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I used to religiously watched for years NCIS and CSI for years until I found myself missing episodes here and there but I do miss the CSI aspects of things a lot . So when I read the blurb for her latest novel in the Tracer’s series. My interest was immediately piqued by the characters and the criminal case in front of us despite haven’t read the previous books. I wasn’t disappointed that I picked up this book , I was disappointed that I haven’t discovered this brilliant romantic suspense author before.

In At Close Range we are introduced to detective Daniele ‘ Dani’ Harper who on the hunt for a murder who killed two people in a tryst go wrong. With many clues it seems straight forward case but she soon turns to help from the Delphi Centre in specifically Scott Black their firearms expert and soon opens a big cage of worms.

Griffin is a clever storyteller and I loved how she plot her latest novel as like a few episodes of a hit crime drama show. We are thrown into the deep end from page one as we watch Dani arrive on scene and take charge. She seems like a no-nonsense woman and I loved that she was pushed in her job. She may be newish to the scene but I loved she relished the opportunity to be the lead.

Even though it meant address the attraction with Scott Black as he seems to be the only one can help her. With the clues that seemingly leading to nowhere Scott Black is a former Seal who loved his job an now gets the best of his situation in his current job. He always cared for his best friend’s little sister but his friendship with her brother overrule everything. Until the investigation leads to no where and Scott is only the one who can provide any sense of help that Dani needs .

A simple tryst turned double murder should have easily have a suspect but it is getting them no where. The evidence isn’t giving them answers they want. Scott may be the top of his game but even so he stuck. The only thing that seems that they two are getting out of their relationship is a chance to explore those secret feelings….

But the case soon takes some interesting turns and the simple tryst turned murder is only the beginning of this criminal case . The latest Tracer novel wasn’t disappointed. I was engaged on multiple levels and I devoured this novel wondering where in earth she was going . As Griffin delivered with the TV episode storytelling feels, she created a book that could easily translate into multiple tv episodes. She crafted carefully balanced story that covered all aspects you would aspect with a romantic suspense yet more.

As this novel was dark and gritty there was very shades of tones to this novel by employing the cliché romance stereotype of best friend little sister and the dark sinister ending to the novel. It hard not to fall in love with this story.
With Dani in the suspect target range and Scott determined to solve things I loved the pulled and tug aspect as well she gave . The characters were both determined in their own ways and I loved it was a natural aspect of the novel. Not forced or brought on them be close quarters. It just gave them the pushed they need as this case was crazy.

The Tracers series definitely lived up to its reputation and I loved the concept and idea of this series. Griffin may of target specific readers when she had this idea in mind but I can easily see why this series is going strong still. With sound writing and rotating to new characters ever time whilst having a central focus. It easy not to fall in love with this series and her writing.

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I love this book in the tracers series. I normally love these books because of the nerdy employees of the Delphi center. Scott is definitely not your average nerdy CSI. He's a former Navy SEAL and I adore him. This is the first time we get a best friend's older brother book from this series, and it is executed perfectly. The heroine is strong enough to work as a perfect foil for Scott. The plot has plenty of twists to keep you guessing until the very end!

I was generously provided an ARC of this book by the author via netgalley

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A vicious double murder. Deceit and suspicion abound. Griffin once again delivers a complex and thrilling story filled with twists and turns.
Dani and Scott have known each other for quite some time. Dani has always been attracted to her brother's best friend and working with him on this case is not exactly what she was expecting. As the case grows more and more complicated, so do their feelings for one another. As the threat increases, things become serious and it's more than hearts on the line.
I started this series late so I've only read a few but I am absolutely loving it. The way that Griffin weaves together the various aspects of the story is captivating. My anxiety was kicked into overdrive with the action and suspense. Then she gives us characters that were so well developed. Strong, capable, relatable; I loved reading about them in their element. Working hard to unravel the details of the case. The tension created by Dani and Scott's mutual interest was another facet that pulled me in.
Griffin delivers unputdownable stories, intriguing from start to finish! I need to read the rest of the series!!
~Erin

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At Close Range by Laura Griffin is book number eleven in the Tracers series. This is police detective, Daniele “Dani” Harper and former Navy Seal, Scott Black’s story.

Wow! From the start you will stay on the edge of your seat. The author delivers a story with suspense, twists, surprises, and steamy scenes with an unpredictable ending.

FYI, includes mature content. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

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