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 … 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.
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When a young woman is murdered in what seems like a targeted hit, Austin crime detective Jacob Merritt is determined to track the killer- even though the FBI has stepped in to take over the case. It’s Jacob’s city and he takes his vow to serve and protect seriously.
Investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads knows cutbacks at the paper where she works means her job is anything but secure, so when she gets a lead on a mysterious murder at a popular nearby lake, she begins her own investigation. The more she digs, the more questions Bailey has- if only the disturbingly attractive Detective Merritt would share his information.
As the stakes rise, Bailey and Jacob team up to search for another woman in danger. Will they be able to trust each other enough to put together the pieces of the puzzle before another person dies?
This is a fast-paced crime thriller dealing with some cutting edge technology that will leave you shocked. The author is a pro when it comes to police procedural stories, creating a believability factor this reader loves.
Hidden is smart, scary, frighteningly possible!
Hidden has Laura Griffin’s trademark strengths: a fast-paced twisting plot and characters you want to know in real life.
Hidden reminded me why Laura Griffin is an auto-buy author for me. The first book in her new Texas Murder Files series, Hidden is a stunning page-turner with the perfect balance of romance and suspense and a relentless pace that will keep you glued to its pages long into the night. You won’t be able to put this book down!
This is why Laura Griffin is an auto buy for me. Irresistibly compelling murder plot with sizzlingly romantic tension. Another winner.
Hidden launches the Texas Murder Files with a bang, proving that Laura Griffin is the master of the romantic thriller. Intense, suspenseful, sexy, with an intriguing mystery and characters to root for. Griffin is at the top of her game.
I think 2020 is the year of new series to get hooked on. I have read the first book in a few new series this year, and I am now counting the days until the next one of each of them come out.
This book is exactly what I want in a romantic suspense. Heavy on the suspense and mystery and not too light or heavy on the romance part. The author does a great job at balancing the two in this book. There is just enough romance mixed with the suspense to keep all readers happy.
I loved these characters. The author did a great job at showing us their dedication to their respective jobs, a detective and a journalist, and their struggle in not just the mystery but also with their budding feelings and the complications their jobs bring.
Overall, this book was extremely well written. Great characters. Great plot. Great suspense. It is definitely one I would recommend. I am looking forward to next Spring when the next book in this series releases.
“Hidden” by Laura Griffin is the first book in the ‘Texas Murder Files’ series and features reporter Bailey Rhoads, whose investigation into a woman’s murder pits her against the detective assigned to the case, Jacob Merritt. Their uneasy alliance puts them in a race against time to prevent the murderer from striking again, but Bailey’s research may put her right in the crosshairs.
This suspenseful and romantic thriller features a determined and tenacious heroine, characteristic of this talented author’s stories. I love heroines who are resourceful and intelligent, and it was great to watch the women in this story demonstrate ingenuity and an ability to think on their feet. It was a little disconcerting to shift to a new point of view later in the book, but understandable.
The tension ramps up and the clues are sprinkled in with unexpected twists and turns as the mystery gets more and more intense. Some of the developments are chilling, especially to a paranoid person like me, and very pertinent to today’s society. This was a wonderful introduction to a new series, and I can’t wait to read more of these stories!
I’ve been a fan of Laura Griffin’s for years. She always delivers on the tough cop and the feisty career woman who’s not sure he’d the man for her. One of the things that makes her books fascinating is that she includes so much background about newsworthy topics all buried beneath the fascinating characters and a tense romance. ALWAYS!
This was a nice paced mystery suspense and romance. There were spots where I found myself at the edge of my seat and other times not so much. But I will say that I was on the edge of my seat more then I was not. This was a good book to kick off a new series. A good starting point to show use what we can expect in the future with this series. I look forward to the next book to come. Happy reading everyone!
Hidden by Laura Griffin
1st book in The Texas Murder Files series. Romantic suspense crime thriller.
Bailey Rhoads is a crime reporter investigating the death of a woman on the local running trail. Bailey tries to work with Detective Jacob Merritt but each prefer to keep certain details to themselves rather than share, though a mutual attraction pulls at them both. Their investigation takes them to New Orleans and to the FBI.
Chilling to realize that current technology could impact so much in life. The story includes a potential that wouldn’t surprise me is already in use somewhere.
Fast, daring and intriguing. I look forward to the next in the series.
4.5
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway and it was already on my want to read list. Laura Griffin writes an intriguing, suspenseful, story. Investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads and lead detective Jacob Merritt clash as they both follow their leads in the murder of a young woman, found near a popular trail. In their separate investigations both conclude that the victim was living under an assumed identity. Despite their best efforts, Bailey and Jacob are drawn to each other as they try to keep secret their progress. The use of facial identification technoloy as a tool that can be used for evil is all too believable and adds a unique twist to the plot.
A woman I’d found brutally murdered in an Austin park and Jacob Merritt is the lead detective on the case. However, as the case builds, nothing is adding up. Bailey Rhoads is a reporter covering the case and believes the woman may not be who she claimed to be. As they both dig deeper, they must work together to save the next victim. In addition, they must decide whether to act on their attraction to each other or not. Can a cop and a reporter have a relationship?
I really enjoyed this book which is first in a new series. The book’s well-written with well-rounded characters, some of whom you’ll like and others you won’t. I was pulled into this gripping thriller from the start and didn’t want to put it down. The book’s full of action, suspense, romance, and is a must read. I’m really looking forward to the next book and highly recommend this one.
Hidden (The Texas Murder Files #1) was a great read by Laura Griffin. A woman is found murdered on a hike and bike trail in Austin. Bailey is an investigative reporter who shows up demanding answers and access to the scene. Jacob is the lead detective that Bailey tries to get answers from. But nothing is seeming to add up for Bailey and Jacob. Bailey doesn’t thank that it was a mugging turned murder, but a targeted hit. Her search finds her at a high tech fortress where researchers are developing technology that could be deadly in the wrong hands. I really enjoyed reading Bailey and Jacob’s investigation. I can’t wait to read more by Laura Griffin.
I am proud to announce that for once I remembered not to get too attached to the POV character that the book started with, since with a Laura Griffin book, chances are about 99.99% that they’re about to die.
Go, me!
(And yeah, she dies. Spoiler alert. 🙁 )
I enjoyed this start to a new series (The Texas Murder Files) from Ms Griffin (and book two– Flight –excerpted at the end, sounds like another winner as well). Bailey and Jacob are characters it’s easy to root for, and I really enjoyed their chemistry as well. The crime beat reporter/lead detective dynamic was solid–though they might have been able to solve the crime faster if they’d done a better job of collaborating, it’s 100% believable that they probably shouldn’t have, all things considered. Their respective jobs will definitely make their life together interesting going forward… 😉
I don’t want to go into too much detail about the actual mystery–there’s a whole lot here that I know I wouldn’t have wanted to be spoiled ahead of time. I’ll just say that the way the antagonist was able to locate his victims creeped me the heck out–because it’s 100% plausible. Technology. Not always our friend…
Counting the days until book 2!
Rating: 4 stars / A-
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.
Excellent book! I enjoyed reading it! Definitely recommend
This author really knows how write a story that grips you right from the beginning until the very end. The suspense and mystery surrounding the case and characters keeps you on edge wondering what twist the story will take. This particular story is a terrific start to what is sure to be a must read series.
About the book:
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.
Bailey has a hunch 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 must embark on a desperate search to locate the next target before the clock ticks down on this lethal game of hide and seek.
I absolutely loved this book the characters were great! The setting was brilliant! I loved the Suspense part of the book. I love how this all turn out. This is Book 1 a new series.
Griffin’s new series includes memorable characters and an intricate plot. Perfect for fans of her Tracer’s series or Allison Brennan.
4.5 stars
This is an entertaining, well-written, fast paced, steamy, romantic suspense novel. It has mystery and intrigue, with a strong, smart, capable female protagonist, an intelligent, dedicated and hot hero, and a happily ever after ending. I have read every one of Ms. Griffin’s outstanding novels, and she never disappoints her readers! I am looking forward to reading the next entry in this new series with great anticipation.
I love everything Laura Griffin writes, so I was excited to learn about her newest book, Hidden. It is an absorbing story and I was quickly turning pages to find out what happens next. The writing is masterful and I felt like I was right there trying to solve the mystery of a young woman’s murder. This story has edge of your seat suspense, unforgettable characters and romance.
Bailey is a tenacious reporter working the crime scene and Jacob is a hard working, stoic detective. Their paths cross when a woman is murdered. They are both working on the same murder case, but they each have a different agenda. Bailey wants information from Jacob to write a story and Jacob avoids giving into her requests because he doesn’t want to hurt the case he is working on. Even though they each have different goals, they find a way to help each other solve this perplexing case.
I really liked Jacob and Bailey. The air combusts whenever they are together and they connect on many different levels. They know, this isn’t the time to get involved, but it is difficult to avoid what they are feeling. Jacob and Bailey slowly learn they can trust one another. They are alike in many ways. They have integrity and a strong work ethic. If you like suspense and romance, you will love Hidden.
Thanks to the author for providing a copy of this book via Cocktails and Books and Netgalley. The opinions expressed are my own.