I have loved all the books in this series. Romantic suspense is my favorite genre and this book checks all the boxes . Fun, fast paced, romance , edge of your seat suspense , with a very surprising ending . And most important a hunky SEAL. I enjoy the way the characters interact in all of Laura Griffin's books. She is a master at suspense and I always enjoy her characters. If you've not read any of her books I highly recommend each and every book , you won't be disappointed.

So damn good. It was just a year ago that I discovered this author and this series. She became an instant favorite, and I have been looking forward to getting my hands on this book. Although it’s the 11th book in the series, it can be read as a stand alone.

Griffin knows how to write the perfect mix of steamy romance and suspense! As I had hoped, this book lived up to all of my expectations. Dani & Scott had incredible chemistry, and the story was so intense I couldn’t put it down. As with all of the books in this series that I’ve read, it kept me guessing until the very end.

Tracers book 11! This time we’re largely back on the police side of investigations, following detective Dani Harper as she investigates a double homicide. She gets forensic help from various experts at the Delphi Center, including Scott Black. Scott is her brother’s friend, a former SEAL, and a guy she’s had a low key crush on for years. Scott too has some pants-feelings for her, but he’s mostly stayed away because of his friend, he’s not good enough, you know the drill. The homicide case quickly gets much more complicated than anyone expected, and both Dani and Scott end up right in the middle of it all. They have to navigate their attraction while trying to put a stop to the killings.

This was the kind of book where I mostly enjoyed it while I was reading it, but after I put it down some things started bothering me. It was fairly fast paced and exciting. The first two murders turn out to be just the tip of the iceberg, and I liked that Griffin kept things interesting and exciting throughout. There’s no “figuring out” for the reader to do, but you do come along for the ride as Dani, Scott, and the rest of the police uncover details. I definitely got hooked and wanted to know how it all would be resolved. It was great to catch up with some past characters, and we get to meet another Delphi Center employee, Brooke, who I assume is going to be a future heroine. I am very intrigued by her so far!

There were quite a few weak points in the book for me, though. Like I said, while I was reading the book I was into the plot, but after I was done I couldn’t help thinking that some of the details were kind of ridiculous or unresolved. The villains have a really complicated plan that didn’t entirely make sense to me - it seemed far fetched.

I also wasn’t entirely feeling the romance. Scott is a really private, stoic guy. He seems to have PTSD or some other mental/emotional issues as a result of his combat experiences, but that’s just kind of glossed over. He and Dani have a lot of sex but do very, very little talking. Dani admits she really hasn’t spent much time with Scott after he came back from combat, so who is she really in love with? The kid/teen version of Scott she knew in the past, or the adult with piles of baggage and severe communication issues? Scott jerks her around a lot, acting like she’s just a fling and and saying some cruel things to her. He knows he’s hurting her but he selfishly continues doing it because he wants to, and I didn’t love that about him. Then the ending was also rushed, and Scott suddenly flips and is Mr. Commitment. It wasn’t entirely unsatisfying, but I would have preferred more build up. Plus, just like the hero in Beyond Limits (book 8), Scott steamrolls Dani and tries to take over her investigation. There was even a near-repeat of the moment I hated from book 8, where Scott grossly violates investigation protocol in a way that could get Dani in serious trouble, and instead of holding him accountable she caves and sleeps with him. I wanted Dani to stand up for herself a bit more, and I wanted Scott to acknowledge he was being a dick, but that didn’t happen.

Despite the problems, I still had a good time reading the book! The characters were interesting, the investigation details fascinating, and the plot fast paced. I think other Tracers fans will enjoy it too.

Grade: 3.75 out of 4

Laura Griffin absolutely shines with her masterful writing in AT CLOSE RANGE. I’ll be honest and say that this is my first Griffin book even though I’ve been eyeing the series for quite some time; I was reassured that each book stands on its own so I felt it safe to jump right in. I’ll tell ya right now, I am incredibly glad I did. This book absolutely wowed me in every sense. The suspense never once dipped, instead building higher and higher which made it an unputdownable and fast page-turner of a story. And this story will keep gripping you until the very last moment.

Griffin managed to capture each character and their profession so skillfully that I could believe she actually works in the field in real life. But what I found most wonderful was how the romance between Scott and Dani was continually gripping, never once overshadowing the main mystery storyline but instead enhancing it. Their affection grew organically and easily which allowed me to feel that connection as they did. And with a strong woman, a detective at that, as our heroine, there was a perpetual sense of normalcy and give in her which kept her relatable and a good adversary for an ex-SEAL like Scott. They matched really well and had a combustible sexual tension between them at all times.

I had so much fun reading this book. The twists and turns kept it fresh and the guessing game of mine for who the culprit was, was never once correct—I was stumped! But in the best way. I love romantic suspense and I think Laura Griffin does an amazing job at it. AT CLOSE RANGE was an amazing story that was written with such care and passion for not only the two characters but for the work that goes into solving crimes. I’m excited to go read each book in the series, and I highly recommend that if you haven’t read her before, start here. This sexy, well-written book hooked me from the beginning and it will to you, too.

Well paced and enjoyable. I would have liked more back story with these two characters, however. Scott Black had been introduced as a secondary character in previous books, but without much detail. Since it was established that they had known each other for years, the relationship didn't seem to build as much as some previous books.

I have enjoyed reading all the books in this series which are filled with mystery, edge of your seat suspense and romance. At the beginning of this story two people are murdered and Dani Harper is made lead detective on the case. This is Dani’s first time being in charge of a case and she is excited and nervous to finally be able to prove herself. There is a lot of pressure put on Dani as the case turns high profile. It is difficult to figure out who committed the murders and Dani and her colleagues are spending every waking moment trying to solve the case as quickly as possible. There are plenty of twist and turns and I was never sure of the outcome.

Dani has known Scott Black for years because he is best friends with her older brother. Scott is a former Navy Seal and is now Delphi's chief firearms examiner. He is an adrenaline junkie who misses his Navy Seal team and all the action he encountered. Scott is assigned to work on the murder case until he becomes a suspect. Throughout the book their is a slow romantic build up between Dani and Scott. Scott is sexy, protective and tries his best to keep his distance from Dani. He and Dani dance around each other, both afraid to admit their feelings. Each of their encounters is highly charged and passionate.

I admire how hard Dani works to solve the case. She is fearless and gives everything to her job. She never backs down and isn't afraid to run straight into trouble. Scott wants to protect Dani but he realizes he has to let her do her job and wait until she asks for his help. This is a highly satisfying, action packed story. It is a fast paced, with well developed characters and heart pounding suspense. This is the eleventh book in the Tracers series and each book is a standalone.