Romantic Suspense published by Berkley 25 Oct 22
It’s been quite a while since I’ve read Laura Giffin. Only because of time, not enough of that commodity in a day, week, month, year to read everything I want! I read a few of her Tracers series way back, and when I discovered Vanishing Hour, a new standalone, I figured it was time to read her once again. I’m so very glad I did; I enjoyed this story immensely.
Ava, sick of city life, has relocated to Cuervo, Texas, where she is a partner in a law firm and also volunteers her time, with her search-and-rescue dog Huck, with local law enforcement. During her current search, she and Huck discover an abandoned campsite; she takes a few pics, finds their lost subject, and then reports her discovery to the Sheriff – who is totally disinterested.
Enter Officer Grant Wycoff, who is very interested in Ava’s discovery – as well as Ava herself. Grant’s two-year-old Molly Shaw case still haunts him, and it’s possible Ava stumbled upon their first clue in a very long time. As both he and Ava investigate – Grant isn’t thrilled with Ava’s involvement, but she’s not about to back down – more information comes to light concerning two other women who also disappeared in the area. Grant needs to lighten up when it comes to Ava’s investigative skills – a new set of eyes never hurt a darned thing and Ava is great at her particular skill set. But I still thoroughly enjoyed this man. He’s sexy and charming, a bit stubborn, but I think you’ll fall in love with just as Ava and I did.
The evidence keeps piling up, more tragic discoveries are made, and romance abounds between these two as the mysterious cases are slowly solved. The romance and sheet sizzling are slow but intense burns, the suspense keeps coming, as do the twists and turns you don’t expect. And you’ll love Huck – Huckleberry when he’s in trouble. He’s enthusiastic about his job and does it very well. An engrossing and satisfying read. I will be keeping up with Ms. Griffin’s work much better this time around.
Grade: A
Summary:
Corporate lawyer Ava Burch has had enough of the big city and the daily grind. She grew up with her father, who raised search-and-rescue dogs, in rural Texas and has moved to the small town of Cuervo to spend time in the dry, rugged wilderness near Big Bend National Park. When she and her dog, Huck, discover an abandoned campsite on a volunteer search-and-rescue mission, she’s perplexed, but she carefully photographs it all the same.
All Grant Wycoff can see when he looks at Ava is a city slicker—with her designer jeans and shiny car—who has no business on a serious team made of seasoned outdoorsmen and retired cops. But when she tells him of her findings on the trail, he sees there’s more to her than meets the eye.
Ava’s discovery reminds Grant of the unsolved case of a young woman who went missing two years ago. As they look into the campsite further, another woman disappears under odd circumstances. With time running out, Ava and Grant must work against the brutal heat from both the Texas sun and their own electric chemistry to solve the case.
Read an excerpt.
