Shadow Fall (Tracers, #9; Wolfe Security, #0.5) in Tall, Dark & Deadly

Aug 09, 2015 Anita rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, romantic-supense, kindle-own

ARC provided by the Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In addition to being a twisted mystery and a hot romance, Shadow Fall, as Tracers, #9, can easily be read as a standalone. As I am new to the series, I really, really appreciate that. I had no clue who the baddie was and that is just the way I like it.

Laura Griffin takes aim at the good old redneck boys of an East Texas county and calls then out for the way they handled the disappearances of several young women until t ...more

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Jul 25, 2015 CD {Boulder Blvd} rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense, s-net-galley

It's no surprise to me that once I started reading Shadow Fall I had a hard time putting it down. It's pretty well how all of Laura Griffin's books have been for me. Her books are such a perfect fit for what I like to read; I more or less devour them. For me an indicator of a good book is that you can't put them down and can't wait to get to the ending and then once you get to the end you're disappointed that you're finished.

I really enjoyed the intricate plot that Ms. Griffin developed for Shad It's no surprise to me that once I started reading Shadow Fall I had a hard time putting it down. It's pretty well how all of Laura Griffin's books have been for me. Her books are such a perfect fit for what I like to read; I more or less devour them. For me an indicator of a good book is that you can't put them down and can't wait to get to the ending and then once you get to the end you're disappointed that you're finished.

I really enjoyed the intricate plot that Ms. Griffin developed for Shadow Fall. I was pulled into the story line right from the start and enjoyed all the twists, turns and suspense. I empathized with how Tara had to work against the good ole boy network and it was definitely a believable situation for her to be in. I thought her character development in learning to work with others and to recognize that she couldn't do everything herself was really good. I think I needed a little more back story to understand why she was so self reliant and kept herself apart from others.

Shadow Fall had an excellent supporting cast but I did wish for a little more from them. I was slightly disappointed that some of the characters weren't developed more as I wanted to get to know them. To some degree, I think character development and romance took a back seat to the intricately woven plot and I really love how well written and planned out the Tracer Series suspense plots are.

I really liked the combination of Liam's right hand man (Jeremy) and Tara's right hand "woman" (MJ). I wanted to get to know these characters more and was really hoping for some romance to bloom between them. In fact, there was a part of me that liked the idea of a romance between them better than the romance between Liam and Tara.

Liam and Tara's romance was the weak point in the novel for me. Although other readers swooned for him, I had issues with Liam. There were numerous points where I was frustrated with him. I'm all for the strong silent type, however, silence and being uncooperative in an investigation are very different. His lack of cooperation with Tara didn't show that he cared about her. I also wasn't too impressed by his dropping in on an ex-client for what looked like was a quick liaison while he was supposedly intrigued by Tara. I don't like my male MC to be entertaining other women once he becomes interested in the female MC. Yeah, what can I say, I really like to see good old fashion honor in my heroes.

I had major issues with Liam stonewalling Tara with who his employees are and was really disappointed when she opted to be distracted by sex versus doing her job. My sore point with romantic suspense is when sex shouldn't be happening but the H/h have no control. Finding a murderer should be more important than having a round of sex.

However, he did deliver a few swoon worthy moments, including the line below which is my best romantic line from the book:

"I know you don't need me, Tara" He huffed out a breath and glared down at her. "I want you to want me anyway." Liam

Yep, lines like this tend to redeem a character for a lot of flaws.

Thanks to Net Galley, Pocket Books publishers and Ms. Griffin for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Aug 23, 2015 Jo Ann Reinhold rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

Shadow Fall is a perfect example of how suspense and romance is blended into a a great read! Laura pulls you in from the first page giving you well developed characters that are full of depth and a suspenseful story that will keep you guessing!

Special Agent Tara Rushing is sent to the crime scene of the murder of a controversial politician and it is clear from the start that the local sheriff and his good old boys club isn't happy with her being there. They are ready to narrow their suspect list ...more

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Sep 09, 2015 John W. rated it it was amazing

SHADOW FALL takes Laura Griffin’s readers to small Texas town north of Houston. Griffin’s female protagonist, FBI Special Agent Tara Rushing arrives with her partner M.J. Martinez, to investigate a brutally murdered unidentified female. With the help of the Delphi Center forensic experts, they learn the victim’s identity. The victim, Catalina Reyes, is a business woman and former congressional candidate. Tara’s investigation uncovers Reyes has been receiving death threats and had hired Wolfe Sec SHADOW FALL takes Laura Griffin’s readers to small Texas town north of Houston. Griffin’s female protagonist, FBI Special Agent Tara Rushing arrives with her partner M.J. Martinez, to investigate a brutally murdered unidentified female. With the help of the Delphi Center forensic experts, they learn the victim’s identity. The victim, Catalina Reyes, is a business woman and former congressional candidate. Tara’s investigation uncovers Reyes has been receiving death threats and had hired Wolfe Security for protection. Griffin introduces her male protagonist, Liam Wolfe, founder of Wolfe Security. Her readers shadow Tara as she meets Liam to discuss Reyes’ death threats. Griffin provides her readers with backstories’ of her protagonists and adds information as the story’s momentum progresses.

The author introduces support characters with backstories and the roles they play as she brings them into the storyline. Griffin introduces the Delphi Center’s forensic staff helping Tara’s investigation proceed. The Delphi Forensic experts uncover two similar unsolved murders. Tara’s boss places her in charge of a multi-agency task force investigating the murders. Tara draws on Liam’s expertise to help her investigation. Griffin adds twists and turns to her storyline showing Tara’s efforts to control her feelings towards Liam. Even though he has an alibi, Tara still keeps Liam on her list of suspects. The author put readers inside Tara’s head, helping them understand what she is experiencing and thinking with regards to Liam.
Events begin to unfold when a fourth body is found. Griffin shows Tara’s vulnerabilities as she reacts to the new murder and turns to Liam for comfort. Tara and Liam develop a bond knowing they need each other. Tara uses Delphi Center testing results to help her focus on the serial killer’s identity. Readers see Tara and Liam react when they learn of M.J.’s kidnapping. Griffin increases intrigue adding action packed scenes helping her storyline come to life as If it were a full length feature film. Readers closely follow Tara and Liam as they work together to unravel the mystery. SHADOW FALL’s momentum delivers a fast moving storyline keeping readers turning the pages to find answers. Laura Griffin keeps readers on edge bringing her characters to life with her riveting mystery. A must read earning 5-stars.
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Jun 19, 2015 Phe rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: romantic-suspense, mystery, thriller, series-tracers, 2017-bdb-i-want-more-challenge, 2017-dhasg-dh-challenge

4 Stars - Shadow Fall is an adult romantic suspense thriller by Laura Griffin and the 9th book in her Tracers series.

I also recommend:

Untraceable (Tracers, #1) by Laura Griffin

Unspeakable (Tracers, #2) by Laura Griffin

Unstoppable (Tracers, #2.5) by Laura Griffin

Unforgivable (Tracers, #3) by Laura Griffin

Beyond Limits (Tracers, #8) by Laura Griffin

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Jul 07, 2019 Lynn rated it liked it

After four tours in the Marines, Liam Wolfe gets shot and takes a medical discharge, retiring to Texas where he opens Wolfe Security and hires many former military men like himself. FBI agent, Tara Rushing has been sent to solve the murder of Catalina Reyes, former candidate for Congress. Tara's case quickly escalates after three more bodies are found. When brother, Mark Wolfe's profile of the killer indicates he is probably former military, Liam Wolfe and his security firm are suspect.
This boo ...more

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