I really enjoyed Sean and Brooke's story, as I had hoped I would from the teaser excerpt at the end of Cover of Night . The crime was horrifying, and the methods and techniques that Brooke and Sean used to solve the crime kept my interest--and really made me think about the legality of some of the new technology used today (one method was particularly iffy on the legal side, but pointed them in the right direction...that makes it okay...right?)

I loved Brooke's dedication to her job, but she did act a bit tv/movie heroine-ish at times, making a few questionable choices that moved the case along but put herself or others in danger...still not 100% how I feel about that aspect. Sean is a fantastic hero, full stop, and together they are a great couple.

The next book's pair are heavily hinted at in this one--can't wait to find out more about them! (Can't--but I will. Sigh.)

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

This is my favorite romantic suspense series – I’m a huge fan of suspense in general. Almost 100% of what I listen to is suspense (not necessarily romantic) and the darker the better. (Shout-out to Karin Slaughter). Touch of Red is not the creepiest or grittiest of Lauren Griffin’s work, but it’s still enjoyable, even with a slightly annoying heroine.

Brooke Porter works for the world-renowned Delphi Center, a leader for forensic evidence research. She is a crime scene investigator, meaning she goes to crime scene and finds the most minuscule evidence, and can hopefully process it which leads to some sort of arrest – or at least helps out the detectives to determine which direction to go. When she gets called to a murder of a woman in her early twenties, who had her throat cut outside her door, Brooke notices something very interesting inside this woman’s pantry – cookie crumbs and fingerprints which belong to a child. But this woman lived alone!

Sean Bryne is a detective called out to this murder. He has worked with Brooke in the past and has a thing for her. Sean plays by the rules though – both in his career and in his love life. But working with Brooke in close proximity gets his blood flowing again. When he asks her out, Brooke is very hesitant. She has ended a relationship recently with a guy who is still lurking around. Following her to places – using his old key to get into her house. Brooke doesn’t have the energy to start-up a new relationship – but Sean is such a good guy…and a patient guy…he finds a way to woo her.

The murder in this one revolves around a dead woman and a child who may have witnessed the entire thing before fleeing. One of my favorite parts of this series is the way the author can present all the evidence surrounding the crime scene, and make it so interesting. I love reading about the Delphi Center and all of their state of the art technology. And, she never forgets the police side and the details of their investigation. She makes it all work and gives us a romance to boot.

Brooke did annoy me a bit in this one. She becomes so overly protective of the child who witnessed the horrible murder – instead of letting the police and the boy’s mother do their job, Brooke sticks her nose in and then predictably there is fall-out. I wish she would have stuck to her forensic skills and left the boy alone.

The romance progresses nicely in this one. I hate when the hero and heroine are making out when there is horrible danger lurking nearby, but that didn’t happen in this one. The pacing was well done.

Not my favorite of the series, but still a solid addition.

Grade: B

Brooke Porter is a CSI working a particularly brutal murder with Detective Sean Bryne; one where she suspects there’s a young eyewitness in danger. The time spent together tracking down clues, and figuring out evidence, just intensifies the attraction that’s been simmering between them. But Brook is hesitant to get involved with Sean, because of a recent bad breakup. Doesn’t matter how reluctant Brooke is, though, because they’re thrown together as the case heats up, forcing relationship concerns to take a backseat.

Laura Griffin’s romantic suspense stories never fail to entertain. Touch of Red is a meld of crime procedural, mystery, and romance combined into one addictive read! The romance in mysteries are hardly ever filled with frustrating angst, which make them perfect for me. Urgency and danger usually clarifies the important things in life between characters and the back and forth drama is minimal. I can understand Brooke’s concerns, especially when her controlling ex was having trouble letting go, and some of that certainly creeped me out. Sean’s admired Brooke from afar for a while, and I loved that he was patient and didn’t push. Their steamy physical encounters and time spent together slowly melted away Brooke’s reservations.

As with her previous I always find the investigative technology and forensics super interesting. I used to be a major Forensic Files junkie, before books completely consumed my life, and I’m always amazed by the information gleaned through the sciences, leading to the capture of suspects.

This was a wild, tension filled ride in the end, but the story wrapped up nicely! I can’t wait for the next mystery!

A copy was kindly provided by Pocket Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This review is also posted at The Readers Den.

4 - 4.5 stars. I have enjoyed all of the Tracers series books and Touch of Red was no different. The mystery was really good here, which made the story in my opinion. I liked the two main charachters, and all the supporting cast and the Delphi center people and others were great as usual. There were a couple of things that were a little odd with this one. For one, the resolution of the situation with her ex. It just didn't work for me after all the time spent on that leading up to that point. It almost made it feel like useless contrived plot device, but I really never see that in Laura Griffin books. It wasn't a huge problem, but it just felt off for me. I would have preferred that entire storyline not be there at all. I would have liked to see a little bit more of them together as a couple, but that typically come through later books. And it especially seems that the next book will be about Callie, so these two should make some appearances. Overall, great writing and mystery/suspense as usual. The book kept my attention and I always come back to this series.

The Tracers Series is a long running series that has stayed interesting without being repetitive. Touch of Red is book twelve in this series by Laura Griffin. I found myself staying up way too late trying to see how this murder mystery would be solved. It is a lot like watching a crime program only in your mind. You get the feel for the actually tests done by forensics and the leg work done by the investigating detectives, plus being able to see what drives these diligent characters.

The play between the romance between Brooke and Sean with their work is balance so well that one does not taken of over from the other. Sean is patience with Brooke, almost too perfect. However, I liked seeing his more human impatient side when Brooke was in danger. Brooke was a self-contained personality, so I enjoyed seeing Sean loosen her up to enjoying more of life.

As for the murder that was being investigated it is gruesome without being graphic. I didn’t solve it until the characters did, though I did enjoy trying. The pacing was well-done with the clues and the questioning of the assumptions that could be made, making it an intriguing hard-to-stop reading book.

I have read some of this series but not all, finding this to be a great read on its own. Some couples were part of the story, but their background is not needed to fully enjoy this one. I highly recommend.

An ARC of the book was given to me by the publisher through Net Galley.

Touch of Red is a murder mystery woven into a love story. Brooke is a crime scene tech and Sean is a detective. Their jobs have them crossing paths occasionally and Sean has always been attracted to Brooke. On their current case, Brooke takes a very special interest and this pushes her and Sean to work closely together. Brook is attracted to Sean as well but she is on a diet....a man-free diet!

Brooke's ex is a controlling jerk who happens to be a cop as well. He is struggling to accept that the relationship is over despite Brooke's repeated insistence it is, in fact, VERY over. She also doesn't want to admit that she can't handle this. Her track record with men is not good and she is embarrassed that she made such a colossal mistake in dating this guy. Sean picks up on  the issues Brooke is having and won't let her brush it off as if its nothing.

And all this happens while Brooke and Sean are attempting to find a missing witness that could solve a strange case with seemingly no motive. The murder mystery is one of the things I love most about the Tracers series! Griffin writes great mysteries that you have to peel back in layers. She mixes it well with the budding romance and adds just the right touch of steamy scenes! Touch of Red is perfect for those of us who like real mystery and suspense with our steamy love stories!

The Tracers series is one of my favorite series. There is always romance and police procedural as well as suspense.

It's now Brooke Porter and Sean Byrnes turn for a story in this great series. Brooke is a CSI with a Delphi center and Sean is a homicide detective. Brooke is called to the scene of the murder of a young woman and Sean is the detective assigned to the case.

Sean has been interested in Brooke for a while but she is recovering from a previous relationship. As they get deeper into this case they begin to develop a relationship. The case is very interesting and keeps you guessing until the very end.

The best part of the series is that the romance is just part of the story. The mystery of who the killer is and why they are killing is very suspenseful and keeps you on your toes. I can't wait until the next tracer series.

Riveting, enthralling investigation that kept me, and the characters, on the edge through the story with the sweetest, tender, endearing romance that just took my breath away.
You ever get to the end of a book, you have a tear falling down your cheek and after the last sentence you hear yourself whimper aloud? Yes, a little whine comes out of you because it is just so perfect, so adorable, and you don't want to let them go and live their lives in the imaginary world, but you want to hold on to that moment for a little bit longer... I'm a bit emotional here, I admit...
The constant, convoluted, twisted search for the killer and for his motives combined with the talents of the detectives and the CSI workers impressed me and challenged me as I was reading the book. The steps they have to take, the politics and rules they have to follow, the clues they find - what seems like out of nothing - and how they put them together, risking their lives while doing it was dazzling.
The suspense plot is twisted and tangled, the tension is palpable, and overshadowing their personal lives as well.
Crime scene investigator Brooke Porter is a strong, tough, brave, capable, smart woman. I admired her and her abilities to piece the puzzle together. She goes out of her comfort zone to protect a young witness, putting herself in danger.
​Homicide detective Sean Byrne has been attracted to Brooke for some time, he just hoped the chance to act on the interest would have had a better timing. Sean's patience, kindness, and sweetness are tangible when Brooke is around, yet the tough, capable, brave detective is utterly frustrated with Brooke disregard of her personal safety and mingling into his investigation beyond her duties.
Sean and Brooke have the chemistry to put the pages on fire. Yet there is also a bond that goes deeper than the physical attraction and fire they have for each other. They share their vulnerabilities and their fears, forming a true foundation to the relationship developing in between them.
This story captivated my mind from the very start and the constant twists in the plot and finds in the investigation, the development of the relationship and the intensity of the tale made this book unputdownable until the end. Prepare yourself for one breathtaking thrill ride!
~ Five Spoons!

At this point, I don't even know what else to say about Laura Griffin's books that I haven't already said. She is one of my go-to authors. As per usual with a new book from this author, I devoured Touch of Red. As a fan of the TV show CSI in its early days, I can say that any fan of that show or that type of show, would love this series. It's clear the author puts a lot of research into all the procedural elements, and has to learn all of the various areas that each person specializes in. And the fact that there are so many different specialties is part of what keeps this series so unique and fresh. In Touch of Red, we have Brooke, who is a fingerprint analyst, and Sean, a police detective. I love how, at this point, the police department knows to get stuff done, they need to go straight to the Tracers.

I love the way that Laura Griffin builds tension, both within the case and within the characters' personal lives, and neither aspect of the story suffers for it. So few authors can mix genres and write both so well. Sean was one of the best heroes in this series. He was so comfortable with who he was and was so patient with Brooke. I really enjoyed the way their story developed.

All of Laura's books can be read as standalones since each case is brand new and each couple featured is different. But there is some backstory and build up in each previous book that makes it rewarding to read in order. Plus, I haven't met a book in this series that I didn't love, so I highly recommend this book to any suspense/procedural/romance fan.

I really enjoyed this book by Lauren Griffin which is a romantic suspense novel. I have not read any of the other Tracer novels but after reading this one, I will definitely go back and read the others. These books remind me of early Roxanne St. Clair books about the bullet catchers. The storyline is involved and just convoluted enough to keep me guessing. Brooke and Sean are the main characters. He is a detective and she is an analyzer with the police department. She is a whiz at finding fingerprints and is very valuable in homicide cases, and that is how this story begins.with a homicide. The romance was given but i did not feel it overshadowed the storyline and I liked that about it. It was a part of the story but to me, not the main event. Give me a good plot any day, and this book definitely had that. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this for an honest review.

Enthralling, adrenaline pumping, and menacing!

Touch of Red is a riveting tale that immerses you into the evidence collection and investigation into the violent homicide of a young woman, the pursuit of a missing witness and the hunt for a ruthless killer.

The writing is effortless and crisp. The characters are relentless, hard-working, determined, and patient. And the story starts off with a bang and never lets up as it quickly spins through well-timed twists, unexpected turns, red-hot chemistry, steamy liaisons, corruption, brutality, and murder.

Laura Griffin's Tracer series is like watching CSI only better, and Touch of Red is no exception. From the very first page I was hooked, and even though Touch of Red is the twelfth book in the series and has a few nice appearances from characters from the previous novels it can definitely be read as a standalone.

***ARC Provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley***

4.5 Stars

Laura Griffin has a talent with romantic suspense. The balance of the suspense elements and the romance work in such a way that they feel totally natural, like they are actually two people who have met through work and are attracted to one another.

Sean and Brooke see each other at crime scenes and work situations. She works as a CSI and he is a homicide detective, and the fact that they are both in the same world, so to speak, makes their reactions seem realistic. Would they be able to put the things they see during the day behind them? Well, to a certain extent, doing this is a part of their jobs, so when they put it aside for the romantic portions of the story, it feels real as you believe the transition.

The romance isn't the focus of the story, but the balance is such that you are invested in the relationship and in the case they are trying to solve. The tension given to the relationship through the tension of the case is also, as always, compelling.

Laura Griffin is a favorite of mine, as I know that when I pick up one of her stories, I will get a believable romantic suspense in which I can invest in the romance and in the suspense.

I recommend this title.

4 1/2 stars

If you’re like me, you have at least one author per genre that you know when you pick up their book you are going to be engrossed for the entire time it takes to read that novel. Hold the phone. Hold dinner. Nothing is going to get done. Laura Griffin is that writer for me in romantic suspense. And, I don’t know if it’s even possible, but her novels keep getting better and better.

From the first page Touch of Red hooks the reader and holds on as Sean Byrne and Brooke Porter investigate the death of barista who seemingly had no enemies.

If you’re a fan of the CSI series, you’ll love the detail that Griffin provides. The nerd in me is frequently awed by the scientific techniques employed.

Brooke is not your typical forensic scientist. She likes looking at the whole scene, which allows her to take different approaches in gathering evidence. However, that means that the lines are blurred for her as to where her job ends and where the job of the police begins.

Sean, who had the reputation as a player, is coming off of an injury that has made him rethink his life. He’s thinking about his future and wanting to share it with someone and he thinks that Brooke may just be the someone. But he has to tackle her trust issues after a couple of long-term relationships have made her decide to go without dating for a while.

If you like romantic suspense and have never given Laura Griffin’s Tracers series a try, you have to read it. I have not found a single dull novel in the bunch and that is a rare statement. Laura Griffin really does her research and it feels like watching a sexy version of CSI.

Oh so good, make that FABULOUS READ. Make sure when you start this one you have the time to finish it because once you start you will not be able to put it down. This starts right out with a grizzly murder and Brooke Porter is off and running with her meticulous CSI ways. Sean Byrne is a homicide detective and he is assigned this case and has had his eye on Brooke for quite a while. Now they are essentially working together and with this case having so many twists and turns it brings them closer. So much suspense, thrilling twists, and sexy heat added in to keep it interesting and the pages kept turning so fast until I was surprised it was over. Great character development and interaction with the secondary characters who have been around in the previous books and even if you have not read those you will not be lost. This one can be read as a standalone and is totally standalone and does not cross over at all, just characters. I highly recommend it!

**Received this ARC from the publisher via NetGalley**

Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) provided by the Author and Publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an fair and honest review.

This is one of my favorite series by an author that delivers a great plot and an hot romance. Every. Single. Time. The unique Delphi Center takes a prime spot again but never overshadows the crime or the romance. It just sets up what I hope will be the next book with a romance between Delphi sharps specialist, Trevor, and Detective Callie. Should be fun. Anyway, "Touch of Red" does indeed deliver on the great plot and the hot romance. But . . . it wasn't the best I've read in this series. Brooke, the heroine, came off to me as a martyr with moments of TSTL. She has had two failed relationships, yet jumps back in after only 4 months of being guyless. Sean, the hero, is just fantastic. After surviving a life threatening shooting, he has reconsidered what he wants from life and he wants Brooke. He's a patient man and he'll need every ounce of that to deal with Brooke.

Samantha is attacked and murdered at her backdoor. Brooke is the CSI and Sean is the detective on the case. Brooke knows there is a young witness, yet no one will take her concerns seriously. So . . . she just does some investigating on her own, much to the displeasure (to say the least) of Sean. Her instincts are spot on, but all Sean sees is the danger she has put herself in and he is apes--- over that. As Sean and Brooke grow closer, Brooke continues to put herself in his investigation and Sean is sacred to death that the killer will make her a target too.

This is the first book in this series I've read but after reading it I am now hooked!! It's fast paced, lots of twists and action, suspense, and a steamy romance. The writing and characters are fantastic and the plot will keep you guessing. I don't want to giveaway too much of the story since that's part of the fun of reading this one. It starts with a horrific murder and the action never stops from there. If you enjoy a good romantic thriller/suspense this is a book you don't want to miss. I highly recommend it.

This was such a good read! The heroine is a crime scene investigator and the Hero is a homicide detective. That right there was enough to keep me engrossed in this story. Laura Griffin did a fantastic job of creating a story that was exciting, while adding some spice into the mix with a love interest between Brooke and Sean, as they worked together to solve a murder.

I was fascinated with Brooke's job. There were several scenes describing what her job entails to help investigations. I didn't know I would find that so intriguing. I actually enjoyed the parts about her job more than I did Sean's. I did enjoy Sean's pursuit of Brooke though. I loved these two as a couple. Brooke was a bit standoffish due to a bad break up previously but Sean handled it perfectly. It never got to a point that I was annoyed by the pushing away.

This is book 12 in the series and it can be read as a standalone. I never felt like I was jumping into the middle of a series. I have not read any of the previous books but I did look at a few of the blurbs in previous series books to see if the side characters have their own books and they do. You can bet I will be going back and reading the rest of the series.

Touch of Red is a hypnotic read. Laura Griffin never disappoints with the Tracers series. The chemistry between the the main characters is well developed. This book was hard to set down for me.
Brooke, a CSI for Delphi, has drawn an especially dark case. Sean, the lead detective, encounters Brooke at the crime scene and they reconnect. A near death experience refocuses Sean's priorities and he seeks love. She is reluctant to get involved with anyone . They work together to solve the crime and stop a killer.
The plot was good and i found myself hanging on to each twist.. This story had moderate heat between Brooke and Sean. This book was good and worthy of a readers time.

Hot romantic suspense. Sean and Brooke are colleagues but wow, there's some heat there. The mystery is not too complicated (although the murder that starts this off is gruesome) and the plot moves along at a good clip. This is the sort of page turner you want when you are traveling. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'd not read the others in this series but don't think that made a bit of difference.

A heinous crime, a suspenseful plot…

This is the twelfth book in the Tracers series that can be read as a stand-alone.

A woman arrives home and is brutally killed before she can enter the premises. In the bloody aftermath crime scene investigator Brooke Porter finds evidence of a possible witness another might have missed using not widely known technology, the unknown witness is a child she now intends to make sure stays safe. This CSI takes work seriously having no qualms going above and beyond job requirements to help solve the case in ways a CSI is not normally involved. She might be good at finding evidence but she’s not a trained detective and on duty is unarmed yet that won’t stop her from stepping into danger nor will the directive to keep her distance from the case from the detective she happens to like, her good intentions are apt to get her killed or worse.

The way the victim was killed exhibited a serious level of rage and though Detective Sean Byrne looks forward to seeing the sexy helpful evidence gathering CSI, having her work the case like a detective is decidedly dangerous for one untrained. The pressure mounts as Brooke steps more and more into the investigation and after another connected grizzly death Sean knows that he’ll have to work harder to solve the case quickly since he wants to keep the CSI he really wants to get to know better safe.

The protagonists had been eying each other prior to this case but it’s their involvement in this one that enhanced the magnetic pull that existed between them. They both had past issues to deal with but they navigated them well through bouts of honest communication amid the constant tracking down of clues and dealing with new developments. Though their timing could have been better, their chemistry was palpable and the romance flowed nicely and felt real.

The crime which literally opened the story was heinous, the ensuing plot was suspenseful and held this reader’s attention, as the mystery slowly unraveled more questions arose. This reader was disappointed at the ending, would have liked the heroine to have offered or the hero to have extracted a promise of the heroine to never do something so reckless again, this reader wanted to smack her for taking risks she wasn’t trained for, that she got into serious trouble was of no surprise.

An advanced reading copy was obtained from the publisher via NetGalley.