a truly awesome romantic suspense novel. It's original and great. Good solid writing. Kept me up at night to finish.

Must read! I absolutely loved the mystery, twists and turns, and especially the suspense of this book. The characters were all so likeable making me not want to put the book down. I had to keep reading and find out what happens next. The only thing I was left hoping for more of was about Brooke and her ex-boyfriend Matt. However, I did notice this is part of a series, so maybe a future book in the series will elude to more.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/9258396?shelf=2017&utm_campaign=mybooksnav&utm_content=mybooks_cta&utm_medium=web&utm_source=homepage

Laura Griffin’s ‘Tracers’ series is such a unique one, or at least, the premise of her stories mirrors the TV series ‘Bones’ so much that it’s hard not to like the way the action unfolds. Griffin’s masterful writing, her deft handling of characters and the intricate details of forensic anthropology and crime investigation don't hurt either, though it always takes me by surprise that secondary characters who pop up early on in the series (that I’ve long forgotten about) actually do get their own stories much later on.

That said, some of her books have admittedly been a hit or miss for me, and few are true standouts because the plots are tried-and-tested formulas that have worked well, though sometimes quite forgettably so after the ride is over. Like many of Griffin’s other books in the series, ‘Touch of Red’ starts with a murder by the way of a hapless victim brutally murdered in a way that gets everyone reeling, with clues pointing every which way until several keys are unearthed to the point where the whole story makes sense.

In this case, I was more absorbed by the clues and the investigation as detail after chilling detail unfolded than I was by Brooke/Sean’s developing relationship, not because they didn’t have chemistry, but because that perhaps, had to do with the fact that Griffin’s Delphi employee/Cop pairings started to look interchangeable after a while.

Nevertheless, what makes ’Touch of Red’ enjoyable is that Griffin hardly ever writes just a whodunnit book. It’s part-police procedural, part-thriller and romantic suspense where the romance develops by way of the investigation, though it never really is quite the focus of the book. The delicate balance is handled well though, and that mix will probably satisfy both romance-seeking and crime-loving readers.

I'm a fan of the 'Tracers' series. I've read a few of the books so when I was given the opportunity to read an advanced copy of the latest book in the series I was ecstatic.
While this is book 12 of the series you don't have to have read all the other books in order to understand this one. The main plot point running through the 'Tracers' series is the Delphi Centre, which is basically a huge private run crime lab that assist law enforcement.
'Touch of Red' focuses on Delphi employee Brooke Porter, who is a crime scene investigator. While working the scene of a brutal murder, Brooke uncovers clues to a potential eye witness and decides she will do whatever she can to find the witness and protect them at all costs. This includes getting in the way of the investigation being run by Austin PD detective Sean Byrne.
And I could understand Sean's frustration at Brooke interfering in his investigation. I actually found the character of Brooke a little bit annoying at times. Yes I could understand her passion for her job and wanting to help the witness, but she was behaving like a police detective. Investigating things she shouldn't, going places she shouldn't be. She reminded me of the characters on the TV show CSI. People that are scientists and work in a lab do not go out and trail a potential suspect in a restaurant. I think Sean Byrne had the patience of a saint. Especially as a romance also develops between him and Brooke through the book.
Overall I really enjoyed this book. I thought the characters were well developed, the writing was superb and the romance believable. I think this is another great addition to the 'Tracers' series.

what is it about:
When crime scene investigator Brooke Porter arrives at the home of a murdered woman, the only thing more shocking than the carnage is the evidence that someone escaped the scene. But where is this witness now? A thorough search of the area yields more questions than answers, and before Brooke even packs up her evidence kit, she’s made it her goal to find the witness and get them out of harm’s way.

Homicide detective Sean Byrne has seen his share of bloody crime scenes, but this one is particularly disturbing, especially because Brooke Porter is smack in the middle of it. Sean has had his eye on the sexy CSI for months, and he’s determined to help her with her current case—even if it means putting his attraction on hold so he and Brooke can track down a murderer. But as the investigation—and their relationship—heats up, Sean realizes that keeping his work and his personal life separate is more complicated than he ever imagined; especially when the killer sets his sights on Brooke

my thoughts:
I loved it, loved everything about it, how it pulled me and wouldn't let go, love the characters, with that said I would love to say thinks to Netgalley for letting me find another series I want to read

What a fabulous addition to the Tracers series!!! I have more book boyfriends than friends these days!! Great story, eagerly awaiting the next.

I received an advanced copy of this book and I can say this storyline drew me right in from the beginning. The CSI and law enforcement angle is a favorite topic of mine. This book will leave you on the edge of your seat right up to the very end. The twists and turns of evidence throws the reader off at different times making you wonder who really was the killer. Definitely a book I will be recommending!

Another enjoyable book in the 'Tracers' series by this Author .

Representing the Delphi Centre , Crime scene investigator Brooke Porter arrives at the home of a murdered woman .......... using her skills she soon realises that there had been a witness , a child , long gone from the scene .
Homicide Detective Sean Byrne has seen his share of bloody murders and finds that this one is more disturbing than most , especially as the woman who has held is interest romantically for the past few months is on the scene .
Fighting their growing attraction Sean and Brooke must work together to find the murderer .......identify the child and keep him safe ....... before it is too late .

The relationship between Brooke and Sean works better than those in some of the previous books in this series because their fast developing romance has more context in their past , making them more believable !
If you enjoy Romance with a touch of a Thriller then this Author is for you .

I love the Tracers series by Laura Griffin so I was excited to read this. It didn't disappoint it was a really good read full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. It was extremely well written, I love Laura's writing style and I really connected with the characters. A solid 5 star read, really really good!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

Between requesting and receiving the galley of this novel, I read instalments 1-11 of the Tracers series - they are quick reads. This latest in the series features Brooke, a crime scene investigator, and Sean, a police detective, both of whom we met in previous instalments. Brooke and Sean are called to the scene when Samantha is found with her throat slit and Brooke quickly determines that a child witnessed the murder.

As Tracers novels go (and I enjoyed them all), this was one of my favourites. The fact that Brooke and Sean have known one another for some months meant that their speedily developed romance did not seem too fast, and they were very sweet together. The mystery was interesting and the perpetrator logical and intellectually believable. Brooke (as this series always plays out) had to insert herself into the investigation in a way that put her in danger (so that Sean could rescue her), but this was done in a reasoned fashion - I believed in her concern for Cameron. There were cameo appearances from past heroes/heroines of this series - I note that the police department now seems to go to the Delphi Centre as its first port of call.

A thoroughly enjoyable instalment - nothing startlingly different from the formula of the rest of the series, but, if it ain't broke...