Ancestry.com can help you find your relatives.. can it also help catch a killer?

5 years after the West Campus Rapist last attack, his violent behavior has resurfaced & escalated..
Austin Detective Jack Bruner requests the help of forensic genealogist Rowan Healy and her ground-breaking DNA research. Rowan and Jack must race against the clock to crack this case!

Thanks to NetGalley & Dreamscape Media for this advanced readers copy of The Last Close Call!

The Last Close Call
By: Laura Griffin
Narrated by: Stephanie Németh-Parker
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
Release date: 10-24-23

Fans of romantic suspense, cold case stories and true crime podcasts will love this new standalone from Laura Griffin. Great on audio with a story that is both compelling and twisty. I loved the two MCs and was kept guessing right to the end. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early audio copy in exchange for my honest review!

Very interesting subject line with the genetics. A little predictable, but still plenty of twists.
Great stand alone book from Laura Griffin. Can't wait for more!

Forensic genealogist Rowan Healy has made a name for herself by helping investigators trace the family trees of violent criminals who have eluded justice for years. But the pressure of police cases left her burned out, and she's shifted her focus to helping adoptees find their biological parents.

Austin detective Jack Bruner has spent his career successfully tracking down vicious criminals--with the notable exception of the West Campus Rapist, a meticulous offender in Texas who has never been identified. When the latest two victims come to light, Jack sees his target is escalating his violent behavior--and only with Rowan's help does he stand a chance of cracking this case.

Moved by Jack's dedication and the brutal details of the attacks he lays out, Rowan agrees to help. When her ground-breaking DNA research sheds new light on the criminal's background and helps them zero in on a search radius, Rowan and Jack must race against the clock to find a ruthless killer who's growing bolder the longer he evades the law.

I liked the genetic testing aspect of the story. You hear more and more about that being used in cases. It made this mystery more unique. It had some good plot twists and simple romance. It was realistic and engaging.

Rowan Healy is a forensic genealogist who used to work for the police department before branching out on her own to do contract work. Now she helps adopted people find their birthparents which she finds much more rewarding then the nightmares and continuous backlog she faced at the police department. Detective Jack Bruner is tracking a rapist who had gone dormant but is now active and has escalated to murder. Jack enlists Rowan to help track down the possible suspect.

I was engrossed in the story right from the beginning and pretty much listened to the audiobook straight through. In my opinion, the book is very well written and the characters are well defined. I liked the amount of romance sprinkled into the book, it wasn't too much, and I adored the connection build up between Rowan and Jack. I was impressed with the detail of police procedure throughout the book, a lot of books I've read just gloss over the actual procedure involved in solving a case like this. I really enjoyed how the author set up the storyline, just when you think the story is heading in one direction, the story turns in another direction. Although I don't particularly like reading about rapists, I have to applaud the author for not going into gruesome detail surrounding the event, it made the story easier to listen to.

I really enjoyed the narration by Stephanie Németh-Parker, she really made the characters come to life and made the book intriguing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ALC. This was a romantic suspense thriller that I enjoyed. I don't think it was anything amazing but it was a quick enough read that kept my attention. I would recommend for fans of detective/serial killer books.

Thank you to Laura Griffin, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a free eaudiobook in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this romantic suspense! I found both Rowan and Jack likeable. Well, as much as I CAN like a guy who runs 12 miles and mountain bikes (exercise, barf). She was endearing and he was honest, both aware of their flaws. Their romance was expected, but Brian and Evie's was a sweet little surprise.

I was also surprised to find Joy so sympathic. I wish we could have witnessed the conversation between her and Michael after he found out about everything. I like to imagine he was supportive.

What really fascinated me was the use of forensic genealogy. I didn't know there was such a thing. My mind starts to race with possibilities--then I realize the pool of DNA samples is probably limited. Bummer.

Overall this was a great novel, and I look forward to what's next for Griffin.

I was very excited to discover I was approved for this audiobook. I love a good detective mystery, and bonus with the genetic analyst point of view! The narrator helped make this book come alive, and the story (chef's kiss)!! There was a part of the story that was kind of dull, but overall, this is a solid four-star.

Laura Griffin is definitely my go-to for thrillers with romance on the side. The romance was a bit underdeveloped in this one, but the mystery was so engrossing that it didn't make the read any less enjoyable. I didn't always love the dynamic between Rowan and Jack (at times it felt like he was a bit condescending towards her), and I didn't think the relationship unfolded as naturally as the relationships in some of Griffin's other books. I thought that the plot included some unique elements, and it did keep my guessing the whole time. I will definitely be reading more by this author!

I recently listened to a thriller that left me thoroughly impressed. The story's perfect blend of heart-pounding suspense and subtle romance made it a standout experience. I was particularly fascinated by the meticulous forensic research woven into the narrative, showcasing the dedication of the authors and contributors.

The characters were incredibly well-developed, making their journey all the more engaging. The inclusion of romance added a layer of complexity and emotion, making the story not just a gripping thriller but also a heartfelt tale of connection.

What truly set this thriller apart was the seamless integration of various elements—thrills, romance, and forensic intrigue. It kept me on the edge of my seat while also tugging at my heartstrings. I highly recommend this book to anyone who appreciates a compelling story with well-researched details and unforgettable characters. It's a must-read that will stay with you long after you've finished it.

Romantic suspense is my favorite genre! I had such high hopes for this one, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. I'm a true crime junkie, so the inclusion of genealogy based DNA identification (similar to what was used in the finding the Golden State Killler) was such a cool premise. I thought Rowan was an enjoyable and smart character, but they didn't do much at all with the genealogy aspect of her job after about halfway through the book. There weren't any big twists in this book; which may have also been a contributing factor to its lackluster appeal.

My biggest gripe, however, was the MMC Jack. He drove me absolutely crazy. He was pushy and acted like a macho man who wouldn't accept any help. Rowan's back and forth with him was also very annoying. I honestly enjoyed the two side characters' relationship develop significantly more than theirs.

I'm bummed this one didn't work out for me. Overall, it wasn't a terrible read, but it wasn't one that will stick with me.

THE LAST CLOSE CALL was a very well-written thriller with the perfect amount of romance added in. From the beginning, I was hooked. I loved the relationship between Rowan and Jack and how they worked together to solve this case. The genealogy aspect was super neat and always amazes me. Overall, this is another exciting book from Laura Griffin that I can highly recommend!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape media for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the near future.

I enjoyed the romance/thriller combined genre! I haven't read many books like this, so it was fun to read a mystery whilst watching a relationship unfold. I enjoyed the cat and mouse aspect of this book as well.

Great thriller! It's a race to find the killer before he strikes again. This has been a cold case, but he's recently turned into a killer. Jack, the detective on the case, turns to a forensic genealogist to identify and find him. Some readers may already be familiar with the newest tool being used to find a suspect. If the authorities have some DNA, they can work through the family tree to narrow down suspects.

They think they have identified the suspect, but he's evading the police and accelerating his attacks.

What Jack didn't expect was to quickly become interested in Rowan, the genealogist who is working with him. She doesn't want to be involved with a police officer, but she's very interested in him as well.

This story mixes current science, police work, and sexual attraction. Such a great combination. Laura Griffin tells an exciting story while mixing the elements into a believable and exhilarating novel.

Because of the violence, sexual content, and a bit of language, I recommend this book for mature readers.

I listened to the excellent audio version of this book.

Laura Griffin books are always a fun and easy read for me.

Synopsis:
Jack Bruner has been hunting a cereal rapist for quite some time now, but thinks that he might know just the person to help him. He asks Rowan Healy, a forensics genealogist, to see if she can help him with the case. She's able to help point him to his best lead yet and ultimately helps him close the case.
Throughout the book, Rowan continues to help Jack. Feeling start to develop, but she's hiding a secret from Jack. There is a reason she offered to help with this case.

Review
Laura Griffin's books are always pretty predictable but it's like a nice cozy blanket. I never feel stressed when reading her mysteries and there's always a good romance in the mix as well. The Last Close Call actually did surprise me at the end and I hope she continues this as a series so I can learn more about the characters that were scattered in this book.

Thank you Dreamscape Media + Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this book!
I will post my review today!

The Last Close Call📞
By Laura Griffin👀

Review👍🏻

This is my first book by the author, and it was really good! This book can definitely be knocked out in a day because it’s so addicting. A detective seeks the help of a forensic genealogist to help him catch a serial rapist or killer who has started back up again. The story was pretty crazy, and it takes place in Texas. I really like the bits of romance thrown in the middle of this wild ride. Suspense and mystery are extremely well written. I would recommend as an October thriller for sure!

Romantic suspense🔥
Murder mystery⁉️
Suspense🫣
Thriller 🔪

4 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin is a romantic suspense primarily featuring Jack (cop) and Rowan ( forensic genealogist). There's also a spark between Jack's partner and Eve, a victim of the rapist/murderer they're hunting that adds another romantic thread to this enthralling story. I loved the subplots involving surprising DNA results. Adding to my enjoyment of this audiobook was a fantastic narrator, Stephanie Nemeth-Parker. My first time listening to her, but definitely not my last. I hope there are many more audiobooks to come from her!!! Highly recommend!

When a serial rapist becomes active again after years of being dormant, Detective Jack Bruner reaches out to a genealogist for help. He's actively worked the case for years without leads. Rowan used to work in law enforcement but left due to burnout. Now she helps reunite families using genealogy. But she remembers when the rapist was active before- she was in college. So she agrees to help. She quickly discovered the identity, but the person basically doesn't exist. No drivers license, address, job history, etc.... They desperately try to find the suspect before he strikes again.

I have always been interested in ancestry and genealogy, so I was drawn to this book instantly. I likes both Jack and Rowan. The story is well paced. I just feel like the end was a bit lackluster. Things are resolved, but it is very quick and not very detailed.

Stephanie Németh-Parker narrates the audiobook and can always be counted on for a good narration.

I received an audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

Rowan is a former forensic genealogist who no longer works with the police instead preferring to help people in her capacity as a genealogist. Jack is a detective in need of Rowan’s skills to help him crack a case he’s been obsessed with for years.using DNA from one of the only times there was any left at a crime scene Rowan is needed to trace the killer and reveal his identity as his horrific crimes have started to escalate.

Rowan ok and Jack was stubborn and annoying, but I appreciate the fact that Rowan at no point put herself in danger in any way like so many other female characters in books like this. It was kind of a weird book where you never really know much bout the person doing all this and I’m pretty sure there was no kind of motive or explanation of anything. It’s just they caught him and then oh there was another crisis and a happily ever after for Rowan and Jack. This book annoyed me less than a lot of the author’s other books so that’s something it’s a fairly quick listen.

Rowan Healy has sworn off police work. As a research genealogist, she's fascinated by the way DNA evidence and the popularity of private genealogy have become intertwined..... but she can't let it consume her life. She doesn't have the stomach to be up all night every night hunting down killers and seeing more bad than good. She's content to continue with her private work and not become involved with police again.....until Austin, Texas Detective Jack Bruner asks for her help in a series of rape cases that she has a personal tie to. Unable to say no, Rowan struggles with her involvement in the case..... and it's lead Detective.

This book was everything I love about Laura Griffin. It's fast-paced, Texas-based with good characters and great writing. It's pretty similar to the other stories she's written (lay person gets tangled up with law enforcement in more ways than one) but that's exactly the kind of story you're looking for with this author, and this one doesn't disappoint. I think what makes this story, and this author in general, stand out is that it's clearly a mystery story, the romance is definitely secondary, but instead of letting the romantic scenes fade to black like a lot of authors do, Griffin doesn't shy away. These books have a decent amount of pretty steamy scenes. They're definitely NSFW or listening with little kids around, but they're perfect for grown adults looking for a good story for their commute or their walks. I look forward to more from this author!