I’ve enjoyed The Texas Murder Files series and have watched Nicole and Emmet tip-toeing around each other through four other books. I’ll admit that I wasn’t sure how Laura Griffin was going to pull off a mystery and a romance between these two, but Liar’s Point had an ease to it that gave the story a casual feel that fit the beach setting. The only tension, really, was the kind of high strung Nicole. As the only female detective in her department she feels like she’s fighting for position among the men but really she is the best detective they’ve got and her instincts are spot on.

The mystery itself wasn’t difficult to follow and I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, but I’ll admit it was the dynamic between Emmet and Nicole that I looked forward to reading. Readers have been waiting a long time for these two to get together.

This is the fifth book in the awesome Texas Murder Files series. The gripping plot is entertaining, well developed and held my attention all the way through. It’s a riveting police procedural full of mystery, twists, suspense and a bit of romance. This is a very good series.

Fast paced and entertaining! Laura Griffin's Texas Murder Files series is a little looser than some in bringing the past couple's back into the forefront as this police force works crime together, but we often hear mention of several of them. With this particular case, a slow burn romance is teasing beneath the surface for Detectives Nicole Lawson and Emmet Davis, so that's a highpoint that keeps the angst high as we meander through the daily lives of the Lost Beach Police Department. The characters are easy to like, the mystery playing out throughout is very interesting and the camaraderie between these coworkers really warms the scene. I felt like the completion of the case was a tad weak, but I was really invested in it throughout the book.

I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who enjoys a good mystery but also enjoys a common cast to get to know along the way of solving the crimes.

If you’re a fan of Nora Robert’s please pay attention because I’ve got an author that needs to be on your radar. I haven’t read this previous books in this series, and I think it would definitely help, but I was still able to enjoy this one by itself.
The girl next door turned butt kicking detective with one tiny flaw-she’s weirdly grossed out by her job-Nicole, and alpha male detective Emmet have the major hits for each other but their both super bad at communicating and are both emotionally unavailable. While they are investigating a suspected serial killer in a small town in Texas, they realize that they can’t escape the feelings they have for each other and their jobs don’t become their number one priority anymore, though they do end up working it out. The steam factor is high and the story is not super complicated while the setting is intriguing.
If you’re into friends/coworkers to lovers, especially where he falls first, you’ll like this story.
Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

A thrilling police procedural that had me at the edge of my seat and guessing right until the end.

From the moment Cassandra discovered the body of her friend, we were skillfully kept in the dark with just enough crumbs to make us realize that Cassandra was involved, but not knowing how. The story unfolded at a fast pace, with the police scrambling to make sense of the scant evidence in their possession. The unsettling suspense drew me in and I sacrificed a lot of sleep to finish this, I just couldn’t put it down.

Nicole and Emmett were both very likable characters, but very reserved. And despite a decade long crush, neither were prepared to cross that line. The connection between them was pretty obvious and strong, and it pushed and pulled at them until they couldn’t keep it contained anymore. I loved how they resolved their workplace/relationship conflict at the end.

I can highly recommend this entire series if you like romantic suspense. This book stands well on its own, but don’t miss out on the others.

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

📣 another great romantic suspense written by one of my fave thrills + kisses authors

Thanks to the publisher & Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

📖 what’s one of your Tuesday numbers? Mine are: 2 hours awake last night with a coughing toddler, 1 old laptop that might finally be meeting its end, 1 book finished last night (The Ex Vows 🥹).

There have been simmering undercurrents between Emmet & Nicole in previous Laura Griffin books & they come to a satisfying build-up in Liar’s Point (out today!).

I’m such a fan of Griffin’s books—she takes you on a compelling murder-mystery investigation spearheaded by intrepid, smart leads who also fall in love somewhere in between collecting evidence & solving cases.

In this one, a murder is arranged to look like a suicide.

As the case culminates, the relationship between Emmet & Nicole comes to a heart-pumping point too, with a heroic gesture winning Emmet some extra points.

Check out Liar’s Point today to see hot detectives unraveling a case—or any of the other books in Griffin’s prolific backlist!

4 ⭐️. Out today!

Please see a trusted reviewer’s list of CWs.

[ID: Jess holds the ebook in front of purple & pink flowers.]

You know when you pick up a Laura Griffin book you will get a good, well written mystery, with complicated characters and depth, and no matter how difficult the topics along the way, it will leave you with a smile on your face in the end. Liar's Point is no different, and definitely delivers! We met both Emmet and Nicole in earlier books in the series and I was excited to see that they were getting their own story in this one. With Liar's Point you get a little more angst along the way as they finally come together after dancing around each other. The mystery in this one was intriguing and slightly different from what we've seen before and I really enjoyed trying to see if I could figure things out before they were revealed. You don't need to have read any of the ones before this in the series to enjoy it- just jump right in!

Laura Griffin has interwoven a police procedural and crime novel with plenty of suspense and some romance in Liar’s Point. Solid investigation tackles the many lies the police are told. It’s filled with evasiveness and a growing sense of urgency. This is the fifth book in the Texas Murder Files series and is set in the fictional town of Lost Beach, Texas.

Detective Nicole Lawson gets a call from the chief of police while on her first date in months. A body has been discovered near the lighthouse. As the medical examiner does his job, he finds several clues pointing to homicide. The police chief assigns Emmet Davis as the lead on the case when Nicole feels she should have been given the lead. When a second person is found dead, no one seems to believe Nicole’s theory that they’re related.

Nicole lacks time for a personal life and is frustrated by this. She’s competitive, self-confident, observant, and has good instincts about people. However, she feels pressure to constantly prove herself and tends to “go it alone” at times. Work is also her comfort zone. Emmet has a good memory and is tenacious and competitive, but gets uncomfortable around people going through a crisis. Both show growth as the novel progresses. Their chemistry was undeniable. The other characters had varying degrees of depth.

I was quickly drawn into the story and the main characters were likeable and relatable. However, there are a lot of characters and reading the prior books would be beneficial. Readers of the series will reconnect with and get updates on some of the characters from the previous novels. The author is a wonderful storyteller who kept me turning the pages with a great plot, gripping scenes, and formidable characters. The plot is twisty with a mystery that unfolds and culminates in a suspenseful and tense conclusion. The pacing is fast and I found myself continuously wondering which lies would be uncovered and the truths revealed.

Overall, this is an excellent mystery thriller and police procedural with a side of romance interspersed. The characters were engaging and the second half of the novel was filled with tension, suspense, and intense action. It has just the right balance between mystery, investigation, and romance. While I read this as a standalone novel, I believe this series is best read in order. I am looking forward to reading the others. Enthusiasts of mysteries and police procedurals with some romantic suspense will likely enjoy this novel and the series.

Berkley Publishing Group and Laura Griffin provided a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be May 21, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

"Focus on the breathing and not the pain."

Good advice for most and necessary for Cassandra, a nervous witness to a body found at Lighthouse Point, a constant spot for turmoil in the growing tourist town of Lost Beach Texas. She's nervous because she's lying to Detective Nicole Lawson and they both know it. In fact, even the body is lying by looking like a drug overdose, but those needle marks are hiding the truth in the latest Texas Murder Files book, Liar's Point, by the always absorbing romance suspense murder mystery author Laura Griffin.

Though Liar's Point is book 5 in this entertaining romance mystery series, it can be a standalone. I did enjoy the cameos from previous characters as each book is dedicated to a specific couple and the murders surrounding them.

Nicole follows the clues about who is lying and what's the truth but then becomes a target. Lead investigator, and Nicole's secret crush for years, Emmet Davis, grounds her. While they spar over her safety, her theories, and who is lying, the sexual tension heats up. You see Emmet's been crushing on Nicole too.

Voice actress Teri Clark Linden gives a perfect performance of a sexually frustrated Nicole, "There was no way she could ever go back to not knowing what it was like to be with him." Definitely some steam in this romance.

People lie in this police procedural about their feelings, their pain, and their murders but Nicole makes a point to always find the truth.

I received free copies of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Liar’s Point by Lauren Griffin is the fifth standalone romantic suspense novel in the Texas Murder Files. Two homicide detectives work together to find the truth in Lost Beach, Texas. Suspense, rivals and hidden feelings soon give way to danger and romance.

I’ve really been enjoying Griffin’s Texas Murder Files series from the intriguing cases to the romances. Each book works as a standalone with its own case and romance.

When a body turns up near the lighthouse and is ruled a homicide, Detective Nicole Lawson and veteran detective Emmet Davis work the case. Nicole wants the lead, but the chief gives it to Emmet. Nicole has feelings for Emmet, but has kept them hidden. She also sees him as her biggest rival. I liked their banter and his protective nature, which Nicole finds annoying.

The case was a curious one, and Nicole’s instincts regarding witnesses and leads were spot on. A second murder and attempted murder amped up the suspense and brought feelings to light. It was a gripping murder mystery with a clever twist.

I liked Emmet and enjoyed seeing their relationship develop. Griffin does a wonderful job of balancing the case and romantic thread. Although, I think it fell more towards a murder mystery case, but it’s also what I like about her stories. I found myself equally invested in both outcomes.

Fans of murder-mysteries & police cases with a side of romance will enjoy taking Liar’s Point to the beach this summer.

romantic-suspense, mystery, suspense, women-s-fiction, investigation, local-law-enforcement, procedural, island-life, murders, burnout, Texas, relationship-issues, relationships****

The storyline is more romantic suspense with some procedural for added interest. The writing was remarkable but I just wasn't in with all the relationship angst. I have several friends who are familiar with the author's work and are eagerly awaiting publication.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from Berkley Publishing Group via NetGalley.
#TheTexasMurderFilesBk5

This book is a tasty morsel, if you’re looking to stay up late, reading a well-paced mystery that’s a few steps up from your basic Cozy in both plot and spice.

I found the characters well-developed, the plot interesting, but not overly complicated, the setting intriguing, and the cover, stunning.

Honestly, my only complaint – and it’s a big one – was the lack of chemistry between the two main characters. Between their ridiculous lack of communication and the MMC’s manipulation to Keep The MFC Safe, I wasn’t really invested in them getting together.

As I quite enjoyed several other works by Laura Griffin, I’ll still seek out anything new.

Thanks to NetGalley, Berkley Publishing, and DreamScape Media for this ARC.

Liar's Point is was another great story by Laura Griffin. Once I started I couldn't stop. I always enjoy her characters. I'll be recommending this to my customers.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for my gifted copy.

The Texas Murder Files has been an easy series for me to feel captivated by and with every addition to this world I feel more immersed in the lives of the characters. Nicole as a main character has definitely been one of my favorites and I really enjoyed getting to learn more about her. She had an assuredness about her that made her character feel badass which was so fun to see on page. And the tension that was between her and Emmet made this already gripping tale all the more intriguing.

The mix of mystery and romance was done very well in my opinion and left me wanting more with every turn of the page. Emmet had a protectiveness that I found to be really hot especially when he knew the right moments to let Nicole handle herself. Overall, he and Nicole had a fun relationship that blended well between the detective work and it made this an enjoyable read.

As a detective in Lost Beach, Texas, Nicole Larson has little time for a personal life. After getting stood up by her date yet again, on Valentine's Day, Nicole is done with relationships needing to focus all her time on the latest case of foul play in the once sleepy beach town. The medical examiner, who also happens to be Nicole’s sort of, unreliable boyfriend, quickly determines the woman found in her car on the beach thought to be a suicide is actually a homicide.

On the case as lead, Detective Emmet Davis has been Nicole’s rival on the force for years as well as her secret crush since High School. Nicole feels she must work twice as hard to prove herself because women often seem not to get the respect they deserve in law enforcement. Nicole’s instincts are keen and when it seems a pattern is emerging in other suspicious deaths, she must convince Emmet and her superiors that more is going on than random violence.

Nicole and Emmet have been doing a complicated dance for years around their mutual attraction that neither will admit because it would seriously affect not only job performance, but be against department policy. With all the new people moving to the area and tourists, mostly from out of state, the Lost Beach Police Department is stretched to the limit. As Nicole gets deeper in to the investigation, she ends up in the crosshairs of some very nasty criminals.

Fans of the series have been patiently waiting for Nicole and Emmet to get their story. They will not be disappointed as well as enjoying seeing the other couples and favorite characters from the previous books in the series. Another of the Breda family, Alex, who is a lawyer, has moved to town so his story may be next up in the series unless this book is the last installment.

Although romantic suspense isn't usually my genre, I love this author's work, and this book did not disappoint. I devoured it in one sitting and didn't want it to end. I adore this series and hope the author continues it.

This novel is a well-crafted police procedural. I enjoyed seeing characters from previous books reappear and collaborate to solve a couple of potentially connected murders. Nicole and Emmett’s story was particularly delightful—both sweet and spicy. They were my favorite part of the previous book, so I was thrilled to see them as the leads in this one.

While this book can be read as a standalone, I believe you'll gain more from the story if you read the previous books in the series.

4.5 ⭐️

The title and cover caught my attention, as well as the blurb. I was very invested in the storyline from start to finish. The amount of research that had to go into the specifics of a crime/murder case is very well done. I enjoyed the book and will recommend it to others who also like this genre.

One thing I love about Griffin’s writing is that she is consistent. She structures her stories well. She never lets the reader down. Her stories are addictive, fresh, and add a bit of romantic tension to the mix.

If you have read other books in the series, you know that she writes strong female characters and brings it when developing the crimes and police procedurals. Griffin is a star and hidden gem of a writer.

This book is part of a series and you can read it as a stand-alone, but I think you would get more out of it if you read a book or two first.

Liar’s Point is full of twists and droplets of hints. The plot is detailed and unravels slowly, but just when you think you know where it’s going, something changes your direction again.

The main characters are embroiled in an undercurrent of care and romantic tension that tends to agitate you. I wanted them to get it going way sooner than what Griffin gave us. And that ending… ugh! Their crime-solving was on point and made for a heck of a story!

Once again, Griffin brings us a great story with diversions and twists, capped with a romantic undercurrent you cannot ignore. I love her talent for delivering unique and fresh stories!!

I listened to the audiobook for this one for about half before I decided I didn’t want to wait anymore and finished it using kindle. The narrator was doing a good job particularly with the chapters from Nicole’s perspective. This is book 5 of the Texas Murder files, but it works as a standalone. Overall I liked this story and found it to be a good mystery. I liked the mystery more than the romance, and not because I didn’t like the coupling, but my response to being frustrated about being treated different for being a woman in my career would not lead to kissing no matter the attraction. I thought the pacing of the relationship was weird in that way, but I liked the characters and felt they would be good together. Nicole is frustrated by her job and love life (or lack there of) as she’s called in for a dead body in what should have been date night. While the scene looks like suicide something feels off to Nicole which is a theme for the book. Her instincts are on point. The second half of the book was quite fast paced and I didn’t want to look away, but overall I think the book ran a little long and could have been edited down a bit.

Liar’s Point by Laura Griffin is the 5th book in her fantastic Texas Murder Files series; which was another exciting mystery thriller in this series. I am a huge fan of Laura Griffin, as she is one of the best at murder, mystery, thrillers, and romance suspense. Detective Nicole Lawson, our heroine, is not too happy these days, as her boyfriend, a medical examiner, is always on the job; and she is always second fiddle to Emmett Davis, her rival on cases. Her chief sends her to Lighthouse Point, where a body was discovered in a car, in their town of Lost Beach, Texas. Nicole interviews the woman who discovered the car, who also knows who the victim is. Emmett is given the lead on this case, with Nicole working with him.

At first, they suspect it is suicide, but the medical examiner finds a few clues, and the case is changed to homicide. Nicole is very smart, independent and has no problem speaking her thoughts. She respects Emmet, and he also respects her, but there is a layer of tension between them, as Nicole feels because she is a woman, she is never the lead. Both Nicole and Emmett know that they each have feelings for each other, but not really allowed on the force; though as the case escalates, Emmett is determined to protect Nicole from possible danger.

The plot changes when another yoga instructor is found dead. Nicole is convinced that the instructor who found the body is a harboring secret, with a different pattern that the police team doesn’t think anything into her theory. When Nicole is hit by a car, that seemed to be aiming at her, Emmett decides to watch over her, as well as help solve the crime together. In a short time, Nicole and Emmet succumb to their feelings, with great chemistry between them. I also loved Nicole, who was doing an excellent job of getting clues, as she learns more during her investigations. I also loved Emmett, who knew he was falling hard for Nicole, and was determined to protect her.
What follows is an exciting, intriguing, suspenseful thriller that kept me on the edge throughout, especially as we raced to the climax. The last half of the book was extremely tense, I could not put the book down.
Liar’s Point was another excellent mystery in this series, which to no surprise, was very well written by Laura Griffin. The last half of the book was very exciting, as Nicole while unable to move around, discovers clues that will lead to the truths revealed by the yoga instructor, and the real murderer.

Laura Griffin once again, gives us a fantastic exciting suspenseful mystery, with a great romantic couple and wonderful secondary characters. If you enjoy murder mysteries, police procedurals, lots of intense action, suspense, with a touch of romance, you should read this book. If you have never read Laura Griffin, it’s time to start now, as she is an amazing writer for romance suspense.