Twisted (Tracers Series Book 5)

Police detective Allison knows that she needs to prove herself if she is ever going to get the respect she deserves. Botching a gas station holdup and having to be rescued by an FBI agent is not the way to go about it. Mark is in town on the trail of a serial killer that he believes is loose in their town. Getting the local police to believe him is always an issue. No one wants a killer in their town. Allison thinks Mark may be on to something and together they plan on tracking down a killer that has been at large for years. With or without the help of the rest of the local police force. Finding a killer might be the easy part. Learning how to be in a relationship when both people are workaholics might be the biggest hurdle of all

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Twisted is one of those books that once you open the first page you are just stuck till the last. I devoured this book whole and read it within a day. That almost never happens to me. I was so enraptured that I couldn't put it down. Just like the last book, this one opens with a bang. Instantly you are in the killers sights and he isn't the type to let you go once he's got you. He is conniving, ruthless and incredibly cruel. Violently raping his victims and then slitting their throats and dumping the bodies. Then walking away like the women were trash. Being a woman...well being a HUMAN...I instantly felt the killers sinister personality. He snatches woman off running trails like he's simply grabbing a piece of candy from a bowl. Lures them in with the story of a broken down van then proceeds to beat then half to death until he can get them to the van. The last place they see before they die. Locally I have a running trail where I live. Thousands of people use it every day. It spans miles and links cities together so die hard bicyclists, joggers and walkers don't have to use the main roads. It's incredibly convenient. And yet, it gives me the creeps sometimes and this book is exactly why. There are times when there is no one but you on the trail. Most people these days have their ears filled with ear buds and loud music. Would you hear someone coming up behind you? Or maybe you come off the trail and he see a guy leaning into the engine of his car claiming to have car trouble. Would you hesitate when he asked to use your cell phone? would that little voice at the back of your head be telling you something isn't right. Our main hero, Mark, is quick to point out that the brain gives you all kinds of signals when something feels "off". The slight tremor or your hands. The rising of he hair on your neck. The fast beating of your heart. the key to survival is to never doubt your gut instinct or you may end up dead.

Mark and Allison smolder the entire book. This is classified as a romantic suspense but while there are a ton of looks, a few kisses and maybe even some fantasies, there isn't much sex. These two work well together. Him as a FBI profiler and her as a rookie detective. I loved her tenacity and how she was so gung-ho about everything. I understood her wanting to proof herself worthy in a profession filled mostly with men. She often made mistakes that were silly and a direct result of her wanting so hard to prove herself worthy. Mark was the perfect match for her attitude. He was seasoned where she was green. Also, didn't hurt you was fantastic looking. I felt bad for his loneliness and wondered the majority of the book when he would notice that it was his own doing. He wanted to help everyone while not taking time for himself. That's how good people burn out.

There were a couple of twists I didn't see coming and that only gives it higher marks in my book. Predictability often sucks the joy out of things for me and it was nice not to see something coming. Twisted is an expertly written romantic suspense that is heart pounding and filled great characters! I even think those that just have a love for the suspense genre will enjoy this one!

I give Twisted by Laura Griffin 5 stars!

Nikki @ Ramblings From A Chaotic Mind

Twisted: Laura Griffin

Good Samaritans often try to help another person in trouble or just do a simple kindness. But, when Jordan Wheatley would learn about doing a good deed would cost her more than she would ever expect. But Jordan was a fighter and what happened to the other victims did not happen to her. You see: She survived. Out for a run training for the Boston Marathon, an unknown man who claims his car needs a tow and asks to use her cell phone stops her. Handing over her phone the first mistake and turning her back on the assailant the second. She never saw it coming.

Detective Allison Doyle just wanted a night off after completing a case. Junk food dinner, pizza in hand, cat food in the other she fails to see a car parked outside the convenience store with its motor running. Approaching the register she come face to face with a robber. Minutes tick off, seconds and the robber demands she come forward and that the owner hand over the money. But, from the corner of her eyes she spies a man in a dark suit and the rest would haunt her forever. She manages to stop the robber cold but not exactly according to her training and the man who finally helps her foil the criminal is an FBI agent. As she replays the video from the store the events never change and she feels dejected. Distractions are dangerous and noticing the fine details seem to be part of the flaws of these characters as the first does not pay attention to the stranger and Allison to her surrounding. Twisted by author Laura Griffin grabs the reader from the first page.

But, Allison seems haunted by a case that comes front and center and she seeks out Mark to learn that there is a serial killer lose and that murders started over ten years ago and for some reason halted in between. Could this killer have started up again and all of the murders are similar. As Mark fills her in he realizes that she is smart and has insight and just might want her on the case even if her boss does not. One thing stands out and that are the dates of the murders. Each year the murders occurred on the same two dates and the victims killed in the same fashion. Something about the murders seems to link back to those in California and Mark decides to team with Allison to try and find the serial killer. Meeting with Jordan was enlightening. Hard, difficult to deal with and definitely giving up on her goals as a marathoner, Jordan provides some answers but not enough. Able to describe her attacker his clothes and giving the police a full description of the rapist still brought no arrest. Added to the mix is that fact that the last murder victim, Stephanie Snow seemed linked to the past but her ex=boyfriend looked good for it. But, that still remains to be seen. So, why was her boss stonewalling her and why wouldn't he put her on the case? Why was it hard for her to get the information she needed? With the help of her friend Kelsey at the Delphi Center she just might get some answers.

Mark Wolfe has been tracking a killer called Death Raven for more than ten years. Stephanie Snow is his latest victim. But, her ex-boyfriend Joshua Bender appears to have no alibi and seems good for the murder. The police in Texas think he is the killer. But is he? With the police department stonewalling Mark on every turn and resenting his interference, Allison is persuaded to work with him to get his sick and demented killer off the streets before the next killing date November 19th. Dubbed the Twisted Death Raven will they be able to find him before someone else winds up dead?

Laura Griffin's fifth Tracers forensic romance is fast paced and sends the reader inside the world of a forensic lab with Mia and Allison along with Mark. This evil predator is just days away from striking again after ten years and Mark and Allison work to stop him.

A confrontation with a serial killer send Allison to the infirmary and the information given sends them in a direction to catch a killer but is it him? When the suspect is caught and taken down for good something in Mark's memory triggers and the end game is far from over. What happens next you won't believe and the end result will leave more deaths in this killer's wake and put Allison in a life and death situation. Can one rookie office savvy and smart and one FBI profiler with the help of the Delphi team catch a killer before it's too late? November 19th was just three days away.

Author Laura Griffin takes the reader inside the police department, the Delphi Center and the mind of a psychopathic killer whose reasons for killing you just won't believe. One small detail that comes into a profiler's mind and a case just might be solved. Mark Wolfe is tough, hard nosed and definitely creates sparks in Allison she just might ignite even more. What happens at the end when he tells her he's leaving? Will he come back or will this be the end for them both? Why didn't her boss want her on the case? How does she prove she has what it takes? Twisted: This killer is more than just twisted. Will the killing spree of the Death Raven continue? With the help of the team at the Delphi center a forensic research lab will they be able to stop him in time?
Characters that are smart, straightforward and a plot that keeps the reader glued to the printed page from start to finish. I read this book in one hour because I could not put it down. I am ready for the next Tracer novel: Burned. One unbelievable ending and one great novel, which is definitely why she is at the top of the bestseller a chart. Staying alert and making sure that when you jog you are not alone is definitely paramount. When something seems off as it did to one character take action and do not stick around. Calling the police can safe your life and others too. Distractions: Don't let them catch you off guard.

This book gets FIVE PERFECT DNA MATCHES TO CATCH THE NEXT KILLER

Rookie detective Allison Doyle is working a case that appears to be solved, but FBI profiler Mark Wolfe thinks differently. He's sure that the serial killer he's been hunting for a decade is responsible. Allison teams up with Mark to find the killer before he strikes again. The case leaves her life and her heart in jeopardy.

Twisted is a masterpiece of romantic suspense. A killer weaves his way through towns, raping and murdering unsuspecting women. Allison, a rookie detective trying to prove herself in a male-dominated career, has to work alongside Mark, a legend in their field. Allison is deeply attracted to her temporary partner, and it seems the feeling is mutual. Mark is a stoic and solitary man, solely focused on his career, leaving no room for a personal life. Allison puts a chink in his armor as his attraction to her threatens to destroy the hard-fought control he has over every aspect of his life. The chemistry between Allison and Mark is strong. Their romance builds steadily but slowly. Twisted's poignant and sensual romance and riveting suspense is as good as it gets.

Reviewed by Nannette
For Joyfully Reviewed

Nothing makes chills race down your spine better than a really good murder mystery, but add in a very hot young detective, and a broodingly sexy FBI profiler, and you have a novel that is very hard to put down. Allison is young, and as such she makes some rookie mistakes, but I feel that only adds to her appeal. Mark's age and experience make Allison seem even younger, but you learn very quickly that Allison has more backbone than anyone gives her credit for. In my opinion getting into the killer's mind would really top this story off, and send an already great read flying off the shelves.

Lototy
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance & More

FBI profiler Mark Wolfe has spent years trying to end the serial killing spree of the Death Raven. He learns of the apparent latest victim Stephanie Snow who the San Marcos, Texas police believe was killed by her ex-boyfriend Joshua Bender. At a convenience store, in San Marcos, Mark saves the life of police detective Allison Doyle.

Her police peers refuse to help the Fed, but Mark persuades Allison that a psychopath killed the young woman and this predator is due to kill again soon. With help from the Delphi Center forensic research facility, Mark and Allison try to prevent another homicide by the Twisted Death Raven.

The latest Tracers forensic romance (see Snapped, Unforgivable, Unspeakable and Untraceable) is a fantastic action-packed thriller that never slows down as time is running out to prevent the next murder. The lead couple is a fabulous pairing as his Death Raven case has left him with commitment phobia since he sees the faces of the little girls who will never see their mother while she is vigilant on taking down the killer. Fast-paced but interwoven with forensic science, sub-genre fans will appreciate this strong tale.

Harriet Klausner

If you love Criminal Minds but with there was more romance in the show, you will love this book. Truly outstanding.
This was my first Griffin book, but I can guarantee it won’t be the last!
Super fast, super intense, lots of steam.

I really enjoy reading books I could never write. Not because I don't have the talent to write, more because I don't have the patience to do the research required for these types of stories.

Laura obviously does. Her characters are well developed, three dimensial, and just as real as anyone you'd meet. The details about how the tracers at the Delphi Center work is spelled out enough so you know what you're reading is right. The level of detail about the police psyche is intense and I can truly believe and sympathize with the characters when their jobs are torturing them for whatever reason.

I'm usually pretty good about "seeing" who did it in suspense books, but I totally didn't expect the end of this one. Love it when an author can throw those little surprises out at the reader.

And - besides the main story happening around the Delphi Center, the FBI agent is actually working two major cases at the same time. That angle had me appreciating those officers even more than I already do.

Excellent read.

This was a really great thriller! I enjoyed the shift in focus with time pressure mounting to catch the killer before his scheduled next murder. As usual for Laura Griffin, the emphasis on the police investigation kept the romance in the background. I find that more believable than the reverse and enjoy the author's emphasis on telling a great story.

This book was fast-paced and the plot and romantic tension kept me turning the pages. I liked the characters though I wish the heroine had made less mistakes. I still liked her though--loved the book.

Probably my favorite TRACERS book so far!
We met Alison first in Snapped and now she has her own adventure. I loved her since then and I'm happy Mrs Griffin paired her with the glowering, workalcookic Mark Wolfe! They are perfect for each other!!!