REVIEW: Hidden by Laura Griffin

Hidden (The Texas Murder Files #1) by Laura Griffin is the first book in her Texas Murder Files series.

Bailey Rhoads is an investigative reporter on the crime beat in Austin, Texas. There have been layoffs at the newspaper office and rumors of more layoffs to come. Bailey loves her job and works hard to stay employed. When she got the heads up from her editor about a possible story at the lakeside hike ‘n bike trail Bailey rushed right to the scene. When she arrived there she found tight-lipped police officers. She approached the man she believed to be the detective in charge at the scene, Detective Jacob Merritt. He wasn’t saying much either. Too bad. Bailey is determined to get information so she keeps in contact with Jacob. There’s definitely something strange about this situation.

Eventually Bailey finds out that the young woman was murdered. As Bailey tries to get background information on the victim, Dana Smith she is stymied at every point. Who doesn’t have easily accessed background info? Nothing on social media. Nothing! Nothing anywhere! All she gets from Jacob are hints and hot looks. She gives Jacob hot looks in return…

Detective Jacob Merritt knows his current case is a strange one. Facts, what few he and his partner Kendra Porter can find, aren’t adding up. Then the FBI muscled in and took over the case. That wasn’t stopping Jacob or Kendra from investigating. This murder occurred on their turf and they don’t believe the feds are serious enough about the investigation. Then there’s the investigative reporter, Bailey Rhoads who persists on looking into the murder. He sure is attracted to her but knows better than to get involved with a reporter. She’s not giving up on her investigation though so Jacob decides to stick close to try to keep her safe. Just in case…

This book details a serious story about crime and facial recognition software in the wrong hands. The author seems to have done very thorough research for this book. She sets a fast pace with lots of action. The characters are quite realistic. The romance is hot and the suspense is gripping. This is a great beginning to the series.

Book Info:

Publication: August 25th 2020 | Berkley Books | The Texas Murder Files #1

When a woman is found brutally murdered on Austin’s lakeside hike-and-bike trail, investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads turns up on the scene demanding access and answers. She tries to pry information out of the lead detective, Jacob Merritt. But this case is unlike any he’s ever seen, and nothing adds up.

Bailey has a hunch the victim wasn’t who she claimed to be and believes this mugging-turned-murder could have been a targeted hit. When she digs deeper, the trail leads her to a high-tech fortress on the outskirts of Austin where researchers are pushing the boundaries of a cutting-edge technology that could be deadly in the wrong hands.

As a ruthless hit man’s mission becomes clear, Bailey and Jacob must embark on a desperate search to locate the next target before the clock ticks down on this lethal game of hide and seek.