Last Seen Alone by Laura Griffin – a Review

Amazon / B&N / Kobo / Google Play / Apple / BAM / Book Depository

Description:
Up-and-coming attorney Leigh Larson fights for victims of sexual extortion, harassment, and online abuse. She is not afraid to go after the sleaziest targets to get payback for her clients. Leigh is laser-focused on her career–to the exclusion of everything else–until a seemingly routine case and a determined cop turn her world upside down.

Austin homicide detective Brandon Reynolds is no stranger to midnight callouts. But when he gets summoned to an abandoned car on a desolate road, he quickly realizes he’s dealing with an unusual crime scene. A pool of blood in the nearby woods suggests a brutal homicide. But where is the victim? The vehicle is registered to twenty-six-year-old Vanessa Adams. Searching the car, all Brandon finds is a smear of blood and a business card for Leigh Larson, attorney-at-law.

Vanessa had hired Leigh just before her disappearance, but Leigh has no leads on who could have wanted her dead. Faced with bewildering evidence and shocking twists, Leigh and Brandon must work against the clock to chase down a ruthless criminal who is out for vengeance.

Review:

Last Seen Alone by Laura Griffin is another one of her fantastic murder suspense mysteries.  I am a big fan of Griffin, as she always gives us exciting stories that are suspenseful, with police procedurals and a bit of romance.  The story starts with a bang, when we meet Vanessa, who is running from someone; but shortly thereafter, the police find her vehicle with blood, and she is missing, with her phone, purse still in the car.

Brandon Reynolds, our hero, is a homicide detective in Austin, Texas, and on the scene of the missing girl, with his rookie partner Antonio Pena.  He finds a business card for Leigh Larson, an attorney; and decides to pay her a visit.  Leigh Larson, our heroine, represents women stalked and harassed by exes.  At first, she does not remember who Vanessa Adams is, but the same day that Brandon visits her, she receives in the mail a retainer for her services.  Brandon and Leigh get off on the wrong foot, as he thinks she is keeping secrets, and she feels he doesn’t give her information; but in a short time, they start working together and a romance will begin.  Brandon isn’t happy that Leigh continues to investigate on her own, but she feels she can get more information since she knows how to question people, as it is her line of work regarding threats from stalkers.

When Leigh is attacked at her job, but manages to escape, Brandon is determined to protect her, and find the culprit, since he suspects this has something to do with the missing girl. The chemistry between them escalated, with Brandon more concerned that Leigh was putting herself in danger.  I do not want to give spoilers, so you need to read this book to discover what happens.

What follows is an exciting, intriguing, suspenseful thriller that kept me on the edge throughout, especially as we raced to the climax.   Griffin gave us a great couple, wonderful secondary characters and an excellent suspenseful story.  The last half of the book was extremely tense, with some twists; especially as the danger for our heroes escalates.  I could not put the book down. 

Last Seen Alone was another edge of your seat adventure, which to no surprise, was very well written by Laura Griffin.  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.

Reviewed by Barb

Copy provided by Publisher