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kathydavie's review against another edition
4.0
Third in the Tracers romantic suspense series revolving around current and future employees of the Delphi Center, a state-of-the-art forensics facility in Texas. The couple focus is on Dr. Mia Voss and Detective Ric Santos.
My Take
Griffin does a nice job of building suspense with the attacks on Mia and Ric's hot and cold approaches to her. She could have worked harder at creating tension over the San Marcos PD's concern about whether Mia was involved or not.
Mia's a smart girl. Why didn't she think to fake an evidence bag??
Tidy lead-up to the next installment in this series.
The Story
Mia Voss is hijacked from a convenience store and as she drives, Mia realizes her captor has no intention of letting her live. It's the headlights coming up behind her that gives Mia the courage to jerk the wheel, confusing her captor as she drops out of her Jeep and runs off into the fields.
The San Marcos detectives believe that Mia is being targeted but they aren't sure if she is a part of it or its victim even as Ric both gives in to and retreats from his attraction to her. Even as the police explore this in greater depth, Mia continues to test and research finding cold cases that may be related.
Then Mia's love for her family is exploited. A damning demand shreds Mia's honor. A betrayal so deep that Mia will do anything to repair it.
The Characters
Dr. Mia Voss is a brilliant DNA analyst at the Delphi Center just outside San Marcos, a state-of-the-art forensic palace. She thought there had been something between her and Ric Santos last summer (see Unspeakable), but, obviously, not. Sam is her nephew; her sister, Vivian, is his mother.
Detective Ric Santos is part of the San Marcos Police Department and deeply attracted to Mia. Ava is his teen-aged daughter. Rey Santos is his brother and with the FBI. Jonah Macon is Ric's partner and he's got his back.
Vince Moore is a fellow detective with a sense of humor and an itch to scratch; Burleson is another detective. Frank Hannigan is a retired cop with, fortunately for Mia, a hero complex. Detective Jim Kubcek is with the Houston PD; he has a case that connects to others being tested at the Delphi Center. Rachel is the DA. FBI agents Delmonico and Laranya Singh are working on a serial killer case with some very sensitive information.
Sophie Barrett also works at the Delphi Center, is a friend of Mia's, and sings as part of her own fulfillment. Don Clovis is the Center's guy on ligatures. Kelsey Quinn is in Bones. Ben is in cyber crimes with Alex Lovell. Mark Royers is a DNA tracer as good as Mia. Dr. Harvey Snyder is the head DNA specialist at the Center and Mia's boss. His best assets are his connections and his pretty résumé, otherwise, he's an asshole. Scott Black is a ballistics expert and an old childhood friend of Mia's. Ralph is the security guard there.
Alex Lovell has a bit part helping Mia trace a threatening email and put together the documents for Mia to disappear. Troy Stockton doesn't show at all although Texas Ranger Jessup does appear. Jeff Lane is the lieutenant governor of Texas; rumor says he's looking at the White House. His wife is Camille; his son Kurt is in college.
The Cover and Title
This cover of blues and browns has a rushing river heading away from us carrying a width of burlap tumbling in the waters (conveniently placed to highlight the title) while the banks of the river appear as cragged rock rising steeply on either side.
The title is how Mia feels about the betrayal she commits. It's Unforgivable to her fellow professionals, the police, and the public.
My Take
Griffin does a nice job of building suspense with the attacks on Mia and Ric's hot and cold approaches to her. She could have worked harder at creating tension over the San Marcos PD's concern about whether Mia was involved or not.
Mia's a smart girl. Why didn't she think to fake an evidence bag??
Tidy lead-up to the next installment in this series.
The Story
Mia Voss is hijacked from a convenience store and as she drives, Mia realizes her captor has no intention of letting her live. It's the headlights coming up behind her that gives Mia the courage to jerk the wheel, confusing her captor as she drops out of her Jeep and runs off into the fields.
The San Marcos detectives believe that Mia is being targeted but they aren't sure if she is a part of it or its victim even as Ric both gives in to and retreats from his attraction to her. Even as the police explore this in greater depth, Mia continues to test and research finding cold cases that may be related.
Then Mia's love for her family is exploited. A damning demand shreds Mia's honor. A betrayal so deep that Mia will do anything to repair it.
The Characters
Dr. Mia Voss is a brilliant DNA analyst at the Delphi Center just outside San Marcos, a state-of-the-art forensic palace. She thought there had been something between her and Ric Santos last summer (see Unspeakable), but, obviously, not. Sam is her nephew; her sister, Vivian, is his mother.
Detective Ric Santos is part of the San Marcos Police Department and deeply attracted to Mia. Ava is his teen-aged daughter. Rey Santos is his brother and with the FBI. Jonah Macon is Ric's partner and he's got his back.
Vince Moore is a fellow detective with a sense of humor and an itch to scratch; Burleson is another detective. Frank Hannigan is a retired cop with, fortunately for Mia, a hero complex. Detective Jim Kubcek is with the Houston PD; he has a case that connects to others being tested at the Delphi Center. Rachel is the DA. FBI agents Delmonico and Laranya Singh are working on a serial killer case with some very sensitive information.
Sophie Barrett also works at the Delphi Center, is a friend of Mia's, and sings as part of her own fulfillment. Don Clovis is the Center's guy on ligatures. Kelsey Quinn is in Bones. Ben is in cyber crimes with Alex Lovell. Mark Royers is a DNA tracer as good as Mia. Dr. Harvey Snyder is the head DNA specialist at the Center and Mia's boss. His best assets are his connections and his pretty résumé, otherwise, he's an asshole. Scott Black is a ballistics expert and an old childhood friend of Mia's. Ralph is the security guard there.
Alex Lovell has a bit part helping Mia trace a threatening email and put together the documents for Mia to disappear. Troy Stockton doesn't show at all although Texas Ranger Jessup does appear. Jeff Lane is the lieutenant governor of Texas; rumor says he's looking at the White House. His wife is Camille; his son Kurt is in college.
The Cover and Title
This cover of blues and browns has a rushing river heading away from us carrying a width of burlap tumbling in the waters (conveniently placed to highlight the title) while the banks of the river appear as cragged rock rising steeply on either side.
The title is how Mia feels about the betrayal she commits. It's Unforgivable to her fellow professionals, the police, and the public.
tori_fink's review against another edition
4.0
This is such a good series!! Mystery, murder and romance!! It’s got it all!
hannahlewis803's review against another edition
4.0
I started reading this book and it was my least favorite of the Tracers series so far. I thought Ric was an asshole and I wasn’t feeling it. I stopped reading after the first couple of chapters to check out some of the negative reviews. After doing so I was almost ready to just put down the book. I’m so glad I didn’t! I could relate to Mia, I thought the progression of her and Rics relationship was realistic and raw. And the mystery actually made sense, unlike what other people had to say, although I will say there were a little too many cases to keep track of. Overall I love that taste it left in my mouth and I can’t wait to explore Sophie and Jonah’s relationship in book 4.
gotbrie's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ric santos u prickly son of a bitch i love u
marmarx89's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
jen286's review against another edition
4.0
This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland
4.5 stars
I loved Mia from the first time I met her in the first book in this series. I was really hoping we would get her story, and luckily that is what Unforgivable is. Ah I was so fangirl-ing when I started this book. You see Mia and Ric when they first meet in the second book, and oh was it hot. I was super excited to get their story as they were so amazing together.
From the moment they fist laid eyes on each other there is just something there between Mia and Ric. You can just see the connection even if neither of them really does anything about it. It is tangible and oh I loved it. Ric needed help before on a case and since Mia is the best he recruited her. He stopped by often with coffee and they just seemed so perfect together.
This story starts off a few months after the events of the last book where they seemed to be getting closer. In that time Ric has not once contacted Mia. She is hurt by that. She thought there had been some interest on his side, but apparently he only sweet talked her so she would help on his case.
When Mia is carjacked and almost killed, Ric gets put on the case. Which means they will once again be working together! Oh I just loved this story. Even though Mia doesn't want a repeat of last time, she can't help but like Ric. She liked him before, but she just doesn't want to get hurt again.
Ric liked Mia, but he could tell she was ready to settle down. He did that before and he is not planning on going there again so he just cut her off. He didn't want to be mean or anything, he just doesn't want to lead her on when it is not going to lead where she would want it to go. Now someone is after Mia and he can't help his feelings getting involved. He just wants to protect her and keep her safe. He is drawn to her and the more time they spend together the more he wants to be with her. Just not a relationship as he can't deal with that. Or so he thinks.
I love these books as they are really heavy on the crime aspects. I love watching any crime dramas I can find. It is just so interesting to me. So I love seeing them work the case and try and find the killer in these books. I love watching Mia work and everything involved. The suspense parts are really great.
Throughout the story Mia and Ric are trying to figure out who is targeting Mia and why. They are having a hard time as the killer is good. He doesn't seem to leave any evidence behind that is at all useful. Watching them try to unravel the mystery while also becoming closer was so much fun. Ric is not a big talker, not a big sharer, but you can just see how much he cares. They were really great together and I loved reading this story. Another great read.
4.5 stars
I loved Mia from the first time I met her in the first book in this series. I was really hoping we would get her story, and luckily that is what Unforgivable is. Ah I was so fangirl-ing when I started this book. You see Mia and Ric when they first meet in the second book, and oh was it hot. I was super excited to get their story as they were so amazing together.
From the moment they fist laid eyes on each other there is just something there between Mia and Ric. You can just see the connection even if neither of them really does anything about it. It is tangible and oh I loved it. Ric needed help before on a case and since Mia is the best he recruited her. He stopped by often with coffee and they just seemed so perfect together.
This story starts off a few months after the events of the last book where they seemed to be getting closer. In that time Ric has not once contacted Mia. She is hurt by that. She thought there had been some interest on his side, but apparently he only sweet talked her so she would help on his case.
When Mia is carjacked and almost killed, Ric gets put on the case. Which means they will once again be working together! Oh I just loved this story. Even though Mia doesn't want a repeat of last time, she can't help but like Ric. She liked him before, but she just doesn't want to get hurt again.
Ric liked Mia, but he could tell she was ready to settle down. He did that before and he is not planning on going there again so he just cut her off. He didn't want to be mean or anything, he just doesn't want to lead her on when it is not going to lead where she would want it to go. Now someone is after Mia and he can't help his feelings getting involved. He just wants to protect her and keep her safe. He is drawn to her and the more time they spend together the more he wants to be with her. Just not a relationship as he can't deal with that. Or so he thinks.
I love these books as they are really heavy on the crime aspects. I love watching any crime dramas I can find. It is just so interesting to me. So I love seeing them work the case and try and find the killer in these books. I love watching Mia work and everything involved. The suspense parts are really great.
Throughout the story Mia and Ric are trying to figure out who is targeting Mia and why. They are having a hard time as the killer is good. He doesn't seem to leave any evidence behind that is at all useful. Watching them try to unravel the mystery while also becoming closer was so much fun. Ric is not a big talker, not a big sharer, but you can just see how much he cares. They were really great together and I loved reading this story. Another great read.
petersenftleben's review against another edition
3.0
This is my first book by this author, and I just don't think it was my kind of romantic suspense. I thought is was fine, but it didn't rise above for me, which I was expecting since I've heard great things about Griffin. Maybe it wasn't the right book to start with.
I thought the writing was good, the characters were fine, and the romance was okay, but it was the suspense element that wasn't there for me. Outside of the first chapter and the last 50 or so pages, I found it kind of dull and struggled to keep reading, often questioning whether I wanted to keep picking it up. I ended up skimming A LOT. With this type of book, I'd much rather not know who the bad guy is, but the main focus for the majority of the novel is on how Ric can prove his theory is correct. It seemed a bit narrow-minded for a cop, and it just wasn't enough to drive the story, in my opinion, not in the way pursuing a longer list of suspects would have been. I also didn't feel a sense of danger despite the two attempts at shooting Mia, and I thought the story might have benefited from moving Sophie's situation at the end earlier to amp up the intensity of the search. And given Mia's job, I think I would have liked her DNA testing to play more of a role. It just popped up here and there and it was easy to forget what she did at the Delphi Center.
I thought the writing was good, the characters were fine, and the romance was okay, but it was the suspense element that wasn't there for me. Outside of the first chapter and the last 50 or so pages, I found it kind of dull and struggled to keep reading, often questioning whether I wanted to keep picking it up. I ended up skimming A LOT. With this type of book, I'd much rather not know who the bad guy is, but the main focus for the majority of the novel is on how Ric can prove his theory is correct. It seemed a bit narrow-minded for a cop, and it just wasn't enough to drive the story, in my opinion, not in the way pursuing a longer list of suspects would have been. I also didn't feel a sense of danger despite the two attempts at shooting Mia, and I thought the story might have benefited from moving Sophie's situation at the end earlier to amp up the intensity of the search. And given Mia's job, I think I would have liked her DNA testing to play more of a role. It just popped up here and there and it was easy to forget what she did at the Delphi Center.
leabookjoy's review against another edition
4.0
4,75 stars
French & English reviews
Encore une bonne surprise avec un livre très "Esprits Criminels" avec une intrigue sanglante, tordue, avec des drames et une romance passionnée.
Le gros point fort de ce livre est qu'on rentre vraiment à l'intérieur du Centre Delphi dans ce livre : on visite les bâtiments, on rencontre les différents membres de l'équipe, on se familiarise avec leurs différentes techniques ...
Bref, j'ai l'impression que je ne fais que lire en ce moment et la faute est sans doute à cette série qui une fois commencée est impossible à arrêter <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Still a nice surprise with a very "Criminal Minds" book with a bloody plot, twisted, with dramas and a passionate romance.
The big highlight of this book is that we really get inside the Delphi Center in this book : we visit the buildings, we meet the different members of the team, we get to know their different techniques ...
In short, I have the impression that I am only reading at this moment and the fault is undoubtedly in this series which once started is impossible to stop <3
French & English reviews
Encore une bonne surprise avec un livre très "Esprits Criminels" avec une intrigue sanglante, tordue, avec des drames et une romance passionnée.
Le gros point fort de ce livre est qu'on rentre vraiment à l'intérieur du Centre Delphi dans ce livre : on visite les bâtiments, on rencontre les différents membres de l'équipe, on se familiarise avec leurs différentes techniques ...
Bref, j'ai l'impression que je ne fais que lire en ce moment et la faute est sans doute à cette série qui une fois commencée est impossible à arrêter <3
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Still a nice surprise with a very "Criminal Minds" book with a bloody plot, twisted, with dramas and a passionate romance.
The big highlight of this book is that we really get inside the Delphi Center in this book : we visit the buildings, we meet the different members of the team, we get to know their different techniques ...
In short, I have the impression that I am only reading at this moment and the fault is undoubtedly in this series which once started is impossible to stop <3
kristinisreading's review against another edition
3.0
Nice romantic suspense, with more emphasis on the suspense. First book I read in this series, but I will read more. I liked the forensics angle to this story, however unrealistic. The pacing was good and it was just an entertaining story.