ARC Review: The Last Close Call by Laura Griffin

The Last Close Call
Author: Laura Griffin
Publication: Berkley (October 24, 2023)

Description: A talented genetic analyst and a detective who's haunted by an elusive cold case team up in the new standalone romantic suspense from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.

Forensic genealogist Rowan Healy has made a name for herself by helping investigators trace the family trees of violent criminals who have eluded justice for years. But the pressure of police cases left her burned out, and she’s shifted her focus to helping adoptees find their biological parents.

Austin detective Jack Bruner has spent his career successfully tracking down vicious criminals—with the notable exception of the West Campus Rapist, a meticulous offender in Texas who has never been identified. When the latest two victims come to light, Jack sees his target is escalating his violent behavior—and only with Rowan's help does he stand a chance of cracking this case

Moved by Jack’s dedication and the brutal details of the attacks he lays out, Rowan agrees to help. When her ground-breaking DNA research sheds new light on the criminal's background and helps them zero in on a search radius, Rowan and Jack must race against the clock to find a ruthless killer who's growing bolder the longer he evades the law.

My Thoughts: Rowan Healy is a forensic genealogist who has made a name for herself helping adopted people find their birth families. She used to work with the police but found herself burning out from the constant exposure to criminals.

Austin detective Jack Bruner is a dedicated cop who lives and breathes his work. He has been consumer for years by a serial rapist nicknamed the West Campus Rapist who committed a series of crimes and then disappeared. Jack is afraid that he's back. Not only did he assault a woman in Austin, but the assault escalated to murder in San Antonio. While they have little evidence, there is some DNA found at the site of one of the assaults. 

Jack asks Rowan to go back to police work and help him track down the rapist not knowing that she was friends with one of the earliest victims. Rowan uses her skills to help him find the suspect who was given up for adoption by his sixteen-year-old mother. However, the suspect dropped off the radar after a suspicious house fire that killed his adoptive parents.

Rowan and Jack spend enough time together to start a relationship that neither is sure they want. Workaholic Jack isn't sure how Rowan can fit into his life. And Rowan doesn't know if a relationship with a workaholic who might draw her back into the sort of work that almost broke her would be a good thing for her. 

I enjoyed this story which give a lot of details about surveillance and techniques for identifying suspects using DNA. I liked the two main characters and the relationship they built. 

Favorite Quote:

"You're talking about the nature-versus-nurture debate," Rowan said, not quite sure how to answer.

"Sort of. I guess I'm wondering if there's a gene for it. Do you think it can be passed down from generation to generation like, say red hair? Or pattern baldness? Can someone be born a predator?"

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.