About the Book:

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.

Click on title below for direct Amazon buy link:                                                          Hidden (The Texas Murder Files Book 1)

My Review:

Austin police detective, Jacob Merritt, is investigating the brutal murder of an unidentified female, when he’s approached by reporter, Bailey Rhoads, for information about the case.  Bailey is well aware that more and more reporters are losing their jobs at the Austin Herald, so she’s more tenacious than usual about trying to get a story.  Jacob is being very close lipped about giving out any information, much to Bailey’s frustration.  During their own investigations into the murder, Bailey and Jacob keep encountering each other, and have come to a point where they each share a bit of information, but are obviously holding back more.  They are both fighting their mutual attraction, as a relationship between them is just not possible.  Bailey’s last romance was with a policeman, and that ended badly.  Jacob knows that becoming involved with a reporter would bring him under scrutiny.

When the FBI becomes involved, and actually takes over the case, it’s clear that there is much more to the story than murder.  Jacob can’t let this case go, and keeps investigating under the radar.  Soon, he and Bailey learn that the federal witness program has been compromised,  a hired hit man is involved, and even a local high tech company plays a part. They rush to save a surviving witness, who is next on the list to be eliminated.

Jacob and Bailey have found their attraction too strong to resist, and have begun an affair.  Even so, their wariness still has them holding back information, which takes its toll.  I found myself liking Jacob a lot more than Bailey, as her pushiness grated on me a bit.  Having said that, I understand that a crime reporter can’t be a shrinking violet, but she did put herself in dangerous situations, seemingly without thinking of possible consequences.  I really enjoyed reading the last half of HIDDEN, as both the romance and the action picked up.  The twist involving the tech company is scary in that the scenario portrayed is probably going to occur, if it hasn’t already.  HIDDEN is the first book in the new Texas Murder Files series, and is a satisfying read for those who enjoy romantic suspense.    ~Rose