Mystery
![Laura Griffin - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_a_laura_griffin.jpg)
Vanishing Hour
When a cold case in Texas leads to a sinister string of disappearances, a newcomer to the small town helps a detective piece together the clues in this new romantic thriller from New York Times bestselling author Laura Griffin.
Corporate lawyer Ava Burch has had enough of the big city and the daily grind. She grew up with her father, who raised search-and-rescue dogs, in rural Texas and has moved to the small town of Cuervo to spend time in the dry, rugged wilderness near Big Bend National Park. When she and her dog, Huck, discover an abandoned campsite on a volunteer search-and-rescue mission, she's perplexed, but she carefully photographs it all the same.
All Grant Wycoff can see when he looks at Ava is a city slicker-with her designer jeans and shiny car-who has no business on a serious team made of seasoned outdoorsmen and retired cops. But when she tells him of her findings on the trail, he sees there's more to her than meets the eye.
Ava's discovery reminds Grant of the unsolved case of a young woman who went missing two years ago. As they look into the campsite further, another woman disappears under odd circumstances. With time running out, Ava and Grant must work against the brutal heat from both the Texas sun and their own electric chemistry to solve the case.
Corporate lawyer Ava Burch has had enough of the big city and the daily grind. She grew up with her father, who raised search-and-rescue dogs, in rural Texas and has moved to the small town of Cuervo to spend time in the dry, rugged wilderness near Big Bend National Park. When she and her dog, Huck, discover an abandoned campsite on a volunteer search-and-rescue mission, she's perplexed, but she carefully photographs it all the same.
All Grant Wycoff can see when he looks at Ava is a city slicker-with her designer jeans and shiny car-who has no business on a serious team made of seasoned outdoorsmen and retired cops. But when she tells him of her findings on the trail, he sees there's more to her than meets the eye.
Ava's discovery reminds Grant of the unsolved case of a young woman who went missing two years ago. As they look into the campsite further, another woman disappears under odd circumstances. With time running out, Ava and Grant must work against the brutal heat from both the Texas sun and their own electric chemistry to solve the case.
Editorial Reviews
"Wow! Laura Griffin is quite simply one of the best romantic thriller writers out there. Tightly plotted, character-driven, Vanishing Hour keeps the twists and turns coming all the way to the heart-stopping finale. I was on the edge of my seat until the very last page. Highly recommend!"-New York Times bestselling author Karen Robards on Vanishing Hour
"Yet another winner for Laura Griffin. Vanishing Hour has everything I love in a book--a gripping mystery, sizzling chemistry, plenty of action--and a dog!"--Melinda Leigh, #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author on Vanishing Hour
"This page-turning romantic thriller hooked me on page one and held me to the end. A must read."--New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton on Vanishing Hour
"Cold cases, romance, and several search-and-rescue missions combine in a riveting novel for fans of Paula Munier, Margaret Mizushima, and Jeffrey B. Burton."-Library Journal on Vanishing Hour (starred review)
"Laura Griffin's Vanishing Hour has just the right mix of romance, suspense, police investigation, mystery, and action to capture and hold a reader's interests."-Mystery & Suspense
"I love smart, sophisticated, fast-moving romantic thrillers and Laura Griffin writes them brilliantly. Last Seen Alone is a terrific example of her signature style: intriguing characters, sharp dialogue and a tight, well-researched plot."--New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz
"A pulse-pounding romantic thriller… off-the-charts chemistry… Griffin skillfully juggles suspense and romance right up until the adrenaline-fueled final page."--Publishers Weekly on Last Seen Alone
"A thrilling suspense plot with ...
"Yet another winner for Laura Griffin. Vanishing Hour has everything I love in a book--a gripping mystery, sizzling chemistry, plenty of action--and a dog!"--Melinda Leigh, #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author on Vanishing Hour
"This page-turning romantic thriller hooked me on page one and held me to the end. A must read."--New York Times bestselling author Mary Burton on Vanishing Hour
"Cold cases, romance, and several search-and-rescue missions combine in a riveting novel for fans of Paula Munier, Margaret Mizushima, and Jeffrey B. Burton."-Library Journal on Vanishing Hour (starred review)
"Laura Griffin's Vanishing Hour has just the right mix of romance, suspense, police investigation, mystery, and action to capture and hold a reader's interests."-Mystery & Suspense
"I love smart, sophisticated, fast-moving romantic thrillers and Laura Griffin writes them brilliantly. Last Seen Alone is a terrific example of her signature style: intriguing characters, sharp dialogue and a tight, well-researched plot."--New York Times bestselling author Jayne Ann Krentz
"A pulse-pounding romantic thriller… off-the-charts chemistry… Griffin skillfully juggles suspense and romance right up until the adrenaline-fueled final page."--Publishers Weekly on Last Seen Alone
"A thrilling suspense plot with ...
Readers Top Reviews
DarleneKindle Ki
I have read quite a few books by this author mostly Tracers series and never been disappointed. This is a very great read and hope there will be a follow-up on the friends of the main characters.
Terri SydowDarlen
I always enjoy reading Laura Griffin's books and this one was no exception. Having traveled to Big Bend several times really made this book come to life. I could visualize the canyons, parks and towns of the area, as well as the people. Griffin's characters were definitely believable as was the plot. I'm anxiously awaiting Griffin's next release.
Kate 50Terri Sydo
I can always depend on a great book by this author and this one didn't disappoint. I found it very engaging. I know this area of Texas and she painted a very accurate picture of the topography there. It doesn't seem to be part of a series like her other books though but I'd love to read more about some of the other characters and this location.
Bronco FanKate 50
Laura Griffin is amazing author. She has an exceptional talent for developing rich, relatable characters and complex suspense. This latest book is no exception!!! Hurriedly scroll to the top and purchase now. Spend an evening with Grant, Ava and Huck…. Swooning romance, admirable characters, a hero dog and a villain you won’t see coming.
Charleann DavisBr
This suspense filled story will have you on the edge of your seats.the characters will captivate you.Several women have disappeared when a current case seems to tie in with a couple of cold cases the tension in the small town tightens.Corporate lawyer and she a sars team member with her own search and rescue dog . Eve moved to the small town to join her best friend an partner with her in their own law firm.Ava sees a gorgeous cop as she's getting back from the search an rescue where her dog and her found the missing boy.She thinks Grant is so handsome with a body full of muscles but she doesn't date cops.As the case starts getting stranger the cop asks her if they can go back to ware she found the abandoned tent and stuff.?But when they get there everything is gone.They continue to search when her dog sticks a body.The chemistry between Ava and Grant is smoking hot off the charts.Will they give into the chemistry or will Ava keep Grant at arms length?Will Ava get herself into trouble by digging into the missing women?There are so many twists and turns to this story you will be riveted until the very last page and leave you begging for more.I love the way this amazing author brings the story to life before your eyes and you can feel the characters emotions an their pain.I can hardly wait to see what's next by this multi talented author.
Short Excerpt Teaser
Chapter
One
Ava followed the curve of the dirt road to the string of emergency vehicles. She checked her watch and cursed. She was later than she'd thought.
"Not good, Huck."
The black Lab nudged her arm with his wet nose.
"We're going to have to redeem ourselves."
Ava passed a sheriff's SUV and squeezed her little red car between a pair of dusty pickups from the parks department. Huck whimpered with impatience as she grabbed his lead off the seat and clipped it to his collar.
"Okay, let's do this."
Ava slid out. Huck hopped over the console and followed her. She felt dozens of eyes on her as she popped open the back hatch and retrieved her day pack. Hitching it onto her shoulder, Ava scanned the faces. None were familiar. All were skeptical. Several of the men wore the Henley County Sheriff's Office backcountry uniform of HCSO ball cap, navy T-shirt, and desert-brown tactical pants.
Ava spied some park rangers in olive green milling near a blue tarp that looked like operation headquarters. Beneath the makeshift tent, two rangers studied a map that had been spread out across a pair of tables.
"Help you?"
She turned around as a man sauntered over. Tall, sixtyish, paunchy. He wore a sheriff's office cap and a sweat-soaked golf shirt. He stopped in front of her.
Ava smiled. "Are you the incident commander?"
"I'm Sheriff Donovan."
"Oh." Shit. She thrust out her hand. "Ava Burch, WestTex Search and Rescue."
He shook her hand and frowned down at Huck.
"We're here to help with the search," she added.
"They started five hours ago."
"Yes, I know. I was unavoidably delayed." She sensed a brush-off coming, and she glanced around. "Do you know who the IC is on this one?"
"That'd be Mel Tyndall," he said, nodding in the direction of the blue tent.
"Oh, good. I'll check in with him."
She led Huck away before the sheriff could think of any objections. She zeroed in on the park ranger who seemed to be giving orders-a wiry man with wraparound sunglasses perched atop his shaved head. Ava stepped under the tarp, and he glanced up.
"I'm Ava with WestTex SAR. Chuck Crawford said you could use a hand today?"
Dropping the name of the chief ranger in nearby Big Bend seemed to do the trick. Tyndall stepped away from the table and looked her over.
"Are you trained up?" he asked.
"Yes."
He glanced at Huck, who wore his red work vest. "Him, too?"
"Yep. He's logged more than a hundred wilderness searches."
She didn't mention that most of those had been with a different handler. But Tyndall seemed too distracted to nitpick her credentials. He checked his watch and returned his attention to the table.
"The first teams deployed at oh nine hundred," he said. "We're just getting started on sector D."
Ava stepped closer to examine the map. It was a detailed topo of Silver Canyon State Park. A small red sticker near a campground marked what had to be the PLS, or point last seen. Sections bounded by natural barriers had been marked with letters.
"We just sent a team out to Lizard Creek Trail," Tyndall said, tapping the map.
Ava's stomach knotted as she studied the spot. Sector D was well outside of the high-probability search area. They were getting desperate.
"You up for it?" Tyndall asked.
"Absolutely."
He handed her a clipboard. "Sign in, and I'll brief you on the way over."
Ava quickly jotted her info on a card and followed the ranger to one of the dusty white pickups. She stowed her pack on the floor and hopped into the passenger seat, signaling Huck to sit on her lap.
Tyndall wasted no time pulling out and maneuvering onto the pitted dirt road that Ava had just navigated. Huck pressed his head against the glass, squirming with excitement as they passed the police vehicles.
Tyndall slid on his shades and glanced over. "You're new to the county?"
"Been here since November," she told him.
"Done any ops yet?"
"Three this spring in Big Bend."
They bumped along the narrow dirt road and hung a right onto an even narrower one. Ava visualized the state park in her head. She was familiar with it, but only from a few casual day hikes. She'd never been on a search team here.
"Silver Canyon is different," Tyndall said. "It's rugged country."
She turned to look at him. Big Bend wasn't exactly a golf resort. The sprawling national park consisted of more than 800,000 untamed acres. But Ava understood what he was getting at. Silver Canyon was a new addition to Texas's state park system, and it lacked even basic amenities.
"We've only got one paved road," the ranger continued. "It makes ...
One
Ava followed the curve of the dirt road to the string of emergency vehicles. She checked her watch and cursed. She was later than she'd thought.
"Not good, Huck."
The black Lab nudged her arm with his wet nose.
"We're going to have to redeem ourselves."
Ava passed a sheriff's SUV and squeezed her little red car between a pair of dusty pickups from the parks department. Huck whimpered with impatience as she grabbed his lead off the seat and clipped it to his collar.
"Okay, let's do this."
Ava slid out. Huck hopped over the console and followed her. She felt dozens of eyes on her as she popped open the back hatch and retrieved her day pack. Hitching it onto her shoulder, Ava scanned the faces. None were familiar. All were skeptical. Several of the men wore the Henley County Sheriff's Office backcountry uniform of HCSO ball cap, navy T-shirt, and desert-brown tactical pants.
Ava spied some park rangers in olive green milling near a blue tarp that looked like operation headquarters. Beneath the makeshift tent, two rangers studied a map that had been spread out across a pair of tables.
"Help you?"
She turned around as a man sauntered over. Tall, sixtyish, paunchy. He wore a sheriff's office cap and a sweat-soaked golf shirt. He stopped in front of her.
Ava smiled. "Are you the incident commander?"
"I'm Sheriff Donovan."
"Oh." Shit. She thrust out her hand. "Ava Burch, WestTex Search and Rescue."
He shook her hand and frowned down at Huck.
"We're here to help with the search," she added.
"They started five hours ago."
"Yes, I know. I was unavoidably delayed." She sensed a brush-off coming, and she glanced around. "Do you know who the IC is on this one?"
"That'd be Mel Tyndall," he said, nodding in the direction of the blue tent.
"Oh, good. I'll check in with him."
She led Huck away before the sheriff could think of any objections. She zeroed in on the park ranger who seemed to be giving orders-a wiry man with wraparound sunglasses perched atop his shaved head. Ava stepped under the tarp, and he glanced up.
"I'm Ava with WestTex SAR. Chuck Crawford said you could use a hand today?"
Dropping the name of the chief ranger in nearby Big Bend seemed to do the trick. Tyndall stepped away from the table and looked her over.
"Are you trained up?" he asked.
"Yes."
He glanced at Huck, who wore his red work vest. "Him, too?"
"Yep. He's logged more than a hundred wilderness searches."
She didn't mention that most of those had been with a different handler. But Tyndall seemed too distracted to nitpick her credentials. He checked his watch and returned his attention to the table.
"The first teams deployed at oh nine hundred," he said. "We're just getting started on sector D."
Ava stepped closer to examine the map. It was a detailed topo of Silver Canyon State Park. A small red sticker near a campground marked what had to be the PLS, or point last seen. Sections bounded by natural barriers had been marked with letters.
"We just sent a team out to Lizard Creek Trail," Tyndall said, tapping the map.
Ava's stomach knotted as she studied the spot. Sector D was well outside of the high-probability search area. They were getting desperate.
"You up for it?" Tyndall asked.
"Absolutely."
He handed her a clipboard. "Sign in, and I'll brief you on the way over."
Ava quickly jotted her info on a card and followed the ranger to one of the dusty white pickups. She stowed her pack on the floor and hopped into the passenger seat, signaling Huck to sit on her lap.
Tyndall wasted no time pulling out and maneuvering onto the pitted dirt road that Ava had just navigated. Huck pressed his head against the glass, squirming with excitement as they passed the police vehicles.
Tyndall slid on his shades and glanced over. "You're new to the county?"
"Been here since November," she told him.
"Done any ops yet?"
"Three this spring in Big Bend."
They bumped along the narrow dirt road and hung a right onto an even narrower one. Ava visualized the state park in her head. She was familiar with it, but only from a few casual day hikes. She'd never been on a search team here.
"Silver Canyon is different," Tyndall said. "It's rugged country."
She turned to look at him. Big Bend wasn't exactly a golf resort. The sprawling national park consisted of more than 800,000 untamed acres. But Ava understood what he was getting at. Silver Canyon was a new addition to Texas's state park system, and it lacked even basic amenities.
"We've only got one paved road," the ranger continued. "It makes ...
