Hidden

Griffin (Total Control) sets the suspenseful if flawed first romance in her Texas Murder Files series in Austin. After a woman is found dead on a hiking trail, Det. Jacob Merritt is assigned to the investigation and is impressed that beautiful investigative reporter Bailey Rhoads seems to know more about the case than he does. Though he’s not one to leak to the press, he agrees to meet with her on occasion to trade information, hoping to uncover her source—and eager to be near her. Bailey and Jacob spend very little time together as they each work the murder investigation separately; Bailey’s research leads her to a technology company, and Jacob realizes the victim has connections to a mob case in Chicago. While the mystery is satisfyingly complex, Jacob and Bailey’s relationship remains by-the-numbers. Their characters are underdeveloped, making it difficult to understand their attraction or compatibility. The investigation keeps the pages turning, but readers will hope for more spark in future installments. Agent: Kevan Lyon, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Aug.)