Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
Hidden by Laura Griffin is the first in a new series. The story is intense, suspenseful, with some romance.
The plot begins with a woman murdered on a hiking trail. At first, investigators think it is a mugging gone wrong. But there are some clues, which stand out, that have crime reporter, Bailey Rhoads, suspecting there is more to the story. Why would the body be stabbed numerous times, moved, and then dumped in the lake near the trail? Also, investigating the case is detective Jacob Meritt who is distrustful of all reporters, Bailey being no exception.
Realizing they can help each other they agree to meet on occasion to trade information. Bailey realizes there is a connection between a large technology company that is working on a project that skirts the boundaries of ethics, and possibly the law. Meanwhile, Jacob realizes there may be connections to the murder and organized crime in Chicago. But after learning that another woman is in danger they join forces to locate her, putting themselves in danger. This is when the romance ratchets up as both realize they have a sexual tension between them as well as strong feelings.
This story has both an intriguing mystery and characters. Readers will want to read the next installment, if for nothing else, to find out what happens between Bailey and Jacob.
Elise Cooper: How did you get the idea for the story?
Laura Griffin: It came a few years ago while I was working on the book, Deep Dark. The plot of that book dealt with online stalking. I became intrigued with the idea that it might be difficult in today’s day and age to remain anonymous, because of all the social media. This became the basis for this story. How could someone stay hidden?
EC: How would you describe Jacob?
LG: All the heroes in my book have a strong moral compass. He is a police detective that has a lot of integrity with a strong sense of duty and obligation. I also think he is tenacious, and the strong/silent type who is very protective.
EC: How would you describe Bailey?
LG: She is independent, smart and spunky, and asks forgiveness instead of permission. Because she is a small person and a woman on the crime beat, she feels underestimated. Bailey is driven, determined, and can be stubborn as well as reckless at times.
EC: What about the relationship?
LG: They had a natural conflict from the very beginning because of their professions. They have to overcome a lot to trust each other. There is this inherent tension and conflict based on their jobs.
EC: What about Witness Protection?
LG: Is it possible to have privacy if someone’s life is on the line? If someone is looking for someone else can the Witness Protection really work? Are we at the point that privacy is a privilege? What is the length someone has to go through to remain hidden? The book has a quote, “there is no such thing as privacy.”
EC: The book delves into face prints?
LG: They are based on big metric identifiers. Faces are maps with exact measurements between someone’s pupils and nostrils. There are different landmarks on the face that is measured and recorded. The problem is that there are flaws in the technology, which can result in misidentification.
EC: One of the characters is Lucinda, the head of the tech firm?
LG: She started out as a sympathetic character. Readers understood her motives of trying to find her daughter. But then she becomes so obsessed and loses her perspective of right and wrong.
EC: Are you a rower and a Star Wars fan?
LG: I am a Star Wars fan and have watched the main nine movies. Regarding being a rower, I am not. I do spend a lot of time at the lake in Austin. The opening scene where someone is running by the lake is very personal to me. I run there and paddle board at the lake. I definitely am used to seeing Austin from the lake view.
EC: How about your next book?
LG: There will be a series of books. Each novel will be set in Texas, but with different detectives. Book two comes out in March and is titled Flight, featuring Bailey’s sister Miranda. She is a forensic photographer. Jacob and Bailey will be in it, but peripherally.
EC: THANK YOU!
