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A review by bookswithlydscl
Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an eARC of "Leave No Trace" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
I really enjoyed In The Blink of an Eye when I read it last year and as soon as I knew a second book was coming I knew I had to get my hands on it and boy, did it ever surpass expectations. This instalment of the Kat and Lock series is a fantastic follow up that for me was more well rounded and balanced than the first with a dark and thrilling case plus interesting and thoughtful commentary on the nature of identity especially in relation to AIDE Lock.
In this case DCS Kat Frank and Lock are finally able to investigate current events - a man has been found on a hilltop crucified with his ears cut off. With few leads and a race against time to solve this murder before more victims are found, the team have to battle the elements, the press and political pressure to ensure success.
I loved how current and modern this felt, including the slightly futuristic technology as well as the messaging around female and male safety, use of pronouns and ideas of found family and friendship. I love the diversity of characters and viewpoints including those of the more 'old school' Frank and her boss McLeish who are trying to adapt and get comfortable with the nature of AI Detection but also recognise that they risk becoming relics of a bygone age if they don't move forward (albeit begrudgingly). It's a very timely discussion considering the current implications of AI in modern life and the morality aspects of utilising such technology. I think the author has done a fantastic job of balancing out the viewpoints showing the positive and negative aspects whilst using these characters as a voice for the wider world at large.
This book overall is a wonderful mix of crime thriller/mystery with a fantastically dark, twisting and intriguing case which perfectly balances plot and character. The team is growing, personalities are becoming more rounded and formed and I'm finding myself becoming very quickly attached to them and their lives.
I was so pleased to see that 2 more books in the series have been commissioned and eagerly await those next instalments in the future as with plots and characters like these who wouldn't want to read more?!!
Leave No Trace is released on March 28th 2024
I really enjoyed In The Blink of an Eye when I read it last year and as soon as I knew a second book was coming I knew I had to get my hands on it and boy, did it ever surpass expectations. This instalment of the Kat and Lock series is a fantastic follow up that for me was more well rounded and balanced than the first with a dark and thrilling case plus interesting and thoughtful commentary on the nature of identity especially in relation to AIDE Lock.
In this case DCS Kat Frank and Lock are finally able to investigate current events - a man has been found on a hilltop crucified with his ears cut off. With few leads and a race against time to solve this murder before more victims are found, the team have to battle the elements, the press and political pressure to ensure success.
I loved how current and modern this felt, including the slightly futuristic technology as well as the messaging around female and male safety, use of pronouns and ideas of found family and friendship. I love the diversity of characters and viewpoints including those of the more 'old school' Frank and her boss McLeish who are trying to adapt and get comfortable with the nature of AI Detection but also recognise that they risk becoming relics of a bygone age if they don't move forward (albeit begrudgingly). It's a very timely discussion considering the current implications of AI in modern life and the morality aspects of utilising such technology. I think the author has done a fantastic job of balancing out the viewpoints showing the positive and negative aspects whilst using these characters as a voice for the wider world at large.
This book overall is a wonderful mix of crime thriller/mystery with a fantastically dark, twisting and intriguing case which perfectly balances plot and character. The team is growing, personalities are becoming more rounded and formed and I'm finding myself becoming very quickly attached to them and their lives.
I was so pleased to see that 2 more books in the series have been commissioned and eagerly await those next instalments in the future as with plots and characters like these who wouldn't want to read more?!!
Leave No Trace is released on March 28th 2024