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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I really am enjoying this series. There is no doubt that the whole topic of AI and its application in the workplace is a bit of a hot potato. There are some areas in which it could clearly be of assistance - mass data processing for example - and others where it is nothing but a menace and a way for lazy people to steal others work. When it comes to Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity (AIDE) Lock, I can see the benefits, and the pitfalls and love that, through this series of books, Jo Callaghan explores both whilst delivering a pacy, high stakes and threat filled case that has every one of the Future Policing Team (FPU) on edge. It's not every day you find a man crucified at the top of a hill, afterall
There are so many elements to like about this book, the fact that the story could, to a degree, have been ripped from the headlines for one thing, which makes it feel current and had me especially invested as a reader. There is a moment in the book quite early on where it becomes clear what the intent of the killer is, even though that motive remains hidden to the police for some time to come. Ultimately it takes a certain perspective to understand it, and whilst the full extent of the case is not revealed until late in the novel, I could hazard a guess. But that did not matter. Ultimately, the part of this book that fascinated me is the dynamic between the team, particularly Lock and DCS Kat Frank, his custodian if you like.
Kat Frank is a character I have liked since the start. She has suffered loss, seen her son put in great peril, and for that reason I'd read book one first. The exploration of the impact the loss of her husband has on Kat feels real, and adds a very human element to the book and made me like Kat even more. With the aid of Lock, has managed to establish herself and the FPU as having a 100% success rate on all of their cases. She is determined, feisty, and tenacious. The team around her share those traits to a degree, and with ambitious DI Rayan Hassan, and slightly more cautious DS Debbie Brown at her side, as well as Lock's creator, Professor Okonedo and pathologist Dr Judith Edwards
This new investigation gives them the opportunity to prove the technology in a live case scenario, and I loved watching that play out. It is not just the way in which Jo Callaghan walks us through the limitations of AI - Lock can handle masses of literal data, but not necessarily the nuances of human nature, tone and intent - but also the way in which it is viewed by the greater public. That battle between a community who don't trust the police, but who rate AI as even less reliable. Then there are the grey areas in ethics and the use of the AI technology to look into areas of information that might be inaccessible to the normal investigative routes, and for which there is no current legislation.
The case itself is brutal, perplexing and intriguing, the main investigation infused with scenes from a third party point of view which helps to start build the narrative around the killings and adding context and tension to what comes to pass. Add in a heart thumping moment or two towards the climax of the book, which is as heartbreaking as it it is tense, and you have a story which just powers along. It's a real ticking clock kind of investigation that can only ever end in tragedy.
The book really makes you think about how things might progress, what direction this whole situation could take, and what this might mean for policing in the future. Is AI any safer as a technological solution to policing than human nature. Whilst Lock appears to be free from prejudice, taking on the facts at hand in mind when putting forth hypotheses, computers are ultimately programmed and programmable, so perhaps as prone to bias or corruption as anyone? Thankfully, not an issue with Lock, but still ...
And that final chapter. I'm really excited for book three - thankfully not too long to wait. Highly recommended.
There are so many elements to like about this book, the fact that the story could, to a degree, have been ripped from the headlines for one thing, which makes it feel current and had me especially invested as a reader. There is a moment in the book quite early on where it becomes clear what the intent of the killer is, even though that motive remains hidden to the police for some time to come. Ultimately it takes a certain perspective to understand it, and whilst the full extent of the case is not revealed until late in the novel, I could hazard a guess. But that did not matter. Ultimately, the part of this book that fascinated me is the dynamic between the team, particularly Lock and DCS Kat Frank, his custodian if you like.
Kat Frank is a character I have liked since the start. She has suffered loss, seen her son put in great peril, and for that reason I'd read book one first. The exploration of the impact the loss of her husband has on Kat feels real, and adds a very human element to the book and made me like Kat even more. With the aid of Lock, has managed to establish herself and the FPU as having a 100% success rate on all of their cases. She is determined, feisty, and tenacious. The team around her share those traits to a degree, and with ambitious DI Rayan Hassan, and slightly more cautious DS Debbie Brown at her side, as well as Lock's creator, Professor Okonedo and pathologist Dr Judith Edwards
This new investigation gives them the opportunity to prove the technology in a live case scenario, and I loved watching that play out. It is not just the way in which Jo Callaghan walks us through the limitations of AI - Lock can handle masses of literal data, but not necessarily the nuances of human nature, tone and intent - but also the way in which it is viewed by the greater public. That battle between a community who don't trust the police, but who rate AI as even less reliable. Then there are the grey areas in ethics and the use of the AI technology to look into areas of information that might be inaccessible to the normal investigative routes, and for which there is no current legislation.
The case itself is brutal, perplexing and intriguing, the main investigation infused with scenes from a third party point of view which helps to start build the narrative around the killings and adding context and tension to what comes to pass. Add in a heart thumping moment or two towards the climax of the book, which is as heartbreaking as it it is tense, and you have a story which just powers along. It's a real ticking clock kind of investigation that can only ever end in tragedy.
The book really makes you think about how things might progress, what direction this whole situation could take, and what this might mean for policing in the future. Is AI any safer as a technological solution to policing than human nature. Whilst Lock appears to be free from prejudice, taking on the facts at hand in mind when putting forth hypotheses, computers are ultimately programmed and programmable, so perhaps as prone to bias or corruption as anyone? Thankfully, not an issue with Lock, but still ...
And that final chapter. I'm really excited for book three - thankfully not too long to wait. Highly recommended.
5 Stars from me!
Having read and loved In The Blink of an Eye, I waited for the release of Leave No Trace with bated breath! Delighted to say my anticipation was rewarded as the second installment of DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock's exciting police procedural was every bit as good as the first.
Life has moved on for Kat since book 1 as her son has gone off to uni - leaving her battling her grief and loneliness which means that she often turns to Lock for companionship. Whether this makes her see him as more human, or whether he really is desperate to be human I am not too sure. But either way, their relationship is developing fast, despite Lock's clunky attempts at sarcasm and humour, alongside his bluntness when it comes to the human foible of morality.
Jo Callaghan has delivered another cracking storyline. The inventiveness behind the plot was inspired - and I have to confess to chuckling at the men being told not to go out alone after dark. Oh how the tables have turned.
On a serious note, I hope that the advances suggested within the book can come to fruition, knowing the police can analyse data in seconds and perform such thorough autopsies would mean that many more crimes would be solved. Not that I would imagine anyone would go to the trouble of creating a charming hologram who enjoys old movies, but the technology sounds incredible and the advances in AI within the news right now bring hope of a future where the police and NHS can be supported by these super brains.
Ending brilliantly on a cliff-hanger means that I cannot wait for book 3! My thanks to Netgalley, the author Jo Callaghan, and Simon and Schuster for an ARC in return for an honest review.
https://readandrated.com/2024/03/31/leave-no-trace-by-jo-callaghan/
Having read and loved In The Blink of an Eye, I waited for the release of Leave No Trace with bated breath! Delighted to say my anticipation was rewarded as the second installment of DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock's exciting police procedural was every bit as good as the first.
Life has moved on for Kat since book 1 as her son has gone off to uni - leaving her battling her grief and loneliness which means that she often turns to Lock for companionship. Whether this makes her see him as more human, or whether he really is desperate to be human I am not too sure. But either way, their relationship is developing fast, despite Lock's clunky attempts at sarcasm and humour, alongside his bluntness when it comes to the human foible of morality.
Jo Callaghan has delivered another cracking storyline. The inventiveness behind the plot was inspired - and I have to confess to chuckling at the men being told not to go out alone after dark. Oh how the tables have turned.
On a serious note, I hope that the advances suggested within the book can come to fruition, knowing the police can analyse data in seconds and perform such thorough autopsies would mean that many more crimes would be solved. Not that I would imagine anyone would go to the trouble of creating a charming hologram who enjoys old movies, but the technology sounds incredible and the advances in AI within the news right now bring hope of a future where the police and NHS can be supported by these super brains.
Ending brilliantly on a cliff-hanger means that I cannot wait for book 3! My thanks to Netgalley, the author Jo Callaghan, and Simon and Schuster for an ARC in return for an honest review.
https://readandrated.com/2024/03/31/leave-no-trace-by-jo-callaghan/
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
DSC Kat Frank has been partnered with an AI detective, Lock, as part of a pilot program. In the past, they've only worked on cold cases together, but this time they are working on a current case with a high profile. Not only is Kat's job on the line, but more lives are at risk. I love how well Kat and Lock work together and that at times you can tell that Kat considers Lock even though he isn't human.
The book does a great job of balancing the case, the issues which come up regarding the use of AI, and the personal lives of Kat and the others on her team. Kat and her son are both grieving the loss of Kat's husband so the growth she is showing and the touching endings are both fantastic and set this book apart from other mystery/thrillers. I loved both this book and the first book in the series (In the Blink of an Eye, which I highly recommend), and I am already looking forward to reading the third book in this series when it comes out.
I received an advance copy of this ebook for review consideration from NetGalley and Random House, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
When the body of a man is found crucified at the top of Mount Judd, AIDE Lock – the world’s first AI Detective – and DCS Kat Frank are thrust into the spotlight as they are given their first live case. But with the discovery of another man’s body – also crucified – it appears that their killer is only just getting started. With the police warning local men to be vigilant, the Future Policing Unit is thrust into a hostile media frenzy as they desperately search for connections between the victims. But time is running out for them to join the dots and prevent another death. For if Kat and Lock know anything, it’s that killers rarely stop – until they are made to.
I've been so looking forward to this follow up and it absolutely didn't disappoint. It's fast-paced, addictive and has a brilliant plot. In addition to the police procedures (which give a real insight into hierarchy and budget cuts) there's also emotion with loneliness and grief running throughout and great development of the characters within the team. I look forward to many more Kat and Lock books.
My thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
I've been so looking forward to this follow up and it absolutely didn't disappoint. It's fast-paced, addictive and has a brilliant plot. In addition to the police procedures (which give a real insight into hierarchy and budget cuts) there's also emotion with loneliness and grief running throughout and great development of the characters within the team. I look forward to many more Kat and Lock books.
My thanks to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an advance copy in return for an honest review.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A team of detectives with an unusual asset confronts a horrible crime
As the Christmas holidays approach DCS Kat Frank is on the edge of depression. She lost her husband unexpectedly the previous year, her son has left their home to attend university, and she is rattling about the house alone. Her work is her tether to the real world and she pushes her boss to assign her and her relatively newly formed team, the FPU (Future Policing Unit) a real case rather than the the cold cases they have to date been given. Her four member team is unique in that her partner Lock is not a human partner, he is an AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity), and this partnering of an AIDE with a team of detectives is a new experiment. Although initially reluctant to expand the team's remit to working a live case (as he is somewhat hostile to the concept of AIDEs, fearing that they will replace rather than enhance existing police personnel) her boss relents when the dead body of a young man is found naked and gruesomely displayed in an isolated area. With little in the way of forensic evidence and no clear motive (could the killer be the victim's fiancee, or perhaps someone from his professional life?), this will prove to be both a frustrating and a highly visible case for the FPU, especially when another dead body is found similarly displayed. With public perception mixed on whether having an AIDE involved is wise and fears of a serial killer on the loose are putting the area on edge, the pressure is on from all sides for the team to identify a suspect and make an arrest ASAP...but Kat isn't convinced that any of their suspects are actually guilty of the crime despite what Lock's algorithm indicates. Data driven logic clashes with instinct and experience...can they find a way to incorporate both sides in time to prevent another killing?
Leave No Trace is a fantastic thriller, a classic British detective story with a. contemporary twist. As we all come to terms with the growing presence of AI in each of our lives, whether or not we like the concept or understand how it works, here the reader is presented with the ethical questions, practical limitations and amazing possibilities that such a tool could bring to policing. Lock can comb through hundreds of thousands of social media posts in seconds, saving the countless hours of human effort needed to achieve the same results, but the search is ultimately only as good as the instructions given. Kat herself has reason to distrust the efficacy of AI (her husband was initially misdiagnosed by someone using AI as a diagnostic tool, and the delayed diagnosis and treatment may have contributed to the ultimate failure to save his life), but also has Lock to thank for saving her son's life during a previous investigation. Many issues currently faced by law enforcement in the UK and beyond...diversity in the workforce, perceived lack of transparency and inequities in the way situations are handled depending upon the identity of the victim and/or perpetrator to name a few...are woven into the plot One of the team members and the professor who created the AIDE have each had less than positive experiences with law enforcement and bring their own reservations and biases to the job. Interesting and well-developed characters and a gripping mystery combine to form an excellent novel, and with it a fascinating premise. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily read as a standalone. Readers of authors like Jenny O'Brien, Val McDermid and Imran Mahmood should add this book (and its predecessor In the Blink of an Eye) to their list of must-reads, as should fans of well-written crime novels. While the topic of AI is prevalent in the story it did not feel to me to be science fiction, so those who are not usually readers of sci-fi should not dismiss this book on that score. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Leave No Trace, found it difficult to put down, and eagerly await another installment in the Kat and Lock series. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Trade Paperbacks for allowing me early access to this smart and intricately plotted tale.
As the Christmas holidays approach DCS Kat Frank is on the edge of depression. She lost her husband unexpectedly the previous year, her son has left their home to attend university, and she is rattling about the house alone. Her work is her tether to the real world and she pushes her boss to assign her and her relatively newly formed team, the FPU (Future Policing Unit) a real case rather than the the cold cases they have to date been given. Her four member team is unique in that her partner Lock is not a human partner, he is an AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity), and this partnering of an AIDE with a team of detectives is a new experiment. Although initially reluctant to expand the team's remit to working a live case (as he is somewhat hostile to the concept of AIDEs, fearing that they will replace rather than enhance existing police personnel) her boss relents when the dead body of a young man is found naked and gruesomely displayed in an isolated area. With little in the way of forensic evidence and no clear motive (could the killer be the victim's fiancee, or perhaps someone from his professional life?), this will prove to be both a frustrating and a highly visible case for the FPU, especially when another dead body is found similarly displayed. With public perception mixed on whether having an AIDE involved is wise and fears of a serial killer on the loose are putting the area on edge, the pressure is on from all sides for the team to identify a suspect and make an arrest ASAP...but Kat isn't convinced that any of their suspects are actually guilty of the crime despite what Lock's algorithm indicates. Data driven logic clashes with instinct and experience...can they find a way to incorporate both sides in time to prevent another killing?
Leave No Trace is a fantastic thriller, a classic British detective story with a. contemporary twist. As we all come to terms with the growing presence of AI in each of our lives, whether or not we like the concept or understand how it works, here the reader is presented with the ethical questions, practical limitations and amazing possibilities that such a tool could bring to policing. Lock can comb through hundreds of thousands of social media posts in seconds, saving the countless hours of human effort needed to achieve the same results, but the search is ultimately only as good as the instructions given. Kat herself has reason to distrust the efficacy of AI (her husband was initially misdiagnosed by someone using AI as a diagnostic tool, and the delayed diagnosis and treatment may have contributed to the ultimate failure to save his life), but also has Lock to thank for saving her son's life during a previous investigation. Many issues currently faced by law enforcement in the UK and beyond...diversity in the workforce, perceived lack of transparency and inequities in the way situations are handled depending upon the identity of the victim and/or perpetrator to name a few...are woven into the plot One of the team members and the professor who created the AIDE have each had less than positive experiences with law enforcement and bring their own reservations and biases to the job. Interesting and well-developed characters and a gripping mystery combine to form an excellent novel, and with it a fascinating premise. This is the second book in the series, but it can easily read as a standalone. Readers of authors like Jenny O'Brien, Val McDermid and Imran Mahmood should add this book (and its predecessor In the Blink of an Eye) to their list of must-reads, as should fans of well-written crime novels. While the topic of AI is prevalent in the story it did not feel to me to be science fiction, so those who are not usually readers of sci-fi should not dismiss this book on that score. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Leave No Trace, found it difficult to put down, and eagerly await another installment in the Kat and Lock series. Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Trade Paperbacks for allowing me early access to this smart and intricately plotted tale.
'As well as posing questions about gender, crime, and trauma, it explores the possibilities and limitations of AI, and ultimately, what it means to be human.' Jo Callaghan
In the Blink of An Eye was one of my favourite books of 2022, so I was really excited to read the next in the series. I love DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock, so I couldn’t wait to return to a new crime investigation with them.
This is their first live case after a man is found crucified with his ears removed on the top of Mount Judd. When a second man is found crucified, it looks as though it could be a serial killer. Can Frank and Locke solve the case in time to prevent a third murder?
I love Lock's literal explanations, and it is fascinating to see how AI contributes to the case. The relationship between Frank and Lock is so brilliantly written. It really feels like Lock is beginning to take on more human traits. The characters are brilliant!
The murder mystery was gripping and kept me turning the pages. I literally couldn't put the book down for the last part as I had to find out how the spiralling situation would resolve.
This book is going to be another bestseller, and it would make such a brilliant film/series too! I'm looking forward to the next one!
AD-PR PRODUCT Thank you so much @likely_suspects for sending me this gorgeous proof
In the Blink of An Eye was one of my favourite books of 2022, so I was really excited to read the next in the series. I love DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock, so I couldn’t wait to return to a new crime investigation with them.
This is their first live case after a man is found crucified with his ears removed on the top of Mount Judd. When a second man is found crucified, it looks as though it could be a serial killer. Can Frank and Locke solve the case in time to prevent a third murder?
I love Lock's literal explanations, and it is fascinating to see how AI contributes to the case. The relationship between Frank and Lock is so brilliantly written. It really feels like Lock is beginning to take on more human traits. The characters are brilliant!
The murder mystery was gripping and kept me turning the pages. I literally couldn't put the book down for the last part as I had to find out how the spiralling situation would resolve.
This book is going to be another bestseller, and it would make such a brilliant film/series too! I'm looking forward to the next one!
AD-PR PRODUCT Thank you so much @likely_suspects for sending me this gorgeous proof
The Future Policing Unit (FPU) has performed well in its pilot phase, seeking answers to some tricky cold cases, and DCS Kat Frank is keen to set her team to work on a live case. When the body of a naked man is found crucified on a hill, familiarly known as Nuneaton's Nipple, Kat finally gets her wish, and the FPU get their chance to show exactly what they can do with the help of AIDE Lock, the world's first AI detective.
However, when a second victim turns up, bearing all the hallmarks of the work of a serial killer on a mission, the unfortunate media frenzy that ensues puts the ground-breaking FPU under the spotlight in undesirable ways - and puts enormous pressure on the team to ease public fears as soon as possible...
Having cut their teeth on several cold cases, the FPU now get the opportunity to work on a live investigation which tests them to the very limit in terms of their personal and professional lives. Returning to the criminal coal-face, DCS Kat Frank heads up a team comprising ambitious DI Hassan, a now very pregnant DS Browne, super-smart Professor Okonedo, and Okonedo's incredible invention AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity) Lock - an AI capable of Deep Learning. The team are bolstered this time around by two intriguing new members too, Karen-from-comms (affectionately referred to as KFC), and an unconventional pathologist in Dr Judith Edwards, both of whom I can see being firm fixtures in the books that follow.
The FPU's first live case is far from easy to solve, and the work of the team is hampered enormously by the pressure from above to move fast to ease the fears the public, which have been stoked by sensational media headlines about the profile of the (white male) victims, rumours of a serial killer, and misgivings about the involvement of Lock in solving the case. The pace is fast and furious, threaded with delicious detail about the police procedural elements (some of which are fascinatingly cutting-edge), set against a snowy backdrop that adds lovely atmosphere. The clever combination of narrative (from the FPU team, and the killer), transcripts of police interviews, and social media comments, come together to move the story along beautifully - all the way to the glorious wintry, climax where complicated judgement calls have to be made.
Callaghan does an incredible job of building on the tentative relationships between the members of the FPU, that began in the first book, to whack up the emotional content. As the point of view flips between Kat and her team, there are intensely touching moments that show how they have bonded, and are supporting each through their personal trials and tribulations. The relationship between Kat and Lock, with their continuing verbal sparring sessions about the pros and cons of logic vs intuition, remains the spine of the novel and provides so many moments of humour and heartache, as Kat gets to grips with the loss of her husband and empty-nest syndrome, and Lock learns about what it means to be human. Lock's character in particular gains real depth as he unexpectedly struggles with existential dread, and is forced to confront different, and ever more incomprehensible, aspects of human nature - I love that he becomes more playful in this second book too.
If Callaghan's writing was not impressive enough in terms of plot, character development, and emotive content, she manages to also thread a bevy of thought-provoking themes into this book. Her background as a researcher in AI in the workplace gives her the ability to present ways in which AI can be of benefit in solving crime, while highlighting the times when a human element gives the edge over facts, statistics, and data analysis, and I really enjoy the engaging way she explores this through Kat and Lock's partnership. This particular case throws up many other uncomfortable themes to examine as well, especially when it comes to violent crime; mental health; the role of the media; and the pursuit of justice. She also has some very interesting, and anger inducing, things to say about how race and gender can be used as weapons to discriminate, and pervert the truth.
In the Blink of an Eye was a winner of a debut, and this second book confirms that Jo Callaghan is so much more than a flash in the pan. I absolutely consumed Leave No Trace from cover to cover, and loved it even more that the first book, which is saying a lot. There is a spine-chilling little parting shot to lead you into book three, and I am already chomping at the bit for more...
However, when a second victim turns up, bearing all the hallmarks of the work of a serial killer on a mission, the unfortunate media frenzy that ensues puts the ground-breaking FPU under the spotlight in undesirable ways - and puts enormous pressure on the team to ease public fears as soon as possible...
Having cut their teeth on several cold cases, the FPU now get the opportunity to work on a live investigation which tests them to the very limit in terms of their personal and professional lives. Returning to the criminal coal-face, DCS Kat Frank heads up a team comprising ambitious DI Hassan, a now very pregnant DS Browne, super-smart Professor Okonedo, and Okonedo's incredible invention AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity) Lock - an AI capable of Deep Learning. The team are bolstered this time around by two intriguing new members too, Karen-from-comms (affectionately referred to as KFC), and an unconventional pathologist in Dr Judith Edwards, both of whom I can see being firm fixtures in the books that follow.
The FPU's first live case is far from easy to solve, and the work of the team is hampered enormously by the pressure from above to move fast to ease the fears the public, which have been stoked by sensational media headlines about the profile of the (white male) victims, rumours of a serial killer, and misgivings about the involvement of Lock in solving the case. The pace is fast and furious, threaded with delicious detail about the police procedural elements (some of which are fascinatingly cutting-edge), set against a snowy backdrop that adds lovely atmosphere. The clever combination of narrative (from the FPU team, and the killer), transcripts of police interviews, and social media comments, come together to move the story along beautifully - all the way to the glorious wintry, climax where complicated judgement calls have to be made.
Callaghan does an incredible job of building on the tentative relationships between the members of the FPU, that began in the first book, to whack up the emotional content. As the point of view flips between Kat and her team, there are intensely touching moments that show how they have bonded, and are supporting each through their personal trials and tribulations. The relationship between Kat and Lock, with their continuing verbal sparring sessions about the pros and cons of logic vs intuition, remains the spine of the novel and provides so many moments of humour and heartache, as Kat gets to grips with the loss of her husband and empty-nest syndrome, and Lock learns about what it means to be human. Lock's character in particular gains real depth as he unexpectedly struggles with existential dread, and is forced to confront different, and ever more incomprehensible, aspects of human nature - I love that he becomes more playful in this second book too.
If Callaghan's writing was not impressive enough in terms of plot, character development, and emotive content, she manages to also thread a bevy of thought-provoking themes into this book. Her background as a researcher in AI in the workplace gives her the ability to present ways in which AI can be of benefit in solving crime, while highlighting the times when a human element gives the edge over facts, statistics, and data analysis, and I really enjoy the engaging way she explores this through Kat and Lock's partnership. This particular case throws up many other uncomfortable themes to examine as well, especially when it comes to violent crime; mental health; the role of the media; and the pursuit of justice. She also has some very interesting, and anger inducing, things to say about how race and gender can be used as weapons to discriminate, and pervert the truth.
In the Blink of an Eye was a winner of a debut, and this second book confirms that Jo Callaghan is so much more than a flash in the pan. I absolutely consumed Leave No Trace from cover to cover, and loved it even more that the first book, which is saying a lot. There is a spine-chilling little parting shot to lead you into book three, and I am already chomping at the bit for more...
Läs min bloggtext om boken här: https://www.fiktiviteter.se/2024/10/17/leave-no-trace-av-jo-callaghan/