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4.3 AVERAGE
4.3 AVERAGE
mysterious
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:
Yes
dark
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:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Setting: UK
Rep: n/a
I was surprised to see this book out already when I only read the first one in January and loved it. This one didn't quite have the magic and humour of the first book when Kat was first getting to grips with Locke, hence the lower rating, but it still offered a solid mystery and a culprit that I didn't guess until moments before the characters did.
Rep: n/a
I was surprised to see this book out already when I only read the first one in January and loved it. This one didn't quite have the magic and humour of the first book when Kat was first getting to grips with Locke, hence the lower rating, but it still offered a solid mystery and a culprit that I didn't guess until moments before the characters did.
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
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:
Yes
Leave No Trace is the follow-up to In the Blink of an Eye, picking up on the developing relationship between DCS Frank and AIDE Lock. This time round the focus is on the use of AI in a live case, something that is fraught with potential for error. It feels as if they’re being set up for trouble, though I imagine the reality with such technological advancements is to consider their effectiveness in real-time policing.
The case they are assigned to is an unusual one. A man is found naked, his ears having been removed, crucified. Clearly this is a murder that someone wanted discovered. But will their combined skills be a help or hindrance in trying to solve the case? Unfortunately, when a second crucified corpse is discovered - this time with his eyes removed - the press start to circle and there is increasing pressure to get results.
There’s no doubt that this series raises interesting questions. The story behind this case, however, felt rather contrived at times. The focus on a female killer and the way such crimes are reported did not make for comfortable reading. Callaghan poses questions that force us to consider some of the issues reflected in modern society, and though it did feel rather heavy-handed in its agenda that doesn’t make its questioning of such views relevant. At key moments in the story there seemed to be a formulaic approach to the role Lock would play and the reaction of Frank and the other officers, but the developing sense of characters and the way each is learning about the other offered more than enough to keep my interest.
I can’t be the only one thinking that the closing pages offered us an insight into what might be part of the focus for book three (which I’m assuming is in the pipeline) but I’m intrigued to see how Callaghan develops our central cast and their relationships.
The case they are assigned to is an unusual one. A man is found naked, his ears having been removed, crucified. Clearly this is a murder that someone wanted discovered. But will their combined skills be a help or hindrance in trying to solve the case? Unfortunately, when a second crucified corpse is discovered - this time with his eyes removed - the press start to circle and there is increasing pressure to get results.
There’s no doubt that this series raises interesting questions. The story behind this case, however, felt rather contrived at times. The focus on a female killer and the way such crimes are reported did not make for comfortable reading. Callaghan poses questions that force us to consider some of the issues reflected in modern society, and though it did feel rather heavy-handed in its agenda that doesn’t make its questioning of such views relevant. At key moments in the story there seemed to be a formulaic approach to the role Lock would play and the reaction of Frank and the other officers, but the developing sense of characters and the way each is learning about the other offered more than enough to keep my interest.
I can’t be the only one thinking that the closing pages offered us an insight into what might be part of the focus for book three (which I’m assuming is in the pipeline) but I’m intrigued to see how Callaghan develops our central cast and their relationships.
Read & reviewed for The Bookbag http://www.thebookbag.co.uk/reviews/Leave_No_Trace_by_Jo_Callaghan
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-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:
Yes
dark
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:
Yes
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes