Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan ~ a Review

by MK French

Detective Kat Frank and her AI partner Lock are in the spotlight for their first live case, when a man is found crucified on top of a hill. When a second one is found, men are warned to avoid drinking, going to pubs alone, or going home from a pub with a stranger. Local men are in an uproar with this advance, and the national media following the case, the detectives must find the killer before they can strike again.

Amazon affiliate links are used on this site. A free book was provided for an honest review.

January 2025; Random House; 978-0593736852
audio, ebook, print (400 pages); crime fiction

Leave No Trace is the sequel to In the Blink of an Eye, which introduced AIDE Lock and Detective Frank. They've closed other cold cases and now are in the thick of tracking down the killer in a sensational murder. They go the usual route of checking on friends, fiancée, and business deals; Lock provides some help but also sensationalizes the investigation further when a local reporter mentions its involvement. As with any murder investigation, there are competing directives: find the killer, inform the press, satisfy the public, and be transparent. We certainly see this clearly here, especially when the second body is found and the press goads Lock into warning men to stay indoors as Kat once warned women to with a prior serial killer.

The story increases the tension for Kat and her team. Debbie's close to her due date, Rayan is ambitious and has a crush on the professor, Kat is still grieving and now an empty nester, and there's incredible pressure on their program for its AI use. Police follow what few clues they have, and we see what they're up against. There's a balance in the story, as we follow Kat and the pressures in all directions, as well as the actual murder. The motive is hidden, and the killer is working through trauma. The story is heartbreaking on all fronts, and very well written. At the end is a possible teaser for a third novel in this series, which likely will be just as tension-filled and exciting. 

Buy Leave No Trace at Amazon

Born and raised in New York City, M.K. French started writing stories when very young, dreaming of different worlds and places to visit. She always had an interest in folklore, fairy tales, and the macabre, which has definitely influenced her work. She currently lives in the Midwest with her husband, three young children, and a golden retriever.

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