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Kat and Lock #2
Leave No Trace
DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock return in the provocative new thriller from the Sunday Times bestselling author of In the Blink of an Eye.
'A smart, agile, immaculately plotted and moving thriller that is unswervingly gripping and scary, and at the same time beautifully tender and humane' NICCI FRENCH
'Chilled me to the bone and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Callaghan writes with such intelligence; interspersing humour with moments of utter heartbreak' NIKKI SMITH
One detective driven by instinct, the other by logic.
It will take both to find a killer who knows the true meaning of fear . . .
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.
PRAISE FOR LEAVE NO TRACE:
‘A detective working with an artificial intelligence character is such a brilliant premise!’ PRIMA, 3 of the best sequels to read this month
‘Callaghan, who is a professional researcher into the effects of AI, has a great talent for making the benefits and limitations of the technology comprehensible. Her account of Lock’s ability to absorb information about human relationships and to provide a sense of empathy and humour is fascinating' LITERARY REVIEW
‘Jo Callaghan’s debut novel In The Blink of an Eye might have been released over a year ago, but it’s still making waves… startlingly original, working as a compelling procedural, an examination of how far artificial intelligence has come – and could go – and an exploration of very human grief' CRIME MONTHLY
'With Leave No Trace, Jo Callaghan cements her status as a crime fiction force to be reckoned with' CAZ FREAR
'Seeing the return of Kat and Lock is like returning to old friends. A brilliant rapidly paced and plotted thriller. Couldn’t put it down. But a thriller with the added extra of being really very original. Executed perfectly. Another masterpiece' IMRAN MAHMOOD
'A smart, agile, immaculately plotted and moving thriller that is unswervingly gripping and scary, and at the same time beautifully tender and humane' NICCI FRENCH
'Chilled me to the bone and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Callaghan writes with such intelligence; interspersing humour with moments of utter heartbreak' NIKKI SMITH
One detective driven by instinct, the other by logic.
It will take both to find a killer who knows the true meaning of fear . . .
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.
PRAISE FOR LEAVE NO TRACE:
‘A detective working with an artificial intelligence character is such a brilliant premise!’ PRIMA, 3 of the best sequels to read this month
‘Callaghan, who is a professional researcher into the effects of AI, has a great talent for making the benefits and limitations of the technology comprehensible. Her account of Lock’s ability to absorb information about human relationships and to provide a sense of empathy and humour is fascinating' LITERARY REVIEW
‘Jo Callaghan’s debut novel In The Blink of an Eye might have been released over a year ago, but it’s still making waves… startlingly original, working as a compelling procedural, an examination of how far artificial intelligence has come – and could go – and an exploration of very human grief' CRIME MONTHLY
'With Leave No Trace, Jo Callaghan cements her status as a crime fiction force to be reckoned with' CAZ FREAR
'Seeing the return of Kat and Lock is like returning to old friends. A brilliant rapidly paced and plotted thriller. Couldn’t put it down. But a thriller with the added extra of being really very original. Executed perfectly. Another masterpiece' IMRAN MAHMOOD
383 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2024
151 people are currently reading
6884 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 638 reviews
August 23, 2024
We were first introduced to Kat and Lock in “In The Blink Of An Eye”-the author’s debut novel-a MUST READ if you enjoy Police Procedurals!
See review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
DCS Kat Frank is a widowed single mother who trusts her instincts. So, she has her doubts when she is chosen to lead a pilot program called the “Future Policing Unit”which will pair her with an AIDE called Lock (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity).
The pair are initially assigned to “COLD CASES” and given a very small team to work with: DI Rayan Hassan, DI Debbie Browne and Lock’s creator, Professor Okonedo.
It (Lock) has been programmed with algorithms that are free from bias or prejudice of any kind-which will hopefully lead to more “evidence based” decision making during the investigation of a crime. It/He has been designed to be free from racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia or anything else which could influence the direction a case may take.
And, in minutes he can process data that would keep a “human team” busy for a week.
After successfully closing their first “COLD CASE” in book one, the Future Policing Unit is now tackling their first “LIVE” case- that of a man found crucified at the top of Mt. Judd.
It was fun to be reunited with the team, BUT I had a hard time becoming invested in book two.
The debut novel kept me fascinated with the technology of advanced AI, but I guess the novelty somewhat wore off in this sequel. The book followed the same formula as the last, and also included mixed media peppered throughout such as interview transcripts and social media posts.
It just didn’t feel as fresh and original the second time.
And, for some reason, in the first book, DIS Hassan and Browne were always referred to as such, but in this book they were sometimes referred to by title and sometimes by first name-the inconsistency was distracting.
It is definitely a UNIQUE police procedural which will have you pondering what the future may hold, and worth a read-but the sequel didn’t quite live up to the first in the series.
3.5/stars
A big thank you to a special friend who gifted me this signed copy, which I will always cherish. 🎁
See review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
DCS Kat Frank is a widowed single mother who trusts her instincts. So, she has her doubts when she is chosen to lead a pilot program called the “Future Policing Unit”which will pair her with an AIDE called Lock (Artificially Intelligent Detective Entity).
The pair are initially assigned to “COLD CASES” and given a very small team to work with: DI Rayan Hassan, DI Debbie Browne and Lock’s creator, Professor Okonedo.
It (Lock) has been programmed with algorithms that are free from bias or prejudice of any kind-which will hopefully lead to more “evidence based” decision making during the investigation of a crime. It/He has been designed to be free from racism, misogyny, homophobia, transphobia or anything else which could influence the direction a case may take.
And, in minutes he can process data that would keep a “human team” busy for a week.
After successfully closing their first “COLD CASE” in book one, the Future Policing Unit is now tackling their first “LIVE” case- that of a man found crucified at the top of Mt. Judd.
It was fun to be reunited with the team, BUT I had a hard time becoming invested in book two.
The debut novel kept me fascinated with the technology of advanced AI, but I guess the novelty somewhat wore off in this sequel. The book followed the same formula as the last, and also included mixed media peppered throughout such as interview transcripts and social media posts.
It just didn’t feel as fresh and original the second time.
And, for some reason, in the first book, DIS Hassan and Browne were always referred to as such, but in this book they were sometimes referred to by title and sometimes by first name-the inconsistency was distracting.
It is definitely a UNIQUE police procedural which will have you pondering what the future may hold, and worth a read-but the sequel didn’t quite live up to the first in the series.
3.5/stars
A big thank you to a special friend who gifted me this signed copy, which I will always cherish. 🎁
April 26, 2024
I’ve been waiting for this a long time, and it was worth the wait. It was engaging and the characters spoke to me. The AI angle was still intriguing, it gives the series an edge. Well done!
January 29, 2025
***HAPPY PUBLICATION DATE - I LOVE BOTH BOOKS IN THIS SERIES***
I really enjoyed “In The Blink of an Eye” and was excited to read the second in the Kat and Locke series!
Kat has been working on cold cases with AideLocke and her team. They’ve solved 3 out of 3 cases and Locke is starting to “learn” how humans think and react!
Kat is ready to take on an ongoing case with her team which includes DI Hassan and DS Browne with consulting from Professor Okenado, the creator of AideLocke.
Her Chief wasn’t quite convinced but then he gets an urgent call “. . . 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.” This time people’s lives are at stake.
This book has absolutely ongoing action and tension - I rarely say this but I really couldn’t put this book down!! Jo Callaghan really knows how to write and the characters are well defined and highly relatable.
I found so many passages that I highlighted but I’ll share one that details the difference between AI and a human while they are racing to discover who is committing these horrific crimes and why? “Lock might be able to view thousands of images in seconds . . . but he simply wasn’t capable of making the lateral connections that a diligent, human police officer could”
The Author’s Notes are a must read - she shares some of the reasons why she is writing this series and her personal connection to the stories.
Both of these books are going to the top of my list this year – I highly recommend these to anyone who is curious about how AI might help in the future. I enjoyed this novel immensely. If you are looking for a different slant on police procedurals - look no further than Ms. Callaghan’s books!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.
I really enjoyed “In The Blink of an Eye” and was excited to read the second in the Kat and Locke series!
Kat has been working on cold cases with AideLocke and her team. They’ve solved 3 out of 3 cases and Locke is starting to “learn” how humans think and react!
Kat is ready to take on an ongoing case with her team which includes DI Hassan and DS Browne with consulting from Professor Okenado, the creator of AideLocke.
Her Chief wasn’t quite convinced but then he gets an urgent call “. . . 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.” This time people’s lives are at stake.
This book has absolutely ongoing action and tension - I rarely say this but I really couldn’t put this book down!! Jo Callaghan really knows how to write and the characters are well defined and highly relatable.
I found so many passages that I highlighted but I’ll share one that details the difference between AI and a human while they are racing to discover who is committing these horrific crimes and why? “Lock might be able to view thousands of images in seconds . . . but he simply wasn’t capable of making the lateral connections that a diligent, human police officer could”
The Author’s Notes are a must read - she shares some of the reasons why she is writing this series and her personal connection to the stories.
Both of these books are going to the top of my list this year – I highly recommend these to anyone who is curious about how AI might help in the future. I enjoyed this novel immensely. If you are looking for a different slant on police procedurals - look no further than Ms. Callaghan’s books!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.
January 30, 2024
Thank you Simon & Schuster UK for the ARC. IYKYK my reviews are always honest.
writing: solid | plot: unfocused | ending: tbh I'm glad I'm done | 2.5 rounded down i'm sorry
my opinion
I absolutely LOVED book #1 (banger alert was issued) but this? *whispers* no. Tbh I'll probably sound like and old man shaking his fist at kids skateboarding past his house but that is not my intention, so please forgive me. Also, please do not make any assumptions about my political beliefs—just because you vote a certain way, doesn't mean you have to blindly agree with every sentiment associated with that ideology. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
I hate to say this, but this book was trying way too hard to be woke. I think this type of wokeness will appeal to a certain demographic of people that I will not name, but it certainly wasn't for me. Every woman jumped at the opportunity to make a statement about gender inequality, even when it didn't suit their character or the situation.
Is misogyny real? 100%. Is racism real? 100%. But nearly every social commentary moment in this book was a case of trying to make orange juice out of apples. For instance, does DI Hassan expressing concern over Professor Okonedo participating in her first ever press conference because she's a sitting duck for clickbait hungry journalists warrant this accusation of misogyny: "Oh, I see. You think that only a fully trained male police officer can be trusted to talk to the media? Someone like yourself, perhaps?" Girl wut?? The DCS leading the presser is a woman... and the comms director supervising is also a woman........ ???? What's happening?? And does it make sense for a businesswoman who has connections to organized crime to say something like "you think every successful woman must be crooked." But... you ... are... ???? HALP.
What I loved about book #1 was the agenda-free exploration of the pros and cons of generative AI in law enforcement. But due to all the politicking, AIDE Lock played a small role in this book. Yes, there were funny moments that highlighted how irrationally confusing human behaviour is, but other than the new tech involving post-mortems, I didn't get anything else out of it.
The case itself was pretty predictable, which is fine, if the book delivers in other areas. Unfortunately the mailbox remained empty as no deliveries were made (don't worry, I'll throw tomatoes at myself for that one). No spoilies but while the motivation for the baddie was totally understandable, the extra layer of symbolism was too much for me to handle because I was already so annoyed with all the wokeness.
Anyways. This ends on a cliffhanger and yes I will be tuning in. Hopefully she picks a lane or at least chooses the right moments to get her social justice warrior on. Again, I sound like I wear a red hat if you know what I mean, but the "incidents" in this book made absolutely no damn sense. If she had removed a solid 90% of this, it would've been a much more enjoyable read.
pros and cons
pros: some funny moments, prologue was BANGING... GREAT start, interesting to learn about new tech for PMs
cons: switching between job titles and first names (DI Hassan and Rayan) was super confusing and unnecessary, so woke I was an insomniac reading this, symbolism felt forced, trying to do too many things at once — the deep dive into gen AI is enough I promise you
____
Check out my YouTube and my TikTok
writing: solid | plot: unfocused | ending: tbh I'm glad I'm done | 2.5 rounded down i'm sorry
my opinion
I absolutely LOVED book #1 (banger alert was issued) but this? *whispers* no. Tbh I'll probably sound like and old man shaking his fist at kids skateboarding past his house but that is not my intention, so please forgive me. Also, please do not make any assumptions about my political beliefs—just because you vote a certain way, doesn't mean you have to blindly agree with every sentiment associated with that ideology. Thank you for coming to my Ted Talk.
I hate to say this, but this book was trying way too hard to be woke. I think this type of wokeness will appeal to a certain demographic of people that I will not name, but it certainly wasn't for me. Every woman jumped at the opportunity to make a statement about gender inequality, even when it didn't suit their character or the situation.
Is misogyny real? 100%. Is racism real? 100%. But nearly every social commentary moment in this book was a case of trying to make orange juice out of apples. For instance, does DI Hassan expressing concern over Professor Okonedo participating in her first ever press conference because she's a sitting duck for clickbait hungry journalists warrant this accusation of misogyny: "Oh, I see. You think that only a fully trained male police officer can be trusted to talk to the media? Someone like yourself, perhaps?" Girl wut?? The DCS leading the presser is a woman... and the comms director supervising is also a woman........ ???? What's happening?? And does it make sense for a businesswoman who has connections to organized crime to say something like "you think every successful woman must be crooked." But... you ... are... ???? HALP.
What I loved about book #1 was the agenda-free exploration of the pros and cons of generative AI in law enforcement. But due to all the politicking, AIDE Lock played a small role in this book. Yes, there were funny moments that highlighted how irrationally confusing human behaviour is, but other than the new tech involving post-mortems, I didn't get anything else out of it.
The case itself was pretty predictable, which is fine, if the book delivers in other areas. Unfortunately the mailbox remained empty as no deliveries were made (don't worry, I'll throw tomatoes at myself for that one). No spoilies but while the motivation for the baddie was totally understandable, the extra layer of symbolism was too much for me to handle because I was already so annoyed with all the wokeness.
Anyways. This ends on a cliffhanger and yes I will be tuning in. Hopefully she picks a lane or at least chooses the right moments to get her social justice warrior on. Again, I sound like I wear a red hat if you know what I mean, but the "incidents" in this book made absolutely no damn sense. If she had removed a solid 90% of this, it would've been a much more enjoyable read.
pros and cons
pros: some funny moments, prologue was BANGING... GREAT start, interesting to learn about new tech for PMs
cons: switching between job titles and first names (DI Hassan and Rayan) was super confusing and unnecessary, so woke I was an insomniac reading this, symbolism felt forced, trying to do too many things at once — the deep dive into gen AI is enough I promise you
____
Check out my YouTube and my TikTok
August 23, 2024
⚠️Outlier review
This book began with an intriguing premise:
On a desolate hill, a man is found naked, mutilated and crucified. It would appear to be a highly personal killing. He does have a fiancé with a weak alibi.💁🏻♀️ Could it have been work related? Or some sort of twisted religious killing?
As Detective Kat Frank and her team, (including AI-Detective Lock) begin their investigation, a second murder is reported under similar circumstances. Can the team track down this serial killer before he murders again?
Then…out of the blue the author lobs in a statement that to me was absolutely irrelevant to the flow of the storyline. Hmm…it seemed to quickly morph into a platform for all social issues. So distracting that I completely lost focus of the storyline.😫
AI Lock appeared to take a backseat when the primary focus should have been on him. I loved the concept of AI Lock and so looked forward to see how he would assist in this latest investigation.
Equally disappointing, the supporting detectives on the team who added so much in book one, also didn’t get the spotlight they deserved here. A missed opportunity (IMHO).
I do think it’s important to include relevant social issues as it fits a storyline…but it shouldn’t become the major focus in a fictional novel. Personally, I read to escape.
Other readers absolutely loved this book so make sure to read their reviews.
There appears to be a book three on the horizon. Will I pick it up? Yes! I love the characters and hope the magic of book one comes back!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group
This book began with an intriguing premise:
On a desolate hill, a man is found naked, mutilated and crucified. It would appear to be a highly personal killing. He does have a fiancé with a weak alibi.💁🏻♀️ Could it have been work related? Or some sort of twisted religious killing?
As Detective Kat Frank and her team, (including AI-Detective Lock) begin their investigation, a second murder is reported under similar circumstances. Can the team track down this serial killer before he murders again?
Then…out of the blue the author lobs in a statement that to me was absolutely irrelevant to the flow of the storyline. Hmm…it seemed to quickly morph into a platform for all social issues. So distracting that I completely lost focus of the storyline.😫
AI Lock appeared to take a backseat when the primary focus should have been on him. I loved the concept of AI Lock and so looked forward to see how he would assist in this latest investigation.
Equally disappointing, the supporting detectives on the team who added so much in book one, also didn’t get the spotlight they deserved here. A missed opportunity (IMHO).
I do think it’s important to include relevant social issues as it fits a storyline…but it shouldn’t become the major focus in a fictional novel. Personally, I read to escape.
Other readers absolutely loved this book so make sure to read their reviews.
There appears to be a book three on the horizon. Will I pick it up? Yes! I love the characters and hope the magic of book one comes back!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group
October 4, 2024
5✨ It was as well written and engrossing as book #1 In the Blink of An Eye. The AI, the main and supporting characters, and the storyline were brilliant once again in this second book. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a third book!
I highly recommend it! Enjoy…
I highly recommend it! Enjoy…
July 27, 2025
There is a merciless killer on the loose in Nuneaton, Warwickshire, UK, targeting white men!
3.5.
DCS Kat Frank, and her AI detective partner, AIDE Lock, its hologram activated by a steel bracelet worn by Kat (which takes the form of a young, handsome black man), are back for round two. This time around, the Future Policing Unit are investigating their first current, active case. In #1, In the Blink of An Eye, the focus was a cold case.
At the summit of Mount Judd, a horrifying scene awaits Kat and Lock: a young man’s body, crucified, naked, his wrists bound tight – his ears brutally cut away.
I found the crime element in Leave No Trace underwhelming to be honest. Until the end, almost the entire novel lacked urgency, tension, drama, and twists. Given the brutality of the murder and the initial horrifying impact of the body’s discovery, the crime plot quickly lost its momentum, focusing too heavily on interviews, procedural follow-ups, internal politics, and press conferences. At 64% the team was still re-interviewing the original suspects and chasing the same leads that were introduced very early on in the story. While this may be true to real-life UK policing, it felt flat and lacking in suspense for a fictional crime.
The highlight was the exploration of the growing relationship between Kat and Lock, and Lock questioning its meaning, purpose, value, place and existence in the world when it doesn’t possess human qualities. Is Lock just a tool or a potential colleague/friend? One of the challenges with Lock was that he interpreted things too literary, especially nuance, sarcasm, idioms, and jokes. From a reading perspective it was amusing, but from Kat’s point of view it was frustrating and annoying to have to stop and explain. It was also fascinating to see how Lock observed and learned from Kat’s behaviour and interactions, gradually adapting its responses and over time becoming increasingly human-like. The novel’s focus on grief, loneliness, and the role of AI in addressing emotional emptiness was well executed too. Additionally, narrative threads of misogyny within the police and in relation to the investigation added a thought-provoking layer of depth to the story, and how it contrasted with Kat’s ability to switch off Lock whenever she didn’t agree with what it was saying or when she was sick of it, and the power imbalance it created, was interesting.
I also continued to enjoy the mother/son bond between Kat and her teenage son, Cameron, even though at times their interactions were emotionally charged, swinging between frustration and affection, as both struggled with Cameron’s newfound independence.
Even though Leave No Trace wasn’t the strongest crime instalment of the series, the uniqueness of the inclusion of an AI detective continued to fascinate me, so I’m still going to go straight on to the next one. I have heard that Human Remains is everyone’s favourite, but please let the mystery be better. Finger’s crossed! Wish me luck!
3.5.
DCS Kat Frank, and her AI detective partner, AIDE Lock, its hologram activated by a steel bracelet worn by Kat (which takes the form of a young, handsome black man), are back for round two. This time around, the Future Policing Unit are investigating their first current, active case. In #1, In the Blink of An Eye, the focus was a cold case.
At the summit of Mount Judd, a horrifying scene awaits Kat and Lock: a young man’s body, crucified, naked, his wrists bound tight – his ears brutally cut away.
I found the crime element in Leave No Trace underwhelming to be honest. Until the end, almost the entire novel lacked urgency, tension, drama, and twists. Given the brutality of the murder and the initial horrifying impact of the body’s discovery, the crime plot quickly lost its momentum, focusing too heavily on interviews, procedural follow-ups, internal politics, and press conferences. At 64% the team was still re-interviewing the original suspects and chasing the same leads that were introduced very early on in the story. While this may be true to real-life UK policing, it felt flat and lacking in suspense for a fictional crime.
The highlight was the exploration of the growing relationship between Kat and Lock, and Lock questioning its meaning, purpose, value, place and existence in the world when it doesn’t possess human qualities. Is Lock just a tool or a potential colleague/friend? One of the challenges with Lock was that he interpreted things too literary, especially nuance, sarcasm, idioms, and jokes. From a reading perspective it was amusing, but from Kat’s point of view it was frustrating and annoying to have to stop and explain. It was also fascinating to see how Lock observed and learned from Kat’s behaviour and interactions, gradually adapting its responses and over time becoming increasingly human-like. The novel’s focus on grief, loneliness, and the role of AI in addressing emotional emptiness was well executed too. Additionally, narrative threads of misogyny within the police and in relation to the investigation added a thought-provoking layer of depth to the story, and how it contrasted with Kat’s ability to switch off Lock whenever she didn’t agree with what it was saying or when she was sick of it, and the power imbalance it created, was interesting.
I also continued to enjoy the mother/son bond between Kat and her teenage son, Cameron, even though at times their interactions were emotionally charged, swinging between frustration and affection, as both struggled with Cameron’s newfound independence.
Even though Leave No Trace wasn’t the strongest crime instalment of the series, the uniqueness of the inclusion of an AI detective continued to fascinate me, so I’m still going to go straight on to the next one. I have heard that Human Remains is everyone’s favourite, but please let the mystery be better. Finger’s crossed! Wish me luck!
February 20, 2025
Well ✅ finished this long winded at times, this was so drawn out I nearly DNF saying that I did enjoy the first half of this book but the last the AI feel lost me , I love Kat & Aide plus her crew… will I continue this series well I am still pondering that.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Rose Ackroyd which after a while grated on my nerves.
I will say that if you want to read this series start with Blink Of The Eye as there is dialogue which happened in the first.
This book starts with Kat & Aide looking into a real crime set in Atherstone Warwickshire a man is found murdered at Mount Judd his ears cut off & naked it up to Kat & her team to find the killer, they are famous for solving cold cases, Aide does everything by algorithm’s will they succeeds more bodies turn up ⬆️!
As I said earlier there was so much descriptive dialogue that I found myself losing interest in what was going on.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Rose Ackroyd which after a while grated on my nerves.
I will say that if you want to read this series start with Blink Of The Eye as there is dialogue which happened in the first.
This book starts with Kat & Aide looking into a real crime set in Atherstone Warwickshire a man is found murdered at Mount Judd his ears cut off & naked it up to Kat & her team to find the killer, they are famous for solving cold cases, Aide does everything by algorithm’s will they succeeds more bodies turn up ⬆️!
As I said earlier there was so much descriptive dialogue that I found myself losing interest in what was going on.
February 19, 2024
Last year I loved Jo Callaghan’s Blink of an Eye and have been eagerly awaiting the follow up. And it is finally here… what an incredible police procedural drama once again! i just love Kat and her honesty, her passion for her job and her son. Lock once again had me laughing out loud with his words and confusion about what humans actually mean. Such a clever concept.
So DS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back, and this time they have a live murder case. Kat is determined that all their hard work on cold cases will be invaluable on a current case and is set to prove this to everyone. And the case is a doozy .. A man is found crucified on a cross, naked, on the top of a hill….oh and his ears have been cut off. It is close to Christmas and the snow is heavy and so so cold.
An absolute page turner once again, I could not get enough of this story, really having no idea how it would end. I love that we get an opening for the next book too…cannot wait!!
Thanks so much to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on March 28th.
So DS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back, and this time they have a live murder case. Kat is determined that all their hard work on cold cases will be invaluable on a current case and is set to prove this to everyone. And the case is a doozy .. A man is found crucified on a cross, naked, on the top of a hill….oh and his ears have been cut off. It is close to Christmas and the snow is heavy and so so cold.
An absolute page turner once again, I could not get enough of this story, really having no idea how it would end. I love that we get an opening for the next book too…cannot wait!!
Thanks so much to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on March 28th.
March 2, 2025
Why can't AIDE Lock be real?
Detective Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back together in Leave No Trace.
After solving a cold case, Detective Kat feels lonely. She recently became a widow, and with her beloved son now away at university, she’s alone in their house so close to the Christmas holiday. She knows work can keep her busy and help manage her blues. Needing something to pull her from her dark thoughts, she finds no better way than immersing herself in a new case. Her boss agrees and assigns her their first live case. Kat and Lock must work hard and fast to find the person who crucified a young man in the British Midlands before someone else becomes the next victim.
The first book in this series was unique, introducing the concept of AI assisting in case-solving. In this installment, we see Lock evolving through human interaction. He’s learning human behaviors and developing his own version of them. Kat, for her part, is beginning to appreciate areas where Lock is indispensable to investigations. For instance, the vast amount of data he can process in mere seconds helps prevent delays in a live case
The author does pose an interesting question: Is an experienced human better than a free-of-bias machine, or are they complementary?
I can't wait to see where Jo Callaghan takes this team next.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Random House Trade Paperbacks via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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Detective Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back together in Leave No Trace.
After solving a cold case, Detective Kat feels lonely. She recently became a widow, and with her beloved son now away at university, she’s alone in their house so close to the Christmas holiday. She knows work can keep her busy and help manage her blues. Needing something to pull her from her dark thoughts, she finds no better way than immersing herself in a new case. Her boss agrees and assigns her their first live case. Kat and Lock must work hard and fast to find the person who crucified a young man in the British Midlands before someone else becomes the next victim.
The first book in this series was unique, introducing the concept of AI assisting in case-solving. In this installment, we see Lock evolving through human interaction. He’s learning human behaviors and developing his own version of them. Kat, for her part, is beginning to appreciate areas where Lock is indispensable to investigations. For instance, the vast amount of data he can process in mere seconds helps prevent delays in a live case
The author does pose an interesting question: Is an experienced human better than a free-of-bias machine, or are they complementary?
I can't wait to see where Jo Callaghan takes this team next.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Random House Trade Paperbacks via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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April 12, 2024
‘Oh my God,’ said Kat [...] How could she have been so blind?
Good question, Kat. How could you?
I was so excited for this book after reading In the Blink of An Eye earlier this year. I loved the characters and thought the concept of an AI police detective was both interesting and quite plausible. The dynamic between DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock was fantastic.
Unfortunately, this sequel gave off the impression of being rushed and poorly-edited. I saw through the mystery immediately, quickly putting the pieces together and figuring out not only who did it, but also why.
It was then very frustrating-- not to mention, boring --to watch the detectives pursuing red herrings and being clueless. I think I'm of fairly average intelligence, so I do expect trained detectives to get there faster than I do.
I actually felt like there was a lot of incompetence all round here, especially with the male characters. I do like all the strong women leading in this book, but I'm not sure why the men have to be either bad or complete doofuses (doofi?). DI Rayan Hassan is so useless AGAIN that it's hard to believe he got this job. When he isn't salivating over Professor Okonedo like a little puppy, he's stubbornly pushing stupid theories. Which was his role in the previous book also-- to keep repeatedly insisting someone did the crime when everyone else can see it's clear they couldn't have.
McLeish, too, is a total fool. It seems his only job is to sit at a desk and bitch at others.
Even Lock, whom I love, had way too many “Huh, humans make no sense” moments in this book. As I said in my review of In the Blink of An Eye, if ChatGPT can understand an idiom, then this sophisticated AI should definitely be able to.
Also, while I think myself and the author are probably politically on a similar page (as far as I can tell), even I found the messages here extremely heavy-handed. I felt a bit like I was being lectured to at times. All men are awful or stupid (or dead). And, despite the fact that this book has a female DCS, a female Professor leading the AI experiment, a female minister commissioning the project, a female local businesswoman, and a nonbinary pathologist, all of them seem convinced that men are out to get them.
Of course, the men in this book are so stupid that offensive things just fall out of their slack mouths, seemingly so that the women can give them a telling off.
I think better editing would have polished some of these themes and, had it not been so heavy-handed, . It's important to write about sexism and misogyny, but I don't think it was done very well here.
Yet, I do have hope for this series as Kat and Lock are such strong characters. I know I won't be able to resist reading the next book. I hope it's better.
May 13, 2025
After reading "In the Blink of an Eye" and thoroughly enjoying it, I placed a hold on its sequel LEAVE NO TRACE, which I recently finished. I liked this follow-up as much as the first book, with one exception—a reservation I'll describe at the end of this review.
Synopsis
In the first book in this series, DCS Kat Frank was paired with an artificial intelligence detecting entity (AIDE), actually a monitor that Kat wears around her wrist, but one that projects human-like holographic forms that can talk and be seen. The most commonly used hologram is a black man called Lock. With Lock's help, Kat was able to solve two missing person cold cases.
In LEAVE NO TRACE, Kat and Lock are assigned a current murder case—a man crucified on Mount Judd in the freezing cold and snow, his ears cut off. This is quickly followed by another murder, again a crucified man, this time missing his eyes.
Kat's team consists of Lock, who can analyze internet data at a speed no human could possibly emulate, DI Rayan Hassan who conducts interviews, and (8 months pregnant) DS Debbie Browne, who helps manage scenes and sometimes assists with interviews.
The case becomes a feeding frenzy for the media, and Kat struggles with keeping Lock from blurting out inappropriate remarks:
Kat: 'It's called empathy, Lock. Being able to put yourself in the shoes of another human being and imagine how they might feel or react is an essential skill for detectives.'
Lock: '...the multitude of inconsistent and contradictory comments made by humans makes it extremely difficult to understand their objectives, let alone deliver them.'
The climax builds as DI Rayan becomes a possible casualty after he believes he has identified the serial killer.
My Reactions
There was a lot of humour in Lock's difficulties with understanding human's verbal interactions; he (it) is confused by sarcasm and the fact that people often don't say what they mean. Especially comic is the fact that Lock has not developed tact—blurting out information that embarrasses Kat.
Also, the author continued to describe Kat's strong emotional pains stemming from the loss of her husband, a definite plus in the first book, and here, in the second instalment, manifesting itself in the loneliness of trying to cope with an empty house now that her son has left for university.
The humour and Kat's emotional reactions were two strong pluses that were carried over from "In the Blink of an Eye"
In addition, the mystery was top-level, with the killer a definite surprise, even though 'on hand' from early in the story.
What I Didn't Like
There was only one thing I found disturbing in this story, and that was the fact that the killer was presented as a victim rather than as a mentally disturbed person. That the killer had suffered a trauma was undeniable. But the fact that they didn't lash out immediately after the traumatic event occurred, but waited several years to obtain their revenge, meant that they were seriously mentally ill, and should have been presented as such. Instead, they were depicted as 'righteous' by eventually taking vengeance against those who—several years before the story (and killings) began—had committed the crime that caused the killer's trauma. I don't blame the author for this depiction. If you read the 'author's notes' (something I always do), you will find that the author is an expert in Artificial Intelligence, but not in psychology, and she was relying on psychologists to give her insight into how the victim of a traumatic assault might react. Psychologists (and I am one) do not have magical insights into how the mentally ill might react; they rely on statistical analyses, just like Lock. Recent newspaper articles tell us that these statistical analyses can be incorrect, to the detriment of the community at large. In several instances here in Canada—one very recently—mentally ill people have killed innocent people (including children) because the people in change of monitoring the mentally ill have gotten it wrong. Then the killers undergo a 'mental health evaluation', and if found 'not responsible' due to mental illness, undergo treatment for a few years and are released again into the community.
As stated by the parent of a child killed in a horrific incident in a newspaper account of a mentally ill killer in Montreal:
"It's shocking to us to see how they talk about him," said parent.... "It feels like he's the victim." ... "I feel there is no justice at this point. I feel like criminals have more rights, have more care than all the victims," she said.
I am not advocating for jail time for such mentally ill killers, but they should be incarcerated in a mental facility for the rest of their lives. Those in charge of the mentally ill operate on a 'best guess' process according to their own biases. And too often, within the Justice System, they have the discretion to determine whether the mentally ill should be released from custody after committing a heinous crime.
I should add that the author apparently supported the 'killer-as-victim' viewpoint, but then included an ending that evaded the question of appropriate punishment—in other words gave us a 'Justice Prevails' ending, which is why I am moving my 4.5 star rating up to 5 stars.
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook that I read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review for the first book in the series:
In the Blink of an Eye (Kat and Lock, #1)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Synopsis
In the first book in this series, DCS Kat Frank was paired with an artificial intelligence detecting entity (AIDE), actually a monitor that Kat wears around her wrist, but one that projects human-like holographic forms that can talk and be seen. The most commonly used hologram is a black man called Lock. With Lock's help, Kat was able to solve two missing person cold cases.
In LEAVE NO TRACE, Kat and Lock are assigned a current murder case—a man crucified on Mount Judd in the freezing cold and snow, his ears cut off. This is quickly followed by another murder, again a crucified man, this time missing his eyes.
Kat's team consists of Lock, who can analyze internet data at a speed no human could possibly emulate, DI Rayan Hassan who conducts interviews, and (8 months pregnant) DS Debbie Browne, who helps manage scenes and sometimes assists with interviews.
The case becomes a feeding frenzy for the media, and Kat struggles with keeping Lock from blurting out inappropriate remarks:
Kat: 'It's called empathy, Lock. Being able to put yourself in the shoes of another human being and imagine how they might feel or react is an essential skill for detectives.'
Lock: '...the multitude of inconsistent and contradictory comments made by humans makes it extremely difficult to understand their objectives, let alone deliver them.'
The climax builds as DI Rayan becomes a possible casualty after he believes he has identified the serial killer.
My Reactions
There was a lot of humour in Lock's difficulties with understanding human's verbal interactions; he (it) is confused by sarcasm and the fact that people often don't say what they mean. Especially comic is the fact that Lock has not developed tact—blurting out information that embarrasses Kat.
Also, the author continued to describe Kat's strong emotional pains stemming from the loss of her husband, a definite plus in the first book, and here, in the second instalment, manifesting itself in the loneliness of trying to cope with an empty house now that her son has left for university.
The humour and Kat's emotional reactions were two strong pluses that were carried over from "In the Blink of an Eye"
In addition, the mystery was top-level, with the killer a definite surprise, even though 'on hand' from early in the story.
What I Didn't Like
There was only one thing I found disturbing in this story, and that was the fact that the killer was presented as a victim rather than as a mentally disturbed person. That the killer had suffered a trauma was undeniable. But the fact that they didn't lash out immediately after the traumatic event occurred, but waited several years to obtain their revenge, meant that they were seriously mentally ill, and should have been presented as such. Instead, they were depicted as 'righteous' by eventually taking vengeance against those who—several years before the story (and killings) began—had committed the crime that caused the killer's trauma. I don't blame the author for this depiction. If you read the 'author's notes' (something I always do), you will find that the author is an expert in Artificial Intelligence, but not in psychology, and she was relying on psychologists to give her insight into how the victim of a traumatic assault might react. Psychologists (and I am one) do not have magical insights into how the mentally ill might react; they rely on statistical analyses, just like Lock. Recent newspaper articles tell us that these statistical analyses can be incorrect, to the detriment of the community at large. In several instances here in Canada—one very recently—mentally ill people have killed innocent people (including children) because the people in change of monitoring the mentally ill have gotten it wrong. Then the killers undergo a 'mental health evaluation', and if found 'not responsible' due to mental illness, undergo treatment for a few years and are released again into the community.
As stated by the parent of a child killed in a horrific incident in a newspaper account of a mentally ill killer in Montreal:
"It's shocking to us to see how they talk about him," said parent.... "It feels like he's the victim." ... "I feel there is no justice at this point. I feel like criminals have more rights, have more care than all the victims," she said.
I am not advocating for jail time for such mentally ill killers, but they should be incarcerated in a mental facility for the rest of their lives. Those in charge of the mentally ill operate on a 'best guess' process according to their own biases. And too often, within the Justice System, they have the discretion to determine whether the mentally ill should be released from custody after committing a heinous crime.
I should add that the author apparently supported the 'killer-as-victim' viewpoint, but then included an ending that evaded the question of appropriate punishment—in other words gave us a 'Justice Prevails' ending, which is why I am moving my 4.5 star rating up to 5 stars.
Thanks to the Greater Victoria Public Library for providing the ebook that I read.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My review for the first book in the series:
In the Blink of an Eye (Kat and Lock, #1)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
January 5, 2025
This is the second book in teh Kat and Lock series and the first one was a winner for me, so naturally I picked this one up.
Description:
One detective driven by instinct, the other by logic.
It will take both to find a killer who knows the true meaning of fear . . .
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.
My Thoughts:
There were horrific, gory murders in this book. I have to admit, the crucifixtions turned my stomach, so if you are sensitive you may not want to read this. The AI Detective Lock feels so human I felt like he was a person with feelings. Nevertheless, Kat needs to help prove that AI can assist the department in current investigations, so this is the first one for Kat and Lock to work. The investigation is intense and I couldn't put the book down. It's amazing what AI can do, but we certainly need human views to reach good conclusions. This does show how AI could be an asset in police work. I highly recommend to anyone interested in AI or who enjoys police procedurals.
Thanks to Random House through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
One detective driven by instinct, the other by logic.
It will take both to find a killer who knows the true meaning of fear . . .
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.
My Thoughts:
There were horrific, gory murders in this book. I have to admit, the crucifixtions turned my stomach, so if you are sensitive you may not want to read this. The AI Detective Lock feels so human I felt like he was a person with feelings. Nevertheless, Kat needs to help prove that AI can assist the department in current investigations, so this is the first one for Kat and Lock to work. The investigation is intense and I couldn't put the book down. It's amazing what AI can do, but we certainly need human views to reach good conclusions. This does show how AI could be an asset in police work. I highly recommend to anyone interested in AI or who enjoys police procedurals.
Thanks to Random House through Netgalley for an advance copy.
May 15, 2025
*Ai versus Life*
**3.5 Stars**
This is the second book in the ‘Kat and Lock’ series, which explores how AI Detective AIDE Lock collaborates with the police department. Lock, a virtual AI, works alongside DCS Kat Frank, who initially resisted him but eventually grew to appreciate his abilities.
Kat had long desired a live case with Lock, and their wish comes true when a man’s body is found crucified. The clock is ticking as Kat faces pressure to solve the case, but she also grapples with the potential public backlash against using AI in an investigation.
When another man’s body is discovered crucified, Kat is forced to give a press conference against her better judgment. The event goes awry as gender and political correctness seem to dominate the discussion, making it my least favourite part of the book. I suppose the author intended to reflect current societal attitudes.
Just as Kat is about to make a breakthrough in the case, she discovers that it will be taken off her the following day. Determined to solve it, Kat, Lock, and their team pull an all-nighter. The thrilling section unfolds during a snowstorm, where Kat and her team face numerous challenges in saving another life. This section also highlights the effectiveness of human interaction and AI working together.
**3.5 Stars**
This is the second book in the ‘Kat and Lock’ series, which explores how AI Detective AIDE Lock collaborates with the police department. Lock, a virtual AI, works alongside DCS Kat Frank, who initially resisted him but eventually grew to appreciate his abilities.
Kat had long desired a live case with Lock, and their wish comes true when a man’s body is found crucified. The clock is ticking as Kat faces pressure to solve the case, but she also grapples with the potential public backlash against using AI in an investigation.
When another man’s body is discovered crucified, Kat is forced to give a press conference against her better judgment. The event goes awry as gender and political correctness seem to dominate the discussion, making it my least favourite part of the book. I suppose the author intended to reflect current societal attitudes.
Just as Kat is about to make a breakthrough in the case, she discovers that it will be taken off her the following day. Determined to solve it, Kat, Lock, and their team pull an all-nighter. The thrilling section unfolds during a snowstorm, where Kat and her team face numerous challenges in saving another life. This section also highlights the effectiveness of human interaction and AI working together.
September 18, 2024
"I couldn't have solved the case without my team. Or Lock, sir."
I know that some reviewers have written they liked this book less than the first. Not I. I liked Leave No Trace every bit as much as I liked In the Blink of An Eye. Are these books 100% logical or realistic? No! I'm not sure why, but I love that about them!
Here is one of my favorite parts:
"So you're my wild card, Lock. I want you to unsettle her by looking clever and all-knowing."
Lock turned towards her, its expression unfathomable in the fading light. "In other words, you want me to be myself?"
Kat laughed. "Was that a joke?"
HUGE thanks to both #RandomHousePublishing and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Leave No Trace. This book is #2 in the Kat and Lock series, and has an expected publication date of January 7, 2025.
#JoCallaghan #ScienceFiction #Mystery #Suspense
I know that some reviewers have written they liked this book less than the first. Not I. I liked Leave No Trace every bit as much as I liked In the Blink of An Eye. Are these books 100% logical or realistic? No! I'm not sure why, but I love that about them!
Here is one of my favorite parts:
"So you're my wild card, Lock. I want you to unsettle her by looking clever and all-knowing."
Lock turned towards her, its expression unfathomable in the fading light. "In other words, you want me to be myself?"
Kat laughed. "Was that a joke?"
HUGE thanks to both #RandomHousePublishing and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Leave No Trace. This book is #2 in the Kat and Lock series, and has an expected publication date of January 7, 2025.
#JoCallaghan #ScienceFiction #Mystery #Suspense
September 1, 2024
Kat, Lock and her team are back! This time they are working on a live murder case!. Lock is programmed to think logical whereas Kat can also rely on her emotions, can these two join forces again and catch a killer!
!really enjoyed the relationship between Lock and Kat, it felt like they were both closer in this book! The police investigation was really interesting and I did not guess who the killer was, this was a real race against time story which had many twist and turns!I hear book 3 is out next year and I’m looking forward to it!
!really enjoyed the relationship between Lock and Kat, it felt like they were both closer in this book! The police investigation was really interesting and I did not guess who the killer was, this was a real race against time story which had many twist and turns!I hear book 3 is out next year and I’m looking forward to it!
May 1, 2024
3.75 / 5
I do have to admit although this book is up there, it’s not as good as the first breakthrough book. I think it’s the agenda pushed behind the book that took alway ounces of the true plots quality but nevertheless a good sequel. I am invested and intrigued to see the direction of the third book! I found the book an easy read, easy to follow plot and easy to grasp. I do think it’s the help from the first book and having that knowledge and understanding there that added to the experience, so I highly recommend those to that start the series to read the first one as this follows the events after.
DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock return back, after the reports of a man found crucified at her top of a rubbish mountain (mount Judd), Frank and Lock are tasked to find the killer. A considerable step up from solving historic missing cases. Soon after another body shows up crucified on a farm, pressure is mounting on her to deliver. With personal pressures from her life and work life Kat is put under pressure to be on top of her private and professional life. We gain an insight to the struggles Kat faces and the toll this has on her.
Maybe it’s the way the plot develops or maybe the strategic writing of Callaghan but I was stumped at who the culprit was and surprised at the reveal of the twist. I think my only issue or negative is the hard push on the agenda of the book which dominated a lot of the plot. But I do have to say the amount of politics thrown on this book is alot more than I anticipated. Overall it’s not bad read, worth having a read given that it’s not heavily sci fi focused and still has strong police procedures shown. Excited to see what the next book is installed.
I do have to admit although this book is up there, it’s not as good as the first breakthrough book. I think it’s the agenda pushed behind the book that took alway ounces of the true plots quality but nevertheless a good sequel. I am invested and intrigued to see the direction of the third book! I found the book an easy read, easy to follow plot and easy to grasp. I do think it’s the help from the first book and having that knowledge and understanding there that added to the experience, so I highly recommend those to that start the series to read the first one as this follows the events after.
DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock return back, after the reports of a man found crucified at her top of a rubbish mountain (mount Judd), Frank and Lock are tasked to find the killer. A considerable step up from solving historic missing cases. Soon after another body shows up crucified on a farm, pressure is mounting on her to deliver. With personal pressures from her life and work life Kat is put under pressure to be on top of her private and professional life. We gain an insight to the struggles Kat faces and the toll this has on her.
Maybe it’s the way the plot develops or maybe the strategic writing of Callaghan but I was stumped at who the culprit was and surprised at the reveal of the twist. I think my only issue or negative is the hard push on the agenda of the book which dominated a lot of the plot. But I do have to say the amount of politics thrown on this book is alot more than I anticipated. Overall it’s not bad read, worth having a read given that it’s not heavily sci fi focused and still has strong police procedures shown. Excited to see what the next book is installed.
July 17, 2025
Leave No Trace is an engrossing and rewarding read, and a worthy sequel to author Jo Callaghan's breakout 2023 hit In the Blink of An Eye, which won the prestigious Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and CWA New Blood Dagger awards in 2024.
In this book, D.C.S. Kat Franks and her AI Detective "colleague" AIDE Lock move out of the realm of cold cases, leading an active investigation into the macabre death of a man in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Coventry council worker Gary Jones is found crucified at the summit of a (fictional) hill near Nuneaton, his ears having been crudely excised post-mortem. Franks and her team investigate Gary's life for any clue as to why someone has inflicted upon him such a grisly death. Suspicions temporarily fall upon his distraught fiancée, solidifying when she's found to have also known a second victim, found days later - also crucified - in a nearby field, his eyes removed. Can the solution to the mystery be found in both victims' links to corruption in the Warwickshire waste removal industry, or could an incident from their pasts be the reason for a clever and patient adversary to seek vengeance?
Jo Callaghan's use of an AI entity as a character is inventive and inspired, and she utilises the character of Lock ingeniously to deconstruct and examine the processes that skilled human investigators go through in solving crimes. While AIDE Lock can review literature and trawl social media at warp speed, "he" lacks the ability to read nuances in body and verbal language, balance conflicting rationales (eg. telling the truth vs. withholding certain information with the intention of maintaining community confidence and morale) and utilise intuition rather than rely solely on bare facts and established probabilities. But with every investigation Lock is drawn into, his skills are further honed and the story enters interesting territory as Lock attempts to probe and contextualise concepts such as friendship, loyalty respect and empathy as the novel draws to a bittersweet close. While many of the AI capabilities Callaghan ascribes to Lock already exist in some form, a fully-integrated investigating entity like Lock, complete with holographic form, is still some way off. It's certainly a fascinating possibility to consider though, as a means of processing vast quantities of information for useful links and evidence, removing bias and applying high-level statistical analysis to criminal investigations.
Kat Franks is a compelling and sympathetic heroine, struggling with the loss of her husband to cancer a few years previously, and "empty nest syndrome" after her only child's recent departure for university. Callaghan draws upon similar personal experience of early widowhood and her characterisation of the tenacious but vulnerable Franks resonates deeply throughout the book. Franks' growing professional and personal rapport with forensic pathologist Dr. Judith Edwards over the course of the book bodes well for future instalments, as does the foreshadowing contained within a spooky epilogue.
Leave No Trace is the second book I've read in a fortnight (the other being Katherine Kovacic's Seven Sisters) that explores the morally ambiguous concept that those affected by sexual assault, domestic violence and other crimes rooted in misogyny might seek vengeance outside the justice system that so regularly fails the expectations of (mostly female) victims. It's deliciously satisfying as a reader to vicariously experience the tables being turned on arrogant and nasty perpetrators, even if it rarely happens in real life.
I'd enthusiastically recommend Leave No Trace and its predecessor In the Blink of An Eye to any reader who enjoys well-written and emotionally-fueled crime fiction, especially with a touch of light sci-fi / futuristic content thrown in. I'm consumed with excitement at the prospect of another Kat and Lock novel, Human Remains, published in April 2025, but not yet available in Australia.
In this book, D.C.S. Kat Franks and her AI Detective "colleague" AIDE Lock move out of the realm of cold cases, leading an active investigation into the macabre death of a man in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Coventry council worker Gary Jones is found crucified at the summit of a (fictional) hill near Nuneaton, his ears having been crudely excised post-mortem. Franks and her team investigate Gary's life for any clue as to why someone has inflicted upon him such a grisly death. Suspicions temporarily fall upon his distraught fiancée, solidifying when she's found to have also known a second victim, found days later - also crucified - in a nearby field, his eyes removed. Can the solution to the mystery be found in both victims' links to corruption in the Warwickshire waste removal industry, or could an incident from their pasts be the reason for a clever and patient adversary to seek vengeance?
Jo Callaghan's use of an AI entity as a character is inventive and inspired, and she utilises the character of Lock ingeniously to deconstruct and examine the processes that skilled human investigators go through in solving crimes. While AIDE Lock can review literature and trawl social media at warp speed, "he" lacks the ability to read nuances in body and verbal language, balance conflicting rationales (eg. telling the truth vs. withholding certain information with the intention of maintaining community confidence and morale) and utilise intuition rather than rely solely on bare facts and established probabilities. But with every investigation Lock is drawn into, his skills are further honed and the story enters interesting territory as Lock attempts to probe and contextualise concepts such as friendship, loyalty respect and empathy as the novel draws to a bittersweet close. While many of the AI capabilities Callaghan ascribes to Lock already exist in some form, a fully-integrated investigating entity like Lock, complete with holographic form, is still some way off. It's certainly a fascinating possibility to consider though, as a means of processing vast quantities of information for useful links and evidence, removing bias and applying high-level statistical analysis to criminal investigations.
Kat Franks is a compelling and sympathetic heroine, struggling with the loss of her husband to cancer a few years previously, and "empty nest syndrome" after her only child's recent departure for university. Callaghan draws upon similar personal experience of early widowhood and her characterisation of the tenacious but vulnerable Franks resonates deeply throughout the book. Franks' growing professional and personal rapport with forensic pathologist Dr. Judith Edwards over the course of the book bodes well for future instalments, as does the foreshadowing contained within a spooky epilogue.
Leave No Trace is the second book I've read in a fortnight (the other being Katherine Kovacic's Seven Sisters) that explores the morally ambiguous concept that those affected by sexual assault, domestic violence and other crimes rooted in misogyny might seek vengeance outside the justice system that so regularly fails the expectations of (mostly female) victims. It's deliciously satisfying as a reader to vicariously experience the tables being turned on arrogant and nasty perpetrators, even if it rarely happens in real life.
I'd enthusiastically recommend Leave No Trace and its predecessor In the Blink of An Eye to any reader who enjoys well-written and emotionally-fueled crime fiction, especially with a touch of light sci-fi / futuristic content thrown in. I'm consumed with excitement at the prospect of another Kat and Lock novel, Human Remains, published in April 2025, but not yet available in Australia.
August 21, 2025
Three stars because this was a quick read, but I had issues:
- The story is rather heavy-handed and preachy re. women's rights (and I'm a feminist).
- The way the perp "lured" their victims just didn't add up
- Why did Kat allow a woman who was 9 months pregnant to march miles through a snowstorm, and if Debbie was having contractions, why the fuck didn't she say anything?
- Why is Lock always so confused about human idioms? Chat GPT understands them, yet Lock is advanced with "deep learning" and still can't grasp them.
- It's easy to figure out the perp and frustrating to watch the police team stumble down gardenpaths grasping at red herrings.
I still like Lock and have sympathy for Kat. This is a unique police procedural but missing the tension of book 1.
It also ends with a cliffie, so I'll definitely be reading book 3.
- The story is rather heavy-handed and preachy re. women's rights (and I'm a feminist).
- The way the perp "lured" their victims just didn't add up
- Why did Kat allow a woman who was 9 months pregnant to march miles through a snowstorm, and if Debbie was having contractions, why the fuck didn't she say anything?
- Why is Lock always so confused about human idioms? Chat GPT understands them, yet Lock is advanced with "deep learning" and still can't grasp them.
- It's easy to figure out the perp and frustrating to watch the police team stumble down gardenpaths grasping at red herrings.
I still like Lock and have sympathy for Kat. This is a unique police procedural but missing the tension of book 1.
It also ends with a cliffie, so I'll definitely be reading book 3.
Read
June 29, 2025I thought 'In The Blink Of An Eye'(2023) the first book in this series about a detective working with a prototype AI Hologram partner was a wonderful read.. It had edge-of-the-seat moments of tension, a satisfying mystery, well-founded speculations on the use of AI in the near future and a deeply empathetic understanding of grief and loss.
I'd hope for the same quality, with some development of the main characters and of the use of AI, in the second book.
I set the book aside today at 56%. I actually got that far back in March. I decided to set the book aside because I hadn't picked it up in weeks.
So what was the problem? There were three of them.
Firstly, where the previous book was about finding an at-risk missing person, this one was about finding a serial killer. We don't have many serial killers in the UK. I couldn't imagine giving such a high-profile case to a not-entirely-emotionally-stable Detective and an unproven AI prototype. Also, the serial killer made this police procedural feel very generic.
Secondly, the abilities and attributes of the AI seemed less well-founded than in the first book. I could imagine an AI pulling together the data to find a missing person. I couldn't see an AI being able to predict the behaviour of a serial killer.
Thirdly, the pace was flagging towards the middle of the book Things should have been tense by then but they weren't. I think everything just felt too impersonal.
So I've set this aside and taken the third book, 'Human Remains' off my Wishlist.
I'd hope for the same quality, with some development of the main characters and of the use of AI, in the second book.
I set the book aside today at 56%. I actually got that far back in March. I decided to set the book aside because I hadn't picked it up in weeks.
So what was the problem? There were three of them.
Firstly, where the previous book was about finding an at-risk missing person, this one was about finding a serial killer. We don't have many serial killers in the UK. I couldn't imagine giving such a high-profile case to a not-entirely-emotionally-stable Detective and an unproven AI prototype. Also, the serial killer made this police procedural feel very generic.
Secondly, the abilities and attributes of the AI seemed less well-founded than in the first book. I could imagine an AI pulling together the data to find a missing person. I couldn't see an AI being able to predict the behaviour of a serial killer.
Thirdly, the pace was flagging towards the middle of the book Things should have been tense by then but they weren't. I think everything just felt too impersonal.
So I've set this aside and taken the third book, 'Human Remains' off my Wishlist.
January 30, 2025
The first novel in this series, "In The Blink Of An Eye" made my favourite reads of 2024 list. "Leave No Trace" will, no doubt, make my favourites of 2025 list! My first reaction? Brilliant! I loved it, and can't wait to read the next book in the series!
The characters were so well drawn and the police investigation so compelling, that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
Detective Chief Superintendent Kat Frank is a forty-five year old widow and the mother of a teenage son. She lost her husband to cancer just a year ago and her grief is still raw. It is coming up to Christmas and her teenage son is away at university, so Kat feels a loneliness she had never anticipated. Her boss puts her on her new team's first LIVE case! Once again, she is to work with an AIDE Lock (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity). Her team will include four people if you include the AIDE.
AIDE Lock - is a wristband around Kat's wrist. However, 'he' can be made to look human via hologram. When he is, he is a tall, slim black man. Think Idris Alba with slight touches of Spock.
Detective Inspector Rayan Hassan - is a smart dresser with a law degree and a high conviction rate. He challenges Kat's authority at times and they lock horns on occasion. Rayan is a good friend to his partner DS Debbie Brown. He is smitten with Professor Okonedo, who is in charge of AIDE Lock.
Detective Sergeant Debbie Browne - is a twenty-four year old who has been with the Warwickshire Police for six years. Though a very diligent officer, Debbie has little self-esteem and is constantly apologizing. She is single, and is eight months pregnant. She worries that her condition and imminent life changes will impact on her long sought after career.
Professor Okonedo - a brilliant though diminutive Asian woman with a chip on her shoulder and a huge grievance against the police. She blames them for her brother's unjust incarceration. Though not official a member of the police, she is AIDE Lock's 'handler'.
Up until now Kat and Lock have been working cold cases. Now, Kat and Lock's first live case involves a crucifixion. A young man has been left to die of hypothermia while tied to a crude cross. Just four days after this, another young man suffers the same fate in another isolated location. With intense pressure from the higher ups and the national and international press, Kat and Lock strive to find the perpetrator. Kat's keen sense of justice, her strong moral and ethical compass, and her high-principles, all serve to make her boss, and AIDE Lock, sometime shake their heads.
With themes of gender role, the emotional after-effects of trauma, artificial intelligence, and personal bereavement, this novel was a mesmerizing read. Machine vs. human. How far away from this premise are we really? Not far I think. Machines can make decisions based on facts and algorithms, while humans can make decisions on 'gut instinct'.
The author has taken some elements of her own life and incorporated them into the book - lending the narrative a ring of authenticity.
When reading the pronouns of some of the characters I became a little confused. The pathologist has pronouns of they/them and when reading a sentence, it can be off-putting to those of us who are 'old-school'. I thought it was very amusing when Lock stated his preferred pronouns were he/him. Kat always refers to Lock as 'it', though when he was asked, he said he wants his pronouns to align with his holographic presentation.
I really came to care for all of the characters and I'm eager to learn more about them in the next book. Lock in particular, seems to be becoming more human and the scenes with the horses and the baby were very poignant. I empathized with his plight.
The ending was outstanding and made me SO eager to read the next book "Human Remains". Highly recommended to all fans of well written police procedural fiction.
The characters were so well drawn and the police investigation so compelling, that I couldn't turn the pages fast enough!
Detective Chief Superintendent Kat Frank is a forty-five year old widow and the mother of a teenage son. She lost her husband to cancer just a year ago and her grief is still raw. It is coming up to Christmas and her teenage son is away at university, so Kat feels a loneliness she had never anticipated. Her boss puts her on her new team's first LIVE case! Once again, she is to work with an AIDE Lock (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity). Her team will include four people if you include the AIDE.
AIDE Lock - is a wristband around Kat's wrist. However, 'he' can be made to look human via hologram. When he is, he is a tall, slim black man. Think Idris Alba with slight touches of Spock.
Detective Inspector Rayan Hassan - is a smart dresser with a law degree and a high conviction rate. He challenges Kat's authority at times and they lock horns on occasion. Rayan is a good friend to his partner DS Debbie Brown. He is smitten with Professor Okonedo, who is in charge of AIDE Lock.
Detective Sergeant Debbie Browne - is a twenty-four year old who has been with the Warwickshire Police for six years. Though a very diligent officer, Debbie has little self-esteem and is constantly apologizing. She is single, and is eight months pregnant. She worries that her condition and imminent life changes will impact on her long sought after career.
Professor Okonedo - a brilliant though diminutive Asian woman with a chip on her shoulder and a huge grievance against the police. She blames them for her brother's unjust incarceration. Though not official a member of the police, she is AIDE Lock's 'handler'.
Up until now Kat and Lock have been working cold cases. Now, Kat and Lock's first live case involves a crucifixion. A young man has been left to die of hypothermia while tied to a crude cross. Just four days after this, another young man suffers the same fate in another isolated location. With intense pressure from the higher ups and the national and international press, Kat and Lock strive to find the perpetrator. Kat's keen sense of justice, her strong moral and ethical compass, and her high-principles, all serve to make her boss, and AIDE Lock, sometime shake their heads.
With themes of gender role, the emotional after-effects of trauma, artificial intelligence, and personal bereavement, this novel was a mesmerizing read. Machine vs. human. How far away from this premise are we really? Not far I think. Machines can make decisions based on facts and algorithms, while humans can make decisions on 'gut instinct'.
The author has taken some elements of her own life and incorporated them into the book - lending the narrative a ring of authenticity.
When reading the pronouns of some of the characters I became a little confused. The pathologist has pronouns of they/them and when reading a sentence, it can be off-putting to those of us who are 'old-school'. I thought it was very amusing when Lock stated his preferred pronouns were he/him. Kat always refers to Lock as 'it', though when he was asked, he said he wants his pronouns to align with his holographic presentation.
I really came to care for all of the characters and I'm eager to learn more about them in the next book. Lock in particular, seems to be becoming more human and the scenes with the horses and the baby were very poignant. I empathized with his plight.
The ending was outstanding and made me SO eager to read the next book "Human Remains". Highly recommended to all fans of well written police procedural fiction.
September 10, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow Leave No Trace completely blew me away. Jo Callaghan has written a thriller that’s not only gripping and twisty, but also incredibly smart and emotional. I was hooked from the very first chapter and found myself racing through, desperate to know what would happen next.
The characters are so well drawn, flawed, believable, and full of depth which made me care about them as much as the mystery itself. The plot is brilliantly paced, with surprises that genuinely caught me off guard, and the writing is sharp and atmospheric without ever slowing the story down.
This is everything I want in a crime thriller tense, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down. Jo Callaghan is fast becoming a must-read author for me. Highly recommended!
Wow Leave No Trace completely blew me away. Jo Callaghan has written a thriller that’s not only gripping and twisty, but also incredibly smart and emotional. I was hooked from the very first chapter and found myself racing through, desperate to know what would happen next.
The characters are so well drawn, flawed, believable, and full of depth which made me care about them as much as the mystery itself. The plot is brilliantly paced, with surprises that genuinely caught me off guard, and the writing is sharp and atmospheric without ever slowing the story down.
This is everything I want in a crime thriller tense, thought-provoking, and impossible to put down. Jo Callaghan is fast becoming a must-read author for me. Highly recommended!
October 31, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Jan. 7, 2025
“Leave No Trace” is the second novel in the “Kat and Lock” series by Jo Callaghan. Following a police detective, Kat Frank, and her partner, an AI-generated police investigator named Lock, “Trace” is a detective story for the modern world.
In the middle of a snowstorm, a young man’s body is found naked and crucified on a cross at the top of a local hill. In hopes of raising support and confidence in the police force, Kat Frank and her AI-partner are called in to investigate. It isn’t long after that when a second man is found, crucified as well, and Kat is facing pressure to solve the case before another body turns up. The Future Policing Unit, and Kat herself, are thrust into the media spotlight, which only makes the deadline to solve the crime that much tighter. Kat knows that if she doesn’t get to the bottom of these gruesome murders, her job (and those of her entire team) could be at risk.
“In the Blink of An Eye” is the first novel in this series (and, in fact, is the first novel by this author) and I thoroughly devoured it. I loved the idea of an AI-generated detective helping to solve cases, without the emotional components that burden his human counterparts. I was so happy when Callaghan created a sequel, bringing Kat and Lock back into my life!
Although the first novel was fascinating and helped build the backstory of the characters, “Trace” can be read as a stand-alone (but I wouldn’t recommend it).
“Trace” is narrated by Kat, although there are snippets throughout the novel where the serial killer briefly takes over, allowing the readers the ability to see through their eyes, if only for a brief moment. In pure detective drama style, there are plenty of characters with which to choose the suspect from, but the final reveal was as surprising as it was meaningful.
Callaghan’s personal experiences helped create both “Blink” and “Trace” and, although I’m sorry for all of her challenges, I think it has helped to make the stories that much better. I can almost feel the personal connection to both the author and to the novel’s characters. Callaghan’s novel is well-developed, well-formed, creative and engaging and I’m so looking forward to novel number three.
Expected publication date: Jan. 7, 2025
“Leave No Trace” is the second novel in the “Kat and Lock” series by Jo Callaghan. Following a police detective, Kat Frank, and her partner, an AI-generated police investigator named Lock, “Trace” is a detective story for the modern world.
In the middle of a snowstorm, a young man’s body is found naked and crucified on a cross at the top of a local hill. In hopes of raising support and confidence in the police force, Kat Frank and her AI-partner are called in to investigate. It isn’t long after that when a second man is found, crucified as well, and Kat is facing pressure to solve the case before another body turns up. The Future Policing Unit, and Kat herself, are thrust into the media spotlight, which only makes the deadline to solve the crime that much tighter. Kat knows that if she doesn’t get to the bottom of these gruesome murders, her job (and those of her entire team) could be at risk.
“In the Blink of An Eye” is the first novel in this series (and, in fact, is the first novel by this author) and I thoroughly devoured it. I loved the idea of an AI-generated detective helping to solve cases, without the emotional components that burden his human counterparts. I was so happy when Callaghan created a sequel, bringing Kat and Lock back into my life!
Although the first novel was fascinating and helped build the backstory of the characters, “Trace” can be read as a stand-alone (but I wouldn’t recommend it).
“Trace” is narrated by Kat, although there are snippets throughout the novel where the serial killer briefly takes over, allowing the readers the ability to see through their eyes, if only for a brief moment. In pure detective drama style, there are plenty of characters with which to choose the suspect from, but the final reveal was as surprising as it was meaningful.
Callaghan’s personal experiences helped create both “Blink” and “Trace” and, although I’m sorry for all of her challenges, I think it has helped to make the stories that much better. I can almost feel the personal connection to both the author and to the novel’s characters. Callaghan’s novel is well-developed, well-formed, creative and engaging and I’m so looking forward to novel number three.
January 13, 2024
DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back with another crime to solve - and it’s their first live case! The body of a man has been found crucified, stripped naked, and with his ears removed on top of a hill. There’s very little evidence to go on, and when a second man is found dead in similar circumstances the police issue a warning to local men that sends shockwaves through the community. The media interest in the case is intense and it becomes a race against time to not only catch the killer but also prove the team’s value.
I absolutely loved this book! It’s current, smart, exciting, highly emotional and it has a really diverse and interesting cast of characters that you’ll feel a genuine connection to. As well as there being a mystery to solve, the book also covers topics such as gender inequality, imposter syndrome, grief, and racism in a way that feels completely authentic to the story. Although this is a crime novel it also feels like an exploration of the human condition, a factor that’s particularly relevant when it comes to Kat and Lock’s relationship.
Kat still has concerns over Lock’s literal interpretation of the English language as well as the impact of technology replacing humans in the workplace - and is she imagining things or is Lock starting to act more human? Just reading these books makes me feel smarter and more knowledgeable about the undeniable impact AI is going to have on all our futures (although I do love it when Lock gets thing’s wrong after luring you in with facts and figures!)
Kat’s home life remains an important part of the story and if anything, things seem to have got even tougher for her. Her son, Cam, has gone to university which leaves her alone in what was until recently a busy family home, amplifying her grief for her husband John. John was the person she turned to at the end of a hard day at work and her partner at couples events they’d previously enjoyed together, but all of that has changed now and Kat has to work out how to navigate this next chapter of her life.
I absolutely loved this book and can’t recommend it enough! The whole book is a masterpiece with the perfect mix of plot and character and I think it’s a series that would be enjoyed by everyone. And no spoilers but the ending will leave your jaw on the floor…
I absolutely loved this book! It’s current, smart, exciting, highly emotional and it has a really diverse and interesting cast of characters that you’ll feel a genuine connection to. As well as there being a mystery to solve, the book also covers topics such as gender inequality, imposter syndrome, grief, and racism in a way that feels completely authentic to the story. Although this is a crime novel it also feels like an exploration of the human condition, a factor that’s particularly relevant when it comes to Kat and Lock’s relationship.
Kat still has concerns over Lock’s literal interpretation of the English language as well as the impact of technology replacing humans in the workplace - and is she imagining things or is Lock starting to act more human? Just reading these books makes me feel smarter and more knowledgeable about the undeniable impact AI is going to have on all our futures (although I do love it when Lock gets thing’s wrong after luring you in with facts and figures!)
Kat’s home life remains an important part of the story and if anything, things seem to have got even tougher for her. Her son, Cam, has gone to university which leaves her alone in what was until recently a busy family home, amplifying her grief for her husband John. John was the person she turned to at the end of a hard day at work and her partner at couples events they’d previously enjoyed together, but all of that has changed now and Kat has to work out how to navigate this next chapter of her life.
I absolutely loved this book and can’t recommend it enough! The whole book is a masterpiece with the perfect mix of plot and character and I think it’s a series that would be enjoyed by everyone. And no spoilers but the ending will leave your jaw on the floor…
April 19, 2024
Leave No Trace is another gripping, thought provoking book in what is quickly becoming my favourite crime series. It’s going to be a difficult book to review as I really don’t want to give anything away.
Firstly it was great to be back with DCI Kate and her team, especially as I’d grown so fond of them in the first book. The author does a great job of describing the action so that the reader feels like they are actually there as part of the team, watching all the action unfold. I loved following all the characters and discovering more about what had been happening in their lives. All of the team had hidden problems that they were struggling with and it was quite poignant at times to see how much this was affecting them. I especially liked seeing Kat grown in confidence during this book and stand up for herself more.
As with the first book the author sets out a compelling case for the use of AI in police work. I found it fascinating, though a bit frightening, to find out more about what AI could be capable of – especially that it could be capable of human emotions. It was interesting to see it’s limitations too and to understand why it wouldn’t be a good alternative to a real life police officer.
The murder investigation was really interesting and I enjoyed trying to solve it alongside the characters. The investigation throws up some very thought provoking issues which I enjoyed learning more about, especially seeing the different perspectives it throws up which would be very different if it was happening to another group of people. I loved seeing how the investigation unravelled and the reasons for the murders which was different to anything else I’d read before.
Overall, as you can probably tell, I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more in this series. The book is fast paced, with short chapters which make it very easy to read. I quickly found myself hiding away in the kitchen to try and read a little bit more. There were lots of twists to keep me guessing and I liked that I wasn’t able to guess who the murderer was until the end.
Huge thanks to Rhys the rep for Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book. If you’re a fan of crime fiction then you need to read this book.
Firstly it was great to be back with DCI Kate and her team, especially as I’d grown so fond of them in the first book. The author does a great job of describing the action so that the reader feels like they are actually there as part of the team, watching all the action unfold. I loved following all the characters and discovering more about what had been happening in their lives. All of the team had hidden problems that they were struggling with and it was quite poignant at times to see how much this was affecting them. I especially liked seeing Kat grown in confidence during this book and stand up for herself more.
As with the first book the author sets out a compelling case for the use of AI in police work. I found it fascinating, though a bit frightening, to find out more about what AI could be capable of – especially that it could be capable of human emotions. It was interesting to see it’s limitations too and to understand why it wouldn’t be a good alternative to a real life police officer.
The murder investigation was really interesting and I enjoyed trying to solve it alongside the characters. The investigation throws up some very thought provoking issues which I enjoyed learning more about, especially seeing the different perspectives it throws up which would be very different if it was happening to another group of people. I loved seeing how the investigation unravelled and the reasons for the murders which was different to anything else I’d read before.
Overall, as you can probably tell, I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read more in this series. The book is fast paced, with short chapters which make it very easy to read. I quickly found myself hiding away in the kitchen to try and read a little bit more. There were lots of twists to keep me guessing and I liked that I wasn’t able to guess who the murderer was until the end.
Huge thanks to Rhys the rep for Simon and Schuster for sending me a copy of this book. If you’re a fan of crime fiction then you need to read this book.
April 2, 2024
In the Blink of An Eye went straight into my TOP TEN Books of 2023, so I was absolutely over the moon to read an early copy of book 2, Leave No Trace and jumped at the chance to be part of the epic blogtour organised by Anne Cater of Random Things Tours.
If you haven't read In the Blink of An Eye yet, I would absolutely say READ IT NOW, because Leave No Trace follows on from the first book and whilst you could read it as a standalone, the first book is so superb it would be a shame not to get to know the main characters in greater detail.
So, I will assume you have read the first book and now eagerly await the next book in this cracking, original and clever series, and it's my absolute pleasure to tell you more about Leave No Trace.
This book starts shortly after In the Blink of An Eye ends, set a few weeks prior to Christmas, DCS Kat Frank and AI Lock are tasked with their first "live" murder case. The grisly discovery of a naked man, crucified at the top of a local hill with his ears cut off is the beginning of a very dangerous and gruesome hunt to track down the killer before he or she strikes again.
With huge interest from the media and public, Kat finds herself at the centre of a challenging case facing both public scrutiny and under immense pressure from her boss to solve this crime before the "big guns" from London are brought in.
Once again Jo Callaghan has given the readers such an in-depth and raw glimpse into Kat's life, as a grieving widow and mother to a son who has recently left home for University.
It is however the originality of AIDE Lock, with his plain speaking, factual and observational skills on the human race, that give this series the edge over other police procedurals.
The growing respect and understanding Lock and Kat have for each other is wonderful to read and this series has potential to keep on going for years to come.
I was very honoured when Jo told me that one of the characters, Tracy Taylor, was named after me and delighted to see that finally Jo has spent my name correctly.
An easy 5 stars from me and please, don't forget to follow all the amazing bloggers on the tour - details below.
If you haven't read In the Blink of An Eye yet, I would absolutely say READ IT NOW, because Leave No Trace follows on from the first book and whilst you could read it as a standalone, the first book is so superb it would be a shame not to get to know the main characters in greater detail.
So, I will assume you have read the first book and now eagerly await the next book in this cracking, original and clever series, and it's my absolute pleasure to tell you more about Leave No Trace.
This book starts shortly after In the Blink of An Eye ends, set a few weeks prior to Christmas, DCS Kat Frank and AI Lock are tasked with their first "live" murder case. The grisly discovery of a naked man, crucified at the top of a local hill with his ears cut off is the beginning of a very dangerous and gruesome hunt to track down the killer before he or she strikes again.
With huge interest from the media and public, Kat finds herself at the centre of a challenging case facing both public scrutiny and under immense pressure from her boss to solve this crime before the "big guns" from London are brought in.
Once again Jo Callaghan has given the readers such an in-depth and raw glimpse into Kat's life, as a grieving widow and mother to a son who has recently left home for University.
It is however the originality of AIDE Lock, with his plain speaking, factual and observational skills on the human race, that give this series the edge over other police procedurals.
The growing respect and understanding Lock and Kat have for each other is wonderful to read and this series has potential to keep on going for years to come.
I was very honoured when Jo told me that one of the characters, Tracy Taylor, was named after me and delighted to see that finally Jo has spent my name correctly.
An easy 5 stars from me and please, don't forget to follow all the amazing bloggers on the tour - details below.
May 12, 2025
Jo Callaghan has hit another one out of the ballpark.
The story is unique, the characters relatable, and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I really do enjoy the AI aspect of the storyline, and the writing is quite good.
The storyline here was somewhat more difficult in that it deals with a harsh topic and the subsequent murders are quite gruesome. Normally, I would probably pass because of that; however, I was interested to see what would happen to AI Lock. I'm glad I did. Very good ending with a super creepy turn on the last page.
Reader beware--some language and gruesome scenes.
The story is unique, the characters relatable, and there were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing. I really do enjoy the AI aspect of the storyline, and the writing is quite good.
The storyline here was somewhat more difficult in that it deals with a harsh topic and the subsequent murders are quite gruesome. Normally, I would probably pass because of that; however, I was interested to see what would happen to AI Lock. I'm glad I did. Very good ending with a super creepy turn on the last page.
Reader beware--some language and gruesome scenes.
June 16, 2025
This series is genuinely so enjoyable.. have to get my hands on the third one.
October 18, 2025
Can’t wait to read the next one in the series 👍⭐️
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