Trace

TraceWorld #1

by Letitia L. Moffitt

Nola Lantry is a tracist: she can sense the particles of energy that are released when the human body expires.

It’s a somewhat gruesome ability, and one of questionable value, but Nola tries her best to use it to bring a little more meaning and excitement to her otherwise drab life in upstate New York. She has assisted the Redfort Police Department on missing persons cases, and while most of the cops have little respect for her work, Nola is determined to prove her worth.

The chance to do just that comes when the richest man in town, Culver Bryant, disappears.

Suddenly Nola finds herself in the middle of a case that is both baffling and increasingly dangerous, the danger appearing in the form of death threats as well as the missing man’s brother, Grayson. Does Grayson Bryant pursue Nola to seduce her or to stop her—and why does Nola feel a connection with him despite her mistrust?

217 pages, Paperback

First published March 10, 2015

About the author

Letitia L. Moffitt was born and raised in Hawaii, and somehow ended up in rural Illinois. Her novels include Sidewalk Dancing (Atticus Books 2013), Trace and Vibe/Sync (Cantraip Press 2015 and 2016). Her memoir, Bird People, was published by Cantraip Press in 2019. In her spare time she runs marathons and ultramarathons and takes care of a lot of animals, including three beautiful, high-maintenance macaws.

Reviews

[Bonnie Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intrepid fictional crime fighters and CSIs are always looking for trace evidence. Moffitt takes the concept of "trace" to another level in this novel, one that is at once tangible and spiritual. The protagonist Nola can tell where someone died by the energy residue left behind at the moment of death. She assists the police in complex cases where her particular skills lead to breakthroughs. She is sensitive not just to trace, however, but to the nuances of her coworkers and acquaintances. We see the other characters in the novel though Nola's eyes, and through her interactions with them, we get to know her, too. I am looking forward to other novels in this series because Nola Lantri is a character I want to get to know better. She has a dry sense of humor that makes us want to hang out with her longer. My favorite line: "Being right so often, she reflected, was not going her a whole lot of good." Many of us have learned this lesson the hard way, just as Nola does.

[Pamela · Rating 1 out of 5]

I so wanted to stop at the 30% mark but I kept going. By the time I reached the 40% mark I had to remind myself that I paid good money for it so I kept at it. At the 50% mark I wanted to shoot myself, but once again I trudged on the only way I knew how, by skimming thru it as quickly as possible thereby ending my torture. The kicker? It's only 127 pages. Felt like 500. It was so bloody boring I wanted to scream. If I were to describe this book with one word, that word would be lifeless. The story, the characters, the way it's written, all of it lacked any life. I wish I could turn back time and tell myself to skip this one altogether, saving me precious time and money spent on this craptastic book.

[Niki Lake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it so much!! I can't wait till the next book! I will save my review to give you in person!

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good story with excellent and engaging characters. The premise is intriguing and the mystery is solid, but the real draw for this book is the character study. Nola Lantri's struggle to find her place in the world is the heart of the novel, and she is a compelling character that I'm sure I won't be forgetting any time soon. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[Angie West · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Good writing, good mystery. It was enough to pull me out of the horrible week I'm having (and hold my attention right now), so props to it for that alone. I saw a copy of Sidewalk Dancing at the same bookstore where I picked this up, so I'll be reading that next--and of course the next Trace World book. Thanks, Letitia Moffitt, for making this craptastic week bearable.

[Majanka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...

Trace is an enjoyable, entertaining novel about Nola Lantry, a tracist. Tracists sense particles of energy released when a person dies – a rather gruesome ability, but it does come in handy for the police force. Nola often assists the Redfort Police Department on missing person cases by helping locate the body. The disappearance of Culver Bryant, one of the richest men in town, is Nola’s first high profile case.

Culver Bryant’s disappearance comes with a list of plausible suspects: his mysterious half-brother who shows more than a little interest in Nola, his girlfriend, his wife, his business partner, … One of them is involved in Culver’s disappearance, and may now be targeting Nola too.

I love a good crime novel, and when the paranormal is mixed in, then I’m all game. Tracists are great – it’s an unique ability, and original as I had never read about it before. It adds an interesting perspective to the crime element. The pacing is fast, the characters are three-dimensional, and feel realistic, in particular Nola.

A compelling paranormal myster, fast-paced and with a few unexpected twists.

[Melissa Ames · Rating 5 out of 5]

Moffitt creates a terrific kick off to her paranormal mystery series in Trace. Through the eyes of Nola Lantry, a court reporter who moonlights as a quasi-psychic consultant to her home town police department, readers see behind the complicated relationships and business partnerships of one of the richest men in town. As Nola strives to help solve his murder drawing upon her unique (and not always socially accepted) tracist skills, her own life becomes intimately wrapped up in that of the deceased as her friendships and potential romantic interests are suddenly entangled with the murder investigation. Trace is a suspenseful mystery with a realistic paranormal subplot expertly woven in. I enjoyed getting lost not only in this “who done it” tale, but also in the fascinating questions that spring to mind when we stop to wonder: what if tracism was really possible? A quick, enjoyable read (I read it in a single sitting and couldn’t put it down) – I can’t wait to see what Moffitt has in store for Nola in book two!

[Cynthia Raleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trace kept my attention from beginning to end. Nola Lantri, a tracist, is a comfortable and likable protagonist, like someone you know already and wish you could visit with more often. The other characters are vivid without being over-described. Reading the book was a pleasure; the story flowed easily and smoothly and I was sorry I was finished. The concept of being a tracist and the applications of that talent to daily living, while occupying the realm of the paranormal, were well thought out and realistic rather than being overwhelming or making one's belief difficult to invest. I definitely want to read more about Trace and Nola.

[Victoria]

Classic crime story with a twist

This was a real page turner. I read the entire story in one sitting! I loved the idea of introducing a paranormal aspect to the main character. Since I didn't exactly know how this ability to perceive the life force of the dead worked it kept me guessing as to how the story would unfold, and of course, kept me reading to find out! I just wish the story would have been longer! I certainly hope the author continues in this vein.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. This book is a very satisfying quick read. The concept is intriguing (trace sensing and crime solving). NOLA is a very likable, sharp, independent, yet vulnerable character. I look forward to meeting her again in the next book!

[Melody · Rating 4 out of 5]

good read