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CSI Reilly Steel #5
Trace
Back at the helm of the Garda Forensic Unit after a short hiatus in the US, Reilly Steel is thrust straight into a series of complicated Dublin murders at which the killer leaves minuscule forensic trace evidence.
The investigating team discover that the victims have been targeted because of one worryingly common trait, and need to outsmart the killer before he makes his next move.
But Reilly is preoccupied, not only by new developments in a decades old missing person case, but also her own feelings of disconnect since her return from the US ...
Can she get back on top of her game to track down the killer in time?
The investigating team discover that the victims have been targeted because of one worryingly common trait, and need to outsmart the killer before he makes his next move.
But Reilly is preoccupied, not only by new developments in a decades old missing person case, but also her own feelings of disconnect since her return from the US ...
Can she get back on top of her game to track down the killer in time?
266 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 20, 2014
2022 people are currently reading
1018 people want to read
About the author
Casey Hill
33 books294 followersCasey Hill is the pseudonym of USA Today bestselling husband and wife writing team, Kevin and Melissa Hill. They live in Ireland.
CSI Reilly Steel series:
#1 SERIAL (aka TABOO)
#2 INFERNO
#3 HIDDEN
#4 THE WATCHED
#5 CRIME SCENE
#6 TRACE
#7 AFTERMATH
#8 ENDGAME
#9 FALLOUT (coming 2021)
Subscribe to the mailing list. Enter the following link into your browser to be notified of new Casey Hill releases: http://eepurl.com/FFE2D
www.facebook.com/caseyhillbooks
www.twitter.com/caseyhillbooks
CSI Reilly Steel series:
#1 SERIAL (aka TABOO)
#2 INFERNO
#3 HIDDEN
#4 THE WATCHED
#5 CRIME SCENE
#6 TRACE
#7 AFTERMATH
#8 ENDGAME
#9 FALLOUT (coming 2021)
Subscribe to the mailing list. Enter the following link into your browser to be notified of new Casey Hill releases: http://eepurl.com/FFE2D
www.facebook.com/caseyhillbooks
www.twitter.com/caseyhillbooks
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
January 20, 2015
Reilly is back in Ireland and working another gruesome case as well as the missing person's case she promised her young coworker she would help withe but Reilly just can't seem to get back in the swing, not quite fitting back in and her her heart still seems to be somewhere back in the states!
Another great mystery from this writing team!
Another great mystery from this writing team!
July 4, 2021
Too much of the feelings and emotions of the forensic team. If you want to add a romantic underpinning to a murder mystery and you might really enjoy this book..
February 24, 2018
I had a feeling that person was the killer. I don’t understand why Reilly keeps doing things without back up. She should’ve learned the first time, eh? I guess that’s who she is.
December 14, 2020
5 Stars
Trace (CSI Reilly Steel Book #5) by Casey Hill...
I am really enjoying this series.
Full Review to come...
Trace (CSI Reilly Steel Book #5) by Casey Hill...
I am really enjoying this series.
Full Review to come...
April 7, 2018
This is another of those books that you can't put down once you are really in to it. It was two mysteries and I kept wondering if they were going to be related but they weren't. One character (Chris) said it all when he said that he wished his job would just disappear but it wouldn't because there was always another dead body to find the reason for the death and who did it. This is not a direct quote but it is the gist of what he said. The characters are believable and so is the story line.
October 19, 2020
Raw emotions
This book saw us see the raw emotions of the characters what there fears, flawed and strengths. Along with crimes coming thick and fast and a cold case close to home that drew the last of the teams energy and resolve.
Along with a few surprises 1 that I worked out as so in your face another I did not.
Although this is set in Dublin it really could be any place in the world and sometimes the way it's written I have to remind myself it's not based in America. I would of liked a bit more about Dublin or the surrounding area not just about the miserable weather.
In book 5 with Reilly having a vacation you got a real sense of the place she was in from the description of the landscape to the weather you could really place yourself there. Not so in Dublin.
I also found that mistakes in the writing from a sentence that just did not make sense as words miss placed and doubled up smaller words. A odd one in a book is fine it happens but a few makes me wonder if this book just not checked carefully enough and a bit off putting. Hence the 3 stars along with as pre mentioned location description of Dublin.
I will continue to read the next in the series to the end as I want to discover what happens to the characters and see what developes.
This book saw us see the raw emotions of the characters what there fears, flawed and strengths. Along with crimes coming thick and fast and a cold case close to home that drew the last of the teams energy and resolve.
Along with a few surprises 1 that I worked out as so in your face another I did not.
Although this is set in Dublin it really could be any place in the world and sometimes the way it's written I have to remind myself it's not based in America. I would of liked a bit more about Dublin or the surrounding area not just about the miserable weather.
In book 5 with Reilly having a vacation you got a real sense of the place she was in from the description of the landscape to the weather you could really place yourself there. Not so in Dublin.
I also found that mistakes in the writing from a sentence that just did not make sense as words miss placed and doubled up smaller words. A odd one in a book is fine it happens but a few makes me wonder if this book just not checked carefully enough and a bit off putting. Hence the 3 stars along with as pre mentioned location description of Dublin.
I will continue to read the next in the series to the end as I want to discover what happens to the characters and see what developes.
July 21, 2018
Woops forgot to log this book as I read it. I enjoyed this mystery, but I’m enjoying the threads connecting the books more. This book was very poorly edited. As a copy editor, I picked up on some glaring issues. Also, the ending of the main mystery was foreseeable. The whole time I asked myself, “Why aren’t they following up on this person?” Oh well, I still enjoy the characters and will read the rest of the series.
November 6, 2020
This story had alot of twists to it. It uses all your emotions. It also shows that detectives are human and make mistakes, but they don't give up. The author knows how to draw you in, alot of the feelings and experiences are what we did and felt sometime in our on lives. It's easy to relate to some of the characters in the story. I'm definitely interested in the next book to see how Reilly handles her job and her new situation.
July 14, 2021
Not her best effort. It's not a terribly sophisticated series to begin with, but this one has gone downhill. The crimes are gratuitously gruesome, to the point that Hill doesn't even bother describing the crime scenes. The criminal is almost untouchable until the very end. And we're treated to all sorts of angst-y brain dumps from Reilly and Chris, making the parts that don't read like a second-rate slasher novel sound like a Harlequin romance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2015
This is an enjoyable, quick read. It's a little predictable however- there is one plot twist that's so bluntly telegraphed that I think even the most careless of readers would see it a mile off. Also, as an Irishwoman, I can only say that extreme license has been taken with the workings of our police force for the sake of fiction! A good read though, and not too taxing!
January 28, 2021
Very good story!
Very interesting story. The characters were interesting and complex! I enjoyed the Irish setting! I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family who enjoy mysteries!!!
Very interesting story. The characters were interesting and complex! I enjoyed the Irish setting! I would definitely recommend this book to my friends and family who enjoy mysteries!!!
January 31, 2016
Another terrific book in this forensic series. Some very creative ways of poisoning people in this one.
November 28, 2020
A real page turner.
The book starts out slow but picks up speed. Definitely a great read that leaves you wanting more. It is easy to get sucked in to Reilly as life.
The book starts out slow but picks up speed. Definitely a great read that leaves you wanting more. It is easy to get sucked in to Reilly as life.
December 8, 2020
Great reading
I really got into this book. Enjoyed the story and the characters. Very interesting and hard to put down. Highly recommend this book.
I really got into this book. Enjoyed the story and the characters. Very interesting and hard to put down. Highly recommend this book.
August 27, 2018
An Excellent Change of Direction In The Reilly Steel Novel Series
The novel opens with the heroine, Reilly Steel, arriving at work after a forced vacation. During her previous case she had inhaled something that caused her to collapse. Now, her nose that been one of her best tools seems to be working overtime. Normal scents in her workplace are stronger now. Then a body of a young woman is found, and the material that had affected her previously had been found again at the crime scene. The action shifts to the crime scene being processed by her team and with the detectives with whom she usually teams. This main storyline proceeds from here with engaging twists and dead ends that quickly captured my attention. I read this novel sometimes way into the night when I should be sleeping.
The author added a new feature, a second main storyline, in this novel. Grace Gorman, the sister of Lucy, a technician on the forensics team, and the daughter of Jack Gorman, a senior forensics team investigator had disappeared ten years earlier, but her necklace was discovered recently. Before her forced vacation, Reilly had promised Lucy that she would push the investigation. Now that Reilly was back, she started to fulfill that promise. Unfortunately, the murder by poison is gaining must public attention, and Reilly’s boss told her that there was no way she could keep working on Grace’s case during work time, not if she wanted to keep her job. While this second storyline is intertwined with the main storyline, it was easy to follow.
The B-storyline again is rich. It has been more than three years since I finished the first four novels, but I picked up on the B-storyline immediately. Reilly’s personal life becomes more complicated. Her growing entanglements were skillfully woven into the main storyline. More background on her coworkers also enriched the reading enjoyment of this novel. If this is your first novel to read in this series, you can enjoy it without having read the previous four.
There were not any sex scenes and only two instances of minor vulgar language, so you should not find anything objectionable here. While the setting is Ireland, I did not have any problems with the use of colloquial Irish English. Also, the murderer in this novel did not use extremely graphic and grotesque methods of murder that occurred in the first four novels. Therefore, this novel should not be objectionable for readers sensitive to sex, violence or language.
I did not have any real dislikes in this novel. There were two things that I did like very much. The author did keep the detailed physiological side of the murderer’s mind as she did in the first four novels. Also, the author added short commentaries from the murderer throughout the novel. Besides providing more insight into the murderer’s mind, they also were the source of some misdirection in novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this novel even after a three year break. In fact, I would like to read the rest of the series. I rate Trace with five stars.
The novel opens with the heroine, Reilly Steel, arriving at work after a forced vacation. During her previous case she had inhaled something that caused her to collapse. Now, her nose that been one of her best tools seems to be working overtime. Normal scents in her workplace are stronger now. Then a body of a young woman is found, and the material that had affected her previously had been found again at the crime scene. The action shifts to the crime scene being processed by her team and with the detectives with whom she usually teams. This main storyline proceeds from here with engaging twists and dead ends that quickly captured my attention. I read this novel sometimes way into the night when I should be sleeping.
The author added a new feature, a second main storyline, in this novel. Grace Gorman, the sister of Lucy, a technician on the forensics team, and the daughter of Jack Gorman, a senior forensics team investigator had disappeared ten years earlier, but her necklace was discovered recently. Before her forced vacation, Reilly had promised Lucy that she would push the investigation. Now that Reilly was back, she started to fulfill that promise. Unfortunately, the murder by poison is gaining must public attention, and Reilly’s boss told her that there was no way she could keep working on Grace’s case during work time, not if she wanted to keep her job. While this second storyline is intertwined with the main storyline, it was easy to follow.
The B-storyline again is rich. It has been more than three years since I finished the first four novels, but I picked up on the B-storyline immediately. Reilly’s personal life becomes more complicated. Her growing entanglements were skillfully woven into the main storyline. More background on her coworkers also enriched the reading enjoyment of this novel. If this is your first novel to read in this series, you can enjoy it without having read the previous four.
There were not any sex scenes and only two instances of minor vulgar language, so you should not find anything objectionable here. While the setting is Ireland, I did not have any problems with the use of colloquial Irish English. Also, the murderer in this novel did not use extremely graphic and grotesque methods of murder that occurred in the first four novels. Therefore, this novel should not be objectionable for readers sensitive to sex, violence or language.
I did not have any real dislikes in this novel. There were two things that I did like very much. The author did keep the detailed physiological side of the murderer’s mind as she did in the first four novels. Also, the author added short commentaries from the murderer throughout the novel. Besides providing more insight into the murderer’s mind, they also were the source of some misdirection in novel.
Overall, I really enjoyed reading this novel even after a three year break. In fact, I would like to read the rest of the series. I rate Trace with five stars.
July 14, 2018
After falling in love with the Reilly Steel series I was looking forward to reading this one. The series follows both the forensic side and the police part of the investigation which I love. It can get a bit heavy on the sciency details though.
There are 2 different storylines running alongside each other in this book. The first one is the main murders. Single women are being murdered by gourmet food with a poisonous kick. Reilly is also investigating a cold case that has been reignited by evidence found at the end of one of the previous books (Hidden). This case involves the sister of one of the lab techs that went missing many years ago.
I have to admit, this book was my least favourite of the series. I found the portrayal of Reilly made her less likeable. There was also more focus on the personal lives of Reilly and Chris instead of the gritty murders. It was definitely less gripping than the rest of the series. In fact, I found some parts bordering on a tad boring. It was a much slower read than the others. I also guessed the murderer
That being said, I did still enjoy it. It's just when you compare it to the rest of the series it's lacking. I will still be reading the rest of the series, especially with the development in Reilly's life. I need to see what happens with that.
There are 2 different storylines running alongside each other in this book. The first one is the main murders. Single women are being murdered by gourmet food with a poisonous kick. Reilly is also investigating a cold case that has been reignited by evidence found at the end of one of the previous books (Hidden). This case involves the sister of one of the lab techs that went missing many years ago.
I have to admit, this book was my least favourite of the series. I found the portrayal of Reilly made her less likeable. There was also more focus on the personal lives of Reilly and Chris instead of the gritty murders. It was definitely less gripping than the rest of the series. In fact, I found some parts bordering on a tad boring. It was a much slower read than the others. I also guessed the murderer
That being said, I did still enjoy it. It's just when you compare it to the rest of the series it's lacking. I will still be reading the rest of the series, especially with the development in Reilly's life. I need to see what happens with that.
June 16, 2020
Enjoyable Read
I have been reading by this writers team. I was extremely disappointed when for number five they pawned off a novella or short story on we readers. I totally dispise when writer trying to meet a publishers expectations shortchanges the fans. This book is an improved read and is good for what it is. However after reading forensic mysteries for years...I feel like they sit with a glass of alcohol , decide on a serial killer story, use wikipedia for their references and write the book. There is no true DETAILED crime scene investigation forensics..it is just the glossing from a web page....no real indepth research. This is ashame for readers based on the series inference. I love the characters but forensics it aint. I started out giving the series 5 stars. Dear team you make me so sad as a reader. Sorry not spoiling where they failed...this is just CSI For Dummies.
I have been reading by this writers team. I was extremely disappointed when for number five they pawned off a novella or short story on we readers. I totally dispise when writer trying to meet a publishers expectations shortchanges the fans. This book is an improved read and is good for what it is. However after reading forensic mysteries for years...I feel like they sit with a glass of alcohol , decide on a serial killer story, use wikipedia for their references and write the book. There is no true DETAILED crime scene investigation forensics..it is just the glossing from a web page....no real indepth research. This is ashame for readers based on the series inference. I love the characters but forensics it aint. I started out giving the series 5 stars. Dear team you make me so sad as a reader. Sorry not spoiling where they failed...this is just CSI For Dummies.
January 29, 2023
I just can't decide
Firstly, I love this series.
But this book was a bit .... Blur. I don't know how else to out it.
Into guessed the one part about 5% in and it just felt drawn out. Also I'm not really sure how I feel about it. Seems like such a waste when Reilly and Chris are finally progressing.
Also she was poisoned. How is it still even possible. You can't drink, have certain foods ect, but she's fine.
I guessed the murdered and 40% in. I mean I think they should have been in the book a bit more. They seemed to know what was going on but wasn't in it or even really mentioned.
However loved the closure around Grace. I thought that was good as it has flowed through several books but still lot to be answered. This is why it's for 4 stars and not 3.
Firstly, I love this series.
But this book was a bit .... Blur. I don't know how else to out it.
Into guessed the one part about 5% in and it just felt drawn out. Also I'm not really sure how I feel about it. Seems like such a waste when Reilly and Chris are finally progressing.
Also she was poisoned. How is it still even possible. You can't drink, have certain foods ect, but she's fine.
I guessed the murdered and 40% in. I mean I think they should have been in the book a bit more. They seemed to know what was going on but wasn't in it or even really mentioned.
However loved the closure around Grace. I thought that was good as it has flowed through several books but still lot to be answered. This is why it's for 4 stars and not 3.
September 18, 2020
Delicious Food to Savour, Na, To Kill!
The best or not so best, depends upon the reader as in CSI Reilly series, one needs to wait till the end to know the real culprit. The wait is worthwhile for every minute of it.
3 women are killed while enjoying their food. Deadly poisonous ingredients used to cook the food, however no traces of who did it. It's a dead end for the detectives and the forensic team. Just when the police think that the culprit is booked, they are embarrassed to know that an innocent is arrested. Then who's the culprit?
Read this forensic thriller to know the answer.
The best or not so best, depends upon the reader as in CSI Reilly series, one needs to wait till the end to know the real culprit. The wait is worthwhile for every minute of it.
3 women are killed while enjoying their food. Deadly poisonous ingredients used to cook the food, however no traces of who did it. It's a dead end for the detectives and the forensic team. Just when the police think that the culprit is booked, they are embarrassed to know that an innocent is arrested. Then who's the culprit?
Read this forensic thriller to know the answer.
July 7, 2021
This book had potential but it feel a little flat. I’m new to the Reilly Steel series. I actually thought this was book 1 for some reason but that’s neither here nor there. The case was interesting but more on a surface level, we never really learned what motivated the killer. I felt the same about the missing girl Grace. It felt unfinished & really rushed. The author should have spent less time on the silly workplace romances & more time on the investigations. 2 will they won’t they silly romance storylines in 1 book is too much. I gave it a generous 3 stars but it easily could have been a 2 star review
October 13, 2020
This series never disappoints. I have no problem reading one after the other without getting bored. There are many twists in the plot, and this book actually has two crime solving episodes-- one a cold case and one current.
Reilly Steel continues to evolve as a person when an unexpected situation arises to further complicate her career.
The primary crime is perpetrated by The Chef--a connivingly skillful killer who poisons the victims in creative ways, living almost no forensic evidence. Hop on and join the GFU team as they solve this crime and apprehend the culprit.
Reilly Steel continues to evolve as a person when an unexpected situation arises to further complicate her career.
The primary crime is perpetrated by The Chef--a connivingly skillful killer who poisons the victims in creative ways, living almost no forensic evidence. Hop on and join the GFU team as they solve this crime and apprehend the culprit.
May 26, 2021
I really like the Reilly Steel series, it keeps you interested and has a good flow. The author has created great characters that also keep interested.
The editing occasionally makes me cringe though (or lack thereof), and the use of “A” can go a long way.
I have one question though: Chapter 24, page 457; Chris introduces Reilly to James Costello, sooooo…. Who is this Peter that responds to Chris question??? I have encountered confusion over names in another of the CSI Steel novels. I find it distracting. Other than that, I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
The editing occasionally makes me cringe though (or lack thereof), and the use of “A” can go a long way.
I have one question though: Chapter 24, page 457; Chris introduces Reilly to James Costello, sooooo…. Who is this Peter that responds to Chris question??? I have encountered confusion over names in another of the CSI Steel novels. I find it distracting. Other than that, I’m looking forward to reading more of this series.
November 15, 2021
Unstoppable
What a thriller! It's up and down, but mostly up engaging the reader. It's a puzzle to the mind but also to the heart. Reilly is a powerful and inspired investigator but her emotions are all over the place. She's a strong woman but unsure to follow her heart. Delaney is a great detective but can not control his feelings for Reilly, but he's afraid of losing her frienship. Meanwhile the bodies keep piling up, one mystery after another. I love her writing, Casey Hill, you are the best!
What a thriller! It's up and down, but mostly up engaging the reader. It's a puzzle to the mind but also to the heart. Reilly is a powerful and inspired investigator but her emotions are all over the place. She's a strong woman but unsure to follow her heart. Delaney is a great detective but can not control his feelings for Reilly, but he's afraid of losing her frienship. Meanwhile the bodies keep piling up, one mystery after another. I love her writing, Casey Hill, you are the best!
June 4, 2020
I just can't get enough of these books! In this book, Reilly and the team are up against a killer who leaves hardly any forensic evidence and whose victims don't seem to be related. Dubbed The Cook, the reader also gets information from the serial killer's point of view. I am beginning to suspect what might be up with Reilly personally, but I hope I'm wrong. Another great read! On to the next one!
December 18, 2022
Another creepy killer being clever in his head and the hunt to capture him
The Reilly Steele and het team once again try to use their forensics to help capture a serial killer. The author ( A real team of 2), have a style where they center on both the crime solving and forensics ad well as explaining the mindset of the killer.
It works and downright disturbing at times being right there whole some demented human destroys another.
I like the way there is no easy solve like the TV shows. These detectives and CSI investigators are doing their jobs in real time where results take months and more cases are juggled.
The Reilly Steele and het team once again try to use their forensics to help capture a serial killer. The author ( A real team of 2), have a style where they center on both the crime solving and forensics ad well as explaining the mindset of the killer.
It works and downright disturbing at times being right there whole some demented human destroys another.
I like the way there is no easy solve like the TV shows. These detectives and CSI investigators are doing their jobs in real time where results take months and more cases are juggled.
September 12, 2018
Series that is addictive- Avid Series Lovers
Alright - I am hooked on this series! I won’t give the story away but can you say “ughh” I stayed up late to finish and I am tired - this Author is now one I will follow. I kept thinking Reilly Reilly please do not do it again. Yet she did. I am excited to read book #6. Most enjoyable plot. I do not want the series to end.
Alright - I am hooked on this series! I won’t give the story away but can you say “ughh” I stayed up late to finish and I am tired - this Author is now one I will follow. I kept thinking Reilly Reilly please do not do it again. Yet she did. I am excited to read book #6. Most enjoyable plot. I do not want the series to end.
April 11, 2021
Excellent, As Usual
Another great plot in the series with lots of twists and excitement..especially towards the end. And a few new surprises in Reilly's life. I wish the editing on the Kindle edition were a little better. Words missing in sentences and ones added that make no sense.
Another great plot in the series with lots of twists and excitement..especially towards the end. And a few new surprises in Reilly's life. I wish the editing on the Kindle edition were a little better. Words missing in sentences and ones added that make no sense.
October 2, 2021
Intense!!
It was worth the wait. The series keeps getting better and better with every book. I wish I had found this author \series earlier; this is the one series where I have read every single book in the series. Thank you Casey Hill for sharing your talent for writing with us book lovers. If you are looking for a great read, read this series.
It was worth the wait. The series keeps getting better and better with every book. I wish I had found this author \series earlier; this is the one series where I have read every single book in the series. Thank you Casey Hill for sharing your talent for writing with us book lovers. If you are looking for a great read, read this series.
March 6, 2023
Food to Kill
Reilly returns to Ireland. A diabolical killer is at work, righting an old wrong and a surprise awaits.
This is a satisfying procedural. The serial killer has unique methods and is a cut above. Reilly is uncharacteristically discombobulated but still manages to solve a cold case and a hot one. Satisfying read.
Reilly returns to Ireland. A diabolical killer is at work, righting an old wrong and a surprise awaits.
This is a satisfying procedural. The serial killer has unique methods and is a cut above. Reilly is uncharacteristically discombobulated but still manages to solve a cold case and a hot one. Satisfying read.
April 19, 2023
I am enjoying this series. I can really enjoy the police work and the investigations for the cases. The personal relationships and issues Reilly has are kind of strange. I'm not enjoying that part as much. She seems kind of wishy-washy on who she will or won't date or if she will at all.
COYER April Mystery RAT
COYER April Mystery RAT
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews