Gone Without Trace

Jay McCaulay #1

by C.J. Carver

Formerly a Captain in the Paras, Jay McCaulay is highly trained, tough and resourceful. She's been working in Bristol with the aid agency TRACE for two years, helping track and unite families separated by conflict.

But Jay receives an unwelcome reminder of her army past when a young Macedonian girl she once saved goes missing - just as a Macedonian crime boss turns up in Bristol.

Thrown back into a world that inspires paranoia, where brutal Mafia thugs run riot and her family and loved ones are threatened, Jay is forced to confront a trail of murder, corruption and evil that leads into the heart of London and threatens everything she has ever held dear . . .

Gone Without Trace is another gripping and fast-paced thriller from CJ Carver, author of Blood Junction.

355 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

CJ Carver is a half-English, half-Kiwi author living just outside Bath. Her books have been published in the UK, USA and translated throughout Europe. Her first novel Blood Junction, won the CWA Debut Dagger Award, was shortlisted for the USA Barry Award, and was also voted as one of the best mystery books of the year by Publishers Weekly. Spare Me the Truth, the first book in the Dan Forrester series, was nominated for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel. CJ lived in Australia for 10 years before taking up long distance rally driving – she has driven London to Saigon, London to Cape Town and covered 14,000 miles on the Inca Trail.

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gone Without Trace is about Jay, ex army who now works for TRACE, an aid agency that reunites families in war torn Eastern Europe. However soon she is embroiled in much more when she follows a known mafia boss involved in trafficking young girls.

The story was well written and captivating. I read it in about a day and it kept me turning the pages. It was quite gruesome in some parts, however considering it involves the sex trade of trafficking young girls, it is probably expected.

I liked Jay, although she and I are very different so I didn’t connect with her per se. I was a little bit annoyed at Zamira because to me it was so obvious as it’s so common however i appreciated that she wanted to better her circumstances and that was the only way she knew how. I really liked both Tom and Max so I understood why it was difficult for Jay.

Overall I enjoyed the story and i would definitely recommend it to those who like a fast paced, thriller style book.

www.readingforthemasses.wordpress.com

[Laraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book in Carver's Jay McCauley series and I really liked the read and plan to read the other two books soon. Jay was formerly in the British Army and is now working with an organization that seeks to find women and children who have disappeared, likely trafficked in the illegal sex market. Jay finds out that a man from her past, a Mafioso and human trafficker Milot Dumani is involved. And then things take a decided turn for the worst. A young girl that Jay saved in wartime disappears and it seems that this vile man has her in his network. Jay works desperately to try to save Zamira but there is more to be concerned about than the disappearance of one little girl. A very good and shocking book. A great heroine. I enjoyed the read.

[Ryan Barretto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and thrilling read.

A tough protagonist. Interesting supporting characters. Strong action sequences, and average dialogue among all the characters. Nothing the characters say that stays in mind, but the story and plot is really strong and kept me absorbed. Enjoyed the book for this reason itself.

[Bryngel · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an author for me, I have tried several of his books and I just don't like them. I can't put my finger on what exactly it is I simply can't get in to them. It was the same with this one. So C.J. it's not you, it's me.

[Ian Bannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing thriller that kept me spell bound from the beginning to the end:)

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this having not really explored this genre and too my surprise it was gripping from start to end. The thrill of the chase as well as the intertwined personal aspect makes it a fantastic read and I have ordered the other two books in the series! Deffo worth making a little time for!