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Anna Sweet Mystery #5
No Trace
Ryan Green disappears one day after school without a trace. His family is caught in a living nightmare. Six months later, the police have no leads. Desperate for answers, the parents contact private investigator Anna Sweet. The trail has gone cold, but Anna doesn't give up without turning over every clue. When a body is found in the woods, Anna and the police fear the worst. Who would want to harm Ryan Green, and who will be next? Anna's skills are about to be tested to their limits.
55 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 6, 2016
About the author
Brenda Chapman
42 books358 followersI'm an Ottawa author with 18 published novels in the mystery genre, both adult and YA. I am currently writing two adult mystery series: The Stonechild and Rouleau police procedurals from Dundurn include Cold Mourning (2014), which was shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis Award for crime novel of the year, Butterfly Kills, Tumbled Graves, Shallow End and Bleeding Darkness. Turning Secrets, 6th in the series, will be released spring 2019.
The Anna Sweet mysteries are novellas from Grass Roots Press for adult literacy or those wanting a quick read. My Sister's Keeper and No Trace were both shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis award and The Hard Fall and No Trace were shortlisted for the Golden Oak award.
Previous published fiction includes: the Jennifer Bannon mysteries for ages 10+, a full length adult murder mystery In Winter's Grip (Dundurn 2010), and a Rapid Reads mystery The Second Wife (Orca 2011), which was shortlisted for a Golden Oak award. Second Chances, a YA novel for ages 13+ was released by Dundurn in September 2012.
The Anna Sweet mysteries are novellas from Grass Roots Press for adult literacy or those wanting a quick read. My Sister's Keeper and No Trace were both shortlisted for an Arthur Ellis award and The Hard Fall and No Trace were shortlisted for the Golden Oak award.
Previous published fiction includes: the Jennifer Bannon mysteries for ages 10+, a full length adult murder mystery In Winter's Grip (Dundurn 2010), and a Rapid Reads mystery The Second Wife (Orca 2011), which was shortlisted for a Golden Oak award. Second Chances, a YA novel for ages 13+ was released by Dundurn in September 2012.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 17, 2018
Anna and Jada, both former police officers, run a private investigations firm. Nick is their office manager and is dating Anna. Jada is on vacation and Nick, a part-time actor, is in Vancouver shooting a movie. Anna is hired by the parents to look into the disappearance of their son, Ryan, a popular high school student, who hasn't been seen or heard from in six months.
In the meantime, Anna's sister, Cheri, has decided to divorce her husband, a police officer who had dumped Anna years ago to be with Cheri. Anna is concerned how this is affecting their young son. And there are rumors that Nick is dating an actress while on his movie shoot.
I've read quite a few books by this author and I liked this one. It's a quick read at about 55 pages. It's set in the author's hometown of Ottawa. I like this author's writing style. It is written in first person perspective in Anna's voice.
Though it's the fifth in the Anna Sweet series, it works as a stand alone.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2018/05...
In the meantime, Anna's sister, Cheri, has decided to divorce her husband, a police officer who had dumped Anna years ago to be with Cheri. Anna is concerned how this is affecting their young son. And there are rumors that Nick is dating an actress while on his movie shoot.
I've read quite a few books by this author and I liked this one. It's a quick read at about 55 pages. It's set in the author's hometown of Ottawa. I like this author's writing style. It is written in first person perspective in Anna's voice.
Though it's the fifth in the Anna Sweet series, it works as a stand alone.
Blog review post: http://www.teenaintoronto.com/2018/05...
October 27, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/n...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
No Trace is the 5th book in the Anna Sweet Mystery series by Brenda Chapman. I have been thoroughly enjoying this series up to this point in the time and I am happy to say that I am still enjoying the series.
This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a second language (ESL) readers.
The premise of this story is that a young man disappears after school without a trace. Finally, after 6 months with no headway being made by the police, the parents decide to hire PI Anna Sweet to get answers. Anna’s partner, Jada is on vacation and Anna’s beau (and the part time office manager) Nick is in Vancouver on a film set.
I love Anna’s no nonsense attitude. That can be seen, especially when she deals with the local constabulary:
“Whatever Shaw wanted could wait for me to have a couple cups of coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs-even if his call made me curious as a cat in a room full of mouse holes.”
Anna reviews all the old information from the case files at the OPD (Ottawa Police Department), speaks with the family as well as the school principal and classmates in an attempt to retrace Ryan’s activities the day he goes missing. I am always surprised when Anna turns up WAY more information than the OPD (though I suppose by book 5, I should not be surprised anymore). Of course, this information provides numerous paths for the investigation to follow…The remainder of the mystery is for every reader to take in themselves ☺
I enjoyed the evolution of Anna and Nick’s relationship. Anna is SO insecure but I think she is finally starting to trust the relationship that is developing. Especially when Nick finally purchases a home…right next door to Anna’s dad! Nick says to Anna (so sweet):
“Because I plan to spend a great deal of time with my new neighbours. I always wanted to be the boy dating the girl next door. Looks like my wish is finally coming true.”
If you enjoy reading novella’s which will provide you with a mystery to solve as well as a bit of romance and family dynamics to navigate through, then I suggest you pick up No Trace by Brenda Chapman and begin reading. It will be a couple of hours of enjoyment!
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
No Trace is the 5th book in the Anna Sweet Mystery series by Brenda Chapman. I have been thoroughly enjoying this series up to this point in the time and I am happy to say that I am still enjoying the series.
This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a second language (ESL) readers.
The premise of this story is that a young man disappears after school without a trace. Finally, after 6 months with no headway being made by the police, the parents decide to hire PI Anna Sweet to get answers. Anna’s partner, Jada is on vacation and Anna’s beau (and the part time office manager) Nick is in Vancouver on a film set.
I love Anna’s no nonsense attitude. That can be seen, especially when she deals with the local constabulary:
“Whatever Shaw wanted could wait for me to have a couple cups of coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs-even if his call made me curious as a cat in a room full of mouse holes.”
Anna reviews all the old information from the case files at the OPD (Ottawa Police Department), speaks with the family as well as the school principal and classmates in an attempt to retrace Ryan’s activities the day he goes missing. I am always surprised when Anna turns up WAY more information than the OPD (though I suppose by book 5, I should not be surprised anymore). Of course, this information provides numerous paths for the investigation to follow…The remainder of the mystery is for every reader to take in themselves ☺
I enjoyed the evolution of Anna and Nick’s relationship. Anna is SO insecure but I think she is finally starting to trust the relationship that is developing. Especially when Nick finally purchases a home…right next door to Anna’s dad! Nick says to Anna (so sweet):
“Because I plan to spend a great deal of time with my new neighbours. I always wanted to be the boy dating the girl next door. Looks like my wish is finally coming true.”
If you enjoy reading novella’s which will provide you with a mystery to solve as well as a bit of romance and family dynamics to navigate through, then I suggest you pick up No Trace by Brenda Chapman and begin reading. It will be a couple of hours of enjoyment!
November 9, 2017
A PI police procedural with added angst and emotion as it involves a “child”. A novella billed as a limited vocabulary story designed for those learning English as a second language. A quick read and a happy ending, likable characters.
February 7, 2026
5th shirt book in the series! Anna investigates the case of a missing teen, Ryan Green. He vanished 6 months ago and having no lead Detective Shaw and Jimmy Wilson ask Anna to investigate. This one has a twisty ending I didn't expect. Great audiobook!
October 27, 2021
https://openbooksociety.com/article/n...
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
No Trace is the 5th book in the Anna Sweet Mystery series by Brenda Chapman. I have been thoroughly enjoying this series up to this point in the time and I am happy to say that I am still enjoying the series.
This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a second language (ESL) readers.
The premise of this story is that a young man disappears after school without a trace. Finally, after 6 months with no headway being made by the police, the parents decide to hire PI Anna Sweet to get answers. Anna’s partner, Jada is on vacation and Anna’s beau (and the part time office manager) Nick is in Vancouver on a film set.
I love Anna’s no nonsense attitude. That can be seen, especially when she deals with the local constabulary:
“Whatever Shaw wanted could wait for me to have a couple cups of coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs-even if his call made me curious as a cat in a room full of mouse holes.”
Anna reviews all the old information from the case files at the OPD (Ottawa Police Department), speaks with the family as well as the school principal and classmates in an attempt to retrace Ryan’s activities the day he goes missing. I am always surprised when Anna turns up WAY more information than the OPD (though I suppose by book 5, I should not be surprised anymore). Of course, this information provides numerous paths for the investigation to follow…The remainder of the mystery is for every reader to take in themselves ☺
I enjoyed the evolution of Anna and Nick’s relationship. Anna is SO insecure but I think she is finally starting to trust the relationship that is developing. Especially when Nick finally purchases a home…right next door to Anna’s dad! Nick says to Anna (so sweet):
“Because I plan to spend a great deal of time with my new neighbours. I always wanted to be the boy dating the girl next door. Looks like my wish is finally coming true.”
If you enjoy reading novella’s which will provide you with a mystery to solve as well as a bit of romance and family dynamics to navigate through, then I suggest you pick up No Trace by Brenda Chapman and begin reading. It will be a couple of hours of enjoyment!
Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra
No Trace is the 5th book in the Anna Sweet Mystery series by Brenda Chapman. I have been thoroughly enjoying this series up to this point in the time and I am happy to say that I am still enjoying the series.
This high-interest, low-vocabulary novella is intended for adult basic education (ABE) and English as a second language (ESL) readers.
The premise of this story is that a young man disappears after school without a trace. Finally, after 6 months with no headway being made by the police, the parents decide to hire PI Anna Sweet to get answers. Anna’s partner, Jada is on vacation and Anna’s beau (and the part time office manager) Nick is in Vancouver on a film set.
I love Anna’s no nonsense attitude. That can be seen, especially when she deals with the local constabulary:
“Whatever Shaw wanted could wait for me to have a couple cups of coffee and a plate of bacon and eggs-even if his call made me curious as a cat in a room full of mouse holes.”
Anna reviews all the old information from the case files at the OPD (Ottawa Police Department), speaks with the family as well as the school principal and classmates in an attempt to retrace Ryan’s activities the day he goes missing. I am always surprised when Anna turns up WAY more information than the OPD (though I suppose by book 5, I should not be surprised anymore). Of course, this information provides numerous paths for the investigation to follow…The remainder of the mystery is for every reader to take in themselves ☺
I enjoyed the evolution of Anna and Nick’s relationship. Anna is SO insecure but I think she is finally starting to trust the relationship that is developing. Especially when Nick finally purchases a home…right next door to Anna’s dad! Nick says to Anna (so sweet):
“Because I plan to spend a great deal of time with my new neighbours. I always wanted to be the boy dating the girl next door. Looks like my wish is finally coming true.”
If you enjoy reading novella’s which will provide you with a mystery to solve as well as a bit of romance and family dynamics to navigate through, then I suggest you pick up No Trace by Brenda Chapman and begin reading. It will be a couple of hours of enjoyment!
March 4, 2018
I give this 3 stars because I find it very protectable and there is so much unfinished question I have with this book.But overall this is a good short book.
March 3, 2024
First I have read by this author! But it won't be the last! Quick read but great story that I was surprised by the ending!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews