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DCI Kate Daniels #7
Without a Trace
'Involving, sophisticated, intelligent and suspenseful' Lee Child
'A gripping, twisty police procedural' Shari Lapena
'Sets off at a cracking pace from page one and never slows down' Rachel Abbott
'Compelling, page-turning suspense ... Mari is a writer at the very top of her game' Steve Cavanagh
A FATAL CRASH
A plane on route from London to New York City has disappeared out of the sky. This breaking news dominates every TV channel, every social media platform, and every waking hour of the Metropolitan Police and US Homeland Security.
A PRIVATE TRAGEDY
The love of DCI Kate Daniels' life was on that aircraft, but she has no authority to investigate. This major disaster is outside of her jurisdiction and she's ordered to walk away.
A SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH
But Kate can't let it lie. She has to find out what happened to that plane - even if it means going off book. No one is safe.
And there are some very dangerous people watching her...
'A gripping, twisty police procedural' Shari Lapena
'Sets off at a cracking pace from page one and never slows down' Rachel Abbott
'Compelling, page-turning suspense ... Mari is a writer at the very top of her game' Steve Cavanagh
A FATAL CRASH
A plane on route from London to New York City has disappeared out of the sky. This breaking news dominates every TV channel, every social media platform, and every waking hour of the Metropolitan Police and US Homeland Security.
A PRIVATE TRAGEDY
The love of DCI Kate Daniels' life was on that aircraft, but she has no authority to investigate. This major disaster is outside of her jurisdiction and she's ordered to walk away.
A SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH
But Kate can't let it lie. She has to find out what happened to that plane - even if it means going off book. No one is safe.
And there are some very dangerous people watching her...
400 pages, Hardcover
First published March 19, 2020
107 people are currently reading
746 people want to read
About the author
Mari Hannah
25 books363 followersWhen an injury on duty ended my career as Probation Officer, I began writing. I am the author of the Kate Daniels and Ryan & O’Neil series published by Pan Macmillan and the Stone & Oliver series published by Orion. My debut, The Murder Wall, was written as a TV pilot for a BBC Drama Development Scheme - before the adaption. The novel won the Polari First Book Prize. Before becoming an author, I fell in love with scriptwriting and submitted speculative original dramas to the BBC Writersroom. I've also written a romantic comedy feature film that I hope will find a producer one day. In 2010, I won the Northern Writers' Award for my second novel, Settled Blood. And in 2017, I won the Dagger in the Library for my body of work. I'm represented by AM Heath literary agent, Oli Munson, and live in Northumberland with my partner, a former murder detective.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
March 3, 2020
I’ve read a few Mari Hannah books and enjoyed them, but not the DCI Kate Daniels series and I’m now asking myself why I’ve missed out up to now!!!! Kate, her number two DS Hank Gormley are racing from Newcastle to London after hearing the news that transatlantic flight 0113 is missing. On the flight is Jo Soulsby who is Kate’s partner. Kate blags her way into the Met enquiry to the fury of her boss Detective Chief Superintendent Philip Bright. He reluctantly gives permission and eventually Kate and Hank become embedded in the US part of the investigation. The ensuing and exciting drama takes the reader the length and breath of the country and in very unexpected directions in this extremely dangerous inquiry.
There is much to praise in this novel. The scenario is all too believable in this day and age sadly, although the motives for the flights disappearance are not what you may think and I really like that it’s a bit out of the box. There are many jaw dropping, very scary scenarios and a lot of shocks. The book is well plotted and well written, it’s fast paced and feels authentic. One of the stand out aspects for me is the characterisation. Kate is a bit of a ‘firecracker enigma’ and I really like that. She’s very brave, bold, explosively lippy, but conversely very vulnerable. She often says the opposite of what she’s feeling. Did I like her? Oh yes, she intrigued me. Her sidekick Hank is brilliant but all the Northumbria Police team are brilliant especially long suffering Philip Bright!! The US team are interesting especially Gabriele Torres of Homeland Security.
Mari Hannah really captures the rollercoaster of hope and hopes dashed in Kate’s desperate search to find if Jo is dead or alive. You really feel her pain although this fires her and keeps her going at great personal risk. Overall, a really good fast paced thriller which makes you think. For example, the author makes thought provoking points about how desensitised to tragic news we have become because there’s so much of it and of course, news is so instant now. This is a gripping read, it feels very current and topical, it’s full of intrigue, danger and twists with the added bonus of interesting characters. Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Books for the ARC.
There is much to praise in this novel. The scenario is all too believable in this day and age sadly, although the motives for the flights disappearance are not what you may think and I really like that it’s a bit out of the box. There are many jaw dropping, very scary scenarios and a lot of shocks. The book is well plotted and well written, it’s fast paced and feels authentic. One of the stand out aspects for me is the characterisation. Kate is a bit of a ‘firecracker enigma’ and I really like that. She’s very brave, bold, explosively lippy, but conversely very vulnerable. She often says the opposite of what she’s feeling. Did I like her? Oh yes, she intrigued me. Her sidekick Hank is brilliant but all the Northumbria Police team are brilliant especially long suffering Philip Bright!! The US team are interesting especially Gabriele Torres of Homeland Security.
Mari Hannah really captures the rollercoaster of hope and hopes dashed in Kate’s desperate search to find if Jo is dead or alive. You really feel her pain although this fires her and keeps her going at great personal risk. Overall, a really good fast paced thriller which makes you think. For example, the author makes thought provoking points about how desensitised to tragic news we have become because there’s so much of it and of course, news is so instant now. This is a gripping read, it feels very current and topical, it’s full of intrigue, danger and twists with the added bonus of interesting characters. Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Books for the ARC.
March 20, 2020
Without a Trace is the seventh instalment in the Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniel's series, set in my neck of the woods - Northumberland. This is an impressive series and one of my favourites yet it isn't essential to have read the preceding books before this as the plot is self-contained. When transatlantic flight 0113 drops out of the sky over the ocean without any warning Kate has more reason than most to feel as though her world has just shattered; her soulmate Jo Soulsby was apparently booked to fly that exact flight from London Heathrow to New York. No-one has any idea what has happened but it certainly isn't looking good. As everyone's attention is focused on the news media, Kate and her second in command DS Hank Gormley race from their Newcastle hub to the airport the doomed plane left from, a mere few hours earlier. Her intention? To get on the enquiry, despite it being well beyond her jurisdiction, to find out the truth.
At the beginning of each of these instalments, I foolishly believe that Ms Hannah may not be able to outdo herself this time yet she always does, and this book has to be her most solid and compulsive to date. From the first couple of pages, I was hooked on the fast-flowing story and remained completely riveted for the entirety. It's both highly entertaining and emotionally charged and the fact that Kate is hellbent on joining the investigation due to it being a case that is very much a personal one added an interesting extra dimension to the narrative. The first half of the book builds up the detail in terms of both the plot, characters lives and political machinations and the second starts to ratchet up the tension, danger, drama and action. It has a potent mix of everything I love in a police procedural/thriller series - an intelligent, superbly-constructed plot; engaging characters; exciting twists, reveals and misdirection; and it addresses topical issues. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
At the beginning of each of these instalments, I foolishly believe that Ms Hannah may not be able to outdo herself this time yet she always does, and this book has to be her most solid and compulsive to date. From the first couple of pages, I was hooked on the fast-flowing story and remained completely riveted for the entirety. It's both highly entertaining and emotionally charged and the fact that Kate is hellbent on joining the investigation due to it being a case that is very much a personal one added an interesting extra dimension to the narrative. The first half of the book builds up the detail in terms of both the plot, characters lives and political machinations and the second starts to ratchet up the tension, danger, drama and action. It has a potent mix of everything I love in a police procedural/thriller series - an intelligent, superbly-constructed plot; engaging characters; exciting twists, reveals and misdirection; and it addresses topical issues. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.
January 8, 2021
Book reviewed on www.whisperingstories.com
Without a Trace is the seventh book in the DCI Kate Daniels series by Mari Hannah. I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, in fact, I haven’t read any books by Ms. Hannah before. The plot was one that could be read as a standalone, though I don’t know whether not having a previous encounter with Jo made me have no feelings towards the fact that she was missing.
Essentially flight 0113 – Boeing 777 Heathrow to JFK has vanished mid-flight, over the Atlantic ocean. Onboard are 302 passengers possibly including DCI Kate Daniels recently ex-girlfriend (a couple of days previously) and criminal profiler Jo, who had booked a ticket on the flight but Kate is convinced she wasn’t on it.
I found the plot to be more focused on DCI Kate Daniels than on the actual events of a missing plane. She was only initially concerned with whether Jo was on the flight and finding evidence that she wasn’t onboard, the fact that there were another 301 passengers, plus the crew didn’t really seem to bother her, nor the reasons for the disappearance which I found a little strange. However, grief makes people do strange things and behave in ways they wouldn’t normally.
There are a few twists in the book and it took some turns I wasn’t expecting, so expect some misdirection’s, I also wasn’t expecting the reason for the missing plane to be what it was or how deadly the chase to find the truth would become. It certainly kept me on my toes, especially from about halfway through.
The storyline was different from what I was expecting but it was still enjoyable. I couldn’t warm to Kate as she was quite dismissive of people and happy to use them to her advantage, she was hot-headed and it was her way or no way, but again I come back to my grief quote above. Having not read the previous books I can’t say if she is usually like this. Though people are not all perfect and some are just like Kate.
I love a good police procedural thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I raced through it and read it in just two sittings. Whilst not all parts were fast-paced, a high portion of the book was. Plus the short chapters help heighten the tension.
Without a Trace is the seventh book in the DCI Kate Daniels series by Mari Hannah. I haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, in fact, I haven’t read any books by Ms. Hannah before. The plot was one that could be read as a standalone, though I don’t know whether not having a previous encounter with Jo made me have no feelings towards the fact that she was missing.
Essentially flight 0113 – Boeing 777 Heathrow to JFK has vanished mid-flight, over the Atlantic ocean. Onboard are 302 passengers possibly including DCI Kate Daniels recently ex-girlfriend (a couple of days previously) and criminal profiler Jo, who had booked a ticket on the flight but Kate is convinced she wasn’t on it.
I found the plot to be more focused on DCI Kate Daniels than on the actual events of a missing plane. She was only initially concerned with whether Jo was on the flight and finding evidence that she wasn’t onboard, the fact that there were another 301 passengers, plus the crew didn’t really seem to bother her, nor the reasons for the disappearance which I found a little strange. However, grief makes people do strange things and behave in ways they wouldn’t normally.
There are a few twists in the book and it took some turns I wasn’t expecting, so expect some misdirection’s, I also wasn’t expecting the reason for the missing plane to be what it was or how deadly the chase to find the truth would become. It certainly kept me on my toes, especially from about halfway through.
The storyline was different from what I was expecting but it was still enjoyable. I couldn’t warm to Kate as she was quite dismissive of people and happy to use them to her advantage, she was hot-headed and it was her way or no way, but again I come back to my grief quote above. Having not read the previous books I can’t say if she is usually like this. Though people are not all perfect and some are just like Kate.
I love a good police procedural thriller and I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I raced through it and read it in just two sittings. Whilst not all parts were fast-paced, a high portion of the book was. Plus the short chapters help heighten the tension.
May 20, 2022
Spoorloos blijkt een deel van een serie te zijn maar de voorgaande delen zijn (nog) niet vertaald. Tijdens het lezen is wel duidelijk dat deze thriller goed op zichzelf staand te lezen is. Al ben ik nu wel benieuwd geworden naar het verhaal van rechercheur Kate Daniels.
Er is een vliegtuigongeluk gebeurd en de geliefde van Kate had plannen om net dat vliegtuig naar New York te nemen. Kate wil zelf op onderzoek en hoopt dat er toch iets zou gebeurd zijn waardoor Jo toch niet ingecheckt was. Al lijkt de kans daartoe slechts heel klein. Ze wordt bijgestaan door Hank.
Dit boek start spannend en het verhaal neemt je onmiddellijk mee. Zowel in het verhaal van het vliegtuigongeluk zelf als in de privéomstandigheden van Kate Stone. Helaas vond ik de spanning doorheen het boek verder nogal wisselvallig. Soms was er wat teveel nadruk op het onderzoek en details en duurde het soms lang voor er weer wat actie was.
Toch heeft dit boek me voldoende overtuigd om ook nog boeken te lezen als ze vertaald worden. De schrijfstijl is fijn, de karakters worden voldoende uitgediept. Ondanks het gemis van de voorgaande delen kregen we toch voldoende informatie mee. Vooral Kate als volhardende rechercheur die hoopt dat ze, ondanks alle bewijsmateriaal, haar partner levend terug te vinden en daarin bereid is om tegen oversten in te gaan, is een heel mooi hoofdpersonage voor een misdaadserie.
3,5 🌟
Er is een vliegtuigongeluk gebeurd en de geliefde van Kate had plannen om net dat vliegtuig naar New York te nemen. Kate wil zelf op onderzoek en hoopt dat er toch iets zou gebeurd zijn waardoor Jo toch niet ingecheckt was. Al lijkt de kans daartoe slechts heel klein. Ze wordt bijgestaan door Hank.
Dit boek start spannend en het verhaal neemt je onmiddellijk mee. Zowel in het verhaal van het vliegtuigongeluk zelf als in de privéomstandigheden van Kate Stone. Helaas vond ik de spanning doorheen het boek verder nogal wisselvallig. Soms was er wat teveel nadruk op het onderzoek en details en duurde het soms lang voor er weer wat actie was.
Toch heeft dit boek me voldoende overtuigd om ook nog boeken te lezen als ze vertaald worden. De schrijfstijl is fijn, de karakters worden voldoende uitgediept. Ondanks het gemis van de voorgaande delen kregen we toch voldoende informatie mee. Vooral Kate als volhardende rechercheur die hoopt dat ze, ondanks alle bewijsmateriaal, haar partner levend terug te vinden en daarin bereid is om tegen oversten in te gaan, is een heel mooi hoofdpersonage voor een misdaadserie.
3,5 🌟
August 3, 2021
I was ready to DNF by about page 50 and I almost wish I had. The only reason I didn’t was because it would have irritated me to not find out what happened. I was so excited to read this, the premis had completely sucked me in but honestly i couldn’t get to grips with it. I don't know whether it was because I haven't read the rest in the series so I had no prior feelings towards the characters but Kate Daniels, the main detective, just really annoyed me - I found her to be bratty and irritating. I get that she was kind of grieving but URGH! As well as that, the whole 'cop gone rouge' thing which done nothing for me. Honestly, it did begin to pick up but only around the 300 page mark but it still didn’t end up particularly impressing me.
May 26, 2021
I literally lost the plot
August 26, 2022
I'll admit that detective novels are not generally my favourite (baffling, considering I love their televised counterparts), but as far as the genre goes, I'd say this one was pretty good. The writing was solid (as was the narration, if you're in for the audiobook), the characters are okay (none unbearable, to my taste), the plot wasn't bad and even had a few interesting - if not entirely unforeseeable - turns. There was at least one plot point that had me scratching my head at the sheer implausibility of it, but it didn't detract from the experience in a major way, just had me shaking my head and saying, "Yeah right, as if!!!"
The issue I took with it was in the plethora of procedural explanations. I know more now than I ever wanted to know about not just the UK police, but also aviation security and a number of other mind-numbing topics. I feel like the author went into very unecesasrily lengthy detail about these topics - at times it felt like every other paragraph was an aside about how this or that [insert police jargon here] worked.
I wouldn't say I regret giving it a listen, but it's not a book I'm likely to press play on again.
The issue I took with it was in the plethora of procedural explanations. I know more now than I ever wanted to know about not just the UK police, but also aviation security and a number of other mind-numbing topics. I feel like the author went into very unecesasrily lengthy detail about these topics - at times it felt like every other paragraph was an aside about how this or that [insert police jargon here] worked.
I wouldn't say I regret giving it a listen, but it's not a book I'm likely to press play on again.
April 19, 2023
Couldn’t finish the book. Struggled with the writing style and lack of substance/ formation of any kind of plot within the first 100+ pages
July 2, 2022
De cover: Een geheimzinnige eenzame koffer, een intrigerende ondertitel. "Spoorloos, mensen verdwijnen niet zomaar…" Een voor mij onbekende auteur. Een leesfragment van 3 hoofdstukken, die vragen naar meer. Meteen greep ik mijn kans om aan een leesclub met dit boek deel te nemen.
Vol motivatie ben ik beginnen lezen. Maar ik moet eerlijk bekennen, dat dit gevoel niet lang stand hield. Slechts 50 pagina’s ver ging ik helemaal twijfelen en moest ik moeite doen om verder te lezen. Maar opgeven is geen optie als je deelneemt aan een leesclub. Doorzetten is de boodschap.
Het wordt tijdelijk wat spannender als Kate en haar collega Hank een andere taak toegewezen krijgen in de zaak van het verongelukte vliegtuig. Ikzelf word meteen “even” wat enthousiaster. Maar door het langdradige en trage in het verhaal besloop me soms het gevoel in een reportage van Telefacts te zijn beland. Ik heb me er verder eigenlijk wat doorheen geworsteld, want ondanks alles wilde ik toch wel de ontknoping kennen.
Ligt het aan mij, begrijp ik het verhaal gewoonweg niet? Ligt het aan de schrijfstijl of de setting van het verhaal? In het begin speelt het zich af op de luchthaven (een voor mij totaal onbekend terrein). Is het omdat er ogenschijnlijk zomaar uit het niets steeds nieuwe personages opduiken? Of missen we gewoon één en ander uit eerdere boeken ook al wordt af en toe wel iets van vroeger meegegeven? (Spoorloos is boek 7 over Kate Daniels, maar pas het 1e boek dat in het Nederlands is vertaald.)
Een verdwenen vliegtuig. Een rechercheur die door de verdwijning van haar collega, vriendin persoonlijk bij de zaak betrokken raakt. Die alles op alles zet -tegen de wil van haar oversten in- om haar geliefde terug te vinden. Hoewel Kate niet zo aimabel persoon lijkt, wordt ze door al haar collega’s geliefd. Vooral Hank gaat voor haar door het vuur. Eigenlijk was dat voer voor een knallend verhaal, maar ik heb dit allemaal gemist.
O jee, nu klink ik echt wel als een zaag, maar dit is gewoon hoe ik me erbij voel.
Meestal zeg ik, ik ben blij dat ik het boek gelezen heb. Nu ben ik blij dat het eindelijk uit is.
Had ik te hoge verwachtingen? Had ik teveel gehoopt dat ik mij echt zou kunnen inleven in een superspannend boek?
Was er dan niets goed aan het boek?
Jawel. Korte hoofdstukken, een aangenaam lettertype. Normaal gezien elementen die er voor zorgen dat een boek vlot leest. Collega’s die elkaar door dik en dun steunen, die meeleven met Kate’s gemis, die haar helpen in haar zoektocht. Jammer genoeg kon ook dit er niet toe bijdragen dat ik door het verhaal heen vloog, dat ik het boek moeilijk weg kon leggen, dat ik alles ervoor zou laten vallen om toch maar steeds verder te kunnen lezen.
Het is een beetje (veel) tegengevallen dit keer. Dit verhaal lag me echt niet.
Lichtjes ontgoocheld maar klaar voor een nieuw boek, een nieuwe leesclub, met een boek waar ik wel enthousiast over ben.
Of het er eentje van Mari Hannah zal zijn? Daar twijfel ik nog over. Misschien ooit?
Vol motivatie ben ik beginnen lezen. Maar ik moet eerlijk bekennen, dat dit gevoel niet lang stand hield. Slechts 50 pagina’s ver ging ik helemaal twijfelen en moest ik moeite doen om verder te lezen. Maar opgeven is geen optie als je deelneemt aan een leesclub. Doorzetten is de boodschap.
Het wordt tijdelijk wat spannender als Kate en haar collega Hank een andere taak toegewezen krijgen in de zaak van het verongelukte vliegtuig. Ikzelf word meteen “even” wat enthousiaster. Maar door het langdradige en trage in het verhaal besloop me soms het gevoel in een reportage van Telefacts te zijn beland. Ik heb me er verder eigenlijk wat doorheen geworsteld, want ondanks alles wilde ik toch wel de ontknoping kennen.
Ligt het aan mij, begrijp ik het verhaal gewoonweg niet? Ligt het aan de schrijfstijl of de setting van het verhaal? In het begin speelt het zich af op de luchthaven (een voor mij totaal onbekend terrein). Is het omdat er ogenschijnlijk zomaar uit het niets steeds nieuwe personages opduiken? Of missen we gewoon één en ander uit eerdere boeken ook al wordt af en toe wel iets van vroeger meegegeven? (Spoorloos is boek 7 over Kate Daniels, maar pas het 1e boek dat in het Nederlands is vertaald.)
Een verdwenen vliegtuig. Een rechercheur die door de verdwijning van haar collega, vriendin persoonlijk bij de zaak betrokken raakt. Die alles op alles zet -tegen de wil van haar oversten in- om haar geliefde terug te vinden. Hoewel Kate niet zo aimabel persoon lijkt, wordt ze door al haar collega’s geliefd. Vooral Hank gaat voor haar door het vuur. Eigenlijk was dat voer voor een knallend verhaal, maar ik heb dit allemaal gemist.
O jee, nu klink ik echt wel als een zaag, maar dit is gewoon hoe ik me erbij voel.
Meestal zeg ik, ik ben blij dat ik het boek gelezen heb. Nu ben ik blij dat het eindelijk uit is.
Had ik te hoge verwachtingen? Had ik teveel gehoopt dat ik mij echt zou kunnen inleven in een superspannend boek?
Was er dan niets goed aan het boek?
Jawel. Korte hoofdstukken, een aangenaam lettertype. Normaal gezien elementen die er voor zorgen dat een boek vlot leest. Collega’s die elkaar door dik en dun steunen, die meeleven met Kate’s gemis, die haar helpen in haar zoektocht. Jammer genoeg kon ook dit er niet toe bijdragen dat ik door het verhaal heen vloog, dat ik het boek moeilijk weg kon leggen, dat ik alles ervoor zou laten vallen om toch maar steeds verder te kunnen lezen.
Het is een beetje (veel) tegengevallen dit keer. Dit verhaal lag me echt niet.
Lichtjes ontgoocheld maar klaar voor een nieuw boek, een nieuwe leesclub, met een boek waar ik wel enthousiast over ben.
Of het er eentje van Mari Hannah zal zijn? Daar twijfel ik nog over. Misschien ooit?
July 9, 2022
Een trans-Atlantische vlucht van Londen naar New York verdwijnt plotseling van de radar. Niemand begrijpt wat er gebeurd is en het bericht domineert elke nieuwsomroep.
De geliefde (Jo) van rechercheur Kate Daniels bevindt zich in het vliegtuig en Kate wordt gedwongen zich afzijdig te houden van het onderzoek...
Toch kan Kate het niet laten om uit te zoeken wat er precies is gebeurd in dat vliegtuig. Tijdens een lange zoektocht probeert Kate de waarheid te achterhalen.
Al snel neemt het onderzoek een hele andere wending en Kate had zich dit niet kunnen voorstellen. Niemand blijkt veilig te zijn en zeer gevaarlijke mensen houden haar in de gaten...
Dit boek mocht ik lezen voor de leesclub van @hebbannl. De cover sprak mij meteen aan: een verlaten koffer op een vliegveld. Ook de flaptekst maakte mij erg nieuwsgierig, want wat is er met het vliegtuig gebeurd? Was het een ongeluk of toch een aanslag?
'Spoorloos' blijkt het zevende deel te zijn van een serie, maar is hier als eerste deel uitgegeven. Dit zorgt ervoor dat je een hoop voorkennis mist en dat het, vooral in het begin, nogal verwarrend kan zijn. Ik merkte dan ook dat ik daar ook even moeite mee had. Er is namelijk een hele voorgeschiedenis.
Ik weet niet of dit één van de redenen is waarom ik niet meteen lekker in het verhaal zat. De spanning waarop ik hoopte kwam maar niet. Het verhaal kabbelt maar wat voort en er worden vaak dezelfde dingen beschreven (vooral over Kate en Jo). Als ik dit boek in de bibliotheek had geleend, had ik het waarschijnlijk niet (snel) uitgelezen of wat vaker aan de kant gelegd.
Echt jammer, want ik had zo gehoopt op een spannend en goed verhaal! Wel is de schrijfstijl erg fijn en zijn de hoofdstukken heel kort.
Natuurlijk wil ik @lsamsterdam en @hebbannl heel erg bedanken voor het recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 2,5 ⭐️
De geliefde (Jo) van rechercheur Kate Daniels bevindt zich in het vliegtuig en Kate wordt gedwongen zich afzijdig te houden van het onderzoek...
Toch kan Kate het niet laten om uit te zoeken wat er precies is gebeurd in dat vliegtuig. Tijdens een lange zoektocht probeert Kate de waarheid te achterhalen.
Al snel neemt het onderzoek een hele andere wending en Kate had zich dit niet kunnen voorstellen. Niemand blijkt veilig te zijn en zeer gevaarlijke mensen houden haar in de gaten...
Dit boek mocht ik lezen voor de leesclub van @hebbannl. De cover sprak mij meteen aan: een verlaten koffer op een vliegveld. Ook de flaptekst maakte mij erg nieuwsgierig, want wat is er met het vliegtuig gebeurd? Was het een ongeluk of toch een aanslag?
'Spoorloos' blijkt het zevende deel te zijn van een serie, maar is hier als eerste deel uitgegeven. Dit zorgt ervoor dat je een hoop voorkennis mist en dat het, vooral in het begin, nogal verwarrend kan zijn. Ik merkte dan ook dat ik daar ook even moeite mee had. Er is namelijk een hele voorgeschiedenis.
Ik weet niet of dit één van de redenen is waarom ik niet meteen lekker in het verhaal zat. De spanning waarop ik hoopte kwam maar niet. Het verhaal kabbelt maar wat voort en er worden vaak dezelfde dingen beschreven (vooral over Kate en Jo). Als ik dit boek in de bibliotheek had geleend, had ik het waarschijnlijk niet (snel) uitgelezen of wat vaker aan de kant gelegd.
Echt jammer, want ik had zo gehoopt op een spannend en goed verhaal! Wel is de schrijfstijl erg fijn en zijn de hoofdstukken heel kort.
Natuurlijk wil ik @lsamsterdam en @hebbannl heel erg bedanken voor het recensie-exemplaar!
Beoordeling: 2,5 ⭐️
December 28, 2020
‘Without A Trace’ is the best Kate Daniels book yet. It’s an emotionally intense, perfectly plotted story, that doesn’t let up for a second. When a plane goes missing over the Atlantic, with Kate’s soulmate on board, she stops at nothing, and is willing to break all the rules to find out what happened. Mari Hannah’s pacing ramps up the tension bit by bit, and takes the reader with Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniels as she struggles to cope with the prospect of losing Jo. This is the book in which we see more of Kate than ever before. We see her vulnerabilities and her pain. I could feel that pain with her and like her, I held onto hope. The combination of personal and professional and the pull of her heart over the job was powerful. It’s something Daniels has always struggled with, but not to this extent before. Mari Hannah is an astounding talent in the field of crime writing, and here she is at the top of her game.
I was given this ARC to review.
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I was given this ARC to review.
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May 31, 2022
Wanneer vlucht 0113 van Londen naar New York plotseling van de radar verdwijnt, wordt er direct een internationaal crisisteam opgericht en is er zeer veel aandacht voor deze zaak. Rechercheur Kate Daniels heeft officieel geen dienst en ze heeft geen enkel gezag in Londen, maar ze haalt brigadier Hank Gormley over om halsoverkop naar het crisisbureau te vertrekken. Ze wil zich toegang tot het onderzoek verschaffen, want deze zaak is persoonlijk: Jo Soulsby, de profiler uit haar team en haar geliefde, bevond zich in dit vliegtuig en Kate móét weten wat er precies is gebeurd.
Ze kan niet naar huis voordat ze Jo heeft gevonden, dood of levend. Het is zeer onwaarschijnlijk, maar Kate weigert te geloven dat Jo echt aan boord is gegaan, dat ze echt is omgekomen. Ze klampt zich vast aan elke strohalm en blijft geloven in het onmogelijke, ze zet niet alleen haar eigen carrière maar ook die van anderen op het spel en ze bijt zich vast in haar eigen onderzoek. Waar zal dit toe leiden?
Je leert Kate kennen als een volhardende, doelgerichte, ambitieuze, dappere, koppige rechercheur die haar werk voor alles laat gaan, die er niet voor terugdeinst om haar bevoegdheden wat op te rekken en moeite heeft met het opvolgen van aanwijzingen en bevelen van hogerhand. Toch heeft ze ook een kwetsbare kant, een kant die ze niet gemakkelijk laat zien maar die in dit boek duidelijk naar voren komt. Haar karakter wordt goed uitgewerkt en haar relaties met de andere personages worden kort geschetst, al had ik graag iets meer achtergrondinformatie gekregen om die relaties en het ontstaan daarvan echt goed te begrijpen. Dit verhaal is prima als standalone te lezen, maar het is wel het 7e deel in de serie en daardoor mis je soms wat introductie.
Hoewel de zoektocht naar Jo zeker interessant is, komt het verhaal na een krachtig begin wat traag op gang. Het onderzoek is lastig, het duurt lang om benodigde informatie te krijgen en door gedetailleerde beschrijvingen zakt ontstane spanning al snel weer weg. Kate wordt vooral gedreven door (wan)hoop in plaats van door bewijs, waardoor haar onderzoek wat chaotisch aanvoelt, ze af en toe verzandt in bijzaken en het soms lastig is om de rode draad te blijven volgen.
In de tweede helft van het boek wordt het tempo opgevoerd, piekt de spanning vaker, worden er connecties met het verleden en met een andere belangrijke zaak gevonden, worden er grote risico’s genomen en volgen gevaarlijke ontwikkelingen elkaar op, terwijl de emoties binnen het team hoog oplopen. De uiteindelijke ontknoping vond ik ietwat vergezocht, maar er is duidelijk wel goed nagedacht over de plot en ik ben benieuwd geworden naar andere onderzoeken van Kate, vooral omdat ik haar als personage interessant vind!
Ze kan niet naar huis voordat ze Jo heeft gevonden, dood of levend. Het is zeer onwaarschijnlijk, maar Kate weigert te geloven dat Jo echt aan boord is gegaan, dat ze echt is omgekomen. Ze klampt zich vast aan elke strohalm en blijft geloven in het onmogelijke, ze zet niet alleen haar eigen carrière maar ook die van anderen op het spel en ze bijt zich vast in haar eigen onderzoek. Waar zal dit toe leiden?
Je leert Kate kennen als een volhardende, doelgerichte, ambitieuze, dappere, koppige rechercheur die haar werk voor alles laat gaan, die er niet voor terugdeinst om haar bevoegdheden wat op te rekken en moeite heeft met het opvolgen van aanwijzingen en bevelen van hogerhand. Toch heeft ze ook een kwetsbare kant, een kant die ze niet gemakkelijk laat zien maar die in dit boek duidelijk naar voren komt. Haar karakter wordt goed uitgewerkt en haar relaties met de andere personages worden kort geschetst, al had ik graag iets meer achtergrondinformatie gekregen om die relaties en het ontstaan daarvan echt goed te begrijpen. Dit verhaal is prima als standalone te lezen, maar het is wel het 7e deel in de serie en daardoor mis je soms wat introductie.
Hoewel de zoektocht naar Jo zeker interessant is, komt het verhaal na een krachtig begin wat traag op gang. Het onderzoek is lastig, het duurt lang om benodigde informatie te krijgen en door gedetailleerde beschrijvingen zakt ontstane spanning al snel weer weg. Kate wordt vooral gedreven door (wan)hoop in plaats van door bewijs, waardoor haar onderzoek wat chaotisch aanvoelt, ze af en toe verzandt in bijzaken en het soms lastig is om de rode draad te blijven volgen.
In de tweede helft van het boek wordt het tempo opgevoerd, piekt de spanning vaker, worden er connecties met het verleden en met een andere belangrijke zaak gevonden, worden er grote risico’s genomen en volgen gevaarlijke ontwikkelingen elkaar op, terwijl de emoties binnen het team hoog oplopen. De uiteindelijke ontknoping vond ik ietwat vergezocht, maar er is duidelijk wel goed nagedacht over de plot en ik ben benieuwd geworden naar andere onderzoeken van Kate, vooral omdat ik haar als personage interessant vind!
March 2, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for an advance copy of Without A Trace, the seventh novel to feature DCI Kate Daniels of the Northumbria Police.
When flight 0113 from London to New York goes down over the ocean no one is quite sure what has happened. Kate Daniels learns that the love of her life, Jo Soulsby, was booked on the flight, so, regardless of the consequences, she rushes down to London and finangles her way on to the investigation which soon takes turns nobody could have imagined.
I enjoyed Without A Trace which has a slow start but soon ramps up to become a tense, exciting read with plenty of twists and turns. I found the novel slow to get started with its emphasis on emotions and baggage handling at Heathrow - I learned enough about the loopholes to be scared, if it’s even remotely true and more than I ever wanted to about how it works. Kate is working on fear and desperation as she barges about, discarding the rule book and every known procedure, in her quest to find out if Jo is alive or dead. It’s believable but not very exciting for me, the non touchy-feely reader.
In the second half of the novel things heat up with a tip that sends the investigation in a whole new direction, not least out of London and back to Newcastle. This is exciting with a palpable sense of tension and danger, plenty of action and some sad moments. Whilst I could comfortably put down the first half of the novel to do something else I was glued to the pages in the second half, wondering what would come next, especially as it’s so different from my expectations at the start of the novel. It’s great.
Without A Trace is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
When flight 0113 from London to New York goes down over the ocean no one is quite sure what has happened. Kate Daniels learns that the love of her life, Jo Soulsby, was booked on the flight, so, regardless of the consequences, she rushes down to London and finangles her way on to the investigation which soon takes turns nobody could have imagined.
I enjoyed Without A Trace which has a slow start but soon ramps up to become a tense, exciting read with plenty of twists and turns. I found the novel slow to get started with its emphasis on emotions and baggage handling at Heathrow - I learned enough about the loopholes to be scared, if it’s even remotely true and more than I ever wanted to about how it works. Kate is working on fear and desperation as she barges about, discarding the rule book and every known procedure, in her quest to find out if Jo is alive or dead. It’s believable but not very exciting for me, the non touchy-feely reader.
In the second half of the novel things heat up with a tip that sends the investigation in a whole new direction, not least out of London and back to Newcastle. This is exciting with a palpable sense of tension and danger, plenty of action and some sad moments. Whilst I could comfortably put down the first half of the novel to do something else I was glued to the pages in the second half, wondering what would come next, especially as it’s so different from my expectations at the start of the novel. It’s great.
Without A Trace is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
April 20, 2022
So different from the Stone and Oliver series, and even from the last Kate Daniels book l read. It tells the story of the conflict between her personal and professional life, and is quite intense. Gripping story, quite complicated at times but worth reading.
March 8, 2020
Ooh you get to find out what happens to Jo in this book!
Kate Daniels is back!
Plot gripping
writing as taunt as ever
Visit the locations in the novel
Kate Daniels is back!
Plot gripping
writing as taunt as ever
Visit the locations in the novel
April 6, 2020
Without a Trace,
the 7th novel in the Newcastle based detective DCI Kate Daniels series, is immensely good. The descriptions of the Newcastle and surrounding areas were one of the aspects of the series that initially attracted me, as it's close to where I live and grew up.
Flight 0113 from London to New York has gone down over the sea, but nobody is quite sure what has happened. As Kate Daniels grasps that the love of her life, Jo Soulsby, was booked on the flight, so, regardless of the consequences, she hot-tails it down to London and manoeuvres her way onto the investigation, which soon takes unimaginable turns.
Without a Trace is an excellent, suspenseful police procedural that made my heart race. This wonderful piece of writing is action-packed, creating a tense, anticipatory buzz that pulsates throughout. Just as I was recovering from one reveal, another came along and I would say that the dynamics are some of the greatest I've ever read. Not only was the plot superb and perfectly executed, but also the characters were beautifully drawn. This novel had everything a good thriller should have. It was all extremely authentic with police procedures portrayed with realism and belief and I really appreciated the attention to the finer details. In this 7th instalment, Mari Hannah has woven a complex, first-rate and sophisticated thriller - it held my attention from the first page to the last. Highly recommended and a truly worthwhile read.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
Flight 0113 from London to New York has gone down over the sea, but nobody is quite sure what has happened. As Kate Daniels grasps that the love of her life, Jo Soulsby, was booked on the flight, so, regardless of the consequences, she hot-tails it down to London and manoeuvres her way onto the investigation, which soon takes unimaginable turns.
Without a Trace is an excellent, suspenseful police procedural that made my heart race. This wonderful piece of writing is action-packed, creating a tense, anticipatory buzz that pulsates throughout. Just as I was recovering from one reveal, another came along and I would say that the dynamics are some of the greatest I've ever read. Not only was the plot superb and perfectly executed, but also the characters were beautifully drawn. This novel had everything a good thriller should have. It was all extremely authentic with police procedures portrayed with realism and belief and I really appreciated the attention to the finer details. In this 7th instalment, Mari Hannah has woven a complex, first-rate and sophisticated thriller - it held my attention from the first page to the last. Highly recommended and a truly worthwhile read.
I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel, at my request, from Orion Publishing Group via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
August 27, 2023
This wasn't the book I hoped it would be. Nothing had happened in the first 130+ pages other than 'was she on the plane, she can't have been on the plane, but she could have been on the plane, she shouldn't have been on the plane, but was she on the plane.....' Yawn, yawn.
I persevered to the end but really wished I hadn't bothered. Gave two stars for the mild humour and the relationship between Kate and Hank. Nothing else to recommend it, sorry.
I persevered to the end but really wished I hadn't bothered. Gave two stars for the mild humour and the relationship between Kate and Hank. Nothing else to recommend it, sorry.
June 5, 2022
Een vliegtuig op weg van Londen naar New York is uit de lucht verdwenen. De geliefde van hoofdinspecteur Kate zat in het vliegtuig en Kate is vastbesloten om zich aan te sluiten bij het onderzoek naar het verdwenen vliegtuig. Samen met haar collega, brigadier Hank, sluit ze zich aan bij de crisisdienst in Londen. Tijdens het onderzoek gaat Kate ver buiten haar boekje, reist ze het land af en stuit ze op allerlei aanwijzingen die ernaar zouden leiden dat Jo, haar geliefde, niet in het vliegtuig is gestapt.
Spoorloos is het eerste deel van deze serie dat is vertaald in het Nederlands. In Engeland is Spoorloos al het zevende deel van de serie over Kate Daniels. Vooral in het begin voelt het alsof je midden in het verhaal stapt. Het verhaal is prima los te lezen, maar wat voorkennis is nodig om alle beweegredenen en onderlinge relatie van de personages te kunnen begrijpen. Het verhaal komt dan ook wat traag op gang, door vele herhalingen en kennismakingen met namen en gebeurtenissen.
Het verhaal is vanuit derde persoon geschreven. Je leest mee hoe Kate en Hank alles op alles zetten om uit te vinden of Jo in het vliegtuig zat of waar ze anders kan zijn. Daarnaast volg je de ontwikkelingen rondom het vliegtuigongeluk zelf. Het eerste gedeelte van het verhaal maakt nieuwsgierig, er gebeuren genoeg dingen waardoor je zelf begint te twijfelen of Jo wel in het vliegtuig zat. Dit stuk leest dan ook vlot. De ontwikkelingen rondom het vliegtuigonderzoek lezen ook vlot en maken nieuwsgierig naar het plot. Rondom het plot worden weer veel nieuwe namen genoemd en de gebeurtenissen volgen elkaar snel op tot een ontknoping die onverwacht uit de hoek komt. Het einde voelt dan wel wat rommelig aan, de vele namen zorgen voor verwarring, maar de puzzel is wel compleet.
Kate is een volhardende inspecteur en geeft niet op. Ze bijt zich echt vast in het onderzoek, is soms wel wat wispelturig en kan vreemd uit de hoek komen. Hank wordt beschreven als een prettige collega om mee samen te werken en functioneert naast brigadier ook als goede vriend van Kate en Hank. Beide zijn zeker prettige personages om over te lezen en vooral de chemie tussen beiden is goed uitgewerkt.
Het is een trage thriller, dat langzaamaan op gang komt en waar veel details worden weggegeven. Koppie erbij houden dus tijdens het lezen! Fijn verhaal om te lezen, een echte puzzeltocht naar de dader van de vliegtuigcrash.
Bedankt LS Amsterdam voor dit vooruitleesexemplaar!
Spoorloos is het eerste deel van deze serie dat is vertaald in het Nederlands. In Engeland is Spoorloos al het zevende deel van de serie over Kate Daniels. Vooral in het begin voelt het alsof je midden in het verhaal stapt. Het verhaal is prima los te lezen, maar wat voorkennis is nodig om alle beweegredenen en onderlinge relatie van de personages te kunnen begrijpen. Het verhaal komt dan ook wat traag op gang, door vele herhalingen en kennismakingen met namen en gebeurtenissen.
Het verhaal is vanuit derde persoon geschreven. Je leest mee hoe Kate en Hank alles op alles zetten om uit te vinden of Jo in het vliegtuig zat of waar ze anders kan zijn. Daarnaast volg je de ontwikkelingen rondom het vliegtuigongeluk zelf. Het eerste gedeelte van het verhaal maakt nieuwsgierig, er gebeuren genoeg dingen waardoor je zelf begint te twijfelen of Jo wel in het vliegtuig zat. Dit stuk leest dan ook vlot. De ontwikkelingen rondom het vliegtuigonderzoek lezen ook vlot en maken nieuwsgierig naar het plot. Rondom het plot worden weer veel nieuwe namen genoemd en de gebeurtenissen volgen elkaar snel op tot een ontknoping die onverwacht uit de hoek komt. Het einde voelt dan wel wat rommelig aan, de vele namen zorgen voor verwarring, maar de puzzel is wel compleet.
Kate is een volhardende inspecteur en geeft niet op. Ze bijt zich echt vast in het onderzoek, is soms wel wat wispelturig en kan vreemd uit de hoek komen. Hank wordt beschreven als een prettige collega om mee samen te werken en functioneert naast brigadier ook als goede vriend van Kate en Hank. Beide zijn zeker prettige personages om over te lezen en vooral de chemie tussen beiden is goed uitgewerkt.
Het is een trage thriller, dat langzaamaan op gang komt en waar veel details worden weggegeven. Koppie erbij houden dus tijdens het lezen! Fijn verhaal om te lezen, een echte puzzeltocht naar de dader van de vliegtuigcrash.
Bedankt LS Amsterdam voor dit vooruitleesexemplaar!
March 22, 2020
We have waited 4 years to see whether the penny finally drops for Kate Daniels and she realises that she needs to sort out her personal life and stop putting work before all else. In this the seventh Kate Daniels book we are not even given a moment to settle in before we are spiralling with Kate into the darkest moment of her life. At the end of Gallows Drop Kate's soulmate Jo had given up on their relationship, tired of playing second or even third fiddle to Kate's job, she decided to leave for New York, Without a Trace picks up Gallow's Drop left off. A plane bound for New York has disappeared, the authorities fear the worst, the tragedy is even more dreadful for Northumbria's finest as this is the plane their colleague, friend and Kate's love, Jo Soulsby is on. Even though Kate is on leave she manages to inveigle her way into the investigation taking Hank with her.
Whilst waiting for Without a Trace to be published I revisited the previous books, over the course of the last 3 I could feel myself getting frustrated with Kate, however Kate's behaviour in Without a Trace just about had me shouting at the book in my hand, to quote the 80's band The Fine Young Cannibals "She drives me crazy", this is what is great about Mari's books. The characters jump off the page and make you care about them, the plotting is always tight, entertaining and will keep you turning those pages, add to this a solid police procedural background, locations brought to life and you've got a great set of crime novels.
Whilst waiting for Without a Trace to be published I revisited the previous books, over the course of the last 3 I could feel myself getting frustrated with Kate, however Kate's behaviour in Without a Trace just about had me shouting at the book in my hand, to quote the 80's band The Fine Young Cannibals "She drives me crazy", this is what is great about Mari's books. The characters jump off the page and make you care about them, the plotting is always tight, entertaining and will keep you turning those pages, add to this a solid police procedural background, locations brought to life and you've got a great set of crime novels.
October 27, 2021
Waited a long time for this book but well worth the wait
June 1, 2020
How good it is to see Kate Daniels again! I love this series and I was so excited to read this. It's particularly tense and it is all especially personal to Kate. She needs her team's support more than ever. Great storytelling and wonderful characters. Review to follow very shortly on For Winter Nights.
March 1, 2020
Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Intelligent and gripping from the off - Mari Hannah at her best. I love Mari Hannah's invariably, taut, compelling thrillers. Indeed, no one engages the reader from the very first page quite like Hannah. She is a mesmerising storyteller, and 'Without a Trace' is yet more evidence of her knack of writing novels full of suspense and intrigue. This latest novel in the DCI Kate Daniels series sees our intrepid policewoman enmeshed in the investigation of a downed commercial aircraft. This is no ordinary tragic event, however. Firstly, preliminary investigations suggest this was no mere accident, and secondly, Kate's recent lover, Jo, was on the plane bound for New York. Evidence of Jo's presence on the plane is contradictory, so it is up to Kate and her loyal sergeant, Hank, to discern the truth not only of the elusive Jo, but the events that led to the aircraft's downing in the Atlantic Ocean. Kate must go undercover to disentangle truth from fiction; the fate of Jo, and the calculated, nefarious rationale behind the deaths of hundred of passengers. The results are... quite simply... explosive. What follows is a twisty, high-octane mystery, that oozes menace on every page. This novel is more than just a cheap adrenaline rush, however. Mari Hannah's research is always meticulous, and she invariably, always manages to combine the style and intrigue of a thriller writer with the adroit observations of an expert in the subject-matter that provides the context for her intelligent brand of storytelling. 'Without Trace' is no different; capturing with pitch-perfect perfection the murkiness of the post-9/11 world of suspicion, and sometimes justifiable paranoia, encapsulated in the enduring imagery of doomed planes, and the perils of aircraft travel. A real page-turner, I devoured this engrossing read in one sitting. Mari Hannah knocks it out of the park again!
Intelligent and gripping from the off - Mari Hannah at her best. I love Mari Hannah's invariably, taut, compelling thrillers. Indeed, no one engages the reader from the very first page quite like Hannah. She is a mesmerising storyteller, and 'Without a Trace' is yet more evidence of her knack of writing novels full of suspense and intrigue. This latest novel in the DCI Kate Daniels series sees our intrepid policewoman enmeshed in the investigation of a downed commercial aircraft. This is no ordinary tragic event, however. Firstly, preliminary investigations suggest this was no mere accident, and secondly, Kate's recent lover, Jo, was on the plane bound for New York. Evidence of Jo's presence on the plane is contradictory, so it is up to Kate and her loyal sergeant, Hank, to discern the truth not only of the elusive Jo, but the events that led to the aircraft's downing in the Atlantic Ocean. Kate must go undercover to disentangle truth from fiction; the fate of Jo, and the calculated, nefarious rationale behind the deaths of hundred of passengers. The results are... quite simply... explosive. What follows is a twisty, high-octane mystery, that oozes menace on every page. This novel is more than just a cheap adrenaline rush, however. Mari Hannah's research is always meticulous, and she invariably, always manages to combine the style and intrigue of a thriller writer with the adroit observations of an expert in the subject-matter that provides the context for her intelligent brand of storytelling. 'Without Trace' is no different; capturing with pitch-perfect perfection the murkiness of the post-9/11 world of suspicion, and sometimes justifiable paranoia, encapsulated in the enduring imagery of doomed planes, and the perils of aircraft travel. A real page-turner, I devoured this engrossing read in one sitting. Mari Hannah knocks it out of the park again!
January 8, 2021
Coming into land is Without A Trace, the newest instalment of Mari Hannah’s always excellent DCI Kate Daniels series with a significant change of pace, and a real ramping up of the emotional intensity…
This very much felt at times like a high octane thriller, with a breathless race against time for Daniels to ascertain whether her former lover, Jo was actually one of the passengers on this ill-fated flight between London and New York. Although, Hannah is always adept at keeping the pace of her normal fare of police procedurals, injecting this plot was an international investigation into a suspected terrorist led air crash, really allows her to stretch her thriller writing skills. This she achieves in spades, and as the investigation progresses, I was fascinated by how this kind of global incident that crosses borders and investigative branches is undertaken and acted upon. By weaving in different teams of investigators from both Britain and the U.S. and with Daniels working on her own agenda, there is a real sense of tension and people working, at times, at cross purposes, which kept up the speed and intensity of the main plot.
Through the books, Daniels is perceived as a strong and steadfast woman and by extension, senior police officer, not known to suffer moments of crisis or real indecision. Consequently, it was extremely interesting to see her being put under an inordinate amount of professional and personal tension in this book, as she defies her superiors and sometimes her better judgement as this case progresses. The bond and fierce protectiveness she still displays for her former lover drives her on, despite the possible costs to her both personally and to her own career, and those who support her in her seemingly hopeless quest. As her second in command, the fiercely loyal DS Hank Gormley observes, ” In the past few days, layer upon layer of the armour she’d put on during her police career had been peeled away, leaving her exposed to the same raw feelings as anyone suffering the loss of a loved one. Stripped of her confidence she was inherently vulnerable,” something we have not seen in her character so far. However, despite this growing sense of vulnerability, we still see the familiar flashes of strength from her, particularly in dealing with obdurate men inside the investigation who are so quick to condemn her for what they perceive as feminine vapours. Daniels continues to outwit them, and add moments of perceptive insight in the course of the air crash investigation, whilst keeping tabs on another case back in the North, which proves to have some interesting connections…
I am always impressed with Hannah’s deliverance of pace and plot, not only in this, her longest running series, but across her other two series too, and although this book feels quite different in style, it further proves her versatility and skill as a writer. Her dialogue and scene setting is fluid and perceptive, and by taking Daniels and us outside our comfort zone a little more in this book, it’s fair to say that Without A Trace is probably one of the strongest books in the series to date. Really enjoyed this one, and cannot wait to see what twisted roads she takes her readers down next. Recommended.
This very much felt at times like a high octane thriller, with a breathless race against time for Daniels to ascertain whether her former lover, Jo was actually one of the passengers on this ill-fated flight between London and New York. Although, Hannah is always adept at keeping the pace of her normal fare of police procedurals, injecting this plot was an international investigation into a suspected terrorist led air crash, really allows her to stretch her thriller writing skills. This she achieves in spades, and as the investigation progresses, I was fascinated by how this kind of global incident that crosses borders and investigative branches is undertaken and acted upon. By weaving in different teams of investigators from both Britain and the U.S. and with Daniels working on her own agenda, there is a real sense of tension and people working, at times, at cross purposes, which kept up the speed and intensity of the main plot.
Through the books, Daniels is perceived as a strong and steadfast woman and by extension, senior police officer, not known to suffer moments of crisis or real indecision. Consequently, it was extremely interesting to see her being put under an inordinate amount of professional and personal tension in this book, as she defies her superiors and sometimes her better judgement as this case progresses. The bond and fierce protectiveness she still displays for her former lover drives her on, despite the possible costs to her both personally and to her own career, and those who support her in her seemingly hopeless quest. As her second in command, the fiercely loyal DS Hank Gormley observes, ” In the past few days, layer upon layer of the armour she’d put on during her police career had been peeled away, leaving her exposed to the same raw feelings as anyone suffering the loss of a loved one. Stripped of her confidence she was inherently vulnerable,” something we have not seen in her character so far. However, despite this growing sense of vulnerability, we still see the familiar flashes of strength from her, particularly in dealing with obdurate men inside the investigation who are so quick to condemn her for what they perceive as feminine vapours. Daniels continues to outwit them, and add moments of perceptive insight in the course of the air crash investigation, whilst keeping tabs on another case back in the North, which proves to have some interesting connections…
I am always impressed with Hannah’s deliverance of pace and plot, not only in this, her longest running series, but across her other two series too, and although this book feels quite different in style, it further proves her versatility and skill as a writer. Her dialogue and scene setting is fluid and perceptive, and by taking Daniels and us outside our comfort zone a little more in this book, it’s fair to say that Without A Trace is probably one of the strongest books in the series to date. Really enjoyed this one, and cannot wait to see what twisted roads she takes her readers down next. Recommended.
February 27, 2023
This book just didn’t do it for me at all. It was very slow. The pace just didn’t lift and I’m afraid I skimmed through just to see what happened towards the end. I’ve enjoyed all the previous Kate Daniels books. This one bordered on the tedious. Kate’s riding roughshod over anyone and everyone to get to do what she wants, really annoyed me. And Hank’s puppy-dog following of her is getting beyond a joke. Yes - they’re close friends and colleagues but his blind devotion to her to the detriment of his family puts me off the guy. That all said I will read the next book and just hope it’s a tad more interesting.
January 7, 2021
Thriller set around Heathrow Airport
You Tube Review: https://youtu.be/_xj_Bq_8LdE
Some readers may already be familiar with Mari Hannah’s character, DCI Kate Daniels, who is a detective based in Newcastle upon Tyne. She has featured in several of the author’s books and has become quite a familiar figure for regular readers. It is great to see her back in action. This book can be read as a stand alone.
Kate is sassy and independent minded, lives in Jesmond (a suburb of Newcastle) and has just come out of a relationship with her soulmate, Jo Soulsby. Kate, in essence, has been welded to her job and although Jo has a good psychological understanding of their couple relationship, given her training, she cannot reconcile her feelings. She takes off for some headspace, having put an end to the relationship and has booked a trip to the Big Apple. Just for herself.
The novel opens when news of an airline disaster filters in and in no time Kate has worked out that Jo was booked on flight 0113, heading to New York. She is of course beside herself and drops everything to head down to the flight’s originating airport – Heathrow. Her second-in-command Hank Gormley, who is her capable wingman, accompanies her. This naturally is not going to go down well with her superiors but she has a steely drive and inveigles herself into the investigations down South. And yes, she is going to do what it takes to get herself on the inside track. She wants to know more about what brought the plane down and whether she can shed any more light on Jo’s movements, prior to boarding. She has to keep the hope that somehow she wasn’t on the flight. All the evidence points in one direction only…
Kate is a good detective with a nose for the untoward, she is determined to ascertain whether Jo actually took the flight but with her traumatised frame of mind, is she thinking straight? Is she clutching at straws? Hank is there to be the voice of reason.
Meanwhile things are kicking off up North and she realises that there are people who are keeping a very careful eye on her and her actions.
Central to the early investigations is whether Jo checked her suitcase for the flight (Kate discovers that she clearly paid for one piece of luggage on her booking) and thus Kate has a stint working as a baggage handler; the insights into that part of any plane journey are interesting, if not downright sobering! I will never travel with expensive looking luggage, it is of course a magnet for thieves! I will defintielyl ditch my Louis Vuitton travelling gear (hah, as if I could have ever afforded that!).
This is a slow-burning thriller, particularly poignant at this period in our lives when we can’t really travel.
You Tube Review: https://youtu.be/_xj_Bq_8LdE
Some readers may already be familiar with Mari Hannah’s character, DCI Kate Daniels, who is a detective based in Newcastle upon Tyne. She has featured in several of the author’s books and has become quite a familiar figure for regular readers. It is great to see her back in action. This book can be read as a stand alone.
Kate is sassy and independent minded, lives in Jesmond (a suburb of Newcastle) and has just come out of a relationship with her soulmate, Jo Soulsby. Kate, in essence, has been welded to her job and although Jo has a good psychological understanding of their couple relationship, given her training, she cannot reconcile her feelings. She takes off for some headspace, having put an end to the relationship and has booked a trip to the Big Apple. Just for herself.
The novel opens when news of an airline disaster filters in and in no time Kate has worked out that Jo was booked on flight 0113, heading to New York. She is of course beside herself and drops everything to head down to the flight’s originating airport – Heathrow. Her second-in-command Hank Gormley, who is her capable wingman, accompanies her. This naturally is not going to go down well with her superiors but she has a steely drive and inveigles herself into the investigations down South. And yes, she is going to do what it takes to get herself on the inside track. She wants to know more about what brought the plane down and whether she can shed any more light on Jo’s movements, prior to boarding. She has to keep the hope that somehow she wasn’t on the flight. All the evidence points in one direction only…
Kate is a good detective with a nose for the untoward, she is determined to ascertain whether Jo actually took the flight but with her traumatised frame of mind, is she thinking straight? Is she clutching at straws? Hank is there to be the voice of reason.
Meanwhile things are kicking off up North and she realises that there are people who are keeping a very careful eye on her and her actions.
Central to the early investigations is whether Jo checked her suitcase for the flight (Kate discovers that she clearly paid for one piece of luggage on her booking) and thus Kate has a stint working as a baggage handler; the insights into that part of any plane journey are interesting, if not downright sobering! I will never travel with expensive looking luggage, it is of course a magnet for thieves! I will defintielyl ditch my Louis Vuitton travelling gear (hah, as if I could have ever afforded that!).
This is a slow-burning thriller, particularly poignant at this period in our lives when we can’t really travel.
July 27, 2022
Een geraffineerde Kate Daniels thriller. We want more!
Spoorloos ligt voor me te blinken. Zal ik hem nog eens lezen? Ja, zoooo goed. Hopelijk binnenkort op het scherm.
Auteur
Mari Hannah heeft niet alleen acht Kate Daniels thrillers geschreven, ook nog andere series: Stone and Oliver & Ryan en Oneil. JEUJ! Voor mij nog onbekend, maar dat gaat niet lang duren. Spoorloos is de allereerste Nederlandstalige Kate Daniel. Sinds 2014 ging Hannah in gesprek met Stephen Fry van Sprout Pictures om de serie te verfilmen. Graag!
De partner van Mari Hannah werkte als een rechercheur moordzaken, dus dat verklaart veel :-).
Cover
Een veelzeggende eenzame koffer, die staat te wachten in een luchthaven. Yep!
Het verhaal
Een vliegtuig verdwijnt tussen Londen en New York. En als geliefde Jo van hoofdinspecteur moordzaken Kate Daniels aan boord is, geeft ze zich 200 % om uit te zoeken wat er is gebeurd. En wil ze zeker weten of iedereen is ingestapt. Kate lapt alle regels aan haar laars en verliest bijna haar job. Ze mag zich niet meer met de zaak moeien.
Toch blijft ze hardnekkig haar zoektocht verder zetten en begeeft ze zich plot in enorm gevaarlijk vaarwater van drugscriminelen.
Mijn gedacht
Spoorloos leest als een TGV. Een geraffineerde thriller met een fantastisch plot en opbouw van spanning. De personages kunnen zo op het witte scherm. Al haar series wil ik lezen!
Spoorloos ligt voor me te blinken. Zal ik hem nog eens lezen? Ja, zoooo goed. Hopelijk binnenkort op het scherm.
Auteur
Mari Hannah heeft niet alleen acht Kate Daniels thrillers geschreven, ook nog andere series: Stone and Oliver & Ryan en Oneil. JEUJ! Voor mij nog onbekend, maar dat gaat niet lang duren. Spoorloos is de allereerste Nederlandstalige Kate Daniel. Sinds 2014 ging Hannah in gesprek met Stephen Fry van Sprout Pictures om de serie te verfilmen. Graag!
De partner van Mari Hannah werkte als een rechercheur moordzaken, dus dat verklaart veel :-).
Cover
Een veelzeggende eenzame koffer, die staat te wachten in een luchthaven. Yep!
Het verhaal
Een vliegtuig verdwijnt tussen Londen en New York. En als geliefde Jo van hoofdinspecteur moordzaken Kate Daniels aan boord is, geeft ze zich 200 % om uit te zoeken wat er is gebeurd. En wil ze zeker weten of iedereen is ingestapt. Kate lapt alle regels aan haar laars en verliest bijna haar job. Ze mag zich niet meer met de zaak moeien.
Toch blijft ze hardnekkig haar zoektocht verder zetten en begeeft ze zich plot in enorm gevaarlijk vaarwater van drugscriminelen.
Mijn gedacht
Spoorloos leest als een TGV. Een geraffineerde thriller met een fantastisch plot en opbouw van spanning. De personages kunnen zo op het witte scherm. Al haar series wil ik lezen!
January 20, 2024
This is the seventh in the Kate Daniels series.
We ended the sixth on a cliffhanger and the tension is ratcheted up and up. This is a heart stopping and in moments heartbreaking read. As always Hank is loyalty personified, showing just how much he will help Kate. It’s a novel that is shocking and has so much intrigue. The story also had me really liking one of the people I probably shouldn’t. I know you’re not meant to like the bad guys but this book showed how fine a line is between one ‘side’ and the other as Kate works with and trusts someone she normally wouldn’t. Every single angle that was shown was not explosive in more than one way, but utterly addictive.
This book had me in tears. Both sad and happy. Putting it down was impossible and once I started it I was literally up through the night reading it as I just had to find out what happened in the end.
As usual Mari Hannah did not disappoint as her writing goes from strength to strength with each book. There are no repetitive storylines or things left out that you want to know about.
I can’t really say anything else without giving spoilers, except to say if you haven’t read this brilliant series, read it now!
With thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the project.
We ended the sixth on a cliffhanger and the tension is ratcheted up and up. This is a heart stopping and in moments heartbreaking read. As always Hank is loyalty personified, showing just how much he will help Kate. It’s a novel that is shocking and has so much intrigue. The story also had me really liking one of the people I probably shouldn’t. I know you’re not meant to like the bad guys but this book showed how fine a line is between one ‘side’ and the other as Kate works with and trusts someone she normally wouldn’t. Every single angle that was shown was not explosive in more than one way, but utterly addictive.
This book had me in tears. Both sad and happy. Putting it down was impossible and once I started it I was literally up through the night reading it as I just had to find out what happened in the end.
As usual Mari Hannah did not disappoint as her writing goes from strength to strength with each book. There are no repetitive storylines or things left out that you want to know about.
I can’t really say anything else without giving spoilers, except to say if you haven’t read this brilliant series, read it now!
With thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the project.
May 28, 2020
Without a trace by Mari Hannah.
A plane on route from London to New York City has disappeared out of the sky. This breaking news dominates every TV channel, every social media platform, and every waking hour of the Metropolitan Police and US Homeland Security.
Really enjoyable read. Great story. Some good characters. Hope there is more to come. 4*.
A plane on route from London to New York City has disappeared out of the sky. This breaking news dominates every TV channel, every social media platform, and every waking hour of the Metropolitan Police and US Homeland Security.
Really enjoyable read. Great story. Some good characters. Hope there is more to come. 4*.
December 15, 2020
Always a great fast paced story from Mari Hannah and this is no exception. Multiple threads and interaction between the familiar personalities hits all the marks for me.
It is a familiar riff in this genre to have a loose canon of a detective not following orders, but I can live with Kate Daniels idiosyncrasies. She and her team unravel what happened when a transatlantic flight from Heathrow drops from the sky killing all, alongside a drugs war on her own patch.
Inspired!
It is a familiar riff in this genre to have a loose canon of a detective not following orders, but I can live with Kate Daniels idiosyncrasies. She and her team unravel what happened when a transatlantic flight from Heathrow drops from the sky killing all, alongside a drugs war on her own patch.
Inspired!
November 29, 2022
I tried several times to get into this story and each time found it difficult but in the end I managed to make it.
This book is certainly not one of my favourites in this series but necessary to read to keep up to date with Kate the lead character.
No spoilers from me, you make your own minds up on this one.
This book is certainly not one of my favourites in this series but necessary to read to keep up to date with Kate the lead character.
No spoilers from me, you make your own minds up on this one.
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