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Traced
Jane is a contact tracer. She has to call a lot of people and some of them don’t want to talk. Various reasons—tax or immigration issues, infidelity. Domestic abuse.
Jane knows all about that. She and her daughter Tara have spent years in hiding from Tara’s manipulative and terrifying ex. Now, as Jane talks to a close contact, she realises the woman on the phone is scared of the same man—and he’s close. Too close.
Suddenly the past comes slamming back into the present as Jane realises she and Tara can’t keep running forever.
One day, they’re going to be found.
Jane knows all about that. She and her daughter Tara have spent years in hiding from Tara’s manipulative and terrifying ex. Now, as Jane talks to a close contact, she realises the woman on the phone is scared of the same man—and he’s close. Too close.
Suddenly the past comes slamming back into the present as Jane realises she and Tara can’t keep running forever.
One day, they’re going to be found.
336 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2023
5 people are currently reading
159 people want to read
About the author
Catherine Jinks
61 books537 followersCatherine Jinks is the Australian author of more than thirty books for all ages. She has garnered many awards, including the Children’s Book Council of Australia Book of the Year Award(three times), the Victorian Premier’s Award, the Aurealis Award for Science Fiction, the Australian Ibby Award, and the Davitt Award for Crime Fiction. Her work has been published in Australia, New Zealand, Britain, the United States, Germany, Spain, France, Portugal, Poland, Russia, the Czech Republic and Thailand.
Catherine was born in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1963. She grew up in Papua New Guinea, where her father worked as a patrol officer. Her high-school years were spent in Sydney, NSW; in 2006, her alma mater, Ku-ring-gai High School, named its library after her.
From 1982 to 1986, Catherine studied at the University of Sydney, graduating with an honours degree in medieval history. She then worked on Westpac Banking Corporation’s staff magazine for approximately seven years. In 1992 she married Peter Dockrill, a Canadian journalist; in 1993 she and her husband left Australia for a brief spell in Nova Scotia, where she began to write full time. They returned to Australia in 1994, and Catherine gave birth to her daughter Hannah in 1997. Since 1998, she and her family have been living in Leura, NSW.
She has two brothers, and two pet rats. Like most people in Leura, she has become a slave to her garden, but not to the extent that she’ll buy rooting powder.
Catherine has been writing books since she was eight years old. She doesn’t expect to stop writing them any time soon.
Author photo: Catherine Jinks in front of 'Conceptual Networks', by artist Paul du Moulin.
Photo by Paul du Moulin
Catherine was born in Brisbane, Queensland, in 1963. She grew up in Papua New Guinea, where her father worked as a patrol officer. Her high-school years were spent in Sydney, NSW; in 2006, her alma mater, Ku-ring-gai High School, named its library after her.
From 1982 to 1986, Catherine studied at the University of Sydney, graduating with an honours degree in medieval history. She then worked on Westpac Banking Corporation’s staff magazine for approximately seven years. In 1992 she married Peter Dockrill, a Canadian journalist; in 1993 she and her husband left Australia for a brief spell in Nova Scotia, where she began to write full time. They returned to Australia in 1994, and Catherine gave birth to her daughter Hannah in 1997. Since 1998, she and her family have been living in Leura, NSW.
She has two brothers, and two pet rats. Like most people in Leura, she has become a slave to her garden, but not to the extent that she’ll buy rooting powder.
Catherine has been writing books since she was eight years old. She doesn’t expect to stop writing them any time soon.
Author photo: Catherine Jinks in front of 'Conceptual Networks', by artist Paul du Moulin.
Photo by Paul du Moulin
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
June 28, 2023
In this psychological thriller Catherine Jinks uses the Covid pandemic as the stepping off point of a domestic violence case that has been going on since 2014. This is a story that is all too familiar but acts as yet another reminder that abuse doesn’t necessarily have to be physical to be life threatening.
Jane MacDonald works as a contact trace advisor with Nepean Public Health out of the Penrith Hospital in Sydney’s western suburbs. She makes a call to a young woman who has been identified as a close contact to someone who has Covid to advise her that she must isolate for 14 days. The woman becomes hysterical, claiming her fiance will be extremely angry and she fears for her safety.
That’s when Jane hears the name of the fiance, Griffin Clynch, and feels complete dread overwhelm her. It’s the same man she and her daughter have been hiding from for the last 6 years.
The story jumps from the present back to 6 years ago to give us a complete picture of how Griffin gradually took over Courtney’s (Jane’s daughter) life. It involves a combination of isolation, gaslighting, guilt-tripping and, eventually, forcing her to succumb to his will. All the while, Jane is being cast as the villain of the piece, a clingy mother who can’t bear to let go of her daughter and showing an unreasonable need to paint her daughter’s boyfriend in a bad light.
So for six years Jane (who used to be Jeanette) and Tara (used to be Courtney) have been living their new lives, all the while hiding out from the man who terrorised the both of them. The contact trace call ultimately serves to begin the process of potentially putting him back on their trail and the terror of pursuit begins all over again.
Catherine Jinks does an outstanding job of conveying the feeling of helplessness and hopelessness victims of subtle domestic violence experienced through Courtney and Jeanette. It’s a story that evokes a great sense of vulnerability and reminds us how easy it can be to become a victim. The fear that keeps them from going to the police and the growing desperation that comes from an increasingly dangerous relationship all adds to the sense of anguish and despair.
This is a very well-paced story that flips back and forward between the two time periods, explaining how Jeanette and Courtney became Jane and Tara, the danger they face. It also provides a clear idea of just how dangerous things are about to get. It provides a very effective build up of suspense and terrible anticipation.
Anyone who enjoys an entirely plausible domestic thriller with a relatable main character is going to appreciate Traced.
My thanks to Text Publishing via NetGalley for a digital ARC that allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.
Jane MacDonald works as a contact trace advisor with Nepean Public Health out of the Penrith Hospital in Sydney’s western suburbs. She makes a call to a young woman who has been identified as a close contact to someone who has Covid to advise her that she must isolate for 14 days. The woman becomes hysterical, claiming her fiance will be extremely angry and she fears for her safety.
That’s when Jane hears the name of the fiance, Griffin Clynch, and feels complete dread overwhelm her. It’s the same man she and her daughter have been hiding from for the last 6 years.
The story jumps from the present back to 6 years ago to give us a complete picture of how Griffin gradually took over Courtney’s (Jane’s daughter) life. It involves a combination of isolation, gaslighting, guilt-tripping and, eventually, forcing her to succumb to his will. All the while, Jane is being cast as the villain of the piece, a clingy mother who can’t bear to let go of her daughter and showing an unreasonable need to paint her daughter’s boyfriend in a bad light.
So for six years Jane (who used to be Jeanette) and Tara (used to be Courtney) have been living their new lives, all the while hiding out from the man who terrorised the both of them. The contact trace call ultimately serves to begin the process of potentially putting him back on their trail and the terror of pursuit begins all over again.
Catherine Jinks does an outstanding job of conveying the feeling of helplessness and hopelessness victims of subtle domestic violence experienced through Courtney and Jeanette. It’s a story that evokes a great sense of vulnerability and reminds us how easy it can be to become a victim. The fear that keeps them from going to the police and the growing desperation that comes from an increasingly dangerous relationship all adds to the sense of anguish and despair.
This is a very well-paced story that flips back and forward between the two time periods, explaining how Jeanette and Courtney became Jane and Tara, the danger they face. It also provides a clear idea of just how dangerous things are about to get. It provides a very effective build up of suspense and terrible anticipation.
Anyone who enjoys an entirely plausible domestic thriller with a relatable main character is going to appreciate Traced.
My thanks to Text Publishing via NetGalley for a digital ARC that allowed me to read, enjoy and review this book.
August 16, 2023
Well that was a ride! a at first I was a little hesitant to read this as one of the main characters is a Covid 19 contact tracer. But it is sets the story in motion, but it isn’t what the book is about. I really enjoy this authors writing, her books are always so fast paced and keep you on your toes. A big thanks to Text Publishing for sending me this book to read. Traced is out now and I am so glad that I picked it up.
Jane works for Nepean Health as a contact tracer during the pandemic. The calls are not always easy, but she was not expecting her past to come back to haunt her. A close contact is terrified when Jane calls her, saying her boyfriend will kill her. She soon discover that this boyfriend is none other than Griffin, her daughter’s abusive ex, the one that they have been in hiding from for years.
We hear the story in the present, 2020, where Jane and her daughter Tara have to work out what to do to stay hidden. How is he so close to them? a and then we go back to 2014 and learn what happened to put them into hiding. It is a tough read at times, with domestic violence and controlling behaviour very much in the frontline. Griffin was such a nasty character and the tension felt by the women in his life was intense.
Jane works for Nepean Health as a contact tracer during the pandemic. The calls are not always easy, but she was not expecting her past to come back to haunt her. A close contact is terrified when Jane calls her, saying her boyfriend will kill her. She soon discover that this boyfriend is none other than Griffin, her daughter’s abusive ex, the one that they have been in hiding from for years.
We hear the story in the present, 2020, where Jane and her daughter Tara have to work out what to do to stay hidden. How is he so close to them? a and then we go back to 2014 and learn what happened to put them into hiding. It is a tough read at times, with domestic violence and controlling behaviour very much in the frontline. Griffin was such a nasty character and the tension felt by the women in his life was intense.
December 10, 2023
Thank you Text Publishing for sending us a copy to read and review.
The covid pandemic put a whole lot of extra strains and pressures on many people.
The vulnerable living with abuse no longer had their daily reprieve as workers stayed home.
Exposing risk and danger on many fronts.
Jane worked as a contact tracer, speaking to many that may have come into contact with COVID.
One call made was about to change her life as the past hovered like a dark cloud.
A suspected abuse victim revealed the name of her abuser and unleashed not only deja vu but fear.
Jane and her daughter have been on the run, changed identities and had lived with apprehension because of a controlling abuser.
A dual time line, describing the nightmare as it started and the present, where flirting with the past weaves into a plot of intrigue.
A mother’s intuition, protection of her daughter and ultimately her worst nightmare unfurl.
I won’t say much more about the plot but I will say that it is a domestic noir that kept me reading much later in the night than usual.
Inspired me to read more in the genre.
The covid pandemic put a whole lot of extra strains and pressures on many people.
The vulnerable living with abuse no longer had their daily reprieve as workers stayed home.
Exposing risk and danger on many fronts.
Jane worked as a contact tracer, speaking to many that may have come into contact with COVID.
One call made was about to change her life as the past hovered like a dark cloud.
A suspected abuse victim revealed the name of her abuser and unleashed not only deja vu but fear.
Jane and her daughter have been on the run, changed identities and had lived with apprehension because of a controlling abuser.
A dual time line, describing the nightmare as it started and the present, where flirting with the past weaves into a plot of intrigue.
A mother’s intuition, protection of her daughter and ultimately her worst nightmare unfurl.
I won’t say much more about the plot but I will say that it is a domestic noir that kept me reading much later in the night than usual.
Inspired me to read more in the genre.
September 16, 2023
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Traced by Catherine Jinks is fast paced and will have you tense and on the edge of your seat! I really enjoyed this one!
With themes of coercive control, domestic violence, gaslighting and a mother’s love the author cleverly weaves a psychological domestic thriller that will have you in suspense.
Our protagonist Jane works as a Covid-19 contact tracer during the pandemic in 2020 but as Jane talks to a close contact she realises the young woman on the phone is scared of her partner a man from Jane’s past! Jane will do what she can to keep this young woman as well as her own family safe from him!
Griffin is a nasty and controlling character you’ll love to hate and a reminder to how the pandemic heightened the dangerous situation of many women living with violence.
The climax is nail-biting and a fist pump to mothers that meddle! How far would you go for your daughter?
Publication Date 04 July 2023
Publisher Text Publishing
Thank you so much Text Publishing for a copy of the book to read.
Traced by Catherine Jinks is fast paced and will have you tense and on the edge of your seat! I really enjoyed this one!
With themes of coercive control, domestic violence, gaslighting and a mother’s love the author cleverly weaves a psychological domestic thriller that will have you in suspense.
Our protagonist Jane works as a Covid-19 contact tracer during the pandemic in 2020 but as Jane talks to a close contact she realises the young woman on the phone is scared of her partner a man from Jane’s past! Jane will do what she can to keep this young woman as well as her own family safe from him!
Griffin is a nasty and controlling character you’ll love to hate and a reminder to how the pandemic heightened the dangerous situation of many women living with violence.
The climax is nail-biting and a fist pump to mothers that meddle! How far would you go for your daughter?
Publication Date 04 July 2023
Publisher Text Publishing
Thank you so much Text Publishing for a copy of the book to read.
Read
March 14, 2025The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Traced
‘Jinks tells a great story that holds the reader’s close attention on every page…This well-constructed and pacey narrative explores serious issues while maintaining spare and tight language, gritty circumstances, authentic dialogue and a building climax that will keep you on the edge of your seat.’
Cass Moriarty, author of The Promise Seed and Parting Words
‘The fear is palpable and crawls off the page, so the reader can feel it too...This is a book that needs to be read with the lights on, and one that you will be unwilling to put down.’
ArtsHub
‘If you enjoy a psychological thriller—a kind of cat and mouse book—I would certainly recommend this…It’s a really good read to curl up with on a wintry night.’
RNZ Nine to Noon
‘Jinks…cleverly blends the generalised fears and tropes of [the COVID] era, including those around mandatory isolation and testing, with a tightly wound narrative of creeping menace…[Jinks] crafts a taut, tense thriller of a narrative, expertly cranking up the suspense notch by notch.’
Saturday Paper
‘Jinks manages to deliver another effective and suspenseful thriller in Traced.’
Blurb
‘A powerful examination of domestic abuse and control.’
Canberra Weekly
‘Beautifully paced, with a central character that leans out from the page, daring you to feel her pain, frustration, panic, fear and resolve, Traced is a novel that shows the reader what it feels like to be afraid, and what protecting the ones you love the most in the world will drive you to do.’
AustCrime
‘Traced, [Jinks’] latest novel, should be in line for an award in the psychological thriller genre. It’s alarming and compelling in equal measure.’
Law Society Journal
‘The build up of suspense kept me reading to finish the book in a couple of sittings...The terrifying climax could well keep readers up at night!’
ReadPlus
‘Packed with tension to make the reader squirm…The action really ramped up at the end towards a satisfying climax and I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief…’
Carpe Librum
‘Jinks tells a great story that holds the reader’s close attention on every page…This well-constructed and pacey narrative explores serious issues while maintaining spare and tight language, gritty circumstances, authentic dialogue and a building climax that will keep you on the edge of your seat.’
Cass Moriarty, author of The Promise Seed and Parting Words
‘The fear is palpable and crawls off the page, so the reader can feel it too...This is a book that needs to be read with the lights on, and one that you will be unwilling to put down.’
ArtsHub
‘If you enjoy a psychological thriller—a kind of cat and mouse book—I would certainly recommend this…It’s a really good read to curl up with on a wintry night.’
RNZ Nine to Noon
‘Jinks…cleverly blends the generalised fears and tropes of [the COVID] era, including those around mandatory isolation and testing, with a tightly wound narrative of creeping menace…[Jinks] crafts a taut, tense thriller of a narrative, expertly cranking up the suspense notch by notch.’
Saturday Paper
‘Jinks manages to deliver another effective and suspenseful thriller in Traced.’
Blurb
‘A powerful examination of domestic abuse and control.’
Canberra Weekly
‘Beautifully paced, with a central character that leans out from the page, daring you to feel her pain, frustration, panic, fear and resolve, Traced is a novel that shows the reader what it feels like to be afraid, and what protecting the ones you love the most in the world will drive you to do.’
AustCrime
‘Traced, [Jinks’] latest novel, should be in line for an award in the psychological thriller genre. It’s alarming and compelling in equal measure.’
Law Society Journal
‘The build up of suspense kept me reading to finish the book in a couple of sittings...The terrifying climax could well keep readers up at night!’
ReadPlus
‘Packed with tension to make the reader squirm…The action really ramped up at the end towards a satisfying climax and I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief…’
Carpe Librum
July 15, 2023
In 2020 Jane is working as a contact tracer when she takes a call from a woman who is worried about what will happen when she tells her fiancé she’s potentially contracted COvID-19. The fiancé Griffin happens to be Jane’s daughter’s ex-fiance who she helped her escape from due to his controlling and domestically violent nature. What follows are alternating time lines where we see the unfolding of that happened to Jane’s daughter and what happens in 2020 with Griffin again entering the frame. Safe to say Griffin ain’t happy!
A great psychological thriller that shines a light on the dynamics of coercive control and domestic violence, and how past behaviour is almost certainly predictive of future behaviour.
But Griffin didn’t count on Jane - here’s to all the ‘meddling’ mothers who refuse to take no for an answer.
A great psychological thriller that shines a light on the dynamics of coercive control and domestic violence, and how past behaviour is almost certainly predictive of future behaviour.
But Griffin didn’t count on Jane - here’s to all the ‘meddling’ mothers who refuse to take no for an answer.
March 12, 2025
Traced by Catherine Jinks is possibly the first novel I've read set in Australia during the early stages of the pandemic. It's 2020 and Jane is a contact tracer working for New South Wales Health, and during the course of her daily tracing calls she speaks to a victim of domestic violence named Nicole. Years earlier, Jane helped her own daughter escape a violent situation and recognises Nicole's fear of discovery by her abusive partner. Jane and her daughter Tara are still in hiding from her ex Griffin, but Jane's shocked to find the person on the phone is also afraid of a man named Griffin.
The story unravels from there as Jane attempts to help Nicole into a refuge while keeping her location secret from Griffin and trying not to break too many rules at work in the process.
Alternate chapters take us back to 2014 and Jane's life before Tara met Griffin. The reader slowly learns what went wrong in the relationship and how the two women escaped before returning to the present narrative and Griffin's renewed interest in tracking them down.
Griffin is a real piece of work, he's manipulative, obsessive and controlling and this book could be a trigger for readers who have suffered at the hands of a gaslighting domestic abuser. As a character in this book he was a well-written villain and the perfect contrast to Jane's determination to protect her family at all costs.
The Australian setting was enjoyable and the references so Sydney and the surrounding areas were an unexpected pleasure, including this one:
"The only personal thing I knew about Michelle was that she lived in Kellyville and ate salads for lunch." Page 71
I have family living in Kellyville so that was a nice surprise on the page. Both narrative arcs - 2014 and 2020 - are packed with tension to make the reader squirm and boy did I fidget and clench my fists at the scenarios Jane was dealing with in both timelines.
The action really ramped up at the end towards a satisfying climax and I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Traced is recommended for those who enjoy domestic thrillers and is the third book I've read from Catherine Jinks so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for her next thriller.
* Courtesy of Text Publishing *
The story unravels from there as Jane attempts to help Nicole into a refuge while keeping her location secret from Griffin and trying not to break too many rules at work in the process.
Alternate chapters take us back to 2014 and Jane's life before Tara met Griffin. The reader slowly learns what went wrong in the relationship and how the two women escaped before returning to the present narrative and Griffin's renewed interest in tracking them down.
Griffin is a real piece of work, he's manipulative, obsessive and controlling and this book could be a trigger for readers who have suffered at the hands of a gaslighting domestic abuser. As a character in this book he was a well-written villain and the perfect contrast to Jane's determination to protect her family at all costs.
The Australian setting was enjoyable and the references so Sydney and the surrounding areas were an unexpected pleasure, including this one:
"The only personal thing I knew about Michelle was that she lived in Kellyville and ate salads for lunch." Page 71
I have family living in Kellyville so that was a nice surprise on the page. Both narrative arcs - 2014 and 2020 - are packed with tension to make the reader squirm and boy did I fidget and clench my fists at the scenarios Jane was dealing with in both timelines.
The action really ramped up at the end towards a satisfying climax and I was finally able to breathe a sigh of relief. Traced is recommended for those who enjoy domestic thrillers and is the third book I've read from Catherine Jinks so I'll definitely be keeping an eye out for her next thriller.
* Courtesy of Text Publishing *
January 22, 2024
Setting: Sydney & Blue Mountains, NSW, Australia; 2014-2021.
In 2020, Jane Macdonald is a contact tracer during the COVID pandemic, operating out of a hospital in the Penrith area of Sydney. She has to contact Nicole who has been in contact with her cousin, Paige, recently diagnosed with the illness. What Nicole has to say terrifies Jane beyond belief - Nicole is frightened of what her fiance Griffin Clynch will do to her when he finds out. Griffin is the abusive and controlling ex-partner of Jane's daughter, Tara, who they have been hiding from since 2014 - changing their names and their jobs to try to escape him. But, now Griffin is apparently back in their lives, do they run once more or fight?.....
This was a totally gripping and exciting read which jumps back and forth from 2014, when Tara (then Courtney) had a relationship with Griffin, to 2020, when Jane and Tara must try to protect themselves yet again from any attempt by Griffin to find them. It is certainly a pretty black-and-white story - Griffin has no redeeming features whatsoever and is the quintessential baddie that we all love to hate. Jane and Tara are decidedly the goodies, although they make some bad decisions along the way, and have a white knight of their own in person tracer Eric Besley, who aided them in 2014 and is once again there when Griffin becomes a threat. Excellent read - 9/10.
In 2020, Jane Macdonald is a contact tracer during the COVID pandemic, operating out of a hospital in the Penrith area of Sydney. She has to contact Nicole who has been in contact with her cousin, Paige, recently diagnosed with the illness. What Nicole has to say terrifies Jane beyond belief - Nicole is frightened of what her fiance Griffin Clynch will do to her when he finds out. Griffin is the abusive and controlling ex-partner of Jane's daughter, Tara, who they have been hiding from since 2014 - changing their names and their jobs to try to escape him. But, now Griffin is apparently back in their lives, do they run once more or fight?.....
This was a totally gripping and exciting read which jumps back and forth from 2014, when Tara (then Courtney) had a relationship with Griffin, to 2020, when Jane and Tara must try to protect themselves yet again from any attempt by Griffin to find them. It is certainly a pretty black-and-white story - Griffin has no redeeming features whatsoever and is the quintessential baddie that we all love to hate. Jane and Tara are decidedly the goodies, although they make some bad decisions along the way, and have a white knight of their own in person tracer Eric Besley, who aided them in 2014 and is once again there when Griffin becomes a threat. Excellent read - 9/10.
July 17, 2023
Fast paced with a contemporary setting. Coercive control is insidious and accurately portrayed in this thoroughly research and entirely believable story. I couldn’t put it down even though the end was a little too overwhelming for me. It did have to happen. Full marks for the COVID contract tracing setting and the plot. Thanks to @netgalley for the opportunity to review this. My review is my own opinion. Catherine Jinks is a great writer and she has picked the mood and momentum well. It is time that more is shared about the dangers of controlling relationships.
January 17, 2025
A real page turner on a difficult topic (domestic violence).
May 30, 2023
Traced takes place in a time ALL of us are familiar with - the pandemic era - when of course tracing people’s whereabouts was part of everyday life .
The trouble with that meant it complicated your life if you were trying to keep a low profile. Keeping your whereabouts private was near impossible and that’s exactly what this mother & daughter discovered.
Traced takes you on a journey of the realisation that the digital age really leaves little place for anyone to hide even when you think you have covered all bases.
I’m always on the lookout for new-to-me Australian authors especially in my favourite genre of mystery/thriller and what a treat that this is Catherine’s first in the genre. Full disclosure I would not have picked up any of Catherine’s previous books before as they just don’t fall into my reading list but I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to get this as a digital ARC and discover Catherine Jinks.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope that Catherine plans to write more in this genre.
As I haven’t had a physical copy of this book in my hands, I’m not sure if it will be included but I feel it may need the addition of trigger warnings although this was not an issue for me.
The trouble with that meant it complicated your life if you were trying to keep a low profile. Keeping your whereabouts private was near impossible and that’s exactly what this mother & daughter discovered.
Traced takes you on a journey of the realisation that the digital age really leaves little place for anyone to hide even when you think you have covered all bases.
I’m always on the lookout for new-to-me Australian authors especially in my favourite genre of mystery/thriller and what a treat that this is Catherine’s first in the genre. Full disclosure I would not have picked up any of Catherine’s previous books before as they just don’t fall into my reading list but I’m so glad I was given the opportunity to get this as a digital ARC and discover Catherine Jinks.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and hope that Catherine plans to write more in this genre.
As I haven’t had a physical copy of this book in my hands, I’m not sure if it will be included but I feel it may need the addition of trigger warnings although this was not an issue for me.
October 19, 2025
A frightening read, given the many realistic topics and situations covered.
July 8, 2023
In her last few novels, Australian author Catherine Jinks has turned to domestic thrillers – books driven by seemingly ordinary people behaving badly and those who have to stand up to them. In Shelter, a woman who helped abuse survivors fleeing their relationships, finds her refuge under attack. In The Attack, a former school teacher is forced to relive her dealings with badly behaved children and their parents. And now we have Traced, another thriller that centres around a dangerous, gaslighting man and the lengths people have to go to deal with him.
Traced opens in 2020 and the height of the contact tracing phase of the Covid pandemic. At this time, teams were actively calling close contacts of people infected to try and prevent the spread of the disease. Jane works in one of the contact tracing teams and in a regular phonecall comes across a possibly abused woman who she soon finds is living with Griffin, her own daughter’s ex. While the full story of Jane’s interaction with Griffin back in 2014/5 plays out over the rest of the book, Jinks makes clear very early on that he is potentially dangerous and that Jane’s involvement in the case may well have put her and her daughter back into danger.
The tension in Traced is built around a singular, nasty character. Griffin is a type of smiling, confident man who has to be totally controlling in a relationship. It becomes clear through the story of his relationship with Tara that he does this by constantly undermining and gaslighting and even creating “accidents” that make them constantly doubt themselves. As with her previous two books, Jinks is also interested in exploring the long term impacts of these relationships on people who get out of them. But as a result, it does feel a little like Jinks has come to this well before and so does not add a lot that is new to the issue.
Much like Jaws, the monster in Traced is not seen (except in flashback) for the majority of the present day narrative, allowing the tension to slowly rise as he circles closer. And does adds to the tension by placing the action in the context of another aspect of recent history that is likely to make readers uncomfortable – Covid lockdowns and isolation. Taken together, Jinks manages to deliver an effective thriller in Traced.
Traced opens in 2020 and the height of the contact tracing phase of the Covid pandemic. At this time, teams were actively calling close contacts of people infected to try and prevent the spread of the disease. Jane works in one of the contact tracing teams and in a regular phonecall comes across a possibly abused woman who she soon finds is living with Griffin, her own daughter’s ex. While the full story of Jane’s interaction with Griffin back in 2014/5 plays out over the rest of the book, Jinks makes clear very early on that he is potentially dangerous and that Jane’s involvement in the case may well have put her and her daughter back into danger.
The tension in Traced is built around a singular, nasty character. Griffin is a type of smiling, confident man who has to be totally controlling in a relationship. It becomes clear through the story of his relationship with Tara that he does this by constantly undermining and gaslighting and even creating “accidents” that make them constantly doubt themselves. As with her previous two books, Jinks is also interested in exploring the long term impacts of these relationships on people who get out of them. But as a result, it does feel a little like Jinks has come to this well before and so does not add a lot that is new to the issue.
Much like Jaws, the monster in Traced is not seen (except in flashback) for the majority of the present day narrative, allowing the tension to slowly rise as he circles closer. And does adds to the tension by placing the action in the context of another aspect of recent history that is likely to make readers uncomfortable – Covid lockdowns and isolation. Taken together, Jinks manages to deliver an effective thriller in Traced.
January 29, 2025
3.5 stars. I found this book to be very chilling because this probably does happen in real life way more than I can imagine :(
March 24, 2025
Another good page turner. Enjoyed the contemporary setting - the “Covid years,” as well as the familiar place settings - Wahroonga, Katoomba, Crescent Head and Kurrajong.
The main protagonist is a “contact tracer” - a job that probably only began during 2020 and probably no longer exists.
Crime fiction with a major theme of domestic violence.
The main protagonist is a “contact tracer” - a job that probably only began during 2020 and probably no longer exists.
Crime fiction with a major theme of domestic violence.
December 6, 2025
good plot but could have done with some better editing.
August 16, 2023
Lately I’ve been thinking about data and privacy and the vulnerability that we all have now to being scammed or ripped off. I lost my wallet last week and while it’s easy to block cards and so on, my personal details are still out there in the hands of someone that I don’t know. I worry that they could apply for a line of credit or steal my identity. Hopefully my wallet ended up in landfill.
This book is not so much about scams and stolen bank details; but it is all about safety and traceability. Jane (Jeannette) has become a contact tracer working to try to constrain outbreaks of COVID in Sydney. Remember the “cluster” word. She rings people who have been diagnosed with COVID and identifies their close contacts. These activities happened so recently in our lives but they already seem weird. In the course of this work, she discovers that one of the people identified as a close contact is the abusive ex-boyfriend (Griffin) of her daughter. In fact he is such a risk to her family that she and her daughter have changed their identities.
The narrative takes place across two timelines – one in 2014, when Jane/Jeanette plans to help her daughter, Courtney, escape domestic violence, and the other in 2020 when the pandemic is flaring up through Sydney. One reviewer notes: “Going back and forth in time builds the tension well because of the slow revelation about who the characters really are. The dual timeline also allows information to be delivered when it needs to be, ensuring a slow build-up to the climax and an intensity that keeps the pages turning.” (https://www.artshub.com.au/news/revie...)
It’s hard to remember how scared we were during some of the COVID period. A contact tracer is always delivering news that no one wants to hear. When Jane/ Jeannette calls Nicole, she is incredibly anxious. Her fiancé might call to check in on her and “he’ll hate it if he can’t get through”. The pandemic exacerbated the situation of many women living with domestic violence. The book conveys, with great tension, the fear that women live with when they are subjected to controlling, coercive behaviour. Griffin works in data recovery and he is masterful at tracking the movements and activities of the women that he has been with. He’s also really good at gaslighting them – so Jane/Jeanette experiences periods where she is excluded from her daughter’s life because Griffin has built a wall of distrust between Courtney and her mum.
Jinks does a great job creating the Jane/Jeannett character. At times I found her really annoying and could see why it weas easy for Griffin to create divisions. And “Sadly, Jane’s decision not to involve the police because she doesn’t trust them to take a “hysterical” middle-aged woman’s concerns seriously is similarly credible.” (https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/c...)
Technology is shown as both useful (tracing contacts during COVID) and dangerous, as it can be unpredictable and scary when it is being used against someone. Jane/Jeannette enlists the help of an old friend whop works tracing down debts for a debt collection agency. He knows a lot about tracing people – but also how to disappear/change identities. And Courtney lives with the vulnerability that Griffin might track her down at any stage so her life (and her mothers) is quite circumscribed.
I thought this reviewer summed it up: “Jinks also uses Traced to explore trauma, intergenerational trauma and the various responses people have to it, through the lens of two women who have experienced domestic violence and gaslighting in a range of ways. Jane’s motivations and actions, albeit not quite legal, make sense and prompt the question: what would you do for your child?” (https://www.artshub.com.au/news/revie...)
It's a tense read!
This book is not so much about scams and stolen bank details; but it is all about safety and traceability. Jane (Jeannette) has become a contact tracer working to try to constrain outbreaks of COVID in Sydney. Remember the “cluster” word. She rings people who have been diagnosed with COVID and identifies their close contacts. These activities happened so recently in our lives but they already seem weird. In the course of this work, she discovers that one of the people identified as a close contact is the abusive ex-boyfriend (Griffin) of her daughter. In fact he is such a risk to her family that she and her daughter have changed their identities.
The narrative takes place across two timelines – one in 2014, when Jane/Jeanette plans to help her daughter, Courtney, escape domestic violence, and the other in 2020 when the pandemic is flaring up through Sydney. One reviewer notes: “Going back and forth in time builds the tension well because of the slow revelation about who the characters really are. The dual timeline also allows information to be delivered when it needs to be, ensuring a slow build-up to the climax and an intensity that keeps the pages turning.” (https://www.artshub.com.au/news/revie...)
It’s hard to remember how scared we were during some of the COVID period. A contact tracer is always delivering news that no one wants to hear. When Jane/ Jeannette calls Nicole, she is incredibly anxious. Her fiancé might call to check in on her and “he’ll hate it if he can’t get through”. The pandemic exacerbated the situation of many women living with domestic violence. The book conveys, with great tension, the fear that women live with when they are subjected to controlling, coercive behaviour. Griffin works in data recovery and he is masterful at tracking the movements and activities of the women that he has been with. He’s also really good at gaslighting them – so Jane/Jeanette experiences periods where she is excluded from her daughter’s life because Griffin has built a wall of distrust between Courtney and her mum.
Jinks does a great job creating the Jane/Jeannett character. At times I found her really annoying and could see why it weas easy for Griffin to create divisions. And “Sadly, Jane’s decision not to involve the police because she doesn’t trust them to take a “hysterical” middle-aged woman’s concerns seriously is similarly credible.” (https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/c...)
Technology is shown as both useful (tracing contacts during COVID) and dangerous, as it can be unpredictable and scary when it is being used against someone. Jane/Jeannette enlists the help of an old friend whop works tracing down debts for a debt collection agency. He knows a lot about tracing people – but also how to disappear/change identities. And Courtney lives with the vulnerability that Griffin might track her down at any stage so her life (and her mothers) is quite circumscribed.
I thought this reviewer summed it up: “Jinks also uses Traced to explore trauma, intergenerational trauma and the various responses people have to it, through the lens of two women who have experienced domestic violence and gaslighting in a range of ways. Jane’s motivations and actions, albeit not quite legal, make sense and prompt the question: what would you do for your child?” (https://www.artshub.com.au/news/revie...)
It's a tense read!
June 11, 2023
This is my first time reading a Catherine Jinks book, and I really enjoyed this. Set during the early stages of the Covid pandemic, it follows people who are trying to hide in a world where privacy may not be what it once was.
Jane works for NSW Health as a Covid tracer, and one call is going to shake her world apart. A woman they're tracing is afraid of her boyfriend, so afraid Jane helps her seek refuge elsewhere. But then she learns the identity of the boyfriend. It's the same guy that her daughter almost married. He's dangerous. He's unpredictable. And he now knows who she is.
But does he know where she is?
This is a psychological roller-coaster ride, as we see Jane try to keep everybody she cares about safe from a danger she can't control. He could be watching her movements at any time.
A tense thriller, this is a slow-burn nail-biter. It reminded me of Sleeping with the Enemy, but felt a little lighter going on the pedal. I think the author could have taken this to another level, to really throw the reader into those emotions. Much of the cat and mouse action feels at a distance, but still feels suspenseful, because you're wondering is this the moment when the monster jumps out of the dark. The book does an amazing job at showing us the dark side of devotion and I know this will appeal to many readers.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a read now copy of this book. All comments are my own.
Jane works for NSW Health as a Covid tracer, and one call is going to shake her world apart. A woman they're tracing is afraid of her boyfriend, so afraid Jane helps her seek refuge elsewhere. But then she learns the identity of the boyfriend. It's the same guy that her daughter almost married. He's dangerous. He's unpredictable. And he now knows who she is.
But does he know where she is?
This is a psychological roller-coaster ride, as we see Jane try to keep everybody she cares about safe from a danger she can't control. He could be watching her movements at any time.
A tense thriller, this is a slow-burn nail-biter. It reminded me of Sleeping with the Enemy, but felt a little lighter going on the pedal. I think the author could have taken this to another level, to really throw the reader into those emotions. Much of the cat and mouse action feels at a distance, but still feels suspenseful, because you're wondering is this the moment when the monster jumps out of the dark. The book does an amazing job at showing us the dark side of devotion and I know this will appeal to many readers.
Thanks to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for providing a read now copy of this book. All comments are my own.
June 24, 2023
Traced opens with Jane working in a call centre during COVID lockdowns. She's a 'contact tracer calling a woman to let her know she may have been exposed to COVID and needs to be tested and isolate. To her surprise, the woman freaks out as she'd received a secret visit from her cousin though actually banned from seeing anyone by her controlling boyfriend.
The woman seems open to help so Jane arranges for her to go to a shelter. She's freaked out however because during the conversation the woman dropped the name of her partner and it's one Jane knows from her own past.
We then move back and forward a half a dozen years in time. We learn Jane was once Jeanette, when her daughter Courtney met a charismatic older man... Griffin. Jen quickly realised how controlling he was and he alienated Courtney from her family and friends. She became a shadow of her former self and stopped seeing Jen when she became concerned.
In the present both Jen and Courtney have new lives and new names, so we know they successfully escaped but they're both now in jeopardy as Jane believes Griffin will find them.
Jinks is able to time past revelations with events in the present so this is well paced and readers are offered a sense of edge-of-your-seat urgency.
I liked Jeanette / Jane, though didn't get a clear feel for her daughter and certainly might have expected a little more guilt. Initially I felt as if she was blaming her mother for her job putting them at risk, but worry I'm doing something akin to victim-blaming in saying that.
This is my first book by Jinks and I notice she has quite the backlist across a few genres so I must check them out.
I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.
The woman seems open to help so Jane arranges for her to go to a shelter. She's freaked out however because during the conversation the woman dropped the name of her partner and it's one Jane knows from her own past.
We then move back and forward a half a dozen years in time. We learn Jane was once Jeanette, when her daughter Courtney met a charismatic older man... Griffin. Jen quickly realised how controlling he was and he alienated Courtney from her family and friends. She became a shadow of her former self and stopped seeing Jen when she became concerned.
In the present both Jen and Courtney have new lives and new names, so we know they successfully escaped but they're both now in jeopardy as Jane believes Griffin will find them.
Jinks is able to time past revelations with events in the present so this is well paced and readers are offered a sense of edge-of-your-seat urgency.
I liked Jeanette / Jane, though didn't get a clear feel for her daughter and certainly might have expected a little more guilt. Initially I felt as if she was blaming her mother for her job putting them at risk, but worry I'm doing something akin to victim-blaming in saying that.
This is my first book by Jinks and I notice she has quite the backlist across a few genres so I must check them out.
I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.
July 7, 2023
Jane McDonald is working part time at Nepean Public Health in western Sydney’s as a contact tracer during start of the covid-19 pandemic in 2020. When a positive case is detected, her job is trace all the person’s contacts to let them know they are required to quarantine, and then to trace all their recent contacts. She’s used to most people being unhappy about being contacted, but is surprised when one young woman becomes quite hysterical when told her cousin has tested positive for covid. She says if her fiancé finds out she’s been meeting with Paige he will be angry and something bad will happen.
Gradually Jane realises the young woman is being subjected to domestic abuse by a controlling fiancé and contacts a domestic violence support team to organise her somewhere to isolate where he shouldn’t be able to find her. However, when she finds out the name of the woman’s fiancé, Griffin Clynch, Jane is suddenly thrown into a panic. Griffin is the same man whose clutches she helped her daughter Tara escape six years ago, before changing their names and starting new lives.
In Griffin, Catherine Jinks has created a real monster of a man. Charming and thoughtful at first, he gradually undermines and manipulates his partner’s psyche and self-assurance until she is cut off and isolated from her family and friends, a physical and mental wreck, blaming herself for anything that goes wrong. He’s also a dangerous man to cross. Jane and Tara’s nightmare of meeting and escaping this man is told over two time-lines, 2014 and 2020 where once again the fear of him re-enters their lives.
This is a well written, carefully crafted tale of domestic control and coercion at it’s worst. The descriptions of Griffins relationship with Tara and her mother feel very plausible and the fear and danger they face if he finds them totally real. Jane is strong character, prepared to stand up and fight to prevent Griffin hurting her family again. The plot is a slow burn as we learn the events of 2014, with the suspense gradually ramping up to a gripping, nail-biting climax. Recommended to fans of psychological suspense.
I received a copy of this book from Text Publishing via Netgalley
Gradually Jane realises the young woman is being subjected to domestic abuse by a controlling fiancé and contacts a domestic violence support team to organise her somewhere to isolate where he shouldn’t be able to find her. However, when she finds out the name of the woman’s fiancé, Griffin Clynch, Jane is suddenly thrown into a panic. Griffin is the same man whose clutches she helped her daughter Tara escape six years ago, before changing their names and starting new lives.
In Griffin, Catherine Jinks has created a real monster of a man. Charming and thoughtful at first, he gradually undermines and manipulates his partner’s psyche and self-assurance until she is cut off and isolated from her family and friends, a physical and mental wreck, blaming herself for anything that goes wrong. He’s also a dangerous man to cross. Jane and Tara’s nightmare of meeting and escaping this man is told over two time-lines, 2014 and 2020 where once again the fear of him re-enters their lives.
This is a well written, carefully crafted tale of domestic control and coercion at it’s worst. The descriptions of Griffins relationship with Tara and her mother feel very plausible and the fear and danger they face if he finds them totally real. Jane is strong character, prepared to stand up and fight to prevent Griffin hurting her family again. The plot is a slow burn as we learn the events of 2014, with the suspense gradually ramping up to a gripping, nail-biting climax. Recommended to fans of psychological suspense.
I received a copy of this book from Text Publishing via Netgalley
December 12, 2023
4.5 Stars!
I happened upon the audiobook when I was looking for another book to listen to and had to wait for it to become available at my local library. I have never read Catherine Jinks' books and I can safely say that she has now become a "must-read" author.
Traced is a truly relatable book. For someone who enjoys leaving her world behind to enter the fantasy world of books, this was an astonishing change of pace. Jen / Jane is a protective mother hen (sometimes over protective, but with good reason).
We all know of, have met or been a victim of some version of a Griffin. I've had my share of friends who fell prey to manipulative, abusive boyfriends like Griffin.
The book had my heart thumping, blood rushing to my ears, and had me engrossed in the novel so much so I took an extra walk around the block to listen to it longer. Jane is very likeable as a bold, determined mom and a loving, doting grandma. Rick/ Eric is admirable and I would not complain if I had someone like that in my life, watching over me.
Overall, great book. Absolutely worth the read.
A few loop holes I felt could have been addressed better:
I happened upon the audiobook when I was looking for another book to listen to and had to wait for it to become available at my local library. I have never read Catherine Jinks' books and I can safely say that she has now become a "must-read" author.
Traced is a truly relatable book. For someone who enjoys leaving her world behind to enter the fantasy world of books, this was an astonishing change of pace. Jen / Jane is a protective mother hen (sometimes over protective, but with good reason).
We all know of, have met or been a victim of some version of a Griffin. I've had my share of friends who fell prey to manipulative, abusive boyfriends like Griffin.
The book had my heart thumping, blood rushing to my ears, and had me engrossed in the novel so much so I took an extra walk around the block to listen to it longer. Jane is very likeable as a bold, determined mom and a loving, doting grandma. Rick/ Eric is admirable and I would not complain if I had someone like that in my life, watching over me.
Overall, great book. Absolutely worth the read.
A few loop holes I felt could have been addressed better:
June 26, 2023
Author Catherine Jinks’ latest crime novel Traced (Text Publishing 2023) is a gripping, page-turning thriller told in two timelines that covers themes of family violence, abuse and stalking. This well-constructed and pacey narrative explores serious issues while maintaining spare and tight language, gritty circumstances, authentic dialogue and a building climax that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Set in very contemporary Australia during the first stages of the COVID pandemic, Jane works as a contact tracer notifying people they’ve been a close contact and advising isolation and testing. Her previous work has seen her find people for all sorts of reasons – non-payment of tax, immigration issues, infidelity, family violence. She finds people for a living. Which is ironic, because she and her daughter Tara have long been in hiding from Tara’s dangerous, manipulative and frightening ex. When Jane contacts a woman about a COVID connection, she recognises the fear in the woman’s voice; a fear of having to inform her partner that she has been in contact with anyone not approved by him. When Jane realises that this man could be the same person she and Tara have been running from, everything in her life changes. Again.
The novel then goes back and forth in time and even though the earlier sections detail how Tara first got involved with this man, her terrifying experiences with him, and how she eventually escaped with her mother’s help, even though we KNOW that she got away, these backflash sections are nevertheless entirely tense and suspenseful. The narrative flips between this and the present day, when mother and daughter realise they may have to escape from this man all over again.
Jinks tells a great story that holds the reader’s close attention on every page. Traced is also a stark reminder of how vulnerable people can become a victim to a controlling partner, and how easily it is for someone dangerous to find you if they are determined. It asks the questions how well do you really know someone? What would you give up if your life was at stake? Does the end justify the means? And can you live with guilt if it means you saved someone’s life?
Set in very contemporary Australia during the first stages of the COVID pandemic, Jane works as a contact tracer notifying people they’ve been a close contact and advising isolation and testing. Her previous work has seen her find people for all sorts of reasons – non-payment of tax, immigration issues, infidelity, family violence. She finds people for a living. Which is ironic, because she and her daughter Tara have long been in hiding from Tara’s dangerous, manipulative and frightening ex. When Jane contacts a woman about a COVID connection, she recognises the fear in the woman’s voice; a fear of having to inform her partner that she has been in contact with anyone not approved by him. When Jane realises that this man could be the same person she and Tara have been running from, everything in her life changes. Again.
The novel then goes back and forth in time and even though the earlier sections detail how Tara first got involved with this man, her terrifying experiences with him, and how she eventually escaped with her mother’s help, even though we KNOW that she got away, these backflash sections are nevertheless entirely tense and suspenseful. The narrative flips between this and the present day, when mother and daughter realise they may have to escape from this man all over again.
Jinks tells a great story that holds the reader’s close attention on every page. Traced is also a stark reminder of how vulnerable people can become a victim to a controlling partner, and how easily it is for someone dangerous to find you if they are determined. It asks the questions how well do you really know someone? What would you give up if your life was at stake? Does the end justify the means? And can you live with guilt if it means you saved someone’s life?
January 21, 2025
This book was utterly terrifying! TRACED starts with our main protagonist, Jane, a covid-19 contact tracer, calling people who have unwittingly been exposed to the virus and reminding them to isolate for 14 days until they have been declared virus-free. Nicole, her latest client, sounds absolutely terrified when she hears that her cousin has just tested covid-positive. She confides in Jane that she is scared that her fiancé, who controls her every move, will be furious that she allowed her cousin to visit, and that she is afraid for her life. At first, Jane thinks that Nicole is overreacting – but once she hears who her fiancé is, she knows that Nicole’s life truly is in danger.
We soon learn that Jane speaks from experience: her own daughter Tara only narrowly escaped from the clutches of her abusive, controlling ex, which involved changing her name and moving to a place he would never think to look for her. After being so very careful, Jane has once more crossed his path, and she is terrified that he will come after her and Tara.
TRACED was a taut domestic thriller with a constant undercurrent of danger that built tension as it raced towards its utterly terrifying finale. It was frightening and confronting to witness Jane and Tara’s well-grounded fears and their feeling of helplessness as once again the noose threatens to tighten around their necks, despite all their efforts to stay under the radar. I found Jane’s voice extremely compelling, to a point where I fervently wished death upon one particular character in the book. I was biting my nails as the inevitable showdown neared!
TRACED surpassed all my expectations and is my first 5-star read for the year. If you love an original, enigmatic protagonist, then Jane is the perfect character. A race against time in an atmospheric Australian setting, fighting a very real battle many women in our society face every day – which is perhaps one reason this book was so terrifying. Jinks is a talented writer, and I look forward to reading more of her books in future. Highly recommended!
We soon learn that Jane speaks from experience: her own daughter Tara only narrowly escaped from the clutches of her abusive, controlling ex, which involved changing her name and moving to a place he would never think to look for her. After being so very careful, Jane has once more crossed his path, and she is terrified that he will come after her and Tara.
TRACED was a taut domestic thriller with a constant undercurrent of danger that built tension as it raced towards its utterly terrifying finale. It was frightening and confronting to witness Jane and Tara’s well-grounded fears and their feeling of helplessness as once again the noose threatens to tighten around their necks, despite all their efforts to stay under the radar. I found Jane’s voice extremely compelling, to a point where I fervently wished death upon one particular character in the book. I was biting my nails as the inevitable showdown neared!
TRACED surpassed all my expectations and is my first 5-star read for the year. If you love an original, enigmatic protagonist, then Jane is the perfect character. A race against time in an atmospheric Australian setting, fighting a very real battle many women in our society face every day – which is perhaps one reason this book was so terrifying. Jinks is a talented writer, and I look forward to reading more of her books in future. Highly recommended!
July 30, 2023
What a great thriller. It ties in the Covid pandemic brilliantly, really adding to the storyline, rather than just chucked in to provide a timeline, like alot of authors have done.
Catherine Jinks aptly sets the scene of a mother, Jane, who is jumpy, scared and overly anxious. But why?
She, her daughter Tara (her husband Neal) and her 6 yr old grandson Axel have been living relatively calmly for 7 yrs in Lithgow, Blue Mountains. But one phone call at Jane's work tips the scales and starts the fast pace of the rest of the novel.
Jane is a contact tracer for NSW Health and the Covid-19 pandemic. In Penrith, Sydney, there has been a small outbreak and its Jane's job to ring and alert everyone who is a first contact. They must isolate and tell who they have contact with, so everyone involved can isolate and contain the spread.
On this phone call we meet Nicole. She is terrified as she is living in a DV relationship and terrified of isolating with him. Jane's jaw drops when she states her fiance's name... Griffin Clynch.
Farrrrkkk! Now the pace of the book picks up. Who is this guy? Why is Jane so terrified of him? What will happen with Nicole? Will she get away and stay safe? What does this mean for Jane and her family?
We meet Eric. Eric is an older gentleman who Jane has known since she was a little girl. Eric was friends with Jane's father. He is in the biz of helping people disappear. He has helped Jane do it before, when she was Jeanette. Can he help with Jane, and Nicole? What will they uncover about Griffins past?
A fly by the seat of your pants story. So well told. Good job Catherine, hats off for doing it justice. It is certainly an issue which was discussed in the media over the covid period. So glad I read it, and very happy to recommend it to friends.
Catherine Jinks aptly sets the scene of a mother, Jane, who is jumpy, scared and overly anxious. But why?
She, her daughter Tara (her husband Neal) and her 6 yr old grandson Axel have been living relatively calmly for 7 yrs in Lithgow, Blue Mountains. But one phone call at Jane's work tips the scales and starts the fast pace of the rest of the novel.
Jane is a contact tracer for NSW Health and the Covid-19 pandemic. In Penrith, Sydney, there has been a small outbreak and its Jane's job to ring and alert everyone who is a first contact. They must isolate and tell who they have contact with, so everyone involved can isolate and contain the spread.
On this phone call we meet Nicole. She is terrified as she is living in a DV relationship and terrified of isolating with him. Jane's jaw drops when she states her fiance's name... Griffin Clynch.
Farrrrkkk! Now the pace of the book picks up. Who is this guy? Why is Jane so terrified of him? What will happen with Nicole? Will she get away and stay safe? What does this mean for Jane and her family?
We meet Eric. Eric is an older gentleman who Jane has known since she was a little girl. Eric was friends with Jane's father. He is in the biz of helping people disappear. He has helped Jane do it before, when she was Jeanette. Can he help with Jane, and Nicole? What will they uncover about Griffins past?
A fly by the seat of your pants story. So well told. Good job Catherine, hats off for doing it justice. It is certainly an issue which was discussed in the media over the covid period. So glad I read it, and very happy to recommend it to friends.
August 18, 2023
Authors who write various genres always attract my attention. It usually takes a couple of chapters to rearrange my thoughts, calibrate a different approach and then adapt to a change of pace. Catherine Jinks certainly offers a change of pace. Jane works for New South Wales Health on the contact-tracing team at Nepean Hospital and she knows all about humans dodging and weaving through life. Fraud, tax evasion and domestic violence, abuse at its worst; the manipulation, isolation, submission, reward and punishment in terms of obedience and unwillingness to cooperate, taking away a person’s identity and reality. Who did what, why did he do it, why didn’t she leave, a mixed bag of emotions and evil intent. Can name-changing really protect the innocent? Mother Jane, her daughter Tara and pathological Griffin Clynch are the centre of the story. I took a real shine to Eric Besley. He steps in when the situation becomes too tense.
Perhaps tense is too weak a word, appalling seems appropriate. Jane doubts herself and the situation many times. Good strategic characters and gripping cat-and-mouse scenes highlight the hidden abuse. “No-one wanted to report Sienna as a missing person.” Unfortunately I am sorry to note that I never quite got into the story, nor how it splits several times to explain itself with weddings and character name changes. The backdrops and locations are descriptive especially Silkin Lodge and the satisfying race to the end but the reliance on mobile phones and TV dialogue is a bit tedious and I am so over Covid-19 references. I overlooked the product placement but the middle sags and generally there is much dragging out of advice, suspicion and indecision. Notably worth reading if you know of anyone who may need a helping hand out the window to freedom. It’s never as easy as it seems from the outside looking in.
Perhaps tense is too weak a word, appalling seems appropriate. Jane doubts herself and the situation many times. Good strategic characters and gripping cat-and-mouse scenes highlight the hidden abuse. “No-one wanted to report Sienna as a missing person.” Unfortunately I am sorry to note that I never quite got into the story, nor how it splits several times to explain itself with weddings and character name changes. The backdrops and locations are descriptive especially Silkin Lodge and the satisfying race to the end but the reliance on mobile phones and TV dialogue is a bit tedious and I am so over Covid-19 references. I overlooked the product placement but the middle sags and generally there is much dragging out of advice, suspicion and indecision. Notably worth reading if you know of anyone who may need a helping hand out the window to freedom. It’s never as easy as it seems from the outside looking in.
July 23, 2023
Traced is an excellent and thrilling page turner.
Jinks sets her story in two time periods, historically when her daughter begins her relationship with Griff and secondly in 2020 when the Covid virus first enters the Australian society. In 2020 the NSW government employed contact tracers in an attempt to contain Covid outbreaks by demanding affected people and their recent contacts, self-isolate. The title is brilliant as it combines the two themes of working as a contact Covid tracer and being traced.
Jane and her daughter Tara had escaped from Griff in 2014 and created new lives for themselves with new names, new jobs, and new friends. Nevertheless, technical know-how and sometimes pure chance can lead to the discovery of someone who thought that they were hidden and safe.
This story realistically narrates the horror of living with a coercive-controlling narcissis who superficially charms people around him with his lies and manipulations but gradually isolates his partners from colleagues and friendships. He is characteristically an expert at fabricating mini catastrophes so that his partners are gaslighted and appear hysterical to outsiders. Griff will never tolerate losing control of any situation and he will never let his partners go.
Jinks sets her story in two time periods, historically when her daughter begins her relationship with Griff and secondly in 2020 when the Covid virus first enters the Australian society. In 2020 the NSW government employed contact tracers in an attempt to contain Covid outbreaks by demanding affected people and their recent contacts, self-isolate. The title is brilliant as it combines the two themes of working as a contact Covid tracer and being traced.
Jane and her daughter Tara had escaped from Griff in 2014 and created new lives for themselves with new names, new jobs, and new friends. Nevertheless, technical know-how and sometimes pure chance can lead to the discovery of someone who thought that they were hidden and safe.
This story realistically narrates the horror of living with a coercive-controlling narcissis who superficially charms people around him with his lies and manipulations but gradually isolates his partners from colleagues and friendships. He is characteristically an expert at fabricating mini catastrophes so that his partners are gaslighted and appear hysterical to outsiders. Griff will never tolerate losing control of any situation and he will never let his partners go.
January 31, 2024
This is a fantastic fast paced thriller with some pretty horrific domestic abuse and coercive control - putting that out as a trigger warning. There are two timelines in the story - 2014 and 2020. In 2014 a mother is helping her adult daughter escape from an abusive man. In 2020, Jane is working as a contact tracer for the health department during the pandemic. She has to call a woman, Nicole, to advise that she is a close contact of someone with covid. Nicole panics as she is really worried about what her fiance will say. It turns out that he has forbidden her from having contact with this person, who is Nicole's cousin. Jane's alarm bells start ringing and she realises that Nicole's fiance just might be the same abusive man from which she helped her daughter escape. The tension is built really well through the dual timelines. Great characters who are really believable add to the realism and tension of the story. Jane is of course worried that her daughter's ex-fiance will be able to find them both. Jane is also distressed because she suspects that he killed the woman he was having a relationship with prior to her daughter.
October 17, 2023
Aussie author Catherine Jinks’s latest crime thriller, Traced (2023) is a taut tension-filled tale. Jane is a covid contact tracer in Sydney, who rings Nicole to inform her she has to self-isolate for two weeks after being a close contact with an infected person. Nicole gets distressed and fearful of her partner’s reaction, given he keeps her cut off from society. Ignoring protocols, Jane gets her to contact a women's refuge and arranges to take her to a safe place. The narrative then switches back and forth between 2020 and 2014 as parallel stories reveal the efforts to escape and Jane’s own past secrets. A content warning, as the details of coercive control may be triggering for some readers. However, despite its appalling premise, Jinks has penned a first-rate psychological thriller with an unputdownable five stars do not miss read rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.
September 11, 2023
4.75☆
A terrifyingly compelling psychological thriller that will have you trying to anticipate the villain's very next move.
Told between two timelines, 2014-2015 and 2020, we follow Jane, a contact tracer, who just contacted Nicole, who is terrified of her fiancé, Griffin. The same Griffin that Jane herself is on the run from.
In earlier years, Jane watches her daughter Courtney transform from a vibrant woman into a shell of her former self as she starts a relationship with Griffin. As accidents happen, Jane is convinced Griffin is behind them and tries to make Courtney see that and leave him.
Now in 2020, Jane knows what Nicole is going through, but how can she get her to safety if there's no one to stop Griffin's manipulative ways when everyone's moves are tracked and easily traced.
A terrifyingly compelling psychological thriller that will have you trying to anticipate the villain's very next move.
Told between two timelines, 2014-2015 and 2020, we follow Jane, a contact tracer, who just contacted Nicole, who is terrified of her fiancé, Griffin. The same Griffin that Jane herself is on the run from.
In earlier years, Jane watches her daughter Courtney transform from a vibrant woman into a shell of her former self as she starts a relationship with Griffin. As accidents happen, Jane is convinced Griffin is behind them and tries to make Courtney see that and leave him.
Now in 2020, Jane knows what Nicole is going through, but how can she get her to safety if there's no one to stop Griffin's manipulative ways when everyone's moves are tracked and easily traced.
September 26, 2023
Thanks to #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. This domestic psychological thriller starts with a domestic violence case that has been going on since 2014. Jane works as a contact trace advisor with Nepean Public Health, she calls a young woman who has been identified as a close contact to someone who has Covid to advise her that she must isolate for 14 days. The woman becomes hysterical, claiming her fiance will be extremely angry and she fears for her safety. Upon hearing the fiance's name, Griffin Clynch, she herself is overwhelmed with dread as this is the same made that she and her daughter have been hiding from for the last 6 years. we get to see how Griffin gradually took over Courtney’s (Jane’s daughter) life. It involves a combination of isolation, gaslighting, guilt-tripping and, eventually, forcing her to succumb to his will. All the while, Jane is being cast as the villain of the piece, a clingy mother who can’t bear to let go of her daughter and showing an unreasonable need to paint her daughter’s boyfriend in a bad light. For the past 6 years Jane who used to be Jeanette) and Tara (used to be Courtney) have been living their new lives, all the while hiding out from the man who terrorised them both.
air. The fear and uneasiness that these ladies are feeling is palpable and definitely kept you hoping that things would turn out well for them all. A very well-paced story alternating between back and two time periods, explaining how Jeanette and Courtney became Jane and Tara, the danger they faced. Though the subject matter is hard to read it was a gripping thriller filled with suspense. #catherinejinks#traced #netgalley #textpublishing #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #getlitsy#thestorygraph#domesticthriller #bookqueen #bookstagram
air. The fear and uneasiness that these ladies are feeling is palpable and definitely kept you hoping that things would turn out well for them all. A very well-paced story alternating between back and two time periods, explaining how Jeanette and Courtney became Jane and Tara, the danger they faced. Though the subject matter is hard to read it was a gripping thriller filled with suspense. #catherinejinks#traced #netgalley #textpublishing #tea_sipping_bookworm #goodreads #getlitsy#thestorygraph#domesticthriller #bookqueen #bookstagram
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