Roll Call

Traces #3

by Malcolm Rose

FOR USE IN SCHOOLS AND LIBRARIES ONLY. Luke Harding and his robotic assistant, Malc, investigate a series of murders in which there are no traces of a murder weapon, and the only thing the victims seem to have in common is their name.

Genres: Mystery, Young Adult, Science Fiction, Fiction, Crime, Childrens, Dystopia

224 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Believe it or not, until Easter 1996, I was a Lecturer in Chemistry at The Open University. I carried out research in analytical chemistry, particularly in the area of health, and I taught mainly organic chemistry. The teaching part of the job predominantly involved writing, with some radio, TV and video work. It also left very little time for fiction writing which I tackled mostly after midnight. Perhaps that is why some of my strongest scenes are set on dark nights! Anyway, I am now a full-time writer.

Many people think it odd and fascinating that a scientist should also be a novelist but I don’t find it strange. After all, scientists have to be creative and show perseverance to carry out research. They also write a lot; in particular, they produce textbooks and articles on their research. Anyone who is imaginative, can stick to a task, and knows how to construct a sentence has the credentials for writing a novel. On top of that, my chemical research was aimed at understanding a little better some aspects of human life. A novel also seeks to illuminate some aspects of human life. The aims are similar even if the tools are different.

I reckon novel writing is not so removed from chemistry as you might think. In one life, I mix chemicals, stew them for a while and observe the reaction. In the other, I mix characters, stir in a bit of conflict and, again, observe the outcome.

I began writing stories while I was carrying out research at York for my DPhil degree in chemistry. Writing became a means of escape from everyday life. While I was at York, my then girlfriend (now wife) read my efforts and commented that I ought to try and get something published. I had never thought of writing as anything other than a hobby. Besides, as I thought then, a budding chemist couldn’t possibly be any good at it! Anyway, I joined a writers’ club to find out how to submit a manuscript to a publisher and, to cut a long story short, found a publisher in William Collins for my first novel, Rift.

I am now over half a century old, married to Barbara and have one son (Colin) who is an architect. I read all of my stories aloud to Barbara and Colin and they help me with their comments.

Reviews

[Kadi P · Rating 4 out of 5]

*More like 3.7 stars than 4.*

A challenging concept that was certainly well-executed—there’s no doubting Malcolm Rose is a talented and capable author. Still, I felt as though there’s a reason the concept isn’t one authors often try their hand at. So much was happening at once that it was a muddy, if not entirely intentional, mess.

This book was all over the place, geographically speaking. It was set across the country, ranging from London to York to Sheffield to Dundee to Edinburgh. The lack of structure in terms of setting added to the haphazard franticness of the case, but made for confusing and almost uncomfortable reading.

In fact, this book tried to do too much even beyond just the setting. There were too many separate cases that made up the one large case and the fact that all the victims had the same name made it infinitely more confusing.

However, the last quarter of the book was much more exciting than the build up to it and I’d say it managed to redeem itself from all the confusing parts that preceded it. The fast-paced action and urgency of the life-threatening circumstances had me on the edge of my seat and were a welcome change of pace.

So, all in all, a mixed book. Certainly not the best instalment in the series, but an interesting one nonetheless.

[Kaya Dimitrova · Rating 3 out of 5]

Книгата е много лека, неангажираща, чете се бързо и се развива подобно на епизод от криминален сериал. В началото ми се стори, че има голям потенциал, но за жалост има множество дребни недостатъци - главният герой на книгата - Люк, прескача от заподозрян на заподозрян, съмнява се в абсолютно всеки и то без да има основания. В романа липсва емоционалност, няма добре развити взаимоотношения между персонажите, а малкото антиутопични елементи (това, че за всеки има избран "идеален" партньор) не бяха добре разгърнати (може би в другите части на поредицата да са...).

[Adam Bujak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for nostalgia. Fun read; but the writing style, especially the dialogue, was not for me.

[German]

the book I chose is called Roll Call and it was written by Malcolm Rose. this book is about how Luke is called to investigate a series of miserable that are occuring. all the murders were connected to the same killer because there were 3 deaths and all three victims were named Emily. Luke and M.A.L.C. struggle because all the murders were in the cold winter and they were having trouble finding physical evidence. But one day while on the job was he meets a homeless girl who's named happens to Emily and while Luke is doing his job Emily goes missing and he has try and go save and solve murders. my favorite part of the book was throughout the book everyone was doubting him and he was able to prove them wrong and solve the murders and find Emily. I would recommend the book to anybody which likes crimes and things of that nature because that is everything that this book is about and you can learn things too. I think this book could teach you somethings about forensic investigation. I liked this book for the reason I said about the forensic investigation. I finds those kinds of things interesting and it is something that I have always liked. another reason is because I was able to learn a little bit about something that I'm.interested in doing when I get older

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

So. I had to read this book for my practicum where I will be having my students do a novel study all about it.
The sci-fi was interesting and I enjoyed the world I saw a little of. Notice that this is the third book in a series, but it was alright starting in the middle. I could have bought another book for the school, but I am only going to be there for 5 weeks so I don't think I earned that privilege of bringing a new book into that setting.
It was fine though.

Reading Challenge Prompt: A murder mystery.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now this is what we're talking about! I'm not the target audience anymore (this is a re-read for me) so, two books into the series, I was a little worried that I had just grown out of them and had ruined my memories of these books. However this instalment was really good, I enjoyed it much more than the first two. The murders, or at least the things linking the murders, were the most interesting so far and the ending was very dramatic. Loved it!

[Zuzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book. It`s very easy and enjoyable to read. Maybe this is a book that reveals to us the future. I`m glad I read it.

[Enya.B · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked he book Roll Call however, the ending of the book was not the best. I think that the author did a great job keeping the Q aka the murderer hidden until the last chapters.

[old account (rl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say this is one of the most unique and creative books I have ever read. You wouldn't think it but this is actually a dystopian. Sure, it is mainly a murder mystery novel but how can you ignore the absolutely genius futuristic setting? Its simply brilliant how subtly the author manages to include references about what life is like in this society.

The murder mystery was brilliant. Finally a book manages to combine forensics, suspense and technology correctly! There was so much intrigue and I loved the fact that the mystery was quite hard for them to solve. Some television shows *cough* the newer seasons of Bones *cough* have glaringly obvious clues that would be impossible to detect in real life. I hate that! Malcolm Rose always managed to nail the mystery elements though and I am glad for that.

The characters were as great as ever. Malc always has me laughing! Overall, this was just one of those easy but lovable books. If you enjoy young adult murder mystery with a dystopian twist, go pick this up! It is definitely worth your time.

[Сибин Майналовски · Rating 1 out of 5]

Издателство ВАКОН са си оставили ръцете. То бива ламерщина, бива, ама чак пък толкова... Половината пряка реч — с тирета, другата половина — в кавички… Пунктуацията е спазвана през куп за грош. Правописни грешки дал бог. Абе, хора, ползвайте ги тия редактори, да му се не види!!! Пък после искате по сто лева за книга, нали? Е, да, ама не! Това нещо иза безплатно четене от Читанката не става. А е и второ издание… Мали, мали, малииии… РЕВЕМ! :(

[•°☆ Annabelle ☆°• · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book I was sceptical, I picked it at random from the school library and I didn't think I would like it at all, but it surprised me, it wasn't as terrible as I had expected. The plot is good however the writing is a little clique. It doesn't make sense, a sixteen-year-old forensic investigator? however, you try to explain this I can't believe that he has graduated from school and done 4 years of university before the age of sixteen. so overall, not great but not terrible.

[Delanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in grade 7. I loved it immensely but I couldn't for the life of me remember the name. In high school in a whole other province I happened upon another book in the series. I'm so glad I did this series, for all I've read, is truly wonderful.

[Arjun Kaushal-Goel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm noticing, that the books in this series are becoming worse and worse as the series continues. I wonder if this is to a lack of creativity (it seems like the author has plenty) or if it is just that my wanting for content in mystery books is becoming something that I need more and more of.

[Eve LeBlanc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall a meh book, I had to read this for school and I wasn’t overly interested in the story.

[Vaidotas Budreika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this book was definitely a good read

[LoverOfQuakeMerther · Rating 5 out of 5]

MAJOR plot twist! Loved it!

[Angel]

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[Gabby · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is far less on the forensics of the case but more on the people, the attitudes and the use of wordage to find the story behind the story. A highly enjoyable book that really shows Luke’s age in some ways whilst highlighting the stark differences in class and care for others in another. I love that some characters come back in from the last books adding a sense of wholeness. A little predictable but still entertaining.

[Kt · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 * Better story than book 2 but more poorly edited

[Chloe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable and mysterious

[Tessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the youngest and most gifted Forensic Investigator yet, Luke Harding finds himself solving some of the most difficult cases - and Roll Call is no exception. After discovering the body of a woman stabbed to death by an unknown weapon, Luke quickly discovers that she is just one of three women killed in the last 6 months by the same name. Luke must hurry to figure out who is killing off Emily Wonders, and why.

Roll Call is easily my favorite book in the Traces series so far. There was character development as well as progress in the series arc. The action was much more intense, and the climax wouldn't let me put the book down!

Rose has created something incredibly unique with the Traces series. I love that Luke's a forensic investigator (as opposed to just a regular detective) with the lovable Malc to help him. Luke is a dynamic and good-hearted character who's jokes just get funnier and funnier to me! Every book keeps me laughing and keeps me guessing. I enjoy the the mysteries and the romance. Traces also has a great set arc, with Luke sworn to uphold the law, including the one that keeps him from being with the woman he loves. I look forward to the rest of the series.

[Rachael Hewison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another good little book by Malcolm Rose, continuing the adventures of Luke Harding.

In this one Luke ends up all over the country visiting various cities to examine the murders of people called Emily Wonder. Whilst this was brilliant in terms of seeing more of Rose's dystopian Britain and how different the cities are, it did get a little confusing as to what was going on where because he jumped around so much.

The key part of this book was also that there were no murder weapons so Luke was grasping at straws for most of the story. Whilst it was intriguing to finally find out what the weapons were, it did take a long time to get to the point. It was very random as well to have the tsunami scene; it was a very slow build up and then a very fast-paced, exciting climax but I oddly really enjoyed it.

I've enjoyed the first three books but won't be returning for the fourth.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about how Luke figures why a serial killer kills only girls name Emily Wonder. He figures out that they are related and the only two surviving Emily Wonders were a girl that stopped going to school that went missing and a Emily Wonder that has a defect when she was born. She was born without fat and is going to die before she graduates school. Turns out it was the one with a defect because her sister was also named Emily, but died before she was born and hate for the other Emily Wonders that haven't died. Luke saved the last Emily Wonder and the culprit was sent to jail which isn't much a punishment when she is going to die anyway. I recommend this book to those who feel like they were cheated.

[Madeleine J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Roll Call is a book in a series that I have started reading called Traces, by Malcolm Rose. I really enjoyed reading the first book (Framed!), so I was excited to read another story about Luke Harding and MALC. (The library didn't have Lost Bullet, the second book, so I went to Roll Call, the third.) This book opens with the death of a woman named Emily Wonder, but no one can tell how she died. Then when a second Emily Wonder dies, the "Authorities" regard it as suspicious. There is a singer named Emily Wonder who may have killed those with her name, and forty-something Emilys in need of protection. Read this book to find out who committed the murders--and why.

[aconstellationoftomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

The murder case in Roll Call, is fascinating and imaginative, yet grounded in science. The pacing is well-done and the growing urgency of the case kept me hooked as the pieces came together. Luke and MALC make a great team! My main issue is with the portrayal of one of the Emily Wonder's. Emily has a genetic disorder and is constantly described as "ugly" or "unsightly". Surprise, she also ends up being the murderer. I get this might be a reflection of Luke's perspective, but the repeated emphasis on her looks left a sour note in this clever and engaging mystery.

[rabs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5

This book in its entirety is the reason I wanted to reread this series. The case where a victim was stabbed with an icicle and left no trace of a murder weapon had stuck with me ever since I first read the book years ago, which I was a teenager. I loved that twist so much, and I think this was one of the best books so far; it really showcased Malcolm Rose's creativity when it comes to forming an interesting mystery-murder book.

[Diana Gagliardi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why is someone killing women named Emily Wonder? This is Luke Hardings question when they find three deaths, all unrelated except by name. Will the killing continue? Will Luke be able to catch a killer while breaking the Authorities rules?

Yet another interesting mystery in the far future. The ending on this one was perfect- exciting, uncertain, and showing Luke's strength in going his own way. Happily looking for more!

[Justin · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the third book of the series of traces, I was very excited to read this. After reading the first and second, I couldn't wait to find out what exciting and horrific case that Luke Harding had been assigned to next. While reading this, I couldn't help myself and I might have let out a chuckle or two every once in a while. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who might like a suspenseful story and yet a few funny moments while reading a book.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third in a series of futuristic crime solving. The main character is a 16 year old Forensic Investigator, who is aided by his robotic companion, MALC. It was an enjoyable read that moved right along. I had not read the first two, but it didn't really matter much. Good read for fans of CSI.