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LEAVE NO TRACE BY JO CALLAGHAN | PUBLICATION: JANUARY 7, 2025 RANDOM HOUSE | GENRE: CRIME FICTION RATING: ★★★★ |
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From the bestselling author of In the Blink of an Eye comes a gripping thriller that pits algorithms versus experience, logic versus instinct, and one undetectable killer versus two extraordinary detectives.
When the body of a man is found crucified at the top of a hill in the British midlands, AIDE Lock—the world’s first AI Detective—and Detective Kat Frank are thrust into the spotlight as they are given their first live case. When a second body is found the police issue an extraordinary warning to local males aged between 30 and 40 years old:
• Avoid drinking in pubs
• If you must go to a pub, do not leave alone
• And definitely do not leave a pub with a stranger
With the national media and local men in an uproar, Kat and Lock have to combine their instincts and algorithms to catch the killer before they can strike again.
When the body of a man is found crucified at the top of a hill in the British midlands, AIDE Lock—the world’s first AI Detective—and Detective Kat Frank are thrust into the spotlight as they are given their first live case. When a second body is found the police issue an extraordinary warning to local males aged between 30 and 40 years old:
• Avoid drinking in pubs
• If you must go to a pub, do not leave alone
• And definitely do not leave a pub with a stranger
With the national media and local men in an uproar, Kat and Lock have to combine their instincts and algorithms to catch the killer before they can strike again.
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"Kat and Lock #2"
LEAVE NO TRACE by Jo Callaghan is a thrilling sequel that continues the gripping story of AI Detective Lock and human Detective Kat Frank. From the bestselling author of In the Blink of an Eye, this novel masterfully blends traditional detective work with cutting-edge technology, creating an engaging and thought-provoking narrative.
The story kicks off with the discovery of a man’s crucified body in the British midlands. AI Detective Lock and Detective Kat Frank are handed their first live case, and soon, a second body is found. The police issue an urgent warning to local males, aged 30 to 40, advising them to avoid drinking in pubs alone or leaving with strangers. As the media frenzy escalates, the dynamic duo must navigate a complex investigation, relying on both human instincts and advanced algorithms to catch the elusive killer.
Callaghan’s novel is well-developed, creative, and engaging. The use of an AI police investigator in an active crime investigation is both intriguing and innovative. Despite not having read the first book, this sequel stands strong on its own, although it piqued my interest to read the previous installment.
The narrative continues on a pounding pace, keeping readers gripped as the investigation progresses. While I am not typically a fan of science fiction, Leave No Trace was an interesting read. It combines elements of conventional detective investigation with AI technology, delivering a suspenseful and thought-provoking thriller.
One of the standout aspects of this book is the depth of character development. Kat and Lock’s partnership evolves as they navigate the challenges of their investigation, highlighting themes of trust and collaboration between human and artificial intelligence. Additionally, some chapters are presented from the culprit's point of view, offering a chilling and fascinating glimpse into the mind of a criminal. This narrative choice adds a layer of psychological depth to the story, making it even more captivating.
I am particularly intrigued to see how Callaghan continues to develop the central characters and their relationships. LEAVE NO TRACE is a recommended read for fans of crime thrillers, offering a perfect blend of logic and instinct, algorithms and experience. Readers who appreciate thought-provoking narratives and innovative twists on classic detective tropes will find this book particularly captivating.
Overall, this novel is a testament to Callaghan’s storytelling prowess, combining suspense, technology, and deeply human themes in a way that resonates long after the last page is turned.
LEAVE NO TRACE by Jo Callaghan is a thrilling sequel that continues the gripping story of AI Detective Lock and human Detective Kat Frank. From the bestselling author of In the Blink of an Eye, this novel masterfully blends traditional detective work with cutting-edge technology, creating an engaging and thought-provoking narrative.
The story kicks off with the discovery of a man’s crucified body in the British midlands. AI Detective Lock and Detective Kat Frank are handed their first live case, and soon, a second body is found. The police issue an urgent warning to local males, aged 30 to 40, advising them to avoid drinking in pubs alone or leaving with strangers. As the media frenzy escalates, the dynamic duo must navigate a complex investigation, relying on both human instincts and advanced algorithms to catch the elusive killer.
Callaghan’s novel is well-developed, creative, and engaging. The use of an AI police investigator in an active crime investigation is both intriguing and innovative. Despite not having read the first book, this sequel stands strong on its own, although it piqued my interest to read the previous installment.
The narrative continues on a pounding pace, keeping readers gripped as the investigation progresses. While I am not typically a fan of science fiction, Leave No Trace was an interesting read. It combines elements of conventional detective investigation with AI technology, delivering a suspenseful and thought-provoking thriller.
One of the standout aspects of this book is the depth of character development. Kat and Lock’s partnership evolves as they navigate the challenges of their investigation, highlighting themes of trust and collaboration between human and artificial intelligence. Additionally, some chapters are presented from the culprit's point of view, offering a chilling and fascinating glimpse into the mind of a criminal. This narrative choice adds a layer of psychological depth to the story, making it even more captivating.
I am particularly intrigued to see how Callaghan continues to develop the central characters and their relationships. LEAVE NO TRACE is a recommended read for fans of crime thrillers, offering a perfect blend of logic and instinct, algorithms and experience. Readers who appreciate thought-provoking narratives and innovative twists on classic detective tropes will find this book particularly captivating.
Overall, this novel is a testament to Callaghan’s storytelling prowess, combining suspense, technology, and deeply human themes in a way that resonates long after the last page is turned.
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About the Author:
Jo Callaghan works full-time as a senior strategist, carrying out research into the future impact of AI and genomics on the workforce. After losing her husband to cancer in 2019, when she was just forty-nine, she started writing In the Blink of an Eye, her debut crime novel, which explores learning to live with loss and what it means to be human. She lives with her two children in the British Midlands.
Jo Callaghan works full-time as a senior strategist, carrying out research into the future impact of AI and genomics on the workforce. After losing her husband to cancer in 2019, when she was just forty-nine, she started writing In the Blink of an Eye, her debut crime novel, which explores learning to live with loss and what it means to be human. She lives with her two children in the British Midlands.
*Penguin Random House provided the Netgalley access
in exchange for this unbiased review.
in exchange for this unbiased review.