Callaghan returns with another fresh and explosive thriller that needs to shoot straight to the top of your TBR!

I was only very recently bowled over by how brilliant IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE was, after letting it rest on my TBR pile for a criminally long time. When I received a proof of LEAVE NO TRACE it took all of my will power not to jump straight in, but boy oh boy, was it worth every second I waited! This book is another incredibly refreshing take on the police procedural genre, with literature’s most unique partnership. I will never tire of the continual balancing act between AIDE Lock’s logic and DCS Kat Frank’s instinct. I love how they continue to learn from each other, whilst their distinct approaches to the investigation also builds suspense and tension for readers. Callaghan perfectly blends the politics and moral questions around AI involvement in policing with an incredibly human story once more. The brutal killings at the heart of the narrative may initially seem gratuitous, the work of a mad-man; but as the mystery unravels, Callaghan reveals a truly heinous history that has resulted in these killings. The motivation is heartbreaking, allowing the reader an opportunity to debate the killer’s actions, garner sympathy for them, and fully question their sense of morality. I love these books for the multiple opportunities to delve deeply into the sense of right and wrong. There are so many themes underpinning the narrative, which I was very invested in. I particularly took notice of themes around misogyny, racism, gender violence, and retribution. Callaghan weaves these through the story organically, building a case and a narrative that is hard-hitting in places and exceptionally plotted. I genuinely couldn’t put it down!

As with BLINK, this book is equally about the key characters. Kat, Lock, Hassan and Brown feel like family and I can’t get enough of them! The dynamic between them (and the wider team) is wonderfully crafted, feeling authentic in every way. These guys care for each other, but they have their differences and their own unique personalities. There’s moments where the confusion of human thought processes and our actions baffle Lock, which helps to provide moments of humour. However, there’s a real tenderness to these relationships too. Again, like in BLINK, Callaghan tackles grief in a sensitive way, painting a picture of Kat’s loss that is really affecting. Not only is she still coming to terms with death of her husband John, but also an empty nest now that her son Cam has headed off to uni. Callaghan explores themes of loneliness and heartache here, but there remains a glorious sense of hope as Kat continues to rebuild her life in a way that she never imagined she would have to. This book ends on the most jaw-dropping cliffhanger, which has me gagging for book 3 already! This is a series that is going from strength to strength and I am already predicting great things from the next instalment.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this brilliant book

when the first man is found crucified DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock start the investigation....aide lock is a the world’s first AI Detective and is about to be tested on a real life murder

the weather is against them and with not much at the scene aide lock special abilities will become essential to finding any clues that the killer may have left behind

but will general opinion about an AI detective working the case prove their undoing

oh man this was an exciting read for me... the one liners and the factual based AI detective was always going to run into all sorts of problems whilst dealing with inferior human beings whose logic lock was never going to understand but i found lock to be a very enjoyable character and i was routing for him come the end

this is an exciting new series that has me hooked and i cant wait for the next book in this series

Leave No Trace is one of my most anticipated books this year. After the brilliant In The Blink of An Eye, I could not wait to be reacquainted with Kat and Aide Lock. I was not disappointed; this is an excellent second in series with that same blend of police procedural and speculative fiction in the form of AI pilot AIDE (Artificial Intelligence Detecting Entity) Lock.

Kat is Kat Frank, a D.C.S in Warwickshire Police. Recently widowed with one son, Cam who is off to university, she is somewhat rattling around, still grieving, in what was once a family home. Her boss, Chief Constable McLeish has tasked her with leading the pilot project with Lock, who appears as a hologram when she presses a button on her specially designed wrist cuff.

Up until now, their work has been on cold cases, but Kat needs to get her teeth into a live murder and to test Lock against a dynamic, fast moving case. She points her boss to the team’s success.Her boss, no fan of AI against a background of diminishing police numbers and resources, is less than sure, but as a particularly nasty murder case comes in, he gives Kat her wish.

A man has been on top of a remote, snowy hill. Naked and blue from the cold, he has been crucified and his ears have been cut off. It’s a gruesome sight. But despite this you have to smile when Lock, who always takes everything too literally, doesn’t quite understand her turn of phrase. Neither does he get nuance or gut instinct which makes Kat annoyed with him on a regular basis. She does her best to explain that he should keep his mouth shut when dealing with bereaved parents and certainly never to speak to the press. Sadly that warning comes after the fact and soon Lock and Kat are headline news and not in a good way.

There are lots of moments when interactions with Lock prove surprising, especially when a discussion of preferred pronouns takes Kat by surprise when Lock is asked for its view.

Aide Locke is useful in so many ways and he excels when he and Kat attend the autopsy of this man, with Locke able to show his prowess in producing 3d images of the body. The pathologist is used to working with AI and commends its use.

The team are faced with another murder in a similar methodology and then one of their own goes missing. It’s such a nice change for the victims to be men and I confess to having just a hint of schadenfreude at their outrage when it is suggested that they don’t go out to the pub at night in order to keep themselves safe.

Soon Kat is faced with an impossible choice, to save one of her own and let another die, or vice versa. She does, in the end, what she has to, and Lock is left to show his mettle with only Kat’s voice as a guide.

Frustrated when Lock proves to be stubborn about observing his protocols, Kat has to order him to break them and the result is the most human and moving of experiences.

Verdict: There’s a compelling portrait of grief and loneliness and a sharp look at racism. But what makes this book stand out are the interactions between Kat and Lock. They are priceless and you can see their relationship evolving as Lock learns more about what it means to be human and Kat learns to trust his logic. This is such a fascinating relationship and Jo Callaghan really nails it.There’s so much more I could write about in this beautifully complex book, but

I really enjoyed In The Blink Of An Eye, so was very happy to get stuck in to Leave No Trace and catch up with Kat and Lock.

This time, the Future Policing Unit are tasked with their first live case when a body turns up naked and crucified on top of a local landmark, also with his ears cut off. A difficult case already, but when another body turns up in similar circumstances, the team need to move fast before other men meet the same fate.

This was a great follow up to book one. Alongside the great crime mystery ro Solve. There are some great characters who are developing well into what I hope is going to be a long and successful series!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an advance copy of Leave No Trace, the second novel to feature DCS Kat Frank and AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity) Lock of Warwickshire Police.

When the body of a man is found crucified on Mount Judd Kat, Lock and the Future Policing Unit get their chance to investigate a current murder. Then another crucified body is found. Conducting an investigation under the media spotlight they find little to advance their case.

I thoroughly enjoyed Leave No Trace, which takes a novel approach to policing with a holographic AI character and some cold, hard logic. I have not read the previous novel in the series so I had no idea of what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised by what I got, a very readable novel with an interesting plot and strong characters.

Lock is a charming invention who is alternately unintentionally funny and coldly logical, but probably not very realistic as he seems to be able to avoid the more toxic elements of human nature that most real life ventures into AI seem to soak up. Kat, on the other hand, is a lonely widow with an empty nest, but also a driven detective with a keenly developed empathy and a strong sense of justice. What I like most about her is her experience and decision making where she comes across as relatable.

Leaving aside the novelty of Lock the novel is fairly standard. It starts as most procedurals do with a gruesome murder and a wide open field of suspects, ie everyone and no one in particular. Mostly they spend their time investigating several suspects, fending off the press and battling the pressure to arrest the potential suspects. It is all done well, holding the reader’s attention with speculation and humour. The final showdown is so action packed it becomes comedic, but still manages to be tense and exciting.

The format is a bit different as well. It is mostly told from the investigative point of view, but also includes a few chapters from the unnamed killer, interview transcripts and reactive social media posts from the general public. This last I could have done without as while they are reflective of reality they are simply stupid fights that no one can win. Perhaps they are there to expand on the author’s proselytising about toxic masculinity.

Leave No Trace is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Das Buch hat gleich einen starken Start, mit einem fesselnden Prolog.

DCS Kat Frank wünscht sich so sehr, an einem aktuellen Fall arbeiten zu dürfen, der ihre ganze Aufmerksamkeit fordert. Die Suche nach der Weihnachtsdeko, auf dem vollgemüllten Dachboden hat sie wieder zu sehr an ihren verstorbenen Mann erinnert und da jetzt Sohn Cam auf der Uni ist droht sie die Traurigkeit zu übermannen.

Zunächst hat sie ihre quartalsweise Rückschau mit ihrem Chef. Sie informiert ihn über die Cold Case Fälle, die sie in der Zwischenzeit, seit Gründung ihrer Einheit gelöst haben. Alle übergebenen Fälle haben sie aufklären können. Auch AIDE Lock ist in seiner verstörend reellen Visualisierung wieder anwesend. Die Autorin bringt im Beginn der Erzählung alle wichtigen Punkte aus dem ersten Band wieder unter, so dass man sich sehr schnell wieder orientieren kann. Ihr Team konnte sich beweisen und aus ihrer Sicht ist es höchste Zeit ihre Fähigkeiten für aktuelle Fälle einzusetzen.

Schon bald muss man wieder über Lock, der alles einfach immer zu wörtlich nimmt, im Zusammenspiel mit ihr schmunzeln. Und wieder versucht sie ihm zu erklären, dass er besser den Mund halten soll, da er die Nuancen der menschlichen Sprache und Auftreten nicht ausreichend versteht. Und aus welchem Grund auch immer, teilt der Chef ihnen den nächsten echten Fall zu. Sie machen sich sofort auf den Weg zum Tatort.

Der Tatort ist durch eigene Leute und Zeugen schon kontaminiert und nichts deutet auf die Identität des Toten hin, doch Lock kann mit seinen schon unheimlichen Möglichkeiten der Massendatenverarbeitung im Zusammenhang mit Social Media innerhalb kürzester Zeit weiterhelfen. Und doch gibt es auch wieder ganz neue Aspekte, wie dann folgend in der Pathologie. Lange gibt es trotzdem sonst keine Fortschritte bei der Täterermittlung, die Medien üben großen Druck aus und die Bevölkerung ist beunruhigt. Kats Vorgesetzter will sich das nicht mehr lange anschauen.

Doch dann haben sie einen unerwarteten Durchbruch, trotzdem soll ihnen der Fall am nächsten Tag abgenommen werden, aber sie wollen bis zur letzten Minute versuchen den Killer früher zu überführen. Dann gerät ein Teammitglied in eine brenzlige Lage, der Show Down beginnt, die Zeit läuft davon. Es geht sehr spannend weiter, in eisiger Kälte uns düsterer Nacht. Sie geraten in eine völlig aussichtslose Situation, in der es zu entscheiden gibt, wer überleben wird, aber dann kommt die Idee für einen unglaublichen technischen Einsatz, das ist man als Leser verblüfft. Kann das klappen? Das Ende ist heftig, man liest atemlos weiter. Es haut einen aus den Socken und man muss auch eine Träne verdrücken. Lock bleibt mit vielen Gedanken zu sich zurück und man bekommt schon einen Ausblick auf den nächsten Teil der Serie.

Ein sehr guter zweiter Teil. Man darf aber nicht zu empfindlich sein, da die Taten sehr brutal und grausam sind.

I read the first book in paperback i enjoyed it though it was a bit slow building anyway when i saw i cpuld request this book i was excited and ready too see what locke wpuld achieve and how him and Kats relationship would develop ot was a bit slow in some places bit had some laugh out loud moments woth lockes questions and the last stand moment was fast paced and sad. The end makes you excited for the next one.
itsinteresting too think about AI in the police force and how it could work it obviously saves them time on things as seen in this book woth identification and things.
the topic in the book and why the men are crucified is a hard one and the debate that comes after is interestong but understandable
reallu enjoyed this book hppe the next one is out soon

Absolutely brilliant and quite possibly the best police procedural I’ve ever read! I haven’t read the first book in the “Kat & Lock” series, but I have reserved it from my library and will be watching eagerly for the release of book 3!

DCS Kat Frank and her AI partner, AIDE Lock are great characters. I love Kat’s determination and I laughed out loud several times at Lock’s puzzlement at the human race, his attempts at sarcasm and his challenges over human morality.

I really enjoyed the balance of the chilling plot, based around local men being crucified, and the character's personal lives and relationships between them as colleagues. The character development was excellent and I really felt involved in their lives.

The plot itself was fantastic, I was gripped from the start and had no idea how it was going to play out. Jo Callaghan clearly knows her stuff when it comes to forensics and autopsies as these parts of the book were 100% convincing and built even more tension and intrigue. The pace was spot on and the writing style worked perfectly.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Jo Callaghan and Simon and Schuster for an ARC in return for an honest review.

I am a bit late to the party with this series, but it intrigued me so much that I just had to get with it, and, taking my own advice, play catch-up before diving into this, the second book.
Now where I blooming loved book one, which I actually listened to on AudioBook, I found this one to be a poor follow up :(
The story was good, don't get me wrong. And I am still very excited about the use of AI, especially in the autopsy scenes, and still find Aide Lock to be a cracking character, there were things included that I can't help but roll my eyes over and which I feel have ruined what could have been a great series for me, one that I thought would become one of my favourites. For an AI which is supposed to be able to learn from those around, Lock is still pretty dumb. I am not sure how long the author will be able to rely on the fact that AI struggles to be human, yet wants to be one, as various plot points as every time it happened, I just rolled my eyes...
There was also a bit too much social commentary for me too. Which also kinda spoiled the main story being told. It kept taking me out of what I was reading. Now, some may not mind, some may be able to filter it all out, I can't. I'm not particularly political but I do object to being preached at when I am a captive audience.
And, to add insult to my already painful injury... it ends on a blooming cliffhanger...! I have more niggles but I really don't want to waste any more time spelling them out.
All of which is a bit of a shame as, as already mentioned, I loved book one so much and was really looking forward to seeing the use of AI in the Police develop through the series. Instead, I'm probably going to leave it here. I understand and appreciate that it's a me thing, but life's too short... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

This was an incredible read just as the previous and first book in the Kat & Lock series was.
There was a fair bit of humour amongst the serious police procedural parts, seeing Lock trying to understand the human experience and the subtleties that make us all who we are was fascinating.
Most of the chapters were told from Kat's perspective but there were a few from her colleagues and even the occasional one from the perpetrator helping us to try and understand why they were doing this.
It was interesting to see just how many other areas of police work could be helped by something like Lock, taking away the mundane but this book also showed the dangers of relying solely on it's abilities!
The way this book ended was both satisfying and then curious, I really need book 3 asap!

Oh wow I am obsessed with these books! AIDE Lock and and DCS Kat Frank are such a dynamic duo and I really miss them already.

Since finishing Leave No Trace, there's been a few scenarios where I've thought, "I would love to see what Lock would say in this situation!". I love that Lock's character is constantly evolving and growing, and we get to be a part of his journey and how it affects the police department. Jo Callaghan has tapped into a very current and interesting topic with the concept of these books, and it is pure genius. If you are yet to pick up these books then I implore you to do so! You are missing out otherwise.

Before I read In the Blink of An Eye, the first in this series, I was a bit sceptical about a police procedural involving an artificially intelligent detective. However I loved it and found it to be an original and compelling read, so was excited to read the follow up Leave No Trace.
DCS Kat Frank is back with AIDE Locke and the rest of the team and this time they are investigating a live case. When a crucified body is found Kat and her team are under huge pressure to stop the killer before they strike again.
This was another gripping and original read, this time the media are aware of Locke and this of course brings up many questions about police cuts and the use of AI in policing. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Kat and Locke and following Kat’s journey as she adapts to her only child Cam being at University while they are both grieving the death of Kat’s husband. Kat is a likeable character and there is a good balance of her personal story and the police procedural aspect.
An excellent follow up to the author’s debut and I look forward to reading book three. Recommended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

Jo Callaghan follows the brilliance of In the Blink of an Eye, with this sequel, featuring the head of the Future Policing Unit DCS Kat Frank, that has successfully solved cold cases, utilising experimental AI technology with the hologram of the ever improving AIDE Lock, providing an edge to policing by going through the internet and social media in investigations, with results and analysis that no human beings could possibly hope to emulate. Kat is still drowning in grief and loneliness from the loss of her beloved husband, John, and the house feels even emptier with son Cam having left for university. Buoyed by the success of her team of Lock, DI Rayan Hassan, and the 8 month pregnant DS Debbie Browne, she lobbies the reluctant Chief Constable McLeish for a live case.

Kat gets her wish, getting the high profile case of a murdered man, crucified on Mount Judd in the freezing cold and snow, his ears cut off. She arrives to a contaminated crime scene, endeavouring to protect what is left, with matters exacerbated when she bumps into local journalist, Ellie Baxter, and before she knows it the case has gone viral, bringing unwanted attention. Despite being advised to hold a press conference and introduce the public to Lock, Kat is reluctant, putting it off till it can no longer be avoided. As the pressure piles up, with a hostile media and trolling, there is another death with a similar MO, there is light amidst the darkness with the banter, and Lock's struggle and errors related to taking words literally and slowly becoming increasingly aware of the complexities of human communication.

The developing relationship between Kat and Lock is the major highlight, particularly as he attains ever more human qualities, and how they balance each other out, him with his logic and Kat with her greater reliance on gut instincts. The story and plot provides an unusual perspective in that here it is men at risk, ususally women are warned not to go out and to be extra vigilant, and surprise surprise, men do not take kindly to a situation that women are all too familiar with, and the constant limitations and restrictions it places on their capacity to live their lives to the full. This is a wonderful read, urgent, tense and suspenseful, gripping right up to cliffhangar ending. Cannot wait for the next in the series! Many thanks to the publisher for an ARC.

Lost my reading mojo for a few days whilst feeling unwell so I picked my next read as one to get me back on track, and it is safe to say I picked well with the upcoming ‘Leave No Trace’ by Jo Callaghan.

DCS Kat Frank returns with AIDE Lock, the world’s first AI detective, pitting their skills of instinct and experience against logic. Combining them together is essential when the body of a man is found crucified at the top of Mount Judd and the duo undertake their first live case. When a second body is found, again affixed to a cross through crucifixion, it seems there is a serial killer on the loose. The Future Policing Unit is thrust into a hostile media frenzy as they desperately try to figure out the connection between the two victims, in a bid to try to stop the killer before they strike again. But do killers really stop unless they are made to?

I read the first book in this series, “In The Blink Of An Eye”, at Christmas (after being a little late to the party!) and knew I would need to read the sequel and wow, I wasn’t disappointed! This is just as good as the first book, if not better, thanks to the further character development and a gripping plot, one that you are drawn into from a very early stage and keeps you turning those pages till the very end. The storyline itself covers some intense descriptive prose of the killings and, whilst a little graphic, is vital in the background knowledge for solving the clues, the reveal coming out of nowhere.

The scene has already been set for the third title in the series (thanks to the ending of this one - no spoilers!) and, whilst I wasn’t initially sure about the AI concept in a book, my worries were unfounded and I found myself completely enthralled by the writing style and the way it draws you in. The character group bonds are definitely strengthened in this title and, I for one, am looking forward to seeing the development of this throughout the series. I am now fully invested in the relationship between Kat & Lock and can’t wait to find out more!

The only downside to this book? That I’ve read it already and now there’s a long wait till the next one! Can’t recommend this series enough, add both books to your TBR list now!

Leave No Trace Jo Callaghan 4.25⭐️

Kat and Lock Book 2

After a successful trial with Locke on a cold case Kat is keen to try a current case with Lock. Their first live case is the crucifixion of a man on the top of Mount Judd.

There are small sections from an unnamed person giving a bit of psychological input, but not as much of the psychological aspect as the first book for me.

This book explores both the positives and limitations of using AI.

My favourite character by far is Lock, and I enjoyed his development during this book.

I’m not sure why but this book didn’t grab me in the same way as the first book. I did feel that it upped the anti towards the end with a strong finish. Don’t get me wrong I still enjoyed it.

If you enjoy traditional police procedurals with an edge give this series a try. I enjoyed it, the ending tugged on my emotions. I’m keen to see what book 3 has to offer.

Oh this author. the books she writers are just so clever it’s scary. The whole AI situation terrifies me. are we going to be replaced via robots. Who Knows. But I love the way the author has Lock and DSc Frank work together. They are a great duo.
my only criticism of the book is that I guessed the killer more or less straightaway. But I do like to be proved right!
I loved the interview transcripts in this book, they made me feel like i was privy to those interviews and actually sat in on them
the storyline was great and how it all came together and I can’t wait for more in this series.

For those who have watched the Big Bang Theory, AIDE Lock, is like Sheldon, able to spout facts and analyse at speed but has no filters, no empathy and understanding of nuance or sarcasm. He understands procedure and process but not the difference between right and what is correct, as the book progresses he is learning about grey areas and is thinking not just about facts but what the facts mean, in short he is becoming human.
A very clever novel which raises some philosophical questions about the role of AI, bereavement and toxic masculinity
On one level, it’s a very good read, on another level if you like to ponder there is plenty to ponder about.

Last year I loved Jo Callaghan’s Blink of an Eye and have been eagerly awaiting the follow up. And it is finally here… what an incredible police procedural drama once again! i just love Kat and her honesty, her passion for her job and her son. Lock once again had me laughing out loud with his words and confusion about what humans actually mean. Such a clever concept.

So DS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back, and this time they have a live murder case. Kat is determined that all their hard work on cold cases will be invaluable on a current case and is set to prove this to everyone. And the case is a doozy .. A man is found crucified on a cross, naked, on the top of a hill….oh and hi ears have been cut off. It is close to Christmas and the snow is heavy and so so cold.

An absolute page turner once again, I could not get enough of this story, really having no idea how it would end. I love that we get an opening for the next book too…cannot wait!!

Thanks so much to Simon and Schuster UK and NetGalley for my advanced copy of this book to read. Published on March 28th.

DCS Kat Frank is teamed up again with her AI assistant AIDE Lock. This time they have a live murder case to investigate with their colleagues DS Debbie Browne and DI Rayan Hassan.

Having enjoyed reading the first book in this series I was thrilled to read this second book and found it as interesting as the first. It could easily be read as a standalone book and works well because the basics of the first book are briefly explained to keep you abreast of things, but I’d recommend reading ‘In the Blink of an Eye’ anyway, mainly because it’s so good.

Leave No Trace is bang up to date using the latest AI technology to help investigate a murder case. The author has certainly done her homework when it comes to police procedures and her knowledge of AI shines through too. It also highlights the potential pitfalls of social media being used to report things online immediately with information that could clash with evidence required to be kept private to a police investigation but shows it’s almost impossible to stop it happening. A very modern problem. There are also lots of themes covered in the book such as grief, racism and gender inequality to name a few, but I thought they were done well within the context of the story.

I found this a well written excellent book with relatable characters in a story that has a few surprises along the way. There is humour too in the dialogue between humans and AI, with the relationship between Kat and Lock particularly strong. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in return for an honest.

I very much enjoyed the first book in the series to feature Kat and Lock, but not so much this one. I liked the plotting and the pace but it was overshadowed by being too "woke" which really irritated me. The characterisation is good, I do like Kat and I enjoyed the character development. The idea of AIDE Lock is good and the cliffhanger ending left me wanting more. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.