In The Blink of an Eye was one of my favourite reads of last year, so I have been desperate to read Leave No Trace, and it certainly lived up to my high expectations.

Our story starts with a gruesome, highly symbolic non-accidental death. DCS Kat Frank has won the battle with her boss, to allow her team, including AIDE Lock, a sophisticated AI technology, to work a live case. Very quickly, the case attracts the interest of the national press. This amplifies all the extraneous noise around the case, and whips the public into a social media frenzy.

In the last few pages, there is a tantalising taste of what book 3 might hold for Kat; which I’m already extremely eager to read, despite the ink on Leave No Trace barely being dry. (No pressure Jo)

The author writes very well, which combined with the rich engaging characterisation, and gripping story, means that the pages turn incredibly quickly. I easily lost myself to hours of reading, without having any idea I had been between the covers so long.

Leave No Trace is undoubtably a fabulous thriller, but it is more than that too. It is the depth of the emotion, conveyed through the author’s words. The very end of the book, I found to be quite emotional. From the conclusion of the case itself, to the gathering and interactions afterwards.
I am choosing my words very carefully here, to avoid spoilers. So please excuse me if that doesn’t make sense, but I promise it will when you have read the book yourself.

In summary, just in case you weren’t sure, I loved this book. I could really feel that Jo had poured herself into the book. It is a worthy follow up to In The Blink of an Eye, and I can’t recommend it highly enough. Without a doubt, 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

It must be incredibly hard to write a second book, when your first book was so well received. Then, to have to share it with readers, who will all have their opinions. But, you did it Jo, you nailed it.

If you haven't read In the Blink of An Eye yet, I would absolutely say READ IT NOW, because Leave No Trace follows on from the first book and whilst you could read it as a standalone, the first book is so superb it would be a shame not to get to know the main characters in greater detail.

So, I will assume you have read the first book and now eagerly await the next book in this cracking, original and clever series, and it's my absolute pleasure to tell you more about Leave No Trace.

This book starts shortly after In the Blink of An Eye ends, set a few weeks prior to Christmas, DCS Kat Frank and AI Lock are tasked with their first "live" murder case. The grisly discovery of a naked man, crucified at the top of a local hill with his ears cut off is the beginning of a very dangerous and gruesome hunt to track down the killer before he or she strikes again.

With huge interest from the media and public, Kat finds herself at the centre of a challenging case facing both public scrutiny and under immense pressure from her boss to solve this crime before the "big guns" from London are brought in.

Once again Jo Callaghan has given the readers such an in-depth and raw glimpse into Kat's life, as a grieving widow and mother to a son who has recently left home for University.

It is however the originality of AIDE Lock, with his plain speaking, factual and observational skills on the human race, that give this series the edge over other police procedurals.

The growing respect and understanding Lock and Kat have for each other is wonderful to read and this series has potential to keep on going for years to come.

I was very honoured when Jo told me that one of the characters, Tracy Taylor, was named after me and delighted to see that finally Jo has spent my name correctly.

An easy 5 stars from me

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for an eARC of "Leave No Trace" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

I really enjoyed In The Blink of an Eye when I read it last year and as soon as I knew a second book was coming I knew I had to get my hands on it and boy, did it ever surpass expectations. This instalment of the Kat and Lock series is a fantastic follow up that for me was more well rounded and balanced than the first with a dark and thrilling case plus interesting and thoughtful commentary on the nature of identity especially in relation to AIDE Lock.

In this case DCS Kat Frank and Lock are finally able to investigate current events - a man has been found on a hilltop crucified with his ears cut off. With few leads and a race against time to solve this murder before more victims are found, the team have to battle the elements, the press and political pressure to ensure success.

I loved how current and modern this felt, including the slightly futuristic technology as well as the messaging around female and male safety, use of pronouns and ideas of found family and friendship. I love the diversity of characters and viewpoints including those of the more 'old school' Frank and her boss McLeish who are trying to adapt and get comfortable with the nature of AI Detection but also recognise that they risk becoming relics of a bygone age if they don't move forward (albeit begrudgingly). It's a very timely discussion considering the current implications of AI in modern life and the morality aspects of utilising such technology. I think the author has done a fantastic job of balancing out the viewpoints showing the positive and negative aspects whilst using these characters as a voice for the wider world at large.

This book overall is a wonderful mix of crime thriller/mystery with a fantastically dark, twisting and intriguing case which perfectly balances plot and character. The team is growing, personalities are becoming more rounded and formed and I'm finding myself becoming very quickly attached to them and their lives.

I was so pleased to see that 2 more books in the series have been commissioned and eagerly await those next instalments in the future as with plots and characters like these who wouldn't want to read more?!!

Leave No Trace is released on March 28th 2024

I have only recently listened to the first book in the series called ‘The Blink of an eye’, so I couldn’t wait to read the second book in the Kat and Lock series Leave no trace.
We are now back with DS Kate Frank and Aide Lock of the future Policing unit with their first live case. A man is found crucified on the top of Mount Judd. It is a gruesome and macabre scene, and they work tirelessly to find the killer, but it deems difficult when everyone has trampled over the scene.
When another body turns up Kat knows she has a serial killer on her hands and there is a race against time before the killer strikes again. There is also tension rising from the locals as the details of the death has been posted on social media.
This is another compelling Police procedural and quite unique than others I have read with the mix of drama and science fiction and got me thinking is this going to be the real future of Policing. I like the relationship of Kat and Lock. With them both bouncing ideas and learning of each other and found it quite funny in places too. They are both such likable characters. This is another fascinating read and I can’t wait to hear more about these two. 5 stars from me.

Jo Callaghan is rightly the new queen of crime fiction and this second book just seals the deal for me. Even darker than the first DCS Kat Frank and her team have a potential serial killer on the streets of Nuneaton they have a lot to prove with their first live case but time is against them with the help of AIDE Lock can they stop more murders? At times you almost forget that Lock is a hologram and not real as he and Kat seem to be forming a bond. A cracking second book with some gruesome murders and a great team trying to solve them. Jo Callaghan has gone to the top of my must read list.

I may have (did) shriek with excitement when Jo’s second book popped up on Netgalley. Following on from In the Blink of an Eye, DCS Kat Frank is working once again with AIDE Lock – the world’s first AI detective – on a gruesome case. A man is found crucified on top of a hill, then another, and the race is on to ensure it doesn’t happen a third time. In the duo’s first live case, they must handle all that’s thrown at them, including press conferences and understanding each other’s capabilities. Lock has a lot to learn about human nature, something that cannot be as easily programmed, while Kat is worried about how the past could affect her son. In the midst of this, there’s not much love for the Future Policing Unit – if only they could solve the case and find the culprit. Well, you’ll have to read it to see what happens. But it is brilliant and I loved it.

I absolutely loved the first book in this series, ‘in the blink of an eye’ and couldn’t wait to read this second one.

Frank and her AI colleague Lock are back with a particularly gruesome crime to solve. The difference this time is, it’s a live case and Kat Frank feels the pressure to solve it before the killer strikes again.

This was a 3.5 for me. It took me a while to get into, it didn’t have me gripped and I found myself scanning some bits. However, as the story went on I was invested and as always I love the team. Particularly Frank and Lock’s relationship.

If you like crime series, you will love this one! I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of this, it’s out 28 March 📚❤️

Big fan of Jo Callaghan. I had this book on my shelf for 2 or 3 weeks and had been really apprehensive that it wouldn’t live up to my love for “In the blink of an eye” but I shouldn’t have worried. It could be read as a stand-alone as enough backstory is given to bridge the two but personally I think readers should read Blink first to appreciate the relationships.
Kat is a 40 something single mum having been widowed a couple of years earlier. She is once again paired up with AIDE Lock, an AI machine that is working with the police on crimes, but this time they have been given a live murder investigation. A young man has been found naked at the top of a hill having been crucified. A shocking case that needs the Forces best minds on it.
A really compelling story, great twists and turns and well plotted. Already can’t wait for book 3!

DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock her AI detective are yet again thrown in the deep end but this time it’s a love case. When a man found crucified on top of a mountain it’s up to Kat, Lock and the team to investigate. In the glare of the media, with fascination surrounding the use of AI to solve a murder, the team are already up against it. When a second body is discovered with the man killed in the same way and left in a field, it becomes apparent that there’s a serial killer on the loose, and is targeting young men. With the men of Nuneaton told to stay indoors, the clock is ticking, can Kat, Lock and the team get to the killer before any more bodies turn up?

I was really looking forward to this next instalment to see what Kat and Lock would be faced with this time. The plot was interesting, and kept me wanting to read on, however I felt it lacked the emotions that the previous story had, and I didn’t feel as the reader that I got to know Kat and the team any more than I did previously. The only one thing I didn’t like, and the reason I gave a 4 star was the book came across as too ‘woke’ for me, and it seemed more focused on the whole women’s rights thing rather than the police and crime solving element. Having said that I did enjoy the story, I really like Jo’s writing style, the whole concept of the AI assisting with the crimes is very unique. The cliffhanger at the end was good, so I will be reading the next instalment.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed the first book in the series, so I was looking forward to this one. Unfortunately it wasn't as good. It seemed to focus more on social matters than police work, which for a police procedural doesn't really work for me. I still enjoyed the relationship between Kat & Lock but it just didn't captivate my attention like the first one and just rushed into the ending. Don't think I'll bother with the next one, which there obviously will be.

DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity) are back and this time, they aren't working on a cold case, they are assigned to a murder. And not just any murder, as the victims have been staged on a cross and there is more than one. The hunt for a serial killer is on and they must stop them before they hunt again.

This is the second in the series and I do recommend reading the first one. I absolutely flew through this and loved the involvement of Lock in the investigation, it was just so unique and thoughtful in the approach. The AI mixed with the human elements and essentially questioning how much of that the AI can learn was fascinating. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster UK for this gifted copy. 4.5*

If you’re looking for an ORIGINAL crime series, look no further! Leave No Trace is the latest crime thriller from Jo Callaghan author of In the Blink of an Eye. Yes, it’s worth reading the books in order, but not crucial. There are so many layers to this book, with a fascinating character that adds a whole extra dimension to the typical police procedural novel. It’s highly original, flawlessly paced, and extremely entertaining.

When a man’s crucified body is found at the top of Mount Judd, Kat Fand and her partner, AIDE Lock, face a challenging case. The nature of the crimes is macabre and chilling, but fascinating all the same. The author never gives too much away, which allows plenty of time for us arm chair sleuths to work out the motive for the crimes and the who. I do enjoy a crime thriller more when I feel part of the investigation.

The strength of this book is Lock. He’s such a fascinating character, but he isn’t without flaws. He isn’t able to read body language and doesn’t pick up on sarcasm or other human traits that take us human years to learn. Which often leaves his partner in crime, DCS Kat Frank having to explain the nuances of human behaviour. It’s these moments that add a dose of light humour to this dark tale.

Towards the end of the book, I found some scenes very emotional, which is unusual in a crime thriller, but add depth to the story that I wasn’t expecting. Jo Callaghan narrative gathers energy as the investigation moves forward and propels the reader to an exciting, nail biting conclusion. Overall, another brilliant read in this series. Jo Callaghan is quickly becoming one of my MUST READ authors. Highly recommended.

My review will be posted on my blog https://thebookreviewcafe.wordpress.com nearer to publication day

I have to admit that, before I embarked on In The Blink Of An Eye, I was highly sceptical about the credibility of an AI detective. However, the book was so good that I was gradually won over. Now AIDE Lock is back, still working with DCS Kat Frank but on a live case this time, and I am a firm convert! The case is gruesome as the naked body of a man is discovered on the top of a tip. Similar crimes ensue and the pair have a tough task linking them together. Excellent writing, character and plot all contribute to this fine novel.

This was literally a one session read for me, I couldn't put it down from the moment that I started, and I was completely hooked on the story.

Taking the brilliant policing duo of DCS Kat Franks and her AI sidekick, Lock, the second book in the series sees the pair tackling current crimes, having proved their worth on a series of cold cases in the first book, 'In The Blink of an Eye'.

And what a crime to begin with - a man is found crucified on top of a hill, left naked to die in the bitter cold December winds. With nothing to identify the victim, Lock manages to scan all social media accounts of potential victims in the local area, identifying the man in minutes.

Franks and her policing team concentrate on the human side of things, interviewing suspects and looking for a possible motive, whilst Lock provides facts and figures in seconds, analysing the victim's social media records, looking at phone records, CCTV, location maps, and processing the information in accordance with the way that he has been constructed.

The relationship between Franks and Lock is wonderfully developed in this chapter of their story. The clash of policing styles that we saw in book 1 is still an issue, with Lock firmly sticking to the proof provided in the information he can see, whilst Franks brings a psychological approach to her policing, trying to put herself in the mind of the attacker to work out their motivations. But Lock is programmed to learn from the experiences that he has, and Franks can see that some of Lock's blunt assertions are worth listening to.

As well as Franks and Lock, the other members of the policing team are excellent characters to read about, and the dynamics between them all are wonderfully written.

And then there's Kat's own personal life, after having lost her husband John and with their son Cam moving out to start university, life is looking very different for Kat. I could totally empathise with how she deals with her empty nest, as well as the everyday slights that she feels when she spots old friends going out without her. My heart was aching for her, as she tries to rebuild her life in a way that she never anticipated happening.

My only regret is that Im going to have to wait another year for Book 3!

DCS Kat Frank and her AI partner are given their first live case to investigate when the body of a man is found crucified at the top of a rubbish heap. The use of AI in the police force comes under intense media scrutiny as the pair try to uncover who is responsible and prevent further murders.

Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan is the much-anticipated sequel to In The Blink Of An Eye which introduced readers to Kat Frank and her holographic AI partner. In the first book, we are introduced to newly widowed Kat as she returns to work and is asked to lead a pilot program, the Future Policing Unit, where AI is used alongside conventional policing. Kat is not a fan of AI but gradually comes to appreciate the skills her new partner, AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity) Lock, brings to the role as they investigate cold cases.

In this sequel, Kat is keen to get involved in an active case to prove that the FPU offers a positive contribution to the police force. Everyone connected with the program, including AIDE Locks creator, is aware that this will put the FPU firmly in the public eye.

The team ends up investigating the crucifixion of a man and the story touches on so many topics relevant to society today. Obviously, the use of AI is the major storyline. The story covers the ability of AI to trawl through social media, databases, research, etc in a matter of seconds, something that will save a huge number of man-hours and allow the police to focus on other aspects of the investigation. As a result of its ability to search through resources rapidly it can make predictions about what could happen and suggestions on how to proceed.

What AIDE Lock can’t do is nuances. Humans are inconsistent and contradictory, and Lock struggles to understand this. Although he can monitor vital signs such as heart rate he fails to understand body language and tone of voice, all those subtle signals that skilled observers pick up on. Another issue with Lock is that he’s a hologram, he doesn’t offer a physical presence and this has implications as the team closes in on the murderer.

The story touches on the public mistrust of AI and this is played out through the biased press. Personally, I was fascinated by the possible uses of AI. The virtual autopsy had me engrossed and the idea that social media could be searched in seconds to help try to identify victims seems so effective.

Another topical issue covered is toxic masculinity. When it becomes obvious that young men are being targeted tables are turned as police advice is not to go out, not to go off with strangers. Men begin to get a taste of the messages women receive on a daily basis and don’t like it.

The team that comprises the FPU are an engaging group of characters. The author takes time to flesh out each character, endearing them to the reader. The interactions between Kat and Lock are, at times, just like a normal police partnership as they seem to “bicker” about procedure and I’m convinced Lock has had a sarcasm upgrade.

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy for an honest review. Having read the first in this series I was desperate to read the next and it did not disappoint. I find the whole concept of the Police using AI fascinating and unnerving and I find that Callaghan deals with this in a very apposite fashion. I now feel hugely invested in the lead detective Kat and there are some hugely poignent moments around her being not only an empty nester but also a widow. The development of Lock is also well done - can an AI have a personalilty and have feelings?
The fact that AI is now being used on a current case, rather than a cold case, is a nice development and other new characters are introduced to the series. The current case in the novel had just the right level of horror and fascination for me.

I don't wanna be dramatic, but this book was effing brilliant. Could not recommend it more! Have never read a book so fast!

I've been so looking forward to this follow up and it absolutely didn't disappoint. It's fast-paced, addictive and has a brilliant plot. In addition to the police procedures (which give a real insight into hierarchy and budget cuts) there's also emotion with loneliness and grief running throughout and great development of the characters within the team. I look forward to many more Kat and Lock books.

DNF… this one is not working for me. I am finding it has way too much of a “woke” agenda. I really just wanted this to be so much more about the AI and DCS solving crimes and the interaction between the AI and Humans but there seems to be an underlying tone for this book that feels like it’s doing too much to be cool.

I am not going to keep reading as I know this will only get worse for me. For fairness I will give a mid rating and not share to my goodreads.

Thank you.

DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock, from the Future Policing Unit, return in the second book of the series and are working on their first live case where a man has been found crucified. Will the team be able to work together to solve this case and prevent any further attacks happening?

I loved In The Blink Of An Eye, the first in the series, so was VERY excited to get the opportunity to read the second and my thoughts after finishing are that I am gutted it’s over and I now have to wait ages for the third. I feel very connected to the characters already and love the relationship between Kat and Lock, as well as the rest of the team. This book continued like the first to have light hearted, humourous moments amongst a dark, tense subject matter and I found it very well balanced.

There are lots of interesting facts thrown in which made me interested, engaged and learning lots of new things. Although the nature of the crimes are disturbing I found the whole premise very intriguing. I didn’t predict who was responsible until quite late into the story and it all tied together well. Overall a brilliant second thriller in this series and I need to read the third ASAP. Jo Callaghan is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this copy in return for an honest review.