The authors craft a compelling narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The intricate plot, filled with unexpected twists and turns, is masterfully executed. Special Agent Michael Walker, a dedicated National Park Service agent, emerges as a compelling protagonist, his determination and expertise shining through the chaos.

*Leave No Trace* is a well-written and interesting novel that addresses today's political situation. The story revolves around attacks on our nation's monuments and national parks, symbols of our democracy and freedom. These attacks serve as a backdrop to explore deeper societal issues.

The book provides insights into the history of some of our most cherished monuments and parks, offering readers a chance to learn more about these national treasures. Additionally, it touches on the challenges faced by individuals with prosthetics, adding another layer of depth to the narrative.

Throughout the story, we encounter various government agency disagreements, highlighting the complexities and bureaucratic hurdles in preserving our national heritage. The plot also features a vengeful father-in-law, whose actions add tension and intrigue. Meanwhile, the main characters demonstrate remarkable resourcefulness as they navigate these challenges.

I highly recommend reading this book. It is not only an engaging story but also an informative one that sheds light on important issues.

Thank you, Minotaur Books and NetGalley, for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This was a standard-issue, lots-of-explosions, domestic espionage thriller. It was GREAT!!!

First off, I absolutely loved the fun facts about the national parks included at the beginning of each chapter, along with the facts that were part of the story’s narrative.

The characters were written believably, and I actually really liked the two MC’s and the supporting characters who were on their side throughout. I would have loved more back story on Lantry’s dad.

And I loved the setting of the book across a selection of national parks. The action was intense, and I loved that this was a combo of FBI procedural plus thriller.

I absolutely loved this book. The action keeps you riveted while the interpersonal relations make you care about the characters and their struggles. I particularly enjoyed the historical snippets at the beginning of each chapter. These additions made this book not only engaging and entertaining but educational as well in a fun way. This book also has the most interesting "animal as a weapon" scene I have ever read. I am waiting for more from A.J. Landau!

3.25 stars
Crime + mystery + national parks?! sign me up! Leave No Trace was a joy to read and I can't wait for the next one!

Quite an adventure. wish there had been more character development of Lucas. The “aha”s that disclosed the Mother’s death was a little too contrived. Basic premise interesting but the book doesn’t really deliver.

This action-packed story of a park law enforcement official and an FBI agent's quest to track down domestic terrorists attacking national parks had me at page one. It could easily be a film with the way it is written. The leads had depth and backstory, including the bad guys. And there were plenty of twists and turns.. There was clearly a lot of research that went into this, and I learned a lot of things about our park system as I read.. I enjoyed the random location-related fact at the beginning of each chapter. Anyone interested in action or political thrillers would love this. Highly recommend.

In Leave No Trace, a terrorist explosion brings down the Statue of Liberty! Readers see it happen through the eyes of young Danny Logan.

National Park Service Special Agent Michael Walker (who has a prosthetic for his left foot) investigates as does FBI Agent Gina Delgado.

Slowly the investigation zeroes in on domestic terrorists, allied with government traitors.

Gina and Michael race to prevent home grown white nationalist nutjobs from slaughtering ten million as they 'wage a holy war for the soul of America'.

The first installment of the “National Park Thriller” series is strategically plotted, terrifying in concept, employing very current politics and dynamics. Who hasn’t imagined one of the United States most beloved symbols destroyed for some insane reasons known only to the terrorists who would contemplate such devastation. We have been paralyzed to stand by waiting and maybe expecting situations like this, hoping the various law enforcement agencies stay a step ahead.

The action and multiple situations keep coming at you with barely a chance to catch your breath before the next plot is uncovered and another landmark is attacked. The writing is fast and fluid, the character development is solid and admirable because these are not your perfect superheroes nor are the villains the expected crazies. There was substantial information regarding the park services and the hierarchy of the various agencies who protect the United States. Applause for the very impressive speech extolling the strengths of American tolerance and the subtleties of what can happen when it is tested.

There is a lot to recommend this book and I have high hopes and look forward to the second installment in this series. Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy.

This book was well-written, fast-paced, and interesting. At first, it seemed a little over the top, blowing up the base of the Statue of Liberty and toppling it, but the more you get into the story, it was just a little frightening. Unfortunately, I feel there are factions in this country that would love to try some of what happened in the book, I loved the characters of Michael and Gina and even with the action and level of expertise needed by them to not only survive, but save others, I felt they were excellent and realistic. I loved the different perspectives and how each chapter would flip through character POVs. I think it made me read faster and faster to get to the end. A great book!

Thank you to St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

Leave No Trace is an exhilarating ride from beginning to end. The story begins with an explosion at the Statue of Liberty, where a teenage boy wanders away from his family to get a closer look at the books in the harbor and is filming the boat. As he is filming, he realizes that the people in the boat are also filming, but he doesn't know why. Then the monument is rocked by the explosion.

The book moves at an insane pace (insane in a good way.) As the plot begins to unravel, the reader travels to various other important national parks in the US that are being targeted. There were points I found myself literally holding my breath.

The plot also feels real and relevant, especially with all that is going on in our world. I can't wait to read the next book in the National Park series.

Also, I vote this gets made into a movie....

Thank you, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.
4.5/5 stars

special thanks to netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Minataur books for an e-arc of this book. Publication date was Feb. 27, 2024.

I read a lot of mysteries, but terrorist type/political thrillers are not usually my go to. This book was intense. I couldn't put it down. Definite 5 star read. Intense, suspenseful and surprisingly for mysteries clean. If there was any cursing it went right by me.

If you just like thrillers, you'll like this. And if you like Political/terrorist type books you'll like this one too.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I like this thriller set in the context of attacks on national parks. It involves militia type groups coming together under a leader determined to take over the country. The January 2021 Capitol overrun was perhaps just a dress rehearsal. Identifying and stopping the domestic terrorists is difficult because high levels of government have been infiltrated.

There is nearly continuous action in this thriller. The action comes at a good pace, balanced with information about national parks. I liked the park settings and prolific background information and description. I also liked the unique bomb techniques, many I have never heard of before.

This is a good thriller with likable characters and lots of action. It will appeal to readers who enjoyed novels like the series featuring Anna Pigeon by Nevada Barr.

I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent and honest review.

Domestic terrorism thriller

Special Agent Michael Walker, Investigative Services Branch of the National Park Service, and Assistant Special Agent in Charge Gina Delgado, FBI New York Field office, are called into action when the Statue of Liberty is blown up by what is determined to be domestic terrorists.

And the damage and turmoil doesn't stop there as other historic sites/National Parks are targeted across the United States. But are these sites the real goal or are the terrorists looking at a bigger payday?

Walker and Delgado stay on the trail, trying to get ahead of the terrorists before the truly unthinkable can happen.

I liked Walker and Delgado's characters a lot and hope to see them in future books in this series. There was lots of action and the pace was fast, with short chapters that zipped along.

I recommend this thriller to readers that want a fast-paced exciting read.

I received this Digital Review Copy from Minotaur Books through Net Galley in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review. This is that review.

This checks all the boxes! National security/terrorism. FBI. An imminent future attack. It gripped me from the beginning and did not let go! Highly recommend this thriller!

This is a mystery/thriller featuring terrorism at the Statue of Liberty and then attempts at a few other National Parks. The lead characters are Michael Walker, an investigative agent with the National Park Services, and FBI Special Agent, Gina Delgado. The book is set around a conspiracy to overthrow the US Government. This well-written and fast-paced action investigation was an enjoyable read. I will look forward to more in this series.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital ARC. All opinions are my own.

As a true fan of Nevada Barr's National Park series. I was hoping for something similar in this first in a National Parks series by two authors, Jon Land and Jeff Ayers writing as A.J. Landau. While it appears that this series is going to take a substantially different direction, the first book in the series, LEAVE NO TRACE, is captivating. Rather than focusing on the beauty and background of one national park, Landau's story takes us into several national parks, all in jeopardy. When Liberty Island, the site of the Statue of Liberty, is attacked, National Park Service Special Agent, Michael Walker is thrown together with Gina Delgado of the FBI to find out who is responsible. It soon becomes clear that this is just the first of many attacks, all in National Parks.

As Gina and Michael move from one park to another, they form a bond based on mutual respect and trust, managing to thwart the terrorists' aims at least part of the time. Their investigations uncover a man who feels he has been wronged by the government and has joined forces with a deranged ex-general to take down the standing government and replace it with their own. Chapters move between Michael and Gina, who begin by working side-by-side before they must separate to take on different tasks in different locations. While they attempt to figure out what is going on and who is responsible, they find themselves in the role of saviors of the United States as we know it.

The book moves back and forth between Michael and Gina as they work in different parts of the country to take down the terrorists before they can wreak their havoc. As the pace picks up, leading to a major conflagration and bringing resolution to the plot, the already short chapters shorten to just a few paragraphs each, flinging the reader from one side of the country to the other. This is a book best read in just a few sittings. Once the middle of the book is reached, it is nearly impossible to put it down.

This is very much a plot-driven mystery, although the reader is provided with background details for both Gina Delgado and Michael Walker. Characterization does not extend very far from depicting each as super-humanly capable of meeting physical and mental challenges. Emotion is mainly kept out of the equation. The national park settings are well-described and, particularly in the case of Zion National Park, convincingly rendered.

A.J. Landau is a pseudonym created from the names of the two collaborating authors of this book. Since this is the first in this series, it remains to be seen whether the authors will continue with a frenetic multi-setting action series or if they will focus on just one national park in the second book. They have certainly carved out a unique direction for a national park series with LEAVE NO TRACE.

The Statute of Liberty is blown off its pedestal, killing almost 700 people. A young man who had wandered away from his family takes a video of a boat that appears to be waiting for the explosion. Park Ranger Michael Walker finds the young man and leads him to safety. Gina Delgado is the FBI Special Agent in Charge. Delgado and Walker are almost immediately called to the Gateway Arch Park in St. Louis and the Arch is blown up almost as soon as they arrive. Both Delgado and Walker realize a new Civil War could be coming. A man calling himself Jeremiah and a retired Army general, nicknamed General Terror, have united the right wing militias and are plotting to bring down the government. A failed explosion at Liberty Hall in Philadelphia and another successful explosion in Zion National Park follow. Delgado and Walker are now working feverishly to uncover all the lines of the conspiracy. A rip-snorting adrenaline ride that suffers somewhat from a little too much place-setting descriptions (which can be forgiven since the series is focused on national parks).

This is a fast paced action thriller that has imagined domestic terrorists continuing the Jan 6 MAGA fight on a much larger scale. While some of the action was a little over the top it was incredibly fun to read (the rattlesnake scene comes to mind). The two main characters (Michael and Gina) are likable and have interesting backgrounds and the National Park settings was both informative and had me adding to my travel bucket list. I await the next in the series. 4.5/5

An explosive attack at the Statue of Liberty sends National Parks Service Special Agent Michael Walker to investigate the crime. As he begins working with FBI agent Gina Delgado, it becomes clear that attacks on other national sites are imminent. Michael and Gina criss-cross the country to prevent what could be the worst attack the country has ever experienced. I found this thriller to be interesting and exciting. I especially liked the historical facts that were included about the various locations.
was given an ARC of Leave No Trace by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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