This is the first book in a planned National Parks Thriller. It starts with plenty of shock and excitement. Explosives destroy the base of the Statue of Liberty and topple the statue. With the destruction, there is an unbearable tragedy. Hundreds of visitors to the site are killed, with more injured. Michael Walker, an investigator from the National Parks Service, is sent to New York as the agent in charge. There was a misfortune in a past crime that left him bereft, gained a formidable enemy, and now uses a prosthetic foot. FBI agent Gina Delgado from the Joint Terror Task Force was given the leading role. She was previously an explosives expert in Iraq. Michael learns he has been barred from the JTTF. Instead of Gina and Michael clashing over their respective roles, they form a team. While Michael was wandering around the horrific scene of the dead and injured, he found a boy, Danny, who was injured, deafened and stunned and was looking for his family (killed in the explosion). Michael discovers that Danny filmed a video of the domestic terrorists who caused the blast.

Danny's phone was broken, so it was sent to have its contents retrieved. It is learned that the terrorist group consists of ex-military who faked their deaths. They are led by a man calling himself Jebediah, a ruthless killer. They plan to destroy more American cultural symbols. They know about Danny's video, placing his life in danger. Michael aims to protect him from the terrorists. Michael and Gina are concerned about threats elsewhere in America, and the country is apprehensive about the next strike.

I regret that I failed to engage in the plot after it left the damage and victims in New York. The story did not hold the momentum for me. I struggled with the rest of the plot, although many readers were thrilled by the continuing storyline. I enjoyed Michael, Gina, and Danny. The secondary characters, along with their titles, made the story quite complicated. I appreciated the addition of a native environmental group. I enjoyed the inclusion of information about the National Parks and other locations preceding each chapter.

I would definitely read the next book in the series, hoping the story is more localized.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of the book. The publication is set for February 27th.

I actually like murder/mystery/thrillers, packed with all of the action, but this book wasn’t for me. I don’t know if it’s the shorter chapters and the pace of the book, or maybe because there is a terrorist on the loose and at times the terms become hard to understand?? I don’t know, maybe its all of it, but it was not for me, I enjoyed some parts but again it was not for me, I would recommend this book to everyone who is into action mystery books like this, the plot was amazing though.

Leave No Trace
By A.J. Landau

Michael Walker is a member of the National Park Service Investigative Service Branch. After having lost his foot in an accident, he is no longer able to fulfill the duties of a Park Ranger; thus the alternative investigative position. Michael is the person called to the scene of a terrorist attack on Liberty Island that has claimed hundreds of lives.

Gina DelGado is an FBI ASAC (assistant special agent in charge) who is also detailed to the scene of the attack. Michael and Gina meet over a jurisdictional problem at the scene.

As both are investigating the crime scene, Michael meets a young survivor, Danny Logan, who has lost his whole family to the bombing. Danny, however, has managed to film damning evidence of the men involved on his phone and he gives it to Michael.

From this point on, the plot to actually bring down the government spirals seemingly unstoppable. Other attacks take place and the "good guys" must work fast to save the country.

The author manages to keep readers on the edge of their seats as the plot becomes more and more involved. By having Michael and Gina each facing separate crises and going back and forth between the two, Landau builds up the tension.

I really liked this book, especially the snippets of information the author provides at the beginning of each chapter about the various national parks. If you are looking for an entertaining read, try this one out.

I enjoyed all the locations and think many people who are familiar with the parks will also. I didn't even realize that the Statue of Liberty was part of the system. I liked both the agents and the plot, and definitely the inclusion of Native Americans. Fast paced read

A thriller mystery with a domestic terrorist aspect. The story starts out strong with the horrific bombing/explosion at the Statue of Liberty.
I did like the main characters, Gina and Michael.
Terrific story for fans of a story full of suspense, intrigue and action.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the authors for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

I received an ARC from NetGalley for my honest opinion. This is the first book I have read from A.J. Landau. I really enjoyed the this and found it so interesting with all the national parks. This had everything you want in a thriller, heart pounding, sitting on the edge of your seat thriller. This was very fast paced and enjoyable. Thank you!

Leave No Trace A National Parks Thriller by AJ Landau

320 Pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books
Release Date: February 27, 2024

Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Terrorism

The statue of Liberty has been attacked. 15-year-old Danny Logan saw a park’s service boat coming towards the island just before the attack. He felt something wasn’t right, so he began filming the incident. Michael Walker, an investigator for the Parks Service sees Danny walking around in shock after the attack. Danny gives him his phone with the video on it. Now Danny needs protection since he is the only witness to the attack.

Ferris Hobbs renamed himself, Jeremiah, has vengeance on his mind. When he was a child, his family’s land was taken as a part of Mt. Rainier Park. He blames his father’s death on the Park Service. Now it appears other National Park sites are being attacked. It is up to Michael to stop Jeremiah and his followers from destroying the United States.

The book is fast paced, the characters are well developed, and it is written in the third person point of view. It is action paced and the author did a good job of moving from one character’s story to another. If you like action books, you may enjoy reading this one.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance audiobook and reader copy of Leave No Trace by A. J. Landau in exchange for an honest review. I really liked this book, I kept switching between the audiobook and ebook and thought they were both great. The only complaint I had was the mispronounced Eads. My ancestor designed the Eads bridge and we pronounce our name phonetically, like leads but without the l. Other than that it was a great book with intrigue. I've already recommended it to others.

Leave No Trace
By: A.J. Landau

5 Stars

I am not big on books like this, but I am so glad I took a chance. It was like reading a tv show. It was so captivating and fast-paced. It kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. When an attack happens on american soil, it's all hands on deck. This was an amazing visual of the terrors that can wait in the United States. Danger, conspiracy, this book had it all.

Wow. This book was written well. It was descriptive and easy to read and follow. Usually, books like this are hard to keep up with, but I found myself so engrossed in the drama and danger of this book. The beauty of the national parks shines through the descriptions and quotes. It really made this story more real. Which makes it that much scarier as well.

I can't wait to read more from this author and this series.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

Wow! This book starts off with a bang and never stops. Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Parks Service was initially in charge when a bomb goes off at the Statue of Liberty, but BI Agent Gina Delgado quickly takes over. A video that a tourist has gives the biggest lead, but it quickly morphs into a race to stop the next explosion.

This was a fast-paced, action-packed intense read that I could not put down. I also enjoyed that each chapter started with history/trivia on various national parks.

This was an great start to a new series and I'm definitely has a new fan of the author(s). I cannot wait for the next installment.

I received this advance review copy from NetGalley & the publisher for my honest review.

Ebook/Thriller: This book holds no punches with the Statue of Liberty has the same fate as one of Stephanie Plum's cars, but far from funny. Among the dead is a teen, now orphan, with the video of a suspect.
I liked the book as far as a procedural, but there was lack of depth in the characters, like they were all compartmentalizing all their feelings.
I did get this ARC from Netgalley for an honest review.

This is such a good read. It keeps you hooked right away and the chapter aren’t too long so makes for a fast and easy read.

Leave No Trace is a gripping, fast paced story which starts with the Statue of Liberty being toppled by domestic terrorists. The Visitor Center is blown up and hundreds of visitors are killed. The story then moves around the country to the National Parks where the terrorists are planning further destruction. Leave No Trace is an exciting and captivating book.

This is the first book about Special Agent Michael Walker, a National Park Investigator and ASAC Gina Delgado of the FBI. When the Statue of Liberty is blown up the FBI starts to take over but since it's a National Park they have to work together to figure out what is going on. It's fast paced thriller, I look forward to the next book.
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my review copy.

LEAVE NO TRACE was an engaging, fast-paced thriller. Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Park Service is called to the site of an explosion that topples the Statue of Liberty and kills more than 600 people. There he meets FBI Agent Gina Delgado and, after a brief tussle for the lead in the investigation, the two work together to find out what happened.

Gina is an expert on explosives which comes in handy since a rare and supposedly well-controlled explosive was used. Michael discovers a young witness who has video of a suspicious boat watching the island just before the explosion. The young boy becomes the target of the terrorists who planned the action, but Michael manages to keep him safe.

The terrorists have a big, well-coordinated plan to make the events of January 6 look like the dry run they turned out to be. Someone has managed to unite all the disparate groups who want to take down the United States to rebuild it in according to their plan. Gina and Michael need to track down the conspirators before they can begin their new civil war.

Since the terrorists are beginning their terror spree by destroying national monuments and national parks, we get a look at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the Arch in St. Louis, and Zion National Park as terrorist acts occur.

I enjoyed this story and like the characters of Michael Walker and Gina Delgado very much.

American landmarks are being threatened by a homegrown terrorist organization. But within this terrorist group there is also a faction of corrupt politicians who have their own agenda to topple the government. This was a fast paced and tense thriller. The two main characters, Gina Delgado of the FBI National Task Force and Michael Walker from the National Park Service, are multilayered based on their past experiences and both are motivated to save lives no matter the cost. I also enjoyed reading the interesting factual information regarding the history of our National monuments and parks that was given before the start of each chapter..Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press Minotaur Books for this excellent book. This review is my opinion.

Ok, full disclosure here! One of the reasons I requested this book was because of the series name. I know, so stupid, but I love national and state parks and a terrorist group running around blowing up statues and icons at national parks? I just knew it was going to be a good read. I was right!!!

The book summary lays out the premise for the primary storyline of the bombing of the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty that results in the statue falling down. While Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Parks Service was initially in charge of the site, he loses it pretty quickly (less than an hour) to FBI Agent Gina Delgado. However, while Gina is busy with setting up a tactical command center, Michael meets a kid, Danny, who is looking for his parents. Michael soon discovers that Danny can identify the bombers. Michael takes responsibility for Danny and doesn’t immediately turn him over to Gina, because Michael suspects that that the bombing was probably an inside job, a suspicion that Gina also holds. None of this is a spoiler since it’s revealed really early in the story.

There are also secondary storylines with one being that Ethan Turlidge, the Secretary of Interior, hates Michael’s gut and does whatever he can to make life miserable for Michael. Turlidge is still angry that Michael married his daughter, Allie, who was a park ranger when Michael met and married her; Allie was later killed while trying to apprehend a poacher. There is another one where an environmental activist, Lantry, a member of the Lakota Sioux nation, is tracking a shipment of chemicals that are known to be used to destroy their lands and the environment.

Most of the story revolves around investigating the leads that Danny’s video provides. There are more bombings, at various other national parks and historical sites, as well as an attempted bombing that Gina and Michael foil by locating the bomb before it goes off and having it defused, which pisses the bombers off. It’s well into the second half that storylines all merge and Gina finally realizes who the bombers are and what their motivations are and what their endgame is going to be resulting in an explosive ending of military proportions.

This was a fast-paced, action-packed read with intense, Kindle gripping scenes that kept me reading last night well passed my bedtime on a work night because I simply could not go to sleep until I knew how it ended. I also really liked how each chapter started with some history and trivia on all the various national parks, locations, and historical statutes/icons. I love learning stuff like that. This was an amazing start to a new series and Landau definitely has a new fan. I look forward to the next installment.

I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks #LeaveNoTrace

A fast paced, domestic terrorist thriller with great characters and non-stop action. The bonus for me is that each chapter starts with some information about that chapter's location, usually a National Park. This is the first in a new series by A. J. Landau, the pseudonym for two authors, Jon Land and Jeff Ayers. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an advanced reader copy.

4.25 – 4.5 STARS

Set against the backdrop of multiple US National Parks, “Leave No Trace” is a riveting, fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat thriller that I quickly devoured. It is well-written and definitely well-researched, as there is quite a bit of interesting historical information included, along with very detailed scientific facts that I struggled to fully comprehend. While parts of this story seem rather implausible, domestic terrorism in and of itself not so far-fetched, which makes this thriller all the more terrifying. Initially, I was drawn to this novel by my personal history with NYC and a friend who works for the National Park Service, but it was the intensely gripping storyline that kept me engaged from start to finish.

This was an enjoyable read! Definitely intense, but super action-packed and fast-paced, which I always love in a thriller! I've not read anything from these authors previously, but I think they'll be a dynamic duo for sure and I look forward to more from them!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and Netgalley for the digital copy to read and review!