A couple sleeps peacefully. But they are not alone. Night after night, a dark figure moves through the quiet suburban streets of Bangor, Maine, entering homes, watching the residents sleep. When some families notice subtle signs of an intruder’s presence, news spreads quickly, and panic spreads through this peaceful community. Calls pour into the Bangor police station and Detective Rebecca Ellis grows concerned. No one has seen this intruder, and nothing has been stolen, but when a beloved family pet is found dead, a pattern of escalation becomes apparent. Ellis’s worst fears are realized when she's called out to a murder. It seems the intruder has graduated from stalking to killing. Desperate to prevent another murder, Ellis finds herself caught in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse with a relentless enemy. Can she catch the killer before another innocent victim dies? Or will she herself fall prey to the silent prowler who leaves no trace? Leave No Trace, the fourth book in the thrilling series featuring Detective Rebecca Ellis.

Loved it. Even though I was reading it at bedtime. Lol. If you love crime fictions with a strong female lead detective then this one is for you.

Who is watching people as they sleep? Why are they doing this, is it intentional, or do they find random people to watch. This wax a creepy thriller that kind of made me want to stop reading, but at the same time I couldn't put it down. Definitely worth the read.

The latest Rebecca E)lis story is almost as creepy as it is compelling. I think we all feel that we are at our most vulnerable when we're asleep so the idea of someone silently watching us is bound to send a shiver down our spines. I was totally enthralled by the end of the first page of this book, I just had to. find out what on earth this creeper was up to, did he have an agenda or was he just some stranger who was picking the houses he entered at random. Somehow it couldn't be that simple but the astonishing climax had me breathless. Another great thriller from this author

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

Absolutely amazing! I wish I'd out this to the top of my reading pile the second I got it as it completely blew me away. The promise is so creepy and cativating. The writing flows really easily and you are just dragged through this amazingly intense cat and mouse story. Easily one of the best I've read this year

A wonderful cat and mouse story, that kept me wondering all the way to the end. There is a stalker in the neighborhood of Woodland Heights. He breaks into people's homes. He dresses in dark clothes. He wears a hood. No one has been able to see his face. He is a large man and gets in-and-out and “Leaves No Trace”. Nothing is more terrifying than someone violating your space and putting you and your family in danger. He is on a mission, one of revenge, and must not get caught until he fulfills his goal. He is messing with peoples minds, leaving subtle messages, but there are “errors”, a family pet is harmed, someone’s son, a wife - all caught in the cross hairs of his revenge. But why this neighborhood? Why now? He must be caught before he can strike again!

The con of the book for me was when the author would swap back and forth between 1st and last names, it makes keeping track of the characters harder. I wish the author would refer to them by 1 or the other consistently. I felt like there were twice as many characters to keep track of, LoL.

I haven’t read crime thrillers in a long time, but I’m starting to get back into them. I just love Detective Rebecca Ellis. This is Book 4 in a series. Yes I read out of order, but that worked out just fine. I was able to read this as a stand-alone, but I immediately started on book 1 after finishing this one!

This is my first book by Robin and I truly enjoyed her writing style. Even though I was missing background information, there was enough provided in this book to where I was able to keep up with the well-developed characters and the clever plot. There was suspense, plot twists and lots of action. This book was very entertaining and I had to keep reading to find out what happened at the end. I’m a Rebecca Ellis fan for sure!

Thank you @authorrobinmahle @netgalley @inkubatorbooks for this #advancedreaderscopy in exchange for my honest review.

A bizarre case for Detective Rebecca Ellis. Someone is breaking into the homes in Woodland Heights, as the residents sleep. Small items are missing or even just moved around, and a dog at one of the homes is murdered. What will happen next and who is doing this and why? Becca knows that soon this person may escalate and someone could be injured or killed. A message is left at the first murder scene that leads her to believe that the killer is seeking revenge on the residents, but why? A man is murdered at a local bar and a cold case from a different jurisdiction seems to connect to their case. As her team is stretched for resources, she awaits the return of her partner who was shot during the previous case. At the same time, Becca is asked to intercede into a fraud case involving her ex-husband and his current fiancée. She finally develops a plan to catch and stop the killer, but will her plan work? A police procedural full of twists and turns. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Leave No Trace is the fourth book in the Detective Rebecca Ellis series. I read the first book but somehow missed the next two. Will have to add them to my list to read.

The story begins in a well to do area of Bangor Maine. A family is asleep, and an intruder is in the house. At first, he moves things around in the knowledge it will let them know someone was there while they slept. But as he moves on to the next house on his list, he becomes more brazen. People in the neighborhood are talking to each other and discover that they are not alone, and the police are called to investigate.

Detective Rebecca Ellis overhears the call in about the neighborhood and feels as if it is worth investigating. Since nothing has been stolen or no one has been injured there is nothing to do. But the unidentified person grows more brazen, and a dog is found dead, and then a child is hurt. Ellis begins to work the case with her team.

This was an intense, riveting story as the main characters find more unanswered questions and the evidence begins to increase. I really enjoyed this story. The characters are well written and fully developed. The only thing I found bothersome was the cliffhanger at the end. This is a police procedural based series. There will always be another case to engage the reader to want to read the next book in the series. This annoys me that the ending couldn't have been cleaner.

Robin Mahle (favorite author) returns following THE DEAD LAKE #3, A FROZEN GRAVE #2, and NO SAFE PLACE #1 with her popular Detective Rebecca Ellis series and latest LEAVE NO TRACE #4 (all five stars)— A riveting cat-and-mouse crime thriller of revenge and obsession, when a killer targets a specific neighbor outsmarting everyone, even the cops. How are these families connected?

RAZOR SHARP, with inventive twists... I love this series and LEAVE NO TRACE may be my favorite yet!

Detective Rebecca Ellis, Criminal Investigation Division of the Bangor Police Department, Maine— returns, and this time, she and her team are tasked with tracking down an intruder. A shocking new case begins with stalking and intruding at night, a vicious murder, and gets darker from there.

The stalker breaks into people's homes in an upscale, idyllic neighborhood of Woodland Heights. He dresses in dark clothes with a hood. No one has been able to see his face. He is a large man and gets in and out with no traces left behind.

Nothing is more terrifying than someone violating your space and putting you and your family in danger, leaving you helpless. He does not care who is collateral damage if they get in his way.

Rebecca's partner, Euan McCallister, is still on leave (from the last book), and she needs him here to assist. It has been six weeks, and he is ready to return.

McCallister and Ellis are dating, and Rebecca is still trying to figure out a workable balance between work and personal. He is recovering from a bullet wound and waiting for the press to die down regarding an event from his Boston days.

Gabby, Pelletier, Fletcher, Abbott, Serrano, Connor Bevins, and the rest of the gang are back to assist, and McCallister will be allowed back before the investigation is over to help.

~What they know about the perpetrator:
At first, he watches families sleep.
Then starts moving things around or taking things.
Next, a family pet is killed.
He escalates from stalking to MURDER.
He leaves clues.
Tech-savvy and intelligent.
A large man, wearing dark clothes and a hood.
Knows the neighborhood well.
Leaves NO TRACE.
There is an urgency to solve this case before he strikes again.

He knows electronics, technology, and security and is familiar with the neighborhood. He is on a mission. One of revenge. He must not get caught until he fulfills his goal. He is willing to go to extraordinary lengths to accomplish his goal. These people are oblivious, thoughtless, and selfish; he thinks as we get into his thoughts.

Ellis has a feeling these families are connected in some way, and she must figure out how. She is interviewing families and neighbors, and the HOA is upset, and no one feels safe. However, the killer may have revenge on his mind. What other predator may be hiding in plain sight in this idyllic neighborhood? What are their dark secrets?

Ellis decides to go undercover, and McCallister joins in. She does not need a protector, but little does she know what lies ahead. She plants herself in the house with the residents away to try and catch him. He does not show. She does not want people taking over her case or telling her what to do. However, the team has no clue what they are dealing with.

There is no need to lock the doors or turn on the lights. This perp controls it all. No one is safe and will not see death coming until it has them cornered, helpless, and alone. Why is he focused on this neighborhood?

When other families meet a similar fate, Detective Rebecca Ellis and the team must race against the clock to unearth dark family secrets and identify a twisted killer and predator before there's no one left. He will not stop until he gets to each family, leaving his clues behind.

We catch up with all the familiar characters from past books, like Hank, Rebecca's dad, whom she drops by to visit with food and to bounce ideas about her cases since he is now retired.

Will Rebecca figure out the connection and motive of the killer? The clues start coming together once they think they have it figured out and see the guy's home. Will he be one step ahead of them? Is there another killer? Can Rebecca put the pieces of the puzzle together before she is caught in the crossfire or strikes again?

Wow! It's a fantastic addition to the series. The perp is creepy, all his hits are planned and thought out, and the motive is mind-blowing! How far will you go for revenge?

LEAVE NO TRACE is another complex and brilliantly written crime thriller with clever plot twists, action, suspense, and heart-pounding moments as things get complicated. I enjoy this series and am fully invested in these characters and anxiously await the next in the series.

Mahle is a talented writer, and I am wondering if she was previously a detective or on the police force. She does her research! If you love Lisa Gardner, Lisa Unger, or Michael Connelly's books (as much as I do), this series is for you. Mahle's compelling narrative keeps you guessing to the end and then teases you with a cliffhanger, leaving you salivating for #5!

Let's talk about these CLIFFHANGERS (s). Yes, plural, TWO! From the last book, we learned of Connor Bevins's past when he confessed to McCallister. Now, the past has caught up, and Rebecca is blindsided. What will happen to Connor?

Also, in this book, Andrew, Rebecca's ex, appears unannounced. He is supposedly getting married to another woman, and Andrew needs her help with a criminal manner against the two of them. Is he being set up, and will she agree to help? How will this affect things with McCallister? (please do not let them break up).

I hope we will see many more books in this series because there is much more to come!!! I will anxiously be awaiting the next in the series!

I have recently discovered this multi-talented author, and one of my favorites. I am trying to go back and read her other Kate Reid series and backlist between all the new ARCS and upcoming books I have on my schedule.

Highly entertaining! If you love a blending of intelligent detective, cop procedural, psychological suspense, crime thrillers, and a strong female detective, I highly recommend the author and this series!

Special thanks to the author, Inkubator Books, and NetGalley for a gifted, advanced reading copy for an honest opinion.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Oct 29, 2023
My Rating: 5 Stars +
October 2023 Must-Read Books
October Newsletter

Author : Robin Mahle
Leave No Trace
Publisher: Inkubator Books (October 29, 2023)

Leave No Trace is book 4 in the Detective Rebecca Ellis Thriller Book series. From the very first page I was totally hooked to this gripping edge-of-your-seat revenge thriller. No matter how creeped out it made me I could not stop reading . This well written story has good character development and a twisting, dark plot that - though tragic touches on the death of an older child and revenge .This book is definitely dark and twisted and will make your head spin while you try and figure out just who this man is that is breaking into all of these houses and watching these people sleep. It made me realize just how unsafe most of our houses really are. This is definitely not a book you want to read before bed. It had me double checking all the locks, checking the cameras,tossing and turning and listening to all the creeks that the house makes at night. This is one book you should definitely add to your TBR list.
*******Disclosure*******
I received a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I was not required to write a positive review nor was I compensated in any other way. All opinions I have expressed are my own or those of my family.I also wanted to say Thank you to author, publisher and netgalley for the opportunity to read this 5 star story.

Another excellent read full of twists. Ellis has a complex case. We get to see her balancing her professional and personal life as well as a bit of her past. The pacing is quick and it kept me guessing right up to the reveal. And that ending! Wow.

"Leave No Trace" by Robin Mahle is a heart-pounding addition to the Detective Rebecca Ellis series, and it doesn't disappoint. In this fourth installment, more layers of complexity are peeled back, revealing intriguing new facets of Rebecca and her team. The development of these characters adds depth and nuance to an already engaging series.
The plot is an adrenaline-pumping ride through the quiet streets of Bangor, Maine, as a shadowy intruder terrorizes a peaceful community. Mahle's storytelling skill shines as the tension escalates with every page. The balance between suspense and character development is masterfully executed, creating a well-rounded narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
As the mystery deepens, you can't help but feel the same urgency and concern as Detective Rebecca Ellis. The author's ability to create a relentless, elusive enemy keeps you guessing and captivated throughout.
"Leave No Trace" is a thrilling addition to the series, and it's sure to leave you eagerly awaiting the next book. With its intriguing characters and a suspenseful plot that leaves no detail unexplored, this book deserves a solid 4.5/5 stars. It's a must-read for fans of Detective Rebecca Ellis and those who love a good mystery. Thanks to Ms Mahle, the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I’ve enjoyed all the Rebecca Ellis books and this no exception. Someone is sneaking into the homes in an upscale community and is moving things around. His behavior escalates when someone sees him. I enjoy Rebecca’s interaction with her father and with fellow detective McCallister.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Inkubator Books for an advance copy of Leave No Trace, the fourth novel to feature Detective Rebecca Ellis of the Bangor, Maine PD.

An intruder is roaming the houses of an upmarket community in Bangor. He doesn’t normally take anything, but he makes his intrusion clear and it’s frightening the residents. Becca Ellis thinks his behaviour might escalate and she’s proved right when first a family pet is killed, then a resident murdered.

I enjoyed Leave No Trace, although I found it slower and not as compulsive as the previous novels, perhaps because I didn’t get that creepy feeling from the intrusions that the author was maybe aiming for and was impatient for the main event, the murder and ensuing investigation. It takes a while to get going properly in this regard, but once it does it has a strong story to tell.

The novel is told from various points of view with Ellis having the main say with her fellow detectives chiming in as and when. The unnamed intruder also has a say, but it’s mostly related to his actions and reactions, so there’s no hint of his identity or motive, but a strong sense of his motivation to carry out a well researched and prepared plan.

The novel is all about stopping the killer before he kills again and uncovering the motive for his actions. As is often the case the root of it all lies in the past so the team are looking at an active killer and a cold case. I think that the novel is a bit unusual in that the capture of the killer is not the end of the novel as there are a few more surprises to come. I found the plot interesting once it heated up and felt sorry for the killer by the end, even if his methods are on the extreme side.

While all this investigating is going on there is still time for Becca Ellis to have turmoil in her life. There are bumps in her relationship with fellow detective Euan McCallister and her ex-husband puts in an appearance, much to her dismay.

Leave No Trace is a good read that I can recommend.

Leave no Trace is a creepy suburban novel.

A quiet cozy enclave becomes the site of a creepy stalker. No-one sees the creeper but they all know he has been there. The police are inundated with calls but are no less successful than the citizens themselves.

Before long the creeper graduated to murder and now the hunt is crucial before the next murder occurs.

This book made my sleep less than sound. It is really that creepy.

A wealthy suburb in Bangor is subjected to a night time prowler who manages to get through the security on the homes, someone who is well versed in disabling alarms.
He watches the residents sleep, and takes small items, and moves others, so that they know that their private places have been infiltrated.
A family pet is killed, and Detective Rebecca Ellis and her team know that the situation can escalate very quickly.
A child is hurt, and a woman is murdered, and the killer is still on the loose. Can Rebecca and her team find the killer, and discover his motive?

Another suspenseful novel from Robin Mahle. I become so invested in the lives of the characters, and in the investigations and ins and outs of police work.
It is a pleasure to read a well thought out story, and the twists of a police investigation that seems to go off on other tangents, and it all comes together beautifully.


Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Detective Rebecca Ellis is back. Someone is sneaking into the suburban homes in Maine and Ellis is concerned, as she is right to be, as a murder eventually occurs.

As a young girl, I loved to read Nancy Drew mysteries. Now, I love to read about strong female detectives like Ellis. She is good at her job and she is respected by her colleagues. She has a past, but it appears that she is now playing by the rules and does things the right way. I do enjoy that there are parts of her personal life involved in the book, especially her dad. Mahle unwinds the mystery in a way that is paced at just the right speed. I was able to figure out the killer, but I did second guess myself. The only part that I did not like about this particular book was the introduction of her ex-husband. I get that it adds a little bit more to the story, but I already don't like him.

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkubator Books for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Good book! This book had a bit of everything! It had suspense, Action, intrigue, mystery, revenge, murder, a great who done it, great plot twist, and some crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I definitely recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!