I listened to the audiobook version, and I found the tone monotonous for the first several chapters. I’m glad I stuck it out because the plot was very good as well as the character development. Starting with Danny that witnessed the triggering event through every protagonist and antagonist, I felt like I really got to know each of them.

One item to consider for the audiobook, is the fact at the beginning of each chapter. While interesting to hear, it takes away a bit from the continuity of the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC and the opportunity to listen to this captivating story!

Leave No Trace is full of action and intrigue with small doses of history intertwined. I loved the use of National Parks and historical sites as the target of terrorist attacks. My love is not of the thought of destruction, but rather how they symbolize much that is good about the United States of America.

The characters and plot worked well together. I wanted to keep listening to see what was going to happen next. A few of the locations I have visited in person and could have conjured up a visual on my own. However, the settings were described well enough that I could envision being there. Also, I liked how each chapter begins with a historical fact about a place or person associated with it.

Considering this book is a joint writing venture (AJ Landau is the pen name of John Land and Jeff Ayers.) I would worry that things would seem disjointed or that a change in voice would be felt. But, it seemed seamless to me.

This is supposed to be the start of a National Parks Thriller series. I'll be eager to see where Michael and Gina end up and which locations are featured in the next title. (Who knows, it could turn into the next TV series on one of the streaming channels!)

Thanks to NetGalley and Recorded Books for the advance copy of the audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Great narration and engaging storyline. Had never considered the role of Park Police before this book but learning about their role was quite interesting.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC." Leave No Trace" by A.J. Landau is a bit of a mixed bag. On one hand, the writing really sucks you into the wilds of the Pacific Northwest. Like, you can practically smell the pine trees and feel the mist on your face. It's pretty mesmerizing.

But, I gotta say, the pacing feels like it's trudging through mud at times. You're waiting for something big to happen, but it takes forever to get there. And while the characters are dealing with some heavy stuff—like grief and resilience—their development kinda gets lost in all that beautiful scenery.

And the ending? Meh. It's like the author just decided to leave a bunch of loose threads dangling. I like a little mystery, but this left me feeling more frustrated than intrigued. Still, despite its flaws, "Leave No Trace" leaves a lasting impression with its vivid descriptions and deep themes. It's worth a read if you're into that sort of thing.

Awesome new series with a fresh twist, Park police is a new one for me and I loved the characters. Interesting facts and learnings about national parks. Cannot wait for the sequel. Great narration as well!!

I read / listened to the audiobook version of AJ Landau's Leave No Trace. Landay is the pen name of John Land and Jeff Ayers. This is a political thriller involving a right wing attack on the government, through numerous connected terror strikes starting at the Statute of Liberty. The book is focused on National Park Service special agent Michael Walker (part of the Park service's investigatory services -- yes, the NPS has law enforcement!) and FBI Agent Gina Delgado of the FBI Joint Terrorist task force. The book is fast paced, and makes for an enjoyable read. The plot moves quickly and wirth it, the locales with it, whether the Statue of Liberty, the Liberty Bell, the Gateway Arch, or Zion National Park. I loved how so many factoids about different elements of the National Park Service were weaved into every chapter.

Are the author's persuasive in the flow of the terror strikes, and the ease by which Walker manages to figure things out? Not always. But I found the story interesting enough, and sadly, believable - in terms of the rise of a right-wing militia network within the armed forces - in this highly polarized world. I enjoyed the book, but am not sure if it leaves room for future novels with the same characters.

All in all an interesting read. Thanks to St. Martin's and Netgaley for the ARC of the audiobook.

Wow. I needed time to process this book after finishing it.

The biggest fear this book settles in you is that you can see it happening. In the state of the homefront, this could happen.

Landau did a great job of making fiction a possible reality. But in a way that doesn't make you paranoid yet relatable. The characters were spot on. All the interactions were done well, and believable.

There were a few spots that made it seem to drag just a little, like did it need to be there for everything to make sense? But it is not so critical that you won't want to read the book.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Audiobook/Thriller: I had read this as an ebook and gave it three stars. I am giving the audiobook two. The narrative and narrator are bland.
While listening to it, I realized something that I didn't while reading it. The airports and borders of the United States never shut down like they did after 9-11. No spoiler here because it's the first chapter: the Statue of Liberty is blown up. No one knows who the terrorist are. Nothing shuts down.
I was did give this book a second chance, via Netgalley, but there were too many inconsistencies and lack of reality throughout the book.

(rounded up from 4.5)

Leave No Trace was a wild ride. The book starts off with a bang (literally) as the Statue of Liberty is toppled by a massive explosion. I could picture the scene easily, unfortunately. These days, terrorism is a given and because of this, regular citizens are subjected to searches and restrictions of all sorts when we go to so many places. (The size of your handbag is restricted to a tiny one, for example, at a minor league hockey game. It’s just how things are these days.) So how did terrorists pull this off? The answer is revealed along the way.

The action moves from one National Park to another in rapid succession: Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Zion National Park in Utah, and so on. The two main investigators are great characters with interesting back stories. Michael Walker is part of the National Park Service’s ISB (Investigative Services Branch, their version of the FBI). He lost a foot in an incident in Mt. Rainier National Park and wears a prosthetic device, which mostly allows him fairly normal mobility. Gina Delgado is FBI and is part of the Joint Terrorism Task Force. She’s got an extensive background in explosives.

Michael and Gina zone in on a wide-ranging conspiracy by a group of ex-military extremists. Again unfortunately, this felt like it could be real, given what happened at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 and the fact that many ex-military were among the rioters. “Whack job anonymous isn’t so anonymous anymore.” Who can they trust?

Leave No Trace was written by two authors writing under a pen name and I could not tell that two authors had written this book, that’s how well-written and edited it is. They had me constantly flipping (e-)pages and/or listening to just one more chapter to learn what would happen next.

Each chapter starts with a short fact, either about a national park or about a location in the story. Who knew that Hubbard, Ohio was once considered the whiskey capital of the nation? Not me!

Note: Never underestimate the power of a cell phone video!

This is supposed to be the start of a series set in National Parks and I’m interested to see how they follow this one up! It’s a hard act to follow, as the saying goes.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient and allowed me to speed through the book. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Gregory Abbey.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Recorded Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for an advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

3.8 stars

This was the first in a new National Parks Thriller series. I liked the Park facts at the beginning of each chapter. There is an explosion at the Statute of Liberty and Special Agent Michael Walker is working the case as he tracks down the domestic terrorist group.

Solid narration by Gregory Abbey.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! It was a nice change from a previous author I have indulged in! The story engaged you from the start. I wanted to continue the audio frequently. The narrator was great ad well

Leave No Trace is the first book in the National Parks Thriller series. In an act of terrorism, an explosion blows up the Statue of Liberty. Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Park thrown into working with AAgent Gina Delgado, who is the lead in the Joint Terrorism Task Force.

I picked this book right after I got back from New York City. My daughter and I went on the Ferry to see the Statue of Liberty. It felt like the perfect time to read it. Since I had just been there, I literally put myself on that Ferry in the book.
There is a lot happening and kind of hard to keep up, but I really enjoyed it. I loved all the facts about the different National Parks. Actually I think that was my favorite part of the book.
It’s full of action packed pages, right when you think nothing more could happen, BAM it hits you again!
I will 100% pick up the next book, just for the National parks and historical sites. I can’t express how ,icy I loved learning about them all.
Gregory Abbey does the audiobook and did a wonderful job. He really brought the story alive.

I want to give a big thanks to NetGalley, St. Martins Press and RB Media for an advance copy of the audiobook in exchange for a honest review.

I enjoyed this fast-paced, high-stakes crime novel.

Things that worked for me:
- likable main characters whose stories I was invested in.
- fantastic settings - National Parks, outdoors, nature
- tidbits of history and fascinating facts about the different parks - so interesting!
- fast-paced, interesting, plotline

Things that didn't work for me:
- plotline was a tad over-complicated but not enough to make me not enjoy it

I am a little torn on this one. I liked it but I didn't fully connect with it. I liked Walker but I did not need to be repetitively told about his injury. I'd have connected more with him if he was a strong man who happened to have a prosthetic leg instead of the leg being what defines him.

The idea of the statue of liberty being the target of an attack was intriguing and I loved all the parks and historical facts throughout the book. It gave me something other books in the genre haven't.

The pace was quick and kept me wanting more. It's a little bit gritty and intense. I'd like to see what book 2 has to offer.

Gregory Abbey did a good job bringing the intensity to life. There were a few moments where I felt my attention drifting and I am not sure if it was the story, my attention span or if this one that is better read.

Fast paced novel chasing down a terrorist bombing and racing against the clock to prevent another one. I LOVED the informative aspect learning about the different national parks, it felt like I was learning and reading at the same time! The narration was well done and the writing kept me so engaged! I highly recommend giving this a listen. Thank you NetGalley for giving me a chance to review Leave No Trace

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for early access to this audio book. I tried to finish this audiobook but the narrator’s voice was terrible. It sounded like a male Siri reading. I couldn’t focus or listen to the narrator anymore unfortunately.

WOW! That was wild ride and I was totally here for it! I sincerely hope that some of the tech talked about in this book is not possible b/c if it is that is terrifying and it's no wonder the bad guys win sometimes. The level of deception, planning, and high-up government collusion that occurred in this book was very scary only b/c I could totally see this - or the attempt at something like this - from the far-right Trumpists happening someday. Let's hope not and that the good guys stay in front of shit like that!

This was my 1st book by A.J. Landau but it will not be my last! I can't wait for the next book in this series to come out!

#LeaveNoTrace
#NetGalley

As soon as I saw this book was focused on a threat to the National Parks, I knew I had to read it. Leave No Trace was a fast-paced thriller that has domestic terrorists at the center. Domestic terrorism seems to be an often overlooked risk to the nation, so reading a book addressing this and the impact it could have on country was very enlightening. Michael and Gina's character development was strong and I was immediately pulled in to root for them. I can't wait to read whatever is coming next in this series!

Leave No Trace opens with a terrorist attack on the Statue of Liberty, and the action keeps going from there. Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Park Service and Agent Gina Delgado of the FBI work together to unravel the plot, with some assistance along the way. I enjoyed the unique settings and the deeper look at various national parks. The story moves along at a good pace, and we also learn about the backstories of Walker and Delgado. I look forward to reading more in the series!

The narration was great as well.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #RBMedia for a free copy of #LeaveNoTrace by A.J. Landau; Jon Land; Jeff Ayers. All opinions are my own.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for my gifted ALC.

This is a high-octane investigative thriller that follows a terrorist attack on national landmarks, beginning with the Statue of Liberty. Told from multiple perspectives that all eventually come together, Leave No Trace is one wild, unputdownable ride!

The narration is top notch! Gregory Abbey is excellent, brilliantly delivering this story with every ounce of heart-pounding intensity it requires. Outstanding!

I haven't listened to a book this gripping, action-packed, or suspenseful since TJ Newman's Falling.

Highly recommend this format and eagerly await the next one.

Great work, team!!!