While this is number 9 in a series, a series with a great subplot, it works perfectly well as a standalone, though personally I like that I know the main characters and enjoy the ‘catch up’ with them.
This is a great read. It starts when an eleven-year-old boy goes missing and the resulting race against time to find him, but boy does the investigation uncover way more. Loyalties are tested, we are led down blind alleys and there are many many twists before the villain is uncovered.
Another great addition to this excellent series.

4.5 stars - This is the ninth book in the Detective Karen Hart series and in this book, a boy goes missing during an outing with his mother. It looks like it could be the work of a copycat criminal from an investigation years before. Now, it's up to Karen and her team to find out who really took this boy before it's too late.

I love this series and have read all of the prior books. I really like the main character, Karen, for her integrity and dedication to her career. Karen and the way she and her team work together is the highlight of this series. They have realistic banter and even when they disagree, they back each other up. It was nice seeing DC Sophie Jones able to contribute to the investigation. I was on the edge of my seat as the team was searching for 11-year-old Tommy Burton, but finding dead ends. I kept changing my mind about who was really responsible but in the end, I guessed wrong! I like the way things wrapped up in this fast-paced, suspenseful read and really hope there are more coming in this well-written procedural thriller series.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

Firstly, thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for this ARC copy.

We are FIRM D.S. Butler and Detective Karen Hart fans in this house, and LOVED the fact that I had just finished number 8 and could jump into number 9.

Easily one of the best Police procedural series on the market at the moment, with as much of this seeming to be the truth in terms of the line of work. It could easily lead to an ITV Sunday evening drama series.

Butler LOVES a red herring - and Im not even mad at this point because I crave them in this series. Think you know? Think again.

I have always felt that the Karen Hart series can be read as a stand alone. I think you might miss some character developments, but not enough to make the series unreadable.

I look forward to the next instalment of the Karen Hart saga!

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer Publishing for the advance copy of this compelling police procedural by D S. Butler. I am pleased to be introduced to the tense, exciting Detective Karen Hart series. Despite being the ninth book, it worked flawlessly as a riveting standalone, with only a few short references to previous events that did not interfere with the story's flow. I am eager to read some of the earlier books and future additions to the series.

Eleven-year-old Tommy Butler reluctantly goes on a day excursion with his mother to Tattershall Castle. He would prefer to be at home playing video games in his room. Tommy disappears while his mother is momentarily distracted.
Where Tommy was standing, a blue teddy bear was left in his place. DS Karen Hart teams up with DI Morgan to search for the missing boy.

Morgan realizes how sinister the possible abduction is and the great danger to Tommy. Fifteen years earlier, he had worked on a case where three young boys were taken on separate occasions. Blue teddy bears were left where they were last seen. All three boys were found murdered. DI Morgan worked on these cases, and Graham Donaldson was found guilty and incarcerated. The teddy bear clue was never released to the press or public. Does Donaldson have an associate outside the prison now committing similar crimes? Is there a copycat, or did Morgan arrest the wrong man who has been in jail these many years? Did Tommy run away?

Karen Hart and Megan are dedicated detectives but seldom agree on their methods. DI Morgan adheres rigidly to police rules, whereas DS Karen follows hunches and intuition. They have come up with several possible suspects. Their investigations complement each other. The present abductor would need to be aware of the unpublicized teddy bears left by the perpetrator fifteen years earlier. To copy this clue in the present, the suspect would have known details about the last child murders. Did any or all of the present suspects gain this secret information? By what means? What was the motive? Had Tommy done something to place his life in jeopardy? The detectives frantically try to solve the crime before Tommy's life in captivity ends with his death.

The plot was suspenseful, intense, and well-written. The characters were intriguing, and their dialogue was believable. Recommended. The book will be published August 27th.

A solid, well-written police procedural. I’m aware this a long-standing series however this story absolutely works as a standalone.

While it’s noted as the DS Karen Hart series, it was nice to get different POVs throughout.

I had my suspicions about the culprit but not until quite near the end and I wasn’t certain until the reveal. All loose ends were neatly tied up. More of a slow burn than a gripping thriller, it was still very enjoyable and a quick read. I’ll definitely read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.

This is the ninth book in the Detective Karen Hart series by author D.S Butler. I really enjoy this series and it was good to get back to it.

This is a chilling thriller that weaves together past and present crimes and throws doubt over the previous conviction of a long-imprisoned killer who was sentenced for a series of crimes and may not be the only one responsible or even not responsible at all.

Present day and eleven year old Tommy Burton is on a day out with his mother at Tattershall Castle when he suddenly disappears. Left nearby is a small blue teddy bear that is the same MO as a series of child abductions and murders from fifteen years ago. DS Karen Hart is immediately on the case and determined to find the missing boy as is DI Morgan, who worked on the original investigation that led to the conviction of Graham Donaldson. Donaldson is now in a nearby prison and raises questions as to whether he has anything to do with this new crime, is he innocent or is there a copycat at large.

This is a well written novel and the tension grows throughout as the investigation builds, lots of twists and turns and red herrings. Excellent characters in this series which means I am always eagerly waiting for the next instalment.

Another excellent addition to this series and a must for anyone who enjoys a good crime series. Intricate plot, well-developed characters, and well written.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Leave No Trace by D.S. Butler  is the 9th in the Detective Karen Hart series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Thomas & Mercer, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background:    (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DS Karen Hart lost her husband Josh and her daughter Tilly in a car accident. She later discovered it wasn't an accident, but it was covered up by some corrupt police officials.  She currently works with DI Scott Morgan,  DC Sophie Jones, and DC Rick Cooper.  Their boss is DCI Churchill.  She has recently started dating Mike.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Eleven year old Tommy Burton disappears just meters from his mother while on an trip to Tattershall Castle. A small blue teddy bear was left at the scene.

Morgan has to re-examine a 15 year old case where 3 boys were kidnapped, killed, and a blue teddy bear was left behind.  The perpetrator is still in jail, but now Morgan is starting to doubt the findings in the old case.  Or is it a copycat?  He decides to talk to his old boss, who is now retired, but who had worked on the case with Morgan.  Eventually, Morgan starts to doubt his old boss.  However, Morgan's personality is very rigid, and he triple-checks everything.  Everything is black or white for him, so he may be over-thinking the past case.

Meanwhile, Sophie is at home recovering from the beating she received in their last case.  Recovery is going to be long, and she's feeling useless.


My Opinions:
I'm not sure why, but this one dragged a little. It seemed to take forever to get going.

I loved the plot, and although I didn't initially get the motive, I did pick the right perpetrator. I loved the twists.  No one was who they seemed.  I don't really like children in the mysteries I read, and this proved my point.  They can be brats!

The different personalities really shone through in this one, and I could really see both points of view...follow the rules, or be a little reckless.  It was really interesting.  The writing showed that the team really cares about one another, even if their opinions differ.  As well, the chapters alternated between Morgan and Karen, so we knew where their minds went.

Anyway, another great addition to the series.

I was concerned that this novel was part of a long series, but it read well as a standalone, so I wasn't disappointed. There is plenty of drama, twists and secrets to unfold. The blue teddy bear left where Tommy went missing reminded the team of the MO of an earlier crime. The killer of the heinous is still in prison. Tommy is sulking as he doesn't want to attend the function at Tattershall Castle. DS Hart and her team know it's vital to find the missing boy before he suffers the same fate as the boys in an earlier crime in Oxford.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer.

Unpredictable: Tommy, do we really know ya'?👦
4.5🌟
Leave No Trace had lots of suspense, an excellent side storyline for several members of the police investigative team, and so many questionable characters that I had a hard time guessing who was to blame. The unpredictability is always a positive for me in these crime mysteries. I also found it refreshingly different in that eleven year old Tommy, who goes missing, presumed abducted, while on a day excursion with his mom, is not the perfect angel victim and has secrets of his own.

A really good read if you like British police procedural mysteries with limited violence.

Thanks to publishers Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Leave No Trace’, the ninth in the Detective Karen Hart series written by D S Butler, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Tommy Burton is on a trip to Tattershall Castle with his mother Amber and while she’s taking an important phone call Tommy disappears and a blue bear found where she left him. DS Karen Hart is called out and her colleague DI Scott Morgan fears it resembles a case he himself was involved in fifteen years ago when three young boys disappeared and blue bears were left. Graham Donaldson was found guilty but he’s still locked up in prison so can there be a copycat offender at large?

‘Leave No Trace’ is a gripping thriller based around Lincoln and is an excellent addition to this convincing police procedural series that I’ve been following since book one. The plot is intricately woven with intrigue, suspense, drama and twists that all add to what is an entertaining and action-packed thriller. I’ve enjoyed reading more of Karen and the members of her team and found I was holding my breath when Karen’s life was at risk and Morgan realised that in exceptional circumstances it’s necessary to bend the rules. Although I felt it could have ended twenty pages sooner, it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable thriller with a fitting though surprising conclusion and I’m very much looking forward to book ten.

I enjoyed this book. The characters were believable and well written. If you enjoy police procedurals, I would recommend this book. This was the first book I have read by D.S Butler, I would definitely read more.

A really good read! The start is sinister with a young boy simply disappearing into thin air whilst on a day out with his mother then things take an even bigger turn for the worse as there is a calling card left at the scene, a small blue teddy bear which is reminiscent of an abductor and child killer from years ago. The previous perpetrator is incarcerated in prison, or is he? How is this all happened again?
There are plenty of strong themes in the book, explored sensitivity and plausibly. There is the subject of child abuse, abduction, murder and blackmail, to name a few.
The action is well paced and kept my attention really well and it was easy to follow, including red herrings and false turns along the way.
Definitely a page turner with a satisfying end, I’d be very happy to read more by this author in the future.

History repeats itself when Tommy Burton is kidnapped and a blue teddy bear is left at the scene. Reminiscent of a similar crime from fifteen years ago, but that kidnapper is still in jail. DS Karen Hart and DI Morgan are the investigators of this copy cat crime, or is it? Full of police procedures, suspense, action and plot twists, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Part of a series, but can be read as a standalone, I look forward to reading more from this author. Thank you Netgalley and Thomas Mercer Publishers for the early copy. This review is my honest opinion.

Three boys were taken and murdered fifteen years ago. The killer is in jail. So why is history repeating itself?
When a young boy goes missing DS Karen Hart and her team are called in to investigate . As they start looking into it DI Morgan thinks its eerily familiar as something like this has happened in the past. All that was found was a blue teddy where young Tommy was last seen. Can they piece together what's gone on and can they find Tommy alive.
This was a really good story that kept me gripped from start to finish. I kept waking through the night wanting to read more.
I have enjoyed all the Karen Hart series and I would recommend this one. It gets 5 star rating from me
Many thanks to Netgalley for letting me read this book

My first DS Butler book but definitely not my last. I read this one in less than a day and was totally captivated. A great cast of characters that had me flipping pages nonstop. A bit like a roller coaster ride, head whipping this way and that with no idea who to trust.
Thank you NetGalley, DS Butler and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book

Leave No Trace is the 9th book in the Detective Karen Hart series by D.S. Butler. When 11 year old Tommy Burton disappears while out with his mom, it brings up past memories for DI Morgan because some of it reminds him of a past case he worked many years before. The story line has several twists and turns that keep you turning the pages to see how the book will end. I would recommend this book to others.

I received and ARC from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, and I am leaving my review voluntarily.

I’m disappointed that I didn’t find this series until book 9! But if you’re like me and pick this book up as your first read in the series, you’ll find it reads as a perfect standalone.

I loved how quickly the action began. The mystery unfolds with many suspects and motives. I was definitely surprised a few times. This is a fast-paced, red herring filled gem of a thriller.

The characters are well defined. I felt quickly connected to them and invested in their story. While there are references to the characters pasts, it did not take away from the story. It did make me want to read every installment in this series.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author, D.S. Butler, for this gifted digital copy.

I have read all the Karen Hart series of books and this one did not disappoint. It was a thoroughly enjoyable read which drew you in from the beginning and was hard to put down. Great characters. Fascinating storyline. A rollercoaster of a thriller with plenty of twists to keep you guessing. Look forward very much to the next instalment. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

An 11 year old boy goes missing, with a blue teddy left behind at the last known location of the child. The blue teddy found reminds detectives of a previous investigation where 3 young boys were taken and murdered. The killer is still in jail. Is this a copycat?

No 9 in the Detective Karen Hart series, Leave No Trace is a psychological thriller that gripped me right from the start. I couldn't wait to find out what happened next. It unravels an exciting story with many twists to keep you guessing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Leave No Trace - a detective mystery with a balanced storyline, safe writing, and little thrill.

A simple read with a lack of engagement; the "white bread" of crime thriller. If you're more interested in a basic mystery novel over gritty, thrilling, gripping entertainment then you might enjoy this book. For what it is, it is well written, but it does drag on with little action or surprise.
I give the author credit for building several mysterious instances and red herrings, but this was no page turner for me. I struggled to pick it up and finish. I was bored with this read.
As I haven't read the first books of this series so I can't comment too much on the character development, but the author did do a decent job of looping the reader into prior storylines.

Unfortunately I can't recommend this book to those of us who love a good thriller with captivating storylines, characters, and murder.
This is more of the "Sunday church crowd" type mystery, and if that's your style then this one could be for you - well written and cohesive but very drab.

I'm giving this one 3 stars and would not recommend to those looking for a real thrill.
⭐⭐⭐