I read this book as a standalone, not as the 2nd book in the series. I do think it led me to miss some info or context. Overall I still enjoyed the book! It had a good pace, good action, and characters were well developed.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Did you read Blink of an Eye? If not, I would recommend starting there. Callaghan has done an excellent job of building complex and intriguing characters and some back story from book 1 would help. BUT, if you want to jump in, there is enough included in Leave No Trace to catch you right up.

In Leave No Trace, Detective Kat Frank is still struggling with the death of her husband, her now empty nest and her assignment of working with the AI Detective. Her distrust and outright dislike for Artificial Intelligence biases her, but she is beginning to work better with AI Detective Lock and the team she leads has closed multiple cold cases.

When the body of a man is found crucified, the team has there first chance at working a live case. Callaghan pulls off an exciting thriller while still juggling the story of the AI detective and the personal issues that each detective is struggling with. This is another extraordinary book that manages to present a gripping procedural, speculative fiction and plenty of real human feelings. I loved it and you will too! I simply can't wait for the next Lock mystery.
#randomhouse #leavenotrace #jocallaghan #AIpolice

⚠️Outlier review
This book began with an intriguing premise:
On a desolate hill, a man is found naked, mutilated and crucified. It would appear to be a highly personal killing. He does have a fiancé with a weak alibi.💁🏻‍♀️ Could it have been work related? Or some sort of twisted religious killing?

As Detective Kat Frank and her team, (including AI-Detective Lock) begin their investigation, a second murder is reported under similar circumstances. Can the team track down this serial killer before he murders again?

Then…out of the blue the author lobs in a statement that to me was absolutely irrelevant to the flow of the storyline. Hmm…it seemed to quickly morph into a platform for all social issues. So distracting that I completely lost focus of the storyline.😫

AI Lock appeared to take a backseat when the primary focus should have been on him. I loved the concept of AI Lock and so looked forward to see how he would assist in this latest investigation.
Equally disappointing, the supporting detectives on the team who added so much in book one, also didn’t get the spotlight they deserved here. A missed opportunity (IMHO).

I do think it’s important to include relevant social issues as it fits a storyline…but it shouldn’t become the major focus in a fictional novel. Personally, I read to escape.

Other readers absolutely loved this book so make sure to read their reviews.

There appears to be a book three on the horizon. Will I pick it up? Yes! I love the characters and hope the magic of book one comes back!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group

4.5 Stars. I recently read and enjoyed the highly original, thrilling and thought-provoking 'In the Blink of an Eye' by Jo Callaghan. It featured the unique team of DC Kat Frank and AIDE Lock. They are part of the four-person FPU (Future Policing Unit), which also consists of DI Rayan Hassan and DS Debbie Browne, who work under Kat's direction. I was thrilled to receive the ARC for 'Leave No Trace,' the second book in the Kat and Lock saga. The dynamics of their interactions provide a great deal of unintentional humour.

When the widowed and grief-stricken Kat returned to work, she was given the experimental pilot project to work with Lock. She was lonely and not coping well in her empty home. Her son is attending university, making friends and living an independent, content life. Kat throws herself into her detective work as a distraction. At first, she felt the pilot project would fail and tended to be impatient and rude to Lock. Taking place in the near future, the experiment was to determine the value of AI alongside regular police investigations. Lock is an AIDE (artificial intelligence detecting entity), and Kat has become aware of its value. DS Brown is heavily pregnant but refuses to take maternity leave. She constantly asks for more assignments.

Kat tends to rely on instinct, emotion, and hunches in her investigations and is considered a highly successful detective. Lock is programmed for rapid data analysis and to make almost instant connections by processing written articles, photos, etc. Professor Okenado designed it to be free of bias, work by logic, and learn from conversations with humans.

The AIDE is a monitor that Kat wears on her wrist. It comes with several human-like holographic forms that can be manifested and seen. The most commonly used is an appealing, charming detective named Lock. Because Lock is AI, Kat refers to him as IT. He is confused by human emotions, unable to understand sarcasm, and has no filter in his speech; Kat often turns him off from embarrassment.

Because the FPU team successfully solved cold cases, Kat demanded they work with a live case. The first one is grotesque. A young man has been crucified on top of a frigid garbage dump in midwinter with his ears removed. This is quickly followed by a similar death of a man crucified in a vacant lonely farmer's field in a similar manner, and his eyes are missing. So, it seems like a serial killer is at work and may strike again.

The four detectives, including Lock, are frantic about solving the murders quickly. They are not without their personal distractions. DI Hassan has a crush on Professor Okenado, the stylish black professor who designed Lock. She rejects him due to her valid reason for distrusting the police. A local reporter, Elie Baxter, has written articles that have been widely read, so the FPU has been ordered to hold a press conference to restore public confidence. The outcome is full of hateful racial slurs against Okenado and vicious statements against the AIDE. Men are warned to avoid leaving pubs alone and to be constantly aware of danger. This caution has insulted and angered men.

Lock is becoming assertive, demanding changes. He insists on being called He rather than IT and firmly suggests that Kat not turn him off at night. For an entity devoid of emotions, he seems anguished not to have a solid physical body. What does this all mean?
A word of caution if you are ordering either book. For books of brilliant originality, the titles are identical to the exact titles of other books, so be careful to choose the correct ones in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this compelling book, which will be published on January 7th, 2025.

DCS Kat Frank and AIDE Lock are back and taking on a new case in Leave No Trace! Kat is human and Lock is the world's first AI detective. They are quite an interesting detective duo who tackle their investigations using both logic and intuition.

When a man is found crucified, everyone is horrified. Who could do such a thing? Why? That is what Kat and Lock plan to find out. As they delve into their investigation, another man is found crucified. The public is on edge, the investigators are on edge, and the local media has been unforgiving. Kat and Lock must find the killer before the killer finds another victim!

I love the uniqueness of this investigative team. We hear about AI every day and author, Jo Callaghan, is using an AI detective in Leave No Trace to perform investigative work at an extremely fast pace. With lives on the line, this is of the utmost importance.

I love the dynamic between Kat and Lock. Kat is an experienced detective who knows how to read people, look at crime scenes, and uses intuition to help solve crimes. Lock is very black and white as he is ruled by logic. He cannot see the shades of grey and relies on Kat to explain them to him.

This is a tough case, and I enjoyed trying to do my own super sleuthing along with Kat and Lock. I loved the mystery as to who was killing the men and why. I also loved the sense of unease and dread which flowed throughout the book. I also enjoyed how the author shows how various members of the team interact with Locke and how he goes about his work.

Readers also get some glimpses of some of the characters’ private lives which we were first introduced to in the first book, In the Blink of An Eye. While this book would work as a stand-alone, I highly recommend reading the first book in the series! Jo Callaghan dazzled me with her writing and the plot of In the Blink of An Eye. She continued to wow me and keep me guessing with Leave No Trace.

If you enjoy police procedurals, you may enjoy this book.

Wonderfully written, gripping, shocking, fast paced and well thought out!

I really enjoyed “In The Blink of an Eye” and was excited to read the second in the Kat and Locke series!

Kat has been working on cold cases with AideLocke and her team. They’ve solved 3 out of 3 cases and Locke is starting to “learn” how humans think and react!

Kat is ready to take on an ongoing case with her team which includes DI Hassan and DS Browne with consulting from Professor Okenado, the creator of AideLocke.

Her Chief wasn’t quite convinced but then he gets an urgent call “. . . the body of a man is found crucified at the top of Mount Judd, AIDE Lock – the world’s first AI Detective – and DCS Kat Frank are thrust into the spotlight as they are given their first live case.” This time people’s lives are at stake.

This book has absolutely ongoing action and tension - I rarely say this but I really couldn’t put this book down!! Jo Callaghan really knows how to write and the characters are well defined and highly relatable.

I found so many passages that I highlighted but I’ll share one that details the difference between AI and a human while they are racing to discover who is committing these horrific crimes and why? “Lock might be able to view thousands of images in seconds . . . but he simply wasn’t capable of making the lateral connections that a diligent, human police officer could”

The Author’s Notes are a must read - she shares some of the reasons why she is writing this series and her personal connection to the stories.

Both of these books are going to the top of my list this year – I highly recommend these to anyone who is curious about how AI might help in the future. I enjoyed this novel immensely.

If you are looking for a different slant on police procedurals - look no further than Ms. Callaghan’s books!

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.

Another winner by Jo Callaghan! I had recently read the first book in the series and was glad to be able to read an advance copy of the next installment thanks to the publisher and Netgalley. All of the characters from the first book became more fully developed. The second half of this book was particularly exciting and scary, and I couldn't put it down, having to stay up late to finish it. Once again, I enjoyed considering the ethical issues related to AI, as well as where it can best be utilized. I also appreciated the author's coverage of the dynamics of women in the workplace and in society in general. I highly recommend this book, encouraging other readers to read In the Blink of an Eye first to fully appreciate it. Because of the ethical issues, I think this book would appeal to a wide range of readers, not just mystery and thriller lovers, possibly even book discussion groups. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Leave No Trace.

Detective Kat Frank and AI Detective Lock are back and their new case is a killer.

When Kat requests a live case to put her team and Lock to the ultimate test, her superior presents her with the case of a crucified man. The case is brutal and shocking, and. when a second body is discovered, Kat realizes there may be a serial killer on the loose and it's up to her human qualities to find this person.

I enjoyed the second book in the series about the same as the first book since nothing much has changed, character development wise:

Kat is still mourning the loss of her husband and being an empty nester with her son off to college.

Debbie is heavily pregnant and using work to distract herself from the future, her life will be forever changed as a single parent.

Kat's ambitious right-hand man is determined to demonstrate he's got the skills and talents to be the first Asian detective, all the while still mooning over the professor, who created Lock.

I'm still not a fan of Kat; I understand she's a woman in a man's profession and excels as what she does but her brusque manner makes it seem like she's got a chip on her shoulder, almost resentful about her success.

After all these years as a cop, she's still naive about how women are treated in law enforcement?

Also, she almost seems too dependent emotionally and psychologically on her deceased husband and only child.

Her team seem decent, capable, but character development remains stagnant and repetitive.

I bet in the next book Debbie will spend all of her POV ruminating about her daughter and how stressful it is to manage as a single parent.

And Lock is...well, he's Lock...or is he?

I don't like the idea of Lock developing 'human' emotions so quickly, such as wanting to be friends with Kat or understanding what loneliness is.

Is the next book when Lock goes Skynet?

I believe strongly that the benefit of Kat and Lock's partnership is that he remain objective and rational, a good counterpoint to Kat's instincts, emotions, and experience only a human can provide.

I know the author has first-hand knowledge in AI and her personal experience lends credibility to her books.

Sometimes I prefer Lock over the human characters in this series. What does that say about me? 😆

"I couldn't have solved the case without my team. Or Lock, sir."

I know that some reviewers have written they liked this book less than the first. Not I. I liked Leave No Trace every bit as much as I liked In the Blink of An Eye. Are these books 100% logical or realistic? No! I'm not sure why, but I love that that about them!!

Here is one of my favorite parts:
"So you're my wild card, Lock. I want you to unsettle her by looking clever and all-knowing."
Lock turned towards her, its expression unfathomable in the fading light. "In other words, you want me to be myself?"
Kat laughed. "Was that a JOKE?"

HUGE thanks to both #RandomHousePublishing and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Leave No Trace. This book is #2 in the Kat and Lock series, and has an expected publication date of January 7, 2025.

#JoCallaghan #ScienceFiction #Mystery #Suspense

When the body of a man is found crucified at the top of a hill in the British midlands, AIDE Lock, the world’s first AI Detective and Detective Kat Frank are thrust into the spotlight as they are given their first live case. When a second body is found the police issue an extraordinary warning to local males aged between 30 and 40 years old! Fantastic read!! I have to say I did not think I would like anything to do with AI stuff! That’s just not my thing at all! But this book and series is totally different! I absolutely love the characters including the AI!! This book had great suspense, intriguing, murder, mystery, and I loved when the AI couldn’t help it kind of broke my heart!! lol I highly recommend reading this book and series! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I didn't enjoy this one as much as the first in the series: the plot itself was pretty good, but all the characters annoyed me. Debbie spent the whole time musing on how being 8 months pregnant impacted her life (of course it's going to); Hasan spent the novel in love with the Professor and wary of the press before choosing to have a drink with Ellie, a local journalist, and reveal lots of confidential details to her; AIDE Lock suddenly decides he wants to be Kat's friend (really?) and asks not to be turned off at night.

I will probably keep going with these, but the AI element felt less realistic/possible to me this time around. I see from the afternote that the author is an expert in this area, so I suppose she knows what she is talking about, but the ending where Lock had to try to negotiate with the murderer by means of a drone amplifying his algorithms (or whatever!!) seemed extremely science fiction-y to me.

A unique take on a police procedural that works with satisfying results.
This is DCS Kat Frank’s first live case working for the Future Policing Unit with her AI partner, AIDE Lock assisting alongside the rest of her team.
Lock has proven himself to be a valuable asset to the team but how will the AI detective act in an ongoing, live murder investigation?
With the tables turned, and it is men who are at risk and being asked to be vigilant and stay at home, and two almost identical murders occurring within days of each other, the Future Policing Unit are under heavy scrutiny, not only from their superiors, but by the public and the press to catch the killer before they strike again and close the case.
This is the second book featuring Kat and Lock but this is the first book I have read by Jo Callaghan and I do regret not reading the previous book ‘In The Blink of an Eye’ first. There are several referrals back to the first book and I think it would have helped me understand Lock a lot better.
However there is enough of a back story for me to have followed this book perfectly well, as well as getting to know more about the worlds first ever AI detective, so if like me you haven’t read the first book in this unique detective series and want to jump straight into this book you will still really enjoy it.
A high concept murder mystery that was an enjoyable read and I can’t wait to see the return of Kat and Lock soon.