Thank you to @RandomHouse and #NetGalley for the digital ARC of #LeaveNoTrace. The opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

I love when the second book in a series is even better than the debut and Leave No Trace is exactly that.

After their success solving a cold case, DCS Kat Frank and her AI partner Lock are ready for a new challenge. When a dead body is discovered at the local recycling center, they are assigned to the "active" investigation. The public nature of case thrusts Lock front & center, creating some problems for the team. And when a second body is discovered, the team knows they're running out of time to find their killer.

The characters feel real and authentic and the cases are interesting. But it's the way the author uses AI into the story, showing the benefits and challenges of the technology in a real life setting. I can't wait to see what's next for this series.

In Book 2 of the Kat & Lock Series, the body of a man is found crucified at the top of a hill in the British Midlands. As Kat, with the assistance of Lock—the world’s first AI detective—begin investigating, a second crucified body is discovered. The police are forced to issue a warning to all local men between the ages of 30 and 40 to avoid drinking in pubs, or if they insist on going to a pub do not leave alone, and definitely do not leave with a stranger. This puts the local men in an uproar, and it is up to Kat & Lock to quickly find the killer before they strike again.

I love these books. I really like Kat - she is very genuine, and I love Lock - everything is so literal with him, and he is absolutely brilliant and frequently tactless. The mystery kept me guessing until almost the end, and it is already set up for the next novel. These don't necessarily have to be read in order, since the author does an excellent job recapping portions of the previous book throughout. If you are a fan of mysteries, then you will love this.

Thanks NerGlalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I really liked the first book in the series and I was excited to see a second one. This one was probably even better. It was a really hard book to put down. While I figured out part of the mystery earlier on, I still enjoyed seeing how everything played out. There are some very graphic scenes in here, but also a lot of suspense. I do wonder if some chapters at the end could’ve been shortened or eliminated, but I loved the cliffhanger and I’m looking forward to book number three. This is definitely a book worth checking out when it’s released in January 2025.

Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan – Book 2 of the series regarding an AI intelligence robot helpng out the police on another case. At first I wasn’t sure about this but as I got more into it, I did like the story and some of the information regarding Lock the AI. At times I feel it got too technical and a little much. Storyhwise this was a good read but as I said some of the information regarding Lock was a little much. I can see this possibly happening in the near future if it is not already being used unbekownste to us. This is a story that you have to read and decide for yourself. I did like the story itself but not sure I want to read another one. I will have to decide.

Much like the first installment, this was a pretty basic procedural with some AI mixed in to give it a little update. I appreciated that the science was more often accurate. I find the characters flat and uninteresting. I won't be reading any more of the series.

Every bit as good as "In the Blink of an Eye" the first book in the Kat & Lock series. This is an excellent character driven, police procedural, with AI assistance and it is well written with engaging characters. A well paced murder mystery that manages to also incorporate several significant social issues including misogyny, artificial intelligence, and gender and racial bias. This is the second book in the series and although it can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading starting with the first book, "In the Blink of an Eye." Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Trade Paperbacks for an advanced reader copy

Kat Frank and AIDE Lock made a brilliant team, and their investigation was a captivating mix of suspense and discovery. Each twist in the case kept me guessing, with the killer’s identity hidden until the perfect moment. The way the story built up was so clever, and the tension never let up.

The reason behind the crime was devastating, and it added a depth to the story that made it even more gripping. The ending, though heartbreaking, felt inevitable and gave the story a lasting impact. It wasn’t just about solving the mystery—it was about understanding the people behind it all.

The atmosphere of the book was perfectly suited for December. The cold, dark setting created such a sense of unease that made every page feel more intense. I could practically feel the chill of December in the air as the story unfolded. It made the entire experience immersive and unforgettable.

I loved the first book in this series, but in this second installment, the writing seemed rushed and the tone was quite strident. I would have liked to see more growth in both DCS Kat Frank and the AI Detective Lock as well as in their work relationship, but instead it felt like heavy-handed messaging about sexism and misogyny took center stage. I prefer issues and messaging to be extremely subtle in the novels I read, even (especially?) when I agree with what the author is saying. I was able to guess the killer fairly early on, as well as the motives, which probably added to my frustration with Kat and Lock. I will definitely be reading book three, and I hope Callaghan can right the ship and repeat the magic of book one going forward, as there's so much potential in these characters she has developed. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for a digital review copy.

This is book 2 of a series, I think you could read as a standalone. DCS Kat Frank wants to be given a 'live' case, something that would give her team a chance to investigate a suspicious death as soon as it's discovered, and she is given the opportunity when a deceased male is found bound to a cross, naked and missing his ears at the top of a 'hill' in a recycling yard. While her team is investigating the death another male is found deceased in a field also tied to a cross and missing his eyes. The two cases are assigned to Kat's team and there is a large amount of media attention due to the manner in which both bodies were displayed, Kat is under pressure to solve the cases. Her AIDE Lock proves helpful again, able to access and collate data into quickly readable bits of info, helping the team move forward, but they aren't moving forward fast enough according to her boss, and she's being threatened with having to turn it over to a task force to solve. I really enjoyed this one, as much as I did the first, the story just flew by, Lock is at times both funny and frustrating and Kat takes pains to remind people not to call the device a 'him' it's a device, not a human. I would recommend and I look forward to the next. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Simon and Schuster for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this follow-up to Jo Callaghan’s innovative debut novel In the Blink of an Eye. British police detective Kat Frank leads a murder investigation team that includes AIDE Lock, her partner on the case and the world’s first AI detective. One of the appeals of the story for me is the well-developed backstories of several characters: ambitious Rayan, single and pregnant Debbie, Kat herself who’s a recent widow, now also facing an empty nest as her only child goes off to university. These features play into the murder investigation plot and add excitement and reading enjoyment.

Jo Callaghan's Leave No Trace is a quick but unique police procedural that focuses on using AI to help track down a serial killer. AIDE lock is a refreshing addition to s typical police investigation. The relationship between DC Kat Frank and AIDE Lock is fun and endearing, almost like a married couple. The rest of the team fits in wonderfully with DC Kat and AIDE Lock to make the story stand out from other police story. I loved Blink of An Eye, the first book in the series, and Leave No Trace is even better. I could read a hundred stories about DC Kat and AIDE Lock and still not get my fill.
Thanks to NetGalley, and Random House Publishing for the advanced copy of the book. The opinions are my own.

I read IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE by Jo Callaghan and was totally on board with this one. This was a fantastic procedural with tension and emotions running high. Loved the characters and the relationship with the AI brainiac. Some of the race and gender statements took away from the story (imo). Kept it from being a 5 star read for me.
Thank you NetGalley, Jo Callaghan and Simon and Schuster UK for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Leave No Trace is the exciting new book in the Kat and Lock series and it did not disappoint.

Kat and Lock have finally been given the first current case after a man is found brutally murdered at the top of Mount Judd.

Kat along with DI Hassan, DS Browne and Lock's mentor Professor Okenado are racing the clock to make an arrest.

Lock , I just love Lock . He is the new way of policing as he is Artificial Intelligence .

It might sound crazy but his personality is developing and humans puzzle him but he can get answers before you can blink.

Tension mounts with every chapter, bodies are piling up.

My only complaint is now I have to wait for Book 3 in what is fast becoming one of my top series to follow.

Please take time to read the authors notes at the end of the book, it is very enlightening.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Random House/Random House Trade Paperbacks for the privilege or reading and reviewing Leave No Trace.

I ended up DNF this book. It was grusome, and way too woke. I am also not a fan of AI so that didn't help

This is the second in a series of stories about DC Kat Frank and her Artificial Intelligence partner, Lock. AI is being used as an experiment to see if it can add value to police investigations. After all, AI can research and process data in matter of minutes vs. a team of policemen taking weeks to do the same job. After being experimentally used to work cold cases, Kat and Lock are now assigned to hunt down an active serial killer. One who strips men naked and nails them to a cross.

As Kat and Lock learn to work together, there is a blending of her human intuition with his logic. Kat refers to Lock as an “it.” While others see him as seemingly human. As a hologram, Lock is a handsome, well built young man. However, he has the emotional capacity of …well … a computer. Their back and forth banter adds some humor to the mix. Lock is baffled by sarcasm, not to mention figures of speech. For example, when someone mentioned having had “the pants scared off him,” Lock looked immediately towards the man’s trousers awaiting the drop.

I was intrigued by the mystery, enjoyed the relationship between Kat and Lock, and the ending was full of tension and excitement. If you like police procedurals with a British flair, this is one I highly recommend.

Thanks much to NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read and review this ARC.

Oh my goodness, this book was so good! I love reading about Kat and Lock, really the whole team! Crime books can be so dry and procedural, this story brought all of it to life and I find myself so ready and excited for the next book in the series! I adore Lock and wish that I had a Lock of my very own to share with. Brilliant work, can’t wait to read the next book!

Kat and Lock are perfect together. I love how this book picked up right where the last one ended but this time we have a serial offender on the hook. The AI element in this book is just fascinating. I think that this book does a fantastic job of outlying out we can benefit from the use of AI. I don’t think that AI belongs in creative spaces, but in terms of being a tool for different settings it works. I know it’s really helping in the medical community, and I think it could be useful in policing as well and this book highlights how it could be helpful. I love how the different perspectives were handled. I often struggle if there aren’t clear chapter headings so am always leery when they aren’t there, however this author did such a great job switching but making it clear that I did fine without it. I love how the layers of this book were divulged. It felt like we were slowly unpeeling layers of an onion, and the big reveal was so good! I loved the twist and just how the author did it, so good. I loved everything about this book and hope we get another!

This is a book that could work as a standalone, but I think I got so much more out of it because I read the first one first. You get all the background on Lock and how he came to be, and I think that was so insightful.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Jan. 7, 2025
“Leave No Trace” is the second novel in the “Kat and Lock” series by Jo Callaghan. Following a police detective, Kat Frank, and her partner, an AI-generated police investigator named Lock, “Trace” is a detective story for the modern world.
In the middle of a snowstorm, a young man’s body is found naked and crucified on a cross at the top of a local hill. In hopes of raising support and confidence in the police force, Kat Frank and her AI-partner are called in to investigate. It isn’t long after that when a second man is found, crucified as well, and Kat is facing pressure to solve the case before another body turns up. The Future Policing Unit, and Kat herself, are thrust into the media spotlight, which only makes the deadline to solve the crime that much tighter. Kat knows that if she doesn’t get to the bottom of these gruesome murders, her job (and those of her entire team) could be at risk.
“In the Blink of an Eye” is the first novel in this series (and, in fact, is the first novel by this author) and I thoroughly devoured it. I loved the idea of an AI-generated detective helping to solve cases, without the emotional components that burden his human counterparts. I was so happy when Callaghan created a sequel, bringing Kat and Lock back into my life!
Although the first novel was fascinating and helped build the backstory of the characters, “Trace” can be read as a stand-alone (but I wouldn’t recommend it).
“Trace” is narrated by Kat, although there are snippets throughout the novel where the serial killer briefly takes over, allowing the readers the ability to see through their eyes, if only for a brief moment. In pure detective drama style, there are plenty of characters with which to choose the suspect from, but the final reveal was as surprising as it was meaningful.
Callaghan’s personal experiences helped create both “Blink” and “Trace” and, although I’m sorry for all of her challenges, I think it has helped to make the stories that much better. I can almost feel the personal connection to both the author and to the novel’s characters. Callaghan’s novel is well-developed, well-formed, creative and engaging and I’m so looking forward to novel number three.

I enjoyed Leave No Trace very much. Jo Callaghan has created an surprisingly likeable character in Locke, an AI assistant who grows emotionally and intellectually the more he's around people. I love the interaction between him and Kat, the chief investigator, but even more than that, I love how Callaghan delves into each character, including the killer, and shows what makes them tick. It's the humanity of each character (including the AI, Locke) that makes this detective novel so readable and engaging. I tend not to like series detective novels, but Locke and Kat have grown on me.

Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free e-ARC edition of this title in exchange for my review.

I haven't read others by this author, and I see that this is book 2 in a series, so I am picking it up out of order. I'd read good things about the characters in book 1, so I was excited for the opportunity to read this one. But I was really disappointed. The story felt poorly put together and rushed. Some of the character issues could be due to not reading the pervious book, but not all of the trouble with this one.

I might go back to book 1 and give it a try, as I'd heard so much about it. But I wasn't impressed by this one.

2 stars for "it was ok"