DCI Kate Daniel’s world is falling apart. A flight from Heathrow to New York has disappeared from radar and her, until very recently, girlfriend profiler Jo Soulsby was a passenger on board. Kate wastes no time in making her way to London and wheedling her way onto the investigation, her DS Hank Gormley by her side. Having persuaded her superior to allow her to stay in London she joins forces with FBI SAC Gabrielle Torres and goes undercover in the baggage area at Heathrow. Much to everyone’s disappointment Kate is adamant that Jo is still alive and is determined to prove it. But it’s a name from the past that gives Kate the lead the case requires and sees her and Hank heading back up to the North East to help the remaining members of MIT with their investigation into the murder of a Russian gangster. Before she’s even got back to HQ tragedy hits the team.

Another great read from this series by Mari Hannah.

Thanks to Netgalley, Orion and Mari Hannah for the ARC of this book in return for an honest return.

It’s four years now since we had the last novel from crime writer Mari Hannah featuring her volitile Northumbrian DCI, Kate Daniels. In the interim she has developed two other series, one featuring DS Matthew Ryan and the other CID officers David Stone and Frankie Oliver. While I’ve enjoyed both of these, nevertheless I was looking forward to getting back to Kate, whose exploits were our first introduction to Hannah’s work. 



Without A Trace, the seventh Daniels’ novel, begins with Kate in turmoil. The personal relationship between her and the Force’s profiler, Jo Soulsby, lies in ruins and now that it seems there is no hope of resurrecting it, Kate is finally realising just what she has thrown away by her devotion to her job. Jo has taken off to New York and when news comes through of the disappearance of Flight 0113 somewhere over the Atlantic Ocean Kate is beside herself thinking that their final row has put Jo on the missing plane. Determined to find out just what has happened and desperately trying to convince herself that something will have stopped the profiler from boarding the flight, Kate takes off for London in an attempt to insinuate herself into the investigation into what it seems increasingly likely has been a terrorist incident. Accompanying her on their journey, even though he knows that their commander DCS Bright will not approve, and that their absence is likely to amount to professional suicide on the part of both of them, is the ever faithful DS Hank Gormley.  

There are people around who owe Kate favours and as a result of calling in some of those she and Hank find themselves involved in the search for whoever was able to smuggle an explosive onto the plane, working hand in glove with homeland security agent, Gabriele Torres. However, DCS Bright is not so easily accepting of the absence of two of his senior officers, especially when the body of one of the local drug-lords, Russian, Yulian Nikolaev, is deposited at the local hospital with half his face blown off. Bright wants at least one of them to go back to lead the investigation and is incandescent with rage when it becomes apparent that that isn’t going to happen.

Not unexpectedly, because that’s the way crime novels work, the two investigations gradually come together and Kate and Hank return to Northumbria to support Acting DI Paul Robson (Robbo) in his hunt for Nikolaev’s killers. As those who have read the previous novels will know, Robbo has had a chequered history in his time in the murder squad, having made himself vulnerable as a result of a gambling addiction. With that now behind him, this killing is his chance to prove that he has what it takes to step up and lead an investigation and it seems that a link with his past might just provide him with the leverage he needs to identify those responsible.

Glad I was to see Kate and Hank return and to spend time again with those who make up the Northumbrian Murder Team, I didn’t feel that this was the strongest book in the series. You can’t read the other six books without being used to Kate going off piste, but in this novel she really pushes the boat out and although she gets results there were times when I found her behaviour and the way in which she is allowed to get away with it, too extreme to be believable. I also thought that the book was unbalanced in its treatment of the two cases and that, in fact, neither of them was given sufficient space because they had to vie for attention with Kate’s search for evidence that Jo might still be alive. It isn’t unusual in a crime novel for the detective’s personal life to impinge on an investigation, but in this instance I felt it spoilt the focus of the book.  Nevertheless, I was glad to see Kate return and I hope that future outings may prove to be a little more centred on the crime itself.

With thanks to the Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing a review copy.

Of all the strands of Mari Hannah's writing, the Kate Daniels series is, in my opinion, the best. It is a while since we heard from Kate but the wait was well worth it. This is a superb novel, beautifully written and engrossing from the first page. This time it is personal as a plane crashes with Kate's soul mate Jo on board. Although Kate is not officially involved in the case, she breaks all the rules to get involved and the result is a roller-coaster of action and emotions. Brilliant!

Detective Inspector Kate Daniels is not always a character that you will like, and often I found myself begging her “Please, don’t do that!!” but that is what makes her so compelling!! Kate Daniels has a number of rock-solid relationships both personal and profession, most of which she tests to breaking point - and whilst her decision-making is often suspect, we generally do feel that the end justifies the means.

In this book, Kate discovers that her recent partner and Northumberland police colleague is on a plane that has been ‘downed’ over the sea en route to New York. Although officially on leave, Kate feels compelled to become part of the investigation, managing to get onto the investigating team by peddling a few “untruths” before her long-suffering boss comes to her rescue. The story unfolds in two threads, finding the proof that partner Jo Soulsby did actually board the plane and the hunt for those responsible for the aircrash. The participation of the US authorities in the investigation adds further gravitas to what is already a very dramatic and tense thriller.

Great book; highly recommended!!

Without a Trace is the seventh instalment in the Detective Chief Inspector Kate Daniel's series, set in my neck of the woods - Northumberland. This is an impressive series and one of my favourites yet it isn't essential to have read the preceding books before this as the plot is self-contained. When transatlantic flight 0113 drops out of the sky over the ocean without any warning Kate has more reason than most to feel as though her world has just shattered; her soulmate Jo Soulsby was apparently booked to fly that exact flight from London Heathrow to New York. No-one has any idea what has happened but it certainly isn't looking good. As everyone's attention is focused on the news media, Kate and her second in command DS Hank Gormley race from their Newcastle hub to the airport the doomed plane left from, a mere few hours earlier. Her intention? To get on the enquiry, despite it being well beyond her jurisdiction, to find out the truth.

At the beginning of each of these instalments, I foolishly believe that Ms Hannah may not be able to outdo herself this time yet she always does, and this book has to be her most solid and compulsive to date. From the first couple of pages, I was hooked on the fast-flowing story and remained completely riveted for the entirety. It's both highly entertaining and emotionally charged and the fact that Kate is hellbent on joining the investigation due to it being a case that is very much a personal one added an interesting extra dimension to the narrative. The first half of the book builds up the detail in terms of both the plot, characters lives and political machinations and the second starts to ratchet up the tension, danger, drama and action. It has a potent mix of everything I love in a police procedural/thriller series - an intelligent, superbly-constructed plot; engaging characters; exciting twists, reveals and misdirection; and it addresses topical issues. Highly recommended. Many thanks to Orion for an ARC.

Mari Hannah is an exemplary writer of police procedurals and the Kate Daniels series is a personal favourite of mine. "Without A Trace" is another superbly thrilling read. I feel like I know the characters personally. I highly recommend all of Mari Hannah's books and am (as always) looking forward to finding out what on earth Kate will get involved in next.

Oh my God! I loved Without a Trace, I’m regretting reading others on my ARC list before it.

Intense, shocking and full of breathtaking moments. Mari Hannah has done it again! This author is a genius when it comes to writing characters. They’re so real compared to recent books I’ve read,

This is a strong 5/5. Read it!

I requested this book thinking it was from the Jessica Daniels series so having not read any of the previous books I can say it works as a stand alone read.
For me the plot was outlandish, unbelievable and emotionally over the top but the characters are well written.

Thank you to Net Galley and Orion for an ARC of this read, having read a few of the DCI Kate Daniels novels I knew I would be in for a good read and was not disappointed
Having lost the love of her life when a plane mysteriously goes down over the ocean Kate manages to get herself onto the investigation regardless of her link to a passenger, twists and turns abound as information that Jo is on board is contradictory and tips off regarding the incident are rife

Recommended for all fans

Intense and complex police thriller. Really good characters,who are well portrayed. Very emotional at times and full of drama.

YAY! Kate Daniels is back! Great to see her here but it';s all systems go from the start as this takes off just as book 6 finished. Jo was apparently missing. Was she on the plane that has just fallen from the sky over the Atlantic?
It all starts with a bang as this is the most personal investigation yet. There's the sharp writing we've all grown to love but this is more personal about Kate and Jo which was nice. Less of the team banter as she and Hank are on location in London with the American security team! A very different feel to the case and Kate Daniels series but it's exciting to think that she's back and how much I've missed her.

The second part of the novel feels quite different as the pace kicks up several notches and the plane investigation really..excuse the pun...takes off into new directions. Things are more frantic and dangerous and it's a thrilling ride.

Nice to see Kate back!

Firstly thank you to Orion Publishing and Netgalley for this advanced copy of the latest DCI Kate Daniels book.
Without a doubt, this is Mari Hannah's best book so far and I don't say that lightly as every one of her books are absolutely cracking reads.
This latest book tears at your insides as we see Kate at her most vunerable, stripped bare, trying to hold onto what she believes in her heart , all the while her head is trying to convince her otherwise. This story is one hell of a roller coaster ride emotionally as well as being totally gripping from the first page to the last - a true page turner. The narrative is so descriptive, you feel as if you are right there in the thick of the action experiencing all of the emotions and events with the characters. The scenes with Hank and Kate as well as Kate and Bright are some of the best I have read.
Mari Hannah knows her stuff and this is very clear in all of her books. Everything is meticulously researched and all explanations of police procedural matters are intricately woven into the story seamlessly. Kate Daniels is back with a bang in this gut wrenching, emotionally charged, fast paced , roller coaster of a book. Mari Hannah is undoubtedly the Queen of the Police Procedural and this book backs it up.
If you read no other book this year, read this one. I wish it could be given more than 5 stars.

I’ve read a few Mari Hannah books and enjoyed them, but not the DCI Kate Daniels series and I’m now asking myself why I’ve missed out up to now!!!! Kate, her number two DS Hank Gormley are racing from Newcastle to London after hearing the news that transatlantic flight 0113 is missing. On the flight is Jo Soulsby who is Kate’s partner. Kate blags her way into the Met enquiry to the fury of her boss Detective Chief Superintendent Philip Bright. He reluctantly gives permission and eventually Kate and Hank become embedded in the US part of the investigation. The ensuing and exciting drama takes the reader the length and breath of the country and in very unexpected directions in this extremely dangerous inquiry.

There is much to praise in this novel. The scenario is all too believable in this day and age sadly, although the motives for the flights disappearance are not what you may think and I really like that it’s a bit out of the box. There are many jaw dropping, very scary scenarios and a lot of shocks. The book is well plotted and well written, it’s fast paced and feels authentic. One of the stand out aspects for me is the characterisation. Kate is a bit of a ‘firecracker enigma’ and I really like that. She’s very brave, bold, explosively lippy, but conversely very vulnerable. She often says the opposite of what she’s feeling. Did I like her? Oh yes, she intrigued me. Her sidekick Hank is brilliant but all the Northumbria Police team are brilliant especially long suffering Philip Bright!! The US team are interesting especially Gabriele Torres of Homeland Security.

Mari Hannah really captures the rollercoaster of hope and hopes dashed in Kate’s desperate search to find if Jo is dead or alive. You really feel her pain although this fires her and keeps her going at great personal risk. Overall, a really good fast paced thriller which makes you think. For example, the author makes thought provoking points about how desensitised to tragic news we have become because there’s so much of it and of course, news is so instant now. This is a gripping read, it feels very current and topical, it’s full of intrigue, danger and twists with the added bonus of interesting characters. Recommended.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Orion Books for the ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Orion Publishing Group for an advance copy of Without A Trace, the seventh novel to feature DCI Kate Daniels of the Northumbria Police.

When flight 0113 from London to New York goes down over the ocean no one is quite sure what has happened. Kate Daniels learns that the love of her life, Jo Soulsby, was booked on the flight, so, regardless of the consequences, she rushes down to London and finangles her way on to the investigation which soon takes turns nobody could have imagined.

I enjoyed Without A Trace which has a slow start but soon ramps up to become a tense, exciting read with plenty of twists and turns. I found the novel slow to get started with its emphasis on emotions and baggage handling at Heathrow - I learned enough about the loopholes to be scared, if it’s even remotely true and more than I ever wanted to about how it works. Kate is working on fear and desperation as she barges about, discarding the rule book and every known procedure, in her quest to find out if Jo is alive or dead. It’s believable but not very exciting for me, the non touchy-feely reader.

In the second half of the novel things heat up with a tip that sends the investigation in a whole new direction, not least out of London and back to Newcastle. This is exciting with a palpable sense of tension and danger, plenty of action and some sad moments. Whilst I could comfortably put down the first half of the novel to do something else I was glued to the pages in the second half, wondering what would come next, especially as it’s so different from my expectations at the start of the novel. It’s great.

Without A Trace is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Thanks to Orion Publishing Group and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Intelligent and gripping from the off - Mari Hannah at her best. I love Mari Hannah's invariably, taut, compelling thrillers. Indeed, no one engages the reader from the very first page quite like Hannah. She is a mesmerising storyteller, and 'Without a Trace' is yet more evidence of her knack of writing novels full of suspense and intrigue. This latest novel in the DCI Kate Daniels series sees our intrepid policewoman enmeshed in the investigation of a downed commercial aircraft. This is no ordinary tragic event, however. Firstly, preliminary investigations suggest this was no mere accident, and secondly, Kate's recent lover, Jo, was on the plane bound for New York. Evidence of Jo's presence on the plane is contradictory, so it is up to Kate and her loyal sergeant, Hank, to discern the truth not only of the elusive Jo, but the events that led to the aircraft's downing in the Atlantic Ocean. Kate must go undercover to disentangle truth from fiction; the fate of Jo, and the calculated, nefarious rationale behind the deaths of hundred of passengers. The results are... quite simply... explosive. What follows is a twisty, high-octane mystery, that oozes menace on every page. This novel is more than just a cheap adrenaline rush, however. Mari Hannah's research is always meticulous, and she invariably, always manages to combine the style and intrigue of a thriller writer with the adroit observations of an expert in the subject-matter that provides the context for her intelligent brand of storytelling. 'Without Trace' is no different; capturing with pitch-perfect perfection the murkiness of the post-9/11 world of suspicion, and sometimes justifiable paranoia, encapsulated in the enduring imagery of doomed planes, and the perils of aircraft travel. A real page-turner, I devoured this engrossing read in one sitting. Mari Hannah knocks it out of the park again!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy. This sounded like an amazing book, however it fell short. I was expecting more of the book to be about the plane crash and what happened after, whereas it really wasn't. I think the potential was there for a really good plot and story, but it focused too much on the "bad guys" and love relationships that didn't hold my attention.

#WithoutATrace #NetGalley
An original story with a lot of thrill. I loved it.
A plane on route from London to New York City has disappeared out of the sky. This breaking news dominates every TV channel, every social media platform, and every waking hour of the Metropolitan Police and US Homeland Security. The love of DCI Kate Daniels' life was on that aircraft, but she has no authority to investigate. This major disaster is outside of her jurisdiction and she's ordered to walk away. But Kate can't let it lie. She has to find out what happened to that plane - even if it means going off book. No one is safe. And there are some very dangerous people watching her.
Thanks to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for giving me an advanced copy.