This is #9 in the DS Karen Hart series but it can easily be read as a standalone.

I love the Karen Hart series and have read all the previous books, so I was eager to get stuck into the latest one. It didn’t disappoint!

Tommy Burton’s mum drags him along to Tattershall Castle for an outing when, like many 11-year-olds, he would rather have stayed at home with his computer. His mum takes a business call on her phone and tells Tommy to wait for her under a tree but, when she turns back, he’s gone. In his place is a brand-new blue teddy bear.

DS Karen and her team are called but she notices the look on DI Morgan’s face. It turns out he was involved in a case 15 years ago when three young boys went missing and blue teddy bears were left by the murderer as a ‘calling card’. But the perpetrator is still in prison so who knew about the teddy bears? Did he have an accomplice or is there a copycat?

Karen and the team have to find whoever took Tommy, and find Tommy before it’s too late.

A brilliant storyline with plenty of unexpected twists and turns.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance reader copy in return for an honest review.

Thanks to the wonderful Thomas & Mercer and to Netgalley for this eARC.

“Leave No Trace” by D.S. Butler is a gripping addition to the Detective Karen Hart series, marking its ninth installment with a haunting narrative that delves into the depths of criminal psychology and the persistence of evil.

Set against the backdrop of Tattershall Castle, the story unfolds with the chilling disappearance of eleven-year-old Tommy Burton, echoing a sinister past where three boys were similarly taken and murdered fifteen years ago. The narrative masterfully intertwines the present with the past, as the original killer, Graham Donaldson, is behind bars, yet the same modus operandi surfaces—a small blue teddy bear left at the scene, a detail never disclosed to the public.

Butler’s writing is sharp and evocative, capturing the urgency and dread that permeates the investigation led by DS Karen Hart and her team. The character of DI Morgan is particularly compelling, as he grapples with the ghosts of his previous case and the possibility that the true perpetrator might still be at large. The novel raises poignant questions about the nature of justice and the possibility of redemption, all while maintaining a breakneck pace that keeps the reader on edge.

The strength of “Leave No Trace” lies in its complex characters and the intricate plot that Butler weaves with precision. The tension is palpable, as the team races against time to find Tommy and prevent history from repeating itself. The narrative is a labyrinth of twists and turns, where each clue leads to more questions, and the truth is as elusive as the shadowy figure orchestrating this new wave of terror.

Butler’s latest work is a testament to her skill as a storyteller and her ability to craft a mystery that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant. With a perfect blend of psychological insight and thrilling suspense, “Leave No Trace” is a must-read for fans of the mystery genre and a stellar example of crime fiction at its best.

In summary, D.S. Butler’s “Leave No Trace” is a novel that entertains and challenges the reader, making it a standout in the Detective Karen Hart series. The haunting reality of the story’s premise leaves an indelible mark that stays with the reader.

A solid 4.5 stars out of 5!

i have read a few of teh detective karen hart books before so knew i would enjoy this one

its a really good story i like karen and did feel sorry for morgan in this.

it shows how with holding information can cause problems cos as soon as all the information was there the kidnapper was revealed.

glad sophies coming back even for a little bit.

Once again, D.S. Butler has returned with another case for Karen Hart with an intriguing case of a missing boy.

A very clever storyline, full of surprises and red herrings to throw you off the scent.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

Leave No Trace is a crime thriller set in Lincoln. When an 11yr old boy Tommy goes missing at a local attraction and a blue Teddy bear is found in his place the police team in charge fear Tommy may have been kidnapped. As things progress it becomes clear this is exacty what is. With many suspects, a murder and indiscretions thrown up along the way can the police find Tommy before the kidnapper kills him. With a 15yr old case possibly linked can it get any more complicated.

I loved this book it was engaging from the get go and I was thrust into the case of missing Tommy. With both POVs from the DS and the DI two very different ways are seen for their actions and way they deal with thus investigation. With plenty of twists to keep you guessing along the way this is one crime thriller I can't wait to be released to recommend to all my friends.

Another great Karen Hart book! Kept me on the edge of my seat and the characters were relatable and real life characters.

Another excellent book in the Karen Hart series. A rather emotional read with twists and turns to keep me hooked so I didn’t want to put it down. A great psychological thriller that although it’s part of a series it can be read as a standalone but I recommend you read the whole series as all the books are so good. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

This talented author has again written a page turner. Secrets and red herrings add to the mystery. Realistic characters keep the story moving quickly. Finding a little boy is imperative. I liked this novel. Like this author. Thanks Netgalley

Another brilliant book from D S Butler and again an emotional edge of your seat story, the characters bring the story alive for the reader and you are hooked from start to finish. I love these books Karen Hart is such a great D S and is always on edge to solve the crime.

Well written with good plot and character development. A young boy goes missing and there are lots of suspects to keep the reader guessing. I look forward to reading other books in the series.

Good to catch up with D S Butler and Karen Hart usuall intriguing plot,with lots of twists and turns which kept me guessing.Would never guessed who was responsible even to the very end,a very good read and thoroughly recommended.

My favorite type of book! I enjoyed every moment of this book. The story kept me hooked so that I had a hard time putting the story down. The book kept my attention all the way through the ending. This was my first Detective Karen Hart book and I'm thrilled that I now have 8 other books that I can go back and read.
The story plot was amazingly terrifying where an 11 year old boy suddenly goes missing when on an outing with his mother in broad daylight.. What happened to him? Did someone take him? Detective Karen Hart knows that the more time that passes that the chances of Tommy being found alive is diminishing. But is there more to the story? Oh yes, there is... You definitely want to read this book to find out more! Thank you for the opportunity!

Extremely gripping psychological thriller with a number of absolutely phenomenal twists along the way!
Highly recommend

Great story with lots of twists and turns. Engaging from the start.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading Leave No Trace.

Fantastic book with a intriguing storyline. Kept me hooked from the first chapter. It's also great with each book we have a bit of characters private life in there so we get to no them as a whole person

Another great book in the series, didn’t disappoint at all, fantastic from the first page, hopefully there will be another one in the near future

DS Karen Hart and Di Morgan are a good team. He is a dedicated " strictly by the book" person whereas she is a risk-taker which sometimes puts her in danger. Together they are battling against time to find a missing boy ( a loner with few friends whose only interest is computer games). His home is in a small close where several of his neighbours appear to be harbouring secrets. Will he be found in time or is he already dead and what is the connection to an old case where 3 boys were abducted and killed and a blue teddy bear left at the scene?

Leave No Trace has Detective Karen Hart and her colleagues frantically searching for a missing boy. They can't help but notice the similarities between this crime and the abductions and murders of three boys more than a decade ago.

The story was pretty good, though I doubt the ability of even a very bright eleven year-old to manipulate people the way the boy in this novel did. The story telling, on the other hand, was mediocre to the point that I thought about abandoning this book several times before I reached the end. Everything the characters said or thought was explicitly explained -- there was no subtlety, inference, or innuendo, which made for tedious, repetitive reading at times. Though I haven't read the previous nine books, I was surprised at how highly rated they are on Amazon. They must have been a lot better or the series never would have reached #9.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Another great book in the Karen Hart series by D.S. Butler! Detective Hart and her team are investigating the kidnapping of an eleven year old boy, who was on an outing with his mother, when he seemed to disappear. Hart and her team are in a race against time to find the boy before it’s too late, but it’s not going to be easy because it seems like the boy’s parents, friends and neighbors are all keeping secrets. Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for this arc.

DS Karen Hart and her team are trying to locate an eleven-year-old boy named Tommy who was abducted on an outing with his mother. Not only are there the typical family and friend suspects, but there was also a calling card left at the scene where he vanished that is similar to those left by a convicted kidnapper who’s been in prison for 15 years. So, the team has plenty of leads to follow up and not much time to do it. Even questioning those close to Tommy isn’t easy, as he’s not the innocent young boy they believed him to be. But surely some questionable activities wouldn’t lead to his abduction?

There’s also a subplot regarding DI Morgan and his previous boss that’s connected to the possibly related kidnapping case from the past. Morgan worked on that case, so he takes it so personally that this new abduction could be related. Because those boys that were taken never made it home and he’s not about to let that happen to Tommy.

I like that there was a bit more information provided about Mike’s unknown father. I hope this is explored more in a future story because I have a feeling Lorraine has a lot to say about him if she ever opens up. And boy was that dinner scene tense! The personal side of Karen’s life is just as entertaining as her work and the author’s great at capturing the struggle to keep everyone happy on both sides. I’m sure many readers can relate, and it’s one of many reasons this is a book you have to check out.