Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan

 

DCS Kat Frank and her AI partner are given their first live case to investigate when the body of a man is found crucified at the top of a rubbish heap. The use of AI in the police force comes under intense media scrutiny as the pair try to uncover who is responsible and prevent further murders.

Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan is the much-anticipated sequel to In The Blink Of An Eye which introduced readers to Kat Frank and her holographic AI partner. In the first book, we are introduced to newly widowed Kat as she returns to work and is asked to lead a pilot program, the Future Policing Unit, where AI is used alongside conventional policing. Kat is not a fan of AI but gradually comes to appreciate the skills her new partner, AIDE (Artificially Intelligent Detecting Entity) Lock, brings to the role as they investigate cold cases.

In this sequel, Kat is keen to get involved in an active case to prove that the FPU offers a positive contribution to the police force. Everyone connected with the program, including AIDE Lock's creator, is aware that this will put the FPU firmly in the public eye.

The team ends up investigating the crucifixion of a man and the story touches on so many topics relevant to society today. Obviously, the use of AI is the major storyline. The story covers the ability of AI to trawl through social media, databases, research, etc in a matter of seconds, something that will save a huge number of man-hours and allow the police to focus on other aspects of the investigation. As a result of its ability to search through resources rapidly it can make predictions about what could happen and suggestions on how to proceed.

What AIDE Lock can’t do is nuances. Humans are inconsistent and contradictory, and Lock struggles to understand this. Although he can monitor vital signs such as heart rate he fails to understand body language and tone of voice, all those subtle signals that skilled observers pick up on. Another issue with Lock is that he’s a hologram, he doesn’t offer a physical presence and this has implications as the team closes in on the murderer.

The story touches on the public mistrust of AI and this is played out through the biased press. Personally, I was fascinated by the possible uses of AI. The virtual autopsy had me engrossed and the idea that social media could be searched in seconds to help try to identify victims seems so effective.

 Another topical issue covered is toxic masculinity. When it becomes obvious that young men are being targeted tables are turned as police advice is not to go out, not to go off with strangers. Men begin to get a taste of the messages women receive on a daily basis and don’t like it.

The team that comprises the FPU are an engaging group of characters. The author takes time to flesh out each character, endearing them to the reader. The interactions between Kat and Lock are, at times, just like a normal police partnership as they seem to “bicker” about procedure and I’m convinced Lock has had a sarcasm upgrade.

Leave No Trace by Jo Callaghan will be published on 28^th March 2024 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster UK for a review copy.