Without A Trace by Mari Hannah (DCI Kate Daniels #7) @mariwriter @orion_crime

Source: Review copy
Publication: 7^th January 2021 from Orion (paperback)
PP: 400
ISBN-13 : 978-1409192374

A FATAL CRASH

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.

A PRIVATE TRAGEDY

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.

A SEARCH FOR THE TRUTH

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…

I adore Kate Daniels and in this book she is back with a bang, all guns blazing – and nothing and no-one is going to strand in the path of the whirlwind she creates as she refuses to give up looking for the woman she loves.

Without A Trace gives Hannah a huge canvas to play with as transatlantic flight 0113  goes down with a mix of US, British and international travellers and Homeland Security is involved alongside the Met. Kate is reeling from the news that Jo Soulsby was on that flight, but she won’t accept that until she has seen the concrete evidence for herself. First though, there’s the slight difficulty of inveigling herself onto the investigation.

Using sheer determination and taking her boss’s name in vain, she blags her way onto the investigation leaving DCS Philip Bright no option but to back her up. He’s furious with her and really furious that Hank her second in command has gone with her, but he knows that there’s no point in arguing; nothing but nothing is getting in Kate’s way on this one.

As Kate goes undercover with the blessing of Homeland Security, she realises that the lax security and petty thefts that permeate airport security have created the ideal conditions for terrorist activity to slip a bomb onto a plane.

Kate is a woman on a  mission though and she is prepared to do whatever she has to to find out exactly what happened to Jo – and that means she’s taking risks and breaking rules left, right and centre. She’s on dodgy ground with every move she makes but this time she doesn’t give a monkey’s.

Mari Hannah’s plot is fast paced and thrilling. The action never lets up and you can feel the shock, guilt and determination roll off Kate Daniel in waves as she puts herself at serious risk in pursuit of the truth. Fortunately she has Hank, steadfast and loyal to a fault at her side.

Full of shocks and explosive moments, Kate is at the heart of an international investigation but events take a different turn when an old ‘friend’ appears to point her in a different direction. There are shocks, twists and heart-stopping moments in this book which will change the Northumbrian team forever in a roller coaster of a thrilling police procedural where all the rules are broken and many tears will be shed before the terrible truth is revealed.

Verdict: If you’re looking for a fast-paced emotionally engaging thriller with real heart then you’re in for a huge treat. Without a Trace is chilling and powerful, emotional and heart-stopping. What a wild ride!

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