You can cover up the truth, but every murder leaves a trail...
The rain was relentless. It stung Ruth Prendergast's face as she dashed towards her house, desperate to escape the cold and settle down for an early night. But upon entering her bedroom, she finds a man, lying on her bed - a knife buried in his chest.
When Detective Isabel Blood and her sergeant arrive on the scene, Ruth claims she's never laid eyes on the victim before. But with no sign of a break-in, how did the killer gain access to the house?
Then Ruth disappears, leaving Isabel and her team to fear the worst. Has their lead suspect escaped, or is Ruth in danger herself?
Forensic evidence at the crime scene is sparse, and it's proving impossible for Isabel to make a breakthrough. With Ruth still missing, time is running out.
But how can you catch a killer that doesn't leave a trace?
Uncover the mystery and solve the crime alongside Derbyshire's best detective. This utterly gripping, unputdownable whodunit will have you hooked and reading long into the night! Fans Val McDermid, Elly Griffiths and ITV's Vera will love Without a Trace!
Readers love Jane Bettany!
"A gripping police procedural thriller that had me engrossed from the first page. The storyline had me intrigued, so much so that I read it in one day." 5 stars, NetGalley reviewer
"Isabel Blood is a great character and I really enjoyed getting to know her. I'm a great fan of police procedural novels and this was an excellent read!" 5 stars, NetGalley reviewer
"If you're looking for a cosy crime novel that is packed with suspense, then this is the book for you. A fantastic debut novel that I have no hesitation in recommending." 5 stars, NetGalley reviewer
"This is a fabulous debut crime novel!" 5 stars, NetGalley reviewer
"I loved this book from beginning to end and cannot wait to read more from Jane Bettany." 5 stars, NetGalley reviewer
An engrossing multi-layered mystery-thriller
Without a Trace is the second instalment in Jane Bettany's D.I. Isabel Blood series, set in the (fictional) town of Bainbridge, Derbyshire, UK.
This book opens in similarly dramatic style to its predecessor (In Cold Blood). Newly divorced professional woman Ruth Prendergast returns to her recently-purchased home after work, expecting a quiet night in, and finds a dead man lying tucked into her bed! Although he appears to be sleeping, early investigations reveal he's been fatally stabbed - this is murder. But who is this man, why is he in Ruth's home, and how did he (and his murderer) gain entry?
For local D.I. Isabel Blood, this new case couldn't come at a more inconvenient time. She's due to take a week's leave to spend quality time getting to know her father, who she's not seen for over 40 years, due to circumstances that are explained in the previous book. As it is, she has no option but to collect her father - unexpectedly accompanied by her French half-brother, Fabien - from the airport, drop him to a hotel and promise to catch up later.
The team quickly identifies the dead man as an unpopular local mechanic, who has a criminal record for assaulting a woman and is a regular at various insalubrious drinking establishments. No link can be found between the victim and Ruth Prendergast, who is new to both the house and Bainbridge. Despite their tenacity in following up various leads, Blood's team are having difficulty in establishing a motive for the crime, or any viable suspects. Then Ruth Prendergast goes missing without explanation...
Without a Trace is an engrossing read with two intertwined narrative threads - one, the murder investigation, the other the unfolding family drama around Isabel's reunion with her father. Both are well-developed, although I did sometimes feel as though the pace slackened a bit during the family interludes and I was itching to get back to the murder investigation plot.
D.I. Isabel Blood continues to be an intriguing and sympathetic character, who sometimes struggles to balance the long hours and dedication required of her police career with her contented family life. The cast of supporting characters are also varied and engaging, in particular the recurring characters forming D.I. Blood's closest colleagues.
The dramatic conclusion, in which the killer is unmasked, is surprising but satisfying, and a final twist brings a touch of pathos.
While Without a Trace works well as a standalone or entry point to the series, reading in series order would allow the reader greater understanding of Isabel's complicated family backstory.
Without a Trace is character-driven crime/mystery fiction in a traditional style, without too much in the way of gory crime scenes or gritty settings. It's a satisfying read, and I look forward to future instalments in the series.
Sarah, 01/11/2021
