I thoroughly enjoyed Jane’s previous book ‘In Cold Blood’, which was the first book in the series featuring Detective Inspector Isabel Blood. So when I heard that Jane was due to release another book in the series I knew that I had to read it as soon as I possibly could. Well the wait is over as the second book in the series featuring DI Isabel Blood, ‘Without A Trace’ is due to be released in e-book on 29th October 2021 and in paperback format on 6th January 2022. I was lucky enough to have a sneaky peek at an early review copy and blimey, it’s another corker of a story. I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of ‘Without A Trace’ but more about that in a bit. As soon as I read the synopsis for ‘Without A Trace’ that was it, I knew that I wasn’t going to be doing much else other than reading for the rest of the afternoon. I was drawn into the actual story from the very first word on the very first page. It seemed as though ‘Without A Trace’ developed a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. This ‘hold’ lasted from the very first word on the very first page until the very last word on the very last page. To say that reading ‘Without A Trace’ became addictive is a huge understatement. I would pick the book up only intending to read a chapter or two to fill in a spare half hour but I would become so wrapped up in the story that I would still be sat there reading over half a dozen chapters and an hour later. The more of the book I read, the more I wanted to read and the quicker the pages seemed to turn. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Without A Trace’ and I had to say farewell to Isabel and her team. I found ‘Without A Trace’ to be a gripping, tense and dramatic read, which kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. ‘Without A Trace’ is superbly written but that was also true of ‘In Cold Blood’ too. Jane has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained a fast pace throughout. In Isabel Blood, Jane has created one hell of a strong, memorable and feisty young lady. Jane clearly cares about her characters and she describes them so vividly and realistically that they seem just as real as you and I. Reading ‘Without A Trace’ felt like being on an at times scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Jane’s very vivid and realistic storytelling. In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Without A Trace’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I can’t wait to read more of Jane’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek’s board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

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.

Without a Trace is the second instalment in Jane Bettany's DI Isabel Blood of Bainbridge CID series set in Derbyshire. In this novel which works as a standalone, 57-year-old Isabel is investigating when a man is found in the bed of HR manager Ruth Prendergast. As well as handling the case which is problematic, Isabel also has issues in her personal life to deal with including a visit from her dad and younger half brother Fabien. An intriguing, well-plotted and enjoyable read which has tempted me to pick up a copy of the series début. I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from HQ Digital via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

Without a Trace is another gripping read in the D.I. Isabel Blood series. That starts with a bang and a crime scene that's certainly memorable, when Ruth Prendergast returns home from work to find a man has been murdered and left in her bed. And with plenty of twists and a storyline that kept me guessing this was a very enjoyable read. That I'd happily recommend to others.

Ruth comes home to her new house to find a dead man in her bed - with a knife in his chest. DI Isabel blood should be having two weeks off the renew her relationship with her father who has been estranged from her for many years. At first there are few leads, and the few character nearest to the action seem to have no motive - or do they - the answer will lie in who's related to whom and that's not easy to work out. It's a complex plot and will keep you gripped and guessing.