Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Leave No Trace by AJ Landau Series: National Park Thriller #1
Published by Minotaur Books on February 27, 2024
Genres: Thriller
Pages: 352
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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In a daring, brutal act of terrorism, an explosion rocks and topples the Statue of Liberty. Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Park Service is awakened by his boss with that news and sent to New York as the agent-in-charge. Not long after he lands, he learns two things - one that Gina Delgado of the FBI has been placed in charge of the investigation as the lead of the Joint Terrorism Task Force and two, that threats of a second terrorism attack are already being called into the media. While barred from the meetings of the Joint Task Force for his lack of security clearance, Walker finds a young boy among the survivors with a critical piece of information - a video linking the attackers to the assault.
As a radical domestic terrorist group, led by a shadowy figure known only as Jebediah, threatens further attacks against America's cultural symbols, powerful forces within the government are misleading the investigation to further their own radical agenda.
I have recently been reading more books with National Park settings so this was a fit. Leave No Trace is a chilling story of terrorists employing methods and gathering insurrectionists in much as the attack on the Capital in 2021. The leaders are demented narcissists, so really similar.
Our main characters are Michael Walker, who works for the national park system, and has been in law enforcement there. His boss, also his ex-father-in-law, hates him. The other key player is Gina Delgado, who has lots of experience in explosives, and heads the Joint Terrorism Task Force. Together, they piece things together to try to minimize or stop attacks while also hunting the terrorists. I like Michael and Gina. They are committed and intelligent. Michael has a bit of a John McClane style.
The action is non-stop and a wild ride. I enjoy the level of technical capabilities and strategy the team uses. It is a deluge and there is no time to breathe until the end. Thriller was a very accurate naming here.
There is a bit of development on the world and characters but the action and its mysteries are primary. The start of a series makes me wonder who will be main characters going forward. Typically, Michael and Gina would not work together as they are in very different agencies. Will they become co-workers, friends or lovers? My guess is Michael will be a character since he is already in the park system. I look forward to more of the National Park Thriller series which are truly a thrill ride.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
This sound really good! Excellent review, Anne💜
Thanks. It is a thrill upon thrill. But I like the government agency aspect and the national park settings.
That sounds exciting.
It’s like the biggest roller coaster at the park.
This does sound good! I was reluctant to sign on for it, but maybe I’ll have to snatch this one up before it archives. I’ve got a lot of ARCs though…
I know! It is a good one. It’s always hard to choose and then I like some more than others. I enjoyed how fast paced this one was.
Ooo, one of those pulse-pounding types. Sounds good.
yes and I am in a mood for a national park setting.
I will have to check this out. It sounds exciting!
It’s a continuing thrill with a big dose of panic at the death which might happen to ordinary park visitors.
So glad you enjoyed it. Sounds like it hits a little too close to reality for my likes.
Maybe so. I really liked the reality based aspects.
Great review Anne. I would enjoy this series.
There is a big adrenaline rush along with the National Park settings.
While this isn’t my type of read, I’m glad to hear it is really one you enjoyed! Great review!
Thank you Lisa.. There is just something great about a National Park setting.