The relationships between the novel’s central character, Morgan Vine, and the people around her are brought to life through very astute character observation. Particularly good is the dynamic between Morgan and her daughter in the opening pages and the relationship with the man who may either be Morgan’s saviour or her nemesis. The writing is tight and effective, and there are flashes of humour that leaven the sustained tension. Describing a coastal fortress built to deter Napoleon, the author notes that “Scars of graffiti (Asylum Seekers Out!) suggested the locals were as welcoming as ever.” One character’s face is summed up as looking “untouched by thought or feeling”. There are wonderfully gothic scenes, for example where Morgan opens a grave at night during an electric storm, and there is a twist at the end that is plausible and frightening. Without Trace is a well-executed thriller that keeps the reader guessing till the very end.