ARC Review: Leave No Trace by A. J. Landau

Leave No Trace
Author: A. J. Landau
Series: National Parks Thriller
Publication: Minotaur Books (February 27, 2024)

Description: 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 Jeremiah, threatens further attacks against America's cultural symbols, powerful forces within the government are misleading the investigation to further their own radical agenda.

My Thoughts: LEAVE NO TRACE was an engaging, fast-paced thriller. Special Agent Michael Walker of the National Park Service is called to the site of an explosion that topples the Statue of Liberty and kills more than 600 people. There he meets FBI Agent Gina Delgado and, after a brief tussle for the lead in the investigation, the two work together to find out what happened.

Gina is an expert on explosives which comes in handy since a rare and supposedly well-controlled explosive was used. Michael discovers a young witness who has video of a suspicious boat watching the island just before the explosion. The young boy becomes the target of the terrorists who planned the action, but Michael manages to keep him safe. 

The terrorists have a big, well-coordinated plan to make the events of January 6 look like the dry run they turned out to be. Someone has managed to unite all the disparate groups who want to take down the United States to rebuild it in according to their plan. Gina and Michael need to track down the conspirators before they can begin their new civil war. 

Since the terrorists are beginning their terror spree by destroying national monuments and national parks, we get a look at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, the Arch in St. Louis, and Zion National Park as terrorist acts occur. 

I enjoyed this story and like the characters of Michael Walker and Gina Delgado very much. 

Favorite Quote:

"Sure, I will. But I need you to do something for me first. I'm at New York-Presbyterian in downtown Manhattan with Danny Logan, who's being guarded by a park policeman I've never met before named Buckland. Can you text me a picture?"

"Sure, but there's no need. I made the assignment myself, because she's one of the best."

"She?" Michael managed. 

A knock fell on the door, before it eased open to reveal the man wearing Buckland's name tag. "Everything okay in here?"

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.