Barry Maitland, No Trace

No Trace

Barry Maitland

St. Martin's, October 2006, $24.95

ISBN: 031235892X

In London someone abducts the six year old daughter of artist Gabriel Rudd from their home, leaving NO TRACE at all of a struggle. Little Tracey is the apparent third victim of the kidnapper; of the first two girls, one is dead and one is barely alive.

Detective Chief Inspector David Brock and Detective Sergeant Kathy Kolla head the investigation into the serial kidnapper case, but emphasize the importance of concentrating on rescuing the child. They are both appalled by Gabriel's reaction. Known for his work the "Dead Puppies" that gruesomely depicts the suicide of his wife five years ago, the abduction inspires him to begin a project depicting Tracey's kidnapping as the center of his upcoming exhibition of his works. He becomes a suspect, with the motive being to recapture his moment of fame while he obviously had opportunity and the no struggle hints of someone the girl knows, but the two cops also look at other individuals in this closed bohemian artistic society.

The strength of this superb British police procedural resides with the support cast, as Barry Maitland vividly describes the artist community, who to the two cops seem offbeat, especially the victim's father. Readers will be fascinated in a macabre way with Rudd's reactions, as he sees his daughter's danger as an exploitation opportunity, which has the audience wondering if he is that unfeeling, the culprit, or the ultimate capitalist.