No trace by Michael Trant

After following Gabe Ahern in the thrilling Wild dogs by Michael Trant I was eager to find out what had happened to him, after the cliff-hanger ending in that novel. He is on the run after leaving many villains dead, hiding out on Goldmont Station in the Pilbara, the home of a pastoralist friend. When the station is opened to tourists, Gabe becomes increasingly paranoid, wondering if one of the newcomers is out to kill him, especially as the brother of one of the men he killed is out of prison. When a helicopter he is supposed to be on falls from the sky, communications drop out and a tourist is found dead, his fears could prove correct. And to make matters worse a flood has completely cut off the roads out of the property, leaving everyone isolated. Who can he trust? Who will be the next to die?

No trace is another tense, exciting novel with a terrific outback setting. The problems of isolation for a small community when floods occur and loss of internet and phones make getting help impossible are vividly described by Trant. A child falling down a well and the desperate attempts to rescue him kept me glued to the page. It was easy to relate to Gabe and his companions as they struggled with life in the bush, while haunted by the likelihood of having a murderer in their midst. Gabe needs to keep his wits about him as he investigates the murder.

This is a fast-paced thriller with engaging characters and some surprising twists and turns that make it difficult to put down. I look forward to more novel starring Gabe Ahern.

Themes: Thriller, Murder, Floods, Outback Australia.

Pat Pledger