Traces series
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Traces is a series of novels written by author Malcolm Rose, about the adventures of Forensic Investigator Luke Harding and his Mobile Aid To Law And Crime, Malc. The first book, "Framed!" has been selected by the United States Board on Books for Young People and the Children's Book Council as an Outstanding International Book for 2006.[1]
So far six books of the series have been released, the newest published in 2008. Traces is currently discontinued by Macmillan publishing, who took over the series when they bought Kingfisher publishing
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[edit] Alternate England
The Traces universe is explicitly located in a future England, where the decayed and semi-abandoned South is supported and feared by the vibrant, successful North.
The country is run by the un-named and generally benign Authorities, who remove children permanently from their parents at the age of five, to be raised in residential schools until they reach the age of fifteen. At this time they will take up the employment they have been training for. Adults are paired for life at the direction of the Authorities: partners are selected by local Pairing Committees based on age and aptitudes. The pairing is generally announced in mid-teens and Pairing takes place at the age of twenty. Most people are content to accept the direction given, but a recurring theme in all books so far is hero Luke Harding's dissatisfaction with the Pairing Committee system. As a scientist, when he reaches twenty he is to be paired with biologist Georgia Bowie despite his wish to be with musician and close friend Jade Vernon. Their struggle to be together is a central part of several of the storylines. Whether they will be paired is uncertain, but seemingly unlikely. Jade has played a significant part in multiple stories, but as a Forensic Investigator, most of Luke’s work is in the Southern slums, while Jade’s work is in the cultural centres of the North.
There are other differences betweens the Traces world and the real world. For instance, the reader gradually realises that other than a few, rare, white-skinned people, most people have brown skin. This reverses the traditional idea of racism because it is the white people who are the minority.
There is also the fact that common pets such as cats and dogs are endangered animals and that smoking cigarettes is illegal. Also, children select their future jobs in their eighth year of education, similar but not the same to a present-day Year Eight or Nine student's "Options" where he or she picks his or her GCSE subjects, specializing on a more general scale.
[edit] Novels in series
[edit] Framed
Luke Harding is a newly-qualified forensic investigator; he is given his first case, to solve the mystery of the deaths in his school - where he himself is the main suspect. He has Malc, his robot partner to help him along. Luke struggles to catch the killer before he strikes again.
[edit] Lost Bullet
Only 16 years old, Luke Harding is the youngest person ever to qualify for the position of the forensic investigator. In the slums of London, Luke and his robotic sidekick, Malc, investigate a doctor's murder. They find a bullet wound to her head, but rain has washed away the bullet and the rest of the clues. As more innocent victims die, pressure builds on Luke and Malc to find the culprit before the bizarre shooting spree becomes a complete massacre.
[edit] Roll Call
In Roll Call Forensic Investigator Luke Harding and his Mobile Aid to Law and Crime (Malc) discover that someone has been killing women sharing the same name. Luke is again forced to put his detective skills and scientific knowledge to the test to solve the baffling mystery.
[edit] Double Check
Everton Kohter is awaiting execution for murder when Luke Harding is tipped off that he is innocent. Luke wants to reopen the case, but the Authorities want him to investigate a suspected pairing committee fraud instead. Against the ticking clock, Luke and Malc chase all leads, including a freak electrical storm, a plane crash and several more murders.
[edit] Final Lap
Luke Harding will need all of his skill and resources to tackle his action-packed fifth case. Set in the highly competitive world of professional track and field, Luke and Malc are tested to their limits with a series of intriguing, mysterious events. Pushed to the edge, can Luke beat his opponent to the finish and solve the case before something else goes wrong?
[edit] Blood Brother
Luke and Malc discover a large number of fatalities at a hospital. He finds his long-lost father there in connection with the crimes. Luke's father is then named a suspect because of his DNA matching traces found in all of the victims rooms.
[edit] References
- ^ Isaacs, Kathleen (2/1/2006). "It’s a Big World After All". School Library Journal. http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6302985.html. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
