She Treads Softly: Nothing Left Behind

Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Nothing Left Behind

Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan
4/23/26; 384 pages
Avon Books
Detective Liz Field #2

Nothing Left Behind by Hannah Brennan is a highly recommended procedural and the second novel in the series featuring Detective Liz Field.

After years of calling the emergency services number, Anne Evans was labeled a nuisance caller. She repeatedly called claiming that 'he' was going to burn her alive, so when yet another call was made it was assumed to be more of the same. This time, however, it was true. Detective Hunt was first on the scene and ran in to the burning house to save Anne and would have died if next door neighbor Ed hadn't pulled him out of the house. Ed and his wife Rosie were close with Anne and the fire left them homeless. After the fire was under control, Anne's body was found inside but then the home collapsed, making the investigation more complicated for DCI Liz Field and her team. Once the investigation confirms it was arson, it continues to become even more unsettling.

This is a well-written, intriguing procedural that unfolds at an even pace as the investigation into the fire begins. The tension rises and becomes disturbing as the investigation begins uncovering information and Anne was targeted due to her vulnerable position. It follows a logical line of reasoning and all clues and information are followed up on by the team. There are also some twists along the way

The narrative is told through several points-of-view, including Field, Ed, and Hunt. All of the characters resemble real individuals, including Anne, as the plot unfolds. Liz is a great, fully realized, intelligent character. She comes to life in this novel. Even though this is the second novel in the series, it can be read as a stand alone novel.

Nothing Left Behind is a great choice for those who enjoy detailed, methodical procedurals and everyone who has read the first book in the series, No Safe Place. Thanks to Avon Books for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

No comments:

Post a Comment

John Updike's six rules for reviewing:

1. Try to understand what the author wished to do, and do not blame him for not achieving what he did not attempt.

2. Give him enough direct quotation--at least one extended passage--of the book's prose so the review's reader can form his own impression, can get his own taste.

3. Confirm your description of the book with quotation from the book, if only phrase-long, rather than proceeding by fuzzy precis.

4. Go easy on plot summary, and do not give away the ending.

5. If the book is judged deficient, cite a successful example along the same lines, from the author's oeuvre or elsewhere. Try to understand the failure. Sure it's his and not yours?

To these concrete five might be added a vaguer sixth, having to do with maintaining a chemical purity in the reaction between product and appraiser.....Review the book, not the reputation.... Better to praise and share than blame and ban. The communion between reviewer and his public is based upon the presumption of certain possible joys in reading, and all our discriminations should curve toward that end.