Traces series
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article does not cite any references or sources. (September 2007) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. |
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.
Contents |
[edit] Alternate England
The books are set in an alternate version of England, reversing the traditional roles of "The North" and "The South". Rose has changed the country so that "The North" is the centre of culture and excellence whilst "The South" including such famous cities as London and Cambridge is a slum: thriving with crime and home to most of the country's prisons etc. Birmingham has also changed to become the capital.
Another of the most noticeable differences is the "Authorities" and the control they have over the population. From age five, when all children are separated from their parents and sent to school, the Authorities are the most important thing in your life. When you reach the age of twenty, it will be the Authorities who will decide who you will be "paired" with. The selection will pair two people of the same age and in similar professions (eg. scientist with scientist) to ensure any children produced will be of similar mind (eg. a scientifically minded child). Feelings play no part in the selection and the entire decision is made by the authorities, even without agreement of those paired
A recurring theme in all books so far is Luke Harding's dissatisfaction with Pairing Committees. 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 and unclear, but seemingly unlikely. However Jade has played a significant part in multiple stories, but for the most part Luke works in the Southern slums of London, whereas Jade stays in the central North.
There are many other, often minor differences betweens the Traces world and the real world. For instance, 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 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 Year 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] Lost Bullet
Luke struggles to solve his latest case, where the bullet is lost in a rain soaked crime scene.He finds himself in the midst of a supremist "Brown" society as he searches for a serial killer.We are also introduced to Owen Goode.
[edit] Roll Call
In Roll Call Forensic Investigator Luke Harding and his Mobile Aide 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
In Double Check Harding and Malc (his Mobile Aid to Law and Crime) must investigate possible corruption in a "Pairing Committee" whilst trying to prove a young boy is innocent of murder. He also continues to struggle to allow the Authorities to pair him with musician Jade Vernon.
[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 hosiptal. He finds his long-lost father there in connection with the crimes. Luke is then named a suspect because of his DNA matching.
[edit] Footnotes
- ^ Isaacs, Kathleen (2/1/2006). It’s a Big World After All. School Library Journal. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
His father is accused of the crime because of his matching DNA
