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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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.
Luke Harding is a forensic investigator and is given his first case and must solve the mystery of the deaths in his school where he is the main suspect. He has Malc, his robot partner to help him along. Luke struggles to catch the killer before he strikes again.
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.
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.
“Browsers and young students alike will enjoy these lively question and answer books with their unique mix of realistic illustration and engaging cartoons. The enticing questions will amaze, amuse and inspire, while the highly visual format encourages kids to keep reading.”- Malcolm Rose
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?
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.