Reading order
| # | Title | Published | Author | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Framed! | 2005 | Malcolm Rose | Buy |
| 2 | Lost Bullet | 2005 | Malcolm Rose | Buy |
| 3 | Roll Call | 2005 | Malcolm Rose | Buy |
| 4 | Double Check | 2006 | Malcolm Rose | Buy |
| 5 | Final Lap | 2007 | Malcolm Rose | Buy |
| 6 | Blood Brother | 2008 | Malcolm Rose | Buy |
| 7 | Murder Club | 2013 | Malcolm Rose | Buy |
The Traces series by Malcolm Rose is his most well-known work. Set in a future version of Britain, the books follow Luke Harding, a teenage forensic investigator who is paired with a robotic assistant called Malc. Together they take on criminal cases that require careful scientific analysis to solve. The first book, Framed!, was published in 2005, and the series ran for seven installments through to Murder Club in 2013.
Each book presents a standalone mystery while building on the world and characters established in earlier entries. Luke uses real forensic techniques like DNA analysis, toxicology, and ballistics, which gives the series an educational side without slowing down the stories. The books have been popular with young adult readers and are frequently recommended for school libraries.
Rose’s background in chemistry gives the science in these books genuine credibility. The Traces series is a good starting point for readers new to Malcolm Rose’s work, especially those who enjoy crime fiction with a scientific angle.