Framed! Luke Harding Forensic Investigator (Traces) [Paperback]

Malcolm Rose (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Luke has barely had time to celebrate his final exams when Malc, his Mobile Aid to Law and Crime, calls him to their first case. A fellow student has been mysteriously shot dead with an arrow. Two more grisly on-campus murders follow, and all the evidence points to Luke himself. The stakes are high as Luke sets out to prove his innocence and show that his crime-solving expertise isn't confined

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-8 -Luke Harding, a 16-year-old, newly qualified forensic investigator, is called in on his first murder case when fellow student Crispin Addley is found with an arrow in his heart. Malc (Mobile Aid to Law and Crime), a robot whose technological capabilities include X-ray, lasers and scanners, and an enormous database that can cross-check facts within seconds, helps Luke throughout his investigation. This futuristic novel has a thrilling plot and deadpan humor. Fans of Anthony Horowitz's "Alex Rider" series (Philomel) will enjoy following Luke's action-packed career in which solving crimes sometimes involves saving the world. Lost Bullet takes place in a future England, where London's infrastructure has been so long neglected that trees and vines have created a junglelike atmosphere amid the concrete and brick structures. Crime is rampant, and Luke narrowly escapes gunshots as a sniper shoots at him at the beginning of the novel. He picks up a clue that will help to unravel a murder investigation, again with the help of his trusty robot sidekick, Malc. Luke must infiltrate a dangerous cult called the Visionaries, whose views of medicine and use of violence to achieve their goals make them the perfect suspects. This is a suspenseful, thoughtful, and humorous addition to the series.-Elizabeth Fernandez, Brunswick Middle School, Greenwich, CT
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. Rose, a chemistry professor, makes the forensic science a gripping part of this entry in the new Traces series, set in a near-future world where Authorities raise kids in boarding school and everything is controlled by computer technology. With help from his computerized sidekick, Malc, newly graduated forensic investigator Luke Harding, age 16, takes on his first case--a murder in school, followed by two more killings. Unfortunately for Luke, all the evidence points to him as the villain. Who is trying to frame him? The sf stuff is minimal. Malc is basically the classic investigator's sidekick, and Luke is both bossy and ironic as he orders Malc to scan for evidence and draw on suspects' records. The school setting will grab teens, as will the grisly scientific detail, which dovetails smoothly with a story of friends and enemies, girlfriends and bullies. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 223 pages
• Publisher: Kingfisher (April 14, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0753458292
• ISBN-13: 978-0753458297
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,809,736 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Traces, Framed, April 29, 2008

By 

Belinda Strebel "Streebs Class" (IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Traces: Framed! (Paperback)

TRACES
BY: Luke Hayden

A young boy stands alone in the middle of an archery range waiting for one person. He look's over to his left, then to his right. He hears a low whistle and then feels a sharp pain in his chest. He looks down and sees an arrow in his chest. He utters a low moan and then drops dead.
When there's a mystery to solve the Authorities send in the best, Forensic investigator Luke Harding. Luke is sent in to investigate the death of one of the boys at his school. With Malc, Luke's Mobil aid to law and crime, he can check any crime scene for clues. With the Authorities breathing down his neck, Luke is running out of time. He needs to find out who did this and quick. But as Luke finds more and more about the killing he soon realizes that everything is not what it seems.
The Traces series are awesome mystery books. I literally can't put it down. It had me guessing for a long time who killer is. I was totally absorbed in by this amazing plot twisting series. I'm now gleefully reading the next Traces book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very good and certainly worth reading, September 6, 2005

By 

Gary H. Cassel "Flamingnet Teen Book Reviews" (Baltimore, MD, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Framed! Luke Harding Forensic Investigator (Traces) (Paperback)

In a futuristic Britain, Luke Harding is the youngest Forensic Investigator ever. On the day he is certified, Luke is assigned to a case that is too close to home. A student at the school he attends is murdered with an arrow, and the only fingerprints on the arrow are Luke's! With his robotic sidekick, Malc, Luke is equipped with everything he needs to deal with a world where people are `paired', cats and dogs are all but extinct, and people with white skin are jeered and teased. Luke must prove himself innocent of the series of murders that all point to him.

I enjoyed the book. Malcom Rose is clearly qualified to write the book, as he is a forensic teacher. The scientific facts are laced masterfully with an entertaining story. The only thing that the story lacks is character emotions. Though the development is fine, and we know exactly the disposition of each character, the feelings of the character leave a bit to be desired. All in all, the book is very good and certainly worth reading.

Reviewed by a student reviewer for Flamingnet Book Reviews
www.flamingnet.com
Preteen, teen, and young adult book reviews and recommendations

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fantastic Forensic Adventure, September 28, 2005

By 

Leslie Davis "Ame Kuro" (Somewhere in one of my many books) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Framed! Luke Harding Forensic Investigator (Traces) (Paperback)

I have to say this is one of my favorite books. Framed is a fictional story about a 16-year-old forensic investigator, the youngest in his time. This book combines the normal adventure storyline with forensic sparks. I personally enjoy the combination of the two fields. Malcolm's book will keep you guessing the whole time. He leads you along an exciting tale, not letting you know who did it until the very end.
I ended up trying to skip classes to read this book. I hope he comes out with many more stories.
I would recommend this book to any of you who love mysteries with some journey. If you like problems you should adore this book.