Our book choice for June 2013 is Every Contact Leaves a Trace by Elanor Dymott. Alex is in his thirties, a solitary man who has finally found love in the form of his beautiful and vivacious wife, Rachel. When Rachel is brutally murdered one Midsummer Night by the lake in the grounds of their alma mater, Worcester College, Oxford, Alex’s life as he knew it vanishes.
Alex is a solitary London lawyer who is deeply in love with his beautiful wife, Rachel. When Rachel is brutally murdered one Midsummer Night in Oxford, all of his happiness vanishes.
The police investigation is initially hampered by the lack of any witnesses or physical evidence. However, Alex is determined to find his wife’s killer, and he begins his own investigation.
Alex soon learns that Rachel was involved in a secret project at Oxford University. The project was to develop a new type of forensic software that could be used to identify criminals from even the smallest traces of evidence.
Alex believes that Rachel’s murder is somehow connected to the project, and he sets out to find out more. His investigation leads him to a dark and dangerous underworld of criminals and corrupt scientists.
As Alex gets closer to the truth, he finds himself in increasing danger. He is threatened, followed, and even attacked. But he is determined to see justice done for Rachel, and he will stop at nothing to find her killer.
Along the way, Alex learns more about Locard’s Exchange Principle, which states that every contact leaves a trace. This principle is the foundation of forensic science, and it is what allows investigators to connect suspects to crimes.
Alex uses Locard’s principle to great effect in his investigation. He finds small traces of evidence that the police have missed, and he uses these traces to build a case against the killer.
Every Contact Leaves a Trace is a gripping thriller that explores the dark side of forensic science. It is a story of love, loss, and revenge, and it is a story that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
Themes
The main themes of Every Contact Leaves a Trace are loss, revenge, and the power of forensic science. The book explores the devastating effects of loss, and it shows how revenge can consume a person. But it also shows the power of forensic science to bring criminals to justice. The book is a powerful reminder that even the smallest piece of evidence can be used to solve a crime.
Special Thanks: Author Elanor Dymott was gracious enough to visit with LoveliestBookGroup.com and share her experience writing the novel and insight into publishing in today’s market.
Discussion Questions
- How would you describe the novel to someone who has yet to read it?
- Did you like Rachel? Did your opinion of her change by the end of the book?
- Who’s the bad guy? Anthony? Cissy? Or Harry, or Evie? Who carries responsibility for Rachel’s murder?
- What did you think of the ending? Did you want to know whodunit?
- Is Alex also an unreliable narrator? What did you make of his ongoing reaction to Harry and Evie’s version of events?
- Have you read any other books set in campus – Secret History etc – can you compare them to ECLAT if so?
- I really liked the image of Evie and her red jacket which perfectly summed up her personality. Were there any other images in the book that stayed with you?
- In what ways does this book subvert the traditional murder-mystery genre? In what ways does it sustain it?
- To whom would you recommend the book?