Without Trace

DI Geraldine Steel #20

by Leigh Russell

She opened her mouth to scream, but he slapped something across her lips. The gag tasted of salt and mould, rough sacking on her tongue. With a terrifying certainty, she knew she was going to die. DI Geraldine Steel knows people go missing all the time; sometimes because they don't want to be found. So when her partner Ian asks her to look into the disappearance of his football-buddy's girlfriend, her first instinct is to reassure him there's no need for concern. Until she's called to a suspected murder, and all her instincts tell her she's right about the identity of the victim. The young woman has earth and leaf mould and fragments of twigs in her long fair hair, her nose, her mouth, under her finger nails, clinging to her clothes. It's as if she'd been completely encased in earth. And yet she was found on the pavement, at the side of a suburban road, where she wasn't in contact with any soil or mud. Had she managed to escape a living grave? Without a crime scene, the investigation focuses on her boyfriend. But Ian insists his friend is incapable of murder, and Steel is torn. Without evidence, she knows their case is weak. But without evidence, can she let a possible killer go free? She needs to find out what really happened. Where did the assault occur? Why are there traces of DNA from two other unidentified sources on the body? What reason could there be to attack a popular young woman who never did anyone any harm? And why bury her body so carelessly that she was able to escape? Then another young woman is reported missing. Unless he has an accomplice, they have an innocent man in custody. And Steel is running out of time . . . A page-turning puzzle of a case with an unexpected final twist.

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery

345 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 3, 2023

About the author

Leigh Russell has sold over a million books in her Geraldine Steel series of crime novels. Published in English and in translation throughout Europe and in China, the Geraldine Steel titles have appeared on many bestseller lists, including #1 on kindle. Leigh's work has been nominated for several major awards, including the CWA New Blood Dagger and CWA Dagger in the Library.
Leigh has also written a trilogy featuring Lucy Hall, set in the Seychelles, Paris and Rome, and two standalone psychological thrillers.
Leigh serves on the board of the Crime Writers Association and chairs the judges for the prestigious CWA Debut Dagger Award.
She is represented by Bill Goodall.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

So I start this series at Book 20 ( via a comp win ) and so DI Geraldine Steel has a great following and a big past book history, whilst I think it would obvs be good to read the prev 19 it was fine as a stand alone and I was able to learn things needed to know throughout
I liked the main character and her attitude although maybe wasn’t appreciated as much by her superiors!
I enjoyed the short chapter’s
We find a serial killer is on the loose and the book is a good no nonsense police procedural that ticks all the right boxes and kept me reading, I did enjoy hearing the thoughts of victims and other characters in the story
A dark intriguing tale that was easy for me to ‘get into’ even as said prev that I joined in at Book 20

[Sue Plant · Rating 4 out of 5]

would like to thank netgalley and the publishers for letting me read this book

when girls go missing from york at first the police are mystified, there is no evidence of foul play no clue as to where they have been or where they have gone to..they are just missing

its not till a young girl who had gone missing turned up on the road side covered in dirt and unconscious that the police had something to work with but even then it didnt lead to anywhere

there only hope was dna....

a macabre read that gives you chills just thinking about it...

[Paula Learmouth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Book 20: DI Geraldine Steel. DI Steel's partner Ian has been ask if DI Steel could help find Lucy his friend Jason's girlfriend who has went missing. Even though Jason has reported Lucy missing, the fingers are still pointed at him, but DI Steel isn't as sure about it. While looking into the case DI Steel finds that there has been other girls gone missing, then a report of another girl that has got missing comes in. It's up to DI Steel and her team to find who's behind this and is there a connection with the disappearances. Leigh Russell has kept some of the characters from previous books, along with some new ones. I did find it a bit slower at the beginning, but it soon picked up and had me wanting to know more. Keep your eyes open for the end, i wasn't expecting what was coming.

[Dawn Marsanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly Columbo esque where we knew the perpetrator early on.
Solid police procedural and easy to read.

[Helen Frost · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I feel I am well acquainted with Geraldine and her team by this stage in the series but this one definitely had me chortling. This is absolutely the daftest reasoning for a serial killer I’ve ever come across but it made for a great light read and a good antedote for the stark and gruesome murder mysteries that I normally read. Leigh has a lovely easy to read manner and pace with her stories and some great descriptives, sometimes verging on over describing and trying too hard like your English teacher has given you a tutorial recently but nether the less it’s a goon one. It is a bit like looking at the book version of a detailed painting with loads of intricate detail as an overall experience.
As I mentioned, not too gruesome and a bit tongue in cheek so a nice cosy crime like Sunday night tv rather than a peek between your fingers scare fest, but it definitely has its place. I liked the slight twist at the end and the clues that alluded to us throughout, pointing us gently in the right direction. The developments in the lead characters’ personal life was good too, although I’m surprised, as a detective, she didn’t twig on sooner. Enjoyable, thank you.

[Angie F · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm sorry to say that I was a bit disappointed in this book and it has left me wondering if what has been a great series has had its day. One of the most enjoyable parts of any crime thriller for me is trying to figure out who the killer is so the fact that we know that person's identity from almost the first page really spoiled things for me. I also thought the motive for the killings was quite frankly ridiculous. Finally I was hoping that we had seen the back of Geraldine's parasite of a twin, Helena but oh no up she pops again like the proverbial bad penny and you just know she's going to start causing trouble for her very patient sister. I'd have knocked her on the head with a blunt object long before now. I think Leigh Russell needs to consider leaving Geraldine, Ian et al behind and trying a new series.

[Lizzie Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Inspector Ian Peterson has already told Geraldine Steel, his partner and fellow Detective Inspector in the York Police, about his concern for one of his teammates at his Five Aside Football team whose girlfriend, Lucy, has disappeared. This means that when a young woman is discovered unconscious and severely injured, with no immediate way of identifying her, Geraldine is prepared with a possible identification. Sadly, the young woman dies in hospital, but Geraldine is proved correct, the young woman does prove to be Lucy.

Ian’s friend, Jason, is the prime suspect, especially because Lucy was discovered close to the house they shared. The only other potential suspect is a former boyfriend of Lucy who she had recently met for a catch-up before he was due to emigrate to Australia. However, the police team soon establish that it was the former boyfriend who had dumped Lucy, which lessens his motive, and they then discover that the boyfriend had already left the country when Lucy disappeared, which means that Jason is their only option.

The police assume that Jason was jealous because Lucy had met with her former boyfriend but Jason denies this. Nearly everyone that the police interview insist that Jason is a pleasant, even-tempered young man and that he adored Lucy, and their relationship was sound. The only person who contradicts this is a neighbour who makes wild accusations about a violent quarrel, during which Jason had threatened to kill Lucy, however Geraldine thinks she is an attention-seeking, unreliable witness. Nobody can be certain why Lucy was found covered in soil, and they can only assume that her attacker had attempted to bury her but they do not know how Lucy escaped from this makeshift grave or the location of the original crime scene.

Geraldine knows she has to follow procedure and she can understand why her superior officer, Binita, is focused on trying to get enough evidence to charge Jason and keeps urging Geraldine to persuade him to confess. However, Geraldine is a detective who relies heavily on her instinct and this single-minded pursuit of Jason makes her feel uncomfortable, although she is aware that her attitude may be influenced by her fear that this investigation threatens to damage her relationship with Ian, who is not involved in the case but believes that Jason is innocent.

Even though a few young women have disappeared from York in the last few months nobody has linked these disappearances together. Soon after Lucy’s death, another young woman vanishes, and her student friends insist she would not have gone off without a word. Geraldine is deeply uncomfortable with her fellow detectives’ attempts to connect Jason with this new disappearance, added to which her intuition, honed by years of investigative experience, leads her to suspect that other people she has encountered during the investigation know more about the disappearances than they are admitting to the police. As the police pursue this investigation, more innocent people become collateral damage and one of Geraldine’s colleagues is taken hostage and is in imminent danger of dying at the hands of a dangerous, desperate man.

Without Trace is the twentieth book in the series featuring Geraldine Steel, a detective who often finds her finely-honed intuition in conflict with the official procedure and the attitudes of her superiors and colleagues. One unique feature of the Geraldine Steel police procedurals is that the author takes the reader into the minds of other characters, wrongdoers, suspects and victims, all of whom add different aspects to the narrative, which means that the reader knows far more than any of the protagonists. Without Trace is an intriguing, complex novel, which I thoroughly recommend.
------
Reviewer: Carol Westron
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)

[Alyson Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s hard to believe but this is book twenty in the series. Still each new story feels fresh and exciting, and this one is no exception! At the very start of the story, DI Ian Petersen is confiding to his partner DI Geraldine Steel that his friend Jason’s girlfriend Lucy Henderson has vanished without trace, and that this is now the fourth girl to have disappeared in recent weeks, just as the reader meets George, a killer who is happily working on his garden “project”, three girls already dead and buried, and a fourth just waiting to be put into the soil. Happy at least until he returns to the spot and finds his latest victim has escaped, and then in shock as he learns from his intensive care nurse wife that a girl was brought into her ward and later died from a head injury. He prays the doctors will see nothing suspicious in her death but it’s not long before Geraldine is called in to investigate the suspected murder. For Ian’s sake Geraldine desperately hopes she finds enough other evidence to prove Jason innocent and despite two possible other lines of enquiry, it’s not looking good for their prime suspect. Then another young woman is reported missing and the investigation is turned on its head as they realise they have no clues and have to face the possibility that a dangerous killer is still on the loose.
Although not essential, I would definitely recommend reading this series in order to get to grips with all the history which has shaped Geraldine’s life and career so far, including finding out she was adopted and helping her newly discovered birth sister escape the clutches of a drug dealer which led to her getting demoted from the rank of Detective Inspector to Sergeant as a result. She moved to York and found herself working for her former sergeant, DI Ian Petersen, the man she has secretly been in love with for a long time. Now a DI again herself, they are happily living together and for once everything is lovely for the pair, although she still bears the guilt of how her birth sister’s life has been so different and much harder than her own. Geraldine is as dogged and tenacious as ever, working well with the team but always listening to her very reliable hunches and going the extra mile to solve a case, even if it’s trying to prove someone innocent rather than guilty as in this story. This indeed is quite a dark tale as the gruesome gardener goes about his crimes and there was plenty of tension and suspense knowing what had happened and watching to see the detectives making sense of the evidence to catch up with a very bizarre killer. A smashing ending and another hit for this series!

[Tissie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cover: Not really my thing?

This is the summer of me picking up books mid-series!

Seriously? Yes. Without Trace is the fourth one in my personal non-chronological list, if I’m not mistaken, and also the twentieth of the DI Steel saga. Let’s see how it performed.

First of all, short chapters. I wasn’t expecting them when I started reading, and most of the times they don’t do much for me. Condensed action feels a bit weird and there’s a real risk of them being little more than glorified blurbs. Here, however, Russell does a spectacular job of handling them. Forget the blurbs, it’s all packed action—I’m impressed. The flow doesn’t suffer either, and that’s another point for Russell.

Well done. It’s hard to make me revise my lit standards.

Third point of view, a detail that never fails to cheer me up, and also well done. I really could follow Geraldine along! I don’t sympathize with her so much as a character, though; is that a problem? No. It takes a lot of talent to catch my attention and keep it engaged when I don’t feel any special connection with the main character. To be honest, I even prefer it. It’s easy to say, ‘oh, this is a great book’ when you identify with a character. Too easy. That’s not my jam. Give me a challenge.

No issues with grammar or syntax—thank you!

For once, I’m leaving the story arc as a last topic. Basic police procedural plot, interesting subplots, and I couldn’t ask for anything more, really. Procedural is not the right genre for experimenting. When I pick up a book with a DI as a protagonist, I want something solid. Anchored.

5 stars on GR

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story:
DI Geraldine Steel is back, and investigating the disappearance of a young woman. When Lucy Henderson is found unconscious in the street, and horrifyingly seems to have been buried alive, the investigation turns into a murder enquiry when she later passes away in hospital.

At first it seems like a simple case of a jealous boyfriend lashing out. But when another girl goes missing, and with Geraldine’s doubts of their suspect’s guilt, it seems there is more to this case than meets the eye…

My thoughts:
I’ve now read several books in the DI Geraldine Steel series, and always look forward to a new one coming out! “Without Trace” is, amazingly, the 20th novel in the series, and the story is as fresh as ever. I’m really enjoying seeing how the various characters’ lives progress, especially main character Geraldine. But equally, if you wanted to dip into this one as a standalone I think it would be absolutely fine, as the main plot — the murder of one woman, and the possible connection to several others missing from the same area — is a self-contained story.

Something I really enjoy in this series is the way the narrative moves between characters, and particularly when we see the story through the eyes of the suspects themselves. The story is not so much about the ‘who’, as the ‘why’ (and it’s a rather macabre ‘why’ in this case!), and how Geraldine and her colleagues can get to the truth. The case is wrapped up in exciting style, with a twist I didn’t see coming.

With an exciting revelation at the end of this book that looks set to change the character’s lives, I can’t wait to see where the story goes next!

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven't read a book featuring Geraldine Steel but I have once read one featuring a guy called Peterson which turned out rather well! I don't think that it mattered that the first Steel book I'm reading is no 20 in the series, I got the drift of her relationship with a fellow officer.

This book is set in York where a few girls have been reported as missing and the police are nowhere near finding them. Until a young girl goes for a night out with her friends and doesn't arrive home. Her boyfriend reports her missing and also alerts his friend who is a police officer whose girlfriend in turn is Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel. Then one evening a young girl totters along the road and a car pulls over and the driver propositions her which she refuses, he hits her across her face and she falls to the ground. He drives off. She eventually arrives in hospital and the police are alerted as she dies. She was one of the missing.

This poor girl is covered in leaf mould and dirt, has been hit on the back of her head which was a wonder that it didn't kill her, and has a slap mark on her face which the police take DNA from. Steel is called in to investigate her murder and to find a link with the other missing girls, if there is one. The book is divided up into quite small chapters which makes for fairly fast reading. It does gallop along, heading off to a garden centre and a nurse and a beautifully tended garden where everywhere plants and shrubs and a lawn are growing very well. Must be the fertiliser. A rather good read I think!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Without Trace is the twentieth book in the DI Geraldine Steel series by Leigh Russell. This series is a gripping collection of crime fiction novels that masterfully blends crime & investigation, detective/police procedure, suspense, and thought-provoking themes. With dynamic storytelling and intriguing characters, I was hooked from the get-go.
We follow Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel, who is a fiercely intelligent and deeply empathetic investigator. She is a cleverly crafted and fully realised individual with her own unique quirks and flaws. Ms. Russell beautifully balances Geraldine’s professional brilliance with some vulnerability and personal struggles, making her entirely ‘real’ and ‘relatable’. As the series progresses, we are further drawn into her world, where she pursues justice with unwavering determination, even as she grapples with her own burdens.
Each book in the series could be read as a standalone if you wanted, as each instalment presents a new, chilling case, often delving into the darker corners of human nature. But, having said that, I highly recommend reading the entire series from the beginning, as each instalment helps build a bigger picture of Geraldine Steel’s character, development, backstories, etc. And knowing all of that will definitely enhance your overall reading experience.
f you love stories with the perfect blend of psychological depth, thrilling mysteries, and emotional resonance, then this is definitely a series you will want to dive into.
Happy Reading…

[Bibliophileverse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leigh Russell is a master storyteller......

Without Trace by Leigh Russell is a fast paced thriller which serves us with the right amount of mystery in the plot. The opening scene at once grabs attention. The storyline is so engaging that I could not put the book down for a second. The plot focusses on murders and serial killers with lots of police procedures and action. The most interesting characters of the book are George and Andrew who are nasty and go to any extent concealing themselves. DI Geraldine's character is also interesting but the antagonists rule the plot. Reading it was like watching a police action drama on TV. But, while reading the book you need to remember very small details to get the crux of the story, especially, conversations between police and the accused. For me it was a fastest book ride I have taken.

Definitely, the book deserves 5 stars for such an exciting plot. Thanks to Random Things Tours for providing me with an opportunity to read and review the book.

Read more on https://bibliophileverse.blogspot.com...

[Naturalbri (Bri Wignall) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an intriguing thriller. It has all the great aspects of a fantastic thriller, with lots of detail, action, twists and a wonderful storyline. What makes this one really good? Well, it is more realistic. They don’t find things, suspects or evidence, straight away. They are led on a wild goose chase, sometimes even in circles and it means they are stressing all the while because they know every moment is another that could lead to another missing girl. If they get things wrong, people could be gone forever. It’s highly intense, very real and very gritty.
I loved all the characters and the different perspectives they were able to give us, as we selves into their chapters. I loved getting to see inside their minds and really try to understand ever angle of the situation.
Overall, and excellent book and one that tells me I absolutely must go and check out the rest of the series, and other books by Leigh.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Without Trace is the twentieth book and another another fantastic installment in the Di Geraldine Steel series by Russell.

The opening paragraph had me hook, line and sinker...it was time to catch a killer, or two!

Whilst having not yet read the whole series, I've read enough to become invested in Steel, her home life and her work.

Moderately paced, with short snappy chapters, Without Trace is a well written police procedural, there are some recurring characters and some new. So forget George and Mildred, this one's all about George and Linda, a seemingly normal couple who plant pear trees in their garden. And there's a huge aaah moment as the book finishes on a high note.

[Paul Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having read many DI Geraldine Steel books previously, I found this book very disappointing. The plot was ridiculous and I never once felt gripped enough to turn the next page. The writing style seemed so dissimilar to the previous books in the series; as if the author had suddenly turned back into an adolescent.
The many errors in the book itself, which should have been addressed at proof-reading stages: names were mixed up and there were passages that contradicted things that were said earlier on.
All in all, I wish I hadn’t read it.

[Barbara Deeprose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Love This Series

I have read every book in this series, and enjoyed this book as much as the first. DI Geraldine Steele never gives up, even when her bosses are anxious for a case to be closed quickly, Geraldine will not close a case until she is sure beyond doubt she has caught the right villain. This case is pure genius and has an unexpected twist at the end. Already looking forward to the next in the series.

[Alexandra Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is my first D/I Geraldine Steel case, which I read for my book club. Knowing who the perpetrator was from the beginning and the reasoning behind his drive to murder young women in York, was for me a bit ridiculous. Absolutely no tension, and somewhat annoying characters made this a disappointing read for me. Perhaps starting at book 20 in the series didn’t help, but after this, sadly I will not be rushing to read the previous 19.

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

First book I have read by this author and I really enjoyed it. We know who the killer is from the beginning but it was nice to see how the police found out who was. I liked the investigating process. I will definitely read more books by her.

[Mark · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Geraldine Steele series started promisingly and was a deserved success, but I haven’t enjoyed the later instalments. They seem to get bogged down in procedure and are quite dull reads. We know who the murderer is in ‘Without Trace’ and his motive for his actions is totally implausible.

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book 20 in the DI Geraldine Steel series. An easy read but a really weak plot. I just didn’t find it gripping and it was really unbelievable
Thank you to NetGalley and Bedford square publishers for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

[Suzanne Maughan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review on my blog: www.ginandbookish.wordpress.com

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Still love Geraldine Steel and was pleased that by the end of the book, the reason for her being under par was resolved as I wouldn't like this series to end yet.

[Pat Gagg · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a brilliant book. Very well written.

[Tracy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

[Alfredo González · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt intrigued at the beginning, but soon was disappointed... silly plot... unrealistic... I will stick to Non Fiction.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When her partner Ian asks DI Geraldine Steel to help his friend Jason look for his missing girlfriend, she has no idea of the complicated case this request will bring. Although her DCI Binita is convinced that, although the distraught Jason reported her missing to the police, he is main suspect in Lucy’s disappearance and tragic death. Geraldine is not sure. Several other young women have gone missing in the same area and she thinks the investigation should be broader. Then there’s another disappearance and Geraldine and her team are searching for one of the most disturbed killers ever.

The talented Leigh Russell has delivered another excellent thriller in Without Trace. Familiar characters, Geraldine, her sister Helena, Ian and Sam, mix with new. Suspense slowly builds in the complicated plot, leading to an electrifying conclusion with a surprise to be explored in the next in this outstanding series. 5 stars.

Thank yo to NetGalley, Bedford Square Publishers and Leigh Russell for this ARC.

[Vix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 20 in the DI Geraldine Steel series, but can be read standalone. I must admit that I prefer the covers on previous books with more of a silhouette (still the same publisher).

I loved how wacky the motive was for the murders - it was something completely different, and it was amusing to see how the killer justified it to themself. I also liked the added twist about the timeline which contributed to the confusion.

I struggled with the high ups attitude to focusing on a person rather than the evidence. There was also something with Geraldine that I realised straight away and don't know how she missed it.

Overall, the series is still going strong and offering up varied and interesting crimes to solve.

*I received a complimentary copy of the book from RandomThingsTours and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

[Shirley Sinha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new book in the Geraldine Steel series is always a treat. Leigh Russell has delivered another engrossing read. The murderer is revealed to the reader early on, although I find the reasons for the murders quite bizarre. The interest in the book lies in following Geraldine and her team as they piece together the clues to convict the right suspect. At the end of the book Geraldine reveals a piece of personal news that will no doubt be explored further in a forthcoming title. I can't wait!

Thanks to Netgalley, Bedford Square Publishers and Leigh Russell for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. Starting a Geraldine Steel book is like catching up with old friends and knowing you’re going to be enthralled by their news and boy did that happen in this, the 20th book in the series.
An intriguing main plot, with a very unusual motive for the murders and a development in the subplot that’s exciting but really no surprise as we’re given hints all the way through. For a brilliant detective Geraldine is a bit slow on the uptake in her personal life. That said the development will take her and Ian on a totally different path that I genuinely never thought they’d take and I’m so looking forward to joining them on it in the next book.