Race to Death

DS Ian Peterson #2

by Leigh Russell

When a man plummets to his death from a balcony at York races, his wife and brother become suspects in a murder enquiry. Meanwhile Richard is being stalked by a killer issuing death threats. Richard is reluctant to go to the police, for fear his own dark secret will be exposed. Newly promoted Detective Inspector Ian Peterson is investigating the death at the races when a woman's body is discovered. Shortly after that, Richard is killed. With three murders and no suspect, the investigation seems to be going backwards. Ian is determined to discover who is responsible. Afraid the detective is on his track, the killer abducts Ian's wife. Ian must solve the case to find her, before she becomes the next victim of a serial killer.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Fiction

378 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2014

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

[Jo Ring · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read quick chapters would make a good TV series.

[Vicki - I Love Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 2nd book featuring DI Ian Peterson. Who along with his wife Bev has moved to York for his posting as the newly promoted DI.

The book starts off with Ian being out and about in York with his delightful wife (nothing delightful about the miserable cow). When he gets a call to attend the scene of what it seems to be someone jumping from a balcony at York race course. It soon becomes apparent that this is not just a simple suicide and Ian is thrown into his first case in his new roll.
Along with all Leighs other books, I did enjoy this, and this is a series i will be watching out for and following. Leighs books are realistic and enjoyable.

An interesting read that will keep your attention throughout.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story and easy reading for two evenings. Now an Inspector, this is Ian Peterson's first case in York where he and Bev have recently relocated. A death at the York races and then two further murders in York itself have the police initially baffled. Ian cannot find a lead and is under pressure from the Chief Inspector and begins to doubt if his upward move was a good thing when he begins to piece together the clues. Then his wife Bev is threatened by the killer.

The Ian Peterson character comes over as rather distant and cold as a person and has little charisma. Will he ever fit into the team? Some of the final detection and putting together the evidence makes the reader feel that there might never be a conviction in the court.

I gave it a 4-star rating but on another day it might have been only 3.

[Chris Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well engineered plot with three seemingly unconnected murders. A bit slow and convoluted in the middle but a strong finish.

[Book Addict Shaun · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every prolific reader must have an author that has been on their TBR for ages and for me one of those authors is Leigh Russell. I have wanted to read her books for the longest time but have just never got round to it (despite there being some really good deals for them on Kindle). I wasn't therefore going to pass up the opportunity to take part in the blog tour for Race To Death and hopefully join Leigh's legion of fans. Plus if Jeffery Deaver likes her then she must be good, right? Definitely right.

Race To Death is the second book featuring DI Ian Peterson on his own however I believe he was also a part of the Geraldine Steel books. For someone who reads so many books it's impossible for me to always start a series at the beginning yet I didn't feel at a disadvantage here. Authors writing a series have the problem of continuing the story for returning readers but at the same time introducing new readers but not in a way that can bore people that already know the characters and Leigh has introduced Ian well here but continued his story too. Given that he has recently moved to York, there was a new, fresh feel to the book which is perfect for those new to Leigh's work.

Opening with the murder of a seemingly innocent man at York races I got stuck into the book immediately. I like books that don't hang around and get us straight into the action and this book definitely did that. It's definitely an interesting setting for a murder to take place and very easy to picture in your mind. Adrian is at York races with his wife and brother when he is pushed from a balcony, straightaway you wonder why and whether Adrian was picked at random or for some other reason. He certainly seems normal enough in the opening chapter. Given that the crime scene has next to no evidence Peterson and his new team have their work cut out and when more deaths occur involving what appears to be unconnected couples the plot thickens and the story really gets going.

Leigh has written a very readable book which at times can be very addictive so is definitely a read in a couple of sittings book. It's a very plot driven book yet very focused on Peterson as well, and his wife who unwittingly finds herself a part of this mystery but to say more would of course ruin the enjoyment of reading it for yourself. It's definitely a book that keeps you guessing right to the very end with a nice little twist to round things off. A winner from me. The setting of York was fantastic and given that I've never visited or read a book set there, there was a fantastic sense of place. You can tell Leigh is an author that researches what she writes about rather than guessing things, even if it's just the small things it's more enjoyable when a book just feels authentic. Also the storyline itself is very realistic, there's no over the top unbelievable scenarios. For that reason I think the book would work well as a TV show.

Starting a new series is always a risk for any author yet having finished this book I'd say it's definitely paid off for Leigh and I can't wait to read more. Luckily for me I've got Leigh's back catalogue to devour but for those that have read her previous work, pick up this book and enjoy.

Thanks to No Exit Press for the review copy.

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was unsure about the rating of this and felt it was only fair to give it a 4 (although I considered a 3 as there were things I disliked immensely). The Geraldine Steel series that Russell writes took its time to really come into its own and now as the 7th book approaches (next year I guess) it’s a brilliant series. I feel like it’s the same with this new Ian Peterson series. It’s a slow burner but have a feeling once we are 3 or 4 books in it will come into its own. It always difficult to split a series but Leigh Russell has managed to do that and Ian Peterson (who used to work for Geraldine Steel) now has his own series. This second book in the series starts off re-introducing the readers to Ian and his wife Bev. They have relocated to York due to Peterson getting promoted to D.I.

I’m going to start with the negatives, and yes I know I gave it 4 out of 5 but there were still things I didn’t like. First off, what is with Ian’s wife? I have never liked her, but for some reason she became even more irritating in this book. There is absolutely nothing to like about the woman and she grated on me from start to finish. Secondly, the book was a little bit slow in places and took some time to get going. I also feel like Ian is almost a novice at policing, which is odd because when he was working for Geraldine he was an amazing copper. Maybe this is him showing his lack of confidence, who knows.

Aside from those niggles the story kept me entertained as soon as it picked up its pace. The murders are plentiful starting with a guy at the races, and then it all seems to go downhill from there. I was a bit bewildered at the relationship with the widow of the first murder victim and the brother. There seemed so much potential and then it seemed to just disappear. We also see a man named Richard on the receiving end of some nasty threats from a stalker.

I certainly didn’t see the ending coming and was surprised at the turn of events. The second half of the book was much better and it seemed Leigh Russell got into her stride very quickly after that. Overall an enjoyable book but I’m looking forward to the next one much more.

[Carol Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky to get an advanced copy of this book by Real readers and I am so glad I did.
DI Ian Peterson who you may have met in other Leigh Russell books has taken up his promotion in York. He is new to the station and has to get to know the area and when his first case lands on his desk he can't wait to get started. A man has fallen to his death from the five story balcony at York racecourse right into the crowd below.Ian finds himself having to work out was it a suicide or accident. It seems to be neither as the man had been murdered. Whilst they seem to have a suspect in custody things just dont add up and then another body is found and he has another case, or does he? Ian feels the pressure of steering his team in the right direction whilst trying to placate his Chief Inspector who feels they should be looking elswhere.The killer however seems to be following the case closer than the police realise and it then takes a shocking twist as it gets closer to home.
Leigh Russell never fails to have me glued to her plots and the writing is so good you just carry on reading and really don't want to put the book down. Then she leaves you with yet another twist to ponder.
Great book.

[Blethering Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received ‘Race to Death’ from Real Readers and asked to provide an honest review. This is the third Leigh Russel novel I have read, and the first DI Ian Peterson novel. I have to admit it was nice to get away from Geraldine Steel, Leigh Russel’s original series, however, the writing style is too similar across all the novels and I am beginning to lose interest in this authors novels.

I enjoy psychological thrillers, and now and again a good murder mystery. However, I like a novel where you are continually guessing who is involved in the deaths, yet this novel I felt you did not get this aspect. There was not enough clues given throughout this book and I felt that I was given information that could not and did not lead me to any answers.

Leigh Russel has fantastic ideas but the writing style is not my ‘cup of tea’. There is just something ‘missing’ and this being the third novel I have read by this author I have to say those who enjoy interesting ideas over more in depth characters and story lines, this may be an author you enjoy. If character development is important then not so much.

This is a personal view, and I am not an avid murder mystery fan. Therefore, I do not have a wide range of authors to compare with in this genre.

For me this is a 2.5 out of 5.

[Claire Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Ian Peterson and his wife Bev have recently moved from Kent to York, following his promotion to Detective Inspector. Ian works in the Serious Crimes division and it's not long before the apparent suicide of an attendee at York races gives him his first case in his new role. The evidence soon reveals that this case is not as simple as it first appears, giving Ian considerably more clues to unravel and a killer to apprehend, before he can wrap up the case and hopefully impress his new boss in the process.


With an unimpressed Bev unsettled by the recent move, Ian fights to keep his head above water at work and at home, but the cracks soon begin to show as the corpses increase in number and the pressure builds. Can Ian crack the case and keep his marriage on track? There's a whole lot riding on this case and time is running out!


The fact that this is the second book in this series didn't diminish my enjoyment as it easily serves as a stand alone. The author's clever use of vocabulary brings protagonist Ian and his supporting characters to life as they play their different parts in this gritty crime thriller. Fast-paced and unrelenting, and with more than enough twists to keep the most demanding reader entertained, Race to Death certainly doesn't disappoint! 4.5/5*

[Keith Chambers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amateurish writing.

Main character needs to be more likeable and have more personality, quirks, etc. Writing very simple and rambling in parts. "She was holding a mug of tea and her hands shook making the cup clatter against the saucer" (or words to that effect. ?? Was it a cup and saucer or a mug?

[BARBARA D HILL · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very soft ending to a very average plot.Had I not read the full GS series as well as the previous Peterson opener then I'm not sure I would have seen this episode through to the end.
The ending seemed very disjointed and almost as though the author had lost her way and couldn't pull the ongoing investigation together.....just like the detective I guess.
With so many good detective series available today then I fear unless the third instalment isn't an exceptional read then I'm unlikely to continue with the series.
Such a shame because I have been a fan of Leigh Russell to date but can't really offer too many positives on this one.

[Gary Dowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The second solo outing for DI Ian Peterson sees the start of his relocation to York and as his wife struggles with the new situation , he's thrust into investigating a death at York race course, sending his work/life balance firmly towards the former. This is a nice uncomplicated piece of crime fiction with no complex sub plots or back stories to confuse things as Peterson battles and often fails, to keep his new boss and his wife in favour. Some good humour and interesting sub-characters make this a solid addition to the series.

[Joyce Rigg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great well written story that I would happily recommend. I knew who the killer was at least three times before the end, at which point I actually found out who it was. Plus there was a very satisfying twist. This book should have had 5 stars but I really couldn’t warm to DI Peterson, he came across as a rather unsympathetic character. However I am looking forward to the third in the series which will be my next read.

[Marlene H · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've enjoyed Leigh Russell's DI Geraldine Steel series so thought this would be of a similar standard. Unhappily, it wasn't. Pretty far fetched plot. Oft repeated info about newly promoted DI Peterson's domestic situation. And a finale that any real DI in his situation would have been excluded from.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot was good but for me the writing style was annoying and the procedural aspects of the police actions were sloppy and unrealistic. The main character DI Peterson worried far too much about his annoying wife and there was little interaction between him and the other investigators.

[butterflykiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

I can't read Leigh Russell books quick enough, they are so good. Housework and everything else has to wait 😉

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read in this series, looking forward to the next one in the series

[Ivana Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a bad book, but the killer is really obvious from about halfway through. A quick read though.

[Paul Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent Police procedural that rattles along at a fair pace.

[Annemarie Farthing · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in York 😃

[Tracey Honeyman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good solid 4 stars. Easy going thriller to catch a serial killer but with a twist.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

(actual rating 4.5)

Posted originally http://www.reviewedthebook.co.uk/2014...

Race to Death is the second book in the DI Ian Peterson series although I was reading it with no issues as a standalone novel. This is my first Leigh Russell book and I can almost guarantee it will not be my last. Through this book alone, I have become a massive fan of Leigh’s writing. Race to Death began with a man falling to his death at the York races. I was interested straight away and fascinated with how things might play out. Even though we’re thrown straight into the action, I felt like it was still a bit of a slow-burning beginning to the book. However, once the investigation began, I was tense, on-edge and completely hanging off Leigh Russell’s every word.

As Adrian is murdered from the balcony at a York racecourse, I immediately let my mind set to work and began trying to guess aimlessly at who could be involved. Did his wife and brother, also at the races, know more than they were letting on? If so or even if not, there were countless possible witnesses there on a busy day at the races so I was eager to know where this story was going to be taken. I thought Leigh’s writing was really brave and intelligent here because so many characters were there to get involved in the investigation but not once did I lose track, or think any links or ideas were implausible. It was compelling enough just to work out what I thought of each individual character and any motives they might have but Leigh made it all seem so realistic and the concept of the investigation felt thoroughly researched and developed. At times it was even quite eerily easy to imagine and I was gripped.

Adrian’s death wasn’t the only one and I loved every single twist for two main reasons – one because they kept an investigation going that I really did not want to end and two because they really kept me involved in the procedures of the investigation. I felt like I followed every step of DI Ian and his teams’ work – from the identifying of new suspects, finding possible witnesses, interviewing people, releasing people and identifying bodies. I kept on guessing as they tried to piece things together and I was so drawn into the plot that it was like I was working little things out alongside them as well as getting led round in circles and a little lost with them too. The pacing really picked up as the investigation went on and it was relentlessly fast, heightening my anticipation every time I turned to page as to what was to come next. I can’t go into the plot any more than I have done because this novel really has to be experienced for yourself. But I can say that Leigh’s writing of a murder investigation is utterly compelling, and fantastic, and you won’t want to stop reading until you have put together all the clues, discovered the red herrings and found out every motive and who’s guilty. Race to Death was a captivating novel and I absolutely cannot wait to read more from this author.


*Book gifted for honest review.

[Amanda Whitehead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second novel in the Ian Peters on range from Leigh Russell. This one starts off with 1 murder, then suddenly there's a whole load of other murders, seemingly unconnected..... His wife starts a new job, which seems great at first...... Leigh is great at having a twist right at the end!! Well worth reading! :)

[The Bookish Wombat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A newly-promoted and newly-arrived in town DI quickly has to deal with a mysterious death at a racecourse, while also trying to settle in to a new home and support his wife who is finding their new life difficult. The killer, however, does not stop at one victim so the pressure mounts on both the work and home fronts, leaving Ian Peterson struggling to make sense of what is going on.

Though I’ve read a couple of Leigh Russell’s books before they only rarely featured short appearances by Ian Petersen, the protagonist of this one. However, as this is only the character’s second spin-off book I don’t think I had a significantly diminished experience by knowing almost nothing about him when I started reading. I found him a very sympathetic character, exhibiting frailties of which many of us are guilty, and struggling with his work-life balance. It’s definitely a cliché that fictional coppers have problems with their marriages and/or other aspects of their home lives, but this portrayal felt realistic and something the reader could identify with. His wife Bev is equally well drawn and we see her struggle to orient herself in a new town, a new job, and coming to terms with the fact that she could be seen as less important in the marriage than Ian due to their basing their lives on his career path rather than hers.

The York setting of the book is interesting and the idea of a murder in a place as busy as a racecourse is intriguing. The book is very good on the procedural aspects of crime investigation in that it shows that what at first appears to be a credible lead can end up in a dead end. The pressure from more senior officers to make arrests quickly also has a realistic feel. If the book has a theme it’s that appearances can be deceptive, as time and time again individuals’ actions demonstrate a very different personality to their public persona.

This is the kind of book that you want to race through to find out how it comes out so it felt like a bit of a rollercoaster ride with the speed picking up in the last quarter. It’s very cleverly plotted and I certainly didn’t realise the direction it was going in until the author wanted me to. When I finished I was happy that all the loose ends had been tied up and there were no elements that felt overly contrived, so all in it was a well-written, diverting read. It may not live long in the memory, but I don’t think it aims to, rather it entertains while you’re reading it and whets your appetite for the books in the series that will follow.

[Jaffareadstoo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Race to Death, begins with a suspicious death at York Racecourse, which, for newly promoted DI Ian Peterson, starts a convoluted crime search. For Peterson, newly transferred to York CID, not only has to cope with a new detective team, but also with a crime scene which offers little in the way of clues or explanation. What then follows is a convoluted and complicated crime story which uses the initial crime scene as a starting block for other more complicated deaths. For Peterson and his team, there seems little correlation between the crimes but gradually truths are exposed and strands start to come together.

I enjoyed the story, it’s an easy read and yet the twist and turns are complex and well crafted and there are more than enough red herrings to keep you guessing until the end. The characterisation is particularly well done and I liked the way story started to piece together with just enough tension to keep the momentum alive. The ending of the story left everything nicely wrapped up but with the added promise of more to come from DI Peterson.

There is no doubt that the author is an accomplished crime writer, she has already had a successful run with her Geraldine Steel series of crime novels. It is interesting, now, to see her turn her attention to Ian Peterson who for so long worked in Steel’s shadow as her detective sergeant. In this, his own series DI Peterson is newly promoted and transferred from London to York. His wife Bev, also gets more of a starring role and as she learns to cope with living in a new town we get more of her personality, and start to piece together the dynamics of them as a couple.

This is the second book in the DI Ian Peterson series, and whilst it is more enjoyable to start the series at the beginning, it is by no means essential as the author provides enough clues to able to pick up the finer points of the back story.


My thanks to Real Readers and No Exit Press for my review copy of Race to Death.

[Charmaine Till · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first Leigh Russell novel that I've read and I was really looking forward to as it is set in one of my favourite cities, York. The plot gallops along at a fast pace and the different strands of the story intertwine to create plenty of intrique and suspense. Along with a few red herrings to keep you guessing and with a nice little twist towards the end that I hadn't seen coming, this book keeps you on your toes.
From the intriguing beginning set against the vivid backdrop of a racecourse on race day, the story unfolds at a great pace and grips until the end.
Ian has moved and is getting used to a new set of colleagues and living in a new place. The relocation throws up challenges for Ian. In particular a new boss who expects results and doesn’t let up on the pressure when she doesn’t get them, and a wife who feels uprooted and discontent in her new environment.
In this case, DI Peterson is up against a criminal with a very complex and unusual MO indeed. Peterson and his colleagues have to solve a series of murders that seem to make no sense and have no link and, as the days tick by with no progress, pressure mounts.
Overall, I found this a great read. Ian Peterson is a likeable main character and his new sergeant, Ted Birling, provides a great foil and York a great setting.

[Beth Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

my tastes as reader often ebb and flow with the current state of my emotional and physical existence. however, i find that regardless of mood or current interest i never shy away from the genre of mystery. i have always been a glutton for a good puzzle and while a good mystery writer makes you work, it is always such a satisfactory end if they can keep you completely stumped until the end.

while leigh russell is already an established craftsman in the world of intrigue, i had not been privy to her work until i had the opportunity to read race to death. from the very first paragraph i found myself immersed in the throes of a murder investigation that just defied explanation. one death quickly spirals to two, three....and i found myself trying, in vain, to connect the dots and expose the killer. i fear expounding more as this is a book i would highly recommend to an aficionado and i would be loathe to accidentally divulge a huge plot twist.

if you'd like to get lost in a well written british murder mystery, then leigh russell is definitely for you. i can hardly wait to revisit her world myself, as she has a library of past and upcoming works to explore.

as always, these are my opinions based on my preferences as a reader.

[Literati Literature Lovers · Rating 5 out of 5]

my tastes as reader often ebb and flow with the current state of my emotional and physical existence. however, i find that regardless of mood or current interest i never shy away from the genre of mystery. i have always been a glutton for a good puzzle and while a good mystery writer makes you work, it is always such a satisfactory end if they can keep you completely stumped until the end.

while leigh russell is already an established craftsman in the world of intrigue, i had not been privy to her work until i had the opportunity to read race to death. from the very first paragraph i found myself immersed in the throes of a murder investigation that just defied explanation. one death quickly spirals to two, three....and i found myself trying, in vain, to connect the dots and expose the killer. i fear expounding more as this is a book i would highly recommend to an aficionado and i would be loathe to accidentally divulge a huge plot twist.

if you'd like to get lost in a well written british murder mystery, then leigh russell is definitely for you. i can hardly wait to revisit her world myself, as she has a library of past and upcoming works to explore.

as always, these are my opinions based on my preferences as a reader.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Leigh Russell novel that I've read and I was really looking forward to as it is set in my home county of Yorkshire and in one of my favourite cities, York. The plot gallops along at a fast pace and the different strands of the story intertwine to create plenty of intrique and suspense. Along with a few red herrings to keep you guessing and with a nice little twist towards the end that I hadn't seen coming, this book keeps you on your toes.
I would have given this book five stars had it not been for the fact that I'd already worked out who the murderer was long before the end and I'm sorry to say that I found Bev, the main character's wife, really annoying and not very savvy considering she's the wife of a detective. That said I found this a satisfying read and would definitely read more in this series.
If you enjoy fast paced stories which are easy reading then give this a go.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read Leigh Russell's crime novels from the beginning with 'Cut Short.' Her characters have evolved slowly, as in life, you get to know people gradually. This has given them depth, particularly in this book 'Race To Death.' Leigh doesn't just have the despairing wife shaking her head as she throws the overlooked dinner into the kitchen bin and then it's a case of now let's get back to the crime story. No we get to know D.I. Ian Peterson's wife and the complexities of their marriage which has been further impacted by their relocation from Kent to York.
The book opens at York races and the writer skilfully gives the reader a great sense of place in how she describes the scene of the crime and the series of events that followed. I have enjoyed all of Leigh Russell's novels and like her characters she has also evolved from a good to a great writer. It was an effortless read, and I'm looking forward to her next Ian Peterson or Geraldine Steel story.