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DI Geraldine Steel #7
Killer Plan
Caroline's husband is killed, but she can't turn to the police without implicating herself in his murder. When one of her 10-year-old twins is kidnapped, the desperate mother is forced to resort to drastic measures to get him back. As time runs out, and a second body is discovered, Geraldine realises she has a secret that might just help solve the case. But the truth could destroy her career. Faced with the unenviable decision of protecting herself or the widow she barely knows, Geraldine must grapple with her conscience and do the right thing before the death count mounts any further.
320 pages, Paperback
First published December 19, 2014
73 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Russell
70 books333 followersLeigh 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
May 3, 2018
Same character same story
I've read all these up to now but have to admit this is the last. Storyline is dragged out, plotline so obvious you can skip two thirds of the books. Surely all female police officers aren't this pathetic in real life?
I've read all these up to now but have to admit this is the last. Storyline is dragged out, plotline so obvious you can skip two thirds of the books. Surely all female police officers aren't this pathetic in real life?
April 5, 2019
Another adventure in the Inspector Geraldine Steel series sees the detective investigating a brutal murder when a father of twins is found battered to death in his garden. Was he playing away and whet is his wife up to. For that matter what is Geraldine up to when her colleague DI Nick Williams is found dead.
Three deaths and a kidnapping should be enough for crime fanatics and there are enough twists to make this a an enjoyable if not a memorable read. The Chief Inspector makes a frustrating character as he seems against everything that Geraldine does until the end and then makes series errors of judgement himself.
3stars.
Three deaths and a kidnapping should be enough for crime fanatics and there are enough twists to make this a an enjoyable if not a memorable read. The Chief Inspector makes a frustrating character as he seems against everything that Geraldine does until the end and then makes series errors of judgement himself.
3stars.
January 22, 2016
I have been a long standing fan of Leigh Russell’s but her last Geraldine Steel book left me feeling like something was missing. This latest book was certainly a more enthralling read but I still feel like Geraldine is missing something. In the early part of the series she worked alongside Ian Peterson (who has now moved away and has his own series of books). In her last book we see her new colleagues Sam and Nick a little more but that didn’t sit right with me either. In this latest release, things are a mixed bag for Geraldine.
Caroline is Mother to two 10 year old twin boys and an innocent day at the park turns her world into a living nightmare. When her husband is murdered she cannot turn to the police without putting herself firmly in the frame. With Geraldine working the case things quickly unravel and then before you know it a second body is discovered. The readers are also getting to see Geraldine’s personal life uncovered a little more. I must say I was nowhere near prepared for some of the events in this book, but they were a welcome surprise.
Overall I definitely think the story and writing is back with a vengeance from Leigh Russell, however there is still that nagging feeling. It feels like Geraldine is listlessly meandering through her own life and there is nobody by her side, whether that be a colleague or lover. Maybe that’s what it feels like? She has moved to London and aside from her colleague Sam who didn’t make much oif an appearance in this book she has nobody. Her sister and niece make a brief appearance but aside from that she seems a little lonely.
Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed this series to date and am looking forward to reading the next one which is ready on my Kindle, entitled Murder Ring.
Caroline is Mother to two 10 year old twin boys and an innocent day at the park turns her world into a living nightmare. When her husband is murdered she cannot turn to the police without putting herself firmly in the frame. With Geraldine working the case things quickly unravel and then before you know it a second body is discovered. The readers are also getting to see Geraldine’s personal life uncovered a little more. I must say I was nowhere near prepared for some of the events in this book, but they were a welcome surprise.
Overall I definitely think the story and writing is back with a vengeance from Leigh Russell, however there is still that nagging feeling. It feels like Geraldine is listlessly meandering through her own life and there is nobody by her side, whether that be a colleague or lover. Maybe that’s what it feels like? She has moved to London and aside from her colleague Sam who didn’t make much oif an appearance in this book she has nobody. Her sister and niece make a brief appearance but aside from that she seems a little lonely.
Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed this series to date and am looking forward to reading the next one which is ready on my Kindle, entitled Murder Ring.
January 29, 2015
Having read and enjoyed the previous two books in this series (I missed the first few), I was looking forward to catching up with Geraldine Steel.
Leigh Russell does write well, but throughout this story, I found it very difficult to get over just how far-fetched the plot line is. I know that the truth is often stranger than fiction, and there are some pretty awful and strange crimes committed in the real world, but the reactions of some of the lead characters in this story just didn't feel right to me.
I really like Geraldine Steel as a character and I enjoy the way that her story is evolving, and wonder if the author maybe concentrates more on that than on the actual crimes in the story?
This is a very complex and at times confusing story, although I did read it to the end and it's an easy read.
Leigh Russell does write well, but throughout this story, I found it very difficult to get over just how far-fetched the plot line is. I know that the truth is often stranger than fiction, and there are some pretty awful and strange crimes committed in the real world, but the reactions of some of the lead characters in this story just didn't feel right to me.
I really like Geraldine Steel as a character and I enjoy the way that her story is evolving, and wonder if the author maybe concentrates more on that than on the actual crimes in the story?
This is a very complex and at times confusing story, although I did read it to the end and it's an easy read.
May 21, 2021
This is the worst book of this series so far. I'm never a big fan of Columbo-style thrillers in the first place, but this is a pretty dull retelling of Hitchcock's 'Strangers on a Train'.
February 6, 2015
I was lucky to get this book as an advanced real reader copy and I just couldn't resist the pull of a Leigh Russell book.
This was a great novel and Leigh Russell writes in such a way that you really have to keep reading and feel bereft when the book is finished. Caroline is not appreciated by her husband and a chance meeting in a park with an old school friend changes her life in a way no one expected. Her husband is murdered and she finds herself unable to be honest with the police about what she knows and then one of her twins goes missing and she feels unable to tell anyone about this. There is a second body found and DI Geraldine Steel finds herself in an equally awkward place. How can Geraldine investigate the second murder without telling what she knows and where is the twin who's father has been murdered. Leigh Russell bring the people together in a subtle way and as the different cases come to a conclusion are the women going to tell what they know? A really good read and if you havn't read a Leigh Russell book before this is the place to start.
This was a great novel and Leigh Russell writes in such a way that you really have to keep reading and feel bereft when the book is finished. Caroline is not appreciated by her husband and a chance meeting in a park with an old school friend changes her life in a way no one expected. Her husband is murdered and she finds herself unable to be honest with the police about what she knows and then one of her twins goes missing and she feels unable to tell anyone about this. There is a second body found and DI Geraldine Steel finds herself in an equally awkward place. How can Geraldine investigate the second murder without telling what she knows and where is the twin who's father has been murdered. Leigh Russell bring the people together in a subtle way and as the different cases come to a conclusion are the women going to tell what they know? A really good read and if you havn't read a Leigh Russell book before this is the place to start.
February 18, 2015
Another novel with Geraldine Steel as the main character from Leigh Russell. another 5 star read with twists and turns along the way. A man is murdered in his back garden, the widow is evasive when questioned, her son, one of twins is kidnapped, again the widow is evasive and telling lies.
Meantime one of Geraldine's colleagues is murdered, someone she had a brief affair with and she omits to tell the truth to protect herself. Is this murder connected with the other, a window cleaner dies, is his murder connected?
This page turner does not disappoint. I am definitely a Leigh Russell fan.
Meantime one of Geraldine's colleagues is murdered, someone she had a brief affair with and she omits to tell the truth to protect herself. Is this murder connected with the other, a window cleaner dies, is his murder connected?
This page turner does not disappoint. I am definitely a Leigh Russell fan.
July 22, 2018
I still think that Geraldine is irritating and aggravating...see my review of 'Cut Short' which is number 1 of the series. This is number 7 and she really needs to 'grow a pair' and also grow up!
I guess I keep reading them because I bought several on sale and the plots are usually interesting.
I guess I keep reading them because I bought several on sale and the plots are usually interesting.
January 28, 2022
I think the book overall was a good crime novel. The fact that the chapters were fairly short and jumped between the characters perspectives was a great way of painting a well rounded view of what was going on.
I think my major reservations with this book is how it gave off the impression that it would be centred more on the narratives of the two leading women, Caroline & Geraldine, but I think the book could have done a better job on focusing on them.
For example, when Ed goes missing, Caroline is basically reduced to a distraught mother who just lies to people around her and does very little to take things into her own hands. Part of me expected her to act a bit more reckless when she chose to defy Brian, or go insane or something. I just feel like more depth could have been created around her character development. Even if it resulted in her dying to save her son, I just feel that it would have been more believable, exciting and provided an element of unpredictability needed. I do understand that this would have come at the detriment of hearing Brian’s story but at the same time, he was the serial killer, as a reader I’m more invested about the victims and thus what Caroline was gonna do and frankly she didn’t do enough.
Secondly, (I must preface that I haven’t read the other books in this series so this is purely a first impression based on this book) I hate how Geraldine’s story became consumed over her one night stand with Nick. From my first impression of Geraldine, she was a bad ass detective who was sick at her job and fully committed to it, to the point where she barely had a life outside of it. So when her and Nick started to develop some form of a relationship beyond the workplace it made sense. Often you become close to your colleagues as you spend so much time with them. However, I did not expect essentially a one night stand to screw her up so much that it affected her work. It was even worse when it felt as though her whole storyline just became lusting over a relationship with a married man which would have realistically never happened. I understand that their sexual relationship may have clouded her judgement and feeling in the short term but for the whole book? Honestly, it actually started to piss me off toward the end. It’s not like they had a full blown affair and as she even acknowledged in the book, she was one of many victims in the office swooned by his charms. I just don’t like how the book gave us a bad ass character which we could have explored more, especially in regard to the effect her unhealthy relationship with work was affecting her personal relationships, her ability to spend time with her family or even her ability to find her birth mother. There were so many interesting and complex areas of her character which could have been explored within that realm but most of it was left up in the air because of a stupid fling with her womaniser colleague.
I don’t want to assume but in both cases our leading ladies have just been reduced to certain assumption/ characterisations of women e.g. a passive damsel in distress and a lovesick, selfish home-wrecker. I just hope that this wasn’t the case. However, if this was an unintentional mistake, I hope authors can find ways to make women in their books their own people who don’t need ‘saving’ (often by men) in order to be seen as valuable. Obviously, women are entitled to be whoever and fulfil whatever role they do especially if it adds or provides context to the story, however in this book, it gave us the impression that they had or would act in a very different way to how they were actually portrayed in the book.
Overall, the book was a decent read. I think I became impatient toward the end and just wanted to know what happened especially because I had figured things out e.g. Nick being the one who had an affair with Brian’s wife super early on. The biggest surprise was Eve killing herself at the police station to be honest. Having said that, it did keep me hooked to keep reading through to see how everything would pan out.
I think my major reservations with this book is how it gave off the impression that it would be centred more on the narratives of the two leading women, Caroline & Geraldine, but I think the book could have done a better job on focusing on them.
For example, when Ed goes missing, Caroline is basically reduced to a distraught mother who just lies to people around her and does very little to take things into her own hands. Part of me expected her to act a bit more reckless when she chose to defy Brian, or go insane or something. I just feel like more depth could have been created around her character development. Even if it resulted in her dying to save her son, I just feel that it would have been more believable, exciting and provided an element of unpredictability needed. I do understand that this would have come at the detriment of hearing Brian’s story but at the same time, he was the serial killer, as a reader I’m more invested about the victims and thus what Caroline was gonna do and frankly she didn’t do enough.
Secondly, (I must preface that I haven’t read the other books in this series so this is purely a first impression based on this book) I hate how Geraldine’s story became consumed over her one night stand with Nick. From my first impression of Geraldine, she was a bad ass detective who was sick at her job and fully committed to it, to the point where she barely had a life outside of it. So when her and Nick started to develop some form of a relationship beyond the workplace it made sense. Often you become close to your colleagues as you spend so much time with them. However, I did not expect essentially a one night stand to screw her up so much that it affected her work. It was even worse when it felt as though her whole storyline just became lusting over a relationship with a married man which would have realistically never happened. I understand that their sexual relationship may have clouded her judgement and feeling in the short term but for the whole book? Honestly, it actually started to piss me off toward the end. It’s not like they had a full blown affair and as she even acknowledged in the book, she was one of many victims in the office swooned by his charms. I just don’t like how the book gave us a bad ass character which we could have explored more, especially in regard to the effect her unhealthy relationship with work was affecting her personal relationships, her ability to spend time with her family or even her ability to find her birth mother. There were so many interesting and complex areas of her character which could have been explored within that realm but most of it was left up in the air because of a stupid fling with her womaniser colleague.
I don’t want to assume but in both cases our leading ladies have just been reduced to certain assumption/ characterisations of women e.g. a passive damsel in distress and a lovesick, selfish home-wrecker. I just hope that this wasn’t the case. However, if this was an unintentional mistake, I hope authors can find ways to make women in their books their own people who don’t need ‘saving’ (often by men) in order to be seen as valuable. Obviously, women are entitled to be whoever and fulfil whatever role they do especially if it adds or provides context to the story, however in this book, it gave us the impression that they had or would act in a very different way to how they were actually portrayed in the book.
Overall, the book was a decent read. I think I became impatient toward the end and just wanted to know what happened especially because I had figured things out e.g. Nick being the one who had an affair with Brian’s wife super early on. The biggest surprise was Eve killing herself at the police station to be honest. Having said that, it did keep me hooked to keep reading through to see how everything would pan out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 22, 2025
3.5 Stars
Killer Plan is the seventh 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…
Killer Plan is the seventh 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…
June 1, 2025
Caroline Robinson is in a stale marriage however when she's offered a way to make her husband jealous, she reluctantly agrees, however it goes much further and now Caroline finds herself in a situation that she cannot control and equally cannot involve the police!
This is book seven of the Geraldine Steele series and I was a bit surprised that it's been almost a year since I finished book six but the characters and their traits soon return to the memory as Geraldine and her team are struggling to make sense of an evolving situation where everyone seems to be avoiding telling the truth. Its a nice, easy read and enjoyable in the respect that the reader is privvy to plenty of facts that the police are yet to uncover. I did find one aspect of the storyline bit unlikely but all things considered, its a good police procedure read and a decent addition to the series.
This is book seven of the Geraldine Steele series and I was a bit surprised that it's been almost a year since I finished book six but the characters and their traits soon return to the memory as Geraldine and her team are struggling to make sense of an evolving situation where everyone seems to be avoiding telling the truth. Its a nice, easy read and enjoyable in the respect that the reader is privvy to plenty of facts that the police are yet to uncover. I did find one aspect of the storyline bit unlikely but all things considered, its a good police procedure read and a decent addition to the series.
November 25, 2023
I liked this book ( my first reading of any of the Geraldine Steel series) but saying that, it took me a while to get into it. Once I was about a third of the way through, the story took up some speed and although some parts of where the story was going were clear from the start there were a couple of things towards the end of the book that I hadn't seen coming.
September 13, 2023
Last one of the series for me. I’ve read the previous ones feeling that there’s something missing and the plot lines and the way the characters act don’t seem believable. Sadly this one was the worst so far and I won’t be reading any more
May 28, 2018
Fabulous read
Another great story line from Leigh Russell. Kept you on your toes right till the end and leaves the story open as to who will be the next dci???
Another great story line from Leigh Russell. Kept you on your toes right till the end and leaves the story open as to who will be the next dci???
October 26, 2021
This book was just too repetitive.
May 14, 2025
story was quite gripping, and I thought the ending was a little rushed.
October 12, 2023
7th book in the series & they just keep getting better. love the main character. great storyline with good twists.
January 25, 2015
Time taken to read - 3 days
Pages - 319
Publisher - No Exit Press
Blurb from Goodreads
Caroline’s husband is killed, but she can’t turn to the police without implicating herself in his murder. When one of her 10-year-old twins is kidnapped, the desperate mother is forced to resort to drastic measures to get him back. As time runs out, and a second body is discovered, Geraldine realises she has a secret that might just help solve the case. But the truth could destroy her career. Faced with the unenviable decision of protecting herself or the widow she barely knows, Geraldine must grapple with her conscience and do the right thing before the death count mounts any further.
My Review
Caroline Robinson is our opening character, a chance encounter with an old school friend finds her telling him of her woes at home. Mum to two twin ten year old boys and a philandering husband. When Brian reaches shows understanding, he has been there himself, and comes up with a plan to make her husband take notice of her she agrees. When he is murdered and Brian reveals exactly what he wants, Caroline finds her world turned upside down and thats just the beginning of it all. Her son is kidnapped and the police know there is more to this story than Caroline is telling. Then another body turns up, this time DI Steel knows something that could blow open the case however, revealing what she knows may ruin her career. Time is running out, a young boys life is at stake and Geraldine Steel must act before it is too late.
Firstly, at the beginning of the book before the tale starts, we have a wee glossary of acronyms which I loved. Sometimes there are so many titles and initials with the police it is hard to keep up with who is what, you can just flick to the beginning of the book and find what they are, just a wee thing I really appreciated.
This is a busy wee book, you have the murder, then a kidnap, then another body shows up and and affair with a married man. Geraldine Steel is still having issues from previous books with her birth mother and deciding if she should trace her although it is mentioned only briefly within this book. She has a lot going on in her personal life and some of the story focuses on this, there is a big investigation into Caroline's husbands murder however this tappers off and all attention is focused on the second body that is discovered. When her child is kidnapped she cannot get the police to take her seriously although she is erratic by this point.
The story goes along at a decent pace, you know from the beginning who the murder is and why he did it however the story takes a turn and keeps you interested. My biggest beef is the way the police behave, toward each other and their lack of ability to perform investigations and or listen to their colleagues when they make valid points about a case. In some aspects, not all but one or two points I had to suspend belief as I couldn't honestly see police allowing certain actions or lack of them. That said we do read about investigation blunders in the news so perhaps the author is taking the path of fiction reflecting reality. With a massive change to the police force I am hoping that in the next book, assuming there is more to come and I hope there is, that we will see the police having a massive shape up and functioning much better than they have done.
There is a lot of emotion throughout the story as well as action and drama. None of the scenes are gory so if you like crime without all the blood and guts then this is a good series for you although I would suggest going back to the beginning than starting with this one. 3/5 for me this time, thanks so much to RealReaders for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Pages - 319
Publisher - No Exit Press
Blurb from Goodreads
Caroline’s husband is killed, but she can’t turn to the police without implicating herself in his murder. When one of her 10-year-old twins is kidnapped, the desperate mother is forced to resort to drastic measures to get him back. As time runs out, and a second body is discovered, Geraldine realises she has a secret that might just help solve the case. But the truth could destroy her career. Faced with the unenviable decision of protecting herself or the widow she barely knows, Geraldine must grapple with her conscience and do the right thing before the death count mounts any further.
My Review
Caroline Robinson is our opening character, a chance encounter with an old school friend finds her telling him of her woes at home. Mum to two twin ten year old boys and a philandering husband. When Brian reaches shows understanding, he has been there himself, and comes up with a plan to make her husband take notice of her she agrees. When he is murdered and Brian reveals exactly what he wants, Caroline finds her world turned upside down and thats just the beginning of it all. Her son is kidnapped and the police know there is more to this story than Caroline is telling. Then another body turns up, this time DI Steel knows something that could blow open the case however, revealing what she knows may ruin her career. Time is running out, a young boys life is at stake and Geraldine Steel must act before it is too late.
Firstly, at the beginning of the book before the tale starts, we have a wee glossary of acronyms which I loved. Sometimes there are so many titles and initials with the police it is hard to keep up with who is what, you can just flick to the beginning of the book and find what they are, just a wee thing I really appreciated.
This is a busy wee book, you have the murder, then a kidnap, then another body shows up and and affair with a married man. Geraldine Steel is still having issues from previous books with her birth mother and deciding if she should trace her although it is mentioned only briefly within this book. She has a lot going on in her personal life and some of the story focuses on this, there is a big investigation into Caroline's husbands murder however this tappers off and all attention is focused on the second body that is discovered. When her child is kidnapped she cannot get the police to take her seriously although she is erratic by this point.
The story goes along at a decent pace, you know from the beginning who the murder is and why he did it however the story takes a turn and keeps you interested. My biggest beef is the way the police behave, toward each other and their lack of ability to perform investigations and or listen to their colleagues when they make valid points about a case. In some aspects, not all but one or two points I had to suspend belief as I couldn't honestly see police allowing certain actions or lack of them. That said we do read about investigation blunders in the news so perhaps the author is taking the path of fiction reflecting reality. With a massive change to the police force I am hoping that in the next book, assuming there is more to come and I hope there is, that we will see the police having a massive shape up and functioning much better than they have done.
There is a lot of emotion throughout the story as well as action and drama. None of the scenes are gory so if you like crime without all the blood and guts then this is a good series for you although I would suggest going back to the beginning than starting with this one. 3/5 for me this time, thanks so much to RealReaders for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2016
This is another DI Geraldine Steel novel. Her colleague DS Sam Haley, is still on sick leave after an injury at work. She has Max seconded to her team, but although young and fast tracked has little experience.
She finally decides to accept an invitation from her colleague Nick, who she shares an office with, and they end up at her flat and sleep together. They have been out for a drink together, but Geraldine has been reluctant to take it further.
Caroline (plus twin boys) meets an ex-school friend Brian in the park. He tells her that his wife died and had left him beforehand for another man. Caroline knows that her own husband, Dave, is unfaithful. Before they know what they are doing, he outlines a plan to kill each other's cheating spouses, except Brian is after the man his wife was involved in.
Husband Dave is killed in his shed, by Brian, she assumes. Caroline didn't want him dead but she and Brian had agreed to make him jealous. Brian has gone too far. She refused to kill anyone for Brian so he kidnapped one of her twins saying if she goes to the police he will point the finger at her and kill her child.
Another body is discovered and this time, it is DI Nick. Geraldine is horrified. Her boss Reg doesn't believe that he was an adulterer even though Geraldine knows better. She is not going to admit to her relationship with him as it would damage her reputation amongst superiors and colleagues. The connection between these two men is not realised until the end.
Finally, after another man is killed by mistake by Brian, his insanity catches up and he is by then keeping Ed hostage in the cellar. At this point, it all starts to unravel.
On hearing the results of their exhaustive hunt for the murderer, Nick's wife Eve goes to see Brian at the police station and shoots him and then herself. For once the boss Reg takes responsibility for his misjudgement and takes early retirement.
Leigh Russell yet again doesn't disappoint. I love the characters in these books and the plots are always exciting until the end.
She finally decides to accept an invitation from her colleague Nick, who she shares an office with, and they end up at her flat and sleep together. They have been out for a drink together, but Geraldine has been reluctant to take it further.
Caroline (plus twin boys) meets an ex-school friend Brian in the park. He tells her that his wife died and had left him beforehand for another man. Caroline knows that her own husband, Dave, is unfaithful. Before they know what they are doing, he outlines a plan to kill each other's cheating spouses, except Brian is after the man his wife was involved in.
Husband Dave is killed in his shed, by Brian, she assumes. Caroline didn't want him dead but she and Brian had agreed to make him jealous. Brian has gone too far. She refused to kill anyone for Brian so he kidnapped one of her twins saying if she goes to the police he will point the finger at her and kill her child.
Another body is discovered and this time, it is DI Nick. Geraldine is horrified. Her boss Reg doesn't believe that he was an adulterer even though Geraldine knows better. She is not going to admit to her relationship with him as it would damage her reputation amongst superiors and colleagues. The connection between these two men is not realised until the end.
Finally, after another man is killed by mistake by Brian, his insanity catches up and he is by then keeping Ed hostage in the cellar. At this point, it all starts to unravel.
On hearing the results of their exhaustive hunt for the murderer, Nick's wife Eve goes to see Brian at the police station and shoots him and then herself. For once the boss Reg takes responsibility for his misjudgement and takes early retirement.
Leigh Russell yet again doesn't disappoint. I love the characters in these books and the plots are always exciting until the end.
July 4, 2019
A good read
March 6, 2015
When Caroline Robinson accidentally bumps into an old school acquaintance in the local park, both she and Brian share confidences about their respective partners which really they have no business sharing. Inevitably, one thing leads to another and before too long both Caroline and Brian are involved in a tragedy of epic proportions. For DI Geraldine Steel, the murder mystery at the heart of the novel comes a-calling rather too close to home and the eventual outcome tests, not just, Geraldine's skill as a police officer, but also calls into question her professional judgement, which could, all too easily, have developed into an unmitigated disaster.
I found the idea of the story interesting and felt that it could have been quite riveting were it not for the fact that I found the writing to be irritatingly disjointed in places. As the story progresses the plot seems to become increasingly implausible and, if I'm brutally honest, more than a little farcical in places. And yet, I actually rather liked the premise of the story and wanted to read on to find how the story would eventually pan out.
I do rather enjoy the Geraldine Steel Mystery series and have now read several. Each story stands on its own merits and it’s easy to pick up the back story should you come across a book in the middle of the series run. However, I’m not convinced that this is the best one I’ve read but it’s hugely entertaining, just as long as you don’t want anything too complex or gritty.
I found the idea of the story interesting and felt that it could have been quite riveting were it not for the fact that I found the writing to be irritatingly disjointed in places. As the story progresses the plot seems to become increasingly implausible and, if I'm brutally honest, more than a little farcical in places. And yet, I actually rather liked the premise of the story and wanted to read on to find how the story would eventually pan out.
I do rather enjoy the Geraldine Steel Mystery series and have now read several. Each story stands on its own merits and it’s easy to pick up the back story should you come across a book in the middle of the series run. However, I’m not convinced that this is the best one I’ve read but it’s hugely entertaining, just as long as you don’t want anything too complex or gritty.
June 1, 2015
A chance meeting with an old acquaintance from primary school which seems totally harmless at the time, soon turns into a nightmare for Caroline Robinson and her family. After this chance meeting Caroline’s husband is brutally murdered in their own garden. Caroline and her family have no idea why this has happened until a letter drops through the post box, informing Caroline that it was the old acquaintance and he now expects her to kill someone for him. Caroline is then stick between a rock and a hard place as she can’t turn to the police or Geraldine Steel (The officer in charge of the case) without implicating herself with her own husbands murder. And to then put the cherry on the cake the acquaintance then kidnaps one of her 10 year old twins, to try and force Caroline to murder. With many twists and turns along the way it definitely keeps you intrigued. I found the book to get quickly to the point and started the action only a few chapters in, which is always a good start, nothing worse than waiting around for something to happen. This is my first delve into the Geraldine steel books and hopefully will not be my last.
February 24, 2015
“Caroline’s husband is killed, but she can’t turn to the police without implicating herself in his murder. When one of her 10-year-old twins is kidnapped, the desperate mother is forced to resort to drastic measures to get him back. “
Having read and enjoyed Leigh Russell’s books before I was very much looking forward to reading and reviewing Killer Plan.
The story goes along at a fair pace and as you know who the murderer is from the beginning it is not your normal thriller/murder who done it kind of book. You are just kept guessing as to how the book will end and if Brian will get caught. The thing I do not like about books which are in a series is when they focus on the story of the police characters presuming that you have read the previous books I always find myself skipping by these bits and wanting to only concentrate on the main story.
It is a very easy book to read and not a confusing story so ideal for a holiday read. I would recommend starting the series from the beginning if you wish to read these books.
Having read and enjoyed Leigh Russell’s books before I was very much looking forward to reading and reviewing Killer Plan.
The story goes along at a fair pace and as you know who the murderer is from the beginning it is not your normal thriller/murder who done it kind of book. You are just kept guessing as to how the book will end and if Brian will get caught. The thing I do not like about books which are in a series is when they focus on the story of the police characters presuming that you have read the previous books I always find myself skipping by these bits and wanting to only concentrate on the main story.
It is a very easy book to read and not a confusing story so ideal for a holiday read. I would recommend starting the series from the beginning if you wish to read these books.
February 25, 2015
This is the latest book in the DI Geraldine Steel series, her seventh and of those I have read in my humble opinion the best, sent to me by Real Readers to read and review so here goes.
The “ancients” out there (like me) reading this review may remember “Hitchcock’s” classic “strangers on a train” the premise and early part of this book reminds me very much of that film, apart from the fact that the two protagonists meet on a park bench, and are not in fact complete strangers. After that things get more complicated with a kidnapping and further murders, though only the three in over 300 pages, one of which is very close to home and therefore a serious complication for our heroine. Again as with all the Leigh Russell books I have read this is a modern day Police procedural, but could hardly be classed as corpse strewn which is quite often the case these days and so in many ways it’s a good old fashioned detective story.
I found it a well written enjoyable easy read that kept me interested from start to finish, with some good twists towards the end.
The “ancients” out there (like me) reading this review may remember “Hitchcock’s” classic “strangers on a train” the premise and early part of this book reminds me very much of that film, apart from the fact that the two protagonists meet on a park bench, and are not in fact complete strangers. After that things get more complicated with a kidnapping and further murders, though only the three in over 300 pages, one of which is very close to home and therefore a serious complication for our heroine. Again as with all the Leigh Russell books I have read this is a modern day Police procedural, but could hardly be classed as corpse strewn which is quite often the case these days and so in many ways it’s a good old fashioned detective story.
I found it a well written enjoyable easy read that kept me interested from start to finish, with some good twists towards the end.
February 4, 2015
This is the seventh Geraldine Steel mystery by Leigh Russell. I am an avid reader of her books, and was looking forward to this new one. I enjoyed it despite knowing who the killer was pretty much from the start, particularly as it showed a more personal side of Geraldine.
However I found it hard to come to terms with how the character Caroline, whose husband was murdered, put her fears of being implicated in the murder over and above the fear of knowing one of her twin sons had been kidnapped by the killer (an acquaintance from her school days). That aside, there were a couple of unexpected twists.
All in all a good read, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
However I found it hard to come to terms with how the character Caroline, whose husband was murdered, put her fears of being implicated in the murder over and above the fear of knowing one of her twin sons had been kidnapped by the killer (an acquaintance from her school days). That aside, there were a couple of unexpected twists.
All in all a good read, and I'm looking forward to the next one!
February 10, 2015
I received this book to review from Real Readers and glad I did when this popped through the letter box.
I have become a fan of Leigh Russell, and this is number 7 in the Geraldine Steel series. Leigh never fails to keep the reader interested with crime stories with twists and turns throughout.
This book did not disappoint and I believe to be the best yet. There is great writing as always with believable characters from this talented author.
Lots of murders, a female protagonist which I liked and Geraldine Steel is human with all her problems from before.
Thoroughly recommend this book.
I have become a fan of Leigh Russell, and this is number 7 in the Geraldine Steel series. Leigh never fails to keep the reader interested with crime stories with twists and turns throughout.
This book did not disappoint and I believe to be the best yet. There is great writing as always with believable characters from this talented author.
Lots of murders, a female protagonist which I liked and Geraldine Steel is human with all her problems from before.
Thoroughly recommend this book.
July 8, 2016
I am a fan of Leigh Russell's books and there is no question that she writes well. There is lots of suspense and it's a real page turner. However, for me, the book was somewhat spoiled by the sheer unbelievability of the plot. I don't wish to create spoilers, but the notion that a wife and mother would get involved with the perpetrator and knowingly withhold information whilst one of her sons was missing and at great risk did not feel convincing. But I have to admit, this didnt stop me racing to the end!
January 25, 2015
It's a good job I started reading this on a Friday night and didn't have to get up on Saturday for work! Once I started it I just couldn't put it down. I've read previous books in this series and Killer Plan certainly lived up to them. It was well written and held my interest throughout. The only disappointment I felt was when I finished it. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes British crime fiction and look forward to the next book from Leigh Russell.
March 18, 2015
I've read & enjoyed each and every one of Leigh Russell's books. This book was the best one yet. I loved the twists and turns. I was not expecting the little twist at the end. Please hurry up and write some more Leigh. Keep up the good work. x
May 6, 2015
I enjoyed this book although I must admit I found the storyline a bit hard to believe. The Leigh Russell books featuring Geraldine do tend to have the same background in that she is either involved in some way with the murderer or the victim.
However the books are easy reads and enjoyable.
However the books are easy reads and enjoyable.
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