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DI Geraldine Steel #9
Deadly Alibi
Two murder victims and a suspect whose alibi appears open to doubt.... Geraldine Steel is plunged into a double murder investigation which threatens not only her career, but her life. And then her previously unknown twin Helena turns up, with problems which are about to make Geraldine's life turn toxic in more ways than one!
374 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 8, 2016
141 people are currently reading
296 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Russell
68 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 100 reviews
April 30, 2017
3* Reaching the age of 40, Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel has kept her personal life exceedingly private. Geraldine had a good life growing up with an adoptive family, then joining the police force with an exceptional record. That is until the day she received a letter from her biological mother with a secret to tell before she passed away. Hearing she has a twin sister will turn her life upside down with the knowledge that her twin has not gone down the same upright path Geraldine has taken. Now having to deal with an unstable sibling, she has been given the task of finding a killer who stuffed a female body in a rubbish bin with her skull split open. Totally confident he will never be discovered as he looks for the next victim, clues are given along with the murderer’s evil thoughts oozing maliciously from the pages. Geraldine knows she needs to find him before he strikes again, but the dreaded twin is about to make her life miserable by risking her well deserved career.
** Thank you to Publisher No Exit Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
** Thank you to Publisher No Exit Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest review. **
March 15, 2017
DI Geraldine Steel is back! She takes on a double homicide ... two women who were abducted, tied up, strangled and then left where they could be found. SO far, nothing too old of the ordinary for Steel. However, it comes to light that one of the women was having an affair with the other one's husband. The two husbands become main suspects. Geraldine just has to unravel all the threads in order to actually point a finger at the guilty party.
Just when Geraldine's hands are all tied up with this case, her twin sister shows up. The sister is someone she has never met, she only met her birth mother a short time ago and she passed away before they could really connect. The sister is a drug addict and all of a sudden she thinks Geraldine is out to take care of her.
Geraldine isn't sure what kind of problems her sister presents... until she has to meet up with a known drug dealer.
Now, not only is Geraldine's life threatened by a killer... her job is on the line because of her sister.
I have read several book in this series and each one seems to get better than the last. However, I always recommend starting with Book 1 in a series. I have been privileged to watch Geraldine grow into the woman she is now. She has loved and lost and put away some of the most unique killers of all time.
The book is well written and works well as a stand alone. The characters are always solidly defined. If you like crime fiction, you need to give this series look. It's one of the better ones I've come across.
Many thanks to the author / Trafalgar Square Publishing / Oldcastle Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of DEADLY ALIBI. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
Just when Geraldine's hands are all tied up with this case, her twin sister shows up. The sister is someone she has never met, she only met her birth mother a short time ago and she passed away before they could really connect. The sister is a drug addict and all of a sudden she thinks Geraldine is out to take care of her.
Geraldine isn't sure what kind of problems her sister presents... until she has to meet up with a known drug dealer.
Now, not only is Geraldine's life threatened by a killer... her job is on the line because of her sister.
I have read several book in this series and each one seems to get better than the last. However, I always recommend starting with Book 1 in a series. I have been privileged to watch Geraldine grow into the woman she is now. She has loved and lost and put away some of the most unique killers of all time.
The book is well written and works well as a stand alone. The characters are always solidly defined. If you like crime fiction, you need to give this series look. It's one of the better ones I've come across.
Many thanks to the author / Trafalgar Square Publishing / Oldcastle Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of DEADLY ALIBI. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
May 28, 2017
Ok before you all start reading Deadly Alibi you need to sit back and take a deep breath, because this story has more and more shocking moments than you know what to do with.
Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel always makes her work her absolute priority because she cares deeply about justice, but she has her own life. Her previously unknown twin Helena turn up.
Beth has a strange looking man staring at her on the train. When frightened Beth gets off the trains at midnight she phoned her father to come to collect her.
Once her father Daniel reached the train station Beth is no where to be found. In desperation at midnight he phones Beth's stepmother thinking she may be there, but Beth wasn't there either.
Tom suspected Louise had been planning to run off with her fancy man.
Volunteers Moira and Stevie turn up to open the Oxfam shop collecting the junk that people had left outside. Someone left a green wheelie bin outside. To their horror a woman was inside the bin who they couldn't wake up.
Detective Inspector Geraldine arrived at the scene at the Oxfam shop. Geraldine is going to establish an identity of the victim with having the bin examined for fingerprints and DNA. With any luck it would reveal the killers identity.
There are two victims, a suspect whose alibi appears open to doubt and Geraldine Steel is plunged into a double murder investigation.
You might not want to meet some of the characters on a dark night but I recommend reading Deadly Alibi as this author certainly knows how to deliver quality novels.
Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel always makes her work her absolute priority because she cares deeply about justice, but she has her own life. Her previously unknown twin Helena turn up.
Beth has a strange looking man staring at her on the train. When frightened Beth gets off the trains at midnight she phoned her father to come to collect her.
Once her father Daniel reached the train station Beth is no where to be found. In desperation at midnight he phones Beth's stepmother thinking she may be there, but Beth wasn't there either.
Tom suspected Louise had been planning to run off with her fancy man.
Volunteers Moira and Stevie turn up to open the Oxfam shop collecting the junk that people had left outside. Someone left a green wheelie bin outside. To their horror a woman was inside the bin who they couldn't wake up.
Detective Inspector Geraldine arrived at the scene at the Oxfam shop. Geraldine is going to establish an identity of the victim with having the bin examined for fingerprints and DNA. With any luck it would reveal the killers identity.
There are two victims, a suspect whose alibi appears open to doubt and Geraldine Steel is plunged into a double murder investigation.
You might not want to meet some of the characters on a dark night but I recommend reading Deadly Alibi as this author certainly knows how to deliver quality novels.
May 3, 2017
A book filled with lots of plot twists and hints as to what the killer is thinking, but not who this killer just happens to be. This book had me hooked from the very beginning and did not let me go. The main suspect, Chris, who is the husband of the first murder victim, Jamie, spends most of his time during the book behind bars. He's adamant that he is innocent, however, the police do not believe him. They can find no other suspect and no one else has the connections Chris has to the murders. Freaky and thrilling, the real killer is very sneaky.
There is also another story wherein the main policewoman, Geraldine has just learned of her birth mother's death and that she has a twin sister. This part of the book is crazy, or maybe that's just Geraldine's twin. She has some serious problems. While, Geraldine has never met her birth mother, she had tried to get in contact with her, but she would never commit to seeing her. Then at her birth mother's funeral, she gets a letter from her stating that Geraldine has a twin sister, Helena. Geraldine's mother is asking that she find Helena and please take care of her. That is definitely easier said than done.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it was a first for me with this author, but it won't be my last. Geraldine Steel is one character I can't wait to read more about.
Thanks to Oldcastle Books for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
There is also another story wherein the main policewoman, Geraldine has just learned of her birth mother's death and that she has a twin sister. This part of the book is crazy, or maybe that's just Geraldine's twin. She has some serious problems. While, Geraldine has never met her birth mother, she had tried to get in contact with her, but she would never commit to seeing her. Then at her birth mother's funeral, she gets a letter from her stating that Geraldine has a twin sister, Helena. Geraldine's mother is asking that she find Helena and please take care of her. That is definitely easier said than done.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and it was a first for me with this author, but it won't be my last. Geraldine Steel is one character I can't wait to read more about.
Thanks to Oldcastle Books for approving my request and to Net Galley for providing me with a free e-galley in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
December 11, 2016
This book should really come with a warning! Make sure you don’t have any appointments you need to get to (or grandchildren you need to pick up from school!!!!) when you pick up this book because you are not going to want to put it down! I would have read this in one session but unfortunately my real life got in the way of my book life once again!
My first introduction to Leigh Russell was reading her Lucy Hall series which I have been enjoying. However, I noticed that I seemed to enjoy those books more than fans of the Geraldine Steel series. So I thought I’d better look into it in case I was missing out. And I have been as I have fallen in love with this series! This is actually the 9th book that Leigh Russell has written about DI Steel and although I haven’t read them all yet, I am gradually working my way through them. Deadly Alibi, like all the other books in the series, can be read as a standalone so don’t worry if this is your first one, you can always go back to catch up on Geraldine Steels back story as and when you fancy it.
This is a really enjoyable crime thriller based around two murders which should both be open and shut cases with a potential suspect. But Geraldine isn’t so sure-which is why she is chasing up an alibi that is proving difficult to establish. But her personal life is also becoming a concern with the appearance of her long lost twin sister. Leigh Russell manages the threads of both these themes well, making us curious about the relationship between Geraldine and Helena and keen to see where that goes but also keeping us guessing about the motive behind the killing of two innocent women. She is a master of her craft of storytelling and that skill means that her legion of fans know they will be getting a well balanced and first rate gritty crime drama. I loved trying to work out whodunit and as Geraldine is such an amiable protagonist, it’s always interesting to follow her professional career as well as her personal dilemmas.
For fans old and new this is a great addition to this series and I can’t wait to see where Leigh is going to take Geraldine next. Highly recommended.
My first introduction to Leigh Russell was reading her Lucy Hall series which I have been enjoying. However, I noticed that I seemed to enjoy those books more than fans of the Geraldine Steel series. So I thought I’d better look into it in case I was missing out. And I have been as I have fallen in love with this series! This is actually the 9th book that Leigh Russell has written about DI Steel and although I haven’t read them all yet, I am gradually working my way through them. Deadly Alibi, like all the other books in the series, can be read as a standalone so don’t worry if this is your first one, you can always go back to catch up on Geraldine Steels back story as and when you fancy it.
This is a really enjoyable crime thriller based around two murders which should both be open and shut cases with a potential suspect. But Geraldine isn’t so sure-which is why she is chasing up an alibi that is proving difficult to establish. But her personal life is also becoming a concern with the appearance of her long lost twin sister. Leigh Russell manages the threads of both these themes well, making us curious about the relationship between Geraldine and Helena and keen to see where that goes but also keeping us guessing about the motive behind the killing of two innocent women. She is a master of her craft of storytelling and that skill means that her legion of fans know they will be getting a well balanced and first rate gritty crime drama. I loved trying to work out whodunit and as Geraldine is such an amiable protagonist, it’s always interesting to follow her professional career as well as her personal dilemmas.
For fans old and new this is a great addition to this series and I can’t wait to see where Leigh is going to take Geraldine next. Highly recommended.
December 7, 2016
Deadly Alibi is a good read! Highest rating for mystery! It kept me guessing until the end. The pacing was good, and the story plot interesting. The drawback, for this reviewer is in the exposition; The book opens with a scene of a father picking up his daughter at a train station. Then the narrative jumps to another, then yet another plot. In each of the first scenes, the reader is not given any background. The characters are unnamed and the setting is not revealed. The choppy transitions and lack of any background or hook left this reader confused. The hook that reeled me in didn't occur until one third into the read! That is too long a period for the bait to dangle. The last two thirds of the book is full of sleuthing, and the mystery is on! There is a second storyline that becomes redundant, monotonous, but also inane . The characters become an issue, especially the protagonist who does not stay in character. Overall, it is a fun and well developed mystery. It is not a suspenseful thriller, however. I am not invested in the characters and would not read another in this series. I received a complimentary copy from NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.
December 15, 2016
My goodness, I have followed the career of Geraldine Steel, and feel I know her as well or if not better than most people, because I know what she is thinking which is a lot more than I know about most people.
But... Ohhh Emmm Geeeeee Leigh Russell! What have you done??? Geraldine trusted you, and along with Ian Peterson brought you success. How do you repay her?
You only went and ¥$%#*+^!?*%#* ...(spoiler hidden beneath)... a¥$%#*+^!?*%#* to her, and then if that wasn't enough to do to the poor woman you made things worse by...a¥$%#*+^!?*%#* (another spoiler hidden beneath)... a¥$%#*+^!?*%#*
I couldn't believe what Leigh Russell did to her poor faithful protagonist .
I can only think my self lucky that the Purple Poison Pen lady is not writing my life story for me.
Seriously, Deadly Alibi is a high octane novel and the chain of events in the main story and back story left me breathless.
I am so excited in anticipation of book ten.
But... Ohhh Emmm Geeeeee Leigh Russell! What have you done??? Geraldine trusted you, and along with Ian Peterson brought you success. How do you repay her?
You only went and ¥$%#*+^!?*%#* ...(spoiler hidden beneath)... a¥$%#*+^!?*%#* to her, and then if that wasn't enough to do to the poor woman you made things worse by...a¥$%#*+^!?*%#* (another spoiler hidden beneath)... a¥$%#*+^!?*%#*
I couldn't believe what Leigh Russell did to her poor faithful protagonist .
I can only think my self lucky that the Purple Poison Pen lady is not writing my life story for me.
Seriously, Deadly Alibi is a high octane novel and the chain of events in the main story and back story left me breathless.
I am so excited in anticipation of book ten.
November 23, 2021
I like most of this set, and this one is as well written as ever, and does the required job of ending one chapter while setting up the next one. However, Steel and the rest of the police are just incredibly stupid in this story - the killer and therefore most of the 'twists; are blatantly obvious from a rather early stage. I know I read and watch lots of this type of murder mystery, but that's hardly an excuse for this being less than involving. Daisapointed, but I have the next 5 on my t.r pile so will go back to Geraldine Steel's adventures soon no doubt.
March 24, 2017
Time taken to read - on and off over 5 days
Pages - 320
Publisher - No Exit Press
Blurb from Goodreads
Two murder victims and a suspect whose alibi appears open to doubt.... Geraldine Steel is plunged into a double murder investigation which threatens not only her career, but her life. And then her previously unknown twin Helena turns up, with problems which are about to make Geraldine's life turn toxic in more ways than one!
My review
A woman killed, a suspect arrested and the police are trying to get a confession as all the peaces seem to fit. DI Geraldine Steel is investigating with her team and playing devils advocate, her colleagues are convinced they have their man. Fling into the mix Steel has personal problems going on, dealing with a bereavement and a "new" relative is in Steel's live turning her world upside down.
I need to say, this is book nine and whilst I haven't read everyone of them I would advise reading the back stories however this can be read as a standalone. There are two main splits in the book, the investigation and murders and Steel's personal life which goes into turmoil. For me, the personal side overshadowed the crime story slightly purely because the relative reminded me of someone in my past which caused an emotional roller coaster of a personal nature. I think for many readers this part will evoke a similar response, I was so annoyed at times with Steel for some of her choices but could empathize with her choices. The investigation itself keeps you hooked as they come at it from different angles, Sam infuriated me at times, young, headstrong and quick to jump to conclusions, I think Steel is a nice ying to her yang making them a good team.
The chapters are relatively short which I really like, especially with a busy work week it meant I could dip in and out as time allowed. The start of the book, as all her others, has a glossary of acronyms, this has always been something I love about Russell's books as often you forget what they mean as you go through the book.
I think this book has a huge stab at the personal side of police officers and what they may be facing outwith the duty and how it can influence their choices. What makes the characters so real, I think, is how very flawed each of them can be. I think of all the Steel books so far, this will be one that stays with me for a long time, I really look forward to seeing what is next in store for her. 4/5 for me this time, thanks so much to No Exit Press for sending me a copy, all views are my own.
Pages - 320
Publisher - No Exit Press
Blurb from Goodreads
Two murder victims and a suspect whose alibi appears open to doubt.... Geraldine Steel is plunged into a double murder investigation which threatens not only her career, but her life. And then her previously unknown twin Helena turns up, with problems which are about to make Geraldine's life turn toxic in more ways than one!
My review
A woman killed, a suspect arrested and the police are trying to get a confession as all the peaces seem to fit. DI Geraldine Steel is investigating with her team and playing devils advocate, her colleagues are convinced they have their man. Fling into the mix Steel has personal problems going on, dealing with a bereavement and a "new" relative is in Steel's live turning her world upside down.
I need to say, this is book nine and whilst I haven't read everyone of them I would advise reading the back stories however this can be read as a standalone. There are two main splits in the book, the investigation and murders and Steel's personal life which goes into turmoil. For me, the personal side overshadowed the crime story slightly purely because the relative reminded me of someone in my past which caused an emotional roller coaster of a personal nature. I think for many readers this part will evoke a similar response, I was so annoyed at times with Steel for some of her choices but could empathize with her choices. The investigation itself keeps you hooked as they come at it from different angles, Sam infuriated me at times, young, headstrong and quick to jump to conclusions, I think Steel is a nice ying to her yang making them a good team.
The chapters are relatively short which I really like, especially with a busy work week it meant I could dip in and out as time allowed. The start of the book, as all her others, has a glossary of acronyms, this has always been something I love about Russell's books as often you forget what they mean as you go through the book.
I think this book has a huge stab at the personal side of police officers and what they may be facing outwith the duty and how it can influence their choices. What makes the characters so real, I think, is how very flawed each of them can be. I think of all the Steel books so far, this will be one that stays with me for a long time, I really look forward to seeing what is next in store for her. 4/5 for me this time, thanks so much to No Exit Press for sending me a copy, all views are my own.
June 29, 2017
I'm pleased that the DI is female in this London-based procedural, Geraldine Steel. She doesn't act like most DIs we read about, though, having no officer to take notes and run errands; and in a personal relationship having not the sense she was born with, we find.
The case involves a murdered woman, whose husband gives the alibi that he was with a married woman at the time. That woman has a furiously jealous husband. With a possible serial killer of women active, the odds seem to mount against this married woman surviving the book.
I found the tale started well but tried too hard to include twists which meant that normal police methods got left out of the telling. Nobody suggests tracing people's movements by their mobile phones. If this wasn't feasible we should be told why not. Steel does little or nothing to rally the troops or look in control of matters, so we do feel she was promoted past her point of competence. Especially when she does something totally unbelievable at the end. Ludicrous is the only way to describe it and if the author was that desperate to write her out of policing, I would not be keen to read more in the series. Some parts of this tale are better than others.
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
The case involves a murdered woman, whose husband gives the alibi that he was with a married woman at the time. That woman has a furiously jealous husband. With a possible serial killer of women active, the odds seem to mount against this married woman surviving the book.
I found the tale started well but tried too hard to include twists which meant that normal police methods got left out of the telling. Nobody suggests tracing people's movements by their mobile phones. If this wasn't feasible we should be told why not. Steel does little or nothing to rally the troops or look in control of matters, so we do feel she was promoted past her point of competence. Especially when she does something totally unbelievable at the end. Ludicrous is the only way to describe it and if the author was that desperate to write her out of policing, I would not be keen to read more in the series. Some parts of this tale are better than others.
I downloaded an ARC from Net Galley. This is an unbiased review.
June 5, 2017
Leigh Russell just gets better and better. DI Geraldine Steel finds herself in the middle of another unusual case when she is called to a body found in a wheelie bin in a charity shop. Geraldine is at her birth mothers funeral and has just found out she has a twin sister but she has no time to speak to her as the murder comes first. To all intent and purpose it seems the husband was the murderer but Geraldine is not convinced and when his alibi is then found dead before she can confirm it for him it seems just too cut and dried. She is being pressed to solve the case though and as her personal life seems to be getting in the way she once again compromises herself but how far will she go? I loved this book and even though I am a fan of the Geraldine Steel books it would be easy to read this as a stand alone. I was gripped from start to finish and once again the ending took me a bit by surprise. I loved every minute of it.
Thank you o NetGalley for a copy of the book.
Thank you o NetGalley for a copy of the book.
November 2, 2019
The plot of the missing women and their murders was good but the missed clue after Geraldine and Sam had visited the garage rather sums up the Geraldine Steel characters rather tunnel vision. Unfortunately this is similar to that of her boss Adam. In the end I was screaming about her gross ineptitude in her actions surrounding her newly found sister.
I have read all the 9 books to this point and aam finding the writing style becoming very cloying and focusing more on personal issues to the detriment of the detecting.
Did read to the end but wanted to throw it across the room.
I have read all the 9 books to this point and aam finding the writing style becoming very cloying and focusing more on personal issues to the detriment of the detecting.
Did read to the end but wanted to throw it across the room.
May 19, 2017
For those of you that know me I am a massive fan of Leigh Russell. Who has written a variety of books which include DS Ian Peterson,Lucy Hall mystery and of course the Geraldine Steel series. Which I have to say is my favourite out of them all. The series started with Short Cut back in 2012 and now we catch up with Geraldine in book nine who is back with a bang.
The story starts off with a very intriguing prologue that will leave you wanting more. Then the author takes us on a roller coaster ride, with the Cremation of Geraldine's mother she is called to an investigation where a body has been found in a wheelie bin. Having to deal with that she is plunged into a double murder investigation. Then on top of all that she finds out she has a twin sister called Helena who turns up.
I really did feel for Geraldine having lost her mom and still having to carry on life. Having been there myself I can totally relate to this. And The author has written some damn good scenes, where you get a sense the characters feelings throughout her writing. Everyone handles loss differently but Geraldine is a strong character and just gets on with it.
Wowsers what a gripping story I devoured this in one day. The author certainly knows how to keep the reader's attention. Deadly Alibi is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing until the end.
This can be read has a standalone,with plenty of character information. So you don't need to start from the beginning. But it is a series to good to missed.
There is nothing not to like about this book which I highly recommend giving it 4.5 stars.
The story starts off with a very intriguing prologue that will leave you wanting more. Then the author takes us on a roller coaster ride, with the Cremation of Geraldine's mother she is called to an investigation where a body has been found in a wheelie bin. Having to deal with that she is plunged into a double murder investigation. Then on top of all that she finds out she has a twin sister called Helena who turns up.
I really did feel for Geraldine having lost her mom and still having to carry on life. Having been there myself I can totally relate to this. And The author has written some damn good scenes, where you get a sense the characters feelings throughout her writing. Everyone handles loss differently but Geraldine is a strong character and just gets on with it.
Wowsers what a gripping story I devoured this in one day. The author certainly knows how to keep the reader's attention. Deadly Alibi is full of twists and turns and will keep you guessing until the end.
This can be read has a standalone,with plenty of character information. So you don't need to start from the beginning. But it is a series to good to missed.
There is nothing not to like about this book which I highly recommend giving it 4.5 stars.
July 9, 2017
In Leigh Russell's Deadly Alibi, the 9th instalment in the DI Geraldine Steel thriller series, you'll be hooked into this crime thriller and thrown into a turbulent world. For DI Geraldine Steel, she had met and then lost her biological murder for the first time. Before the funeral, she had learned she had an identical twin sister named Helena, who her mother had choice to keep, while she was put up for adoption. Their first meeting wasn't too pleasant, either. Besides all this, she arrived at the grisly crime scene of a dead woman's body and identified her as Jamie Coldwell. At first, they believed her husband Chris had done it, when all the evidence had pointed to him, while he had proclaimed his innocense muliple times. During the investigation of this case, Geraldine talked to Chris's alibi Louise Marshall. When she was due to meet her for her statement, she went missing and later discovered dead. This left Chris still in jail with a defeated look after they didn't believe him. During this time, Geraldine had meetings with her twin Helena and discovered she was a heroin addict and was in a financial bind. When she tried to help her out, she ended up gotten trouble at the London met by meeting Helena's dealer, ended up getting arrested, and then later was suspended depending the inquiry. With her career on the line, she encouraged her partner Sam to discover the evidence to clear Chris's name, when she searched for records of a previous related crime. as she convinces Helena to go to rehab. As soon as they connect the dots, they make the arrest of the culprit, while Geraldine looks ahead to start off in York for a new future.
February 7, 2017
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this book.
This was the first book I read and I was surprised it is the 9th in a series. Surprised, because the reader isn't bothered with too many details about things happening in the past, while it is very easy to get to know the main character.
What I liked especially in the book is the fact that there are only a handful of main characters, and one of them has to be a killer. But which one? When the truth comes out it's rather a suprise but a good one; there a no loose threads and the puzzle is complete.
The twin sister that suddenly appears and the subsequent problems that arise is something I could have missed. It's just a little too much for me in a thriller to be confronted with a completely different story. What it is leading up to is obvious from the beginning, and thus in stark contrast with the main story.
I liked the book and I hope to read more of this author.
This was the first book I read and I was surprised it is the 9th in a series. Surprised, because the reader isn't bothered with too many details about things happening in the past, while it is very easy to get to know the main character.
What I liked especially in the book is the fact that there are only a handful of main characters, and one of them has to be a killer. But which one? When the truth comes out it's rather a suprise but a good one; there a no loose threads and the puzzle is complete.
The twin sister that suddenly appears and the subsequent problems that arise is something I could have missed. It's just a little too much for me in a thriller to be confronted with a completely different story. What it is leading up to is obvious from the beginning, and thus in stark contrast with the main story.
I liked the book and I hope to read more of this author.
July 2, 2020
3 1/2 stars rounded up for elliptical motivation.
I enjoyed the process of reading this book, even though I thought the 'whodunnit' part of the plot was a little out there. I'll have to find more DI Steele books in the future...
I enjoyed the process of reading this book, even though I thought the 'whodunnit' part of the plot was a little out there. I'll have to find more DI Steele books in the future...
September 20, 2018
Another police procedural featuring Geraldine Steel, and her permanently miserable private life. The plot of this murder was not really enough to carry off the story.
October 29, 2023
I love this series the stories are always gripping
July 31, 2017
What can I say ? I really enjoyed this latest Geraldine Steel. Police procedural extraordinary that highlights how evidence can be misinterpreted. On a personal level Geraldine who met and then lost her birth mother in the previous book now has an identical twin she never knew about to contend with, which gives her much food for thought as their lifestyles do not match in any way. The only reason this is 4☆ instead of 5 is that I found myself shouting about an overlooked item of evidence!!! Does this mean I'm beginning to think like the author? Can't wait for the next stage in Geraldines career.
June 26, 2018
Review to follow
December 7, 2016
Two murder victims and a suspect whose alibi appears open to doubt.... Geraldine Steel is plunged into a double murder investigation which threatens not only her career, but her life. And then her previously unknown twin Helena turns up, with problems which are about to make Geraldine's life turn toxic in more ways than one!
Incredibly this is the ninth book in the Geraldine Steel series by Leigh Russell who now has an established fan base with glowing reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I only came across the series at #8 but one day I intend to go back to #1 and meet Geraldine at the beginning of her journey- out of interest rather than a necessity, as the two Steel mysteries I have read work as stand alone novels. But as Steel's own story arc is beginning to really carve itself out alongside the criminal investigation in Book 9, it would satisfy my own curiosity to see how Russell portrayed her from the beginning.
Anyway, back to "Deadly Alibi" which begins with a fittingly anonymous, ambiguous and dramatic prologue throwing us straight in at the deep end, immediately raising plenty of questions as well as setting an appropriately sinister and dark atmosphere necessary for a good crime novel!
The story opens with several threads unspooling across the pages but the most captivating one being the discovery of a woman's body in a wheelie bin. The investigation sets of at a gallop. Russell's procedural detail is authentic, detailed enough without weighing down the text with overwhelming jargon or technical talk. Russell uses a lot of dialogue and those that are more familiar with the series will recognise favourite characters returning to their desks to carry out their part in the investigation.
Russell's story has dark elements within it and a couple of scenes were uncomfortable to read. She can capture the villain's character convincingly and describe his actions with chilling bluntness:
"Before he had realised what he was doing, the chisel had struck. It had all happened so quickly. The craziness hadn't lasted long. Once her skull had split open, that had been the end of it."
However, generally the pages are not splattered with too much gratuitous blood or gore and I think Russell is actually as interested in the characters and the journeys they find themselves on as much as driving the plot forward at a rattling pace.
There are several points when one of the detectives or people working on the case lost themselves in their own thoughts and spoke directly to the victim as if the dead body would answer back. I found this very visual - and I liked the light touch of humour it brought to the pages too when Steel is reminded that the corpse in front of her will never be able to offer any light on the events.
"If she could tell us that, we'd both be out of job!"
Halfway through the book, after a few twists and turns, the case seems neatly solved, all the loose ends tied up and Steel being congratulated for her work.
"'A case of husbands wanting to murder their wives,' he remarked when she had finished."
"The case was solved. Geraldine should have been pleased, but...."
But...... there you go...there's the but..... But I was only 48% through so there must be more! And more to come there is! Plenty more!
I'm not going to spoil it for you, but "Deadly Alibi" is a story about identity, the wrong identity, assumptions, evidence, the wrong evidence, false alibi's, seeing and not seeing things. The plot is easy to follow but there are a number of different threads to keep track of and Russell's skill is in the way she weaves everything together to an effective conclusion.
What I found interesting in this book too was that Russell juggled two story lines. Foremost is the story of murder, but secondly is the story of Geraldine Steel - aspects of which mirrored some of the themes about identity that are explored by Steel in a more pragmatic, physical way during her police work.
In this instalment, Geraldine is grieving for her mother, meeting her twin for the first time and confronting things from her past.
"She had managed for forty years without a twin in her life. She wasn't sure she was ready to meet Helena yet."
This is a very intriguing sub plot - to find not just a sister, but a twin sister - after all this time. As this happens, Steel also has to deal with the death of her mother - whatever the relationship had or hadn't been - and then is very quickly drawn into conflicting situations and tricky moral dilemmas with someone she really doesn't have much of a relationship with at all. Situations which have very serious repercussions for Geraldine's future.
What's interesting is the emotional impact that the funeral and the arrival of her twin Helena have on Steel. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel and found the effect it had on Geraldine's professional life added a layer of drama, complexity and suspense.
"She waited for the sense of urgency that consumed her whenever she saw a murder victim, the feeling that she had to see the killer punished. That was what gave her life a sense of purpose. For the first time she felt only a cold indifference."
"Everybody died. Did it really matter if the end came prematurely?"
This is a woman under pressure. As Steel herself realises, "it might have been a mistake to think she could cope unaided with so much personal grief." What effect will this have on her ability to solve the crime, keep herself safe and focused, work with death, grief, untruths and complicated relationships?
I am new to the Geraldine Steel mysteries but I can completely see their appeal. Russell's writing is purposeful, fluent and very readable. The crimes are intriguing, with a controlled level of violence so that the reader is not overwhelmed or intimidated by the scenes they read, but still remains excited and suitably wary. There is a wide range of characters, who are all very real and very relatable. The dynamics between the characters are believable and help to reflect more about their personalities.
Readers like to have a protagonist who is flawed or struggling with some inner demon and in this book Russell achieves this. A lot of detective characters are troubled souls, or socially awkward, aloof or slightly quirky and again, although Steel is professional, bright, dedicated and trustworthy, her emotional fragility does add a further layer of interest to the story.
This novel marks quite a turning point in Steel's story and I would be really interested to see what happens next. I think Russell knew full well her readers would feel this way, as she has kindly left the ending open so there is potential should she wish. I would be interested to see what direction Russell takes us in - if she does move forward to book 10 - and quite how she would follow on from such a dramatic turn of events at the end of "Deadly Alibi".
If you enjoy detective fiction and authors like Marnie Riches, Angela Marson, Peter James, Michael Wood and Nikki Owens then you will enjoy this novel. It's a page turner which isn't afraid to lead you down one path, let you crash into a dead end then pull you back and make you set off in a new direction. You won't need breadcrumbs or wool to find your way through the plot, but there will be enough twists and turns which will ensure you can't put it down for a while!
Geraldine Steel is a very likeable character who the reader is rooting for all the way. I would recommend this book!
Incredibly this is the ninth book in the Geraldine Steel series by Leigh Russell who now has an established fan base with glowing reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. I only came across the series at #8 but one day I intend to go back to #1 and meet Geraldine at the beginning of her journey- out of interest rather than a necessity, as the two Steel mysteries I have read work as stand alone novels. But as Steel's own story arc is beginning to really carve itself out alongside the criminal investigation in Book 9, it would satisfy my own curiosity to see how Russell portrayed her from the beginning.
Anyway, back to "Deadly Alibi" which begins with a fittingly anonymous, ambiguous and dramatic prologue throwing us straight in at the deep end, immediately raising plenty of questions as well as setting an appropriately sinister and dark atmosphere necessary for a good crime novel!
The story opens with several threads unspooling across the pages but the most captivating one being the discovery of a woman's body in a wheelie bin. The investigation sets of at a gallop. Russell's procedural detail is authentic, detailed enough without weighing down the text with overwhelming jargon or technical talk. Russell uses a lot of dialogue and those that are more familiar with the series will recognise favourite characters returning to their desks to carry out their part in the investigation.
Russell's story has dark elements within it and a couple of scenes were uncomfortable to read. She can capture the villain's character convincingly and describe his actions with chilling bluntness:
"Before he had realised what he was doing, the chisel had struck. It had all happened so quickly. The craziness hadn't lasted long. Once her skull had split open, that had been the end of it."
However, generally the pages are not splattered with too much gratuitous blood or gore and I think Russell is actually as interested in the characters and the journeys they find themselves on as much as driving the plot forward at a rattling pace.
There are several points when one of the detectives or people working on the case lost themselves in their own thoughts and spoke directly to the victim as if the dead body would answer back. I found this very visual - and I liked the light touch of humour it brought to the pages too when Steel is reminded that the corpse in front of her will never be able to offer any light on the events.
"If she could tell us that, we'd both be out of job!"
Halfway through the book, after a few twists and turns, the case seems neatly solved, all the loose ends tied up and Steel being congratulated for her work.
"'A case of husbands wanting to murder their wives,' he remarked when she had finished."
"The case was solved. Geraldine should have been pleased, but...."
But...... there you go...there's the but..... But I was only 48% through so there must be more! And more to come there is! Plenty more!
I'm not going to spoil it for you, but "Deadly Alibi" is a story about identity, the wrong identity, assumptions, evidence, the wrong evidence, false alibi's, seeing and not seeing things. The plot is easy to follow but there are a number of different threads to keep track of and Russell's skill is in the way she weaves everything together to an effective conclusion.
What I found interesting in this book too was that Russell juggled two story lines. Foremost is the story of murder, but secondly is the story of Geraldine Steel - aspects of which mirrored some of the themes about identity that are explored by Steel in a more pragmatic, physical way during her police work.
In this instalment, Geraldine is grieving for her mother, meeting her twin for the first time and confronting things from her past.
"She had managed for forty years without a twin in her life. She wasn't sure she was ready to meet Helena yet."
This is a very intriguing sub plot - to find not just a sister, but a twin sister - after all this time. As this happens, Steel also has to deal with the death of her mother - whatever the relationship had or hadn't been - and then is very quickly drawn into conflicting situations and tricky moral dilemmas with someone she really doesn't have much of a relationship with at all. Situations which have very serious repercussions for Geraldine's future.
What's interesting is the emotional impact that the funeral and the arrival of her twin Helena have on Steel. I enjoyed this aspect of the novel and found the effect it had on Geraldine's professional life added a layer of drama, complexity and suspense.
"She waited for the sense of urgency that consumed her whenever she saw a murder victim, the feeling that she had to see the killer punished. That was what gave her life a sense of purpose. For the first time she felt only a cold indifference."
"Everybody died. Did it really matter if the end came prematurely?"
This is a woman under pressure. As Steel herself realises, "it might have been a mistake to think she could cope unaided with so much personal grief." What effect will this have on her ability to solve the crime, keep herself safe and focused, work with death, grief, untruths and complicated relationships?
I am new to the Geraldine Steel mysteries but I can completely see their appeal. Russell's writing is purposeful, fluent and very readable. The crimes are intriguing, with a controlled level of violence so that the reader is not overwhelmed or intimidated by the scenes they read, but still remains excited and suitably wary. There is a wide range of characters, who are all very real and very relatable. The dynamics between the characters are believable and help to reflect more about their personalities.
Readers like to have a protagonist who is flawed or struggling with some inner demon and in this book Russell achieves this. A lot of detective characters are troubled souls, or socially awkward, aloof or slightly quirky and again, although Steel is professional, bright, dedicated and trustworthy, her emotional fragility does add a further layer of interest to the story.
This novel marks quite a turning point in Steel's story and I would be really interested to see what happens next. I think Russell knew full well her readers would feel this way, as she has kindly left the ending open so there is potential should she wish. I would be interested to see what direction Russell takes us in - if she does move forward to book 10 - and quite how she would follow on from such a dramatic turn of events at the end of "Deadly Alibi".
If you enjoy detective fiction and authors like Marnie Riches, Angela Marson, Peter James, Michael Wood and Nikki Owens then you will enjoy this novel. It's a page turner which isn't afraid to lead you down one path, let you crash into a dead end then pull you back and make you set off in a new direction. You won't need breadcrumbs or wool to find your way through the plot, but there will be enough twists and turns which will ensure you can't put it down for a while!
Geraldine Steel is a very likeable character who the reader is rooting for all the way. I would recommend this book!
January 18, 2017
Finally! I have been reading this series since its release and would definitely consider myself a fan. However Geraldine has been through the wringer and back and this book seems to answer a lot of questions. Geraldine was adopted and has a good relationship with her adopted sister Celia. However, upon discovering her real birth mother and then losing her the addition of finding out she has a twin sister leaves her reeling. In addition her twin sister is the polar opposite of Geraldine, being a drug user and addict and somebody that is determined to get what she can out of Geraldine. People may question why this is the first thing I mention about the book, but followers of the series will understand. I have enjoyed the last few books but have had a nagging feeling that certain things were left unresolved. That feeling has now gone and been replaced with excitement and what could happen in future books.
As for the cases Geraldine is working on, this time around there are two murder victims and it seems like a simple cut and dried case where the prime suspect is in custody however Geraldine knows that something doesn't sit right with her. As usual her colleague Sam is by her side and together they work the case both methodically and thoroughly. To be honest the murder cases felt more like the secondary thread for me and Geraldine's personal life was something that needed dealing with and Leigh Russell certainly did that in this latest instalment,
Because Geraldine's sister has appeared it means her work on the murder case is hampered somewhat and towards the last quarter of the book the reader gets to see just how far this hampers her work. As a Detective that is so conscientious it makes for compelling reading as Geraldine is faced with situations she has never had to deal with before such as supporting the only family she has, the question is how far she is prepared to go. The book was a great addition to the series but I can say with quiet confidence that I am super excited to see what book 10 brings as I am crossing my fingers and hoping it brings Geraldine back to where she should have been all along. I am going to be waiting rather impatiently for the next one in the series.
As for the cases Geraldine is working on, this time around there are two murder victims and it seems like a simple cut and dried case where the prime suspect is in custody however Geraldine knows that something doesn't sit right with her. As usual her colleague Sam is by her side and together they work the case both methodically and thoroughly. To be honest the murder cases felt more like the secondary thread for me and Geraldine's personal life was something that needed dealing with and Leigh Russell certainly did that in this latest instalment,
Because Geraldine's sister has appeared it means her work on the murder case is hampered somewhat and towards the last quarter of the book the reader gets to see just how far this hampers her work. As a Detective that is so conscientious it makes for compelling reading as Geraldine is faced with situations she has never had to deal with before such as supporting the only family she has, the question is how far she is prepared to go. The book was a great addition to the series but I can say with quiet confidence that I am super excited to see what book 10 brings as I am crossing my fingers and hoping it brings Geraldine back to where she should have been all along. I am going to be waiting rather impatiently for the next one in the series.
December 4, 2016
I would like to thank Netgalley and Oldcastle books for an advance copy of Deadly Alibi, the ninth police procedural to feature DI Geraldine Steel.
Jamie Cordwell is found dead in a wheelie bin outside an Oxfam shop. Her husband, Chris, unable to provide an alibi or disprove the evidence gathered by the police is swiftly charged. Geraldine, while acknowledging the validity of the evidence, is the only one to have reservations about this. When another body linked to Chris turns up his guilt appears sealed but Geraldine keeps digging. Problems with her newly found twin sister, Helena, distract her from her job in a way she has never known before.
I enjoyed this novel. Geraldine is a nice person, unusual in a results oriented environment like the police, but it is this niceness that gets her into trouble. Despite this she is a good detective and keeps gnawing away at the information she has and asking questions until she reaches a solution. It is a well paced novel with plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages. Some of them are obvious and had me screaming, "clock on" at the police but others are less so and add to the mystery.
I like a good police procedural and think the investigative side of it works really well. I'm less sure about the relationship between Geraldine and Helena which seems decidedly unnatural. I find it hard to believe that after a couple of meetings Geraldine, a worldly wise police officer, would offer to help her sister, a drug addict, with thousands of pounds. Surely she can't be so needy?
This quibble aside Deadly Alibi is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Jamie Cordwell is found dead in a wheelie bin outside an Oxfam shop. Her husband, Chris, unable to provide an alibi or disprove the evidence gathered by the police is swiftly charged. Geraldine, while acknowledging the validity of the evidence, is the only one to have reservations about this. When another body linked to Chris turns up his guilt appears sealed but Geraldine keeps digging. Problems with her newly found twin sister, Helena, distract her from her job in a way she has never known before.
I enjoyed this novel. Geraldine is a nice person, unusual in a results oriented environment like the police, but it is this niceness that gets her into trouble. Despite this she is a good detective and keeps gnawing away at the information she has and asking questions until she reaches a solution. It is a well paced novel with plenty of twists to keep you turning the pages. Some of them are obvious and had me screaming, "clock on" at the police but others are less so and add to the mystery.
I like a good police procedural and think the investigative side of it works really well. I'm less sure about the relationship between Geraldine and Helena which seems decidedly unnatural. I find it hard to believe that after a couple of meetings Geraldine, a worldly wise police officer, would offer to help her sister, a drug addict, with thousands of pounds. Surely she can't be so needy?
This quibble aside Deadly Alibi is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
December 10, 2016
Geraldine Steel is back and facing a double murder case and personal problems. A woman's body is found in a bin, murdered by a fatal blow to the head. The obvious suspect is the husband, Chris as his DNA is all over the body and bin. But it all looks too easy for DI Geraldine Steel, and when Chris' alibi also turns up dead she doubts his guilt so sets off to find out who else may have done it. As well as the case Geraldine has personal problems in the shape of Helena, her twin sister that she has only just found out about after the death of her birth mother. Helena comes with baggage, she is a drug addict and is in trouble with her supplier and wants Geraldine's help. She puts her job on the line trying to prove that Chris is not the murder and in her family loyalty to Helena. Can she come out of this with her reputation intact?
This is the first Geraldine Steel novel I have read and I loved it. I found it could be read as a stand alone book, no prior knowledge of the books was necessary. However, my interest has been piqued about Geraldine's past history so I will read the previous books. I was gripped from the beginning, with its opening of three different plot lines that seem to have nothing in common until they converge later in the book. It was a plot that kept me guessing right until the end where everything came together with a brilliant conclusion. A really great read, full of suspense, good characters and a trilling plot.
This is the first Geraldine Steel novel I have read and I loved it. I found it could be read as a stand alone book, no prior knowledge of the books was necessary. However, my interest has been piqued about Geraldine's past history so I will read the previous books. I was gripped from the beginning, with its opening of three different plot lines that seem to have nothing in common until they converge later in the book. It was a plot that kept me guessing right until the end where everything came together with a brilliant conclusion. A really great read, full of suspense, good characters and a trilling plot.
February 10, 2017
I would like to thank NetGalley and Oldcastle Books for giving me the opportunity to read this which I voluntarily reviewed.
I have read all of Leigh Russell's books since I was first introduced to them 18 months ago by a Facebook book club (TBC).
In this, the 9th in the series, DI Steel is faced with a double murder. On the surface it seems an open and shut case but she has her doubts.
I feel as if Geraldine is my friend. I've followed her career through its ups and downs, as well as her personal life.
This book introduces us to a previously unknown part of her life, her twin sister Helena, who is the antithethis of her.
This book is a welcome addition to the series and I can't wait to see how Geraldine's life progresses.
I have read all of Leigh Russell's books since I was first introduced to them 18 months ago by a Facebook book club (TBC).
In this, the 9th in the series, DI Steel is faced with a double murder. On the surface it seems an open and shut case but she has her doubts.
I feel as if Geraldine is my friend. I've followed her career through its ups and downs, as well as her personal life.
This book introduces us to a previously unknown part of her life, her twin sister Helena, who is the antithethis of her.
This book is a welcome addition to the series and I can't wait to see how Geraldine's life progresses.
Read
February 26, 2017I'm not adding a review for this book for the following reasons:
1) I found the writing uninspiring and there was more 'telling' than 'showing.'
2) Too many characters thrown right in the beginning. A lot of he-she-it happening there.
3) There was no differentiation to mention a 'scene change,' neither were there past/present or date points when incidents were listed out.
Not for me. So sorry. I hope this book does well for the other readers and the author.
1) I found the writing uninspiring and there was more 'telling' than 'showing.'
2) Too many characters thrown right in the beginning. A lot of he-she-it happening there.
3) There was no differentiation to mention a 'scene change,' neither were there past/present or date points when incidents were listed out.
Not for me. So sorry. I hope this book does well for the other readers and the author.
December 10, 2016
Couldn't put it down
Well what can I say? It was everything I expected and more. Leighs ability to drag you into the sorry is just brilliant.
I loved the twists and turns. And as for the ending. Fantastic!!!!
Roll on the next book
Well what can I say? It was everything I expected and more. Leighs ability to drag you into the sorry is just brilliant.
I loved the twists and turns. And as for the ending. Fantastic!!!!
Roll on the next book
August 29, 2023
Well didn't quite read. Got to page 80 but it's like reading a ladybird whodunnit with so much stating the obvious and repetitive conversation
May 13, 2017
Book reviews on www.snazzybooks.com
Deadly Alibi, though the sixth novel in the DI Geraldine Steel series, is the first I've read by Leigh Russel. I found that this didn't hamper my enjoyment, though, and by the end I realised I'd found a brilliant new (to me) crime series which - even better! - I now have five other novels to catch up on!
The characters are great - Geraldine herself is a strong, confident and very intelligent woman who seems to be a great Detective. Like many in this genre, she has her quirks and can be pretty impulsive at times, landing her in hot water at some points, whilst many others on her team are likeable and capable too. I really liked Sam, who seems loyal and a great partner, and Ian - I want to read previous novels to figure out exactly what has happened between them!
In terms of narrative, the investigation is interesting and moves along at a good pace - I never got bored or impatient. I quite liked that there was a sort of side story to the main investigation, with Geraldine's twin sister Helena being introduced into the story (not a likeable person at all but a great catalyst for some trouble and strife for Geraldine, and definitely an interesting character to read about!). The story definitely kept me hooked and I could have devoured this book in one sitting if it wasn't for work!
I really enjoyed Deadly Alibi and will certainly be reading others in the series. I didn't find that it mattered that I hadn't started from book 1 but those in the know seem to state in their reviews that it's best to start at the beginning, which makes sense, so I think I will do that and work my way through - because, as a newbie to this series, there could be lots of extra hints and info that I won't have even realised I missed in this novel!
Deadly Alibi is a great read, keeping me gripped from page one right until its satisfying conclusion!
* Many thanks to No Exit Press who provided a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
Deadly Alibi, though the sixth novel in the DI Geraldine Steel series, is the first I've read by Leigh Russel. I found that this didn't hamper my enjoyment, though, and by the end I realised I'd found a brilliant new (to me) crime series which - even better! - I now have five other novels to catch up on!
The characters are great - Geraldine herself is a strong, confident and very intelligent woman who seems to be a great Detective. Like many in this genre, she has her quirks and can be pretty impulsive at times, landing her in hot water at some points, whilst many others on her team are likeable and capable too. I really liked Sam, who seems loyal and a great partner, and Ian - I want to read previous novels to figure out exactly what has happened between them!
In terms of narrative, the investigation is interesting and moves along at a good pace - I never got bored or impatient. I quite liked that there was a sort of side story to the main investigation, with Geraldine's twin sister Helena being introduced into the story (not a likeable person at all but a great catalyst for some trouble and strife for Geraldine, and definitely an interesting character to read about!). The story definitely kept me hooked and I could have devoured this book in one sitting if it wasn't for work!
I really enjoyed Deadly Alibi and will certainly be reading others in the series. I didn't find that it mattered that I hadn't started from book 1 but those in the know seem to state in their reviews that it's best to start at the beginning, which makes sense, so I think I will do that and work my way through - because, as a newbie to this series, there could be lots of extra hints and info that I won't have even realised I missed in this novel!
Deadly Alibi is a great read, keeping me gripped from page one right until its satisfying conclusion!
* Many thanks to No Exit Press who provided a copy of this novel on which I chose to write an honest and unbiased review. *
May 4, 2017
This review was originally published on NetGalley.
This was my first time reading a book from Leigh Russell and consequently the thrilling adventures of Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel. I’ll definitely take a look at the previous novels though because this was one amazing and memorable read.
Geraldine is going through hard times. When she finally had her feet on the ground, her twin sister Helena enters her life and proves that the relationship between siblings can be very complicated. As if that wasn’t enough, the Detective Inspector has to find the responsible for the murder of a young woman found in a trash bin before he strikes again. Will she be able to manage her professional and personal life without losing her career and her life?
Even though I didn’t read the previous novels, I still got a good grip of the story and the characters, so I can say that it can be read as a stand-alone.
The story-line of the novel is very solid and very well developed. The murder story is very well structured and it builds up very nicely. One of the things I love the most in this type of story is how in the end everything comes together, like a puzzle. It’s very satisfactory!
The combination between the personal life of Geraldine and the murder investigation was the “cherry on the cake”: the two realities give depth to her character and it’s impossible not to sympathise with her, her internal conflicts and the way she tries to deal with her problematic sister. The effort she puts into coordinate everything is both tiring and admirable and it serves as a reminder that members of the criminal justice system have their own problems and sometimes difficult choices to make.
I will definitely be reading more of Leigh Russell and I’m very curious to see what comes next in the life of Geraldine Steel.
This was my first time reading a book from Leigh Russell and consequently the thrilling adventures of Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel. I’ll definitely take a look at the previous novels though because this was one amazing and memorable read.
Geraldine is going through hard times. When she finally had her feet on the ground, her twin sister Helena enters her life and proves that the relationship between siblings can be very complicated. As if that wasn’t enough, the Detective Inspector has to find the responsible for the murder of a young woman found in a trash bin before he strikes again. Will she be able to manage her professional and personal life without losing her career and her life?
Even though I didn’t read the previous novels, I still got a good grip of the story and the characters, so I can say that it can be read as a stand-alone.
The story-line of the novel is very solid and very well developed. The murder story is very well structured and it builds up very nicely. One of the things I love the most in this type of story is how in the end everything comes together, like a puzzle. It’s very satisfactory!
The combination between the personal life of Geraldine and the murder investigation was the “cherry on the cake”: the two realities give depth to her character and it’s impossible not to sympathise with her, her internal conflicts and the way she tries to deal with her problematic sister. The effort she puts into coordinate everything is both tiring and admirable and it serves as a reminder that members of the criminal justice system have their own problems and sometimes difficult choices to make.
I will definitely be reading more of Leigh Russell and I’m very curious to see what comes next in the life of Geraldine Steel.
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