Rogue Killer

DI Geraldine Steel #12

by Leigh Russell

A man is killed in apparently random attack, and suspicion falls on a gang of muggers. Only Detective Sergeant Geraldine Steel thinks this is the work of a more deliberate murderer.

Two more victims are discovered, after further seemingly indiscriminate attacks. The muggers are tracked down, with tragic consequences. And all the while the killer remains at large. When Geraldine finally manages to track down a witness, she finds her own life is in danger...

Genres: Crime

321 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 21, 2019

About the author

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

Reviews

[Best Crime Books & More · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been reading this series since the beginning and am definitely a fan, however this latest instalment I wasn't that keen on, and I will tell you why. The main story features Gerladine in her position as DS following a demotion in York where her previous colleague Ian works. I feel like Geraldine has lost her mojo a little bit and for me it left me feeling like this book just didn't fit with the Geraldine I have come to know and love.

When a man is killed the suspicion falls firmly at the feet of a gang of muggers. The main storyline was okay, but I felt like all of Geraldine's colleagues are pretty simple and none of them cared all that much and had no oomph to get things done. This constantly distracted me from the usual feel of these books which is where everybody rolls their sleeves up and gets stuck in.

Don't get me wrong, it certainly wasn't a bad book, but for me at this point in the series I felt like Geraldine is at a bit of a crossroads and as such she has lost the sparkle of her personality. I am really hoping that things change for her as this left me scratching my head wondering where the real Geraldine was.

[Ivana Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

1.5, really. I think I read a different book to everyone else. The solution to the mystery was not only completely stupid, but it wasn't even explained properly. Annoyingly, this book clearly had never been edited before it was published - there's loads of continuity errors. On pg 24 the first victim was said to nhave been killed by a stab wound, yet later that page it becomes a 'singler slash'. whichj is not the same thing. Atv one point, Geraldine asks Tom where he was on Tuesday night, then asks his girlfriend her whereabouts for Monday night. One guy is locked up on Saturday and released the next day, which should be Sunday ,logically. The next chapter starts at lunch-time, making it Monday. The following chapter starts with the guy being released ( 2nd time?) but then says he was only there for a single night. And there are other bits of complete stuoidity, too. I'm not sure if nobody else notices these things (goodness knows how!) or i9f I'm just fussy but all this is down purely to bad editing. If I read any more by Leigh it won't be for a very long time. This is one to avoid, folks.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A one day read that did have me compelled to reach the end. A good fast pace with an interesting plot that sees the demoted Geraldine Steele a Sergeant in the York Major Crimes team, working under her former subordinate, Ian Peterson. A spate of muggings in the town's maze of narrow alleys with reports of a knife has the community on edge. Then a body is discovered with its throat cut and the police immediately start to assume that the muggings have taken a nasty turn. Inspector Peterson and the Chief Inspector leading the team can only think about the mugging gang but with no evidence to support the theory, Geraldine starts to think otherwise.

It is annoying that none of the police team can focus n the evidence and founder in their thinking. Geraldine herself keeps musing about her past and her demotion to the extent that it becomes annoying, as does her continual fixation with her extended family. These aspects begin to annoy me and make it just a 3 star read.

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 2 out of 5]

I normally enjoy this series but found it to be extremely boring, predictable and unbelievable in parts , not one of her best !!

[Dawn Marsanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book but not as much as Death Rope as I found the story a little slow in places and the ending predictable.
Nevertheless, the continuation of the personal stories of the main characters is engaging for anyone familiar with the series.
The descriptions of York are accurate and atmospheric.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a killer on the streets of York, someone so brazen and vicious that they stalk and attack their victims without fear, confident that the police will never be able to catch them. And it appears they could be right. In spite of having clear DNA evidence, the police are unable to trace the killer, and with the powers that be convinced that the deaths are simply a case of a mugging gone wrong, Geraldine appears to be the only officer convinced that something more sinister is in play.

What I love about this series is the way in which Leigh Russell always manages to create a scene and a story full of tension and mystery from the very beginning. In this case we are privy to the immediate aftermath of the first murder, a case which is soon to haunt Geraldine and her fellow officers. The death is bloody and violent, but driven by the killers inner thoughts and our imaginations only. The actual deed is kept largely off the page. That is the beauty of the books in the series. they deal in very serious subjects, and quite disturbing murders in some cases, but the reader is at the heart of the action without being at the centre of the terror to. A perfect balance.

The other key to this series success, something which shines through once more in this book, is the way in which characters are created and developed with each story. While long term readers will know Geraldine Steel and her DI, Ian Peterson, we are still getting to know the team around them and yet after just a few books they already feel familiar to me. And it's not just the Detectives who feel familiar. Leigh Russell is so adept at bringing her characters to life that in just a few paragraphs you have a real feel for them all, be they murderer or potential victim. In this case, it was the dynamic between the three muggers, Daryl, Carver and Nelson, which struck me the most. that kind of sense of entitlement from the older boys and the need to belong mixed with the fear of being caught that emanates from Daryl. It beings that level of authenticity to the story and plays with the readers emotions as I found myself torn between a desire for justice and a kind of feeling of the inevitability of what was going to transpire.

And then there is the killer. A dark and very dangerous individual. You can feel the tension creep in whenever they appear on the page, and the level of pleasure they take from their kills is quite disturbing but also compelling. You want to read on to see how far they will go and if they will be caught. They seem pretty confident that's not going to happen and as a reader I could believe it. We are given some insight into their background through their memories, but no clue as to who they might actually be. There are red herrings littered in amongst what you know by the end of the book to be some very clearly dropped clues. You have to be quite canny to pick up on them at first pass though.

Thankfully for the reader, and the innocent folk of York, canny is the one thing that Geraldine excels at. She is the only dissenting voice in a team determined to find the muggers guilty of murder. I love Geraldine's determination, but also that sense of vulnerability that comes from her from time to time. One minute she is dogged and certain, the next she is doubting herself and struggling with the dynamic of her enforced demotion and transfer. I also loved seeing her internal battle as she struggles with her growing feelings for Ian. They are close friends but is it conceivable that it can ever be anything more? Maybe, maybe not. I guess we're all going to have to keep reading to find that one out.

This book is a brilliant example of a police thriller with a series of dark and twisted murders at its heart. Full of tension, misdirection and blend of drama and humour, it will play with your emotions too. There are heart stopping moments where characters, especially Geraldine, are pushed right to the edge that make you question if you would react in the same way. Equally there are those moments of inevitability which made me pause for a moment and think about the senseless loss of life, so sadly representative of modern society. And above all of this, it's just a bloody good story.

[Kath · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a bit of a fan of this author having read all her series and standalone books. Or so I thought. I saw that she had a new Geraldine out this month and got a bit excited. Then I got a bit horrified as I realised that, although I bought this book a while ago, I hadn't actually read it. Determined to rectify this heinous crime, and relieved that I hadn't forgotten it totally, I duly sneaked it into my TBR as soon as I had finished my current read. Phew!
If you haven't read the previous books, and I do realise that there are a lot of them, you could do yourself a favour and play catch-up. They are all great reads in themselves and Geraldine will make much more sense as a character if you do. If you do find that time is not your friend then don't worry, the author has included enough of her past to make what is happening in this book make sense.
So, a man is found dead in an alleyway; throat cut. Could it be connected to the spate of muggings that have been happening in and around York? The Police seem to think so. Well, most of them anyway. Geraldine isn't so sure. But being the newbie on the team and with her own chequered past to deal with, she has to toe the party line. Professionally at any rate. Personally she starts her own investigation. Oh Geraldine! Will she bite off more than she can chew. With Ian being a bit distant, something that really worries Geraldine, both personally and professionally, she has to take matters into her own hands, but at what cost? Will the consequences of her actions come back to bite her...?
I love this series. I still can't believe I nearly missed this one but I have taken myself off and had a word so it shouldn't happen again! Geraldine has been through a lot, bless her. But for all her faults and dodgy dealings, she has always done things for the right reason and that continues here. She has a lot on her shoulders already from her twin and the aftermath of the shenanigans that relationship cost her, her subsequent demotion and relocation and, as we start the book, it looks like she is back on as even a keel as she can be. Her grit and tenacity doesn't let up either, but her more vulnerable and human sides continue to shine through. Her relationship with Ian is precarious for the most of the book, he being a bit distant, this worrying to her. But she seems to have finally found a friend.
I've been with Geraldine through thick and thin, warts and all, through the mundane and the shocking and, you know what, I really rather like her. She's also very clever and good at what she does and never lets authority get in the way of what she believes. She my kind of people.
OK, so I do admit to getting to the crux of the matter in this book well before her. But that's just more of an inkling I had that panned out rather than anything blatant that the author fed me. She did get there eventually though...
All in all, a great addition to a wonderful series; one of my favourites. With the next in series just around the corner, it'll not be long before we can reconnect...

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Rogue Killer is the twelfth 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…

[Cheryl M-M · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Geraldine Steel is determined to find the killer, and is also enraged by the set of circumstances that create the perfect environment for someone to commit a crime that nearly passes as a group incident. Steel thinks it is more than just the wrong place at the wrong time.

The DI is opinionated, feisty and not afraid to seek the truth where others have already decided on the result of their investigations. She has a nose for crime and a penchant for trouble.

Russell incorporates an interesting view on mental health and culpability. When someone commits crimes, but is seemingly unaware of the consequences or commits them because there is a lack of support in place. Irrational, antisocial or volatile behaviour doesn't always equate to a mental health diagnosis though. If there are no mental health issues and a person commits crimes, especially when they involve clarity and planning, then surely they should be culpable for their actions? Instead of being grouped in as someone who isn't guilty per se by reason of insanity or due to mental health issues.

And why are people who show early or previous signs of severe mental health issues not evaluated sooner? This is often the case with children and young people, who fall victim to an inadequate system and end up harming themselves others.

It's certainly a slippery slope our society sits upon. This is a fast-paced police procedural with a killer who leads the police on a merry chase.
*I received a courtesy copy*

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have followed the ups and downs of Geraldine Steel’s career from the beginning with Cut Short.
Now here we are with book twelve in the DI Geraldine Steel series, where she is not a DI but continues in the demoted position of detective sergeant, working in York, under her former sergeant Ian Peterson who is now her inspector.
I could cheerfully bang both Geraldine’s and Ian’s heads together sometimes because they do not do what I want them to do. But I suppose that is often true with people that you know well, which says a lot about the depth of character that author Leigh Russell has created during this series.
In this book, Geraldine finds herself on yet another murder investigation when what appears to be a random killing in a back alley in York, is being associated with a series of recent muggings. The Chief Inspector is looking for a simple solution by getting her team to find the muggers, convinced that this will solve the case.
Geraldine has been beaten down by her autocratic boss too often to know, that she hasn’t got the voice that she had when she was an inspector, so finds herself walking down two paths. Working with the team, and also following her own instincts often in her own time.
I’m not going to comment more on the plot, and risk giving anything away, but on Geraldine’s personal front, there is a cliffhanger at the end which will leave devotees of the series longing for Book 13.

[James Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the first Geraldine Steel novel a couple of years ago, when I saw Rogue Killer in the bookshop I thought that it was the second in the series (I do like to read books in sequence) but I was mistaken, it is No 12, oh well! However, even though there are referrals to past events, it worked very well, for me, as a stand-alone. It seems that somewhere along the way that she must have fell foul of her superiors because she is now a DS and not a DI and is working for the York police force.
A body a has been found, slashed to death, in a narrow street. The killer has left no clues and, it seems, there are no witnesses. There has also been a number of muggings by a gang of three where one has been seen to wield a knife, could they be the killers? Then there are two more body’s found in quick succession, also knifed. While the police are looking in one direction Geraldine is looking in the other way which leads to a few twists and turns.
The reader is given an idea who the killer might be but it is how DS Steel gets there that is the intriguing part. I found this quite a gripping and enjoyable read and I am now eager to find out how Geraldine got to where she is now, but next time starting with episode No2. I like Leigh Russell’s easy reading style and give this 4/5.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

For a smart woman Geraldine Steele can be pretty dumb! I think Ian needs to start saving up for an aeroplane with a banner behind it. She was also not firing on all cylinders when it came to her investigation, I made the crucial connection way before she got anywhere near it and even then she only got part of the way there! Then, as usual, she walked headlong into a situation she couldn’t hope to manage. She really needs to get her priorities sorted out and keep her mind on the job!

As usual Geraldine is the one who puts the pieces together and, despite being a rather lowly sergeant these days, points the investigation in the right direction despite opposition from her senior officers.

I have been awaiting this book for a long time and have been reading it avidly, finishing it in a matter of hours. It was definitely worth waiting for but then, none of these books have ever been less than enthralling.

[BARBARA D HILL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not the best in the series and starting to become very predictable.The muggers were just a sideshow which added nothing to the storyline and if readers didn't guess the outcome by about 2/3rds through then I'd be very surprised.
Not sure I'd be reading the next few episodes if I hadn't already purchased them,which unfortunately is not really the best reason to carry on.Maybe something more interesting will happen between Geraldine and Ian,but I'm not holding my breath which probably sums up the overall disappointment I felt when I turned the last page.
If this was a school report then I think I'd expect a "must and can do better" comment.
Sorry Leigh,but an honest review by someone who previously has been an avid reader of this as well as Ian's series.

[Mary E SMYTH · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was very disappointed in this, the 12th in the series. After a good start the book descended to tedium as the case stalled. The side issue of the three muggers only served as a diversion and did not add to the plot at all.
A tall woman , with an unusual gait seen near the first two murders. Later this character was traced ,and noted to wearing heavy make up. I was away ahead of ex inspector Geraldine. DNA from the suspect is found on this lady's door. Not one of the team desperately looking for leads ,thought .of testing the occupier of the house, even when they had access to tooth and hair brushes. Not credible.
I expected more from an old hand like Leigh Russell.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number 12 in the series and still as good as ever, which is some achievement as by this time often a series is getting a bit stale.
Geraldine is still the cracking maverick detective she has always been despite her reduced rank. She’s blind as a bat in her personal life though! Interesting main plot, I had worked out the culprit and sort of expected the showdown but none of that took from my enjoyment of the book. A bit like catching up with old friends, you revisit the past and luxuriate in the familiar

[Victoria Forsyth · Rating 2 out of 5]

My hubby bought me this book for Christmas (on behalf of our dog, Georgie). I hadn’t come across this author before but decided to give them a try.
I found it a real effort to get through, I just didn’t care enough for the characters. I have since had it confirmed that this is part of a series and not the start of the series or a standalone novel which explains why I could not connect to the characters. I also found the story clunky and derivative.

[Hannah May · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was not for me. I liked the idea of the book but I didn’t not enjoy the way the book was set out. Now finishing it, there was no point in some of the chapters as they had nothing to do with the murders that was happening. This could also be because this is book 13 in a series and I haven’t read anything else in this series. But I don’t think I will be going back and reading from the start.

[Su Biela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this if you're happy with no sleep

Love Leigh Russell's writing and Geraldine Steel 12 , didn't disappoint. Took me only two days to read the book. Not that is a fast read but that I just couldn't put it down. Seriously I need sleep. Thank goodness book 13 isn't out yet. Good night

[M.K. Graff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Geraldine moves on.

Working in York, the detective is coming to terms with her new role when a serial killer has the town in its thrall. It doesn’t help a trio of teens have been pulling off mugging, either. A nice blend of forensics and dogged police work in this procedural.

[justine mackinnon · Rating 5 out of 5]

excellent read, couldn’t put it down

Excellent storyline, Geraldine is an amazing character, just hope the stories continue with her and Ian
About to now start the next book! Poor housework is definitely being neglected lol

[Michelle Debnam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cannot wait for the next in this series 10 out og 10

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reasonable police procedural, but not one of the best in the series and the plot twist was blatantly obvious long before Geraldine realised.

[Nicki Southwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

RTF

[J M Wigner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another teriffic great read.

Highly recommended. Look forward to the next book with anticipation
And many more😄 what else is there tosay.well done leigh

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent police procedural as usual in the Geraldine Steel series, but the twist at the end was obvious from before half way. Murder and muggers in York

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still too many references to Geraldine's demotion and lack of chances for promotion. Seriously considering not completing the series.

[Kay Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

another excellent read

[Jasmine · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars
it was honestly just a bit dull, genuinely who tf is Jaimie. It would probably be helpful if this wasn't the only Geraldine Steel novel I read but I don't really want to read anymore

[Mike Blackburn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haven't read any of Leigh Russell's books before but this was a very good read.

[Jack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever serial killer thriller featuring stubborn detective Geraldine Steel.