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DI Geraldine Steel #14
Deadly Revenge
The new novel in the million-copy selling Detective Geraldine Steel series
'Brilliant and chilling, Leigh Russell delivers a cracker of a read!' —Martina Cole
When a hysterical mother reports her baby's sudden disappearance, suspicion immediately falls on the absent husband. But Detective Geraldine Steel's gut instinct tells her this case is not as simple as her colleagues think . . .
Complications in the mother's life begin to surface, including her relationship with her controlling father, a controversial political figure. As the police investigate, their attempt to find the missing infant grows ever more urgent.
Steel is forced to suspect everyone associated with the family and when a body is discovered, matters take a deadly turn.
"Unmissable." —Lee Child
"Leigh Russell is a brilliant talent in the thriller field." —Jeffery Deaver
Look out for more DI Geraldine Steel investigations in Cut Short, Road Closed, Dead End, Death Bed, Stop Dead, Fatal Act, Killer Plan, Murder Ring, Deadly Alibi, Class Murder, Death Rope, Rogue Killer and Deathly Affair plus the special Christmas short story, Killer Christmas
Don't miss the DI Ian Peterson series: Cold Sacrifice, Race to Death and Blood Axe
'Brilliant and chilling, Leigh Russell delivers a cracker of a read!' —Martina Cole
When a hysterical mother reports her baby's sudden disappearance, suspicion immediately falls on the absent husband. But Detective Geraldine Steel's gut instinct tells her this case is not as simple as her colleagues think . . .
Complications in the mother's life begin to surface, including her relationship with her controlling father, a controversial political figure. As the police investigate, their attempt to find the missing infant grows ever more urgent.
Steel is forced to suspect everyone associated with the family and when a body is discovered, matters take a deadly turn.
"Unmissable." —Lee Child
"Leigh Russell is a brilliant talent in the thriller field." —Jeffery Deaver
Look out for more DI Geraldine Steel investigations in Cut Short, Road Closed, Dead End, Death Bed, Stop Dead, Fatal Act, Killer Plan, Murder Ring, Deadly Alibi, Class Murder, Death Rope, Rogue Killer and Deathly Affair plus the special Christmas short story, Killer Christmas
Don't miss the DI Ian Peterson series: Cold Sacrifice, Race to Death and Blood Axe
321 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 22, 2020
68 people are currently reading
122 people want to read
About the author
Leigh Russell
70 books334 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 42 reviews
September 18, 2020
Rep: lesbian side character, blind side character
CWs: graphic scenes of domestic abuse
CWs: graphic scenes of domestic abuse
July 21, 2020
In Deadly Revenge we join Geraldine Steel and the team again as they try to solve the case of a missing baby. Jessica Colman has reported that her six-month old daughter has disappeared. Also, she can't get hold of her husband, Jason. Who has said he's off on a stag weekend. The only problem there is that nobody has heard of this stag weekend. Something fishy going on? It seems like a clear cut case, Jason has obviously taken the baby, hasn't he?
When Geraldine and the team delve deeper into this case, they discover that not all is as it seems. And, there are things that happen behind closed doors that aren't very nice.
Deadly Revenge can be read as a standalone, but as the storyline of Geraldine and Ian's relationship further develops in this book, I say it's always best to read a series from the start so that you can get to know the main characters better.
This story was full of twists and turns that you may not have guessed, I did find parts a bit repetitive. But, it was useful to refresh the old grey matter on the details of the case.
Thank you to Anne for my spot on the blog tour. And, thanks to No Exit Press for my gifted digital copy.
When Geraldine and the team delve deeper into this case, they discover that not all is as it seems. And, there are things that happen behind closed doors that aren't very nice.
Deadly Revenge can be read as a standalone, but as the storyline of Geraldine and Ian's relationship further develops in this book, I say it's always best to read a series from the start so that you can get to know the main characters better.
This story was full of twists and turns that you may not have guessed, I did find parts a bit repetitive. But, it was useful to refresh the old grey matter on the details of the case.
Thank you to Anne for my spot on the blog tour. And, thanks to No Exit Press for my gifted digital copy.
July 15, 2020
I would like to thank Netgalley and Oldcastle Books for an advance copy of Deadly Revenge, the fourteenth novel to feature York based DS Geraldine Steel.
When Jessica Colman reports that her sixth month old daughter, Daisy, is missing and she doesn’t know where her husband, Jason, is Geraldine’s colleagues immediately assume that Jason is responsible. Geraldine isn’t so sure and as she starts to unravel Jessica’s life she realises there is much more to the case than a simple parental abduction. Then a body is found and the case changes again.
I thoroughly enjoyed Deadly Revenge which is an absorbing read, full of twists and turns, many of which are genuinely surprising. Geraldine’s voice predominates in the novel but other voices are inserted as required. Sometimes this is good in expanding the reader’s understanding but early on some of these insertions gave me big hints about the general thrust of the novel. I say general thrust as Ms Russell and her imagination still managed to surprise me on several occasions. I felt the novel was slow at points with the team going over old ground but but then another bombshell drops and it’s all go again. The plot is unusual, not in the general idea but in the detail and how it plays out. This is not easy to achieve in a crowded genre so it should be noted and praised.
Geraldine is having relationship problems with her new boyfriend and this plays in the background of the investigation. I’m not really too sure what I think about it as I can see the sense in her reasonable approach but would have preferred to see her totally let rip with a few choice words. Instead, I said them for her.
Deadly Revenge is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
When Jessica Colman reports that her sixth month old daughter, Daisy, is missing and she doesn’t know where her husband, Jason, is Geraldine’s colleagues immediately assume that Jason is responsible. Geraldine isn’t so sure and as she starts to unravel Jessica’s life she realises there is much more to the case than a simple parental abduction. Then a body is found and the case changes again.
I thoroughly enjoyed Deadly Revenge which is an absorbing read, full of twists and turns, many of which are genuinely surprising. Geraldine’s voice predominates in the novel but other voices are inserted as required. Sometimes this is good in expanding the reader’s understanding but early on some of these insertions gave me big hints about the general thrust of the novel. I say general thrust as Ms Russell and her imagination still managed to surprise me on several occasions. I felt the novel was slow at points with the team going over old ground but but then another bombshell drops and it’s all go again. The plot is unusual, not in the general idea but in the detail and how it plays out. This is not easy to achieve in a crowded genre so it should be noted and praised.
Geraldine is having relationship problems with her new boyfriend and this plays in the background of the investigation. I’m not really too sure what I think about it as I can see the sense in her reasonable approach but would have preferred to see her totally let rip with a few choice words. Instead, I said them for her.
Deadly Revenge is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.
November 3, 2022
This is a typical Leigh Russell novel. The plot is fairly interesting, although blatantly obvious from rather early on, I'm sorry to say. On the plus side, there's little of the usual wasted chapters with Geraldine visting her sisters and ,hopefully, this is the last we'll hear about Ian's ex-wife too. As I said, this is a typical Russell book with all the usual mistakes that come with most of them. There are plenty of typos ( even though No Exit Press asures me they are carefully proof-read) and at one point April the coroner's assistant becomes Avril, which is unforgivably sloppy. An ok book if you want some leave-your-brain-at-the-door entertainment for a short while.
August 1, 2020
I do love the Geraldine Steel series!! The fact that this is still popular at book number 14 kind of speaks for itself doesn’t it?
When a hysterical mother reports her baby’s sudden disappearance, suspicion immediately falls on the absent husband. But Detective Geraldine Steel’s gut instinct tells her this case is not as simple.. The case seems open and shut, the husband is also missing so surely he’s taken the baby. However, is it that simple?
I absolutely loved seeing the developments with the relationships, and the complications involved.
Can’t wait for number 15!!
When a hysterical mother reports her baby’s sudden disappearance, suspicion immediately falls on the absent husband. But Detective Geraldine Steel’s gut instinct tells her this case is not as simple.. The case seems open and shut, the husband is also missing so surely he’s taken the baby. However, is it that simple?
I absolutely loved seeing the developments with the relationships, and the complications involved.
Can’t wait for number 15!!
June 25, 2020
Yay... another Geraldine book :) Obviously usual series rules apply, maybe even more so in this book due to the complexity of both Geraldine and Ian and their separate and combined back stories but, if you are not so inclined, the main story works OK as a standalone. You'll just miss out on all the rest of the fun...
So, we have a missing baby, and an absent husband. Are the two connected and, if so, in what way? As we follow the mother, who appears to be in the shadow of her family, Geraldine, Ian, and the team face a race against time to find the baby before something worse happens... And then a body is found...
I've been with this series from the start. Witnessed Geraldine's family life implode, see her relationship - both personal and professional - with Ian wax, wane and all things in between. So much so that it feels so comfortable opening another book as I feel I am reconnecting with old friends. Knowing the backstories eases me into the book so gently that I only meant to start this book, a few chapters before bed, and next thing I knew I was half way through...
The story contained herein is a bit harrowing and doesn't pull its punches. That said, it is delivered in a very respectful way, mindful of the subject matter at all times. The book also contains a fair bit of personal stuff, wrt Geraldine and Ian but this remains balanced with the crime investigation side of things and is only what you'd expect and require from a series book. Part of their charm is re-connecting with old friends and seeing what they are up to outside of work. Well, it is for me anyway. Pacing is good and the waffle and padding count low!
All in all, a cracking addition to an already impressive and well established series. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So, we have a missing baby, and an absent husband. Are the two connected and, if so, in what way? As we follow the mother, who appears to be in the shadow of her family, Geraldine, Ian, and the team face a race against time to find the baby before something worse happens... And then a body is found...
I've been with this series from the start. Witnessed Geraldine's family life implode, see her relationship - both personal and professional - with Ian wax, wane and all things in between. So much so that it feels so comfortable opening another book as I feel I am reconnecting with old friends. Knowing the backstories eases me into the book so gently that I only meant to start this book, a few chapters before bed, and next thing I knew I was half way through...
The story contained herein is a bit harrowing and doesn't pull its punches. That said, it is delivered in a very respectful way, mindful of the subject matter at all times. The book also contains a fair bit of personal stuff, wrt Geraldine and Ian but this remains balanced with the crime investigation side of things and is only what you'd expect and require from a series book. Part of their charm is re-connecting with old friends and seeing what they are up to outside of work. Well, it is for me anyway. Pacing is good and the waffle and padding count low!
All in all, a cracking addition to an already impressive and well established series. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
January 24, 2021
Didn't enjoy this one as much as 2nd one in the series. The ending seemed disjointed and hastily put together. I will go back and re-read the last 5/6 chapters and try make sense.
Lovely new word that I can't say I have come across before 'curmudgeonly' (especially of an old person -bad tempered, negative)
Favourite quote...
'She had not understood how lonely she was, until she had stopped being lonely'
Lovely new word that I can't say I have come across before 'curmudgeonly' (especially of an old person -bad tempered, negative)
Favourite quote...
'She had not understood how lonely she was, until she had stopped being lonely'
August 15, 2020
No matter how many books I have in my "to be read" list when a Leigh Russell book arrives it jumps straight to the top of the list. This one sees Geraldine Steel investigate the disturbing case of the abduction of a young baby. Just reading the story made me feel as if I too were racing against time to find this little girl. Secondary to the crime but just as compelling is the story of Geraldine's relationship with the other characters in particular her superior officer Ian Peterson. I can't wait for the next one.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book
September 4, 2020
I have read all of the books in this series and have enjoyed them, but I just got so frustrated with this one!! A baby gets stolen out of their cot in the middle of the night and there were no forensics done 🤨 until the mother found a few spots of blood in the cot later in the day. The main characters seemed to be all over the place and unrealistic in my opinion which is a shame as it could’ve been a great read. Disappointing as I’ve enjoyed the others in this series
Thank you to NetGalley and Oldcastle books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you to NetGalley and Oldcastle books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review
July 23, 2020
It's hard to believe this is the fourteenth adventure for Geraldine, but the series remains as interesting and fresh as ever. In the past Geraldine's life has been a bit up and down, finding out she was adopted and helping her newly discovered birth sister escape the clutches of a drug dealer which led to her getting demoted from the rank of Detective Inspector to Sergeant as a result. She moved to York and found herself working for her former sergeant, Ian Petersen, now a DI and a man she has secretly been in love with for a long time. Only now she has found out her feelings are reciprocated, he has left his wife after finding out she has had an affair resulting in a pregnancy, and has been staying over quite a lot at Geraldine's flat. They have a good DCI in Eileen and things are going well at work and on the home front. The story begins with that all too familiar sad story of domestic abuse. A bullying husband Jason has been gradually grinding down his wife, both mentally and physically, until it's too late and one day she finds herself stuck with a new baby and nowhere to turn to. The battered mother wakes one morning to find her baby has vanished in the night. Her husband has reportedly taken himself off for a few days on a stag party but cannot be contacted or located. With no signs of a break in and only a few people having access to the house, the police immediately suspect that the man has taken his child, possibly to hurt his wife Jessica or to begin a new life, and while they need to find Jason, there is no reason to believe any harm has come to the infant. Geraldine is famous for her gut instinct and straight away it is telling her they are not getting the whole story. Jessica's parents are not exactly complimentary about her, claiming she should never have married Jason, that she is often hysterical and unable to cope with life in general. Jessica's father is a local councillor, overbearing and not well liked by the public who have to suffer his budget cuts. Whilst Geraldine and the rest of the team are making precious little progress in locating father and child, lots of other strange things are going on in the background, and then to make matters worse a body is found in suspicious circumstances. With life throwing a spanner in the works for Geraldine at home, the race is on at work to investigate the death and find the baby. There is a lot of action in this compelling story and with suspects everywhere I was as baffled as the detectives at times. The ending was superb and shocking at the same time, and a lot of satisfying justice was meted out. Praise must go to the author for raising awareness of two very important issues, that of domestic abuse and the far ranging repercussions it can have, and also the ever present problem of budget cuts which have serious implications for libraries, schools and other council services, not to mention loyal and long serving staff ending up on the scrap heap. I have an extra reason for loving this book since one of the characters has been named after me which is a great honour! The entire series has been consistently great (one of my favourites) and I am already looking forward to book 15! 5*
July 22, 2020
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Why am I hearing of this series now?! I must be living under a rock because this book was so gripping!
The author had me hooked to the plot. The story-line is intense with suspicious murders revolving on domestic violence, greed and revenge. Also, there are so many suspects, that you really don’t know how they are all connected. Just when you feel you have nailed the suspect, the author introduces new characters to throw you off guard. I loved this! Moreover, what I really enjoyed about this story was how the author beautifully balances the case with Geraldine’s personal life. On one hand, you have graphic scenes of Roger finding a body in his garden, and blood stains in the nursery. But on the other hand, you see the emotional drama of Geraldine’s romance with Ian. Also, even though Christine only makes a brief appearance, her character was very creepy.
Speaking of Geraldine, I loved her relationship with Ian. They are so adorable together, it makes me want to read all the previous books to see how they started. Personally, I felt that Geraldine was very tolerant and consistent towards their relationship, even though Ian dismissed her. However, I would have liked it if Bev made an appearance and we had a confrontation between her and Geraldine. I felt the author resolved their issues behind the scenes and we only got the abridged version.
Apart from that, this book was simply fun and exciting. Overall, now I am angry because this is Book 14 and I have missed out on so much! I need to catch up with the first dozen books. “Deadly Revenge” is very entertaining!
August 22, 2025
3.5 Stars
Deadly Revenge is the fourteenth 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…
Deadly Revenge is the fourteenth 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…
November 12, 2020
Jessica Colman, a young wife in a troubled marriage, discovers that her baby Daisy is missing. DI Geraldine Steel treats the case as a kidnapping and when Jessica’s husband Jason does not return from a trip he was scheduled to take, he becomes a prime suspect. Things, however, are not so cut and dried. Jessica’s father, the self-important head of the local council, has been threatened. Could that be related to the kidnapping? And what is Jessica’s relationship to Ella, another young mother? Why is Jessica so secretive? And what is bothering her mother Anne? Soon bodies are discovered and the case becomes something very different.
Geraldine Steel’s life has been complicated.She and Ian Peterson have been attracted to each other for years but Ian has been married. His wife left him for another man and gave birth to that man’s baby. Now, as Geraldine and Ian are finally living together and planning a future, his ex-wife returns. As Geraldine slowly uncovers the truth in the Colman case, she must try to imagine a future without Ian.
Leigh Russell is an incredibly talented author. I’ve read all of her Geraldine Steel books and Deadly Revenge does not disappoint. Whether this is the first you’ve read or you are a long time fan, it’s a 5 star read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Oldcastle Books and Leigh Russell for this ARC.
Geraldine Steel’s life has been complicated.She and Ian Peterson have been attracted to each other for years but Ian has been married. His wife left him for another man and gave birth to that man’s baby. Now, as Geraldine and Ian are finally living together and planning a future, his ex-wife returns. As Geraldine slowly uncovers the truth in the Colman case, she must try to imagine a future without Ian.
Leigh Russell is an incredibly talented author. I’ve read all of her Geraldine Steel books and Deadly Revenge does not disappoint. Whether this is the first you’ve read or you are a long time fan, it’s a 5 star read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Oldcastle Books and Leigh Russell for this ARC.
August 11, 2021
I can’t believe this is the fourteenth book in the series featuring DI Geraldine Steel and it certainly didn’t disappoint. Geraldine was demoted from DI to Sergeant when, after finding out that she was adopted, helped her sister to escape for a drug dealer. She is now working in York and is reunited with her former colleague DI Ian Paterson who she has always been secretly in love with. They are now finally together but for how long? They are called out to investigate the case of a young mother, Jessica, who has woken up to find her baby ha s been snatched in the night. Her husband Jason, who is a brutal bully and has abused Jessic both mentally and physically, appears to have gone missing. The teams suspect he may have taken the baby are are desperate to find him but Geraldine has her doubts and as she starts to investigate Jason’s life she realises that there is a lot more to this case. A body is discovered and the case becomes even more complicated. This book has an tense, interesting and unusual plot, fantastic characters and plenty of twists and turns. An excellent read and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 26, 2021
It’s been way too long since I have read about Geraldine and figured it was high time I caught up. Geraldine and the team are working a case of a baby’s disappearance. It’s a strange case as the baby’s father Jason is apparently away for the weekend, except nobody who knows Jason knows anything about this so-called stag weekend he is meant to be on. Jason’s wife Jessica is hysterical, and it seems obvious from the early days that she is very controlled, but the question is by whom?
Before long the standard search procedures are interrupted by another murder linked directly to the case. The story hits the pace perfectly and you feel like you are back with old friends when Geraldine and Ian are working a case. It seems that Geraldine and Ian are still working things out on the personal front, but this makes for such an interesting thread that has run throughout the series and gives you a real glimpse into their personal lives.
This book was the perfect mix for me and was a real ‘who dunnit’ kind of book. I am also additionally pleased as I am binge reading a few series of books now and I know that I have book 15 in this series to read. Another cracking read and a series I would recommend.
Before long the standard search procedures are interrupted by another murder linked directly to the case. The story hits the pace perfectly and you feel like you are back with old friends when Geraldine and Ian are working a case. It seems that Geraldine and Ian are still working things out on the personal front, but this makes for such an interesting thread that has run throughout the series and gives you a real glimpse into their personal lives.
This book was the perfect mix for me and was a real ‘who dunnit’ kind of book. I am also additionally pleased as I am binge reading a few series of books now and I know that I have book 15 in this series to read. Another cracking read and a series I would recommend.
July 31, 2020
Deadly Revenge is #14 in the Geraldine Steel series, it can be read as a stand-alone (but you really should read the rest of this fantastic series too).
When Jessica reports her young baby, Daisy, missing Geraldine and her team begin the investigation…..
There’s a missing baby, a missing husband and a dead councillor…..how are they linked?
As Geraldine searches for the missing baby, she is also dealing with her messy personal life, just as she thought she could be happy, things go awry.
As always in this series, Leigh Russell doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, like domestic violence, controlling behaviour and even topical politics too.
I have to admit I was a bit confused at the beginning, with different characters and their part in the tale, but this marvellously twisty plot brings them all together as things gradually come clear. With fantastic characters too this really is a read in one sitting book….I loved it.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and an eARC of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
When Jessica reports her young baby, Daisy, missing Geraldine and her team begin the investigation…..
There’s a missing baby, a missing husband and a dead councillor…..how are they linked?
As Geraldine searches for the missing baby, she is also dealing with her messy personal life, just as she thought she could be happy, things go awry.
As always in this series, Leigh Russell doesn’t shy away from difficult subjects, like domestic violence, controlling behaviour and even topical politics too.
I have to admit I was a bit confused at the beginning, with different characters and their part in the tale, but this marvellously twisty plot brings them all together as things gradually come clear. With fantastic characters too this really is a read in one sitting book….I loved it.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and an eARC of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
July 31, 2020
Jessica’s six month old daughter Daisy has been taken from her cot. DS Geraldine Steel and the rest of the team believe her father, Jason, has taken her as he’s also missing. The team are getting nowhere in the hunt for Daisy and her father when Jessica’s father, David Armstrong, starts getting threatened. As council leader he is being targeted for all the cuts to council services in York. Shortly afterwards David dies in suspicious circumstances although there doesn’t seem to be anything to link his death to Daisy’s disappearance. The further discovery of a body starts to unravel the case and Daisy’s disappearance isn’t as clear cut as the team believed. While the investigation is going on Geraldine in having to deal with her new found relationship with long time colleague Ian being threatened by the return of his soon to be ex wife Bev.
An excellent read as usual. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Thanks to Netgalley, Oldcastle and Leigh Russell for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
An excellent read as usual. Plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing.
Thanks to Netgalley, Oldcastle and Leigh Russell for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.
August 2, 2020
Number 14 in the series and from page one this book grabs you and doesn’t let go. It’s an a absolute credit to the author that there’s nothing stale about this series nor the characters, and number 14 is as fresh as number 1 was. Geraldine is back doing what she does best. Finally she seems in a happy place personally (don’t hold your breath on that one!) and seems to be settled into her ‘reduced’ role, though there’s nothing reduced about her detection skills.
Centred around a missing baby, this book deals with a very serious issue and looks at it from the stories of three different victims whose lives all intertwine. A great look at just how far a person might go when pushed to the limits and to protect those most important to them. Read over two days this is a true unputdownable read.
Centred around a missing baby, this book deals with a very serious issue and looks at it from the stories of three different victims whose lives all intertwine. A great look at just how far a person might go when pushed to the limits and to protect those most important to them. Read over two days this is a true unputdownable read.
August 2, 2020
This book is number 14 in the DI Geraldine Steel series from Leigh Russell, but the first read by me. That wasn't a problem, the author included enough information for me to dive in without making me feel like I was missing anything, while I still got a sense that all the characters involved had full real lives that encompassed more than the pages of this specific book.
Jessica Colman has a missing baby and a missing husband, but there's no clear sense immediately as to whether the two are linked. Enter Geraldine Steel and her commitment to finding out the truth.
Jessica is a complicated, not always sympathetic character, with difficult parents and emotions all over the place. But that means this isn't a predictable read. I wasn't 100% sure where it was going and enjoyed the journey.
I think I'll be back for more!
Jessica Colman has a missing baby and a missing husband, but there's no clear sense immediately as to whether the two are linked. Enter Geraldine Steel and her commitment to finding out the truth.
Jessica is a complicated, not always sympathetic character, with difficult parents and emotions all over the place. But that means this isn't a predictable read. I wasn't 100% sure where it was going and enjoyed the journey.
I think I'll be back for more!
July 18, 2020
Another Geraldine Steel book which did not disappoint. This time the team are working on the case of a missing baby and an absent husband. Leigh Russell has woven an intricate plot, and an unusual one. Geraldine is also dealing with her personal relationship with Ian and I loved the character development. As usual, a well written crime thriller with plenty tension and a good pace. I can highly recommend this series which keeps improving. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
January 31, 2021
This is the latest, much anticipated book in the DI Geraldine Steel series, and a book I had truly been excited to read.
The characters become more likeable with every book, and by now I am well and truly invested in their lives and the blossoming romance between Geraldine and Ian.
The story in this instalment is chilling and has the reader gripped as the suspense ramps up throughout the story.
An intense, brilliantly written book that I read within a day. A definite must read!.
The characters become more likeable with every book, and by now I am well and truly invested in their lives and the blossoming romance between Geraldine and Ian.
The story in this instalment is chilling and has the reader gripped as the suspense ramps up throughout the story.
An intense, brilliantly written book that I read within a day. A definite must read!.
April 24, 2021
Pretty decent book with some good twists and turns. I did however get a bit confused with the background characters, but I thinks that’s because this is the 14th book in the series but the first that I have read. I’m assuming that the other characters have been more fleshed out in previous books. All round though I do recommend this book to crime thriller lovers but suggest maybe reading the books in order. The first book is called Cut Short.
August 31, 2020
I enjoyed this latest book in the D.I. Geraldine Steel series. Although part of a series, this also reads well as a stand-alone.
As D.I. Steele and her team investigate the abduction of a baby, all is not as it seems and are any of the main characters telling the truth ? Throw into the mix a missing husband and a murder and the race against time is on. To complicate things further, Geraldine has real issues in her private life which she is determined will not invade her professional life, for many reasons.
This is a fast moving story which I would recommend.
As D.I. Steele and her team investigate the abduction of a baby, all is not as it seems and are any of the main characters telling the truth ? Throw into the mix a missing husband and a murder and the race against time is on. To complicate things further, Geraldine has real issues in her private life which she is determined will not invade her professional life, for many reasons.
This is a fast moving story which I would recommend.
January 22, 2021
Impeccable police procedural. Although this is the fourteenth book in the Geraldine Steel series the plot and the pace are as tight and exciting as ever. Straight police procedurals are not always my cup of tea but this held my attention from beginning to end and caught me off balance a few times. A great read.
June 4, 2025
These stories have gone steadily downhill for me. This latest book portrays Geraldine as a love-lorn drip with her equally ineffectual partner/boss, Ian. It's about time they were in separate teams.
Lots of repetitive back history. Not much detecting. No discernible pattern to the investigation. All in all, a poor read. 2 stars and then only just.
Lots of repetitive back history. Not much detecting. No discernible pattern to the investigation. All in all, a poor read. 2 stars and then only just.
October 30, 2020
First class read
A wonderful story from Leigh Russell in the Geraldine Steel series.
Story line is first class, plenty of surprises and a great ending.
What more can you ask from a book!!!
A wonderful story from Leigh Russell in the Geraldine Steel series.
Story line is first class, plenty of surprises and a great ending.
What more can you ask from a book!!!
August 28, 2021
Another reliable police procedural in this series, featuring the miserable lead character Geraldine Steele, with the events of her love life dragging this story down, but still just 4 stars because of an interesting plot with a twist.
August 3, 2020
It has seemed a very long time since the last Geraldine Steele book and I was delighted when this one popped up on my Kindle app. Geraldine has had a lot to put up with in her life but just when it seems that her life is finally coming together, things seemed to hit a downward trajectory but it seems to be this downturn in her fortunes which clicks the cogs in her brain to find the end of the skein of tangled events which she can then unravel to ultimately come up with the solution.
I know why Geraldine was demoted to DS but frankly York CID wouldn’t have the amazing clear update it does without her and not only do they keep her atDS level,they hardly even acknowledge her contributions!
This was yet another enthralling book in an absorbing series. I read it in an evening, utterly draw in to it, ignoring the television and everything else going on around me. Whilst you can read it as a standalone book,you will inevitably want to read the rest of the books and Geraldine's personal life and background will only make sense if you start from the beginning so that is what I recommend.
I know why Geraldine was demoted to DS but frankly York CID wouldn’t have the amazing clear update it does without her and not only do they keep her atDS level,they hardly even acknowledge her contributions!
This was yet another enthralling book in an absorbing series. I read it in an evening, utterly draw in to it, ignoring the television and everything else going on around me. Whilst you can read it as a standalone book,you will inevitably want to read the rest of the books and Geraldine's personal life and background will only make sense if you start from the beginning so that is what I recommend.
August 3, 2020
Excellent
Held my interest from the first page. Lots of unexpected twists. This would make a great movie or TV drama.
Held my interest from the first page. Lots of unexpected twists. This would make a great movie or TV drama.
August 16, 2020
Wow Leigh you have done it again utterly amazing
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