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Russell, Leigh - 'Dead End'
Paperback: 384 pages (May 2011) Publisher: No Exit Press ISBN: 1842433563

DEAD END is the third novel by Leigh Russell, and her third to feature Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel. Well written and chock full of surprises, this hard-hitting, edge- of-the seat instalment is yet another treat for those of us that enjoyed the first two books about this feisty, young, female DI.

Abigail Kirby, an unpopular but dedicated headmistress, has been murdered. Not only that, her tongue was cruelly cut out while she lay dying.With virtually no leads, the only witness to anything remotely promising is then found dead, with his eyes missing. Frustrated by the lack of progress and still reeling from the shock of the news of her adoption, Geraldine seeks distraction in the attentions of Paul Hilliard, the attractive, new pathologist, and allows herself to become somewhat sidetracked.

Meanwhile, Abigail's daughter is fed up with her life; bullied at school and now deprived of the one person she really felt a bond with. She meets Zoe in an online chat-room and is soon planning to start afresh, far away from her nightmares. Only trouble is, it could well be a case of out of the frying pan, into the fire.

Things start to look quite bad for Geraldine - both personally and professionally, She is starting to despair of ever having a decent man in her life and the reader has their fingers crossed that this latest love interest is 'The One', but things start to look a bit dodgy when Paul begins to blow hot and cold. Geraldine's one big hope for a fresh start is a transfer to the Met but even this starts to fade as any transfer that could take place is put on hold until she has solved the current case.

I love this series about Geraldine Steel and particularly enjoy having a strong female as the central character. With DEAD END, Russell continues to prove that she is a talent worth watching out for. Her imagination and flow of ideas are first-rate and Geraldine Steel looks set to become a household name. Highly recommended.

Amanda C M Gillies, Scotland
June 2011

Amanda blogs at
Old Dogs and New Tricks.

Details of the author's other books with links to reviews can be found on the Books page.
More European crime fiction reviews can be found on the Reviews page.



last updated 28/10/2012 10:40