This is the fifth book in Leigh Russell's series featuring her feisty female DI, Geraldine Steel. I love the books in this series. Geraldine is a very appealing character and I like Russell's attention to detail with her thoughts about things, like her application, or not, of make-up, that make her seem real. I also like the significant amount of research that Russell has done with police procedures and DNA analysis; meaning there are no errors to wind me up and put me off her books!

In this particular instalment, Geraldine is completely baffled by a series of gruesome murders. Two of the victims are co-owners of a successful London restaurant, so there might be some kind of link between them - money, jealousy, secret affairs, for example - especially when the wife of one is a lot younger than him, but then a few more, random bodies turn up that have no apparent links between them and the mystery deepens. Geraldine is almost at a loss but then a match is found for DNA taken from the victims, so there might be a resolution after all. Only problem is, one match is with someone who has been in prison for 20 years and the other is with someone else who is dead. It is going to take all of Geraldine's skills to solve the crime and this, tied up with her continuing desire to meet her birth mother and get some answers, seems to stretch her to her limits.

Russell's books just keep on getting better and this one is by far her best. Well written and a really good read; just the thing for a cosy night in!

Amanda C M Gillies, Scotland
May 2013