Having read all the books in the series I was looking forward to reading this especially after the bombshell ending of the previous and can say that I am not disappointed in the slightest
All the usual complexities of Geraldine's life are dealt with alongside the cases that she faces, a missing baby and father , the race to find the baby and the distress of the mother.

A harrowing story line but dealt in a way that pulls no punches

I enjoy slipping back into the life of Geraldine and Ian and find that no matter how long between reads I am whisked straight away into their personal and professional life

Police thriller involving a missing baby and some complex characters.Geraldine struggles to solve the case while working through the complications of her relationship with Ian. Dogged,solid detective work brings the case to it's conclusion. A great read.

I always look forward to a new book by Leigh Russell and this one is a good addition to the Geraldine Steel series.

When young mother Jessica reports her baby daughter missing, suspicion falls on her husband Jason who has also disappeared. But when Jason suddenly reappears without his daughter, the race is on to discover exactly what has happened to the baby.

Good book. Looking forward to the next one.

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.

Jessica's life is not the easiest. Her council leader father rubs everyone up the wrong way. Her mother lets him get away with it. Her husband is a controlling abuser. And she's a new mother.

Geraldine Steel has to pick through all of this when the baby disappears. Number one suspect: the also absent husband.

But then a body turns up....

Another excellent instalment in the series

I have read the previous books in this series and they all had me hooked.

I was excited to receive this latest one however I didn’t feel it held my attention and the storyline was a little unrealistic.

It was good though to discover more about Geraldine’s personal life.

Looking forward to the next instalment.

3.5 stars

Having read and enjoyed all of this author's previous books I'm disappointed with this instalment..... Since when did fierce, independent Geraldine Steele become, needy, insecure and downright annoying in her self pity?!
Whilst the plot of the case is clever the whole change in Geraldine overshadowed the entire plot for me.
A missing child results in a global Amber alert being issued but not in this storyline, the required sense of urgency was massively lacking, the plot is loose, sloppy and unrealistic with police procedure seemingly forgotten.
Hopefully future novels will see a return to form

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.
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