4.5 stars
Wow... are we really at book 15 of this series! And with no signs of flagging. Probably cos the author does like to mix things up every so often, which you will only really appreciate if you start from the beginning and read in order. That said, the main story is self-contained so, at a push, you could read this stand alone.
Geraldine and Ian are now an item. Not officially though, despite her colleagues accusations of such. In this book things get very evil very quickly and very close to home for Geraldine as she is personally affected by a gang with interests in her sister... This means that the York Police's investigation of a spate of murders of women becomes a tad overshadowed by her personal shenanigans.
I am not the biggest fan of too much personal stuff taking over the main crime being investigated but, on the other hand, the police do have lives of their own and in Geraldine's case, her life is larger than some as she has recently found. Her sister Helena has run her a bit ragged of late so it is easy to see the frustration she causes certain people in this episode.
Pacing is good and the story is well plotted and executed. I did guess a few things early but that didn't really mar my enjoyment too much as I did have fun following all the twists and turns as they occurred.
And oh my... Geraldine and Ian - I alternate between wanting to bang their heads together and tell them to forget it all. Chalk and Cheese but there's a connection and they've already been round the houses a few times. But then, if it was all roses in their garden it wouldn't be as much fun...
All in all a worthy addition to one of my favourite series. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I would like to thank Netgalley , Oldcastle Books and the author for this ARC of Evil Impulse, the fifteenth book in the Geraldine Steel series. You know it’s a good read when you find yourself shouting at the characters in your head! . This is a brilliant series and shows how real life and family loyalties can clash with a police career. It opens with the grisly discovery of a body by the river in York and with Geraldine and Ian living together. The main plot is excellent and although we are given many possible culprits to choose from along the way the actual villain and their justification for their acts was a surprise
I’ve followed this series from the beginning and for me the subplot has been brilliant. One can’t help but applaud and sympathise with Geraldine and in this vein I was delighted by the ending.
Looking forward to seeing what comes next for her in number 16

I have read all of Leigh's books in the past, so I knew what to expect. And once again I wasn't disappointed. Can't wait for the next one in the series!.
TB

I have avidly followed this series since the outset and, as anticipated, this latest instalment did not disappoint,

Really enjoyed the ongoing storyline of Geraldine and her team although I believe this could be read as a stand alone too.

Recommended.

I’ve followed this series since the very beginning and have watched Geraldine go through many highs and lows.
This is another excellent thrilling ride, albeit on a rollercoaster which takes the reader through a gripping case while Geraldine goes through a really gut wrenching personal trauma. Long may this series continue!

Having enjoyed Leigh Russell's books in the past, I was eager to read this latest offering. Needless to say, I was not disappointed. The on-going story line continues through this latest book and will obviously do so in future ones, making Leigh's books a must read.
I look forward to the next instalment.
A recommended read.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Oldcastle Books for an advance copy of Evil Impulse, the fifteenth novel to feature DS Geraldine Steel of the York Police.

Geraldine has found happiness now that she is living with DI Ian Peterson but with a killer on the streets murdering seemingly unrelated women life is busy. And then Geraldine is kidnapped by a gang with an interest in her sister, former addict, Helena Blake.

I enjoyed Evil Impulse which has an interesting plot and a few tense moments. I like a police procedural and this is a good example as the detectives chase down leads and game out potential motives and suspects. I did guess the killer’s identity almost immediately, but it was still interesting to see the way the plot unfolded and all the twists that got them there. It held my attention throughout. I must admit that the kidnapping had me baffled. I can see the point of it as a plot device as it leads to drama in Geraldine’s life but in terms of a storyline it goes nowhere and I don’t understand what the kidnappers really wanted. Although having said that it was a tense few pages.

The rather unexcitable Geraldine is all over the place emotionally in this novel. She’s angry with Ian and his actions and unable to see her situation clearly and logically. It’s a bit of a surprise for long term readers, but I enjoyed her bitterness, which seems natural to me, although I’m not sure what that says about me! I’m not quite sure what the clever thinking Geraldine sees in Ian as he’s limited in his thinking and rather narrow minded in his attitudes, but as he’s the love of her life we’ll just have to live with him.

Evil Impulse is a good read. 3.5*

Another good instalment in this series and it appears that things are finally looking up for Geraldine. She is now living and working with Ian and together they are investigating two brutal murders. Can they discover who is responsible for the killings before they strike again?

A good addition to this series. Looking forward to the next one.

I have been following Geraldine Steel from the first book, so I was grateful to receive an early reading copy from NetGalley and No Exit press of her next book. It is a stand alone, as relationships are well explained, but more satisfying having read the series. It doesn’t disappoint; I enjoy police procedural and as always, this is good. I hope it will encourage readers to follow the series and the many problems
that Geraldine surmounts solving cases with her sidekick Ian Peterson who is also now her partner. Read it and enjoy!

Things are getting worse in York. Random women are being killed on the streets, but the post-mortems reveal they've been dead for some time. A teenage girl goes missing. And Geraldine Steel is kidnapped by a drugs syndicate....

Another excellent addition to the series

Another solid instalment in this well established series with the return of a cast of characters and a gruesome murder or two to solve.
I wasn't sure what the point of the side plot with Geraldine's sister was all about but otherwise an enjoyable police procedural