Deadly Revenge

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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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.

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.

I’d like to thank Oldcastle Books, No Exit Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Deadly Revenge’, the fourteenth in the Detective Geraldine Steel series written by Leigh Russell, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Jessica Colman reports that her six-month-old daughter Daisy is missing, presumably taken by her husband Jason who then disappears himself. DS Geraldine Steel and DI Ian Peterson become involved in the search for both Daisy and Jason but their enquiries become more complicated when the body of a man is found.

‘Deadly Revenge’ is the story of what lengths mothers will go to to protect their daughters and has a clever and interesting plot with twists and turns. It flows well and has short chapters making it easy to read, but although I’ve read quite a few of the previous novels in the series I wouldn’t advise reading this as a standalone as, unlike others I’ve read, no attempt is made to give a precis albeit brief of what’s happened in the previous book or give any details of the characters, for example ‘Eileen’ who took me the entire book before learning that she’s the DCI. I’m surprised that a missing baby isn’t the top priority for Geraldine who appears more involved with the problems in her relationship with Ian. Despite working out the identity of who committed the crimes halfway through the book, it’s an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to Ms Russell’s next instalment.

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.

Good solid Geraldine Steel book for those who have followed her life/career. She has a different element to her personal life in this story (but no mention of her twin?) Probably works as a standalone, but far better to have read the previous books to appreciate how times have changed for her.

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.

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

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.

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.

Having read all of the Geraldine Steel books this one certainly didn’t disappoint. It’s a race against time when a young mothers baby goes missing but the detective can see it’s more complicated than originally thought. An excellent read, can’t wait for the next one, a fully deserved 5* from me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me read this book in exchange for a review.

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 the publishers and NetGalley for an eARC of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.

I love the Geraldine steel series books, and once again this one didn't disappoint. It is a thrilling read, can't wait for the next one in the series.

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!!

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.

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!

Another great Geraldine Steel book, once I started reading I couldn't put it down. Looking forward to reading the next one