Road Closed by Leigh Russell (Book Review)

From the back cover:

“When a man dies in a gas explosion, the police suspect arson. The Murder Investigation Team is called in. The case takes on a new and terrible twist when a local villain is visiously attacked.

As the police enquiries lead them from the expensive Harchester Hill Estate to a local brothel, a witness dies in a hit-and-run. They must discover if it was a coincidence – or cold-blooded murder.

The Murder Investigation Team has problems of its own – and so does Geraldine Steel. A shocking revelation threatens her peace of mind as the case races towards its dramatic climax.”

Road Closed is Leigh Russell’s second crime novel of the DI Geraldine Steel series. Managing a hectic work schedule with a partner, Craig, who has difficulties coming to terms with her job, and family pressures over a recent death.

When DCI Kathyn Gordon is stricken with a heart problem and hospitalized, her position is temporarily filled by Chief Detective Inspector, James Ryder. This new character is one I would like to see again in future books of this series.

Once again, Ms Russell uses short chapters to keep the pace steady while ramping up the suspense. The subplot twists with multiple points-of-view creates a complex story that reels the reader in. The criminals are memorable, especially Calum Martin, a particularly nasty individual.

Book format: paperback, 352 pages
Publisher: No Exit Press
Author website: Leigh Russell
Available: August 1, 2010

ROAD CLOSED, is available in Canada at Chapters.Indigo.ca and Amazon.ca

Cut Short by Leigh Russell (Book Review)

When D.I. Geraldine Steel relocates to a quiet village near Woolsmarsh, she expects to find her new home to be a place where nothing much happens; a space where she can battle her demons in private. When she finds herself pitted against a twisted killer preying on local young women she quickly discovers how wrong she was.

By day, the park in Woolsmarsh is a place for children’s games, for people walking their dogs or taking a short cut to avoid the streets. But in the shadows a predator prowls, hunting for fresh victims.

This brilliant crime thriller begins with the murder of a young woman in Woolsmarsh, a location not often associated with serial murderers. As the body count rises, the town’s population questions the ability of the local police to arrest the murderer and begin to set up vigilante groups.

Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel is a likeable heroine with a forward approach to police work. She questions her ability to do the job set out before her when the murders escalate. The head of the team, DCI Kathryn Gordon is rigorous and demanding to keep the Murder Investigation Team on track, pulling Steel back into the framework when she starts thinking outside the box.

The short chapters kept the pace brisk without any loss of momentum with succinct writing. There are multiple points of view from the other well developed characters that provide a refreshing look at the crimes as they unfold. The connections of the various characters including the killer were revealed by the end of the story with all the loose ends tied up. The last chapters draw the reader into a riveting conclusion.

I read this book in one day unable to put it down, and it certainly is a great start for a debut release. I look forward to Leigh Russell’s upcoming book in this series: Road Closed.



Book format: paperback, 352 pages
Publisher: No Exit Press
Author website: Leigh Russell

Available:
Amazon.co.uk

Chapters.Indigo.ca

Amazon.com