Death Bed

DI Geraldine Steel #4

by Leigh Russell

While Geraldine strikes up a friendship with her new sergeant, the bodies of two black girls are discovered in quick succession in North London. Concerned about a reaction from the local black community, the police are puzzled to learn that two teeth were extracted from both victims after they died. One of the girls worked in a massage parlor and suspicion falls on a client of hers, a known racist. Geraldine is led to the upmarket shops of Bond Street in Central London. She fails to find the killer who is out prowling the streets hunting for his next victim. A young gay man unwittingly goes home with the killer who also takes another girl home to his attic, where he keeps his victims chained up while he shows them his "collection." With the death toll mounting, Geraldine has no time to search for her birth mother as she hunts for the elusive killer the papers are calling "The Dentist." When she finally discovers the gruesome collection on display in his attic, the killer knows that Geraldine must be his next victim.

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Audiobook, Thriller

386 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 2011

About the author

Leigh Russell has sold over a million books in her Geraldine Steel series of crime novels. Published in English and in translation throughout Europe and in China, the Geraldine Steel titles have appeared on many bestseller lists, including #1 on kindle. Leigh's work has been nominated for several major awards, including the CWA New Blood Dagger and CWA Dagger in the Library.
Leigh has also written a trilogy featuring Lucy Hall, set in the Seychelles, Paris and Rome, and two standalone psychological thrillers.
Leigh serves on the board of the Crime Writers Association and chairs the judges for the prestigious CWA Debut Dagger Award.
She is represented by Bill Goodall.

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Death Bed by Leigh Russell is the fourth book in the Geraldine Steel detective series. This book was originally published in 2011 and has now been released by William Morrow/ Witness Impulse in digital format. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

Geraldine has taken a new position in London working for "The Met." She strikes up a friendship with her new partner, Sam. Their first case involves the death of a young black girl. Then another young black girl is reported missing. Although the girls had nothing in common other than their race, Geraldine is convinced the cases are connected.
With the limited amount of time she has to spare, Geraldine tries to keep in touch with her adoptive sister and search for her birth mother.
Naturally, Geraldine has some problems adjusting to the new office atmosphere and her new partner has her feeling a little awkward.
The search for her mother has been derailed for the moment, but Geraldine is nothing if not stubborn. She intends to meet her mother someday... period.

I love this series. The story is a no nonsense police procedural that seems to mimic real life police work. I feel like I'm working on the case right along with the Geraldine. This case is sensitive as well as lurid. The victims were chained up and body parts were amputated. While the killer appears to initially only pick girls, he kills indiscriminately.
There is pressure to wrap the case up and at least one suspect could be charged although Geraldine is sure they aren't involved with the murders.
Going door to door interviewing neighbors, interviewing the victims family and friends, interrogating suspects, dealing with office politics all gives the story gritty authenticity.
In this chapter, we follow Geraldine professionally more than privately, but I got the feeling that things are going to get interesting when it comes to her search for her birth mother and her planned confrontation. I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
This one is an A.

[C.J. Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've enjoyed not just this story, but all of the DI Geraldine Steel series so far. I would recommend these books to everyone who likes crime fiction. I can see these novels being adapted for television, and will make a great crime drama series.

[Miriam Downey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read my full review here: http://mimi-cyberlibrarian.blogspot.c...
Yeah, ok, so what! That is my feeling after spending time reading Death Bed by Leigh Russell. While the premise of the book is adequate (intriguing, actually), the sub plots are less than stellar.

When you are reading police procedural mysteries, you don't expect to be blown away by good literature, but that is precisely why I picked up Death Bed following The Goldfinch. (I was amused to see that K on Goodreads had done the same thing and had similar feelings about Death Bed.) I wanted to read something quick with no surprises. That is certainly what I got!

In the fourth book in the series, Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel has moved from a position with the Kent police force to the London Metropolitan police force. She has come highly recommended as a consummate officer, so when a gruesome murder occurs shortly after her arrival, expectations are high that she will be able to solve it quickly. She has a wonderful Sergeant, Sam, who tells it like it is, and they make a good team. The one murder extends to two and the office is worried that there is a serial killer on the loose. Geraldine is intent on solving the crime, in part to make her mark at the new police department, and also because she has received some disturbing personal news. And that's where the "So What" comes in. The character of Geraldine is poorly developed, so the attempt to develop a subplot involving her personal problems is wasted on an uncaring audience.

Don't get me wrong. The mystery in Death Bed is really quite strong. So much so that you wish the author had developed the mystery even further and left the character development undeveloped because you just don't care one bit about Geraldine and her problems. Publishers Weekly calls it sub-par and I guess I feel the same.

This is my first foray into mysteries by Leigh Russell. She is the author of two series--the DI Geraldine Steel series and the DS Ian Peterson series. Not sure I will read any more.

[Colin Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Death Bed by Leigh Russell

This is the fourth novel in the DI Geraldine Steel series and follows the DI from Kent and the county she was brought up in, into the Met Homicide and Serious Crime Command. Having managed to sell her flat and find another the DI is still emptying her boxes when she is plunged into a murder investigation led by DCI Reg Milton. The story follows each of the story threads from the abduction of the victims through those who find the victims bodies and the perpetrator, which gradually build to the the final climax of two further bodies and an arrest. There is some conflict with DI Steel and her new Sergeant Sam Haley when Geraldine is mistaken for her partner by Sam’s gay friends. This is exacerbated as DI Steel finds difficulty with sharing her case thoughts and the investigation becomes bogged down as they pursue a suspect who is innocent. Underlying everything is the new knowledge of her adoption and the search for her birth mother. DI Steel and Sgt. Haley find a victorious bond in the end.

The main characters are all realistic and their roles believable although I wonder about the rather individual role of DI Steel and her ability to run a team of detectives which is now the norm in an investigation today. The villain was a traditional lone individual with reclusive habits but outwardly an educated and responsible businessman.

The book gives over a greater part of the story to the build-up, through the finding of the bodies and how the victims are treated. Then we rather rush through the conclusion and are suddenly rushing through to an arrest and more bodies. On the plus side the writing style and a good pace make it an enjoyable read and there is a mix of relationships sexual orientation and ethnicity to be well placed in the genre for today.

Enjoyable story, easy reading and a good 3 stars.

[Nicky Warwick · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a good book...
Coming after a Reginald Hill novel it really highlighted the shortcomings.
Padded with pointless twaddle & the same information being repeated time after time (like the reader is too thick to have got it the 1st or 2nd or 3rd time) the dialogue is stilted & its a real struggle to find anything you like about the characters.
I stuck it out (because I hate to leave a book unfinished) but could easily have bailed out halfway. The book was 1 of a set of 5 from The Book People & I can not bring myself to open another so they'll be off to charity unread...
How on earth this author managed to get a series published is beyond me!

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

A series that is slowly improving book by book. The fourth in the series sees DI Steele transfer to the Met. It’s taking me a long time to warm to Geraldine but she’s finally started to come into her own as her character starts to develop. Short, sharp chapters help the story along and it has a decent pace, although the ending is disappointing and rather rushed. The storyline featuring Geraldine’s mom is detracting and takes up too much of the story and needs to be concluded sooner rather than later. 3.5⭐️

[Louise Bray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping page-turner from start to finish.

[David Gilchrist · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story that started very well, then slowed down to a near stop, then goes off at a tangent discussing DI Steele mum, the mum story is now very tedious it as not developed at all from the previous book and goes on for too long. Then out of no where inspiration and cased solved in a matter of a few pages

[Andrew Nattrass · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deathbed is the fourth instalment in the Geraldine Steele series and Geraldine has now moved to London to join the Met.

Being an outsider she does ruffle a few feathers as she has her way of doing things and the team have theirs. At times there is friction between Geraldine and her new working partner Sam but as this story goes on the bond between the characters does develop.

Geraldine it quickly into action when the body of a young black girl is discovered and before long they have a second body. Could this be racially motivated as the only thing they have in common is that they are both black. Or is there something more sinister going on?
Sam has a suspect in mind but Geraldine is not convinced.

This is a brilliant fast paced police procedural with great characters and a sinister twisted psychopath roaming the streets of London looking for more victims.

It is a case which pushes Sam and Geraldine to their limits and it is a race against time before the killer strikes again.

Are the victims specific targets or is it a case of them just being in the wrong place at the wrong time what is The Killers motive?

In the back of Geraldine’s mind there is a clue to who the killer might be and when realisation hits her it is a race against time before more people die.

Great storyline great characters fast-paced tense and dark with a gripping conclusion this is a totally fantastic book from a totally fantastic series from one amazing author.

Big shout out for the audio book narration by the wonderful Lucy Price Lewis Who was up to her usual brilliant standards!

[Eli Carros · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book hooked me in from the start, and as an avid crime fiction fan, I have to say, it's long been one of my faves. In Death Bed, Russell expertly blends the chilling within an ordinary setting, so when the violence comes it's shocking but always naturalistic. This only adds to the suspense of course, heightened by the lead protagonists own complex struggles. DI Geraldine Steel is a complicated yet likeable character, and in her, Russell doesn't resort to the cliches some crime writers seem to be mired in. A brilliant book that I would highly recommend, Death Bed by Leigh Russell is stylistically on point, and will definitely keep you reading. Highly recommended.

[Mary Snaddon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somehow I managed to stumble into a series at book 4. However, I really enjoyed this book so will now go back to the start!. A great mix of crime and DI Geraldine Steel's private life. This is exactly the kind of book I love. Well written page turner.

[Victoria31 · Rating 1 out of 5]

I thought this book started off well, I loved the short chapters, the storyline kept me interested but after the first few chapters I was totally bored. Kept reading it though as I won't give up on a book but totally unimpressed.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Unable to put down-finished in less than 24 hours!!!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

Death Bed is the fourth book in the DI Geraldine Steel series by Leigh Russell. This series is a gripping collection of crime fiction novels that masterfully blends crime & investigation, detective/police procedure, suspense, and thought-provoking themes. With dynamic storytelling and intriguing characters, I was hooked from the get-go.
We follow Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel, who is a fiercely intelligent and deeply empathetic investigator. She is a cleverly crafted and fully realised individual with her own unique quirks and flaws. Ms. Russell beautifully balances Geraldine’s professional brilliance with some vulnerability and personal struggles, making her entirely ‘real’ and ‘relatable’. As the series progresses, we are further drawn into her world, where she pursues justice with unwavering determination, even as she grapples with her own burdens.
Each book in the series could be read as a standalone if you wanted, as each instalment presents a new, chilling case, often delving into the darker corners of human nature. But, having said that, I highly recommend reading the entire series from the beginning, as each instalment helps build a bigger picture of Geraldine Steel’s character, development, backstories, etc. And knowing all of that will definitely enhance your overall reading experience.
f you love stories with the perfect blend of psychological depth, thrilling mysteries, and emotional resonance, then this is definitely a series you will want to dive into.
Happy Reading…

[Gary Dowden · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth in the DI Steele series sees her struggling to adapt to her new position in The Met as well as her personal situation and on top of that, she's investigating the deaths of two black girls, both at opposite ends of the social spectrum but found with teeth missing.
Reasonably fast paced read that sees new characters introduced, notably DS Sam Haley as Steele's new sidekick and its safe to say that things don't run completely smoothly. The actual investigation finds them up against constant brick walls and dead ends and although the ending felt quick and rushed, it did make a change from having it unnecessarily prolonged as is the case in some books.
Nothing particularly groundbreaking but a solid story and decent addition to the series.

[Nerys Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Geraldine Steel has transferred from Kent to the Met. The body of a young black woman is found - she was last seen leaving a bar in an inebriated state. Another woman is reported missing but there’s nothing to indicate she’s been taken by the same perpetrator until her body is found. Geraldine is still struggling to come to terms with the discovery, after her mother’s death, that she was adopted. She is desperate to meet her birth mother but that wish is not reciprocated. Her new team find it difficult to welcome Geraldine especially as she seems to double check everything they’ve done on her own.

A great read and I look forward to reading more from this series.

[michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very disappointed, this is the sixth Geraldine steel book I have read ( not read any in order) and by far worse.
I love the fact that I can pick up these stories and get lost in the detail, suspense and twists, however the ending was abrupt and just too quick this time around.
I will give immense praise for this thriller on every other level.
It is well written, with a good plot, well introduced characters and believable reactions.
I just personally feel there is more as a reader I missed, and it is purely the last chapter that fell short for me.

[Emily Turkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book kept me in suspense the whole time, from the first chapter! It was my first time reading any of the Geraldine Steele stories and I have already ordered more. I felt that there could have been more of a suspense near the end surrounding the culprit and more background given on the individual as the backstory around this was very brief but very interesting. Apart from that I absolutely loved this book, I finished it within 24 hours and I would highly recommend!

[Kelly Egan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've enjoyed the Geraldine Steel series so far but not too sure about this one. I found it more setting the scene for follow on books with Geraldine moving to London, leaving all the original characters behind and getting to grips with new colleagues. Then there is the newly exploded bomb of finding out she's adopted, her thoughts and feelings on this and we'll through in a couple of dead bodies. Alot going on but not all centered on the murders and the ending was slightly rushed.

[Kimberly Lepire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Character unwilling to change

I felt myself getting kind of annoyed with Geraldine. She seems unwilling to change and won’t take any sort of advice or criticism and just continues to be completely self-involved. It was really only her relationship with Sam that saved this one. This was my least favorite so far. Not the story itself but the lack of main character development.

[margaret thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Bed I'll give it Five

Have read all this series and each book unfolds a little more of our Geraldine. Now at the MET and having to prove her worth has its problems. Here comes Sam ready to right the worlds wrongs and the unlikely duet seem to gel into a partners bravo. more please

[Bee Wyeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

This 4th in the series was rather disappointing. The plot rambles around tripping over unlikely suspects, diverting into co-workers sexuality and getting stuck in the rut of Steele's obsession with her adopted family & her birth mother. The ending is so hurriedly dealt with I had to read it twice - and it did not get better. I think I'm done with this series.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a little clunky for me. Geraldine seems like such a matter of fact detective, so her dreamy imagination about what it will be like when she finds her birth mother was incongruent.
The middle of the book got long, with too much time going by with no clues. Then all at once, it’s solved. I gave it three stars because I did want to know who the killer was so I continued to the end.

[Andrea Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great police procedural with DI Geraldine Steel in London leading the investigation. 2 young girls found dead with an unusual Signature. When this detail is leaked to the press there is an increased pressure and then a third girl goes missing. Its a great physiological crime thriller with very well written characters.

[Suzanne Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this was a really good read, I was hooked from the start! Great storyline, love Geraldine as always and her adjusting to life in London. I feel this one ended too quick though, although I loved the build up. Can’t wait to read the next instalment!

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book right up until the very rushed ending , it felt like a well written and thought out book right until the end and then it was as though she ran out of time and had to quickly tie up loose ends

[Ivana Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written book but I have to admit I feel somewhat cheated as the killer is only introduced to the reader about 20 pages before the end of the book, giving us no chance to work it out for ourselves.

[Candace · Rating 3 out of 5]

The murders were a bit too horrific for me, especially when you were present with the victim, so I got by with just skimming those scenes.

[angela murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good read. Ready for number 5 🏮📔📔📕📖📘📙📚📓📒📒📃📃📜📄📰🗞

[Nicola Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as strong as the first 3 but still very readable and I will keep reading this series and rest of the DI Peterson ones.