Leigh Russell

Leigh Russell is a British crime writer known for her internationally bestselling series featuring detectives Geraldine Steel and Ian Peterson. Her work, published in English and translated throughout Europe, has appeared on numerous bestseller lists, including #1 on Kindle. Russell's crime novels have received critical acclaim and recognition, with her debut, Cut Short (2007), shortlisted for the prestigious CWA New Blood Dagger. Her Geraldine Steel and Ian Peterson series is currently being developed for television.

Leigh Russell was born and brought up in London. She studied Literature at university, sparking a lifelong passion for books. After years of working in various jobs, Russell became a secondary school teacher, sharing her enthusiasm for literature with her students.

Although she was an avid reader for much of her life, it wasn't until an idea for a story unexpectedly struck her that she began to write. "You don't write because you have something to say. You write because you have something to say," said Russell, reflecting on her transition from reader to writer.

Her first novel, Cut Short, began the Geraldine Steel series, which follows a determined detective inspector as she solves complex crimes. This series, along with the Ian Peterson spin-off, has become a huge success, with numerous titles, including Death Rattle (2009), Deadly Alibi (2010) and No Going Back (2014,) capturing the attention of readers worldwide.

In addition to her well-known mystery series, Russell also writes the Lucy Hall series, which focuses on an investigative reporter, and a cosy mystery series featuring Poppy, a puppy sleuth.

In 2024, Russell published Deadly Will, the 22nd book in the Geraldine Steel series. In this latest novel, a wealthy businessman's body is found in a river, apparently drowned but shot before entering the water.

As the police investigate the man's girlfriend and children, who all stand to inherit his fortune, further tragedy strikes. The girlfriend is murdered, and pressure mounts on Geraldine and her team to find the killer. Meanwhile, Geraldine faces a personal crisis when her baby goes missing, forcing her to juggle the search for her child with the investigation. The novel presents a gripping combination of crime and personal stakes.

Photo credit: leighrussell.co.uk