How does DI Geraldine Steel's character evolve in the first three books?
Geraldine Steel's character has evolved as I've been writing. In Cut Short the reader encountered one aspect of her character. In Road Closed her own personal history is introduced and this is developed in subsequent books. I have introduced a few characters along the way any of whom might figure quite significantly in her life in future books, so her journey is beginning to take shape in my mind, although I'm not quite sure yet how it is going to develop in detail. I suspect Geraldine will continue to have a bumpy ride through her personal life before her issues are resolved in a final scene – which I envisage taking place at the end of Book 20 in the series!
What advice would you give to aspiring writers?
Work hard. The vast majority of submissions are rejected, so it's essential to do everything you can to make your manuscript stand out from the hundreds agents and publishers receive every day. Once you've sent out your manuscript, don't be disappointed if your work is rejected. Publishers and agents will only take on a manuscript if they have enough time to devote to a new author, and their schedules are usually full. If your manuscript reaches them at a time when they are acquiring, there's always a chance your manuscript will be chosen and you'll be offered a publishing contract. After that you just have to hope your book is well reviewed and becomes a bestseller!
What are the ups and downs of being published?
There are lots of advantages to being published. I've met so many interesting people through writing - my publisher, editor, agent, staff in bookshops, librarians, organisers of literary festivals, journalists and broadcasters and of course readers. Then there are my fellow writers like Mark Billingham, Ian Rankin, and Jeffery Deaver who I'm thrilled to list among my fans. And in common with other authors, I have a growing number of anecdotes about people who have helped me with my research. I spent an afternoon at my local fire station researching how domestic fires can start. The firemen couldn't have been more helpful - although they did say that if they were called out to a real fire, they would have to abandon mine! When I interviewed a Borough Commander and a Detective Inspector about life in the Met they insisted I join them for dinner, and continue to answer my queries straight away, as do all my contacts in the police force. I've picked the brains of market traders, human remains experts, a Professor of Forensic Medicine, a furniture historian, IT experts, medical practitioners – the list goes on, a disparate collection of people who share a common enthusiasm about their particular area of expertise, and a willingness to pass on their knowledge. I've been bowled over by how helpful people are. As for the downs to being published… no, I haven't come across any yet. But whatever the benefits, professional and personal, of being published, the real buzz is writing. I absolutely love it.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
If anyone had told me four years ago I was about to become a bestselling author, I would have laughed. I hadn't even started writing then. So I wouldn't try to predict where I'm going to be five years from now, other than to say that the future is always exciting and mysterious. But whatever else I might do, you can be sure that I'll still be writing. There are enough ideas buzzing about in my head for at least a dozen more investigations, so Geraldine Steel is going to be busy for quite a while, and so am I!
First published in 2011
by No Exit Press,
an imprint of Oldcastle Books
PO Box 394,
Harpenden, AL5 1XJ
www.noexit.co.uk
This ebook edition first published in 2011
All rights reserved
© Leigh Russell, 2011
The right of Leigh Russell to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in accordance with Section 77 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988
This ebook is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author's and publisher's rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly
ISBNs
978-1-84243- 436-9 (epub)
978-1-84243- 437-6 (pdf)
978-1-84243- 504-5 (kindle)
www.amazon.co.uk/leighrussell
www.kobobooks.com
In the tradition of Ruth Rendell, Lynda la Plante, Frances Fyfield and Barbara Vine, Cut Short is a gripping psychological thriller that introduces DI Geraldine Steel, a woman whose past is threatening to collide with her future.
When DI Geraldine Steel relocates to the quiet rural town of Woolsmarsh, she expects to find her new home to be somewhere where nothing much ever happens; a space where she can battle her demons in private. But when she finds herself pitted against a twisted killer preying on local young women she quickly discovers how wrong she is…
By day, the park 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 a fresh victim. When an unwitting bystander comes forward as a witness she quickly becomes the next object of his murderous obsessions - someone whom the killer must stop at all costs.
Steel is locked into a race against time, determined to find the killer before they discover yet another naked corpse. But can she save the lives of the town's young women - or will Geraldine herself become the killer's ultimate trophy?
978-1-84243-271-6 £6.99 (RRP) A format www.noexit.co.uk/cutshort
Another thrilling case featuring Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel.
When a man dies in a gas explosion, the police suspect arson. The Murder Investigation Team are called in to investigate.
The case takes on a new and terrible twist when a local villain is viciously attacked. As the police enquiries lead from the expensive Harchester Hill estate to the local brothel, a witness dies in a hit-and-run. Was it 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 investigation races towards its dramatic climax.
‘A well-written, soundly plotted, psychologically acute story’
- Marcel Berlins, The Times
978-1-84243-344-7 £7.99 (RRP) B format www.noexit.co.uk/roadclosed
Table of Contents
Cover Page
Title Page
Dedication
Acknowledgements
Table of Contents
Part 1
1: Abigail
2: Waiting
3: Discovery
4: Team
5: Scene of Crime
6: Surfing
7: Morgue
8: Family
9: Shock
10: Briefing
11: Interviews
12: Waste
13: Mistress
14: Zoe
Part 2
15: Vernon
16: Matthew
17: Arrangements
18: Ben
19: Witness
20: Hannah
21: Agency
22: Charlotte
23: Whitewash
24: Drink
25: Evie
26: Stalker
Part 3
27: Marriage
28: Trust
29: Alarm
30: Date
31: Hallowe'en
32: Missing
33: School
34: Neighbours
35: Carol
36: Release
37: Talk
38: Agreement
39: Interest
40: Visitor
41: Clean up
Part 4
42: Guy
43: Grief
44: Corpse
45: Store
46: Impatience
47: Identification
48: Argument
49: Secrets
50: Dissatisfaction
51: Leaving
Part 5
52: Daughter
53: Panic
54: Name
55: Concealment
56: Justice
57: Escape
58: Whitstable
59: School
60: Cafe
61: Arrest
62: Regret
63: Proposal
64: Journey
65: The Truth
66: Cellar
67: Moving on
68: Change
Questions and Answers
Copyright
Dead End Page 31
