30 August 2022.
ISBN: 978-0-85730346-2 (PB)
Doreen Lewis is an elderly woman who has been partially crippled by a stroke. Her body is discovered by a neighbour, who looks through her window, and sees that she is lying on her sitting room floor, her empty wheelchair nearby .She has been strangled.
Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel is one of the first detectives to be detailed to investigate the murder and the obvious suspect is Doreen’s son, Eddy. Doreen was a widow, living alone with Eddy, her only child. From the beginning, most of the detectives on the team are convinced that Eddy was responsible for his mother’s death, but Geraldine’s instincts warn her that the solution is not that simple. She accepts that Eddy is an unattractive character, who gives unsatisfactory answers when questioned, and, according to those who knew them, his relationship with his mother had been difficult. However, Eddy has a genetic cognitive disability and Geraldine does not believe that he is capable of the planning necessary to have carried out a murder that has left so few clues but, at the same time, gives him an easily broken alibi. Eddy has recently lost his job, but he claims that he was with his girlfriend, Kylie, when the murder was committed. The detectives are sceptical, anticipating that Kylie will lie to give Eddy an alibi, but to their surprise, when they track the girl down at the address Eddy gives them, she denies that she has ever met him.
Geraldine has several other reasons for concern regarding the circumstances surrounding this case. Her friend, Detective Sergeant Ariadne Moralis, has just returned from her honeymoon but it seems that her marriage is already in difficulties, and, even worse, her husband may be implicated in Doreen’s murder. As if that is not enough to worry about, Geraldine feels that her immediate boss, Detective Chief Inspector Eileen Duncan, is behaving irrationally and losing her grip on the case. Eileen has always been taciturn and demanding and it seems to Geraldine that nobody else in her team has noticed anything amiss. Geraldine does not feel able to share her doubts with the rest of the team, although she does confide in her colleague and lover, Detective Inspector Ian Peterson, when she phones him while he is away in London, but she is not sure that he is taking her seriously. Geraldine feels loyal to Eileen, who, despite her gruff manner, has helped to rescue Geraldine’s career after she was demoted following a decision that endangered her progress in the police, but she knows how destructive it will be to have a senior officer whose decisions are unreliable.
The girl that Eddy had claimed was his girlfriend is a newcomer to York and has little social life. Soon she suspects that she is being stalked and becomes increasingly afraid. When her dead body is discovered in the street, most of the detectives feel that this confirms that Eddy is a dangerous killer, but Geraldine is still uncertain, her logical mind at war with her instincts. Geraldine continues to investigate but she does not foresee that, as she nears the truth, her persistent probing will endanger her life.
Fake Alibi is the eighteenth in the series featuring Geraldine Steel. This
is a series that has retained its pace, complex plots and strong
characterisation. One of the most interesting aspects of the Geraldine Steel
books is that the author takes the reader into the thoughts of perpetrators and
victims as well as the detective team, which gives the books a fascinating
variety of perspectives. Fake Alibi has an engrossing plot with several
twists and a team of engaging but realistically portrayed protagonists.
Geraldine is a character who develops with each book in the series. In this
book she is more content than she has ever been, pleased that her relationship
with her sister has improved and happy living with Ian, although she is
somewhat disconcerted to realise the depth of her love for him.
Fake Alibi is a fascinating read, which I thoroughly recommend.
------
Reviewer: Carol Westron
Leigh Russell studied at the University of Kent gaining a Master’s degree in English and American literature. Formerly a secondary school English teacher, with the success of her Geraldine Steel series, Leigh now writes full-time. Her debut novel, Cut Short, was published in 2009 by No Exit Press in the UK, followed by Road Closed, Dead End, Death Bed, Stop Dead, Fatal Act and Killer Plan, all featuring detective Geraldine Steel, and Murder Ring will be published in 2016. Leigh also writes a spinoff series for Geraldine's sergeant, Ian Peterson. Cold Sacrifice, Race to Death and Blood Axe. Leigh recently signed a three-book deal with Thomas and Mercer for a new series featuring Lucy Hall. Leigh Russell is married with two daughters and lives in Middlesex.
Carol Westron is a successful author and a Creative Writing teacher. Her crime novels are set both in contemporary and Victorian times. Her first book The Terminal Velocity of Cats was published in 2013. Since then, she has since written 6 further mysteries. Carol recently gave an interview to Mystery People. To read the interview click on the link below.
https://promotingcrime.blogspot.co.uk/2017/11/carol-westron.html www.carolwestron.com
http://carolwestron.blogspot.co.uk/
To read a review of Carol latest book click
on the title
The Curse of the Concrete Griffin
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