‘Poppy Takes the Lead’ by Leigh Russell

Published by Crime & Mystery Club Ltd, 
30 January 2024. 
ISBN: 978-0-85730-572-5 (PB)

This is the third in Russell’s cosy crime series featuring her Jack Russell cross, canine companion Poppy.

Emily has moved to Aston Mead, in the country, after inheriting a house on the demise of her great aunt. Poppy came with the house. Emily and Poppy are now inseparable.

In this story where most of the villagers have crossed swords with a villager called Silas Strang, Emily, unfortunately, was the last person seen, to stand up to him when he shouted at her for allowing Poppy on the village green. It was in the middle of the crowded village fair and every head had turned to listen. Consequently, when Silas is found murdered, with a knife in his back, Emily becomes the main suspect.

Along with the help of her close friends in the village – Richard, the ex -professor and Emily’s neighbour, Hannah, who owns the tea shop where Emily works, Hannah’s boyfriend Adam, also Toby and his new girlfriend, Michelle, who all believe in Emily’s innocence, including the local police constable Barry, who holds a torch for her, Emily sets out to solve the murder. However, every avenue leads nowhere. Then Emily is being followed, and someone is sneaking around her house in the middle of the night. Things go from bad to worse when Poppy is in mortal danger. Someone in the village, is not what they appear to be and that someone underestimated Poppy, thinking she was just a dumb animal. But how wrong can you be. A bond between a dog and its mistress in unbreakable and this story proves it true.

This is a great mystery which kept me turning the pages long into the night. It isn’t just for dog lovers either. Russell has also a million copy sales on her riveting police procedural series featuring DI Geraldine Steel. She has already proved herself a master of mystery crime.  

I found this a delightfully, light read and extremely well plotted, and had me guessing all the way through to the unexpected end. You don’t have to have read the first two books featuring Poppy to enjoy this one, however I can highly recommend them. Five stars for Leigh Russell and a bone for Poppy.
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Reviewer: Linda Regan

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, there are now 22 books in the series  featuring detective Geraldine Steel.  Leigh also has a  series featuring Lucy Hall. Her most recent series features Poppy the dog. Leigh Russell is married with two daughters and lives in Middlesex.

 leighrussell.co.uk/

Linda Regan is the author of nine crime novels. She is also an actor. She holds a Masters degree in critical writing and journalism, and writes a regular column, including book reviews, for three magazines. She also presents the book-club spot on BBC Radio Kent. She is an avid reader and welcomes the chance to read new writers. 

  To read a review of Linda's most recent book
 The Burning Question
click on the title. 

www.lindareganonline.co.uk