Cold Justice

This gripping police procedural plunges readers into a high-stakes murder investigation where the professional becomes painfully personal for DI Geraldine Steel. When the victim turns out to be her childminder's niece—someone she'd failed to protect despite earlier warnings—the case transforms into an obsessive quest for redemption. Russell masterfully builds tension as Steel uncovers layer after layer of deception surrounding the victim's life, revealing that nothing about this murder is as straightforward as it initially appears.

What elevates this crime novel beyond standard detective fare is its profound exploration of guilt and the psychological toll of justice delayed. Steel's relentless investigation becomes as much about confronting her own failures as it is about solving the crime, creating a protagonist whose personal investment makes every discovery feel visceral and urgent. Readers who appreciate character-driven mysteries with emotional depth will find themselves completely absorbed by Steel's determined pursuit of truth in a case where every clue challenges her assumptions about guilt, innocence, and the people we think we know.