Leigh Russell Reading Order

2 books (2024–2025)

Leigh Russell's A Poppy Mystery Tale is an ongoing mystery and thriller series featuring two books published in 2024 and 2025. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Poppy's Christmas Cracker followed by Poppy Plays Fair. With new installments still forthcoming, this is an ideal series for readers looking to follow along as it develops.

Start with Poppy's Christmas Cracker and read in order.

25 books (2009–2026)

Leigh Russell's DI Geraldine Steel series comprises 24 mystery and thriller novels published from 2009 to 2025, with the series still ongoing. The books follow Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel through various criminal investigations and should be read in publication order, beginning with Cut Short. Each novel builds on the detective's experiences and character development across the growing case files, making sequential reading essential for following her professional and personal journey.

Start with Cut Short, the first of 24 books in the DI Geraldine Steel series.

#	Title
1	Cut Short 2009Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Road Closed 2010Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Dead End 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Death Bed 2011Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
5	Stop Dead 2012Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
6	Fatal Act 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
7	Killer Plan 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
8	Deadly Alibi 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
9	Murder Ring 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
10	Killer Christmas 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
11	Class Murder 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
12	Death Rope 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
13	Rogue Killer 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
14	Deathly Affair 2020Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
15	Deadly Revenge 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
16	Deep Cover 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
17	Evil Impulse 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
18	Fake Alibi 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
19	Guilt Edged 2022Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
20	Final Term 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
21	Without Trace 2023Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
22	Deadly Will 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
23	Revenge Killing 2024Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
24	Cold Justice 2025Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
25	Silent Ties 2026Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (2013–2015)

Leigh Russell's DS Ian Peterson series consists of three mystery thrillers published between 2013 and 2015, following the investigations of Detective Sergeant Ian Peterson as he works through a succession of complex cases. The complete trilogy should be read in publication order, beginning with Cold Sacrifice, followed by Race to Death, and concluding with Blood Axe. This closed series is ideal for readers seeking a self-contained mystery sequence featuring a single detective protagonist.

Start with Cold Sacrifice and read in order.

#	Title
1	Cold Sacrifice 2013Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Race to Death 2014Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Blood Axe 2015Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (2016–2017)

Leigh Russell's complete Lucy Hall mystery trilogy spans three books published between 2016 and 2017. The series should be read in publication order, beginning with Girl in Danger, followed by Journey to Death, and concluding with The Wrong Suspect. These crime thrillers form a connected narrative that unfolds across the three volumes.

Start with Girl in Danger and read in order.

#	Title
1	Girl in Danger 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Journey to Death 2016Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	The Wrong Suspect 2017Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible

3 books (2023–2023)

Leigh Russell's Poppy Mystery Tale is a three-book mystery and thriller series following a detective protagonist through interconnected cases. Published in 2023 with Barking Mad, Barking Up the Right Tree, and Poppy Takes the Lead, the series appears to be complete. Readers should follow the books in publication order to experience the full narrative arc and character development.

Start with Barking Mad and read in order.

4 books (2018–2021)

Leigh Russell's four standalone mystery and thriller novels were published between 2018 and 2021 in the order: The Adulterer's Wife, Suspicion, Abigail of Venice, and Rachel's Story. While each book stands alone as an independent story, they should be read in publication order for the best experience. The series appears to be complete as of 2021.

Start with The Adulterer's Wife, the first of 4 books in the Standalone Novels series.

#	Title
1	The Adulterer's Wife 2018Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
2	Suspicion 2019Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
3	Abigail of Venice 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible
4	Rachel's Story 2021Buy 🇺🇸🎧 Audible