This year, Crimefest was hosted at the Mercure Grand Hotel in Bristol 9-12 May. An annual opportunity to meet old friends and other writers, authors and readers. I attended the Friday panel “Overrun by cops: multiple police procedural series” with Kate Ellis, Leigh Russell, Danielle Ramsay, Douglas Lindsay and William Shaw. Later, I spoke to Leigh Russell about her long-running series of crime novels.

Leigh, you’ve written twenty one crime books and sold nearly two million copies. How does it feel to have had Geraldine Steel and her team living in your head for over ten years? Do they keep you awake at night or can you switch off?

I always have the book I’m writing in my head but when I’ve finished I find it easy to move on. I got to know Geraldine gradually over the series and her character developed as the books progressed. When I’m reading a book it can be difficult to switch off because I’m engrossed and want to know what will happen next. When I’m writing, I find it easier to switch off because I know what’s going to happen.

You’ve plotted, planned and murdered quite a few people in your books. You’ve delved into the minds of criminals and serial killers. In your next life do you think you might be a detective, psychologist, or criminal?

If I thought there was an afterlife, I wouldn’t write such violent books, I’d try to focus less on the evil side of human nature.

Your latest book Rogue Killer starts off with a rather scary corpse. You’re able to create suspense even in the first paragraph. Can we have a quick peek at the first bit of your soon to be published book?

My next book is called Deathly Affair. I’m happy to share a piece with my readers.

“Strictly speaking he was not a killer. Not yet. Tonight, for the first time, conditions were perfect. He passed several people scurrying along the pavement, hoods and umbrellas up against a light drizzle that had begun to fall. No one would pay any attention to the hood which concealed his own face. He looked unremarkable in every way. Right now the street was deserted, but another pedestrian could appear around the corner at any moment. If he failed to seize the opportunity, right now, he might never have another chance.”

More information about Leigh’s many books can be found on her website: http://www.leighrussell.co.uk