This was a brilliant read. As soon as I started reading this book I just knew I was going to love it. Highly recommended

I am definitely somebody who enjoys Leigh Russell as an author and in particular her Geraldine Steel series. I have read the first two books in this series and although they weren't terrible they weren't books that left any impression on me and I was never in a rush to read another. I saw that book three was still on my kindle so decided to give it a go as sometimes the first few books in a series don't give the right impression.

I think my main issue with this series is the character Lucy Hall. She is an okay character but not one I felt drawn to as a reader. After Lucy spent a year in Paris working as an investigative reporter, she starts researching a spate of missing people which leads her to her next story. In this case the mysterious disappearance of a man named Dominique in Rome. It soon becomes apparent she is not the only one looking for Dominique and this puts Lucy firmly in danger with a criminal gang.

This story trundled along and wasn't one that I felt engaged in and in addition there was a fair bit of repetition which became pretty apparent and a little irritating. I managed to finish this book but it felt like an effort because I can't leave a book unfinished it drives me mad. However, in this case it felt like a necessity and not an enjoyment. I think for now I will stick to the Geraldine Steel series by this author which I really enjoy.

The third book in the Lucy Hall Series. I have read all 3 books this week. Back to back. It's been great getting to know Lucy, but I can't help thinking trouble follows her.
Lucy is certainly a traveller, this time around Lucy is heading for Rome. Working from the Paris office is no good when you are trying to find a story regarding someone in Rome. Lucy is given the chance to go and work at the Rome office which she jumps at.
Her investigation is regarding a missing man, who has been reported missing by his girlfriend. With the things he's left behind it's not looking like he has left with the intentions of not returning so where is he?
Although I did enjoy this book it didn't feel very much like Leighs writing. I love the Geraldine Steel series by this author and this series almost feels like cosy mystery in comparison. That said, it was interesting and readable.. I want to next catch up with the rest of Leighs books.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

After a year in Paris working as an investigative reporter, Lucy Hall is ready for her next big scoop. While researching a spate of missing persons, she learns of the mysterious disappearance of a young man, Dominique. The case is cold in the city of lights, but there’s another lead: in Rome.
When Lucy arrives, she realises that the eternal city is as dangerous as it is beautiful. She’s not the only one looking for Dominique: a criminal gang is hot on his trail, and Lucy’s investigation has put her squarely in their sights.
With her life in peril, Lucy will have to track down the missing man—before his pursuers catch up with her…

This is the third book in the Lucy Hall mystery series. While the story itself can be read as a standalone, I do think that Lucy's backstory is important to understand her motivations etc. in this book - so I do recommend reading the first two books beforehand.

Lucy Hall is an interesting character - smart and full of determination and tenacity. She has slowly warmed to me and I think there is actually a chance I might like her by now (three books in!) She certainly takes the award for being the main character - at times, I think we spend too much time on her and her travels around Rome, rather than worrying about the investigation.

The rest of the cast seem like filler - even her partner, Benoit, seems a little one-dimensional.

The plot, however, is a cracker. Missing persons, drug gangs, red herrings, suspense, and an ending that does the rest of the book justice. Too often we get led down the (mystery novel) garden path and get left high and dry at the end - not the case here. A finale that wraps up all the loose ends AND makes sense - what a bonus!

Easily recommended - the entire series should be on your TBR if you love a good British crime mystery novel.


Paul
ARH

I did not realise when reading this it was the third in a series however I was not lost as i found it could easily be read as a stand alone. As with all of Leigh Russell’s book they are well written capturing the readers thoughts and feelings. This book wet my appetite in this series and I have bought the first to books. I would highly recommend.

I hadn't read the previous books in the series but managed to understand the plot well enough. Lucy is a lowly reporter who is given the opportunity to investigate a missing person case that piques her interest. She puts herself in danger and you do wonder whether she has self preservation skills. The book is mainly set in Rome and you get a good sense of the place. It was an enjoyable book and I've bought the first 2 to catch up on the back story.

You have to reason that Leigh Russell likes going to wonderful places as her third Lucy Hall novel is set mostly in Rome.
There is a sense of danger almost from the start and this heavy foreboding never leaves the novel even as the pace steps up.
Still out to become an investigatory reporter Lucy has arrived in the Features department looking into the disappearance of young women in Paris.
A misunderstanding leads her to interview Isabelle whose partner has recently disappeared.
The sets Lucy off to Italy to follow up this missing person; by association her questioning makes her vulnerable as they have more secrets than any journalist could write about.
A wonderful story when focusing on Lucy who is a great character, full of empathy, determination and foolhardy behaviours. Her career seems short lived when her search for Dominique leads her into life-threatening situations. She remains resolute, tenacious and open to others as she pursues the human elements of the situation rather than just the scoop for glory.
I like the storytelling, locations and sense of looming danger even if Lucy ploughs on eyes wide open into clear danger. She is bright and industrious yet naive and prone to repeat mistakes concerning her personal safety. Without this character deficiency though we would not have a story.
If you can accept this premise and care enough that she survives you will like the book sufficiently to forgive Leigh Russell this writer's short cut to thrills and tension.
If it was the only type of book I read it would become tedious and irritating. Take us somewhere interesting Leigh and I'll sign up for book 4.

On reading this book I hadn't realised that this was the third book in the Lucy Hall series, but I found it was fine as a standalone. It seemed a little slow at the beginning but was certainly worth sticking with. Lucy, the central character is a little scatty and makes very questionable decisions but is very gutsy! The book has a well written plot and twists and turns that are very difficult to predict. I will now have to read the first two books in the series to learn more about Lucy.
Thanks to Net Galley and the,publisher for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is book 3 in the Lucie Hall series, and reads nicely as a standalone. The book was well written, and kept me entertained from beginning to end.
Highly recommended.

Well written and plot driven, with a good intrepid character in Lucy. Some of this is a bit implausible but go with it and you'll find yourself trying to think ahead of Lucy in her search for Dominique. No spoilers; this tale does have some twists as well as a few red herrings. This can definitely be read as a standalone. Thanks to net galley for the ARC.

The wrong suspect by leigh Russell.
In the eternal city of Rome, it’s easy to disappear. But finding someone is a different story…
After a year in Paris working as an investigative reporter, Lucy Hall is ready for her next big scoop. While researching a spate of missing persons, she learns of the mysterious disappearance of a young man, Dominique. The case is cold in the city of lights, but there’s another lead: in Rome.
When Lucy arrives, she realises that the eternal city is as dangerous as it is beautiful. She’s not the only one looking for Dominique: a criminal gang is hot on his trail, and Lucy’s investigation has put her squarely in their sights.
With her life in peril, Lucy will have to track down the missing man—before his pursuers catch up with her…
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. This was a gripping and tense read. I liked lucy. I love Leighs books. 5*. Netgalley and Thomas and mercer.

Lucy Hall is wanting to do something more interesting than the work she is doing now so when called to help a reporter look for missing women she jumps at the chance. Now the latest turns out to be a missing man. That is not what the article is about so she is given some time on her own to look into it and then get back to the article she was working. Dominique has gone to Rome to collect some money he hid there. It was hidden at his old girl friend's house. He goes there and then wakes up not remembering but in some type of tomb. Lucy goes to Rome looking for him and learning more about his past the further she explores but is it safe for her? Can she find Dominique in time? Read to find out what happens.

The characters are interesting to read but it takes the reader a while to feel comfortable hearing about them. Amelia is very odd to read about but you still want to know more. Lucy is both clever and holds your attention but towards the middle you start to wonder what is the point of your investigation?

Her colleague, Beniot, seems to be the voice of reason throughout & although he is mentioned a lot he is not a main part of the story line. There are numerous other characters that pop in the book to say hello but not really worth going into, filler descriptions I guess.

Around the 60% mark something very dramatic happens and after the event disappears it seems to go away and the character doesn't seem to react the same. It's as if the drama element was increased to keep the readers attention, which it does by it you are left feeling confused.

There is once again a dramatic twist which I don't want to spoil but it is extremely unrealistic but builds up tension, it also gives away the main characters story and enemies before the end so I didn't know what was left to find out.

The character that you think is rational and the voice of reason loses their mind in the last few chapters, to the point that you wonder whether she has ever been sane or it was just an act. This heightens the drama and suspense for the last few chapters.

The story is summed up and finished in a good way and you don't feel like you have missed anything or that it needs more to it. This is the 3rd Lucy Hall book in the series. although I enjoyed this book and would recommend to people who like cheap thrills.

I wouldn't read another in this series and suggest to others maybe reading the 1st book to get an insight into the main character. It is a thrilling read but came across quite immature which I am not sure if the author was intending on doing.

This is book three in the series and, although the main story is self-contained, Lucy is a bit of a complex character so, to better understand her personality and motivation, it is better to have read the first two books in the series before this one.
Oh deary me! Lucy does get herself into a bit of a pickle here... again! After a year of being an investigative journalist, she has been relegated to the lowly level of a copy editor, honing others' stories and updating the website. Chomping at the bit for something more exciting, she is not overly happy when she is told she will be working with the paper's top features reporter Benoit as she deems him to be a bit slow and steady for her. But it's better than proofreading. The story he is currently working on is regarding missing women, mostly from an historical aspect but they are lucky enough to get in on the beginning of one such person's case. Sadly on further inspection, the woman turns out to be a man and so does not meet their criteria. Lucy however has her interest piqued by this guy's disappearance and his girlfriends pleas for help, combined with quite a few things that simply don't add up, and so she badgers Benoit to let her investigate. An investigation that takes her on secondment to the paper's Rome office. An investigation that has her fearing for her life. Well, she is Lucy Hall, investigative journalist, specialising in getting in too deep!
I have had certain reservations regarding Lucy throughout this series but even though I still question her motivations and decisions, I can't fault her guts and tenacity. Even when she is the only one that believes that there is a crime to be solved. The jury is still out as to whether I like her or not but then I don't have to like a character to connect with them and I am on my way to doing this with her. Not sure about the time it is taking being as we are already on book three but some people do take longer to get there.
Once again, the author has proved she has done her research with the streets of Rome. Either that or she knows it very well already. Some of Lucy's journeys did distract me from the storyline a bit at times as I found her "getting around" a bit repetitive.
The plotting was good. Had me on my toes throughout. I had a few theories and I do have to admit to being mostly wrong, occasionally right but for the wrong reasons. When the truth was finally revealed, it did come a bit out of left field but the explanations for the motivation and action were very well executed and wrapped the book up nicely.
Part of me feels that as I have still not connected completely with Lucy yet I should probably bow out of this series but something in the back of my head is telling me not to do this just yet. I have seen her mature and progress as the series has gone on and have watched several of my reservations about her and this series being resolved that I think I really should give her one more chance. Bit like a car crash, I can't just look away... and I can't help but wonder what on earth she will get up to next time.

My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.