His glove pressed hard against her mouth, filling her nostrils with the stale smell of leather as he pushed her head right back, making her choke.Panicking she kicked out, but she wasn't strong enough to push him away.When a young girl is found dead in the woods, all the evidence seems to point to the teacher she has just accused of molesting her. After all, with his career, and marriage, under threat, he appears to have the most to lose.But for DI Geraldine Steel things aren't adding up, even though her colleagues disagree, she is certain they have accused the wrong man.Then the girl's best friend is murdered, discovered close to where Cassie's body was found. Could this be because she was able to expose the killer's real identity, or are they now hunting for a serial killer? Are they unwitting pawns, being drawn into a game with rules they don't understand?With time running out, can Steel uncover the truth before the body count grows even more?A nail-biting thriller that will have you hooked. If you're a fan of Angela Marsons, Mel Sherratt and Karin Slaughter, you'll love Leigh Russell.Can be read as a stand-alone.

THE NINETEENTH NOVEL IN THE MILLION-COPY SELLING DETECTIVE GERALDINE STEEL SERIES

When a pupil accuses a teacher of molesting her, his career and marriage are threatened...

The girl's corpse is discovered in the woods, and the teacher becomes a suspect in a murder enquiry. The victim's best friend is then murdered so she cannot reveal the killer's identity. The investigating team are satisfied the teacher is guilty, apart from Detective Inspector Geraldine Steel, who believes the wrong man has been arrested.

All of her colleagues disagree... but if she is right, the real killer remains at large.

Perfect for fans of Martina Cole, Mel Sherratt and LJ Ross

'Gripping' - Times & Sunday Times Crime Club (Star Pick)

'Unmissable' - Lee Child

'Leigh Russell is a brilliant talent in the thriller field' - Jeffery Deaver

'An impressive series' - Daily Mail

If you enjoyed Final Term, look out for more DI Geraldine Steel investigations in Cut Short, Road Closed, Dead End, Death Bed, Stop Dead, Fatal Act, Killer Plan, Murder Ring, Deadly Alibi, Class Murder, Death Rope, Rogue Killer, Deathly Affair, Deadly Revenge, Evil Impulse, Deep Cover, Guilt Edged and Fake Alibi, plus the special Christmas short story, Killer Christmas

Don't miss the DI Ian Peterson series: Cold Sacrifice, Race to Death and Blood Axe - available now!