Without Trace: An utterly gripping detective crime thriller with an unexpected twist (DI Steel: 20)

DISCOVER ONE OF THE UK'S FAVOURITE CRIME WRITERS WITH OVER 1.5 MILLION COPIES SOLD.She opened her mouth to scream, but he slapped something across her lips. The gag tasted of salt and mould, rough sacking on her tongue.With a terrifying certainty, she knew she was going to die.DI Geraldine Steel knows people go missing all the time; sometimes because they don't want to be found. So when her partner Ian asks her to look into the disappearance of his football-buddy's girlfriend, her first instinct is to reassure him there's no need for concern.Until she's called to a suspected murder, and all her instincts tell her she's right about the identity of the victim.The young woman has earth and leaf mould and fragments of twigs in her long fair hair, her nose, her mouth, under her finger nails, clinging to her clothes. It's as if she'd been completely encased in earth. And yet she was found on the pavement, at the side of a suburban road, where she wasn't in contact with any soil or mud.Had she managed to escape a living grave?Without a crime scene, the investigation focuses on her boyfriend. But Ian insists his friend is incapable of murder, and Steel is torn. Without evidence, she knows their case is weak. But without evidence, can she let a possible killer go free?She needs to find out what really happened. Where did the assault occur? Why are there traces of DNA from two other unidentified sources on the body? What reason could there be to attack a popular young woman who never did anyone any harm? And why bury her body so carelessly that she was able to escape?Then another young woman is reported missing. Unless he has an accomplice, they have an innocent man in custody. And Steel is running out of time . . .A page-turning puzzle of a case with an unexpected final twist. 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.PRAISE FOR LEIGH RUSSELL'S GERALDINE STEEL SERIES:'Unmissable' Lee Child'Compelling' Peter James'Brilliant' Jeffery DeaverREADERS LOVE GERALDINE STEEL 'I could not put it down.' Nauld on Without Trace 'Another excellent thriller...leading to an electrifying conclusion' Kathleen on Without Trace 'cannot recommend this series enough' Jay 'The Geraldine Steel series just gets better and better' Nigel 'a cracking series!' Beyond The BooksTHE DETECTIVEDetective Geraldine Steel is fierce, dependable, and highly committed to her job. With fearless determination and unwavering tenacity, she unravels twisted mysteries, battles personal demons and faces up against brutal killers threatening to disrupt the rural peace of her world.THE SETTINGWoolmarsh, a seemingly tranquil English town, hides a multitude of secrets. Behind its idyllic landscapes, a sinister force lurks, casting a dangerous shadow over the unsuspecting residents and giving Geraldine a challenge that will set all readers' nerves alight.Discover the complete Geraldine Steel Series:Cut ShortRoad ClosedDead EndDeath BedStop DeadFatal ActKiller PlanMurder RingDeadly AlibiClass MurderDeath RopeRogue KillerDeathly AffairDeadly RevengeEvil ImpulseDeep CoverGuilt EdgedFake AlibiFinal TermWithout Trace