Dying Embers by Margaret Murphy
When one of her pupils disappears, teacher Geri Simpson finds it hard to accept. But when another goes missing shortly after she alone fears a more sinister hand at work...The start of the school week usually comes as a welcome relief for Geri, for the weekends serve only to highlight her crumbling home life with boyfriend Nick. But this Monday morning, the tension in the air at school is palpable. For popular sixth-former Ryan Connelly has gone missing. When Ryan's badly burnt corpse is finally discovered the explanation seems all too simple: the promising young footballer had died while experimenting with drugs. Except Geri cannot accept the official verdict. The facts just don't fit the level-headed boy she knew. If anyone can help her understand it is Ryan's best friend Frank. But something - or someone - is making Frank very scared indeed...