*** THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER ****** THE INSTANT TIMES BESTSELLER ****** A WATERSTONES BEST CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR ****** A FINANCIAL TIMES CRIME AND THRILLER BOOK OF THE YEAR ****** FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE APPEAL, THE TWYFORD CODE, THE MYSTERIOUS CASE OF THE ALPERTON ANGELS AND THE CHRISTMAS APPEAL ***'The queen of cosy crime' - DAILY TELEGRAPH'A joy to read' - SUNDAY TIMES'A huge treat' - INDIA KNIGHT Six Students. One Murder. Your Time Starts Now...

The mature students of Royal Hastings University's new art course have been trouble from day one. From acclaimed artist Alyson who seems oddly overqualified, to hapless Patrick who can barely operate design software, and city boy Cameron who blusters his way through assignments. Not to mention Jem, who's a gifted young sculptor...

but cross her at your peril. The year-long course is blighted by students setting fire to one another's artwork, a rumoured extra-marital affair and a disastrous road trip. But finally they are given their last assignment: to build an art installation for a local manufacturer.

With six students who have nothing in common except their clashing personal agendas, what could possibly go wrong?The answer is: murder. When the external examiner arrives to assess the students' coursework, he becomes convinced that a student was killed on the course and that the others covered it up. But is he right? Only a close examination of the evidence will reveal the truth.

Your time starts now... 'So unpredictable, I adored it' - CLAIRE DOUGLAS'An absolute original' - MICK HERRON'Hallett at her very best' - ELLY GRIFFITHS'A slice of genius' - LOUISE CANDLISH'Witty, creepy and oh-so-clever' - TOM HINDLE'Fresh and infinitely intriguing' - J.M. HALL'Witty, devious and outrageously brilliant' - IAN MOORE