Im not sure what to rate this. I had to put it down at one point to process what i was reading. I guess this makes a great thriller. Im still thinking about it. I wasnt a huge fan of the last twist in the epilouge. I cant say much more without spoilers. There were a few plot holes but nothing extreme. Im not one of those picky readers who wants everything realistic. I did enjoy this, the topic could deff be triggering though

“…death is like being on the precipice of an abyss…”

WHAT THE McChickens did I just read?!

The newest psychological thriller from Freida McFadden, The Teacher, is ridiculously mind-blowing. Nate and Eve, both teachers at Caseham High School, are married – and at least to the rest of the world – look happy. Nate is in charge of the Poetry Club and the school Newspaper, he is a dreamer and extremely good looking. Eve is strict, ruled by logic and reasoning, and she has an expensive shoe addiction. Nate is loved at the school by students, Eve – not so much. Now enter Addie, the junior who was centered around a scandal the previous year. She has been through A LOT and is troubled to say the least. Will this young 16-year-old girl get in between Nate and Eve somehow? Will she destroy their marriage and their reputation at their school? And, of course, which one will end up dead?

In the beginning you will find yourself thinking, which teacher is “The Teacher” – the main one! in this novel!

I really can’t say much without giving major parts of the book away – so you just have to read it for yourself! McFadden never fails to deliver a jaw-dropping ending that will leave you shocked and contemplating what you just read for hours! Her writing style is easy to follow, her chapters are short so you can read through the novel quickly, and her storytelling is like no other author out there.

However, I did think that Addie was way too naïve in this novel. At times her character was just annoying because you look back, and you don’t think that as a junior in high school that there was anyway that you were that stupid . . . but her characteristics are needed as-is for her to easily fall into the trap of The Teacher.

And I admit, I wasn’t a huge fan of the plot of this book. Teachers being able to brainwash children/students into doing their bidding isn’t the easiest subject matter to swallow. Though, it did just recently happen in the city I live in – with not a great outcome for the Teacher (self-inflicted) so you know this happens a lot more than is even talked about.

McFadden develops vulnerable characters that we get to watch either fall apart or succeed, and sometimes you aren’t sure who you are rooting for (if anyone) until the end. Make sure you follow her group on Facebook: Freida McFadden’s McFans. I give the first 80% of the novel 3 stars, and the ending 5 stars (her twisty endings will always leave you flabbergasted to say the least) and overall give The Teacher 4 stars!

There is never enough praise for McFadden! Go read all of her novels! I literally squealed when I received the ARC for this novel – thank you so much to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press; all opinions are my own!

Freida is the queen of twists! I was in a complete reading slump until I was honored by NetGalley to receive this ARC. As soon as I started reading The Teacher I was reminded as to why I love Frieda McFadden’s books so much. Her style of writing, her crazy characters, and amazing twists always leaves me satisfied. I will add that I love the cover as well. I will be buying a physical copy.

Freida had done it again. I loved all the twist and turns of this book. I thought the twist was done, bit she had me all the way until the end of the book. This is my favorite read of her so far.

This is an on the edge of your seat thriller. The twists and turns keep you engaged until the last page of the book when all is revealed. This is the most anticipated book of 2024 and it doesn’t disappoint.

Another 5 star read by McFadden. This book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Once I started reading I could not stop. Relatable characters and twists and turns galore. Check this one out!

I truly liked this book! I didn't love all the characters, but I think that was kind of the point. The story was quick and twisty and I loved it! I just want to know, and without spoilers, how was the raven caught?

This book was addicting to read. I finished it in a day and didn’t predict any of the plot twists. Nate’s character was extremely shocking, but the ending showed he got what he deserved. Another great novel by Frieda!

This is such a tough book to review.
I adore Freida. Her books are so compulsive and addictive, they are my favourite 'read in one sitting' books to go to.
This was exactly that. I read it in 2 sittings, just because of my health issues getting in the way. As I read, I was sure it was going to be a 5 star book. I was loving it.
But I know with Freida books, there is always 'the twist you don't see coming'. And wow, did she deliver on that score.
But. There is a but. The ending, the twist...
I had way too many questions and I couldn't rationalise them with the characters and events we had seen. I discussed it with a friend who had also read it and she felt the same. It just lost me right at the end.

I have loved Freida since before she was famous! I read this entire book on my flight home from Hawaii and it helped this anxious flyer feel like time flew! Maybe because I was able to feel anxious about the book instead! 😂 I mean, I’ve said it before but Fredia is the QUEEN OF TWISTS!

Preorder this one for sure! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC! The highlight of my week!

Well well well, what can I say except Frieda has done it once again. Devoted “Frieda Readas” will understand Frieda doesn’t disappoint with her books.

If you’re new to the author you may not understand, at least not yet. So if you want to get your feet wet with her backlist, any one will do to get you hooked.

The Teacher is another one day read for me (all of Frieda’s books I have devoured in a day each). I can safely say, it offered twists and turns and surprises that hit all the sweet spots.

Read it- trust me. Despite the tagline on the book of trust no one; I promise The Main characters will keep you entertained all afternoon, and you will finish it in one sitting. Because you have to know what happens.

As Eve Bennett prepares for the new school year, she worries about a sixteen-year-old girl named Addie who is in her math class. Addie was the cause of Eve's mentor, a fellow teacher, resigning after an alleged inappropriate relationship with the girl. If you're looking for a twisted tale of flawed characters, psychological thrills that will threaten to consume all your time until you reach the shocking finish, read "The Teacher". Freida McFadden surprised me again, forcing me to wonder what clues I missed while reading. Very addictive and entertaining, I loved this book!

THE TEACHER is a foreboding psychological thriller with cleverly executed twists and turns contrived to keep readers and characters off-kilter and reeling from beginning to end. Author Freida McFadden has honed her craft to near perfection, especially when it comes to those last minute, final page shockers no one sees coming. In that aspect, THE TEACHER is the crème de la crème of psychological thrillers - a masterpiece of illusions with unreliable characters and scandalous over the top twists.

THE TEACHER opens with a mysterious, eerie scene in the middle of nowhere where an unknown is digging a grave before flashing back three months where readers are introduced to Eve and Nate Bennett - a couple who both teach at the local high school. Students dread Eve's math class like the plaque while Nate's English class is highly lauded especially among young teenage girls who swoon over his movie star good looks and charismatic personality while gossiping about how a plain Jane like Eve ever hooked a star like Nate. Addie is a student in both classes where she struggles in math and excels at English - an obsessive loner who's bullied by the in-crowd and shunned by old friends. Eve views the presence of Addie in both her and her husband's classes as a potential complication because of a scandal involving Addie and a teacher who was fired for improper behavior last year while Nate is sympathetic to Addie's plight, offering to help her hone her writing skills as a young poet and encouraging her to find her place among her peers. Before long, the three characters' lives are hopelessly intertwined in a dangerous, highly combustible situation that can't end well. The story that unfolds is one that quickly morphs into a sordid tale of bullying, stalking, abuse, revenge and murder. There's little more I can say without spoilers. I advise going into this one as clueless to the plot line as possible and prepare to be blown to smithereens by a signature McFadden explosive ending that I suspect will leave readers reeling and discussing for some time.

Author Freida McFadden has rendered another fast-paced, addictive thriller readers will find nigh on impossible to put down. The disturbing story is narrated via the voices of Eve and Addie with chapters alternating between their points of view. An overall tone of impending doom permeates the pages as characters and readers struggle with deciding who can be trusted and who's hiding behind a mask of civility waiting for their chance at the ultimate revenge. The author's utilization of short, engaging chapters is highly effective at drawing readers into this mystifying tale of abuse and murder. Support characters are as riveting and believable as the main characters, playing major roles in the outcome of this heart wrenching tale. Readers should be forewarned that THE TEACHER accentuates dark themes including abuse of power and sexual molestation of minors some may find disturbing.

THE TEACHER is one of those books that swallows readers whole, sucking them in on page one and holding them hostage until the very end. Simply said . . . McFadden's books should come with a highly addictive warning label in neon colors on the front cover. Even when some of the twists border on the unbelievable, readers will find themselves thoroughly engaged and reading into the wee hours seeking answers. And, as always, McFadden will absolutely stun readers with the final big reveal in the epilogue.

THE TEACHER is a raw, riveting, compulsive psychological thriller that I suspect will top many readers' favorite lists in 2024. With each subsequent book, Author Freida McFadden has risen steadily through the ranks to take her place among the elite of psychological thrillers' authors. Highly recommended to fans of thrillers, suspense and mysteries.

Reminds me of: Gone Girl meets Hulu's A Teacher

Three Reasons You Should Read This:
1. So many twists, so many turns (That epilogue made my jaw drop!)
2. By the time you get to the end, you will be happy with the ending.
3. The pacing and the alternating POV really keep you hooked.

One Thing You Should Know Before You Pick This Up:
This teacher/student relationships with scenes of grooming. As a teacher who works with teenagers, that is always very off-putting for me personally. This might not bother others since it is a work of fiction, but just be aware.

Content Warnings: Loss of a Parent, Abuse, Stalking, Bullying, Alcoholism, Murder, Cheating Spouse, Statutory Rape, Teacher/Student Relationship, Grooming

Freida has done it again. Another fast-paced read that had me sucked in from the first page. This was a different topic coming from Freida, but it worked for me. I won't be surprised if this one gets a little controversial, however. The twist had my jaw on the floor.

Thank you to Net Galley for this advance read copy in exchange for an honest review and opinion.

I really enjoyed this one.

I appreciated the trigger warning but didn’t feel it was necessary.

Anyway, this is classic Freida where you think you have it all figured out because you’re soooo clever and then BAM! You absolutely did not and she side swipes you right off your feet. I liked the depth of this one. It felt heavier that most of her others one but it added to the suspense.

What a ride! Love the short chapters, which makes it a fast read. I felt like this one was a bit darker than her other ones. Simple but effective storytelling and as always, shocked with the (multiple) twists!

Would I recommend? Yes!

I love this author. I am captivated every time. As a teacher I knew I needed this book. It didn’t disappoint. I was hooked from the beginning. It was a roller coaster of twists and turns and absolutely fantastic. Some of the subject material is icky though. Be warned.

Not my favorite Freida McFadden thriller, but definitely kept me reading - as they all do. It was a little more predictable than I wanted it to be, but I will say that I was surprised by who the shoe salesman was!

Not a favorite of mine.
There was just too much abuse and manipulation where there shouldn’t be when you’re are talking about Teacher/Student relationships.

This was a little too much for me.