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.

I read this book in one sitting, not because it was great but because it was addicting. From the beginning I knew how it was going to end but that didn’t stop me from reading until the very last page. This author is great at writing fast paced thrillers, I loved how this story kept moving and keeps you thinking about what could or is going on. While this story was well written and easy to follow it was ultimately just okay. I didn’t care for the last couple of twists because I felt like they were completely unnecessary. I think if the story wasn’t so predictable and farfetched then my rating would be higher. Overall though, I would still highly recommend this one as it’s a great way to spend your afternoon. Please make sure you check out the trigger warnings before reading due to the content involved in the story.

Thank you so much netgalley for my gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Freida McFadden's books never fail to surprise me, and this book had probably the best twists in recent memory. I was a bit uncomfortable with the teacher/child relationship, but the author did a great job depicting a slow descent into madness, and really created a creepy murder mystery.

I definitely recommend this to anyone who loves a good thriller with a twist, as well as doesn't mind somewhat dark content.

I read this book in one sitting and immediately wanted to reread it. The story unfolds in alternating chapters by school teacher Nate, his teacher wife, Eve, and a student Addie. Eve has a passion for designer shoes and wishes her husband showed more passion for her than he does for his student poetry club. Adam has a soft spot for students who've had a tough life. Addie is one of those students. Three other students are vital supporting characters as the tangled web builds to an awesome ending. Freida McFadden is a master at her craft, and this book will be a bestseller.

In true Freida fashion, I was hooked from the first page. The Teacher is fast paced, short chapters, unpredictable twist at the end. This book is everything I love about Freida McFadden.
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!!

Freida McFadden writes the perfect quick, interesting suspense books. The Teacher is about a math teacher named Eve who is married to Nate, an English teacher at the same school. From the outside looking in, they have a perfect marriage. However, Eve knows something is wrong and suspects her husband is cheating on her.
Addie is just trying to get through the school year. After a scandal with her at the center involving a teacher, she knows she has a target on her back and just needs to keep her head down. However, one teacher is intent on drawing her out of her shell.
This was really twisty and I loved the POV shifts throughout the book. McFadden does a great job of keeping a reader on their toes.

⚠️: student-teacher relations, pedophilia, extramarital affairs, physical violence, taphophobia

Me at 99% after a massive plot twist, out loud to no one: “wow I didn’t see that coming”

🍎🍎🍎

A troubled teenage high school student’s life becomes dangerously ensnared with her adult, married math and english professor’s lives.

This one was not my favorite Freida book, but it was really good, as usual. I’ll undoubtedly read anything that she writes in 72 hours or less and never fail to be smacked in the face with the unimaginable plots twists!

Thank you SO MUCH to Poisoned Pen Press, Freida, and NetGalley for the advance e-copy! It was such an honor to read early!

Frieda is somewhat of a mastermind when she comes up with these twists and turns for her readers to enjoy. I have read several of her books now and going into this one, I swore I was going to be able to figure it out before the ending. First, I noticed it was a teacher/student type of ordeal and was grateful I don't get triggered by that. The chapters alternate from character to character and it's nice to get the other perspectives. About halfway through the book I was SURE I knew what was going on and that I had it all figured out, but a few chapters in I was slapped in the face with a big fat WRONG on my part. I could not put this book down; it was such an easy read yet intriguing enough for me to want to stay up way past my bedtime to complete it. Once I finished the book, I laid in my bed wide awake, with a slick grin on my face thinking to myself "oh my god". I was stunned. Paralyzed almost. Just lying there trying to comprehend everything that I read over and over. I almost wanted more but was very satisfied with how Freida ended it. I loved it. I would pay money to erase my memory of this book just so I can read it again, for the first time!

Well well well... Freida has done it again.

As usual there's an intriguing plot, interesting characters & imaginative settings. Also, can't forget, twists galore.

The story just flows off the page and suddenly it's over and you're left questioning the characters, questioning your morals, questioning the day of the week and if you have an adequate amount of shoes...

Just read it. Go on, it's time. You won't regret it.

Thank you to NetGalley & Poisoned Pen Press for early access to this novel. All opinions are my own.

The Teacher will not disappoint!!! Although there is definitely some cringe yuck, it is twisty and dark. I so wanted to give Addie some backbone. The characters were great. I loved Eve and Hudson. I know, but I really did like Eve's character. I could have used just a tad more story, but my imagination has had a good time filling in blanks!!

Avid Frieda fan here. I have read all of her work and had high hopes of The Teacher. The book has twists and turns throughout. I thought I figured it out but was still shocked by the ending. She writes amazingly well and the plot develops beautifully. I was able to connect the dots as I read: that is, right up until the ending. I love this author and her style of writing, but this particular book I wouldn’t read again.

I do suggest a trigger warning for the teenage grooming and sexual relations mentioned in the book.

My first Freida McFadden book! I've been hearing all about her on social media and her books are very popular at the library I work at so she's been on my radar for awhile.

The Teacher switches between two perspectives, Eve, a math teacher at a high school, and Addie, a student in her class, and begins on the first day of school. Something very dramatic happened the year before and you slowly learn the details while learning something even more dramatic is about to happen!

I did like McFadden's writing and the fast pacing of the book but this isn't my kind of thriller. The twists were interesting but I didn't really care for the characters and that's an important thing for me. I'm glad I read it and saw what all the hype was about though! McFadden is on auto buy at my library!

Thank you to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

As usual I loved this book. The last twist at the ending completely took me by surprise. Not ti mention all the suspense that had built up half way through, I had to keep reading so I could find out what happened.
I really enjoyed the different perspectives from the characters as well. It was just enough to cast any doubts on what may or may not happen without becoming confused.