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The Teacher's Pet
If you thought you knew the story of The Teacher's Pet , get ready to be shocked.
Hedley Thomas takes you behind the scenes with a blow-by-blow account of one of the most intriguing and enduring murder mysteries of our time - the crime, the podcast investigation, the sexual exploitation of teenage students, the courtroom drama - and how justice was finally delivered.
Lynette Simms disappeared from Sydney's idyllic Northern Beaches in 1982 and was never seen again.
Lyn was a caring nurse, loving mother and devoted wife. Her husband Chris Dawson was a rugby league star, a popular teacher and exceptionally close to his identical twin brother, Paul.
But this facade of domestic bliss was shattered when Chris became infatuated with the family's babysitter - his 16-year-old student - a girl he moved into Lyn's home and bed just two days after her disappearance.
Thirty-six years later, investigative journalist Hedley Thomas revisited the story in a record-breaking podcast series that captured the unconditional support of Lyn's friends, colleagues, neighbours and family, and an international audience.
With fresh leads and old evidence resulting in a public groundswell for authorities to take action, Chris was arrested in late 2018 and after a dramatic trial was found guilty of murder in August 2022.
Praise for The Teacher's Pet
'A monumental work. A burrowing, twisting, spine-tingling, genre-defining tribute to the power - and the cost - of asking questions. If you think you know this story, think again. No Australian, alive nor dead, has given more to journalism than Hedley Thomas. True crime storytelling as we now know it begins with The Teacher's Pet .' Trent Dalton
'A masterclass in investigative journalism.' Leigh Sales
Hedley Thomas takes you behind the scenes with a blow-by-blow account of one of the most intriguing and enduring murder mysteries of our time - the crime, the podcast investigation, the sexual exploitation of teenage students, the courtroom drama - and how justice was finally delivered.
Lynette Simms disappeared from Sydney's idyllic Northern Beaches in 1982 and was never seen again.
Lyn was a caring nurse, loving mother and devoted wife. Her husband Chris Dawson was a rugby league star, a popular teacher and exceptionally close to his identical twin brother, Paul.
But this facade of domestic bliss was shattered when Chris became infatuated with the family's babysitter - his 16-year-old student - a girl he moved into Lyn's home and bed just two days after her disappearance.
Thirty-six years later, investigative journalist Hedley Thomas revisited the story in a record-breaking podcast series that captured the unconditional support of Lyn's friends, colleagues, neighbours and family, and an international audience.
With fresh leads and old evidence resulting in a public groundswell for authorities to take action, Chris was arrested in late 2018 and after a dramatic trial was found guilty of murder in August 2022.
Praise for The Teacher's Pet
'A monumental work. A burrowing, twisting, spine-tingling, genre-defining tribute to the power - and the cost - of asking questions. If you think you know this story, think again. No Australian, alive nor dead, has given more to journalism than Hedley Thomas. True crime storytelling as we now know it begins with The Teacher's Pet .' Trent Dalton
'A masterclass in investigative journalism.' Leigh Sales
512 pages, Paperback
Published October 10, 2023
250 people are currently reading
1226 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
April 11, 2024
Wow! Powerful. Spellbinding. Could. Not. Put. Down.
I recently traveled to Sydney, Australia and visited Dymocks bookstore, a historical business that was often advertised as the largest bookstore in the world with over one million titles. It is still an independent bookstore that has remained in the same family for generations.
I found Teacher’s Pet which is a true crime book based in Sydney. A wife and mother of two young daughters disappeared in 1982. Her athletic, attractive, rugby-star husband had been sleeping with their 16 year-old babysitter who he immediately moved into the family home.
Thirty-six years later, the incredibly talented investigative journalist, Hedley Thomas, created a podcast to help bring new information to try to solve the mysterious disappearance.
In addition to riveting true crime drama, there is critical litigation wrangling over the role of journalists and the use of podcasts.
Thomas Jefferson, in 1786, insightfully stated, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
Because I had visited Sydney and knew the locations of Circular Quay, The Rocks, and other scenes, it was memorable to me.
Highly, highly recommend!!
I recently traveled to Sydney, Australia and visited Dymocks bookstore, a historical business that was often advertised as the largest bookstore in the world with over one million titles. It is still an independent bookstore that has remained in the same family for generations.
I found Teacher’s Pet which is a true crime book based in Sydney. A wife and mother of two young daughters disappeared in 1982. Her athletic, attractive, rugby-star husband had been sleeping with their 16 year-old babysitter who he immediately moved into the family home.
Thirty-six years later, the incredibly talented investigative journalist, Hedley Thomas, created a podcast to help bring new information to try to solve the mysterious disappearance.
In addition to riveting true crime drama, there is critical litigation wrangling over the role of journalists and the use of podcasts.
Thomas Jefferson, in 1786, insightfully stated, “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press, and that cannot be limited without being lost.”
Because I had visited Sydney and knew the locations of Circular Quay, The Rocks, and other scenes, it was memorable to me.
Highly, highly recommend!!
May 15, 2025
This book made so angry especially at the police, education department, his family and friends. I felt so sad for Lyn and her family and friends. For anyone who loves true crime you will love this book. I have been recommending it to everyone I know. Honestly the best true crime book I have ever read. Thank you to Hedley for never giving up and bringing him to justice.
This book has /is :
* Narcist
* Podcast
* Justice
* Determination
* 1980's timeline
This book has /is :
* Narcist
* Podcast
* Justice
* Determination
* 1980's timeline
August 11, 2024
5 Stars
February 8, 2024
The Teacher’s Pet by Hedley Thomas is a comprehensive examination of the events leading to the conviction of Chris Dawson for the 1982 murder of his wife Lynette (Dawson) Simms, forty years after she disappeared, expanding on The Australian’s Walkley award-winning journalist’s hit 2018 true crime podcast of the same name.
Teenage sweethearts, Lyn and Chris married in 1970, by January 1982 they were living in Sydney’s Northern Beaches raising their two young children. According to those who knew the couple, Lyn was a dedicated nurse, a devoted mother and a loving wife. Chris, who had retired from the star rugby league career he shared with his twin brother Paul, was a well-liked high school physical education teacher. When Lyn vanished in early January Chris, who failed to report her missing for six weeks, claimed she had simply left, intimating she had joined a cult. Investigators seemed to accept Chris at his word, despite a number of red flags, chief among them his intimate relationship with the family’s live-in sixteen year old babysitter, a student of Chris’s, whom he married two years later.
Drawing from newspaper accounts, police and court records, supplemented by extensive interviews of family, friends, and others connected to the case, Thomas’s 16-part podcast captured the attention of the public, and the police. If you are familiar with the popular series, little of the sensational circumstances of the crime revealed in The Teacher’s Pet will be a surprise, but Thomas reveals additional background and details, expands on the process and findings of his investigation which began in 2001, much of which was not included in the podcast, and shares the personal challenges his pursuit of the case caused.
At 500+ pages A Teacher’s Pet is not a quick read but the narrative is engaging, if a touch repetitive at times. It’s supplemented with photographs, a convenient timeline, and a resource list, as well as an epilogue covering the trial of Dawson contributed by a colleague as Hedley, who was subpoenaed to give evidence, could not attend the hearing.
Hedley deserves credit for his contribution to getting justice for Lynette and her family. A must read for fans of the podcast, and the true crime genre, A Teacher’s Pet is an absorbing piece of investigative journalism.
Teenage sweethearts, Lyn and Chris married in 1970, by January 1982 they were living in Sydney’s Northern Beaches raising their two young children. According to those who knew the couple, Lyn was a dedicated nurse, a devoted mother and a loving wife. Chris, who had retired from the star rugby league career he shared with his twin brother Paul, was a well-liked high school physical education teacher. When Lyn vanished in early January Chris, who failed to report her missing for six weeks, claimed she had simply left, intimating she had joined a cult. Investigators seemed to accept Chris at his word, despite a number of red flags, chief among them his intimate relationship with the family’s live-in sixteen year old babysitter, a student of Chris’s, whom he married two years later.
Drawing from newspaper accounts, police and court records, supplemented by extensive interviews of family, friends, and others connected to the case, Thomas’s 16-part podcast captured the attention of the public, and the police. If you are familiar with the popular series, little of the sensational circumstances of the crime revealed in The Teacher’s Pet will be a surprise, but Thomas reveals additional background and details, expands on the process and findings of his investigation which began in 2001, much of which was not included in the podcast, and shares the personal challenges his pursuit of the case caused.
At 500+ pages A Teacher’s Pet is not a quick read but the narrative is engaging, if a touch repetitive at times. It’s supplemented with photographs, a convenient timeline, and a resource list, as well as an epilogue covering the trial of Dawson contributed by a colleague as Hedley, who was subpoenaed to give evidence, could not attend the hearing.
Hedley deserves credit for his contribution to getting justice for Lynette and her family. A must read for fans of the podcast, and the true crime genre, A Teacher’s Pet is an absorbing piece of investigative journalism.
August 17, 2024
I was one of the diehards in August 2022 who, starting at 1am, (here in England) sat up to watch the judge's reading of his verdict in this trial.....and watched......and watched till around 6am !! But I finally went to bed sobbing with relief that at last Chris Dawson was heading to prison, though still properly pissed that he'd enjoyed 40+ years of living his best life, shagging his way through Australia since he did away with Lyn. I had listened along with The Teacher's Pet podcast, way back when JC had her real name mentioned, along with Lyn's younger daughter....I am pleased JC finally took it upon herself to go to police but she knew as much in 1990 as she did in 1982, in my opinion, and she really gave no thought to Lyn's whereabouts then, did she ? All this talk of her being groomed actually gets my back up tremendously. I've been a 16/17 year old girl, and trust me, I knew just what I was about, as did she !! So all this sympathy directed her way (though, in fairness, I am not sure Hedley disagrees much with me but has to sound like he's on-board with the old PC wagon) makes me bloody mad !! In her position I'd have gone on and on and on about "where's Lyn" till I was satisfied she wasn't coming back.....Lyn was gone 2 days before he moved her in and she took over her house and her life, and we're to believe she meekly said sweet FA and didn't keep on at him ??? Rubbish......she might pull the wool over a lot of people's eyes but I'm not having it !! She has the front to say, "Lynette Dawson showed me more kindness than anyone else ever has in my entire life".....she wasn't concerned about Lynette when she took her rings, her home, her kids and her husband and made them hers, was she ? Pass me a bucket.....then to say, that after Chris made Lyn drinks so she'd head off to bed early and "Chris Dawson would want to have sex with me".....like it was some appalling imposition ?? Like she didn't encourage him all the way. Sorry, but I don't believe her being recast as a sodding victim in this.....not one little bit.
Anyway, this book is superb and a lot contained within we were never made aware of in the actual podcast itself so, even if like myself you listened to it all, it's still well worth a read. Though it wasn't cheap, I have to say. A pal of mine had listened along with me and she also sat up with me on verdict night and we compared notes and I gifted her a copy as well. I'm sure she'll also enjoy it. I have re-downloaded the first series again, actually, and now I know all the background ins and outs and can picture who everyone is I plan to re-listen.
I will never really be able to understand or get it right in my head how Lyn's disappearance was really overlooked, but mostly by her family.......if it was my daughter/sister and the husband had his tart move in 2 days after his wife supposedly disappears, I'd not have let that go in any rush !! Everyone close to her seemed to just sort of believe someone else might do something about it. That level of apathy shocks me still ! I really never thought the Simms family came out of the whole event very well at all. I have never understood why Paul Dawson was never arrested, along with the other teachers that have been named, either. Rather than prosecute Chris Dawson over the carnal knowledge, when he ain't going anywhere, I think Australian taxpayers would've been better served if their DPP had gone after the others involved.......yet Paul and his little gang of knobbers seem to have skated free and clear, unless there are investigations still underway. Here's hoping....
I didn't really understand how Lyn's half of the house was awarded to Chris when she wasn't dead, if you were to believe him. Why didn't it get put in trust for her children ? I found it odd he got the lot, while still maintaining she was alive. He must've been laughing his arse off.
Some parts made me really tearful....what a waste of life and such a bummer he got away with it as long as he did. But remember, he was no criminal mastermind. Apathy let him remain free for over 4 decades. Thank goodness Hedley stuck with it and finally helped ensure he is where he needs to be.
Anyway, this book is superb and a lot contained within we were never made aware of in the actual podcast itself so, even if like myself you listened to it all, it's still well worth a read. Though it wasn't cheap, I have to say. A pal of mine had listened along with me and she also sat up with me on verdict night and we compared notes and I gifted her a copy as well. I'm sure she'll also enjoy it. I have re-downloaded the first series again, actually, and now I know all the background ins and outs and can picture who everyone is I plan to re-listen.
I will never really be able to understand or get it right in my head how Lyn's disappearance was really overlooked, but mostly by her family.......if it was my daughter/sister and the husband had his tart move in 2 days after his wife supposedly disappears, I'd not have let that go in any rush !! Everyone close to her seemed to just sort of believe someone else might do something about it. That level of apathy shocks me still ! I really never thought the Simms family came out of the whole event very well at all. I have never understood why Paul Dawson was never arrested, along with the other teachers that have been named, either. Rather than prosecute Chris Dawson over the carnal knowledge, when he ain't going anywhere, I think Australian taxpayers would've been better served if their DPP had gone after the others involved.......yet Paul and his little gang of knobbers seem to have skated free and clear, unless there are investigations still underway. Here's hoping....
I didn't really understand how Lyn's half of the house was awarded to Chris when she wasn't dead, if you were to believe him. Why didn't it get put in trust for her children ? I found it odd he got the lot, while still maintaining she was alive. He must've been laughing his arse off.
Some parts made me really tearful....what a waste of life and such a bummer he got away with it as long as he did. But remember, he was no criminal mastermind. Apathy let him remain free for over 4 decades. Thank goodness Hedley stuck with it and finally helped ensure he is where he needs to be.
November 12, 2023
The Teacher’s Pet is a comprehensive and interesting account of the unravelling of Chris Dawson’s crimes – but a revolutionary work of true crime literature? Not so much.
My full review of The Teacher's Pet is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
My full review of The Teacher's Pet is up now on Keeping Up With The Penguins.
January 13, 2025
2/5
I'm relieved Chris Dawson is in jail. I'm also relieved this book is finished.
Hedley Thomas deserves a lot of recognition for putting this case in the spotlight. However, the repetitiveness of his writing, the out of place name-dropping (what was with that Hugh Jackman tangent?), and his extensive inclusion of his own personal matters made this book difficult to pick up and very easy to put down.
It could have been good if it cut out about 250 pages.
I'm relieved Chris Dawson is in jail. I'm also relieved this book is finished.
Hedley Thomas deserves a lot of recognition for putting this case in the spotlight. However, the repetitiveness of his writing, the out of place name-dropping (what was with that Hugh Jackman tangent?), and his extensive inclusion of his own personal matters made this book difficult to pick up and very easy to put down.
It could have been good if it cut out about 250 pages.
November 15, 2023
No doubt the podcast was gripping and successful. Job well done in effecting justice! And while I've been a fan of some historical work by Hedley Thomas, this book disappointed me. It was an odd combination of recycled repetitious content and a seemingly rushed account of the litigation that eventuated. I found some of the author's personal accounts contradictory and, at times, defensive. The extent of the name-dropping was also alienating.
April 23, 2024
This case is super interesting and the work this man did to get justice should not go unnoticed. However, this book was way too long and repetitive!! I struggled to get through it. I felt there was a lot of stuff that could have been cut to keep the book more engaging!
November 12, 2023
If you listened to The Teacher’s Pet podcast and think you know all there is to know about this story - think again. I listened to the podcast three times, followed the trial proceedings day by day and even attended court on the day Chris Dawson was convicted of killing Lyn. And I still got so much more out of this book than I thought possible.
In it, Hedley takes us behind the scenes of his investigation, from the time he wrote the first article on Lyn’s disappearance in 2001. You’ll learn about the steps he took in the investigation, the friendships he formed with Lyn’s family, friends and former Cromer High students, as well as the bureaucratic hurdles he had to jump through to get information.
Interwoven through it all is Hedley’s personal story, from the shocking real reason Lyn’s story stated with him - you’ll have to read it to find out - and the toll the investigation took on his life and marriage.
There is also a fabulous epilogue written by Hedley’s colleague, @mattcondonauthor which covers the murder trial beautifully. His final lines were so powerfully beautiful, it left me with goosebumps.
“True crime storytelling as we know it,” writes @trentdaltonauthor on the cover, “begins with The Teacher’s Pet.”
In it, Hedley takes us behind the scenes of his investigation, from the time he wrote the first article on Lyn’s disappearance in 2001. You’ll learn about the steps he took in the investigation, the friendships he formed with Lyn’s family, friends and former Cromer High students, as well as the bureaucratic hurdles he had to jump through to get information.
Interwoven through it all is Hedley’s personal story, from the shocking real reason Lyn’s story stated with him - you’ll have to read it to find out - and the toll the investigation took on his life and marriage.
There is also a fabulous epilogue written by Hedley’s colleague, @mattcondonauthor which covers the murder trial beautifully. His final lines were so powerfully beautiful, it left me with goosebumps.
“True crime storytelling as we know it,” writes @trentdaltonauthor on the cover, “begins with The Teacher’s Pet.”
November 19, 2023
4.5⭐️
This quite the epic- 18 hour audio book but well worth listening to for the wonderful voice of Hedley. Have followed this all the way through, so very familiar with content but a few new pieces of info kept it interesting. The narrative jumps around quite a lot, but I enjoyed hearing the behind the scenes details of how this all came together. Definitely listen to the podcast first.
This quite the epic- 18 hour audio book but well worth listening to for the wonderful voice of Hedley. Have followed this all the way through, so very familiar with content but a few new pieces of info kept it interesting. The narrative jumps around quite a lot, but I enjoyed hearing the behind the scenes details of how this all came together. Definitely listen to the podcast first.
September 19, 2024
As an OG listener of the podcast, this book was long and I really just wanted to read from pg 400 onwards.
Amazing that we all heard (?) justice take place because of this "new" media, the podcast.
Amazing that we all heard (?) justice take place because of this "new" media, the podcast.
February 28, 2025
This felt very repetitive at times and was very long.
The story arc or lack there of at times, as well as the overall pace, in my opinion left a bit to be desired.
Still an overall good story. Would give a 2.5 but it’s not a 2 star book so 3 it is.
The story arc or lack there of at times, as well as the overall pace, in my opinion left a bit to be desired.
Still an overall good story. Would give a 2.5 but it’s not a 2 star book so 3 it is.
December 11, 2023
Very much have enjoyed following The Teacher’s Pet podcast series so I was looking forward to this behind the scenes book. As expected, a very compelling read, well told by Hedley Thomas, in a case that had huge impacts on his own life and almost ended his marriage. A great background into investigative journalism and shaping a big story into a podcast series, too.
September 21, 2025
#3 in reading authors for the Whitsundays Writers Festival
This is such a unique take on this genre! It is part memoir and part true crime narrative.
Hedley takes you behind the scenes and discusses his experiences with the investigation - his feelings, what drives him, the hard work, the connections made…. Everything that went into the podcast is laid out on the table. I really appreciated this perspective to learn how much time and how all consuming these investigations and stories can be. Thank you for your honesty, thank you for sticking with it, thank you for getting the conviction so many people believed needed to occur.
This is such a unique take on this genre! It is part memoir and part true crime narrative.
Hedley takes you behind the scenes and discusses his experiences with the investigation - his feelings, what drives him, the hard work, the connections made…. Everything that went into the podcast is laid out on the table. I really appreciated this perspective to learn how much time and how all consuming these investigations and stories can be. Thank you for your honesty, thank you for sticking with it, thank you for getting the conviction so many people believed needed to occur.
March 28, 2024
Kept me good company while I packed and unpacked during a move. Didn’t even notice the 87 total flights of stairs I climbed on the first day
November 6, 2023
A compelling recount of Thomas’ investigation into the cold case of a missing woman, which I followed in real time from the first episode of the podcast to the most recent legal proceedings against her murderer. So fascinating. So sad.
April 5, 2025
the amount of effort & dedication that went into this book is beyond anything I’ve ever read before - in saying that though, never let me listen to an 18 hour audiobook again 😌
September 23, 2024
This book needed a much better editor.
Repetitive, scattered, and too many non-related personal asides.
The narrative of how information was gathered was drawn out and repetitive.
The final section which focused on the Dawson trials was good, but rushed, and almost seemed to be an afterthought. Maybe because Hedley Thomas was not involved??
I appreciate that this book had several intentions; to tell the story of Dawson's murder of his wife (and everything that led up to it, and what happened after), to explain how the podcast came about, and how the information was gathered to support an arrest, so I was expecting some level of Hedley Thomas to appear in these pages. However, there was simply too much Hedley Thomas in these pages.
And don't get me started on the unnecessary and too frequent name dropping.
Overall, it was a disappointing read.
Repetitive, scattered, and too many non-related personal asides.
The narrative of how information was gathered was drawn out and repetitive.
The final section which focused on the Dawson trials was good, but rushed, and almost seemed to be an afterthought. Maybe because Hedley Thomas was not involved??
I appreciate that this book had several intentions; to tell the story of Dawson's murder of his wife (and everything that led up to it, and what happened after), to explain how the podcast came about, and how the information was gathered to support an arrest, so I was expecting some level of Hedley Thomas to appear in these pages. However, there was simply too much Hedley Thomas in these pages.
And don't get me started on the unnecessary and too frequent name dropping.
Overall, it was a disappointing read.
June 1, 2024
TBH I didn’t finish this book
It went on and on and on and didn’t seem to be getting anywhere
I read 2/3rds and was no nearer the conviction of the husband
A friend also gave up and preferred listening to the Podcast
It went on and on and on and didn’t seem to be getting anywhere
I read 2/3rds and was no nearer the conviction of the husband
A friend also gave up and preferred listening to the Podcast
Read
December 27, 2023Read 75% and the loan expired. Didn’t keep me engaged enough to renew the borrow. Time to move on.
October 21, 2025
It did not take me long to read this one, could not put it down, I was obsessed!
June 28, 2024
The Teacher’s Pet was not what I expected of a True Crime book. I knew of the podcast before listening to the book but had not listened to it, and had an expectation that the information discovered for the podcast would be translated into the book, but it wasn’t. Instead the book was written almost in a journal style, following the efforts by author Hedley Thomas in investigating the murder of Lynette Sims.
I enjoyed listening to the audio book as it was narrated by Thomas and also included recordings of quotes of people Thomas had interviewed for the podcast, and he used their voices (or the actors used to narrate their quotes). I found this to be an enjoyable way to listen to the book. As expected of a journalist, the writing style was also very enjoyable to read and did not feel clunky nor laborious to listen to.
My issue with the book, and with the style in which it was written, was the voice of the author himself. Possibly it was because I was hoping to read a classical True Crime book, delving into the history and details of this victims life, her injustices, the life of the offender and his criminality. But that was second to the author himself. This book centred on Thomas’ own personal journey in discovering Lynette’s story and further witnesses who were utilised in the successful conviction of Chris Dawson.
It wasn’t until the epilogue, written by a colleague of Thomas an Australian Newspaper reporter, not Thomas himself, that I realised I did not like how this book was written. The epilogue did not contain the words of Thomas, his thoughts and motivations, it contained an eloquently articulated and presented description of the court room proceedings. The book centred on Thomas’ personal endeavours throughout producing the podcast and his own personal thoughts and motivations. His personal journey was what he wanted to highlight. Lynette’s story was second to Thomas’.
This didn’t sit well with me. I finished the book with the feeling the author was not researching this story with the intention of justice or of helping, but for his own personal benefit and gain and notoriety. Possibly this is my own biases against journalists coming through, but I can’t help but feel that Lynette was again just second best to a man who thought himself and his desires more important.
I gave this book 3 stars, despite the sour taste I left feeling about the author and his intentions. The popularity and widespread attention this podcast received on a global scale, is due to the efforts of Thomas. Because of his research and effort Lynette was known around the world and the injustice against her was highlighted, this cannot be taken away. Listening to the connection he had with the family and how he assisted police in providing his interviews and discoveries of new witnesses and evidence, gave insight into his dedication to the investigation. However I can’t help but wonder if there was no sensationalised aspect to her case, would it have been investigated by a journalist with such dedication?
The book is extensive in cataloging and capturing the feelings and experiences of each individual witness, of the family and friends. This was the true highlight of the book. It showed the effects of the disappearance, police investigation, the 36 years of uncertainty, on each individual family member, in a way that is not captured by a simple retelling of the story. It gave them a different voice. A lot of the witnesses were ailing and aging, and he so easily captured their determination to provide evidence despite their struggle to withstand illness, heat and many other factors.
A different type of true crime novel, The Teacher’s Pet could’ve used without the inner narrative of the author but was brilliant in capturing the voices of the witnesses and the vast impact Lynnette’s disappearance had on them in its own way. At the end of the day, this book did not centre on Lynette but on her impact on the world, I don’t know if one is more important than the other.
I enjoyed listening to the audio book as it was narrated by Thomas and also included recordings of quotes of people Thomas had interviewed for the podcast, and he used their voices (or the actors used to narrate their quotes). I found this to be an enjoyable way to listen to the book. As expected of a journalist, the writing style was also very enjoyable to read and did not feel clunky nor laborious to listen to.
My issue with the book, and with the style in which it was written, was the voice of the author himself. Possibly it was because I was hoping to read a classical True Crime book, delving into the history and details of this victims life, her injustices, the life of the offender and his criminality. But that was second to the author himself. This book centred on Thomas’ own personal journey in discovering Lynette’s story and further witnesses who were utilised in the successful conviction of Chris Dawson.
It wasn’t until the epilogue, written by a colleague of Thomas an Australian Newspaper reporter, not Thomas himself, that I realised I did not like how this book was written. The epilogue did not contain the words of Thomas, his thoughts and motivations, it contained an eloquently articulated and presented description of the court room proceedings. The book centred on Thomas’ personal endeavours throughout producing the podcast and his own personal thoughts and motivations. His personal journey was what he wanted to highlight. Lynette’s story was second to Thomas’.
This didn’t sit well with me. I finished the book with the feeling the author was not researching this story with the intention of justice or of helping, but for his own personal benefit and gain and notoriety. Possibly this is my own biases against journalists coming through, but I can’t help but feel that Lynette was again just second best to a man who thought himself and his desires more important.
I gave this book 3 stars, despite the sour taste I left feeling about the author and his intentions. The popularity and widespread attention this podcast received on a global scale, is due to the efforts of Thomas. Because of his research and effort Lynette was known around the world and the injustice against her was highlighted, this cannot be taken away. Listening to the connection he had with the family and how he assisted police in providing his interviews and discoveries of new witnesses and evidence, gave insight into his dedication to the investigation. However I can’t help but wonder if there was no sensationalised aspect to her case, would it have been investigated by a journalist with such dedication?
The book is extensive in cataloging and capturing the feelings and experiences of each individual witness, of the family and friends. This was the true highlight of the book. It showed the effects of the disappearance, police investigation, the 36 years of uncertainty, on each individual family member, in a way that is not captured by a simple retelling of the story. It gave them a different voice. A lot of the witnesses were ailing and aging, and he so easily captured their determination to provide evidence despite their struggle to withstand illness, heat and many other factors.
A different type of true crime novel, The Teacher’s Pet could’ve used without the inner narrative of the author but was brilliant in capturing the voices of the witnesses and the vast impact Lynnette’s disappearance had on them in its own way. At the end of the day, this book did not centre on Lynette but on her impact on the world, I don’t know if one is more important than the other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2024
I wasn't familiar with the news story that surrounded this book or the podcast which Thomas created when I started this book and while the happenings were interesting, I felt like the book was longer than it needed to be.
Hearing about the escapades of the Dawson brothers was highly disturbing. Certain passages of this book would hit me randomly over the course of the time I was reading this book and I wished they wouldn't. It was all so weird and so gross. It felt like this stuff surely only happens in a parallel universe but it didn't.
The blatant negligence of the police force was just as concerning. As was the notion of everyone just looking away or not thinking it was their place to do anything. It was like the whole community just got passive and accepting of the circumstance. Maybe that was a sign of the times but it still feels odd.
All of that was very interesting but it felt like the commentary of the podcast got a bit tiresome in parts and snippets were repeated as if Thomas didn't suppose the reader would put the pieces together. It felt a little condescending and slowed the pace of the overall story for me.
While it is riveting to see how journalism and new forms of media can have an impact on real cases, I really do wish that they had found the body. I feel like it would give everything a level of closure that is otherwise missing.
Hearing about the escapades of the Dawson brothers was highly disturbing. Certain passages of this book would hit me randomly over the course of the time I was reading this book and I wished they wouldn't. It was all so weird and so gross. It felt like this stuff surely only happens in a parallel universe but it didn't.
The blatant negligence of the police force was just as concerning. As was the notion of everyone just looking away or not thinking it was their place to do anything. It was like the whole community just got passive and accepting of the circumstance. Maybe that was a sign of the times but it still feels odd.
All of that was very interesting but it felt like the commentary of the podcast got a bit tiresome in parts and snippets were repeated as if Thomas didn't suppose the reader would put the pieces together. It felt a little condescending and slowed the pace of the overall story for me.
While it is riveting to see how journalism and new forms of media can have an impact on real cases, I really do wish that they had found the body. I feel like it would give everything a level of closure that is otherwise missing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2023
A great in-depth look into the disappearance of Lyn Dawson, as well as the creation of The Teacher’s Pet podcast based on her case.
I was a listener back in 2018 when the podcast was released and upon listening to the audiobook, was drawn back into the facts of the case. The stories contained in the book truely make you question how Chris Dawson got away with his wife’s murder back in 1982, for so long. As well as the true-crime factor, the book chronicles the creation of the podcast and the journalist’s fascination with the case.
A great listen.
I was a listener back in 2018 when the podcast was released and upon listening to the audiobook, was drawn back into the facts of the case. The stories contained in the book truely make you question how Chris Dawson got away with his wife’s murder back in 1982, for so long. As well as the true-crime factor, the book chronicles the creation of the podcast and the journalist’s fascination with the case.
A great listen.
October 30, 2025
I read exactly half of this book. I’d heard so many great things about it but it was very repetitive and seems to be poorly edited?
This man seems to have done a great deal of incredible work for this case, I applaud that. Though the facts of this case are extremely interesting, the writing and layout is just not for me.
This man seems to have done a great deal of incredible work for this case, I applaud that. Though the facts of this case are extremely interesting, the writing and layout is just not for me.
November 12, 2023
I’ve been following this saga since the podcast was live and I’m incredibly satisfied that we’ve made it to where we are.
I hope that they do find Lynn someday, but in the mean time I look forward to the Hugh Jackman adaptation.
I hope that they do find Lynn someday, but in the mean time I look forward to the Hugh Jackman adaptation.
February 12, 2025
The most infuriating book I've ever read. Not just Lyn, but multiple women being let down by themselves, their husbands, families, police and community.
Excellently written, recommended listening to it.
Excellently written, recommended listening to it.
January 5, 2025
Interesting and a huge amount of work has gone into the book and podcast. The book felt like it could’ve been a lot more succinct though.
June 30, 2025
Disturbing that it took so long for justice to be served
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