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Three Boys Gone
'First rule of rescue: don't create another casualty.'
Grace Disher is about to face every teacher's worst nightmare.
Three of her students are going to die.
On a high school camping trip, three boys slip away for an ocean swim. By the time Grace catches up, the perilous surf conditions are overwhelming the teenagers. If she goes in, she will die trying to save them.
Should she have given her life?
The question haunts Grace as investigations begin and her decision not to attempt a rescue comes under scrutiny. Hounded by conflicted staff, grieving parents and relentless media - all dissecting her actions, all looking for someone to blame - Grace's safety is compromised and she must be careful who she trusts.
And she's not the only one with a secret.
Three Boys Gone is a heart-in-mouth psychological thriller by award-winning author Mark Smith - a twisty, unflinching and pacey page-turner about an impossible choice and how tragedy tests and defines us.
Grace Disher is about to face every teacher's worst nightmare.
Three of her students are going to die.
On a high school camping trip, three boys slip away for an ocean swim. By the time Grace catches up, the perilous surf conditions are overwhelming the teenagers. If she goes in, she will die trying to save them.
Should she have given her life?
The question haunts Grace as investigations begin and her decision not to attempt a rescue comes under scrutiny. Hounded by conflicted staff, grieving parents and relentless media - all dissecting her actions, all looking for someone to blame - Grace's safety is compromised and she must be careful who she trusts.
And she's not the only one with a secret.
Three Boys Gone is a heart-in-mouth psychological thriller by award-winning author Mark Smith - a twisty, unflinching and pacey page-turner about an impossible choice and how tragedy tests and defines us.
336 pages, Paperback
First published December 21, 2024
52 people are currently reading
796 people want to read
About the author
Mark Smith
6 books119 followersMark Smith lives on the west coast of Victoria, Australia, He is the author of four novels: The Road To Winter, Wilder Country, Land of Fences and If Not Us (all Text Publishing). Wilder Country won the 2018 Australian Indie Book Award for YA. Mark is also an award winning writer of short fiction. He is the co-curator of Mind Went Walking, The Songs of Paul Kelly Reimagined and Into Your Arms, The Songs of Nick Cave Reimagined (both Fremantle Press). HIs first adult novel will be published by Pan Macmillan in January 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
January 2, 2025
An Incredible Premise! That’s all folks!
Three sixteen-year-old boys drown in the rough surf on a treacherous stretch of an Australian beach. The only witness, one of their teachers, chooses not to risk her own life to save them, and instead stands helplessly by.
I went into Three Boys Gone expecting an emotional exploration of a school community torn apart by the moral implications of a senseless tragedy, and a main character struggling with her actions. What I received instead was a terribly written, cheap, cheesy thriller, full of plot holes, with a laughable ending. I still cannot believe how bad it was!
Initially I admired the vague and erratic writing throughout the first handful of chapters attributing the time jumps to the frantic numbness and trauma of the situation but in hindsight and given the low quality of the writing going forward I think I’m giving the author way too much credit. Weather was utilised well adding to the confusion and tension as well as the reliability of recall by characters involved. I also liked that the identity of the three boys was concealed until the 11% mark.
And thus ends my only positives. The behaviour of every character was absurd – the teachers, students, parents, school, police procedures and search and rescue – everything! The thriller ending came out of nowhere, made no sense, and I was left with so many unanswered questions. The book ended abruptly too. Although by this point, I was grateful for small mercies. The writing was juvenile – I have never heard a female refer to going to the bathroom as “needing to take a piss”, and this occurred on two occasions. So gross! And it was repetitive – I cannot count the number of times the phase “three boys missing/dead” or a variation of it was mentioned. Yeah, I get it, you don’t need to ram it home. And don’t get me started on all the blatant sexism toward women and discrimination against a lesbian couple. I was appalled by all the hatred, hate speak, and misogynist men. It just didn’t make sense given that this was set in 2024.
The early reviews for this have been very positive, which is why I purchased this book in the first place. I’m sorry I wasted my money.
Three sixteen-year-old boys drown in the rough surf on a treacherous stretch of an Australian beach. The only witness, one of their teachers, chooses not to risk her own life to save them, and instead stands helplessly by.
I went into Three Boys Gone expecting an emotional exploration of a school community torn apart by the moral implications of a senseless tragedy, and a main character struggling with her actions. What I received instead was a terribly written, cheap, cheesy thriller, full of plot holes, with a laughable ending. I still cannot believe how bad it was!
Initially I admired the vague and erratic writing throughout the first handful of chapters attributing the time jumps to the frantic numbness and trauma of the situation but in hindsight and given the low quality of the writing going forward I think I’m giving the author way too much credit. Weather was utilised well adding to the confusion and tension as well as the reliability of recall by characters involved. I also liked that the identity of the three boys was concealed until the 11% mark.
And thus ends my only positives. The behaviour of every character was absurd – the teachers, students, parents, school, police procedures and search and rescue – everything! The thriller ending came out of nowhere, made no sense, and I was left with so many unanswered questions. The book ended abruptly too. Although by this point, I was grateful for small mercies. The writing was juvenile – I have never heard a female refer to going to the bathroom as “needing to take a piss”, and this occurred on two occasions. So gross! And it was repetitive – I cannot count the number of times the phase “three boys missing/dead” or a variation of it was mentioned. Yeah, I get it, you don’t need to ram it home. And don’t get me started on all the blatant sexism toward women and discrimination against a lesbian couple. I was appalled by all the hatred, hate speak, and misogynist men. It just didn’t make sense given that this was set in 2024.
The early reviews for this have been very positive, which is why I purchased this book in the first place. I’m sorry I wasted my money.
January 2, 2025
Wow, what an incredible book. This will easily be in my top reads for 2024. I could not stop turning the pages, and when I had to I was thinking about these characters and this story. It really got into my head,and I am still thinking about it all now.
You know I love an Australian crime thriller and Three Boys Gone just had so much to enjoy about it, despite being such a sad story. The setting and the weather played such a huge part and was like a character on its own. The author made me feel like ai was in that beach with Grace, watching those boys run into the dangerous waters. I could see it all happening before my eyes and I have never been to this part of the country.
This book will make you really think about what you would do and how would you react if this happened in your community. Grace was in an impossible position, run in and try to save the boys and risk her own life, or call for help. You can’t help but feel for Grace and what she witnesses and what happens afterwards. A thriller that can bring me to tears is rare, but Mark Smith had me wiping my eyes more than once. The way that Grace was treated by so many was just awful and made me so angry at times. People have no idea how they would have handled the situation unless they were in her shoes. The press hounding her, the keyboard warriors are just appalling and unfortunately this is the world that we live in today. It was all too easy to see happening in today’s society.
Just brilliant. This book will be massive this summer, it deserves all the hype. Published on 31s December, cancel your new year’s plans, you are going to want to read this book. Thank you so much to Dan Pilkington and Macmillan Australia for sending me this early copy to read.
You know I love an Australian crime thriller and Three Boys Gone just had so much to enjoy about it, despite being such a sad story. The setting and the weather played such a huge part and was like a character on its own. The author made me feel like ai was in that beach with Grace, watching those boys run into the dangerous waters. I could see it all happening before my eyes and I have never been to this part of the country.
This book will make you really think about what you would do and how would you react if this happened in your community. Grace was in an impossible position, run in and try to save the boys and risk her own life, or call for help. You can’t help but feel for Grace and what she witnesses and what happens afterwards. A thriller that can bring me to tears is rare, but Mark Smith had me wiping my eyes more than once. The way that Grace was treated by so many was just awful and made me so angry at times. People have no idea how they would have handled the situation unless they were in her shoes. The press hounding her, the keyboard warriors are just appalling and unfortunately this is the world that we live in today. It was all too easy to see happening in today’s society.
Just brilliant. This book will be massive this summer, it deserves all the hype. Published on 31s December, cancel your new year’s plans, you are going to want to read this book. Thank you so much to Dan Pilkington and Macmillan Australia for sending me this early copy to read.
April 10, 2025
On Victoria's coastline, the sea was in turmoil. The storm, with rain, lightning and thunder, was on the group of boys, their school excursion nearing its end. But with teacher-in-charge, Grace Disher, walking from the bus which would pick them all up, and the rest of the group around three kilometers away, Grace was horrified to see three of her charges heading for the surf. She was too far away from them - her yells and screams fell on deaf ears as she ran, watching as they disappeared...
In the aftermath of the event, as trauma circled all involved, Grace was filled with guilt and grief. But she knew, from all her training, that she did the right thing. The adage; 'First rule of rescue: don't create another casualty' continued to run through her mind. But the media, both physical and social, were out to get her. The physical attacks became worse; someone was stalking her, harassing her. What was happening? Would she be blamed for what happened? There were two other teachers - both male - but they weren't being blamed...
Three Boys Gone is the latest psychological thriller from Aussie author Mark Smith and it was excellent. The vivid descriptions of the wild surf, the cockiness of sixteen year old boys, the trauma that struck everyone, the police, the SES, the families - all written in a way as to put me there with them all, watching from the sidelines. I've loved this author's previous work; this was no exception. Highly recommended.
In the aftermath of the event, as trauma circled all involved, Grace was filled with guilt and grief. But she knew, from all her training, that she did the right thing. The adage; 'First rule of rescue: don't create another casualty' continued to run through her mind. But the media, both physical and social, were out to get her. The physical attacks became worse; someone was stalking her, harassing her. What was happening? Would she be blamed for what happened? There were two other teachers - both male - but they weren't being blamed...
Three Boys Gone is the latest psychological thriller from Aussie author Mark Smith and it was excellent. The vivid descriptions of the wild surf, the cockiness of sixteen year old boys, the trauma that struck everyone, the police, the SES, the families - all written in a way as to put me there with them all, watching from the sidelines. I've loved this author's previous work; this was no exception. Highly recommended.
December 16, 2025
A tense and gripping tale of impossible choices, a media frenzy and the repercussions after a tragic event.
Grace Disher is such an interesting protagonist. She also knows the first rule of rescue - do not create another casualty. Despite this, her decisions will be scrutinised and dissected as everyone is looking for someone to blame.
Despite the clear lack of risk assessment or following workplace procedures, this is a memorable story and I am keen to read more from Australian author Mark Smith.
This would make a fantastic book club or buddy read story, as it sparks so much conversation.
Grace Disher is such an interesting protagonist. She also knows the first rule of rescue - do not create another casualty. Despite this, her decisions will be scrutinised and dissected as everyone is looking for someone to blame.
Despite the clear lack of risk assessment or following workplace procedures, this is a memorable story and I am keen to read more from Australian author Mark Smith.
This would make a fantastic book club or buddy read story, as it sparks so much conversation.
June 4, 2025
This one packs quite an emotional punch in a few different ways. As a parent, the idea of sending my child to a school camp and that child never returning is horrifying. As someone who works with kids, the idea of a child dying while I am responsible for them is also horrifying. This book follows Grace, who is the teacher in charge when three teenage boys drown. The story takes place over the next few days, where we see the media, local and online community rapidly turn on Grace while she is struggling to deal with the aftermath. This escalates quickly to threats of violence towards Grace for not saving the boys. I thought it was a very realistic depiction of a shocked and grieving community looking for someone to blame for a tragic accident. I believe most readers will really feel for Grace in the circumstances.
Overall: a tension-filled, thought-provoking read that delves into the trauma of accidental deaths.
Overall: a tension-filled, thought-provoking read that delves into the trauma of accidental deaths.
October 28, 2024
Three Boys Gone is the fifth novel by award-winning Australian author, Mark Smith. When the senior outdoor and environmental education teacher is unable to, Grace Disher by default becomes the teacher in charge of St Finbar’s Year Ten excursion on the Great Western Walk on Victoria’s south west coast. Before she hikes back to retrieve the bus and take it to the end point of the trek, she gives the boys clear instructions to stay together with their supervising teachers and not to enter the water at Juliet Bay.
So she’s shocked to see three of them running into the dangerous surf as she arrives at the agreed meeting point. Her screams to stop are overwhelmed by the noise of the pounding waves and, even as she watches them flounder, knowing she’s not a strong enough swimmer to save them she observes the first rule of rescue: don’t create another casualty.
Dealing with the shocked and grieving classmates, the teachers guide their charges to safety and await the arrival of the police and SES. Already sick with the loss of three students, Grace reads on the faces and hears in the voices of some of the search and rescue personnel, criticism of her failure to attempt a rescue: this from people who didn’t see the surf at the time: “I’m a mum. I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t try”, she overhears.
Others question why the three were unsupervised, while those who know Juliet Bay remark that no one should have even tried to swim there under those conditions. She calls the school principal and is told to keep it under wraps while the school goes into damage control mode, but of course, many of the boys have hidden phones, and some of those seem to have malicious intent.
“As much as she tried, she couldn’t fend off the waves of guilt that now assailed her. No one has said it out loud, but they were all thinking the same thing. She had a duty of care to protect Jake and Robbie and Harry, even from themselves. She had been scared and alone, but she hadn’t even tried.”
While the two older teachers accompany the boys back to Melbourne, Grace stays behind to show Search and Rescue where the boys went in and, later, identifies the two bodies found. One of the other teachers is behaving strangely; the support promised by the principal seems more geared to minimising reputational damage; and Grace’s very private personal life is suddenly plastered across social media.
Uninformed speculation on social media does untold damage and when, against her better judgement, she checks the socials, she realises she has been tried and found guilty in the court of public opinion. A number of odd things happen that at first get buried in the overpowering emotion of the terrible situation, but eventually it becomes clear that Grace is a target, not just of journalists and social media trolls, but of someone harassing her in various ways. Is she in danger?
Not just those Australians who frequent beaches, but anyone who watches the TV news will be able to relate to Grace Disher’s awful dilemma: putting oneself in danger to save others may seem like an act of bravery, but doesn’t the potential loss of another life make it a foolish thing to do?
She later muses that “… their names would become part of outdoor ed folklore, their every movement on that day analysed and judged by people who weren’t there, who didn’t know them, who didn’t see how huge the seas were and who would most likely never have to face the sort of decision Grace had.”
Smith’s wonderful descriptive prose easily evokes his setting, while his experience in the field is apparent on every page and lends the story authenticity. His characters are believably flawed and their actions and reactions wholly credible. He explores a number of topical issues, including the power of print, screen and social media, and the community’s ever-increasing need to lay blame, to hold someone responsible. Thoroughly gripping and thought-provoking, this might be Mark Smith’s best yet.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Pan Macmillan Australia.
So she’s shocked to see three of them running into the dangerous surf as she arrives at the agreed meeting point. Her screams to stop are overwhelmed by the noise of the pounding waves and, even as she watches them flounder, knowing she’s not a strong enough swimmer to save them she observes the first rule of rescue: don’t create another casualty.
Dealing with the shocked and grieving classmates, the teachers guide their charges to safety and await the arrival of the police and SES. Already sick with the loss of three students, Grace reads on the faces and hears in the voices of some of the search and rescue personnel, criticism of her failure to attempt a rescue: this from people who didn’t see the surf at the time: “I’m a mum. I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t try”, she overhears.
Others question why the three were unsupervised, while those who know Juliet Bay remark that no one should have even tried to swim there under those conditions. She calls the school principal and is told to keep it under wraps while the school goes into damage control mode, but of course, many of the boys have hidden phones, and some of those seem to have malicious intent.
“As much as she tried, she couldn’t fend off the waves of guilt that now assailed her. No one has said it out loud, but they were all thinking the same thing. She had a duty of care to protect Jake and Robbie and Harry, even from themselves. She had been scared and alone, but she hadn’t even tried.”
While the two older teachers accompany the boys back to Melbourne, Grace stays behind to show Search and Rescue where the boys went in and, later, identifies the two bodies found. One of the other teachers is behaving strangely; the support promised by the principal seems more geared to minimising reputational damage; and Grace’s very private personal life is suddenly plastered across social media.
Uninformed speculation on social media does untold damage and when, against her better judgement, she checks the socials, she realises she has been tried and found guilty in the court of public opinion. A number of odd things happen that at first get buried in the overpowering emotion of the terrible situation, but eventually it becomes clear that Grace is a target, not just of journalists and social media trolls, but of someone harassing her in various ways. Is she in danger?
Not just those Australians who frequent beaches, but anyone who watches the TV news will be able to relate to Grace Disher’s awful dilemma: putting oneself in danger to save others may seem like an act of bravery, but doesn’t the potential loss of another life make it a foolish thing to do?
She later muses that “… their names would become part of outdoor ed folklore, their every movement on that day analysed and judged by people who weren’t there, who didn’t know them, who didn’t see how huge the seas were and who would most likely never have to face the sort of decision Grace had.”
Smith’s wonderful descriptive prose easily evokes his setting, while his experience in the field is apparent on every page and lends the story authenticity. His characters are believably flawed and their actions and reactions wholly credible. He explores a number of topical issues, including the power of print, screen and social media, and the community’s ever-increasing need to lay blame, to hold someone responsible. Thoroughly gripping and thought-provoking, this might be Mark Smith’s best yet.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by Pan Macmillan Australia.
January 9, 2025
I had such high hopes for this book as I loved the Road to Winter series but this was so disappointing and unrealistic from so many viewpoints. I live on the Victorian coast and know the area depicted. I’m a teacher, I also have kids involved in surf lifesaving.
So many things just didn’t ring true which made this frustrating and unbelievable.
The risk management plan would have had to have been logged for the excursion weeks and weeks ago to be approved by School exec and council, it not being logged was unrealistic. There is an incredible amount of red tape and hoops to jump for an excursion to get up and running, particularly an outdoor ed overnight walk. In a Catholic school the size of St Finbars, an IT teacher is not part of the IT team that looks after logistics - he teaches that’s his role - he would not have the access to personal info that he does in this novel. Teachers use their work laptops for work, they don’t have their personal emails, photos etc on them - particularly teachers of Grace and Louise’s age.
No one confuses someone having a community bronze with being a lifesaver. That was a far reach.
There was a line in the novel, “No one is ever gonna say this out loud, but it was the boys’ own fault they died.” Guess what? Every time there’s a drowning or near drowning on a treacherous part of the coastline here, social media immediately responds by absolutely saying it was their fault, why would you swim there? We all know the risks here. We see the condemnation every time. Social media immediately blames the person swimming, even when they don’t know the facts. I’ve seen it firsthand.
And the beach in question, there is no local, policeman or SES who would suggest she did the wrong thing by not going in. If you can’t see the people in the water in those conditions there is no hope. Most of Victoria wouldn’t blame her. The media coverage and social media storm was incredibly unrealistic.
Actually, the school groups’ response to the drowning was so wrong and unrealistic too as was the school’s response. Incredibly unrealistic. As soon as the drowning was evident, one of the teachers would have left immediately to seek coverage to alert authorities. Parents would have been called to collect their kids, they wouldn’t have stayed 3 hours away in a hotel overnight. Schools are well-versed in trauma and well-being, they’d have an immediate executive presence there in the town.
The thing that really pissed me off was this underlying attitude by some characters about being a mother. Grace was asked by a policewoman if she was a mother? It was mentioned elsewhere, with the underlying tone that if she was a mother she would have gone in after the boys. Bullshit. I’m a mother. i’m a strong swimmer. A mother wouldn’t risk her life drowning, knowing she can’t save kids that aren’t her own. That would leave her kids without a mother. Her own kids always … always … come first. I’m not sure why that pissed me off so much but it did - maybe a male writer really not getting how a mother thinks?
And don’t even get me started on the unhinged character of Tom who flips from fancier to stalker to psycho! No one, particularly in a teacher, in a school setting is treated like a celebrity for representing Victoria for pistol shooting. What bollocks.
So many things just didn’t ring true which made this frustrating and unbelievable.
The risk management plan would have had to have been logged for the excursion weeks and weeks ago to be approved by School exec and council, it not being logged was unrealistic. There is an incredible amount of red tape and hoops to jump for an excursion to get up and running, particularly an outdoor ed overnight walk. In a Catholic school the size of St Finbars, an IT teacher is not part of the IT team that looks after logistics - he teaches that’s his role - he would not have the access to personal info that he does in this novel. Teachers use their work laptops for work, they don’t have their personal emails, photos etc on them - particularly teachers of Grace and Louise’s age.
No one confuses someone having a community bronze with being a lifesaver. That was a far reach.
There was a line in the novel, “No one is ever gonna say this out loud, but it was the boys’ own fault they died.” Guess what? Every time there’s a drowning or near drowning on a treacherous part of the coastline here, social media immediately responds by absolutely saying it was their fault, why would you swim there? We all know the risks here. We see the condemnation every time. Social media immediately blames the person swimming, even when they don’t know the facts. I’ve seen it firsthand.
And the beach in question, there is no local, policeman or SES who would suggest she did the wrong thing by not going in. If you can’t see the people in the water in those conditions there is no hope. Most of Victoria wouldn’t blame her. The media coverage and social media storm was incredibly unrealistic.
Actually, the school groups’ response to the drowning was so wrong and unrealistic too as was the school’s response. Incredibly unrealistic. As soon as the drowning was evident, one of the teachers would have left immediately to seek coverage to alert authorities. Parents would have been called to collect their kids, they wouldn’t have stayed 3 hours away in a hotel overnight. Schools are well-versed in trauma and well-being, they’d have an immediate executive presence there in the town.
The thing that really pissed me off was this underlying attitude by some characters about being a mother. Grace was asked by a policewoman if she was a mother? It was mentioned elsewhere, with the underlying tone that if she was a mother she would have gone in after the boys. Bullshit. I’m a mother. i’m a strong swimmer. A mother wouldn’t risk her life drowning, knowing she can’t save kids that aren’t her own. That would leave her kids without a mother. Her own kids always … always … come first. I’m not sure why that pissed me off so much but it did - maybe a male writer really not getting how a mother thinks?
And don’t even get me started on the unhinged character of Tom who flips from fancier to stalker to psycho! No one, particularly in a teacher, in a school setting is treated like a celebrity for representing Victoria for pistol shooting. What bollocks.
July 30, 2025
This is one of those books that will stay with me for a long time. It was thought provoking both as a mother and someone who has teachers in their family.
In this book there is so many topics and themes discussed. Sexism, negligence, blame, protocols, loss, reputations, and tragedy. It made me feel so many emotions. I was angry at the media and parents, I was sad for the parents, and I felt Graces guilt.
Overall, I was thinking what would I do if I was in her shoes. The relentless media made me very angry. I really connected with Grace. Oh, my heart in this book!
It was so realistic that at times I had to remind myself it's not actually a true story. I could see this happening anywhere and to any school.
Highly recommend.
In this book there is so many topics and themes discussed. Sexism, negligence, blame, protocols, loss, reputations, and tragedy. It made me feel so many emotions. I was angry at the media and parents, I was sad for the parents, and I felt Graces guilt.
Overall, I was thinking what would I do if I was in her shoes. The relentless media made me very angry. I really connected with Grace. Oh, my heart in this book!
It was so realistic that at times I had to remind myself it's not actually a true story. I could see this happening anywhere and to any school.
Highly recommend.
March 15, 2025
Three Boys Gone is the fifth novel by award-winning Australian author, Mark Smith. The audio version is narrated by Lucy Moir. When the senior outdoor and environmental education teacher is unable to, Grace Disher by default becomes the teacher in charge of St Finbar’s Year Ten excursion on the Great Western Walk on Victoria’s south west coast. Before she hikes back to retrieve the bus and take it to the end point of the trek, she gives the boys clear instructions to stay together with their supervising teachers and not to enter the water at Juliet Bay.
So she’s shocked to see three of them running into the dangerous surf as she arrives at the agreed meeting point. Her screams to stop are overwhelmed by the noise of the pounding waves and, even as she watches them flounder, knowing she’s not a strong enough swimmer to save them she observes the first rule of rescue: don’t create another casualty.
Dealing with the shocked and grieving classmates, the teachers guide their charges to safety and await the arrival of the police and SES. Already sick with the loss of three students, Grace reads on the faces and hears in the voices of some of the search and rescue personnel, criticism of her failure to attempt a rescue: this from people who didn’t see the surf at the time: “I’m a mum. I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t try”, she overhears.
Others question why the three were unsupervised, while those who know Juliet Bay remark that no one should have even tried to swim there under those conditions. She calls the school principal and is told to keep it under wraps while the school goes into damage control mode, but of course, many of the boys have hidden phones, and some of those seem to have malicious intent.
“As much as she tried, she couldn’t fend off the waves of guilt that now assailed her. No one has said it out loud, but they were all thinking the same thing. She had a duty of care to protect Jake and Robbie and Harry, even from themselves. She had been scared and alone, but she hadn’t even tried.”
While the two older teachers accompany the boys back to Melbourne, Grace stays behind to show Search and Rescue where the boys went in and, later, identifies the two bodies found. One of the other teachers is behaving strangely; the support promised by the principal seems more geared to minimising reputational damage; and Grace’s very private personal life is suddenly plastered across social media.
Uninformed speculation on social media does untold damage and when, against her better judgement, she checks the socials, she realises she has been tried and found guilty in the court of public opinion. A number of odd things happen that at first get buried in the overpowering emotion of the terrible situation, but eventually it becomes clear that Grace is a target, not just of journalists and social media trolls, but of someone harassing her in various ways. Is she in danger?
Not just those Australians who frequent beaches, but anyone who watches the TV news will be able to relate to Grace Disher’s awful dilemma: putting oneself in danger to save others may seem like an act of bravery, but doesn’t the potential loss of another life make it a foolish thing to do?
She later muses that “… their names would become part of outdoor ed folklore, their every movement on that day analysed and judged by people who weren’t there, who didn’t know them, who didn’t see how huge the seas were and who would most likely never have to face the sort of decision Grace had.”
Smith’s wonderful descriptive prose easily evokes his setting, while his experience in the field is apparent on every page and lends the story authenticity. His characters are believably flawed and their actions and reactions wholly credible. He explores a number of topical issues, including the power of print, screen and social media, and the community’s ever-increasing need to lay blame, to hold someone responsible. Thoroughly gripping and thought-provoking, this might be Mark Smith’s best yet.
So she’s shocked to see three of them running into the dangerous surf as she arrives at the agreed meeting point. Her screams to stop are overwhelmed by the noise of the pounding waves and, even as she watches them flounder, knowing she’s not a strong enough swimmer to save them she observes the first rule of rescue: don’t create another casualty.
Dealing with the shocked and grieving classmates, the teachers guide their charges to safety and await the arrival of the police and SES. Already sick with the loss of three students, Grace reads on the faces and hears in the voices of some of the search and rescue personnel, criticism of her failure to attempt a rescue: this from people who didn’t see the surf at the time: “I’m a mum. I don’t think I could live with myself if I didn’t try”, she overhears.
Others question why the three were unsupervised, while those who know Juliet Bay remark that no one should have even tried to swim there under those conditions. She calls the school principal and is told to keep it under wraps while the school goes into damage control mode, but of course, many of the boys have hidden phones, and some of those seem to have malicious intent.
“As much as she tried, she couldn’t fend off the waves of guilt that now assailed her. No one has said it out loud, but they were all thinking the same thing. She had a duty of care to protect Jake and Robbie and Harry, even from themselves. She had been scared and alone, but she hadn’t even tried.”
While the two older teachers accompany the boys back to Melbourne, Grace stays behind to show Search and Rescue where the boys went in and, later, identifies the two bodies found. One of the other teachers is behaving strangely; the support promised by the principal seems more geared to minimising reputational damage; and Grace’s very private personal life is suddenly plastered across social media.
Uninformed speculation on social media does untold damage and when, against her better judgement, she checks the socials, she realises she has been tried and found guilty in the court of public opinion. A number of odd things happen that at first get buried in the overpowering emotion of the terrible situation, but eventually it becomes clear that Grace is a target, not just of journalists and social media trolls, but of someone harassing her in various ways. Is she in danger?
Not just those Australians who frequent beaches, but anyone who watches the TV news will be able to relate to Grace Disher’s awful dilemma: putting oneself in danger to save others may seem like an act of bravery, but doesn’t the potential loss of another life make it a foolish thing to do?
She later muses that “… their names would become part of outdoor ed folklore, their every movement on that day analysed and judged by people who weren’t there, who didn’t know them, who didn’t see how huge the seas were and who would most likely never have to face the sort of decision Grace had.”
Smith’s wonderful descriptive prose easily evokes his setting, while his experience in the field is apparent on every page and lends the story authenticity. His characters are believably flawed and their actions and reactions wholly credible. He explores a number of topical issues, including the power of print, screen and social media, and the community’s ever-increasing need to lay blame, to hold someone responsible. Thoroughly gripping and thought-provoking, this might be Mark Smith’s best yet.
October 3, 2025
*https://www.instagram.com/mrsb_book_r...
🌊Three Boys Gone is an emotive and conflict based psychological thriller drama from highly acclaimed young adult novelist Mark Smith. A story of life changing moments, danger, risk, blame and secrets Three Boys Gone is domestic thriller with a strong edge of tragedy that
🌊Leading Mark Smith’s new release is Grace Disher, a teacher fatefully placed in charge of a secondary school outdoor education camp with a group of high school aged boys. In a terrible twist of fate and misadventure, this standard school trip soon becomes an unforgettable disaster scene when three students go against their teacher’s instructions and head to the beach for a perilous ocean dip. Sadly, by the time Grace managed to catch up with the trio, they had got themselves into a deadly bind. Grace is confronted with a difficult choice, when she realises that in trying to save them could create more casualties. This moment of decision sets the precedent for the following hours, days, weeks and years to come. Grace faces a barrage of cruel accusations, gut wrenching grief, and a scornful community who are keen to place the blame on someone for this horrific loss of life.
🌊My reading experience of Three Boys Gone was defined by my natural connection to Smith’s lead character Grace. Grace’s job as a teacher, where she was subsequently placed in the direct firing line for a tragedy that was clearly not her fault, was both sad and authentic. The book’s focus on the school system, the pressure on educators, the action of Grace’s administration and the way blame is so easily placed on her struck a chord with me as a fellow educator. This is a strong moral quandary novel and it made me think about how easy it is to blame the teachers in this instance rather than the students who made a gross error of judgement that day. It was just a sad situation full stop, which would change the course of many people’s lives.
Three Boys Gone was a tension filled novel from the opening through to the conclusion. Smith is an author who is able to maintain a high level of intensity for the length of this narrative. The intense spotlight on Grace and the fallout she experiences as the story unspools also draws in feelings of guilt and public scrutiny. Grace also experiences threats to her personal life that makes her question who she can trust, adding a line of suspicion to the tale. Not only is poor Grace fighting to preserve her reputation she is also fighting for her safety, what an unsettling feeling!
Although I am a teacher like the main character Grace, I am also a parent of two teenage boys so I could also see the awful situation that occurs on the school trip from the point of view of the families. This ability to relate to Three Boys gone on more than one level made the story cut deep for me. This scenario put forward in Smith’s novel allows us to see just how impulsive teens can be, especially in a group and sadly without considering the risks, this story rolled out the sense of honesty, truth and devastation experienced. An unsettling and powerful read until the close, this one commanded my attention. A special mention of Lucy Moir, the narrator of the audiobook who managed to bring the turmoil of this story to life.
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫4.5 stars
🌊Three Boys Gone is an emotive and conflict based psychological thriller drama from highly acclaimed young adult novelist Mark Smith. A story of life changing moments, danger, risk, blame and secrets Three Boys Gone is domestic thriller with a strong edge of tragedy that
🌊Leading Mark Smith’s new release is Grace Disher, a teacher fatefully placed in charge of a secondary school outdoor education camp with a group of high school aged boys. In a terrible twist of fate and misadventure, this standard school trip soon becomes an unforgettable disaster scene when three students go against their teacher’s instructions and head to the beach for a perilous ocean dip. Sadly, by the time Grace managed to catch up with the trio, they had got themselves into a deadly bind. Grace is confronted with a difficult choice, when she realises that in trying to save them could create more casualties. This moment of decision sets the precedent for the following hours, days, weeks and years to come. Grace faces a barrage of cruel accusations, gut wrenching grief, and a scornful community who are keen to place the blame on someone for this horrific loss of life.
🌊My reading experience of Three Boys Gone was defined by my natural connection to Smith’s lead character Grace. Grace’s job as a teacher, where she was subsequently placed in the direct firing line for a tragedy that was clearly not her fault, was both sad and authentic. The book’s focus on the school system, the pressure on educators, the action of Grace’s administration and the way blame is so easily placed on her struck a chord with me as a fellow educator. This is a strong moral quandary novel and it made me think about how easy it is to blame the teachers in this instance rather than the students who made a gross error of judgement that day. It was just a sad situation full stop, which would change the course of many people’s lives.
Three Boys Gone was a tension filled novel from the opening through to the conclusion. Smith is an author who is able to maintain a high level of intensity for the length of this narrative. The intense spotlight on Grace and the fallout she experiences as the story unspools also draws in feelings of guilt and public scrutiny. Grace also experiences threats to her personal life that makes her question who she can trust, adding a line of suspicion to the tale. Not only is poor Grace fighting to preserve her reputation she is also fighting for her safety, what an unsettling feeling!
Although I am a teacher like the main character Grace, I am also a parent of two teenage boys so I could also see the awful situation that occurs on the school trip from the point of view of the families. This ability to relate to Three Boys gone on more than one level made the story cut deep for me. This scenario put forward in Smith’s novel allows us to see just how impulsive teens can be, especially in a group and sadly without considering the risks, this story rolled out the sense of honesty, truth and devastation experienced. An unsettling and powerful read until the close, this one commanded my attention. A special mention of Lucy Moir, the narrator of the audiobook who managed to bring the turmoil of this story to life.
🌟🌟🌟🌟💫4.5 stars
September 27, 2025
Three Boys Gone by Aussie author Mark Smith is a gripping fast-paced psychological thriller. A teacher's job can be rewarding, but at the same time it can be exhausting, and when Grace takes her students on a camping trip, she never imagined it would turn out the way it did.
This book would be perfect for a book club or a buddy read as there is so much that can be discussed. This book grabbed my attention from the start, and I didn’t want to put it down as I was desperate to find out how it would end. Highly recommended.
This book would be perfect for a book club or a buddy read as there is so much that can be discussed. This book grabbed my attention from the start, and I didn’t want to put it down as I was desperate to find out how it would end. Highly recommended.
February 25, 2025
in the general 2.5 region, I read this for school, and to be honest I found it to be very bland & predictable. would not recommend.
December 31, 2024
Would you risk your life to save three others? How do you decide the worthiness of someone else’s life? Do you always wonder why the bad things that happen feel like they are in slow motion, and you’ll never be fast enough to get there in time? These are such dark and vulnerable questions that would gnaw at the very depths of the heart, mind and soul. This is exactly here Grace finds herself, when three teenage boys under her supervision, run into a dangerous ocean swell to swim, never to return.
This is a story about lost loves, and also about survival. How Grace manages to survive this event. How life stops and starts for the School, the parents and her colleagues. How Grace’s safety becomes more and more at risk, as we are fed intriguing morsels about the School, the boys, her relationship with partner Lou and her past. This book highlights the visceral reactions of a person at braking point, where emotions are out of control, and they are also brushed aside and stereotyped. Grace travels through this story with almost no-one to rely on, and even when she can, the level of trust dissolves so quicky.
Mark Smith pays on lots of factors in this book to story the pot and create fear mongering vitriol that hides away the facts, hearsay from the students and parents, news coverage, coincidences that don’t feel right, the discrimination of same sex relationships, the sexism in power and control. Grace’s mistreatment was so vivid, and I could feel myself reaching for her, to wrap my arm around her shoulder to comfort her and protect her form the treatment she received. The brutal and rugged coastlines and weather equally buffeted the twists and turns of this story, the coldness biting through the skin and adding weight to the injustices occuring as if you are caught in the rip, dragging you out further and further away from the truth with Grace at your side. This book also had me thinking and remembering the recent book I read by Nikki Gemmell called Wing, and all the gender dynamics that were involved in that book in comparison to this one and what Grace was going through.
Thank you #PanMacmillanAus for sending me this #gifted copy – this is the book to read in 2025. It was a book I read in one sitting, and it was worth it.
This is a story about lost loves, and also about survival. How Grace manages to survive this event. How life stops and starts for the School, the parents and her colleagues. How Grace’s safety becomes more and more at risk, as we are fed intriguing morsels about the School, the boys, her relationship with partner Lou and her past. This book highlights the visceral reactions of a person at braking point, where emotions are out of control, and they are also brushed aside and stereotyped. Grace travels through this story with almost no-one to rely on, and even when she can, the level of trust dissolves so quicky.
Mark Smith pays on lots of factors in this book to story the pot and create fear mongering vitriol that hides away the facts, hearsay from the students and parents, news coverage, coincidences that don’t feel right, the discrimination of same sex relationships, the sexism in power and control. Grace’s mistreatment was so vivid, and I could feel myself reaching for her, to wrap my arm around her shoulder to comfort her and protect her form the treatment she received. The brutal and rugged coastlines and weather equally buffeted the twists and turns of this story, the coldness biting through the skin and adding weight to the injustices occuring as if you are caught in the rip, dragging you out further and further away from the truth with Grace at your side. This book also had me thinking and remembering the recent book I read by Nikki Gemmell called Wing, and all the gender dynamics that were involved in that book in comparison to this one and what Grace was going through.
Thank you #PanMacmillanAus for sending me this #gifted copy – this is the book to read in 2025. It was a book I read in one sitting, and it was worth it.
December 28, 2024
This was binge worthy - I finished this within a day over the summer holidays, I had to know if my guess for the ending was correct!
As a mother, it was a tough read, but worthwhile. Smith’s descriptive language throughout the book is used so well, set in Australia, without the typical cliches.
This one should be on the TBR for any crime fiction lover
Thank you to Pan Macmillan for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
As a mother, it was a tough read, but worthwhile. Smith’s descriptive language throughout the book is used so well, set in Australia, without the typical cliches.
This one should be on the TBR for any crime fiction lover
Thank you to Pan Macmillan for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review
January 15, 2025
Many thanks to Macmillan Australia for the review copy of Three Boys Gone—it is greatly appreciated. This psychological thriller by Mark Smith is a tense and compelling exploration of tragedy and moral dilemmas.
Set in Australia, the story follows Grace Disher, a teacher who faces every educator’s nightmare when three of her students die on a school camping trip. The setting is beautifully described, immersing readers in the coastal landscapes and adding to the story’s haunting atmosphere.
Smith’s writing powerfully conveys the erratic emotions of fresh trauma, reflecting Grace’s turmoil and the community’s grief. The tension remains tight throughout the novel, with Smith skillfully holding back just enough to keep readers on edge.
I found myself completely hooked about halfway through, unable to put the book down. However, the ending felt a bit abrupt, leaving me wishing for more insight into Grace’s post-trauma journey. The lingering questions—such as why the boys ventured into dangerous waters—mirror the reality of accidental deaths, where some answers may never be found. This ambiguity adds to the story’s emotional depth, making readers ponder what they would do in such a situation.
Despite these unanswered questions, Three Boys Gone is a thought-provoking read that crime fiction lovers will appreciate. Mark Smith delivers a twisty, tension-filled narrative that will stay with you long after the final page.
Set in Australia, the story follows Grace Disher, a teacher who faces every educator’s nightmare when three of her students die on a school camping trip. The setting is beautifully described, immersing readers in the coastal landscapes and adding to the story’s haunting atmosphere.
Smith’s writing powerfully conveys the erratic emotions of fresh trauma, reflecting Grace’s turmoil and the community’s grief. The tension remains tight throughout the novel, with Smith skillfully holding back just enough to keep readers on edge.
I found myself completely hooked about halfway through, unable to put the book down. However, the ending felt a bit abrupt, leaving me wishing for more insight into Grace’s post-trauma journey. The lingering questions—such as why the boys ventured into dangerous waters—mirror the reality of accidental deaths, where some answers may never be found. This ambiguity adds to the story’s emotional depth, making readers ponder what they would do in such a situation.
Despite these unanswered questions, Three Boys Gone is a thought-provoking read that crime fiction lovers will appreciate. Mark Smith delivers a twisty, tension-filled narrative that will stay with you long after the final page.
January 4, 2025
4.5⭐️ and will definitely be in my top reads of 2025 and in the books I recommend to others this year.
This is the first book by Mark Smith I’ve read and after hearing about it constantly on Instagram I knew I needed to read it. I read 70% of this book in one sitting and rushed home from dinner to finish it. I loved the story line, the characters and the description of Juliet Beach. I went to a Catholic school and so much of what happened in the book was exactly how unsavoury events were handled.
I was left with many unanswered questions… like why did the boys get in the water when it was so wild?! But I guess that’s the point… in an accidental death you may never get these answers.
I’m looking forward to going back and reading the authors previous books now.
This is the first book by Mark Smith I’ve read and after hearing about it constantly on Instagram I knew I needed to read it. I read 70% of this book in one sitting and rushed home from dinner to finish it. I loved the story line, the characters and the description of Juliet Beach. I went to a Catholic school and so much of what happened in the book was exactly how unsavoury events were handled.
I was left with many unanswered questions… like why did the boys get in the water when it was so wild?! But I guess that’s the point… in an accidental death you may never get these answers.
I’m looking forward to going back and reading the authors previous books now.
October 17, 2024
Put this on your summer reads.
Mark Smith is an author of four young adult novels with themes of climate change, coastal life and belonging and he has entered the world of adult fiction with a bang. With Three Boys Gone, he has shown his capacity to continue telling great stories and threading a nail-biting plot.
Three Boys Gone setting Smith is very familiar with: outdoor education on the west coast of Victoria. Grace, an outdoor educator working in the Catholic education system, is hiding from her past and keeping her relationship with a coworker secret. When three boys on an outdoor trip Grace is leading run into the stormy and treacherous ocean, Grace faces the dilemma of rescuing them and potentially drowning, or leaving them to the peril. Her decision upends her life as she grapples with the fallout and intense public scrutiny.
The tension is tight the entire way through the story and Smith does a great job of holding back from giving us everything. This book kept me up late and woke me early so I could find out what happened.
Thanks to Pan Macmillian and Mark for this advance copy. It's a book I'll be pushing into the hands of people when it comes out in December.
Mark Smith is an author of four young adult novels with themes of climate change, coastal life and belonging and he has entered the world of adult fiction with a bang. With Three Boys Gone, he has shown his capacity to continue telling great stories and threading a nail-biting plot.
Three Boys Gone setting Smith is very familiar with: outdoor education on the west coast of Victoria. Grace, an outdoor educator working in the Catholic education system, is hiding from her past and keeping her relationship with a coworker secret. When three boys on an outdoor trip Grace is leading run into the stormy and treacherous ocean, Grace faces the dilemma of rescuing them and potentially drowning, or leaving them to the peril. Her decision upends her life as she grapples with the fallout and intense public scrutiny.
The tension is tight the entire way through the story and Smith does a great job of holding back from giving us everything. This book kept me up late and woke me early so I could find out what happened.
Thanks to Pan Macmillian and Mark for this advance copy. It's a book I'll be pushing into the hands of people when it comes out in December.
December 23, 2024
I found this book hard to out down, maybe because I related to it so much; as a mother who has waved children away on school camps and as a former news reporter who has chased stories that have gripped the public (though I can safely say, not with the same venom showed in this book!)
It follows the story of high school teacher Grace Disher who leads a group of 16-year-old boys from a Melbourne Catholic private school on a multi-day trekking trip. Along the way three boys run into the ocean on a secluded beach and drown. As the shocking news breaks, a harsh spotlight falls unfairly on Grace who is criticised for failing to enter the treacherous water to save the boys. She stands by the first rule of rescue, which states that you shouldn’t create an additional casualty in the process. But the media, public and parents strongly disagree.
This book cleverly presents the stakes in a breaking news story and the lengths the media and keyboard warriors go to through their relentless pursuit of Grace. But it also touches on misogyny, homophobia, privacy, sexism, grief, blame and guilt.
This book made me sad, angry and frustrated and the well-timed plot compelled me to keep turning page after page long into the night.
It follows the story of high school teacher Grace Disher who leads a group of 16-year-old boys from a Melbourne Catholic private school on a multi-day trekking trip. Along the way three boys run into the ocean on a secluded beach and drown. As the shocking news breaks, a harsh spotlight falls unfairly on Grace who is criticised for failing to enter the treacherous water to save the boys. She stands by the first rule of rescue, which states that you shouldn’t create an additional casualty in the process. But the media, public and parents strongly disagree.
This book cleverly presents the stakes in a breaking news story and the lengths the media and keyboard warriors go to through their relentless pursuit of Grace. But it also touches on misogyny, homophobia, privacy, sexism, grief, blame and guilt.
This book made me sad, angry and frustrated and the well-timed plot compelled me to keep turning page after page long into the night.
January 10, 2025
I do love a book that gives life to a moral or ethical dilemma and makes you ask the question - what would I do?
Three Boys Gone does this a thousand times.
Grace Disher is leading her first outdoor education excursion at St Finbars, a Catholic boys high school, when she is handed the ultimate dilemma. Should she attempt to rescue three boys that have entered treacherous surf when it means she will more than likely drown alongside them?
Grace follows her training and the accepted first rule of rescue - don't create another casualty. The boys drown.
What ensues after this is a fraught and emotional couple of days as questions are asked by police, the school, the parents and the faceless internet trolls have a field day. Grace has to deal with her life, her family and her relationships being dissected and displayed for all to see.
There was a twist towards the end that shocked me and added another layer to this story.
So what should Grace have done? Should she have died a hero? Would that make the boys deaths any less tragic? Would it make people feel better about the situation?
So, what would you do?
Three Boys Gone does this a thousand times.
Grace Disher is leading her first outdoor education excursion at St Finbars, a Catholic boys high school, when she is handed the ultimate dilemma. Should she attempt to rescue three boys that have entered treacherous surf when it means she will more than likely drown alongside them?
Grace follows her training and the accepted first rule of rescue - don't create another casualty. The boys drown.
What ensues after this is a fraught and emotional couple of days as questions are asked by police, the school, the parents and the faceless internet trolls have a field day. Grace has to deal with her life, her family and her relationships being dissected and displayed for all to see.
There was a twist towards the end that shocked me and added another layer to this story.
So what should Grace have done? Should she have died a hero? Would that make the boys deaths any less tragic? Would it make people feel better about the situation?
So, what would you do?
February 4, 2025
Three Boys Gone is a real page-turner. Every teacher's worst nightmare is to have something go wrong where students are concerned. This book shows how teachers not only have to cope with the fallout from the event, but then have the harsh gaze of the media on them as well. Taut and beautifully written.
January 22, 2025
Hate to say it but this was rubbish
December 31, 2024
god. it really only takes one bad thriller to remind me why this genre can be so bad. this is just so generic and cliched, i hate when a book relies on a “crazy staked all along” trope - it just reduces the value of the rest of the story building ffs. gillian flynn, i love/hate you for making my expectations for thrillers so high 😭😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 17, 2025
This book was a real page turner. If not a little traumatizing for a teacher to read. However, it felt like it ended way too suddenly and the story was only just beginning.
July 22, 2025
Rep: lesbian mc & li
CWs: lesbophobia
CWs: lesbophobia
April 13, 2025
Really enjoyed this book and the narration was great. I got to hear Mark talk about writing this book and working at a school I could recognise many of the characters (I feel like we have have worked with the same IT guy🤭)
July 25, 2025
I was captivated from the beginning and hooked in. Understanding the reality from the teaching perspective certainly added a deeper level for me as well. I couldn't stop thinking about it!
April 19, 2025
As a former Principal, I recommend this to be read by all school councilors and staff approving/supervising camps and the mantra of the SES volunteer espousing, “Shit happens” and kids do unpredictable stuff. But in an environment of ‘duty-of-care’ and teachers being held more responsible than parents concerning child safety (in Victoria, Australia) - this story resonates loudly. I found this to be a book in two halves. The first half the writing style flows and you feel you are actually there as we follow Grace on her journey awaiting the Coroner’s findings. As a teacher, I was aware of errors before the consequences emerged…but the phone trick, I didn’t pick.
I had heard Mark Smith interviewed on radio, launching his book and the story benefits from his 30 years of experience in outdoor education.
The second part of the book is the clumsy inclusion of Graces personal relationships - and shift away from so many more elements that had been presented and left dangling.
There could have been an increased focus upon the boys to reveal what made the list boys do what they did, more about where were the male teachers who had been with them, more about the strange elements and even why the helicopter left! The twist at the end was a big disappoint - given the talent of those who supported the author - why didn’t any of them tell him to leave this off!
I had heard Mark Smith interviewed on radio, launching his book and the story benefits from his 30 years of experience in outdoor education.
The second part of the book is the clumsy inclusion of Graces personal relationships - and shift away from so many more elements that had been presented and left dangling.
There could have been an increased focus upon the boys to reveal what made the list boys do what they did, more about where were the male teachers who had been with them, more about the strange elements and even why the helicopter left! The twist at the end was a big disappoint - given the talent of those who supported the author - why didn’t any of them tell him to leave this off!
December 8, 2024
Three Boys Gone by Mark Smith is one of those books with a strong sense of setting. Jane Harper is quoted on the front of the book. And given her book The Survivors has a similar sense of setting it seems very fitting.
The story details the aftermath of a school outdoor education camp where three students go missing. The investigation, the media frenzy, and all the emotion experienced by the different parties. The setting remains the backdrop and is a touch point throughout the book.
Grace is a younger, new teacher working within the Catholic education system. The book touches on policies and procedures in the fictional school which are topical and could be significant discussion points for Bookclub readers around duty of care (would you try to save them) as well as the school’s encroachment into teachers personal lives. Very interesting!
This was a great book to while away the hours on a Sunday afternoon. It’s a tad bingeworthy, IMO.
I received a copy from MacMillan Australia, with thanks
The story details the aftermath of a school outdoor education camp where three students go missing. The investigation, the media frenzy, and all the emotion experienced by the different parties. The setting remains the backdrop and is a touch point throughout the book.
Grace is a younger, new teacher working within the Catholic education system. The book touches on policies and procedures in the fictional school which are topical and could be significant discussion points for Bookclub readers around duty of care (would you try to save them) as well as the school’s encroachment into teachers personal lives. Very interesting!
This was a great book to while away the hours on a Sunday afternoon. It’s a tad bingeworthy, IMO.
I received a copy from MacMillan Australia, with thanks
March 18, 2025
This was a really easy read, and I enjoyed the story's outdoor ed backdrop. I was pretty invested to see how it was going to end and so ended up blowing through it fairly quickly. The main character was a lesbian which was a plus and it added depth to the media backlash.
The only problem was that the ending was pretty mediocre, the whole time it felt like there was going to be a bit more to the story of the boys getting lost yet all of that came to nothing and it took a pretty late and sharp turn into the stalker co-teacher plot. There were a few hints of him being weird but it eventual reveal just felt clumsy.
In fact, Grace seemed so stupid most of the time that I thought it was gonna turn out that she was the bad guy. That we were gonna find out that she had purposely not saved them, not out of self-preservation or fear but because she wanted them to die.
The only problem was that the ending was pretty mediocre, the whole time it felt like there was going to be a bit more to the story of the boys getting lost yet all of that came to nothing and it took a pretty late and sharp turn into the stalker co-teacher plot. There were a few hints of him being weird but it eventual reveal just felt clumsy.
In fact, Grace seemed so stupid most of the time that I thought it was gonna turn out that she was the bad guy. That we were gonna find out that she had purposely not saved them, not out of self-preservation or fear but because she wanted them to die.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 9, 2025
I tore through this. As a teacher, it cut close to the bone as a chilling insight into a nightmare scenario. The writing wasn't the strong point here; pacing was good in places, and the narrative had me occasionally quite emotionally invested despite some plot holes and a whiplash-inducing turn at the end, but I imagine that had more to do with my own knowledge of the education sphere. In the end this read more (to me) like a treatment for a screenplay or series than a novel.
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