The Teacher
Freida McFadden's The Teacher is a dark, twisty psychological thriller set in a high school full of secrets, lies, and predatory behavior. At the center are Eve Bennett, a math teacher with a shoe obsession and a failing marriage, her husband Nate, the school's dreamy English teacher adored by students, and Addie, a troubled student with a history of scandal. As rumors swirl, lines blur between teacher and student, and loyalties fracture, the story barrels toward shocking revelations about manipulation, grooming, and betrayal. With Freida's signature sharp pacing, the book blends satire, suspense, and melodrama - all culminating in an outrageous final twist.
- Eve - Math teacher at the High School
- Nate - Eve's husband and the English teacher
- Addie - Shy new student
- Hudson - Addie's ex-boyfriend
- Jay - Eve's secret boyfriend
- Addie starts school isolated; rumors last year about her closeness with a teacher got him fired. Everyone assumes she was involved.
- Nate notices Addie's potential and takes an interest in her.
- Eve becomes wary of Nate's attention toward Addie, given the girl's troubled reputation.
- Eve sees Nate and Addie kissing in his classroom.
- Addie sneaks into Eve and Nate's house at night; when confronted by Eve, she claims she and Nate are "in love."
- Eve threatens to report Addie to the principal; Addie panics and hits Eve with a frying pan.
- Addie calls Nate for help.
- Eve wakes, tells Nate what happened, and insists she will report Addie.
- Nate strangles Eve to protect his secrets.
- Nate and Addie bury Eve in the woods, believing she is dead.
- Eve survives, escapes, and contacts Jay for help.
- Eve and Jay bury Nate alive in response.
- Nate is revealed to have been inappropriate with multiple students.
- Officers go to arrest Nate for sexual predation but he is missing and assumed to have fled.
- Final twist: Jay is revealed to be Hudson, confirming Eve was a sexual predator herself all along.
- Eve - Alive - Resigned from teaching and left town
- Nate - Dead - Killed by Eve
- Addie - Alive - Back with her ex, Hudson
- Hudson/Jay - Alive - Back together with Addie
- Mr. Tuttle - Alive - Took a job at a high school two towns over
- Pedophilia
- Murder
- Bullying
- Death of parent
- Stalking
- Alcoholism
- Cancer
- Sexual content
Twist
Publisher: Sourcebooks
ISBN: 9781728296210
Publish Date: February 6, 2024
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.