(a.k.a. the reason I didn’t get any sleep last night)
You ever start a book thinking, “I’ll just read a few chapters before bed,” and next thing you know it’s 2 a.m., you're side-eyeing everyone in your life because trust no one? Yeah. That’s what The Teacher did to me.
Freida McFadden clearly sat down and said, "How many twists can I throw at this poor reader before they start talking to themselves?" The answer: all of them. Every single twist. I think I pulled a muscle in my neck from whipping my head around every time something insane happened.
The setup seems simple at first: a teacher, a troubled student, some secrets. You think you know where it’s headed. You don't. You really, really don’t. Just when you think, "Oh, okay, I see what's happening," BAM — McFadden dropkicks your theory straight into the sun.
And the ending? I’m not saying I sat there blinking at the wall for a full five minutes afterward, but I’m also not not saying that. It was so brilliantly unexpected, I almost wanted to slow-clap in my living room.
If you love fast-paced, twisty thrillers that make you question your own ability to read subtle clues (or blatant ones, honestly), The Teacher needs to be at the top of your TBR. Just… maybe don’t start it at 10 p.m. unless you enjoy the feeling of being a very tired but very satisfied zombie the next day.
Five stars. Would let Freida McFadden absolutely destroy my sanity again.
