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The Teacher's Pet

By: Hedley Thomas
Narrated by: Full Cast, Hedley Thomas
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Publisher's Summary

Narrated by Hedley Thomas and a full cast of 100 characters

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.

SHORTLISTED FOR THE ABIA AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR 2024

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2023 Hedley Thomas (P)2023 Macmillan Australia Audio

Critic Reviews

'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

What listeners say about The Teacher's Pet

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Riveting

It’s been such a tragic story with so many lives devastated. I have empathy for the family members who believe this man did no wrong, but my sense of justice for Lynette and the efforts of Hedley to help bring an arrest, far outweighs other thoughts. The audiobook was well planned out with the various narrations. Thank you Hedley - and thank you Ruth for hanging in there!

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The professional presentation

There were so many folk involved, I was lost sometimes with just who was who. Having an interest in this case due to my involvement with Coombabah High School, I was more than pleased when someone took on the almighty task of bringing Chris to trial and the judgement he deserved.

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Great insight into a brilliant podcast

Loved the podcast but the context that sits underneath makes it 100x better … congratulations to Hadley and the team

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Good companion to podcast

Interesting, lots of details not in podcast and nice to listen to Hedley’s voice again. But some of the actors voicing the witnesses etc, My God. Awful. Talk about chewing the scenery….

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All the investigation at such a risk.

That Hedley narrated it made so authentic. The in depth research done. Excellent read! Highly recommend.

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Complimentary to the podcast

If, like me, you followed intently the podcast, this is the perfect backstory. Exploring the highs, the lows and the challenges faced by Hedley to bring about Lyn’s story.

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absolutely brilliant listening

I am so glad justice was finally done Lyn Simms, I just wish Chris Dawson would tell her daughters and family and friends were she is so she can put put to rest .

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Amazing story

I followed the podcast , but I had no idea of the personal toll it took on Hedley. Looking forward to more of these stories.

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I was wrong

I have followed the podcast from the very beginning, thought I knew the whole story with all its twists and turns. So was prepared to be a bit bored by this book. But I have devoured the entire thing and marvel once again at the story, and the telling of it and all it has achieved.

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Amazing true story

This book was amazing I only heard half the podcast but the nook was amazing and glad the family got justice and hopefully one day will find her body to put her to rest

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