Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Susan Hill, Nicci French and Val McDermid, this is an astute and intelligent psychological thriller centring around obsession and rage from international multi-million copy seller Joanne Harris. Fast paced with unexpected twists and turns, it will get right under the skin...
'[A] gripping psychological thriller... Harris is one of our most accomplished novelists and Gentlemen & Players, with its pace, wit and acute observation, shows her at the top of her form' -- DAILY EXPRESS
'[A] delicious black comedy ... the plot is so cleverly constructed, the tension so unflagging, you'd think she'd been writing thrillers all her life' -- DAILY MAIL
'It kept me on the edge of my seat and I was thinking about it long after I turned the last page' -- ***** Reader review
'An intricate, engrossing novel' -- ***** Reader review
'Wonderfully, horribly plausible' -- ***** Reader review
'I read it in three days which is as close as I get to "couldn't put it down"' -- ***** Reader review
'Well written and enthralling' -- ***** Reader review
'A must read....' -- ***** Reader review
'Absolutely loved this book!' -- ***** Reader review
*******************************************************************************************
At St Oswald's, a long-established boys' grammar school in the north of England, a new year has just begun. For the staff and boys of the school, a wind of unwelcome change is blowing. Suits, paperwork and Information Technology rule the world; and Roy Straitley, the eccentric veteran Latin master, is finally - reluctantly - contemplating retirement.
But beneath the little rivalries, petty disputes and everyday crises of the school, a darker undercurrent stirs.
And a bitter grudge, hidden and carefully nurtured for thirteen years, is about to erupt.
The trilogy continues with blueeyedboy and Different Class.



![Bower, Tom PREORDER NONFICTION New Tom Bower: Betrayal [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/bower-tom-tom-bower-betrayal-2026-9781785126413-1229179083_{width}x.jpg?v=1779886816)
![Swindells, Robert CHILDRENS TEEN FICTION Robert Swindells: Stone Cold (The Originals) [2016] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/swindells-robert-robert-swindells-stone-cold-the-originals-2016-paperback-60131427647827_{width}x.jpg?v=1773490698)
![Connolly, John PREORDER FICTION New John Connolly: A River Red With Blood [2026]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/connolly-john-john-connolly-a-river-red-with-blood-2026-9781399758475-1235063628_{width}x.jpg?v=1780734688)
![Unknown IRISH BIOGRAPHY Home Before Night [1981] paperback](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/unknown-home-before-night-1981-paperback-54552875172179_{width}x.jpg?v=1708422612)
![Magan, Manchan & Megan Luddy DELETE New Manchan Magan: Ninety-Nine Words for Rain (and One for Sun) [2025]](http://chaptersbookstore.com/cdn/shop/files/magan-manchan-megan-luddy-manchan-magan-ninety-nine-words-for-rain-and-one-for-sun-2025-9781804583340-1189657813_{width}x.jpg?v=1779619578)