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The Teacher's Pet

By: Hedley Thomas
Narrated by: 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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Hedley Thomas… you’re a star

This journalist is so talented. Thank you for letting us into the making of Teacher’s Pet. I can’t get enough of your podcasts.

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Excellent

Great listen about the overall process of the Teacher Pet Podcast. Well done Hedley on another fantastic piece of investigative journalism.

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Interesting

An interesting read, it probably does come off better as a podcast though. Starts of chapters rehashed known info, sometimes several times.
Otherwise, it was well researched and gripping. Headley's voice is at times monotonous, and I felt the pace would of worked better a tiny smidge faster.

Great story and I'm glad it was told!

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Gripping and moving

Great to hear the story behind the podcast and its affect on everyone. Well written and provides satisfying closure to the case. Hope CD rots in prison and Lynette Sims rests peacefully forever

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Amazing

One of the best written books. If you enjoyed the podcast you will love this book more.

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Great Finish!

I have basically listened to everything I could about this story & well done to you Hedley Thomas for wrapping it up in this book! I’ve loved listening to it all and I hope it gives a lot of people some closure. Such a shame her body hasn’t been found.

Suez

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Compelling facts and narrative style

I loved this book from first word to last. So compelling with such a satisfying denouement. Brilliant work Hedley Thomas and team.

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Justice for Lynette

Could not put this down, captivating, your hard work and tireless investigation led to a great result...congratulations

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Amazing

I have long been a follower of The Teachers Pet and this book did not disappoint. Thank you for your tireless dedication in championing on behalf of those women whose voices were taken from them

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Thoroughly enjoyed it

Followed the podcast over the years and think this compliments everything nicely. I will probably relisten to this soon

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.