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  • The Schoolgirl, Her Teacher and His Wife

  • By: Rebecca Hazel
  • Narrated by: Natasha Beaumont
  • Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (28 ratings)

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The Schoolgirl, Her Teacher and His Wife

By: Rebecca Hazel
Narrated by: Natasha Beaumont
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Publisher's Summary

Teacher and former rugby league player Chris Dawson appeared to have it all - a loving family and a beautiful home in Sydney's Northern Beaches. But in the summer of 1982 his wife Lynette disappeared and not long afterwards Dawson married a much younger woman, a former student.

Less than a decade later this young woman escaped the marriage and went to the police to record her suspicions that Dawson had been involved in Lynette's disappearance. A homicide investigation followed but got nowhere until 1998, when Detective Sergeant Damian Loone was handed Lynette's file. For nearly two decades he made it his business to honour Lynette and to find out what had happened to her. His work led to two coronial investigations, but no charges.

Around this time Rebecca Hazel was working in a women's refuge on the Northern Beaches when a colleague shared her story of enduring coercive control at the hands of Dawson, when she was his student, and then wife and she shared her suspicions about the fate of his first wife Lynette. These revelations affected Rebecca, and eventually she decided to investigate.

Over years, coroners, police and journalists all shared with Rebecca their knowledge of the case, and disappointments that it remained unsolved. Until, in May 2018, Hedley Thomas launched the Teacher's Pet podcast, and in December 2018, Chris Dawson was charged with murder. He was convicted in August 2022.

Rebecca Hazel has spent ten years working to ensure that the stories of two women who were misused by Chris Dawson are heard, that their perpetrator is brought to justice and that Lynette's family can properly honour their much-loved sister, aunt, cousin and mother.

©2023 Rebecca Hazel (P)2023 Penguin Random House Australia

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

So Sad

It was good to hear a bit of JC's side of the story, Such a terrible and sad tale, I wish they could find Lynette's body. This (true) story - when you hear all the facts, makes you flabbergasted that it too so long to convict Chris. Anyone interested in this should look into the case of the death of Kurt Cobain. There is just SO much around that story - so many different facts - that just 'reeks' of foul play. So unfair that there is injustice in this world.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Justice for Lyn

I am so pleased for Lyn Dawson and her family that the truth has finally been recognised.
A well researched and well read account of this tragic story.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent account

Well read , well researched . Thanks for writing this book I’m sure Lynne’s family really appreciated your help in convicting this evil evil man .

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4 people found this helpful

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An insightful book, written from the heart

This is a compelling and insightful book, written with empathy and intelligence. The author’s understanding of the broader context of domestic violence, coercion and control contribute to the work.

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2 people found this helpful

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A captivating account of an incredulous story

This gripping account of the well known story is artfully and empathetically conveyed. Rebecca immerses readers/listeners as she delves into the enigmatic case of Lynette Simms.

The portrayal of JC stands out profoundly. Her resilience and tenacity, despite her tumultuous past, are truly inspirational.

I really hope that Lyn’s daughters, her family, JC, and Lyn’s circle of friends find the support and healing they need after enduring such a harrowing ordeal.

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2 people found this helpful

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Fascinating story

Well researched and riveting account of an incredible crime that went unsolved for too long.

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Amazing!!

I thought I knew all there was to to know about the Chris Dawson case. This book was eye opening, interesting and I whizzed through it. Amazing book!!

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3 people found this helpful

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Loved it

This story has intrigued me for years now, so it was good to hear some information I hadn’t heard before. Highly recommend it.

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3 people found this helpful

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Highly recommend

A must read for anyone interested in true crime and this incredible story.
I have followed this story every step of the way but I couldn’t have imagined there was more to it.
A complete summery of an absolute tragedy.
And finally justice

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Great Listening

The story of Lyn Dawson is well documented yet this book is a fascinating insight into the travesty of her case with emphasis on the story of the schoolgirl whose life was derailed by a violent sociopath. The author writes with vivid detail but never descends into the sensational. She captures the tension of the court room with incredible realism. The reader imagines they are witness to proceedings. The narrator delivers the authors words beautifully and with clarity. This case is a shocking. It serves us well to remember how easily the victim was discarded at the hands of a malignant narcissist and her death covered up by men who elected to support their mate in committing murder. They did not think twice about it.

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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.