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The Classroom
Letting go of your daughter for the first time isn’t easy
After years of IVF, Kirsten White is a devoted mum to Harriet and she can’t believe the time has come to send her little girl off to school. But Harriet has now turned five, and she can’t stay Kirsten’s baby forever. It might be hard, but it’s time to entrust her daughter’s care to her new teacher.
the classroom is the one place she should be safe.
Miriam Robertson has been waiting for the perfect little girl to walk into her class. She’s very picky but when Harriet walks in, Miriam knows: this is the child she’s been waiting for.
Harriet knows not to speak to strangers. But her lovely new teacher isn’t a stranger at all. In fact, she’s her new best friend. And you can always trust your friends can’t you?
After years of IVF, Kirsten White is a devoted mum to Harriet and she can’t believe the time has come to send her little girl off to school. But Harriet has now turned five, and she can’t stay Kirsten’s baby forever. It might be hard, but it’s time to entrust her daughter’s care to her new teacher.
the classroom is the one place she should be safe.
Miriam Robertson has been waiting for the perfect little girl to walk into her class. She’s very picky but when Harriet walks in, Miriam knows: this is the child she’s been waiting for.
Harriet knows not to speak to strangers. But her lovely new teacher isn’t a stranger at all. In fact, she’s her new best friend. And you can always trust your friends can’t you?
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 16, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
September 1, 2018
The Classroom by A L Bird is a psychological thriller with many twists and turns.
When Kirsten's five year old daughter Harriet starts school, Kristen like all parents is worried about her safety. She is pleased that Harriet is happy with her new teacher Miriam.
Miriam however has a plan that no one knows about.
I found all the adult characters unlikeable. I was also irritated by the duel storylines.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
When Kirsten's five year old daughter Harriet starts school, Kristen like all parents is worried about her safety. She is pleased that Harriet is happy with her new teacher Miriam.
Miriam however has a plan that no one knows about.
I found all the adult characters unlikeable. I was also irritated by the duel storylines.
I would like to thank NetGalley and HQ for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 8, 2018
The Classroom... a place that a child should be safe right? Not when the teacher has a hidden agenda! This was the first book by A.L Bird that I have read and it was a great story. A story of lies, desperation and love. The only character that I really did like was the child... the adults were all despicable people out for themselves.
Harriet is now 5 years old and ready to start school. Her parents are both full time career minded people- Kirsten is a GP and Ian a high school teacher. Harriet's teacher Miriam Robertson dotes on her new student, with a plan of her own. The story jumps between the past and present which really didn't make a lot of sense until about 30% in but once it all came together I flew through this book which had a very unexpected twist ending.
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
Harriet is now 5 years old and ready to start school. Her parents are both full time career minded people- Kirsten is a GP and Ian a high school teacher. Harriet's teacher Miriam Robertson dotes on her new student, with a plan of her own. The story jumps between the past and present which really didn't make a lot of sense until about 30% in but once it all came together I flew through this book which had a very unexpected twist ending.
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased
September 24, 2018
A complex and very interesting read!
Firstly I really enjoyed it
Secondly there are plot flaws and areas of the story that were not quite believable BUT because the book was so well written and fascinating I glossed them over in my mind ( like you do a good tv series or film )
Harriet is starting school, her teacher is also starting her new job at the school....Ms Robertson takes a shine to Harriet....then ‘just happens’ to walk past her house one Saturday afternoon....Harriets Mum Kirsten invites her in, Harriet is thrilled......Ian ( the hubby ) arrives home and is aghast when he walks in on the scene...but why? Well Im not going to say except you will never guess!
Then follows a shocking, riveting and page turning story as the lies, secrets and pasts of these 3 all come together, horrifyingly..
The author has a great vivid imagination and a knack of telling a story that was so unusual and it kept me turning, well swiping
I loved the insight into Kirstens struggle with being a Dr and a Mum, Ms Robertson’s determination and Ian, well you will see what you think of him
The characters were scary, at times horrifying but wonderfully described and the style of writing easy and welcomed the reader to be part of the book
Every chapter had a new side/revelation to the story and it just kept coming with no let up
Really enjoyable and different
10/10 5 stars
September 8, 2018
Kirsten loves her daughter, Harriet, and is nervous about sending her to school for the first time. Miriam is Harriet's Kindergarten teacher, and she's been waiting for the perfect child to walk into her classroom. With Kirsten's busy work schedule, Harriet spends more and more time at school. During that time, Harriet grows closer and closer to Miriam.
Told with alternating points of view and alternate timelines. At first, the flashback timeline is confusing, but as the story progresses, the flashbacks become integral to the story. Obviously, the past is going to catch up with the present in some way, but it isn't clear how things connect until about 30% into the novel.
Kirsten is a working mother who puts in a lot of hours at her job. Kirsten's husband, Ian, is mostly distracted and useless. He seems unconcerned with the issues going on with Kirsten, Harriet, and him. Miriam appears to be a dedicated teacher worried about her students, but she's also a bit unstable. Harriet is a precocious five-year-old. Really, none of the characters are likable, making it difficult to care how things play out. Admittedly, Kirsten seems a little paranoid, but maybe she has a right to be. It seems not everything is as it appears to be, and there are several secrets waiting to be revealed.
An entertaining domestic thriller. Creepy, complex, and twisty.
I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Told with alternating points of view and alternate timelines. At first, the flashback timeline is confusing, but as the story progresses, the flashbacks become integral to the story. Obviously, the past is going to catch up with the present in some way, but it isn't clear how things connect until about 30% into the novel.
Kirsten is a working mother who puts in a lot of hours at her job. Kirsten's husband, Ian, is mostly distracted and useless. He seems unconcerned with the issues going on with Kirsten, Harriet, and him. Miriam appears to be a dedicated teacher worried about her students, but she's also a bit unstable. Harriet is a precocious five-year-old. Really, none of the characters are likable, making it difficult to care how things play out. Admittedly, Kirsten seems a little paranoid, but maybe she has a right to be. It seems not everything is as it appears to be, and there are several secrets waiting to be revealed.
An entertaining domestic thriller. Creepy, complex, and twisty.
I received a free eARC of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 14, 2018
When I came across this book, I thought it sounded like a great read with many different facets to it. Unfortunately, it was much harder work than I envisaged, and I had major issues trying to become interested and then invested in the storyline. Don't get me wrong, the premise is sound and was a somewhat plausible situation, but there was something very much lacking in the thrills department. Eventually, it becomes more and more unbelievable with little in the way of redeeming features. Suspense, yes. Thriller, no.
I don't usually need a likeable character in a suspense novel to be able to enjoy it, but the characters here are especially annoying and detestable. I also felt it was difficult to sympathise with any of them as the scenarios just seemed too far-fetched, and although I can suspend my disbelief as much as the next reader, I found this was just too "out there" even for me. There was a lack of depth, and I felt that the story was pretty superficial. There was also a distinct lack of excitement, which is absolutely essential in a genre that both lives and dies by the amount of thrills the reader experiences! The denouement felt extremely "iffy" as well and added to the whole anti-climatic tone of the book. I had high hopes for this story, but, ultimately, they weren't justified. A book I wished I had passed on. Dull, a hard slog and certainly not a must read.
Many thanks to HQ Digital for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
I don't usually need a likeable character in a suspense novel to be able to enjoy it, but the characters here are especially annoying and detestable. I also felt it was difficult to sympathise with any of them as the scenarios just seemed too far-fetched, and although I can suspend my disbelief as much as the next reader, I found this was just too "out there" even for me. There was a lack of depth, and I felt that the story was pretty superficial. There was also a distinct lack of excitement, which is absolutely essential in a genre that both lives and dies by the amount of thrills the reader experiences! The denouement felt extremely "iffy" as well and added to the whole anti-climatic tone of the book. I had high hopes for this story, but, ultimately, they weren't justified. A book I wished I had passed on. Dull, a hard slog and certainly not a must read.
Many thanks to HQ Digital for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
October 20, 2018
A story of 2 women and 1 man which was interlinked between them. A triangle is never a good thing in a relationship, and neither was this...
One was mother Kirsten who said she loved her daughter but never found time for her. One was a teacher Miriam who had a special eye on the child, more than what was required. And last was husband Andy as slimy as an eel, who loved only himself. This was a story about them.
The debut by A. L. Bird had me wondering initially where the story was leading up to. And the real secret was revealed at 40% of the book. Then what was remaining, asked my brain? And the mental games started. The ladies used their ways and means to get the child. The man used his wiles to get rid of both.
This book was a psychologically twisted tale of human psyche where I could just read it with wild, unbelievable eyes wondering how low a human can sink just to get a child. And the games kept playing on till the last page!!
Fast pace and highly twisted unlikable characters made this book a fast 2 hour read. The plot itself was a bit meh, there were only reactions no planned actions. But that was the charm of Bird's writing!!
One was mother Kirsten who said she loved her daughter but never found time for her. One was a teacher Miriam who had a special eye on the child, more than what was required. And last was husband Andy as slimy as an eel, who loved only himself. This was a story about them.
The debut by A. L. Bird had me wondering initially where the story was leading up to. And the real secret was revealed at 40% of the book. Then what was remaining, asked my brain? And the mental games started. The ladies used their ways and means to get the child. The man used his wiles to get rid of both.
This book was a psychologically twisted tale of human psyche where I could just read it with wild, unbelievable eyes wondering how low a human can sink just to get a child. And the games kept playing on till the last page!!
Fast pace and highly twisted unlikable characters made this book a fast 2 hour read. The plot itself was a bit meh, there were only reactions no planned actions. But that was the charm of Bird's writing!!
November 16, 2019
*thank you to Netgalley, A. L. Bird and HQ Digital for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
3 stars.
Umm. While this story had a strong start, I felt that it eventually leveled out and at times lost my interest. But it was good enough that it kept me reading right to the end so I guess that says something. One thing I didn't like was that when a twist was revealed, it was written in a way to make it seem like it was no big deal and that we readers should have known it already. I don't really like it when these things are written that way. But that could be more about how I think than that was what was intended. I will add that I quite like the cover. It's eye catching. Overall it was good but I wouldn't highly recommend it.
3 stars.
Umm. While this story had a strong start, I felt that it eventually leveled out and at times lost my interest. But it was good enough that it kept me reading right to the end so I guess that says something. One thing I didn't like was that when a twist was revealed, it was written in a way to make it seem like it was no big deal and that we readers should have known it already. I don't really like it when these things are written that way. But that could be more about how I think than that was what was intended. I will add that I quite like the cover. It's eye catching. Overall it was good but I wouldn't highly recommend it.
Shelved as 'dnf'
December 11, 2019dnf at 40%
boring... don't feel like reading more:/
boring... don't feel like reading more:/
June 5, 2019
Listened to in audio format.
The Classroom was a stunning read. The story was told from the POV of Dr Kirsten White, teacher Miriam Robertson and Becky a young drama student.
Initially I thought Miriam was obsessive, desperate for a child of her own. However as the book progressed I realised there was so much more to the story. Once I realised it only added more tension to the story.
Although Miriam was worried about Harriet, she did have a point. Kirsten had recently set up her own private clinic. Although Harriet had been a desperately wanted baby, Kirsten seemed to resent finishing work early to collect her. Harriet`s father Ian was a `super` teacher in charge of a school in special measures. He seemed to be more interested in his OFSTED inspection.
The story was fast paced with twists and turns a plenty. The ending was wonderfully dark and disturbing.
I highly recommend this book.
The Classroom was a stunning read. The story was told from the POV of Dr Kirsten White, teacher Miriam Robertson and Becky a young drama student.
Initially I thought Miriam was obsessive, desperate for a child of her own. However as the book progressed I realised there was so much more to the story. Once I realised it only added more tension to the story.
Although Miriam was worried about Harriet, she did have a point. Kirsten had recently set up her own private clinic. Although Harriet had been a desperately wanted baby, Kirsten seemed to resent finishing work early to collect her. Harriet`s father Ian was a `super` teacher in charge of a school in special measures. He seemed to be more interested in his OFSTED inspection.
The story was fast paced with twists and turns a plenty. The ending was wonderfully dark and disturbing.
I highly recommend this book.
September 30, 2018
A page turner of a read, that had me swiping fast on my kindle to see how it was all going to end. I love the title and the tag line and just how that all fitted together.
It reveals it’s secrets tantalising slowly thorough alternate points of view and mysterious flashbacks. And the quick changes kept the pace snappy, and truth uncertain.
My only complaint was that it went beyond the point of believability. But I granted poetic licence, and didn’t leave that spoil the tension packed read.
If you enjoy books with ordinary seeming families hiding extraordinary secrets, then you might enjoy this. Fans of authors such as Liane Moriarty and Lucy Clarke should also appreciate this book.
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.
It reveals it’s secrets tantalising slowly thorough alternate points of view and mysterious flashbacks. And the quick changes kept the pace snappy, and truth uncertain.
My only complaint was that it went beyond the point of believability. But I granted poetic licence, and didn’t leave that spoil the tension packed read.
If you enjoy books with ordinary seeming families hiding extraordinary secrets, then you might enjoy this. Fans of authors such as Liane Moriarty and Lucy Clarke should also appreciate this book.
Thanks to HQ Digital and NetGalley for giving me a copy of this book for review consideration. As always, no matter what the source of the book, you get my honest, unbiased opinion.
September 24, 2018
The book started off very good, going through the different viewpoints of each character; Kirsten and Miriam.
After many failed attempts at IVF, Kirsten dotes on her daughter who has just started school whilst Miriam has been waiting for the perfect girl to come into her classroom.
The book contains a few chapters back in the past which was quite confusing but it all made sense within the third part of the book.
It’s an intense, Fast paced book with lots of twists and turns throughout.
I did rate a 3 as I was disappointed in the ending but it is certainly still a worthwhile read.
After many failed attempts at IVF, Kirsten dotes on her daughter who has just started school whilst Miriam has been waiting for the perfect girl to come into her classroom.
The book contains a few chapters back in the past which was quite confusing but it all made sense within the third part of the book.
It’s an intense, Fast paced book with lots of twists and turns throughout.
I did rate a 3 as I was disappointed in the ending but it is certainly still a worthwhile read.
September 9, 2018
Twisty and thrilling. You’ll hold your kids a little closer after reading this book.
This story weaved two different timelines together for one explosive ending. While the characters were flawed, they leaped off the page. Can’t wait for more thrills and chills from future novels from A. L. Bird.
This story weaved two different timelines together for one explosive ending. While the characters were flawed, they leaped off the page. Can’t wait for more thrills and chills from future novels from A. L. Bird.
October 1, 2018
I must admit that prior to being invited on the blog tour for ‘The Classroom’ I hadn’t come across A. L Bird before. ‘The Classroom’ was my introduction to her work and what an introduction it was too. I really enjoyed it but more about that in a bit.
I have to say that the main two female leads irritated me in equal measure but in different ways if that makes sense. I don’t doubt that Kirsten, who is Harriet’s mother, really, really wanted a child. Anybody who goes through the IVF process hopes to have a child in the end. It also takes a strong person to go through the IVF process. However, I think that Kirsten has her priorities wrong. For one reason and another Harriet has accompanied her parents into work when there has been nobody else to look after her. I can’t believe that two people so desperate to have children can’t take some time off work occasionally to look after their own child. There’s more to life than money. Children grow up so quickly these days and I wouldn’t have thought that Kirsten would want to miss a think. Taking Harriet to school seems to be a relief for Kirsten in the sense that her child is somebody else’s responsibility because it means that she can focus on her work. Some of the things Kirsten does or says, make me want to slap her with a wet flip flop. Miriam is Harriet’s new school teacher and for some reason she has fixated on Harriet. I got the impression that she would do what she could to get Kirsten out of the picture and which would allow Miriam to step into the mother role. Miriam seems to be too good to be true- like a modern day version of Mary Poppins. She seems to get on well with the children but some of the things that she says grates on some of the parents. Why is Miriam so fixated on Harriet? Will Miriam make sure that Kirsten is out of the picture? What has happened in Miriam’s past to make her into the person she is today? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
For me, it took a fair while for me to get into this book. That doesn’t mean that it was a bad book but the story itself took a little while to get going. The story does jump about a bit to start with and it flits between past and present and I couldn’t understand what could possibly link the events that happened in the past to the events that happened in the present day. I soon got used to that and I had faith that all would eventually be explained. Once I got over the first part of the book, the story soon took off at quite a pace. I loved the author’s writing style and the way in which she entices the reader into the book and keeps the reader’s attention until the end of the story. There were more twists and turns to this book than you would find layers of paper on a parcel in a game of ‘Pass The Parcel’. I didn’t really want to put the book down for fear of missing something or missing a clue as to what was in store for Kirsten and Miriam.
I did eventually enjoy reading ‘The Classroom’ and it is most definitely a psychological thriller. I look forward to A. L. Bird’s next book but whilst I wait I will be seeking out her other books. The score on the Ginger Book Geek’s board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.
I have to say that the main two female leads irritated me in equal measure but in different ways if that makes sense. I don’t doubt that Kirsten, who is Harriet’s mother, really, really wanted a child. Anybody who goes through the IVF process hopes to have a child in the end. It also takes a strong person to go through the IVF process. However, I think that Kirsten has her priorities wrong. For one reason and another Harriet has accompanied her parents into work when there has been nobody else to look after her. I can’t believe that two people so desperate to have children can’t take some time off work occasionally to look after their own child. There’s more to life than money. Children grow up so quickly these days and I wouldn’t have thought that Kirsten would want to miss a think. Taking Harriet to school seems to be a relief for Kirsten in the sense that her child is somebody else’s responsibility because it means that she can focus on her work. Some of the things Kirsten does or says, make me want to slap her with a wet flip flop. Miriam is Harriet’s new school teacher and for some reason she has fixated on Harriet. I got the impression that she would do what she could to get Kirsten out of the picture and which would allow Miriam to step into the mother role. Miriam seems to be too good to be true- like a modern day version of Mary Poppins. She seems to get on well with the children but some of the things that she says grates on some of the parents. Why is Miriam so fixated on Harriet? Will Miriam make sure that Kirsten is out of the picture? What has happened in Miriam’s past to make her into the person she is today? Well for the answers to those questions and more you are just going to have to read the book for yourselves to find out as I am not going to tell you.
For me, it took a fair while for me to get into this book. That doesn’t mean that it was a bad book but the story itself took a little while to get going. The story does jump about a bit to start with and it flits between past and present and I couldn’t understand what could possibly link the events that happened in the past to the events that happened in the present day. I soon got used to that and I had faith that all would eventually be explained. Once I got over the first part of the book, the story soon took off at quite a pace. I loved the author’s writing style and the way in which she entices the reader into the book and keeps the reader’s attention until the end of the story. There were more twists and turns to this book than you would find layers of paper on a parcel in a game of ‘Pass The Parcel’. I didn’t really want to put the book down for fear of missing something or missing a clue as to what was in store for Kirsten and Miriam.
I did eventually enjoy reading ‘The Classroom’ and it is most definitely a psychological thriller. I look forward to A. L. Bird’s next book but whilst I wait I will be seeking out her other books. The score on the Ginger Book Geek’s board is a well deserved 4* out of 5*.
August 20, 2018
The Classroom by A.L. Bird was chilling. It was a great story and the twists and turns kept me very intrigued. I was surprised by the ending, and it left me pondering for a few hours after I finished it. Not being a parent myself, I found the characters' actions interesting.
I look forward to more from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the ARC.
I look forward to more from this author.
Thanks to NetGalley and HQ Digital for the ARC.
April 25, 2021
Review also posted here: http://www.book-drunk.co.uk/2019/03/t...
I bought this book purely based on the cover – I hadn’t even read the blurb when I one-clicked this onto my Kindle. So covers do sell books! The premise for The Classroom based simply on the cover and its tagline had me intrigued enough to make this my first read of 2019 and the storytelling didn’t disappoint in keeping me engrossed from the first page to the last.
The book is mostly told from the perspective of two main characters – Kirsten and Miriam. Kirsten and her husband Ian are parents to five-year-old Harriet. As Kirsten so desperately wanted a child and went through several years of IVF before Harriet was born, she is quite protective over her daughter and is struggling with the idea of Harriet starting school.
Miriam is a teacher at Harriet’s school, and the introduction of a breakfast club at the school suits Kirsten, as a busy working mum, perfectly. She can drop Harriet off at school earlier and watch how comfortable she feels under the care of her new teacher Miriam, and though there is something a bit off about Miriam, Kirsten is content that her daughter is safe at school.
What I especially liked about The Classroom was how it always kept me guessing. I found a lot of the characters’ actions to be unpredictable and this meant I began every chapter on tenterhooks, obsessed with finding out what was going to happen next. This was definitely the case when I reached Part 2 of the book as I raced through this part much quicker than I had even realised, eager to know what was to come.
This book had me divided – I just did not know whose side to pick as I had very conflicted feelings about both Miriam and Kirsten and in fact some of the other supporting characters too. They were interesting characters to read their side of the story from, as though neither of them were characters you’d really want to befriend in real life, I could understand some of the motives and actions for both of them and so this added to the suspense of the storytelling as not only did I not know how the book would end, I also didn’t know how I wanted it to end either.
Whilst I definitely enjoyed reading my first book from A.L. Bird, there were a few aspects of the storytelling that niggled me a bit but can’t really be mentioned much because of spoilers. I felt like there were a few dramatic scenes in the book that were kind of half started and then we were just told the rest of what had happened rather than being able to picture them and imagine them actually unfolding. Quite a few aspects of this book were pretty unbelievable, and so maybe if those scenes had been developed fully, I would have found them less distracting and been able to really buy into the tension that was lingering on the pages.
Despite this, I can’t say The Classroom wasn’t an absorbing book to read. I was engrossed and fascinated by every chapter, always with bated breath anxious to find out how everything would turn out in the end. I loved that I genuinely had no clue how the book would end. I didn’t know whether the story of the book could lead to any possible satisfying ending, but it was definitely a thought provoking one!
I bought this book purely based on the cover – I hadn’t even read the blurb when I one-clicked this onto my Kindle. So covers do sell books! The premise for The Classroom based simply on the cover and its tagline had me intrigued enough to make this my first read of 2019 and the storytelling didn’t disappoint in keeping me engrossed from the first page to the last.
The book is mostly told from the perspective of two main characters – Kirsten and Miriam. Kirsten and her husband Ian are parents to five-year-old Harriet. As Kirsten so desperately wanted a child and went through several years of IVF before Harriet was born, she is quite protective over her daughter and is struggling with the idea of Harriet starting school.
Miriam is a teacher at Harriet’s school, and the introduction of a breakfast club at the school suits Kirsten, as a busy working mum, perfectly. She can drop Harriet off at school earlier and watch how comfortable she feels under the care of her new teacher Miriam, and though there is something a bit off about Miriam, Kirsten is content that her daughter is safe at school.
What I especially liked about The Classroom was how it always kept me guessing. I found a lot of the characters’ actions to be unpredictable and this meant I began every chapter on tenterhooks, obsessed with finding out what was going to happen next. This was definitely the case when I reached Part 2 of the book as I raced through this part much quicker than I had even realised, eager to know what was to come.
This book had me divided – I just did not know whose side to pick as I had very conflicted feelings about both Miriam and Kirsten and in fact some of the other supporting characters too. They were interesting characters to read their side of the story from, as though neither of them were characters you’d really want to befriend in real life, I could understand some of the motives and actions for both of them and so this added to the suspense of the storytelling as not only did I not know how the book would end, I also didn’t know how I wanted it to end either.
Whilst I definitely enjoyed reading my first book from A.L. Bird, there were a few aspects of the storytelling that niggled me a bit but can’t really be mentioned much because of spoilers. I felt like there were a few dramatic scenes in the book that were kind of half started and then we were just told the rest of what had happened rather than being able to picture them and imagine them actually unfolding. Quite a few aspects of this book were pretty unbelievable, and so maybe if those scenes had been developed fully, I would have found them less distracting and been able to really buy into the tension that was lingering on the pages.
Despite this, I can’t say The Classroom wasn’t an absorbing book to read. I was engrossed and fascinated by every chapter, always with bated breath anxious to find out how everything would turn out in the end. I loved that I genuinely had no clue how the book would end. I didn’t know whether the story of the book could lead to any possible satisfying ending, but it was definitely a thought provoking one!
September 16, 2018
Probably not the best time for me to read this book with my little one just starting school…….but you learn.
Now I will warn you this review will be vague, there is something in this storyline that just that the smallest detail slipped will give the plot away, and sadly I have read a couple of reviews that have done so.
Anyway, the story follows a couple of storylines that leave your head spinning with a LOT of questions!
We start with Kirsten life in September 2018 (Ah present day hello!) with her daughter Harriet starting school, both Kirsten and her husband Ian having busy lives. Constantly being told by Kirsten how much she loves her daughter, but always has work on her mind. Before I changed my job, I was guilty of this a lot, and I felt a lot of empathy for her, as you love this bundle of joy but you always find your mind occupied on what you could consider more pressing.
Then, we meet Miriam in the same timeline as Kirsten, she is Harriet’s young school teacher with an uneasy fixation with her. Something just slightly off there.
Then we are taken back five years to 2012 to Becky and the two weeks she spent at a Drama club in the summer.
What is the deal with Kirsten? Miriam? And how does Becky fit in to this?
These are just some of the questions at the beginning of the book, I spent ages playing detective, and for a change, this book delivered early on, still with one twist I didn’t see coming. As for the rest of the book…well you need to read this.
As I said I did feel some empathy towards Kirsten, but slowly I found that her, Miriam and Ian were not likeable characters. Only protecting themselves and what was best for them. I loved Harriet and Becky, well bless her, she deserved so much better. Despite the lack of likeable characters, this book draws you into a terrifying story that unsettles you to the core. It made me cuddle my little one a little bit tighter and tell her I love you so much that I was told off as I said it too much!!
I whizzed through this book without realising as I needed to know what was going on. I needed closure and I needed safety! I personally did not find any bits of the books slow, but just so much intrigue and cryptic conversations between people that had me screaming at the book to tell me the answers and now!!! Goddammit! Plus I always love it when I see a shoutout to my hometown Watford -give me a whoop whoop.
This is my introduction to A.L Bird (but not my last), I was left feeling uneasy for most of the book. It felt tainted, and I was worried because really as the blurb says, the classroom should be the one place your child is safe.. isn’t it?
Who do you trust?
Now I will warn you this review will be vague, there is something in this storyline that just that the smallest detail slipped will give the plot away, and sadly I have read a couple of reviews that have done so.
Anyway, the story follows a couple of storylines that leave your head spinning with a LOT of questions!
We start with Kirsten life in September 2018 (Ah present day hello!) with her daughter Harriet starting school, both Kirsten and her husband Ian having busy lives. Constantly being told by Kirsten how much she loves her daughter, but always has work on her mind. Before I changed my job, I was guilty of this a lot, and I felt a lot of empathy for her, as you love this bundle of joy but you always find your mind occupied on what you could consider more pressing.
Then, we meet Miriam in the same timeline as Kirsten, she is Harriet’s young school teacher with an uneasy fixation with her. Something just slightly off there.
Then we are taken back five years to 2012 to Becky and the two weeks she spent at a Drama club in the summer.
What is the deal with Kirsten? Miriam? And how does Becky fit in to this?
These are just some of the questions at the beginning of the book, I spent ages playing detective, and for a change, this book delivered early on, still with one twist I didn’t see coming. As for the rest of the book…well you need to read this.
As I said I did feel some empathy towards Kirsten, but slowly I found that her, Miriam and Ian were not likeable characters. Only protecting themselves and what was best for them. I loved Harriet and Becky, well bless her, she deserved so much better. Despite the lack of likeable characters, this book draws you into a terrifying story that unsettles you to the core. It made me cuddle my little one a little bit tighter and tell her I love you so much that I was told off as I said it too much!!
I whizzed through this book without realising as I needed to know what was going on. I needed closure and I needed safety! I personally did not find any bits of the books slow, but just so much intrigue and cryptic conversations between people that had me screaming at the book to tell me the answers and now!!! Goddammit! Plus I always love it when I see a shoutout to my hometown Watford -give me a whoop whoop.
This is my introduction to A.L Bird (but not my last), I was left feeling uneasy for most of the book. It felt tainted, and I was worried because really as the blurb says, the classroom should be the one place your child is safe.. isn’t it?
Who do you trust?
September 16, 2018
Dr. Kirsten White’s daughter, Harriet, age 5, is ready to start school at St. Anthony’s. Kirsten is nervous about leaving her but her husband, Ian, himself a headmaster, assures her that Harriet will be fine. Kirsten had a difficult time getting pregnant with Harriet which is one reason she is so protective of her.
Harriet’s teacher is Ms. Miriam Robertson. She is so happy to have this job and just wishes she had her own child. Harriet is the one child who has caught her eye and she knows this child will be her special pupil.
Kirsten and Ian have a lot of tension in their marriage. Kirsten is a physician who set up her own private practice and works hard. She strives to work her schedule around Harriet so she can take her to school and pick her up. She feels that Ian works too late as his school is fledgling. She also thinks that he does not love Harriet like she does. Sometimes, Kirsten will have a couple of glasses of wine in the evening which angers Ian.
The story flips to Becky who has decided to join the drama club at school. While it’s not something with which she feels comfortable, she drama teacher encourages her participation and she is a success. The drama teacher and Becky end up having a fling one night after too much alcohol, and Becky ends up pregnant. Becky knows she will have to put the baby up for adoption.
When Ms. Robertson sets up a breakfast club for students whose parents need to drop them off early so they can get to work, it’s quite successful and the children and parents alike happily adapt to it. But Kirsten seems to feel jealous that Ms. Robertson gets to spend so much time with Harriet resulting in a lot of tension.
When secrets begin to emerge, emotions grow to violence. Whom will be hurt? What is the truth?
This is a story that has it’s good parts and brings up the question of true “possession” but some of the emotions expressed just didn’t hold true. I have been eager to read a book by this author and must admit that I am a bit disappointed in this book. However, I look forward to reading more because I feel the author is quite talented.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Harriet’s teacher is Ms. Miriam Robertson. She is so happy to have this job and just wishes she had her own child. Harriet is the one child who has caught her eye and she knows this child will be her special pupil.
Kirsten and Ian have a lot of tension in their marriage. Kirsten is a physician who set up her own private practice and works hard. She strives to work her schedule around Harriet so she can take her to school and pick her up. She feels that Ian works too late as his school is fledgling. She also thinks that he does not love Harriet like she does. Sometimes, Kirsten will have a couple of glasses of wine in the evening which angers Ian.
The story flips to Becky who has decided to join the drama club at school. While it’s not something with which she feels comfortable, she drama teacher encourages her participation and she is a success. The drama teacher and Becky end up having a fling one night after too much alcohol, and Becky ends up pregnant. Becky knows she will have to put the baby up for adoption.
When Ms. Robertson sets up a breakfast club for students whose parents need to drop them off early so they can get to work, it’s quite successful and the children and parents alike happily adapt to it. But Kirsten seems to feel jealous that Ms. Robertson gets to spend so much time with Harriet resulting in a lot of tension.
When secrets begin to emerge, emotions grow to violence. Whom will be hurt? What is the truth?
This is a story that has it’s good parts and brings up the question of true “possession” but some of the emotions expressed just didn’t hold true. I have been eager to read a book by this author and must admit that I am a bit disappointed in this book. However, I look forward to reading more because I feel the author is quite talented.
Copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 29, 2018
This book is told from different perspectives:-
Kirsten finally got what she always wanted, a perfect daughter after so much IVF. Harriet is 5 now and about to embark on her adventure to school but like any new parent, Kirsten is afraid of letting go, added together with working at setting and building up a private doctor’s practice is taking its toll on both her relationship with her daughter and her husband (who is less than useless with helping with the childcare and pick ups and drops offs).
Back in 2012, Becky is a straight A student, she and her friend attend a Drama Summer Camp and that’s were things go wrong…. Becky is so straight laced that her friends saw fit on the last night of the drama camp to drug her but not only her but the teacher whose in charge of them. Both waking up the following morning together not knowing what had happened, is where it all goes wrong. Was she raped by the teacher, she has no recollection but as a result she is pregnant, turned away by her parents, she has nowhere to go…… and so the Becky story ensues…..
Miriam gets a teaching job in a school and has zoned in on one little girl in particular, Harriet. She feels she is being ignored at home when she asks the children to draw what they did in their holidays, Harriet draws a picture of her sitting in her mother’s GP practice playing with toys, Miriam is appalled and believes she is not being taken care of properly and so makes her her pet project starting with beginning a breakfast club.
So it turns out that Kirsten’s husband, Ian, headmaster of a failing school and out to prove a point and his reputation has fathered Becky’s child, YES she was the girl that was raped/drugged/slept with (that’s up for debate as to how to look at it!) and he was the drama teacher. Becky was only 17 and has been persuaded by a psychiatrist friend of Kirsten’s that she would be an unfit parent who couldn’t be trusted with a baby, so she lets Kirsten & Ian have the baby. With a home birth, they manage to put Kirsten down as the “biological mother”.
BUT present day, Becky wants her daughter back and will do anything to achieve that, Kirsten will do anything not to let Becky anywhere near… Ian is playing both sides of the coin…..
With kidnapping, threats of violence, fires, near death…… I’ll say no more for fear of ruining it for others but be prepared for a mind bending twisty psychological read… just when you think you’ve got your head around it…. Hmmmmmm you’ll see!!!
Many thanks to Netgalley, HG Digital and A.L. Bird for letting me have an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
Kirsten finally got what she always wanted, a perfect daughter after so much IVF. Harriet is 5 now and about to embark on her adventure to school but like any new parent, Kirsten is afraid of letting go, added together with working at setting and building up a private doctor’s practice is taking its toll on both her relationship with her daughter and her husband (who is less than useless with helping with the childcare and pick ups and drops offs).
Back in 2012, Becky is a straight A student, she and her friend attend a Drama Summer Camp and that’s were things go wrong…. Becky is so straight laced that her friends saw fit on the last night of the drama camp to drug her but not only her but the teacher whose in charge of them. Both waking up the following morning together not knowing what had happened, is where it all goes wrong. Was she raped by the teacher, she has no recollection but as a result she is pregnant, turned away by her parents, she has nowhere to go…… and so the Becky story ensues…..
Miriam gets a teaching job in a school and has zoned in on one little girl in particular, Harriet. She feels she is being ignored at home when she asks the children to draw what they did in their holidays, Harriet draws a picture of her sitting in her mother’s GP practice playing with toys, Miriam is appalled and believes she is not being taken care of properly and so makes her her pet project starting with beginning a breakfast club.
So it turns out that Kirsten’s husband, Ian, headmaster of a failing school and out to prove a point and his reputation has fathered Becky’s child, YES she was the girl that was raped/drugged/slept with (that’s up for debate as to how to look at it!) and he was the drama teacher. Becky was only 17 and has been persuaded by a psychiatrist friend of Kirsten’s that she would be an unfit parent who couldn’t be trusted with a baby, so she lets Kirsten & Ian have the baby. With a home birth, they manage to put Kirsten down as the “biological mother”.
BUT present day, Becky wants her daughter back and will do anything to achieve that, Kirsten will do anything not to let Becky anywhere near… Ian is playing both sides of the coin…..
With kidnapping, threats of violence, fires, near death…… I’ll say no more for fear of ruining it for others but be prepared for a mind bending twisty psychological read… just when you think you’ve got your head around it…. Hmmmmmm you’ll see!!!
Many thanks to Netgalley, HG Digital and A.L. Bird for letting me have an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
January 17, 2019
After years of IVF, Kirsten White is a devoted mum to Harriet – and she can’t believe the time has come to send her little girl off to school. But Harriet has now turned five, and she can’t stay Kirsten’s baby forever. It might be hard, but it’s time to entrust her daughter’s care to her new teacher. Miriam Robertson has been waiting for the perfect little girl to walk into her class. When Harriet walks in, Miriam knows: this is the child she’s been waiting for. Harriet knows not to speak to strangers. But her lovely new teacher isn’t a stranger at all. In fact, she’s her new best friend. And you can always trust your friends… can’t you?
What a terrible read this was! Worst of the year so far, probably going to vie for worst overall if I am being brutally honest. It started off okay and I did like the premise of the plot, my liking of the premise would continue throughout the whole book, but there was a lot severely lacking from the execution of the book and it transcended into a confused, jumbled mess. Having said this, some of the later plot developments are unbelievable and poorly explained, resulting in me being confused as to how events happened or were resolved.
Bird then begins to unravel the plot, which I must say is an obvious one, and to make matters worse it is extremely confusing. The writing style and general execution turns this book into a farce, seriously I could barely understand what was going on, events happen with barely an explanation, there is dialogue all over the place and things jump about all over the place and any enjoyment I could have had was destroyed by the poor execution.
The characters are not a saving grace either. Kirsten is such an unsympathetic character, particularly at the beginning, I just did not gel with her, I found her irritating and wanted to shake some sense into her. When she is our main character and the one we are supposed to be rooting for, this causes another big problem for the book. The rest of the characters are not amazing either, Miriam is okay I suppose, probably the best of a bad bunch but I just found them all quite irritating.
The saving grace of 'The Classroom' is how short it is, at least you do not have to put up with it for that long! I nearly did not read this and having finished it, I wish I had listened to my initial instinct! There was nothing I enjoyed about this book, just awful.
What a terrible read this was! Worst of the year so far, probably going to vie for worst overall if I am being brutally honest. It started off okay and I did like the premise of the plot, my liking of the premise would continue throughout the whole book, but there was a lot severely lacking from the execution of the book and it transcended into a confused, jumbled mess. Having said this, some of the later plot developments are unbelievable and poorly explained, resulting in me being confused as to how events happened or were resolved.
Bird then begins to unravel the plot, which I must say is an obvious one, and to make matters worse it is extremely confusing. The writing style and general execution turns this book into a farce, seriously I could barely understand what was going on, events happen with barely an explanation, there is dialogue all over the place and things jump about all over the place and any enjoyment I could have had was destroyed by the poor execution.
The characters are not a saving grace either. Kirsten is such an unsympathetic character, particularly at the beginning, I just did not gel with her, I found her irritating and wanted to shake some sense into her. When she is our main character and the one we are supposed to be rooting for, this causes another big problem for the book. The rest of the characters are not amazing either, Miriam is okay I suppose, probably the best of a bad bunch but I just found them all quite irritating.
The saving grace of 'The Classroom' is how short it is, at least you do not have to put up with it for that long! I nearly did not read this and having finished it, I wish I had listened to my initial instinct! There was nothing I enjoyed about this book, just awful.
September 18, 2018
The Classroom by A.L. Bird - oh my goodness, what a gripping psychological thriller. I could not put it down and read it in just one sitting. The action twisted this way and that - I knew who the manipulator was - or did I? I suspected just about everyone before the jaw dropping reveal.
Truth, lies, manipulation, real, imagined - all themes within the novel showing the deviousness of people. The main thing seems to be to get your own way, no matter who gets hurt along the way.
Children are a gift. What do you do if you suspect neglect?
To what lengths will you go to achieve your dream? How many people will you tread on?
Are you sure you know your enemy?
A marvellous mix of characters are to be found within The Classroom. Some elicit sympathy, some disgust. Truth and lies blend until even the reader questions their own sanity.
The Classroom is one of the best psychological thrillers I have read. I really didn't spot the action coming. I had trouble distinguishing the real from the imagined. A totally brilliant plotline. Absolutely mesmerising.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
Truth, lies, manipulation, real, imagined - all themes within the novel showing the deviousness of people. The main thing seems to be to get your own way, no matter who gets hurt along the way.
Children are a gift. What do you do if you suspect neglect?
To what lengths will you go to achieve your dream? How many people will you tread on?
Are you sure you know your enemy?
A marvellous mix of characters are to be found within The Classroom. Some elicit sympathy, some disgust. Truth and lies blend until even the reader questions their own sanity.
The Classroom is one of the best psychological thrillers I have read. I really didn't spot the action coming. I had trouble distinguishing the real from the imagined. A totally brilliant plotline. Absolutely mesmerising.
I received this book for free. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.
February 17, 2020
‘Letting go of your daughter for the first time isn’t easy , after years of IVF Kirsten can’t believe her little girl is about to start school. Miriam has been waiting for the perfect little girl to walk into her class. When Harriet walks in, Miriam knows this is the child she has been waiting for.’
This book was ok, can’t honestly say it gripped me but it wasn’t a bad read either. The story is told though alternative characters and timelines and about 30% through the timelines meet and the plot becomes clear, Although there is still a few twists along the way.
A standard 3 stars from me.
This book was ok, can’t honestly say it gripped me but it wasn’t a bad read either. The story is told though alternative characters and timelines and about 30% through the timelines meet and the plot becomes clear, Although there is still a few twists along the way.
A standard 3 stars from me.
May 22, 2019
I enjoyed this book at the start but then I felt the story became rather far fetched.
I also wonder how Becky managed to get the teaching job with an assumed name? There are DBS checks and nowhere did it say she had changed her name officially through deed poll.
The last quarter of the book seemed a bit of a jumble.
I also wonder how Becky managed to get the teaching job with an assumed name? There are DBS checks and nowhere did it say she had changed her name officially through deed poll.
The last quarter of the book seemed a bit of a jumble.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 15, 2018
The Classroom’ is a psychological thriller about a mother who sends her child off to school expecting it to be nothing but a safe place, and finds that actually the classroom is a little more sinister of a place than she had expected. Old secrets come to the surface and we soon learn that other people have ulterior motives.
I found the book very slow to get started, but by the time I was halfway through I was desperate to learn the answers to my countless questions, so was determined to finish reading it. To be honest though, I found that the plot did not have much momentum and I didn’t hugely enjoy reading it, and it wasn’t what I would call a ‘page-turner’. Technically, it was a fairly well-written book, but by the last quarter or so, the plot became very unrealistic and just a bit far-fetched. If I have to suspend disbelief too much in a book, I pretty much lose interest, and that is exactly what happened here.
I found the book very slow to get started, but by the time I was halfway through I was desperate to learn the answers to my countless questions, so was determined to finish reading it. To be honest though, I found that the plot did not have much momentum and I didn’t hugely enjoy reading it, and it wasn’t what I would call a ‘page-turner’. Technically, it was a fairly well-written book, but by the last quarter or so, the plot became very unrealistic and just a bit far-fetched. If I have to suspend disbelief too much in a book, I pretty much lose interest, and that is exactly what happened here.
Read
September 16, 2018This one wasn't for me but taste is subjective and other readers certainly may enjoy. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an advance review copy.
May 18, 2022
Round up to 4.5 stars.
August 24, 2022
I Enjoyed this book about parents struggling to balance their work needs with their much love daughter. But is she their daughter!
September 15, 2018
This is the first book that I have read by A.L. Bird and I was not disappointed. The plot was complicated and twisted, moving between the past and the backstory of Miriam and the present when Kirsten’s beloved daughter Harriet starts school for the first time. Kirsten is a working mom who is trying to get her new GP started and successful. Her husband Ian is totally useless as a father and a husband since he is so focused on his own career success as the new head of a school that he doesn’t notice what is going on with Kirsten or Harriet. The story is a story of desperation for all of the characters. Miriam wants a child; Kirsten wants to be a good mother and a successful GP; Ian wants to shine at his new role of leadership at school; Harriet, a typical five year old, wants to be loved and given attention. None of the adult characters is particularly likeable, although all are very believable. The plot moves kind of slowly until the past and present converge and then it rolls quickly to a very unexpected and twisted ending. This psychological thriller will be appreciated by readers who enjoy a complex plot that is entertaining as well as suspenseful.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and Netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Testimonials and Endorsements in Advertising.”
June 23, 2019
Review available at https://bit.ly/2FlPTDM
September 23, 2018
Oh yes - A L Bird is back with a brand new book and I was delighted to get my hands on it!
Just as I knew it would be, The Classroom was full of thrills, chills, and surprises. It kept me reading late into the night and it's really a hugely enjoyable psychological thriller!
It felt totally appropriate to spend my September reading a novel which centres around going back to school and a teacher....or maybe not - maybe this isn't the best book to read if your child has just stared in reception! The best thrillers are ones which take our deepest fears and make us watch what happens when other character have to live through our worst nightmares and this is something Bird does extremely well. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat as Bird creates an atmosphere of unease, anxiety and sense of pending threat from the outset and then continues to crank up the tension until the very last sentence.
Kirsten White is a devoted mother to Harriet. Everything she does is for Harriet and after years of IVF, Harriet is so incredibly precious to Kirsten that she is almost in pain with the thought of being away from her. So now it's time for her to start school, Kirsten struggles to let go of her and to entrust her daughter into the care of the teacher - a teacher who happens to be new to the school.
Meet Miriam Robertson. She has been waiting for the perfect girl. She has been watching, planning and preparing for this moment and when Harriet arrives in her classroom, she knows this is the child she has been waiting for. This is the child she wants.
What unfolds next is a gripping tale of manipulation, deceit, secrets, trickery and psychological drama.
Miriam wastes no time trying to tease information from Harriet about her home life, she wastes no time trying to catch Kirsten out, show her judgement and disapproval at Kirsten's parenting - Miriam would do things oh so differently if she were responsible for Harriet...(shudder!). Kirsten wants to be the best mother to Harriet but also has to work full time, juggle the home, and desperately tries not to feel threatened or intimidated by this new teacher who seems to have developed such a close relationship with her daughter so quickly.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved not knowing who to trust, I loved the fact that my sympathies towards both women were challenged, that each of them was flawed and that just when I thought I had things figured out, Bird would trip me up with another twist. This story is cleverly told and as more is revealed, more complications added, more twists and turns taken, it headed towards an outcome and denouement I could not have predicted or seen coming.
I really like Bird's writing and I like that she has written about domestic issues, used a domestic setting from everyday life and played on universal fears. I loved the moment when I gasped out loud as she hits me with a shocking twist that left me questioning all I thought I knew about the characters and story so far. The last third of the novel is quite a rollercoaster - never beyond belief, but just the further unraveling of the situation and knock on consequences from the major reveal, which continue to ripple through the pages and the character's narratives until they compound into a dramatic finale. And even when you've breathlessly made it to the end, Bird can't resist a final scene to leave you staring at the page with a lurching sense of unease ....
This is a great read for fans of psychological thrillers. Even if you see some of the twists coming, it's still compulsive reading as the back stories are revealed and add more darkness and complication to the dynamics and relationships between the characters. Bird explores the motivations of these women very well and the way their stories knit together is skilfully handled.
I am a fan of A L Bird because I know she will always deliver a book I can lose myself in for a few hours while she takes me on a twisting journey of shocks, twists and drama through characters I am always able to identify or empathise with in some way, and always find them intriguing enough to see how their journey ends.
Well written, well paced, with a great premise, The Classroom should make it onto your reading homework list this autumn! There are also some great book group questions at the end which I thought were really interesting.
Just as I knew it would be, The Classroom was full of thrills, chills, and surprises. It kept me reading late into the night and it's really a hugely enjoyable psychological thriller!
It felt totally appropriate to spend my September reading a novel which centres around going back to school and a teacher....or maybe not - maybe this isn't the best book to read if your child has just stared in reception! The best thrillers are ones which take our deepest fears and make us watch what happens when other character have to live through our worst nightmares and this is something Bird does extremely well. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat as Bird creates an atmosphere of unease, anxiety and sense of pending threat from the outset and then continues to crank up the tension until the very last sentence.
Kirsten White is a devoted mother to Harriet. Everything she does is for Harriet and after years of IVF, Harriet is so incredibly precious to Kirsten that she is almost in pain with the thought of being away from her. So now it's time for her to start school, Kirsten struggles to let go of her and to entrust her daughter into the care of the teacher - a teacher who happens to be new to the school.
Meet Miriam Robertson. She has been waiting for the perfect girl. She has been watching, planning and preparing for this moment and when Harriet arrives in her classroom, she knows this is the child she has been waiting for. This is the child she wants.
What unfolds next is a gripping tale of manipulation, deceit, secrets, trickery and psychological drama.
Miriam wastes no time trying to tease information from Harriet about her home life, she wastes no time trying to catch Kirsten out, show her judgement and disapproval at Kirsten's parenting - Miriam would do things oh so differently if she were responsible for Harriet...(shudder!). Kirsten wants to be the best mother to Harriet but also has to work full time, juggle the home, and desperately tries not to feel threatened or intimidated by this new teacher who seems to have developed such a close relationship with her daughter so quickly.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story. I loved not knowing who to trust, I loved the fact that my sympathies towards both women were challenged, that each of them was flawed and that just when I thought I had things figured out, Bird would trip me up with another twist. This story is cleverly told and as more is revealed, more complications added, more twists and turns taken, it headed towards an outcome and denouement I could not have predicted or seen coming.
I really like Bird's writing and I like that she has written about domestic issues, used a domestic setting from everyday life and played on universal fears. I loved the moment when I gasped out loud as she hits me with a shocking twist that left me questioning all I thought I knew about the characters and story so far. The last third of the novel is quite a rollercoaster - never beyond belief, but just the further unraveling of the situation and knock on consequences from the major reveal, which continue to ripple through the pages and the character's narratives until they compound into a dramatic finale. And even when you've breathlessly made it to the end, Bird can't resist a final scene to leave you staring at the page with a lurching sense of unease ....
This is a great read for fans of psychological thrillers. Even if you see some of the twists coming, it's still compulsive reading as the back stories are revealed and add more darkness and complication to the dynamics and relationships between the characters. Bird explores the motivations of these women very well and the way their stories knit together is skilfully handled.
I am a fan of A L Bird because I know she will always deliver a book I can lose myself in for a few hours while she takes me on a twisting journey of shocks, twists and drama through characters I am always able to identify or empathise with in some way, and always find them intriguing enough to see how their journey ends.
Well written, well paced, with a great premise, The Classroom should make it onto your reading homework list this autumn! There are also some great book group questions at the end which I thought were really interesting.
January 29, 2019
Harriet was a much longed for child born after years of IVF treatment. Now she is five and Harriet is heading off for primary school whilst her harassed Mum heads off to her GP practice and her slightly distant Father goes to the secondary school he heads. We meet her teacher, Miriam, who seems devoted to her class – perhaps too devoted? Running in parallel we have the story of Becky. An immature 16 year old who heads off to a summer drama course where she makes some wrong decisions encouraged by more mature peers. How do these stories interact – I’ll let you find out for yourself!
I enjoyed the originality of this book very much. The whole concept of what has happened around Harriet’s birth and what is happening now. It wasn’t a tired plot device but quite fresh. The writing is generally good though the ending was slightly weak. The author could have made that a bit stronger.
Unfortunately there isn’t really a character you can support in this book. None of them are that likeable and they all seem to have done very questionable things in the past – and present. Harriet is caught in the middle of all this. Kirsten needs to get her life organised & stop running herself ragged. Has the woman never heard of childminders or holiday clubs? Her husband George is a waste of space. At first he just seems weak & useless but later it turns out that he hasn’t been all he seemed to be. Becky – well she got caught in a mess & was totally unsupported. Sympathy must be had for her in the past but her later actions – not so much. The teacher, Miriam, starts to come over as just a little creepy. Even the supporting cast such as the neighbour, Yvette, aren’t particularly nice. I would have liked someone to be worth rooting for as a reader.
I did enjoy this book despite the difficult characters. It was well plotted and well written. You see the different view points as the book progresses which worked very well. There are several twists which I didn’t expect and kept me on my toes. It was definitely a book that I struggled to put down. This was almost a five star review but not quite. I would certainly look out for other books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
I enjoyed the originality of this book very much. The whole concept of what has happened around Harriet’s birth and what is happening now. It wasn’t a tired plot device but quite fresh. The writing is generally good though the ending was slightly weak. The author could have made that a bit stronger.
Unfortunately there isn’t really a character you can support in this book. None of them are that likeable and they all seem to have done very questionable things in the past – and present. Harriet is caught in the middle of all this. Kirsten needs to get her life organised & stop running herself ragged. Has the woman never heard of childminders or holiday clubs? Her husband George is a waste of space. At first he just seems weak & useless but later it turns out that he hasn’t been all he seemed to be. Becky – well she got caught in a mess & was totally unsupported. Sympathy must be had for her in the past but her later actions – not so much. The teacher, Miriam, starts to come over as just a little creepy. Even the supporting cast such as the neighbour, Yvette, aren’t particularly nice. I would have liked someone to be worth rooting for as a reader.
I did enjoy this book despite the difficult characters. It was well plotted and well written. You see the different view points as the book progresses which worked very well. There are several twists which I didn’t expect and kept me on my toes. It was definitely a book that I struggled to put down. This was almost a five star review but not quite. I would certainly look out for other books by this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Netgalley.
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