For Your Own Good

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What to expect

Brought to you by Penguin.

Teddy Crutcher has won Teacher of the Year at the prestigious Belmont Academy. Everyone thinks he's brilliant. Only you know the truth.

They all smile when he tells us his wife couldn't be more proud - though if they stopped to think, they would realise no-one has seen her in a while.

They're impressed when he doesn't let anything distract him - even the tragic death of a school parent. Even when the whispers start, saying it was murder.

You're sure Teddy is hiding something about what happened that day. You're sure you can prove it.

You just didn't stop to think that when it comes to catching a killer, there's no place more dangerous than just one step behind...

PRAISE FOR SAMANTHA DOWNING

'Dark, sly and delicious...totally original - and totally compelling' JP Delaney, bestselling author of Playing Nice

'Wonderfully dark and twisty. I raced through it, desperate to know how it would end' BA Paris

'Wow! My Lovely Wife is a stunner - full of twists, well-drawn characters, and riveting suspense' Harlan Coben

'The next Gone Girl' Marie Claire

'The twist at the end of the first chapter made me read through the night' Jane Corry

© Samantha Downing 2021 (P) Penguin Audio 2021

Critics Review

Samantha Downing is totally the real deal. Wry and dark and witty and clever. I didn't think she could outdo My Lovely Wife but I think this one tops it.
Sarah Pinborough
An irresistibly dark tale of parents, pupils and poison: the American dream turned suburban nightmare
TM Logan, author of Trust Me and The Holiday
Dark, sly and delicious...totally original - and totally compelling
JP Delaney
Wonderfully dark and twisty. I raced through it, desperate to know how it would end
BA Paris
Fans of Gone Girl and Big Little Lies will love this fast-paced thriller
Sunday Express
I raced through this, and loved every twist and turn. Brilliant characterisation and ingenious plotting make it an absolute winner.
Jill Mansell
I have loved all of the books by Samantha Downing, and this classroom thriller deserves an A+. Original, dark and highly addictive
Alice Feeney
A brilliant psychological black comedy with a really fresh feel, packed with sly observation and outrageous twists. But creepy Crutcher is the standout character who is truly awful and equally compelling
Daily Mail
I'm a huge fan of Samantha Downing, who is masterful at creating diabolical characters and deliciously chilling plots. An absolutely terrific book!
Sarah Pekkanen
Samantha Downing has achieved something so special in For Your Own Good. A story that is dark as night, sinister as hell, clever, twisting and downright fun
Chris Whitaker

User Reviews

Book 4.0
Narration 4.0
4.0
4.0
4.5 = Good.
This was gripping! Fast- paced and many red herrings. I enjoyed the college setting and could visualise each scene. A clever bit of writing.
Julie7 03/02/2025

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