This is the story of Terry Pritchard, an older male teacher in the small
coastal town of Brindle. The story spans a school year and starts with the
first day of the new term. The long-standing principal has taken a leave
of absence and is replaced by Laurie Mathews. She’s young and
self-righteous and has a clear code of how schools should operate. Having
come from a background of child protection, Laurie has her eye on Terry,
who she finds in compromising situations with students. Terry is a
much-loved teacher and member of the community. However, his behaviour
results in his forced retirement and this is the secret theme that runs
through the book. Is Terry as sinister as Laurie makes him out to be?
Whilst it is Terry’s story, there’s a cast of characters attached to
Brindle. Nina is the teacher who replaces Terry and has just separated
from her husband and moved to the area with her young daughter. Sid is the
school handyman and finds out it it’s never too late to fall in love. Joan
is alone after her mother died and lives a shy and quiet life, until she
meets Sid. There’s Rebecca, a refugee from Africa, and Mel who married
young and has never left Brindle. The event that binds them together is
the end-of-year play.
The author is a lawyer and she brings authenticity
to the child protection and refugee storylines. With a big story and a
multitude of characters, it was a slow burn to the action but it’s a
nicely told tale with an appropriate level of drama and suspense. (LF)
