Different Class cover art

Different Class

the last in a trilogy of dark, chilling and compelling psychological thrillers from bestselling author Joanne Harris

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About this listen

The impressively versatile Joanne Harris in her psychological thriller mode, at her darkest and most unsettling. Perfect for fans of Ann Cleeves, Susan Hill, Nicci French and Val McDermid.

'A magnificently plotted and twisty journey to the heart of a 24-year-old crime...darkly humorous...constantly wrongfoots and misdirects...up to a satisfyingly eccentric conclusion.' -- Observer
'Classy writing, sensitive and moving.' -- The Times
'Harris pulls off an impeccable thriller denouement...consistently entertaining.' -- Sunday Times
'Just fabulous' -- ***** Reader review
'An absolute triumph of a book' -- ***** Reader review
'Twists, turns and droll humour - a great read!' -- ***** Reader review
'Absorbing' -- ***** Reader review
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After thirty years at St Oswald's Grammar in North Yorkshire, Latin master Roy Straitley has seen all kinds of boys come and go - the clowns, the rebels, the underdogs, and those he calls his Brodie boys. But every so often there's a boy who doesn't fit the mould. A troublemaker. A boy capable of twisting everything around him. A boy with hidden shadows inside.

With insolvency and academic failure looming, a new broom has arrived at the venerable school, bringing Powerpoint, sharp suits and even sixth form girls to the dusty corridors. But while Straitley does his sardonic best to resist this march to the future, a shadow from his past is stirring. A boy who even twenty years on haunts his teacher's dreams. A boy capable of bad things.

Crime Fiction Fiction Genre Fiction Mystery Psychological Suspense Thriller & Suspense Traditional Detectives Detective Exciting Heartfelt Scary Witty Crime

Critic reviews

A magnificently plotted and twisty journey to the heart of a 24-year-old crime...darkly humorous...constantly wrongfoots and misdirects...up to a satisfyingly eccentric conclusion.
Slowly, Harris reveals tiny clues, withholding full explanations until the startling denouement. Classy writing, sensitive and moving.
Harris pulls off an impeccable thriller denouement...consistently entertaining. (John Dugdale)
It's Goodbye, Mr Chips meets The Bad Seed. Joanne Harris' latest has a killer elevator pitch and, what's more, it delivers on its intriguing premise...a rich, dramatic tale that builds to a surprising conclusion.
A masterpiece of misdirection. (Val McDermid)
Harris magnificently manages every minute thread of the story, and even makes us laugh along the way . . . exquisitely sinister. . . Part black comedy, part thriller, and totally enjoyable.
Tackles big subjects, including teacher-pupil romances, sexual assault, homophobia and murder.You'll love it if...you enjoyed The Girl on the Train so crave another intelligent thriller.
Deftly orchestrated and beautifully written tale of abuse, loyalty and regret.
Her real metier is psychological suspense, and her accomplished new book, Different Class, is a prime example of her skills in this area . . . Crime novel or literary novel? Categories really don’t matter; readers will find themselves comprehensively gripped.
A long way from Chocolat, Joanne Harris's reinvention as a writer of psychological thrillers continues apace...delivers it beautifully.
All stars
Most relevant

What did you like most about Different Class?

The description of the characters personality all entirely believable

What did you like best about this story?

The story invokes all of the emotions

What does Steven Pacey and Ewan Goddard bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

The narrators both brilliantly portrayed the strengths and weaknesses of the characters

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were many moments all relating to the main charachter

Any additional comments?

Would have loved this to go on and on

Cleverly written

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Enjoyed this book, narrator Steven Pacey great as in Gentlemen and Players, not so much the second narrator.

Another good book in the series

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Immerse yourself in the world of St Oswald’s and chill - although the story is quite dark- Roy Straitley is a great character. I’m now moving on to the next book - I would say to read the books in order - gives you a bit more insight.

Utterly marvellous

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Superbly written and presented. How the story unfolds right to the last page was gripping

Fantastic book.

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Kept me guessing all the way through. Got that feeling of loss when I finished it that speaks to just how good it was. The author and the excellent narrator are a marriage made in heaven!'

Un-putdownable!

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