An unusual psychological thriller nominated for the Dublin Literary Award. Like all the girls in her class, twelve-year-old Justina is enchanted by her new teacher, Mrs. Price - young, beautiful, and charismatic. Mrs. Price's charm is irresistible, and everyone dreams of becoming her favorite, her "chick".
When items start disappearing at school, everyone begins to suspect each other, and Justina gets the feeling that something is off. With each twist of the plot, this unconventional story of deception and the corrosive feeling of guilt takes an increasingly unsettling turn. The story, set in New Zealand in the 1980s, raises themes that will become important two decades later: childhood trauma, manipulation, abuse, adult despotism, infantilism, and asserting oneself at the expense of others.