A gripping read and a fascinating debut novel by Paul Read. Patrick Owen managed seven years at Highfields Secondary School without punching a pupil in the face.

As a teacher myself I loved this book. Excellent characterisation, pacy dialogue and a storyline that kept you on your toes. I think that Denis was a superb character and Read managed to sustain the tension really well throughout this novel. Absolutely will be recommending to lots of my teacher friends - and maybe even one for the ART TEACHER'S SECRET SANTA GIFT :)

Hard to get into at first but then found myself invested in the stories and the characters I couldn't put it down

Dear Legend Press. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this title. Unfortunately, due to the large number of titles forwarded to me by various publishers, I'm not going to be in a position to read this book. Thanks once again and I hope to read and review many other Legend Press titles in future. Thanks. Kim. The Buzzing Bookmark

Wow amazing book, can't say too much without giving the game away but honestly this is a must read. The 1st sentence is just the start and this book will take a hold of you and not let go until the final sentence!! Even then it will stay with you a while....great read!!!

Paul Read's debut novel, The Art Teacher, is clever, quite smart and realistic. The book is more slow-paced than a page-turner, but arbors a few thrills here and there. While a tad pretentious in his style of writing, Read pens, with the The Art Teacher, an enjoyable, thoughtful novel.

Read's leading man, Patrick Owen, is enough developed as a character, outside of his frustrated high school teacher persona, for the reader to care about his journey and to root for him. Owen has that witty and sarcastic, yet tired, personality that can draw you in, but also repulse you. Fortunately, the first is most frequent in The Art Teacher.

Read's portrayals of women in his debut novel is off-putting. Every woman in the book is either a cold, stiff witch or a scheming, evil bitch. I would have loved for Read to add a least one female character that wasn't horrible. Granted, most characters in The Art Teacher were pretty horrible human beings, but still. At times, it felt like Read had a personal vendetta against women. Maybe it was unintentional of Read, but maybe it wasn't.

That being said, I would read Paul Read again if the opportunity presented itself. While the story had flaws, I enjoyed his writing style and unique tone.