Just So Stories

Pan Macmillan Australia

Imprint: Macmillan Australia

December 2025

ISBN: 9781761269868

RRP: $34.99

When I taught my rowdy Year 9s a few years ago, and even the most disengaged became completely engrossed in The Road to Winter (and many of them going on to read the rest of the trilogy!), it was pretty obvious Mark Smith has a gift for writing suspenseful and powerful narratives.

This one has been patiently waiting its turn for the past couple of months but when I picked it up on Saturday (15/3) I had it 2/3 read by the time I made myself turn out the light! What an absolutely gripping read it is.

Apart from being every teacher’s worst nightmare, this becomes a pyschological thriller that will have any reader on the edge of their seat. Set against some of the wildest of Victoria’s coastline, where author Mark Smith really brings his own knowledge to the fore, and also Melbourne and the Catholic school of St Finbars, the juxtaposition of untamed terrain and super- restrictive tradition is a brilliant move, and certainly [given my own personal experiences of a very similar school] heightens an emotional and very visceral reaction.

A bushwalking trek with a group of boys, led by a young female outdoor ed teacher, Grace Disher, along with two male teachers – one being the IT guy, who is a last-minute replacement for a more suitable candidate, goes horribly wrong when 3 of the boys break away from the main group and ignore all safety precautions and instructions go into a surf so wild that they are almost immediately drowned.

As the media frenzy, grieving parents and general public go completely feral looking to lay blame, Grace becomes more and more aware that she is being targeted by more than just blame-apportioners. It’s a rollercoaster ride to a denouement that will make you look askance at co-workers especially the Geek Guys (mine have all been wonderful, I might add!).

It is essentially an adult novel and yes, there is a bit of strong language and some other concepts including LGBQT+ but I would let my senior students read it for sure. I’m giving it a 5 🌊🌊🌊🌊🌊 rating.

PS Please stand by for a Q&A – Mark was super helpful when I taught those Year 9s and I’m excited to snag him for a quick chat soon.