Like every other girl in her class, twelve-year-old Justine is drawn to her glamorous, charismatic new teacher, and longs to be her pet. However, when a thief begins to target the school, Justine’s sense that something isn’t quite right grows ever stronger.

With each twist of the plot, this gripping story of deception and the corrosive power of guilt takes a yet darker turn. Young as she is, Justine must decide where her loyalties lie.

Set in New Zealand in 1984 and 2014, and probing themes of racism and misogyny, Pet is an elegant and chilling psychological thriller by the bestselling author of The Wish Child, Remote Sympathy and The Axeman’s Carnival.

‘A lingering, haunting book.’ —New York Times

‘Pet is an enthralling page-turner, laced with dark ominous themes, examining both the oppressive racism that was rampant in the 1980s and the far-reaching power of the Catholic church.’ —The Independent

‘Chidgey again displays her prodigious talent for psychological suspense and minutely evoking past eras.’ —The Guardian

‘an accomplished, hugely engaging novel with an impressive ability to compel the reader forward with elegance, verve and style’ —The Irish Times

‘utterly brilliant . . . Another truly terrific novel from one of our most talented and hardworking writers.’ —Kelly Ana Morey, NZ Listener