The Teacher's Pet
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"The podcast that sent a murderer to jail — The Teacher's Pet is one of the most impactful true crime investigations ever made, resulting in the 2022 conviction of Chris Dawson."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Cold case enthusiasts who love decades-old unsolved mysteries
- ✓Anyone fascinated by missing persons investigations
- ✓Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode
Pros & cons
- +Rated "Must Listen" by our editorial team — exceptional across all dimensions
- +Exceptional binge factor — near impossible to stop at one episode
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
- −Must listen in order — cannot dip in and out between episodes
About this podcast
14-episode documentary by journalist Hedley Thomas investigating the 1982 disappearance of Sydney mother Lynette Dawson. Her husband Chris Dawson — a PE teacher who took up with a teenage student — was convicted of her murder in 2022 partly due to the podcast's impact.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1 — start from beginning; must be heard in order
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Teacher's Pet
What is The Teacher's Pet about?
14-episode documentary by journalist Hedley Thomas investigating the 1982 disappearance of Sydney mother Lynette Dawson. Her husband Chris Dawson — a PE teacher who took up with a teenage student — was convicted of her murder in 2022 partly due to the podcast's impact.
Is The Teacher's Pet worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 9/10 on binge factor. True crime fans who like journalism-driven investigations with massive real-world impact; anyone fascinated by domestic crime and institutional failure.
Who is The Teacher's Pet for?
The Teacher's Pet is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Cold case enthusiasts who love decades-old unsolved mysteries; Anyone fascinated by missing persons investigations; Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode.
What is the best episode of The Teacher's Pet to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1 — start from beginning; must be heard in order. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to The Teacher's Pet?
The Teacher's Pet is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to The Teacher's Pet?
If you enjoy The Teacher's Pet, you might also like: Bear Brook, Serial, Your Own Backyard, The Thing About Pam. See our full "Podcasts Like The Teacher's Pet" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Serious, journalistic, powerful
- Episode length
- 14 core episodes ~30-60 min each; manageable binge
- Binge factor
- 9/10
- Country
- Australia
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Region
🇦🇺Australia True CrimeNewsletter
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