Author: Mark Smith
Publisher: Pan Macmillan Australia
Genre: Thriller, Suspense, Modern & Contemporary Fiction, phycological Thriller
Year of Release: 2024
Release Date: 31/12/24
Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
TW Bullying, Drowning, Death, Death of Children, Grief, Harassment, Stalking, suicide.
Synopsis
‘First rule of rescue: don’t create another casualty.’
Grace Disher is about to face every teacher’s worst nightmare.
Three of her students are going to die.
On a high school camping trip, three boys slip away for an ocean swim. By the time Grace catches up, the perilous surf conditions are overwhelming the teenagers. If she goes in, she will die trying to save them.
Should she have given her life?
The question haunts Grace as investigations begin and her decision not to attempt a rescue comes under scrutiny. Hounded by conflicted staff, grieving parents and relentless media – all dissecting her actions, all looking for someone to blame – Grace’s safety is compromised and she must be careful who she trusts.
And she’s not the only one with a secret.
Review
Outdoor and environmental education teacher Grace Disher has been given the responsibility of leading the Year 10 excursion on the Great Western Walk along Victoria’s southwest coast. She wasn’t the original choice, but after another staff member was unable to attend, Grace—being the most experienced teacher—stepped up. This trip is set to be a huge success for St. Finbar’s School, and for the boys, it will be an adventure they’ll talk about for years.
Despite a few pre-excursion jitters, Grace reassures herself—she’s done this walk before. She knows the outdoors. She’s well prepared.
But unbeknownst to her, things are about to take a tragic turn. Grace will soon find herself at the centre of every teacher’s worst nightmare—one that will stay with her forever.
Three students race ahead of the group, eager for an ocean swim. The surf conditions in the area are notoriously dangerous, but before Grace even realises, they’ve left the main group, she steps onto the beach, heading towards their camp for the night.
And then she sees it.
The hazardous waters.
The three familiar figures.
And she knows.
Three of her students are going to die.
Every once in a while, I’m drawn to a psychological thriller, and this one had been making waves online. Intrigued by the hype, I had to see for myself.
If you’re considering this book, here are three sentences to think about:
“First rule of rescue: don’t create another casualty.”
Grace Disher is about to face every teacher’s worst nightmare.
Three of her students are going to die.
Mark Smith has done an outstanding job with character development. Typically, readers watch a character grow—gaining strength, confidence, and self-discovery as the story unfolds. However, I couldn’t help but notice that Grace Disher seemed to lose some of these traits along the way.
What stood out to me was how flawed and human these characters felt. Their struggles and imperfections made their actions even more relatable, adding depth and authenticity to the story. Rather than following a predictable arc of growth, Grace’s journey felt raw and real—something I truly appreciated as a reader.
I gave the book a high five-star rating—not because I believe Grace is at fault or because I want to see her punished. I don’t. Instead, I think it takes real skill to depict a character unravelling while still making them feel authentic and likeable.
Now that I’ve finished Three Boys Gone, I can say I would’ve liked to see a few more friends in Grace’s corner. Lou serves as an okay character for that role, but at times, she gave me the impression that this tragic event was simply something to be dealt with—offering Grace little more than a quick, dismissive “It wasn’t your fault.”
I understand that no one truly knows how to navigate a situation like this, and there’s no right or wrong way to approach tragedy. But still, Lou often came across as cold and unfeeling throughout the book, at least in my opinion.
The minor characters in Three Boys Gone are well suited to the story, and author Mark Smith approaches its confronting themes with sensitivity and care. As a reviewer, I can safely say I wouldn’t have been able to bring this story to life the way he has. Mark’s experience, knowledge, and passion for this subject are evident—I could feel his deep respect for both teachers and students throughout the book.
Because of this, the story carries an extra layer of emotion beyond just being a compelling read. Three Boys Gone even made me reflect on my own teachers and my time at school, which speaks to the power of Mark’s storytelling.
“As much as she tried, she couldn’t fend off the waves of guilt that now assailed her. No one had said it out loud, but they were all thinking the same thing—she had a duty of care to protect Jake, Robbie, and Harry, even from themselves. She had been scared and alone, but she hadn’t even tried.”
— Mark Smith, Three Boys Gone
The relationship between Grace and her family was an aspect of the story I would have liked to see explored further. It didn’t make the story feel lacking in any way, but I think it would have added more depth to Grace’s character, making her feel even more personal and relatable to this reader.
I found Three Boys Gone to have a slow start, but I think this works in the book’s favour. It gives the reader time to process the weight of the loss and grief that inevitably shape the story. For me, it was Grace’s grief, trauma, and the aftermath of the camp that had me racing through the pages towards the ending. Those elements made this a truly memorable read—and my first five-star book of 2025.
The plot had me racing toward the end, but that doesn’t mean this was an easy, comfortable read. From the very beginning, Three Boys Gone tugs at the heartstrings, making it impossible to rush through. Even though it’s fiction, it’s hard not to be reminded of real-life tragedies we’ve seen in the media—stories that stay with you long after the headlines fade. This is a powerful, gripping read that lingers in your mind. Don’t miss it.
Subplots and Tropes included in Three Boys Gone:
- Accident
- Death
- Drowning
- Death of children
- Grief
- Harassment
- Self-doubt
- Blame
- Negative media/online attention
- Secrets
- Same Sex Relationship
- Family
- Workplace friendships
- Community in mourning
- Lies
- Suicide
The outcome of Three Boys Gone had me on the edge of my seat, holding my breath. By the time I reached the end, I felt like I’d experienced almost every emotion imaginable. I was left a little drained, which reminds me why I don’t often visit this genre, especially when children are involved. But despite that, I’m so glad I did.
Fans of Margaret Hickey’s The Creeper and Pip Drysdale’s The Close-Up should definitely add Three Boys Gone to their summer reading list—it’s a must!
If you’re a fan of mystery, thrillers, and psychological suspense, Three Boys Gone is an absolute must-read! I highly recommend it to a mature audience, and if it’s already on your radar, don’t wait—bump it straight to the top of your to-be-read pile!
With continued thanks to Pan Macmillan Australia and author Mark Smith for sending a physical copy of this book to read and review in exchange for my honest opinion.