Shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2003. 'From the first day that the beguiling Sheba Hart joins the staff of St George's, history teacher Barbara Covett is convinced that she has found a kindred spirit. Barbara's loyalty to her new friend is passionate and unstinting and when Sheba is discovered to be having an illicit affair with one of her young pupils, Barbara quickly elects herself as Sheba's chief defender. But all is not as it first seems in this dark story and, as Sheba will soon discover, a friend can be just as treacherous as any lover.'

My partner's currently reading this but I'll add it to my available list as soon as he's finished it. I did enjoy it (although I read it earlier this year and can't remember it very well) but probably wouldn't read it again, hence my decision not to leave it as one of my permanent collection.