In a small prairie school in 1929, Connie Flood helps a backward student, Michael Graves, learn how to read. Observing them and darkening their lives is the principal, Parley Burns, whose strange behaviour culminates in an attack so disturbing its repercussions continue to the present day. Connie's niece, Anne, tells the story. Impelled by curiosity about her dynamic, adventurous aunt and her more conventional mother, she revisits Connie's past and her mother's broken childhood. In the process she unravels the enigma of Parley Burns and the mysterious, and unrelated, deaths of two young girls.

'A testament to the quality of Hay's writing that the lack of a traditional ending tantalises ... Principal Parley Burns, who moves through the school 'like mustard gas in subtle form', is one of the most memorable villains I've ever encountered' Guardian. * Guardian *
'a story of murder and obsessive love in prairie Canada, and better even than Alice Munro' Nicholas Shakespeare. * Nicholas Shakespeare *
'Alone in the Classroom is meant to be read slowly, or even better, read twice' Aritha van Herk, Toronto Globe & Mail. * Toronto Globe & Mail *
'An ambitious vision and unusually literary page-turner' Calgary Herald. * Calgary Herald *
'beautifully written ... an atmospheric, haunting novel that explores the impact of past events on a new generation' We Love This Book. * We Love This Book *
'Her pages ... blurred in my tears ... should be read carefully in order to appreciate its richness and its author's genius as a storyteller' Bookgroupinfo. * Bookgroupinfo *
'Highly accomplished and resourceful writer' The Spectator. * Spectator *
'one to savour' BookOxygen. * BookOxygen *
'unforgettable' The Literary Review. * Literary Review *

Elizabeth Hay is the author of the Scotiabank Giller Prize-winning novel Late Nights On Air as well as three other award-winning works of fiction. Formerly a radio broadcaster, she has spent time in Mexico and New York City, and now lives in Ottawa.