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In Dark Places: Confessions of Teina Pora and an Ex-Cop's Fight for Justice
Teina Pora, a 17-year-old car thief, was wrongly convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Susan Burdett, who had been beaten to death with the softball bat she kept next to her bed for her own protection
Tim McKinnel, en ex-cop turned private investigator, discovered the long forgotten case 18 years later, saw an injustice had been done and set out to win Teina’s freedom.
Reaching from the mean streets of South Auckland to the highest court in the Commonwealth, this is the story not just of Tim’s quest, but also of how an innocent man who was left rotting in a prison cell for two decades found the inner strength to rise above the dark places to which he had been condemned.
Tim McKinnel, en ex-cop turned private investigator, discovered the long forgotten case 18 years later, saw an injustice had been done and set out to win Teina’s freedom.
Reaching from the mean streets of South Auckland to the highest court in the Commonwealth, this is the story not just of Tim’s quest, but also of how an innocent man who was left rotting in a prison cell for two decades found the inner strength to rise above the dark places to which he had been condemned.
240 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2016
12 people are currently reading
211 people want to read
About the author
Michael Bennett
5 books231 followersMichael Bennett (Ngāti Pikiao, Ngāti Whakaue) is an award-winning screenwriter, director, and author whose films have been selections at major festivals, including Cannes, Berlin, Toronto, and New York. His nonfiction book, In Dark Places, which explored an infamous miscarriage of justice, won awards, and his young adult graphic novel, Helen and the Go-Go Ninjas, was a finalist for the 2019 New Zealand Book Awards.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
November 28, 2017
In Dark Places by Michael Bennett is highly recommended to those that enjoy books about true crimes.
This book is about the conviction of Teina Pora for the rape and murder of Susan Burdett in New Zealand in 1993. Pora was tried twice and convicted twice.
Michael Bennett does a wonderful job of moving the story along with interesting characters and never gets bogged down in minutiae or legalese that are too often found in books of this sort.
In my reviews I do not reveal spoilers, so I do not think the next part of this review will be a spoiler because the knowledge of Pora's innocence should be expected from reading the opening of the book and even from the title.
To most readers, this book should make his or her blood boil. Unless the author purposely left out some sort of revelation that could have led an average person to consider Pora's guilt - and I do not think he did - there are two very disturbing aspects to what is revealed in this book. The first is that it is obvious from the start that Teina Pora was innocent of this crime. But what is even worse, to those investigating this rape and murder, this conclusion should not only have been obvious, but it should also should have been obvious very, very early on.
While reading the book, Bennett points out startling investigative points early on in the investigation that clearly should have led away from Pora as the suspect, however, for whatever unknown reason, it did not.
This book also shows the importance of the trial disclosure of evidence by prosecutors and how if it is later learned it was not fully done, then severe sanctions should result to prevent such malfeasance.
As for the writing style of Bennett, it was quite interesting and compelling and I would suggest that one could describe it somewhat as having a little bit of James Ellroy sprinkled in.
This is a really good book, with a compelling topic, interesting people and emotional heft. One such passage at the end of the book should stick around with most readers (now, to tell that would be a spoiler).
Highly recommended.
This book is about the conviction of Teina Pora for the rape and murder of Susan Burdett in New Zealand in 1993. Pora was tried twice and convicted twice.
Michael Bennett does a wonderful job of moving the story along with interesting characters and never gets bogged down in minutiae or legalese that are too often found in books of this sort.
In my reviews I do not reveal spoilers, so I do not think the next part of this review will be a spoiler because the knowledge of Pora's innocence should be expected from reading the opening of the book and even from the title.
To most readers, this book should make his or her blood boil. Unless the author purposely left out some sort of revelation that could have led an average person to consider Pora's guilt - and I do not think he did - there are two very disturbing aspects to what is revealed in this book. The first is that it is obvious from the start that Teina Pora was innocent of this crime. But what is even worse, to those investigating this rape and murder, this conclusion should not only have been obvious, but it should also should have been obvious very, very early on.
While reading the book, Bennett points out startling investigative points early on in the investigation that clearly should have led away from Pora as the suspect, however, for whatever unknown reason, it did not.
This book also shows the importance of the trial disclosure of evidence by prosecutors and how if it is later learned it was not fully done, then severe sanctions should result to prevent such malfeasance.
As for the writing style of Bennett, it was quite interesting and compelling and I would suggest that one could describe it somewhat as having a little bit of James Ellroy sprinkled in.
This is a really good book, with a compelling topic, interesting people and emotional heft. One such passage at the end of the book should stick around with most readers (now, to tell that would be a spoiler).
Highly recommended.
January 4, 2018
I lived a 5 minute drive away from Israel Ave in 1993 and am only a couple of years younger than Teina. Am thrilled to have read and now know more about his struggle. Thank God for good people who are in a position to and are willing to fight for the justice of those who can't. Excellent read. Thanks to whomever left the book in the Cambridge book exchange red telephone box! I will pass it on so more New Zealanders can know this story.
September 11, 2018
This is a really well written true crime book that will break your heart. How Teina Pora didn't become bitter and angry is a real miracle.
April 22, 2025
I stumbled across this book while staying with my Dad in Papatoetoe. It was eerie to be reading about this crime and the people involved knowing it wasn’t far from where I was. I couldn’t put this book down, I truly felt for Teina and Susan’s family. I vaguely remember seeing this on the news as a young child but did not realise the extent of what had happened. I highly recommend this book, it was written superbly.
November 1, 2017
In Dark Places is one of the best books I've read all year. The story is not only fascinating but also heart-breaking - of a man sentenced to life in prison for murder, a crime he didn't commit. And of the 18 years he spent there (more than half his life) before he was finally freed.
I was glued to the story of New Zealander Teina Pora and private investigator Tim McKinnel's quest to determine the truth about Susan Burdett's death. The book is compelling and fast-paced from the outset and reads like fiction.
There are cliffhangers, twists and turns, tensions and drama - everything you'd expect to find in a crime novel. Except this isn't fiction - these are real life events and real people involved. I had to keep reminding myself of that. With his brilliant writing, Michael Bennett makes the people, places and events leap out of the pages.
The police procedure, legal framework and forensics are described in detail, yet very easy to understand. During his research, Tim McKinnel explored the science of false confessions and racism in the New Zealand justice system. This devastating miscarriage of justice left me with one word:
Why?
In Dark Places is perfect for true crime fans and those who followed Making a Murderer. But I also urge people who don't usually read true crime to pick up this book. I hadn't read any true crime for years, but now, thanks In Dark Places, I'll be reading lots more.
I received an Advance Reader Copy.
I was glued to the story of New Zealander Teina Pora and private investigator Tim McKinnel's quest to determine the truth about Susan Burdett's death. The book is compelling and fast-paced from the outset and reads like fiction.
There are cliffhangers, twists and turns, tensions and drama - everything you'd expect to find in a crime novel. Except this isn't fiction - these are real life events and real people involved. I had to keep reminding myself of that. With his brilliant writing, Michael Bennett makes the people, places and events leap out of the pages.
The police procedure, legal framework and forensics are described in detail, yet very easy to understand. During his research, Tim McKinnel explored the science of false confessions and racism in the New Zealand justice system. This devastating miscarriage of justice left me with one word:
Why?
In Dark Places is perfect for true crime fans and those who followed Making a Murderer. But I also urge people who don't usually read true crime to pick up this book. I hadn't read any true crime for years, but now, thanks In Dark Places, I'll be reading lots more.
I received an Advance Reader Copy.
August 29, 2022
What an amazing story and one that has to be read to be believed. If you don,t think false confessions happen - especially not in our backyard - I urge you to read this book. It's our very own Innocent Project at work, and it's an amazing story about a 17-year-old who falsely confessed to a murder and rape of a woman, was found guilty twice (even when DNA evidence contradicted his already-contridictory-statements).
January 20, 2023
This was such an excellent book I thoroughly enjoyed it, it was written well. I kept getting mad as one lame ass excuse and piece of fake evidence was presented before the courts. The courts were dumb and bigoted enough to even consider the slaphappy evidences. The whole damn justice system of Aotearoa racially profiles and discriminates against Maori and PI. Malcom Rewa is a total dog just like his real dogs.
May 26, 2016
it is a such a shame to know how much the New Zeland police screwed up and yet they didnt fix the mess they created. But it is good justice finally came for a man who did no wrong other than trying to please those him around due to brain damage caused by his unknowing mother
August 3, 2017
Excellent tale of justice for an imprisioned man. Ive read a lot of books about wrongful inprisionment, this is the most obvious one where the man in jail was 100% innocent. How the police could have got this so wrong is beyond me, Teina Pora was and is innocent.
November 26, 2017
If possible - I would give this book 10 stars. Written with a “novelish” feel to it, packed with facts but relatable and easy to enjoy without getting bored with a heap of legal jargon. It tells the story of Teina Pora, and Tim Mckinnels fight to set him free from a wrongful conviction.
September 23, 2023
Heartbreaking.
August 18, 2020
An excellent, fast paced book with no fillers. Every kiwi interested in, or involved with, law and criminal justice needs to read this.
September 3, 2022
A very balanced account of a crime committed in South Auckland and the consequences of a false confession made by Teina Pora. I don’t know what made me pick this book to read but once I started I couldn’t put it down. Teina comes across as a bad egg with a big heart. He had a tough start in life with his mother dying when he was very young. This left Teina and his siblings as a liability on the extended whanau and whilst they took him and his siblings in, life was not easy and the kids lacked the stability of a stable life being passed around from family to family like stray animals.
It was interesting to learn that the South Auckland Police were a divided camp over the charging of Teina with Susan Burdett’s murder. It was a difficult time in policing with numerous burglaries and rapes happening all over central and south Auckland. Police resources were stretched and tough decisions had to be made at the time of Susan’s murder. As a result, the heat came off the serial rapist working the area in order to investigate Susan’s unsolved murder.
It was interesting to learn that the South Auckland Police were a divided camp over the charging of Teina with Susan Burdett’s murder. It was a difficult time in policing with numerous burglaries and rapes happening all over central and south Auckland. Police resources were stretched and tough decisions had to be made at the time of Susan’s murder. As a result, the heat came off the serial rapist working the area in order to investigate Susan’s unsolved murder.
October 20, 2025
I vaguely followed this case at the time — I was about the same age as Teina, and the murder happened just as I was planning to head to uni there. By the time the trial was unfolding, I was living, working, and going to church on Pah Rd, right in the midst of it all. Reading this brought it all back with a deep, personal resonance.
This book is well written and accessible, with a conversational tone that still carries weight and clarity, speaking with compassion for the players in the story. Bennett lays it out largely chronologically, so i felt like i was there following the heartbreaking twists and the long path toward justice, despite this happening years ago.
I cried at the end when they told him the Privy Council’s decision. At its heart, the story captures the wairua of Teina, his endurance, and the humanity that persisted despite everything. A powerful, moving, and essential read.
This book is well written and accessible, with a conversational tone that still carries weight and clarity, speaking with compassion for the players in the story. Bennett lays it out largely chronologically, so i felt like i was there following the heartbreaking twists and the long path toward justice, despite this happening years ago.
I cried at the end when they told him the Privy Council’s decision. At its heart, the story captures the wairua of Teina, his endurance, and the humanity that persisted despite everything. A powerful, moving, and essential read.
December 8, 2023
This is easily one of the best written true crime books I’ve read.
This horrendous miscarriage of justice hits close as this happened in the country I call home.
Teina is an astoundingly incredible man - how he is not full of rage and hatred is totally beyond me. I remember seeing his ‘confession’ tapes and being flawed by his baby face and his suggestibility.
This book is a hard, hard read emotionally. Even k owing the outcome of the case I found myself holding my breath as the details of the privy council were revealed.
Absolutely painful and stunning, this is a book everyone should read.
This horrendous miscarriage of justice hits close as this happened in the country I call home.
Teina is an astoundingly incredible man - how he is not full of rage and hatred is totally beyond me. I remember seeing his ‘confession’ tapes and being flawed by his baby face and his suggestibility.
This book is a hard, hard read emotionally. Even k owing the outcome of the case I found myself holding my breath as the details of the privy council were revealed.
Absolutely painful and stunning, this is a book everyone should read.
August 2, 2024
What a read! One of the best books I've read during the 2023 Teachers Reading Challenge. I already have high expectations after reading "Better the Blood," but I am awestruck once more by Michael Bennett's way with words as he creatively recounted a gruesome crime and gut-wrenching miscarriage of justice. I can see Michael's careful and deliberate decisions on how to represent the characters involved. At the end of the book, while it's plain to see that what happened to Teina was unfair, I didn't feel hatred towards the people who pushed him to his affliction. I'm just glad Teina can now be with the people he loves :)
August 8, 2022
True crime is not my thing; but I’m doing a book challenge requiring a book set in New Zealand and this book had great reviews. I absolutely loved this story about Teina Pora, a young Māori youth accused of a crime he didn’t commit.
August 30, 2023
easy to read - very factual and awesome that people eventually wanted to find the truth
January 31, 2024
Brilliantly written book, telling an important story of a massive injustice. Full of drama and humanity.
August 23, 2025
Really interesting and engaging read about a miscarriage of justice. Didn't take long to read.
January 17, 2026
I picked this book up and could not put it down. The entire day. Every New Zealander should read this book. The writing is compelling and the story is unbelievable.
August 24, 2023
Heart wrenching story of a wrongly convicted man from the hood that I grew up in. The story was well told but oh so tough to read, because my chest was in a state of permanent tightness whilst reading through all the injustices. I followed this news story, and was so pleased when Teina was cleared, but reading the bits we didn’t hear about which explained how he was wrongly imprisoned, just breaks your heart for him.
July 7, 2025
Aunty Terry and fucking Martha are opps
May 21, 2025
Brilliant. Teina Pora is a phenomenal Kiwi. And Tim McKinnel. Great reminder to always fight the good fight.
June 10, 2024
An excellent read. Informative and a good piece of NZ history in terms of crime. Sad parts, but so interesting. Highly recommend!
April 12, 2017
Teina Pora is not a name that will ring too many bells outside his native New Zealand but this is a story that shares many shocking similarities with what happened in the US with the West Memphis Three, a case which had a bigger profile.
There is so much blame here yet so little justice. We all make mistakes its true, but the series of mistakes that lead to this conviction are on another scale. This incredible scenario is about more than just mistakes, it’s about deceit, prejudice and the saving of face. It’s terrifying to realise that such blatant and devastating miscarriages of justice are allowed to happen in apparently free, westernised democracies. It’s close to impossible to fathom what the police, lawyers and juries were thinking and what level of intelligence and/or prejudice must have been involved in order to come to such wrong conclusions. The first people who should be made to answer questions are the senior police officers who stumbled their way through the questioning and subsequent charges.
The style of writing can seem a bit shallow and flat at times but on the other hand it makes the story flow in a more authentic and convincing way. This has all the hallmarks of great true crime writing, drama, tension, accessibility and of course its stranger than fiction. Ultimately this is a deeply sad and truly heart breaking story that is utterly compelling from start to finish
It is important to note that if it wasn’t for the determined actions of one selfless individual, (ironically an ex-cop who served on the same force) this man would most likely still be in prison for something he didn’t do. It’s also worth asking why so many people in so many places chose to say and do absolutely nothing whilst an innocent man lay languishing in jail for over two decades?...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews