What do you think?
Rate this book
In the Clearing
The novel behind the hit TV series The Clearing released globally on Disney+ and Hulu.
Amy has only ever known what life is like in the Clearing. She knows what's expected of her. She knows what to do to please her elders, and how to make sure life in the community remains happy and calm. That is, until a new young girl joins the group. She isn't fitting in; she doesn't want to stay. What happens next will turn life as Amy knows it on its head.
Freya has gone to great lengths to feel like a 'normal person'. In fact, if you saw her go about her day with her young son, you'd think she was an everyday mum. That is, until a young girl goes missing and someone from her past, someone she hasn't seen for a very long time, arrives in town.
As Amy and Freya's story intertwines the secrets of the past bubble up to the surface. This rural Aussie town's dark underbelly is about to be exposed and lives will be destroyed.
Amy has only ever known what life is like in the Clearing. She knows what's expected of her. She knows what to do to please her elders, and how to make sure life in the community remains happy and calm. That is, until a new young girl joins the group. She isn't fitting in; she doesn't want to stay. What happens next will turn life as Amy knows it on its head.
Freya has gone to great lengths to feel like a 'normal person'. In fact, if you saw her go about her day with her young son, you'd think she was an everyday mum. That is, until a young girl goes missing and someone from her past, someone she hasn't seen for a very long time, arrives in town.
As Amy and Freya's story intertwines the secrets of the past bubble up to the surface. This rural Aussie town's dark underbelly is about to be exposed and lives will be destroyed.
326 pages, Paperback
First published August 31, 2019
205 people are currently reading
12280 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Pomare
11 books1,325 followersJ. P. Pomare is a New Zealand author who lives in Melbourne, Australia.
He is the author of a number of critically acclaimed and best-selling novels including Seventeen Years Later, Tell Me Lies, and The Wrong Woman.
His novel In The Clearing was adapted for the screen as an eight part miniseries by Disney (The Clearing) and The Last Guests (Watching You) has been adapted as a series by Stan.
He is the author of a number of critically acclaimed and best-selling novels including Seventeen Years Later, Tell Me Lies, and The Wrong Woman.
His novel In The Clearing was adapted for the screen as an eight part miniseries by Disney (The Clearing) and The Last Guests (Watching You) has been adapted as a series by Stan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 752 reviews
January 13, 2025
My mind hurts! My spidey senses handed me a resignation letter, and I rewarded them with an all-exclusive home quarantine holiday—watching reality TV and taking a break from books that are too twisty and too smart!
I haven’t read anything so intense, disturbing, unconventional, intelligent, mind-shattering, dark, yet emotionally charged, profound, and thought-provoking in such a long time. I should probably stop here because no words I write will ever be enough to describe my emotions (which are absolutely everywhere) about this book. Honestly, I’m all shook up!
We have two narrators:
First, there’s young Amy, 15 years old, living in a place called The Clearing, a seemingly happy, beautiful community—which is actually a horrifying cult made up of kidnapped children. These children are abused, starved, tortured, and forced to commit violent acts to serve their sick, dangerous, psychopathic leaders.
Then we have Freya, a damaged soul struggling to navigate her daily life. She’s carrying the weight of her past, trying to protect her seven-year-old son, Billy. Freya has already lost custody of her older son, Aspen, now 17, due to a tragic mistake—leaving him in a car when he was just a baby. Her mother resides in a facility, battling dementia, and her brother is out of the country, dreaming of becoming a farmer.
Freya lives in constant fear, taking extreme security precautions and keeping relationships at a distance. Her only connections are an old police officer friend and her neighbor. But she feels it—there’s someone watching her. A watcher. Someone thirsting for revenge. She must protect her son from the dangers lurking in the world. But can she do it alone? As her past sins resurface, the consequences become unavoidable.
The stories of these two characters are masterfully intertwined. At some point, you completely lose yourself in the narrative because everything spirals out of control. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, the author proves to be six steps ahead of you, leaving you feeling like a fool.
The ending… Oh, the ending! It hit me like a freight train. It reminded me of the first time I watched Se7en in theaters—I was frozen in my seat, staring at the screen, unable to move after that soul-crushing final scene. That’s exactly how I felt after finishing this book.
CLAP. CLAP. CLAP. This is SO FREAKING EXCELLENT! No more words. This book deserves a blazing five stars—mind-blowing, soul-shaking, and unforgettable. I need a drink right now.
medium.com
instagram
facebook
twitter
I haven’t read anything so intense, disturbing, unconventional, intelligent, mind-shattering, dark, yet emotionally charged, profound, and thought-provoking in such a long time. I should probably stop here because no words I write will ever be enough to describe my emotions (which are absolutely everywhere) about this book. Honestly, I’m all shook up!
We have two narrators:
First, there’s young Amy, 15 years old, living in a place called The Clearing, a seemingly happy, beautiful community—which is actually a horrifying cult made up of kidnapped children. These children are abused, starved, tortured, and forced to commit violent acts to serve their sick, dangerous, psychopathic leaders.
Then we have Freya, a damaged soul struggling to navigate her daily life. She’s carrying the weight of her past, trying to protect her seven-year-old son, Billy. Freya has already lost custody of her older son, Aspen, now 17, due to a tragic mistake—leaving him in a car when he was just a baby. Her mother resides in a facility, battling dementia, and her brother is out of the country, dreaming of becoming a farmer.
Freya lives in constant fear, taking extreme security precautions and keeping relationships at a distance. Her only connections are an old police officer friend and her neighbor. But she feels it—there’s someone watching her. A watcher. Someone thirsting for revenge. She must protect her son from the dangers lurking in the world. But can she do it alone? As her past sins resurface, the consequences become unavoidable.
The stories of these two characters are masterfully intertwined. At some point, you completely lose yourself in the narrative because everything spirals out of control. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, the author proves to be six steps ahead of you, leaving you feeling like a fool.
The ending… Oh, the ending! It hit me like a freight train. It reminded me of the first time I watched Se7en in theaters—I was frozen in my seat, staring at the screen, unable to move after that soul-crushing final scene. That’s exactly how I felt after finishing this book.
CLAP. CLAP. CLAP. This is SO FREAKING EXCELLENT! No more words. This book deserves a blazing five stars—mind-blowing, soul-shaking, and unforgettable. I need a drink right now.
medium.com
April 21, 2020
I really enjoyed ‘Call me Evie’ but I think this one is even better, gripping my attention like a vice from start to finish. The story alternates between Amy in The Clearing and Freya who anxiously and even obsessively keeps a protective eye on her young son Billy. Amy lives in a cult in an area known as The Clearing, Adrienne is their ‘mother’ and The Queen Bee who they all must protect. Amy keeps a journal which graphically depicts the indoctrination. Freya ‘acts’ her way through life, she feels watched and seeks to protect herself and Billy with a guard dog and security measures.
The tension builds so well and at times it’s scary stuff. You really feel Freya’s fear but for a long while you don’t fully understand why she is so hyper vigilant. Some of the revelations are shocking and in other places it’s so creepy it’s hair razing. Then, the plot all starts to fall into place and you fully appreciate its cleverness. It’s very well written and although I guessed some of it I certainly didn’t see it all coming which is a real wow plus!
Overall, if you like psychological thrillers, with plenty of tension, suspense and multiple twists and turns then this is a must read. It’s hard to put down from start to wowza finish. Thank you to J P Pomare for such a terrific read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and particularly to Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC
The tension builds so well and at times it’s scary stuff. You really feel Freya’s fear but for a long while you don’t fully understand why she is so hyper vigilant. Some of the revelations are shocking and in other places it’s so creepy it’s hair razing. Then, the plot all starts to fall into place and you fully appreciate its cleverness. It’s very well written and although I guessed some of it I certainly didn’t see it all coming which is a real wow plus!
Overall, if you like psychological thrillers, with plenty of tension, suspense and multiple twists and turns then this is a must read. It’s hard to put down from start to wowza finish. Thank you to J P Pomare for such a terrific read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and particularly to Hodder and Stoughton for the ARC
February 12, 2021
Once again J.P. Pomare delivers a shocking thriller that will leave you speechless.
Told from two perspectives:
Amy: a young fifteen year old girl living with her “new family” all her brothers and sisters. This is no peace love and s’mores kind of clan. These children are worked morning to night with little food to sustain them. No complaints though.... 'Mother' would not appreciate anyone speaking out of turn.
Freya: A single mother who always seems to be looking over her shoulder. She trusts no one. And holds onto her son maybe a bit too tightly. She has secrets (don’t we all😂) but you just know hers are going to be whoppers!
My head was spinning from all the twists J.P. Pomare kept throwing at me. I was able to figure a couple of the smaller ones out, but the shockers stopped me in my tracks! I mean I literally had to stop reading to process the enormity of the twists.😱
This is the second book I’ve read from this author and though I loved Call Me Evie just a bit more, both delivered everything I look for in a thriller.
Can’t wait for his next release! I’m already in line!🙋🏻♀
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for an ARC to read and review,
Told from two perspectives:
Amy: a young fifteen year old girl living with her “new family” all her brothers and sisters. This is no peace love and s’mores kind of clan. These children are worked morning to night with little food to sustain them. No complaints though.... 'Mother' would not appreciate anyone speaking out of turn.
Freya: A single mother who always seems to be looking over her shoulder. She trusts no one. And holds onto her son maybe a bit too tightly. She has secrets (don’t we all😂) but you just know hers are going to be whoppers!
My head was spinning from all the twists J.P. Pomare kept throwing at me. I was able to figure a couple of the smaller ones out, but the shockers stopped me in my tracks! I mean I literally had to stop reading to process the enormity of the twists.😱
This is the second book I’ve read from this author and though I loved Call Me Evie just a bit more, both delivered everything I look for in a thriller.
Can’t wait for his next release! I’m already in line!🙋🏻♀
Posted to: https://books-are-a-girls-best-friend...
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for an ARC to read and review,
September 12, 2020
5 star thriller alert! ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
There are two main characters- Freya, an overprotective mom who has all the security measures possible to protect herself and her young son, including a fence, dog, and even a bunker. Amy lives in The Clearing, a cult, and knows no other world. Freya and Amy’s worlds collide, but you’ll have to read to find out how.
Told in each of their voices, super quickly paced, lots of clues, and an ending I never saw coming. In the Clearing is a creepy, atmospheric, well-paced, fresh thriller, and I highly recommend you add it to your shelf if it’s not there already!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
There are two main characters- Freya, an overprotective mom who has all the security measures possible to protect herself and her young son, including a fence, dog, and even a bunker. Amy lives in The Clearing, a cult, and knows no other world. Freya and Amy’s worlds collide, but you’ll have to read to find out how.
Told in each of their voices, super quickly paced, lots of clues, and an ending I never saw coming. In the Clearing is a creepy, atmospheric, well-paced, fresh thriller, and I highly recommend you add it to your shelf if it’s not there already!
I received a gifted copy. All opinions are my own.
Many of my reviews can also be found on my blog: www.jennifertarheelreader.com and instagram: www.instagram.com/tarheelreader
June 28, 2022
Writing: 4/5 | Plot: 3.5/5 | Ending: 3.5/5
3.5 rounded down.
THE PLOT
Freya is pretending to be normal. But when her son goes missing, her mask starts to slip. Amy has only known The Clearing, but she starts to wonder what's poppin on the outside. When their stories intertwine, the past is exposed.
MY OPINION
I'm a h0e for cults. So automatically this puts the book on my "good side." If you don't like cults, skip this read. It is all about cults.
This was a tough one to rate because on one hand, I love anything to do with cults, but on the other hand, this just wasn't hittin EMOTIONALLY. Yes, the torture scenes at the cult were difficult to read (in fact I had to skim past some of the gorier ones), but I didn't feel anything from Freya about her missing son. She kept thinking about how much she missed him, but idk... it's hard to explain but I felt like she was saying all the right things, but the emotion was missing.
I didn't feel any urgency or despair over Billy's disappearance. She seemed preoccupied with protecting her past and trying to figure if her mum was a fake ass hoe.
If you saw my update, I made a guess about the twisty twist, and boy was I OFF. But I felt that the first twist was lacklustre. I would've preferred my prediction LOL.
SPOILERS SO SCROLL AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET
Perhaps it's because I've read an abnormal amount of thrillers, but I felt like the twists were been there, done that. The fake journal? Seen it. (But I did feel bad for Adam. WTF. Adrienne chose to protect a violent pedo over Adam, who was fiercely loyal and a lifesaver??? K....) The ex-cop keeping tabs on her? Immediately made me think of Final Girls by Riley Sager. Her brother actually didn't get his shit together and was starting Blackmarsh 2.0? Ok.
I felt like the final Aspen twist was random. Given his background, you would think Wayne would warn him about Blackmarsh and all the whackos, but somehow he ends up falling for Jonas' boo boo? Also the fact Wayne spent so much time (and money) keeping Aspen apart from Freya and then at the end was like "nbd let bygones be bygones" was ????
Ok and last plot hole: Freya wondering if Adrienne was her mom. You would think in an investigation like this, DNA tests would be performed to suss out if the kids were actually hers or stolen, and then they would cross-reference with the missing children's data base?
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, pace was pacing, cult flashbacks were eery af
Cons: twists were lukewarm, some plot holes, lacked emotional punch
3.5 rounded down.
THE PLOT
Freya is pretending to be normal. But when her son goes missing, her mask starts to slip. Amy has only known The Clearing, but she starts to wonder what's poppin on the outside. When their stories intertwine, the past is exposed.
MY OPINION
I'm a h0e for cults. So automatically this puts the book on my "good side." If you don't like cults, skip this read. It is all about cults.
This was a tough one to rate because on one hand, I love anything to do with cults, but on the other hand, this just wasn't hittin EMOTIONALLY. Yes, the torture scenes at the cult were difficult to read (in fact I had to skim past some of the gorier ones), but I didn't feel anything from Freya about her missing son. She kept thinking about how much she missed him, but idk... it's hard to explain but I felt like she was saying all the right things, but the emotion was missing.
I didn't feel any urgency or despair over Billy's disappearance. She seemed preoccupied with protecting her past and trying to figure if her mum was a fake ass hoe.
If you saw my update, I made a guess about the twisty twist, and boy was I OFF. But I felt that the first twist was lacklustre. I would've preferred my prediction LOL.
SPOILERS SO SCROLL AHEAD IF YOU HAVEN'T READ IT YET
Perhaps it's because I've read an abnormal amount of thrillers, but I felt like the twists were been there, done that. The fake journal? Seen it. (But I did feel bad for Adam. WTF. Adrienne chose to protect a violent pedo over Adam, who was fiercely loyal and a lifesaver??? K....) The ex-cop keeping tabs on her? Immediately made me think of Final Girls by Riley Sager. Her brother actually didn't get his shit together and was starting Blackmarsh 2.0? Ok.
I felt like the final Aspen twist was random. Given his background, you would think Wayne would warn him about Blackmarsh and all the whackos, but somehow he ends up falling for Jonas' boo boo? Also the fact Wayne spent so much time (and money) keeping Aspen apart from Freya and then at the end was like "nbd let bygones be bygones" was ????
Ok and last plot hole: Freya wondering if Adrienne was her mom. You would think in an investigation like this, DNA tests would be performed to suss out if the kids were actually hers or stolen, and then they would cross-reference with the missing children's data base?
PROS AND CONS
Pros: well-written, pace was pacing, cult flashbacks were eery af
Cons: twists were lukewarm, some plot holes, lacked emotional punch
December 30, 2019
Did you love Call me Evie? Yes... then you are going to LOVE In the Clearing! In my opinion In the Clearing is better than Call Me Evie! It is that good!
This was a book that I was desperate to get my hands on, so a huge thank you to Hachette Books Australia for sending an advanced copy my way. I could not wait to get started on it and then I was completely hooked, and needed to see how it was going to end. I was gobsmacked when it was revealed. Absolutely brilliant. When I finished this book I was thinking about it for days, it just got into my head and I kept throwing things around.
I really don't know what I can say about this book without spoiling the story. The blurb really does say enough to get you excited. We hear the story from the points of view 2 women -
Freya - who is super security conscious and paranoid after what happened with her ex and her son
Amy - who lives in the Clearing and knows no life other than this.
The first chapter will have you hooked and you will not want to put it down. You will become immersed in both of their lives and want to know what is going to happen next. and you will also think that you know what is going to happen next and you will be wrong!
Released in Australia on December 31st, 2019 - start 2020 off with a bang and a great book.
This was a book that I was desperate to get my hands on, so a huge thank you to Hachette Books Australia for sending an advanced copy my way. I could not wait to get started on it and then I was completely hooked, and needed to see how it was going to end. I was gobsmacked when it was revealed. Absolutely brilliant. When I finished this book I was thinking about it for days, it just got into my head and I kept throwing things around.
I really don't know what I can say about this book without spoiling the story. The blurb really does say enough to get you excited. We hear the story from the points of view 2 women -
Freya - who is super security conscious and paranoid after what happened with her ex and her son
Amy - who lives in the Clearing and knows no life other than this.
The first chapter will have you hooked and you will not want to put it down. You will become immersed in both of their lives and want to know what is going to happen next. and you will also think that you know what is going to happen next and you will be wrong!
Released in Australia on December 31st, 2019 - start 2020 off with a bang and a great book.
January 3, 2020
4.5 “I'm still shaking with disbelief" stars!
Teenager Amy lives an insular existence in the Clearing, raised by the Elders through strict routine, brainwashing, deprivation, punishment, and fear to believe that everyone outside of it is a threat.
Having lost her first son, Freya is overly-cautious when it comes to protecting her second. Her isolated property is a safe house – fence, alarm, dog, shutters, panic button, even a fire bunker – Freya is prepared for anything. Or is she?
Freya and Amy's worlds are about to collide, with devastating consequences.
In the Clearing is one of those mind-bending reads where little makes sense for most of the novel. And it's maddening and confusing, I'm not going to lie. It’s not an edge-of-your-seat thriller – I would even go as far to say that some parts were slow – but keep reading, don't let your mind wander, and pay close attention to EVERYTHING, because the payoff is a million times worth it. This crazy twisty-turny novel left me gasping and reeling. I now understand why the pacing took its time, and that it had to be executed in such a sly way for it to work. When I turned the last page, I had to go back and re-read some sections because I was unable to comprehend how I could possibly have been so misled? The clues were all there waiting to be unravelled, but apparently not by me. Ingeniously and skillfully done J.P. Pomare.
Chapters switched between Amy and Freya, and also included excerpts from Amy's journal. There is some pretty disturbing content regarding cults and child abuse, but it's written in a way that doesn't overwhelm, and cutaway scenes prevented things from becoming too graphic or explicit.
For those who share my preference for creepy twisted psychological thrillers, In the Clearing is a dead certainty.
Teenager Amy lives an insular existence in the Clearing, raised by the Elders through strict routine, brainwashing, deprivation, punishment, and fear to believe that everyone outside of it is a threat.
Having lost her first son, Freya is overly-cautious when it comes to protecting her second. Her isolated property is a safe house – fence, alarm, dog, shutters, panic button, even a fire bunker – Freya is prepared for anything. Or is she?
Freya and Amy's worlds are about to collide, with devastating consequences.
In the Clearing is one of those mind-bending reads where little makes sense for most of the novel. And it's maddening and confusing, I'm not going to lie. It’s not an edge-of-your-seat thriller – I would even go as far to say that some parts were slow – but keep reading, don't let your mind wander, and pay close attention to EVERYTHING, because the payoff is a million times worth it. This crazy twisty-turny novel left me gasping and reeling. I now understand why the pacing took its time, and that it had to be executed in such a sly way for it to work. When I turned the last page, I had to go back and re-read some sections because I was unable to comprehend how I could possibly have been so misled? The clues were all there waiting to be unravelled, but apparently not by me. Ingeniously and skillfully done J.P. Pomare.
Chapters switched between Amy and Freya, and also included excerpts from Amy's journal. There is some pretty disturbing content regarding cults and child abuse, but it's written in a way that doesn't overwhelm, and cutaway scenes prevented things from becoming too graphic or explicit.
For those who share my preference for creepy twisted psychological thrillers, In the Clearing is a dead certainty.
November 16, 2020
Yikes, that was a very disturbing story (even more so when you realise just how close to real life it is) but it was extremely well done. I didn’t realise it was set in Australia until I started reading. I’m going to have to do my homework better! Set in the rural outskirts of Melbourne the story is narrated by teenaged Amy and mother of two, Freya. Neither of them were reliable narrators, in fact I don’t think anyone in the whole book was a reliable narrator so you have to question everything. I actually agree with the reviewers that it was better to go into this book pretty blind so I won’t belabour the plot. All you need to know is that it’s about a cult and there is some truth in the saying that you may leave a cult but it never leaves you!
The story was quite confusing and hard to follow at the start and I was wondering what I had gotten myself into but, never fear, stick with it and it all becomes clear, or at least less murky as the book progresses. There were some shocking twists, some you could almost see coming but others... not so much. While this book wasn’t what you would normally call a fast paced thriller there was a sense of growing unease throughout, a sense of menace, dread almost. And the pace did pick up in the second half.
This book was apparently based on the real life cult - The Family, which operated on the outskirts of Melbourne in the 1960s through to the 80s. After finishing the book, I looked up this cult and it is clear the author leaned heavily on the real aspects of this story. There is a photo of the children, it’s a bit ‘Village of the Damned’ 😱. The cult did a real number on the poor little guys. I really, really enjoyed this book but I almost feel guilty about that knowing how to close to reality it is. This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about cults, or otherwise enjoys psychological thrillers. Many thanks to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and J.P. Pomare for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own. 4.5 stars rounded up.
The story was quite confusing and hard to follow at the start and I was wondering what I had gotten myself into but, never fear, stick with it and it all becomes clear, or at least less murky as the book progresses. There were some shocking twists, some you could almost see coming but others... not so much. While this book wasn’t what you would normally call a fast paced thriller there was a sense of growing unease throughout, a sense of menace, dread almost. And the pace did pick up in the second half.
This book was apparently based on the real life cult - The Family, which operated on the outskirts of Melbourne in the 1960s through to the 80s. After finishing the book, I looked up this cult and it is clear the author leaned heavily on the real aspects of this story. There is a photo of the children, it’s a bit ‘Village of the Damned’ 😱. The cult did a real number on the poor little guys. I really, really enjoyed this book but I almost feel guilty about that knowing how to close to reality it is. This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about cults, or otherwise enjoys psychological thrillers. Many thanks to Netgalley, Hodder & Stoughton and J.P. Pomare for providing a copy to review. My opinions are my own. 4.5 stars rounded up.
February 6, 2021
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
In The Clearing by J.P. Pomare is a disturbing, psychological thriller that was unputdownable! It's set in Australia and born out of the authors fascination with the real life ‘Family Cult’ active during the 70’s -90’s.
Here we have two female narrators whose stories are surprisingly entwined in this gripping storyline.
FREYA - Lives in a house on the riverside with Billy, she is a fiercely overprotective mum to her young son. Freya drinks kombucha, has a scar above her belly button and owns a fierce dog named Rocky who is trained to attack on demand. She is trying to live a normal life but she has a damaged past, an ex-husband and a lost son.
AMY - A teenager who has only known life in the ‘Clearing’, a cult which is isolated and cut off from society. It’s governed by the cruel elders who have strict rules and punishes anyone that doesn’t obey. The children are brainwashed to believe they will stay safe at the Clearing and they must hide from the Blue Devils and protect The Queen at all costs!
The past comes back to haunt Freya when a strange van turns up suspiciously parked near her property for days, strangers appear on her property and then a young girl goes missing.
This is the kind of story that you will be thinking of long after you’ve read it as it gets deep into your thoughts. This story is positively haunting, a twisty thriller that is highly recommended.
In The Clearing by J.P. Pomare is a disturbing, psychological thriller that was unputdownable! It's set in Australia and born out of the authors fascination with the real life ‘Family Cult’ active during the 70’s -90’s.
Here we have two female narrators whose stories are surprisingly entwined in this gripping storyline.
FREYA - Lives in a house on the riverside with Billy, she is a fiercely overprotective mum to her young son. Freya drinks kombucha, has a scar above her belly button and owns a fierce dog named Rocky who is trained to attack on demand. She is trying to live a normal life but she has a damaged past, an ex-husband and a lost son.
AMY - A teenager who has only known life in the ‘Clearing’, a cult which is isolated and cut off from society. It’s governed by the cruel elders who have strict rules and punishes anyone that doesn’t obey. The children are brainwashed to believe they will stay safe at the Clearing and they must hide from the Blue Devils and protect The Queen at all costs!
The past comes back to haunt Freya when a strange van turns up suspiciously parked near her property for days, strangers appear on her property and then a young girl goes missing.
This is the kind of story that you will be thinking of long after you’ve read it as it gets deep into your thoughts. This story is positively haunting, a twisty thriller that is highly recommended.
March 5, 2020
*www.onewomansbbr.wordpress.com
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
In The Clearing by J.P. Pomare. (2020).
Amy has only ever known life in the Clearing and knows what's expected of her. But then a new girl joins the group and she isn't fitting in; she wants to go home. What happens next will turn life as Amy knows it on its head. Freya has gone to great effort to feel like a 'normal person' and if you saw her with her young son you'd think she was an everyday mum. But then a girl goes missing and someone from her past arrives in town. As the secrets of the past bubble up yup the surface, this small town's dark underbelly will be exposed and lives destroyed.
I've said it before and I've said it again, give this girl a great storyline around a cult and I'm going to be a happy reader haha. This one was fantastic in my opinion! We alternate sections between Amy, a teenage girl who lives in a cult, and Freya, a middle-aged mother who is fiercely protective of her son and clearly has a troubling past. I was honestly hooked from page one and didn't want to put it down. There is a line in the book about how you can never escape a cult and it just sounds so true (and terrifying!). This book was so suspenseful and it'll have you racing through the pages for sure. I'd highly recommend this one for those that enjoy psychological/suspense thrillers; make sure you put it on your list of books to read ASAP!
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
In The Clearing by J.P. Pomare. (2020).
Amy has only ever known life in the Clearing and knows what's expected of her. But then a new girl joins the group and she isn't fitting in; she wants to go home. What happens next will turn life as Amy knows it on its head. Freya has gone to great effort to feel like a 'normal person' and if you saw her with her young son you'd think she was an everyday mum. But then a girl goes missing and someone from her past arrives in town. As the secrets of the past bubble up yup the surface, this small town's dark underbelly will be exposed and lives destroyed.
I've said it before and I've said it again, give this girl a great storyline around a cult and I'm going to be a happy reader haha. This one was fantastic in my opinion! We alternate sections between Amy, a teenage girl who lives in a cult, and Freya, a middle-aged mother who is fiercely protective of her son and clearly has a troubling past. I was honestly hooked from page one and didn't want to put it down. There is a line in the book about how you can never escape a cult and it just sounds so true (and terrifying!). This book was so suspenseful and it'll have you racing through the pages for sure. I'd highly recommend this one for those that enjoy psychological/suspense thrillers; make sure you put it on your list of books to read ASAP!
January 13, 2024
I forget now whether this popped up as Read Now or just how I came across it on Netgalley. I downloaded it in September 2023 and I remember thinking it was odd since it was published in 2020 but then realized it was probably meant to coincide with the release of the TV mini series. I still want to watch "The Clearing" but in the meantime I really enjoyed this book. I'm a real sucker for anything to do with cults.
The story takes place in Australia and is told alternately by Amy, a young member of a cult living in an area known as The Clearing, and Freya who lives with her young son Billy at the edge of the North Tullawarra National Park. By the time I was half-way through this book I had trouble putting it down. It's very well written with short snappy chapters that are so easy to devour. The story is apparently based on a real cult known as "The Family" which was active in Australia from the 60s to the 90s. Fascinating stuff.
My thanks to Mulholland Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
The story takes place in Australia and is told alternately by Amy, a young member of a cult living in an area known as The Clearing, and Freya who lives with her young son Billy at the edge of the North Tullawarra National Park. By the time I was half-way through this book I had trouble putting it down. It's very well written with short snappy chapters that are so easy to devour. The story is apparently based on a real cult known as "The Family" which was active in Australia from the 60s to the 90s. Fascinating stuff.
My thanks to Mulholland Books via Netgalley for the opportunity to read a copy of this novel. All opinions expressed are my own.
January 25, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for the ARC of In the Clearing by JP Pomare.
Amy is a teenage member of a cult, living in the Clearing. Adrienne and Adam, the cult’s leaders, have instructed her to participate in the kidnapping of their brothers and sisters in order to acquire the perfect 12 children. She is the eldest and must take on a lot of new important responsibilities in order to keep the family safe from the Blue Devils. When Asha, the girl she helped kidnap, rebels against the cult, a set of actions are put into motion that will forever disrupt life in the Clearing.
Freya fears that she and her son, Billy, are being watched. She has taken the necessary precautions by installing a sophisticated security system on her house, such as metal shutters on the windows and panic buttons. She also owns Rocky, a trained attack dog. When Billy disappears, Freya must confront her past in order to figure out who has Billy and to get him back.
This book started out a little slow for me, but soon picked up the pace and I couldn’t put it down. It is not for the faint of heart, as it includes scenes of kidnapping and all types of child abuse, such as metal, physical, and sexual. I thought that I had the plot figured out fairly early, and did guess correctly at one aspect, but it continued to twist and turn and keep my guessing all the way until the end. There are so many layers to this plot, that constantly challenge the reader to put the pieces together. This is the first book that I have read by Pomare and I will definitely read Call Me Evie as well.
4/5 stars
Amy is a teenage member of a cult, living in the Clearing. Adrienne and Adam, the cult’s leaders, have instructed her to participate in the kidnapping of their brothers and sisters in order to acquire the perfect 12 children. She is the eldest and must take on a lot of new important responsibilities in order to keep the family safe from the Blue Devils. When Asha, the girl she helped kidnap, rebels against the cult, a set of actions are put into motion that will forever disrupt life in the Clearing.
Freya fears that she and her son, Billy, are being watched. She has taken the necessary precautions by installing a sophisticated security system on her house, such as metal shutters on the windows and panic buttons. She also owns Rocky, a trained attack dog. When Billy disappears, Freya must confront her past in order to figure out who has Billy and to get him back.
This book started out a little slow for me, but soon picked up the pace and I couldn’t put it down. It is not for the faint of heart, as it includes scenes of kidnapping and all types of child abuse, such as metal, physical, and sexual. I thought that I had the plot figured out fairly early, and did guess correctly at one aspect, but it continued to twist and turn and keep my guessing all the way until the end. There are so many layers to this plot, that constantly challenge the reader to put the pieces together. This is the first book that I have read by Pomare and I will definitely read Call Me Evie as well.
4/5 stars
January 6, 2020
The second book from J.P Pomare. If you liked his first book this one is a massive step up very polished and grabbed my attention very quickly.
This book is centred around Freya, she’s a little paranoid about security and overprotective of her son. Living a secluded life on the outskirts of town she has a guard dog, fenced in the property, kitted out bunker… you get the picture. As we get to know Freya and her story…..she has very good reason to be on edge. Especially when someone is watching her.
Amy doesn’t know the outside world from her life at The Clearing, she is brainwashed from a very young age not to trust the outside world the blue devils. Her life is controlled by the caretakers a cult who determine what food rations she receives, when she sleeps……Another young girl has gone missing…. Amy has played her part in the plan.
The book switches back and forth between Amy and Freya…… it is fast paced, let me tell you pay attention there are lots of clues throughout the book. I’m not going to say much more but that ending….. YES! It’s a great read.
Thank you to Hachette Australia and JP Pomare for my advanced copy. Released in Australia 31st December 2019.
This book is centred around Freya, she’s a little paranoid about security and overprotective of her son. Living a secluded life on the outskirts of town she has a guard dog, fenced in the property, kitted out bunker… you get the picture. As we get to know Freya and her story…..she has very good reason to be on edge. Especially when someone is watching her.
Amy doesn’t know the outside world from her life at The Clearing, she is brainwashed from a very young age not to trust the outside world the blue devils. Her life is controlled by the caretakers a cult who determine what food rations she receives, when she sleeps……Another young girl has gone missing…. Amy has played her part in the plan.
The book switches back and forth between Amy and Freya…… it is fast paced, let me tell you pay attention there are lots of clues throughout the book. I’m not going to say much more but that ending….. YES! It’s a great read.
Thank you to Hachette Australia and JP Pomare for my advanced copy. Released in Australia 31st December 2019.
August 30, 2019
You may think that ‘Call Me Evie’ would be hard to outdo but J.P. Pomare has risen to the challenge with his new book. It only took me 90 minutes to get through - a true page turner! It was completely enthralling, creepy and had many twists that I genuinely didn’t see coming!
March 26, 2024
After reading the first chapter I was hooked and fully invested in the story so much so that I couldn’t put this one down. The plot twists will leave you speechless. Honestly, this book had it all and more it was intense, suspenseful, thrilling, disturbing, unputdownable and dark. The tension that builds throughout this book will have you on the edge of your seat. Highly recommended.
June 25, 2020
The past is a parasite. It could lay dormant inside for years and eventually flare up and kill you.
Welcome to Eden, to paradise, where you are safe from the atrocities of the outside world; where the blue demons won’t be able to hurt you. You are saved and now you will be taught how to survive.
Only on one condition: You should protect the queen.
You never escape a cult.
The story is told alternately by Amy who lives in the Clearing among her “brothers and sisters” and Freya who has a troubled past and a wounded soul.
It all begins with a kidnapping and as the story unravels we begin to wonder if we should believe what we are told.
Who is telling the truth? Who can we trust?
Trust is a precious flower. Squeeze it a little and it wilts. Pick it and study it beneath a microscope and it will die.
Welcome to Eden, to paradise, where you are safe from the atrocities of the outside world; where the blue demons won’t be able to hurt you. You are saved and now you will be taught how to survive.
Only on one condition: You should protect the queen.
You never escape a cult.
The story is told alternately by Amy who lives in the Clearing among her “brothers and sisters” and Freya who has a troubled past and a wounded soul.
It all begins with a kidnapping and as the story unravels we begin to wonder if we should believe what we are told.
Who is telling the truth? Who can we trust?
Trust is a precious flower. Squeeze it a little and it wilts. Pick it and study it beneath a microscope and it will die.
August 19, 2020
I think J.P. is my new fave crime writer. Clever twists, unreliable narrators, the right amount of quirk, his books have all that and more. Loved Call Me Evie and this new one is just as good.
There is a cult in The Clearing, ruled over by the bizarre Adrienne and her enforcer. Adrienne is kidnapping children to make her perfect set of disciples, little blond children. They are taken to the cult, indoctrinated with her views, that the police are the blue devils, that the outside world is rife with danger and that safety is only to be found within the group. All kinds of terribly dark things happen to them. Amy is one of the older children, on the cusp of young adulthood. She does all the bidding of those in charge, but her mind is starting to question her life, the world outside and what is going on.
Freya is a woman, raising a son by herself, with a threatening ex husband. She lives her life in a state of terror that her son will be stolen from her, one son has already been removed, she fears Billy will be next. When a strange van turns up near her property she has more alarms set up, and turns to her only ally an ex policeman.
All this is great, but is it the truth? What has happened to Aspen, Freya's son? What is the real story? Why all this paranoia? This story ticks along quickly, layers of story, mystery and dark goings on. It is hard to put down.
J.P. Pomare is a great new voice on the thriller scene and I'm really looking forward to seeing when he does next.
There is a cult in The Clearing, ruled over by the bizarre Adrienne and her enforcer. Adrienne is kidnapping children to make her perfect set of disciples, little blond children. They are taken to the cult, indoctrinated with her views, that the police are the blue devils, that the outside world is rife with danger and that safety is only to be found within the group. All kinds of terribly dark things happen to them. Amy is one of the older children, on the cusp of young adulthood. She does all the bidding of those in charge, but her mind is starting to question her life, the world outside and what is going on.
Freya is a woman, raising a son by herself, with a threatening ex husband. She lives her life in a state of terror that her son will be stolen from her, one son has already been removed, she fears Billy will be next. When a strange van turns up near her property she has more alarms set up, and turns to her only ally an ex policeman.
All this is great, but is it the truth? What has happened to Aspen, Freya's son? What is the real story? Why all this paranoia? This story ticks along quickly, layers of story, mystery and dark goings on. It is hard to put down.
J.P. Pomare is a great new voice on the thriller scene and I'm really looking forward to seeing when he does next.
June 4, 2021
CW:
Well that was a gripping thriller that unfolded at the perfect pace for me!
I was completely invested in the story and although I think some of the twists were a bit sign-posted, things were revealed in an engaging way. The cult leaders were appropriately terrifying and the level of delusion and zeal made for creepy reading. "Protect the Queen!"
Fellow YA librarians, this is in no way suitable for a high school library.
Well that was a gripping thriller that unfolded at the perfect pace for me!
I was completely invested in the story and although I think some of the twists were a bit sign-posted, things were revealed in an engaging way. The cult leaders were appropriately terrifying and the level of delusion and zeal made for creepy reading. "Protect the Queen!"
Fellow YA librarians, this is in no way suitable for a high school library.
January 6, 2020
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
4.5 stars
‘I knew I would always be burdened with the past.’
It has been quite the year for J.P. Pomare, the author of Call Me Evie and In the Clearing. Pomare won the Nagio Marsh award for best first novel. This is a brilliant accolade for the New Zealand born author, who now resides in Melbourne. In the Clearing is an extremely polished thriller that will keep you guessing from the moment you open this addictive novel to the very last word.
The construction of family dominates the second novel by J.P. Pomare. It follows two story threads. One of these is the story of Amy, a teenage girl who lives in a rural section of land in Victoria known as the ‘Clearing’. Amy is governed by the tight rules and regulations of the elders of the Clearing, who take care of her. The community in which she lives is isolated and orderly, with everyone working to maintain a sense of calm. When a newcomer joins the group, this tight knit community is disturbed. The newest member of the Clearing has no plans to stay. This has serious implications for all who reside in the Clearing. Running alongside this compelling tale is the life of Freya, a woman who continually strives to maintain a sense of normality in her day to day existence. The mother of a young son, Freya is visibly moved by the recent missing person’s case of a young girl, which also coincides with the reappearance of someone from her past that Freya would care to forget. A clash between the past and present occurs as Freya fights to maintain the safety of her family.
Exactly a year ago, I was reading Call Me Evie, the debut novel by J.P. Pomare. I remember being utterly consumed by this thrilling tale over the Christmas and New Year break. I took the second novel by J.P. Pomare away with me on holiday again over the recent Christmas/New Year period and I’m so glad I did. This one blew me away, it was an unpredictable, boundary pushing style read, that gripped me from the start to the finish. I can’t wait to see what Pomare dishes up for me in the next Christmas and New Year period, what a brilliant reading tradition we have going!
If you are like me and you are more than a little intrigued by cults, this one will really draw your appeal. The whole idea of being cut off from the world, brainwashed and subjected to the total control of one leader certainly draws plenty of curiosity.The Family, a well-known cult that operated in Australia is the inspiration for this book. Pomare does an excellent job of showing us all sides of the spectrum in terms of these communities. We see what life is like for the leaders, the follows and the newcomers. Pomare covers all bases, including the perception of the public in relation to these groups. In the Clearing is a chilling story, full of power, control, suppression and even abuse. It can make for slightly difficult reading, but it is worth its weight in gold.
I liked the format of this novel very much. In the Clearing is divided into six different, but equally engrossing parts, followed by an epilogue. In the Clearing is also told in the present tense, so the events feel real, hurried and pertinent. This novel deftly switches perspectives, encompassing the lives of two female characters, which Pomare embodies incredibly well. This form of narration provides the reader with a sensational insight into the happenings of this novel. I was able to directly situate myself in the events of In the Clearing very well, until Pomare delivered a series of explosive twists! I cursed myself for not seeing any of these twists and I was unable to predict what was coming. Pomare is a clever writer, who is able to stay that one step ahead of his audience.
In the Clearing is all about atmosphere and tension. The Clearing is rendered perfectly, thanks to Pomare’s spot on prose. Pomare is able to convey so much in a short turn of the phrase. I also noted that Pomare’s writing rolls of the page with a sense of urgency. I did do a double take and a back track a few times to check to see if I had acknowledged what had just happened! This was a mind blowing read. What I also appreciated were the breaks between the narratives that included one of the lead’s journal entries. This proved to be a clever and compelling narrative device, that added an extra flourish to this incredibly addictive tale.
Everything culminates in a dramatic showdown by the close of the book, which did leave me a little disheveled by the book’s close. In the Clearing is ingenious in its delivery and it will easily monopolise your time, in a good way! I’m eagerly awaiting my next Christmas/New Year reading sojourn with J.P. Pomare!
‘I’ve got to accept who I was, where I came from and who I am now.’
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
4.5 stars
‘I knew I would always be burdened with the past.’
It has been quite the year for J.P. Pomare, the author of Call Me Evie and In the Clearing. Pomare won the Nagio Marsh award for best first novel. This is a brilliant accolade for the New Zealand born author, who now resides in Melbourne. In the Clearing is an extremely polished thriller that will keep you guessing from the moment you open this addictive novel to the very last word.
The construction of family dominates the second novel by J.P. Pomare. It follows two story threads. One of these is the story of Amy, a teenage girl who lives in a rural section of land in Victoria known as the ‘Clearing’. Amy is governed by the tight rules and regulations of the elders of the Clearing, who take care of her. The community in which she lives is isolated and orderly, with everyone working to maintain a sense of calm. When a newcomer joins the group, this tight knit community is disturbed. The newest member of the Clearing has no plans to stay. This has serious implications for all who reside in the Clearing. Running alongside this compelling tale is the life of Freya, a woman who continually strives to maintain a sense of normality in her day to day existence. The mother of a young son, Freya is visibly moved by the recent missing person’s case of a young girl, which also coincides with the reappearance of someone from her past that Freya would care to forget. A clash between the past and present occurs as Freya fights to maintain the safety of her family.
Exactly a year ago, I was reading Call Me Evie, the debut novel by J.P. Pomare. I remember being utterly consumed by this thrilling tale over the Christmas and New Year break. I took the second novel by J.P. Pomare away with me on holiday again over the recent Christmas/New Year period and I’m so glad I did. This one blew me away, it was an unpredictable, boundary pushing style read, that gripped me from the start to the finish. I can’t wait to see what Pomare dishes up for me in the next Christmas and New Year period, what a brilliant reading tradition we have going!
If you are like me and you are more than a little intrigued by cults, this one will really draw your appeal. The whole idea of being cut off from the world, brainwashed and subjected to the total control of one leader certainly draws plenty of curiosity.The Family, a well-known cult that operated in Australia is the inspiration for this book. Pomare does an excellent job of showing us all sides of the spectrum in terms of these communities. We see what life is like for the leaders, the follows and the newcomers. Pomare covers all bases, including the perception of the public in relation to these groups. In the Clearing is a chilling story, full of power, control, suppression and even abuse. It can make for slightly difficult reading, but it is worth its weight in gold.
I liked the format of this novel very much. In the Clearing is divided into six different, but equally engrossing parts, followed by an epilogue. In the Clearing is also told in the present tense, so the events feel real, hurried and pertinent. This novel deftly switches perspectives, encompassing the lives of two female characters, which Pomare embodies incredibly well. This form of narration provides the reader with a sensational insight into the happenings of this novel. I was able to directly situate myself in the events of In the Clearing very well, until Pomare delivered a series of explosive twists! I cursed myself for not seeing any of these twists and I was unable to predict what was coming. Pomare is a clever writer, who is able to stay that one step ahead of his audience.
In the Clearing is all about atmosphere and tension. The Clearing is rendered perfectly, thanks to Pomare’s spot on prose. Pomare is able to convey so much in a short turn of the phrase. I also noted that Pomare’s writing rolls of the page with a sense of urgency. I did do a double take and a back track a few times to check to see if I had acknowledged what had just happened! This was a mind blowing read. What I also appreciated were the breaks between the narratives that included one of the lead’s journal entries. This proved to be a clever and compelling narrative device, that added an extra flourish to this incredibly addictive tale.
Everything culminates in a dramatic showdown by the close of the book, which did leave me a little disheveled by the book’s close. In the Clearing is ingenious in its delivery and it will easily monopolise your time, in a good way! I’m eagerly awaiting my next Christmas/New Year reading sojourn with J.P. Pomare!
‘I’ve got to accept who I was, where I came from and who I am now.’
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
September 2, 2020
After reading Call Me Evie last year I needed this book in my hands. In The Clearing was another 5 star read! J.P Pomare is officially on my favorite authors list...
Damn! This book was so ####ing good!! I was hooked from page one and couldn't put it down. This is definitely a read in one sitting or late into the night kind of book ...
I'm so so sooooo fascinated by cults and this book seriously delivered!! I loved that the book was broken up into different parts and my mind was blown several times with the plot twists. Wow! I'm not saying a thing because I don't want to give anything away but if you haven't read this book, DO!! I'm going to be thinking about this book for awhile ...
Huge thank you to Mulholland Books and Netgalley for my review copy!
Damn! This book was so ####ing good!! I was hooked from page one and couldn't put it down. This is definitely a read in one sitting or late into the night kind of book ...
I'm so so sooooo fascinated by cults and this book seriously delivered!! I loved that the book was broken up into different parts and my mind was blown several times with the plot twists. Wow! I'm not saying a thing because I don't want to give anything away but if you haven't read this book, DO!! I'm going to be thinking about this book for awhile ...
Huge thank you to Mulholland Books and Netgalley for my review copy!
February 3, 2021
This was solid, but it didn't exactly wow me either. I listened this this one via Audiobook, and perhaps may need to go back and read my physical copy, as it seems quite possible I missed something here. I was intrigued when I saw that this was about someone who escaped a cult, and I loved Pomare's debut novel, so I had high hopes for this one. Sadly, it was just okay for me. It may be a matter of reading this and fully absorbing it, but nothing really popped and/or surprised me here. It's not that this was predictable or anything, it was more that I had a 'ah, ok, that makes sense, but is that it?' reaction. I will say the writing was stellar, and this book did have its creepy moments, but overall it didn't elicit a great amount of emotions from me either way. I will definitely keep this on my 'tbr-again' list, as I'm seeing so many great reviews. Maybe it just wasn't the right time for me, who knows!?
January 27, 2025
When seven year old Sara was abducted a short distance from her home in rural Victoria, police immediately swung into action. Her arrival at the Clearing made her number eleven - only one more child to find for the family to be fulfilled. Amy tried to befriend the young girl, but Sara just wanted to go home. Amy had only known life in the Clearing; doing her best not to anger her elders; doing all that was asked. But things were about to change...
Freya lived quietly in her bush home with her seven year old son Billy. Her past had been traumatic and chaotic; all she needed now was to be left alone and to keep Billy safe. But someone she'd been responsible for putting into jail was being released and she was terrified. She could feel she was being watched; when flowers were left at her front door, she knew she had a fight on her hands. What would happen to Freya and Billy?
In the Clearing is the second I have read by Aussie/NZ author J.P. Pomare and it was intense, chilling and atmospheric. The abduction of children, who were then indoctrinated into the cult that was The Clearing; the twists that kept me riveted as the secrets of the past slowly broke through - all made for an excellent read which I recommend highly.
Freya lived quietly in her bush home with her seven year old son Billy. Her past had been traumatic and chaotic; all she needed now was to be left alone and to keep Billy safe. But someone she'd been responsible for putting into jail was being released and she was terrified. She could feel she was being watched; when flowers were left at her front door, she knew she had a fight on her hands. What would happen to Freya and Billy?
In the Clearing is the second I have read by Aussie/NZ author J.P. Pomare and it was intense, chilling and atmospheric. The abduction of children, who were then indoctrinated into the cult that was The Clearing; the twists that kept me riveted as the secrets of the past slowly broke through - all made for an excellent read which I recommend highly.
September 19, 2019
I received an ARC of this book.
I thought that Call Me Evie was a standout for a debut author. In The Clearing steps it up further and sucks you right in, straight away. I don't know how he has done it, but J.P. Pomare's second book is outstanding.
From the very first page you get a sense of what the book is about...The Family. It feels like a fictionalised book about this Victorian cult. It takes you prisoner, along with the kids, and keeps a hold of you, tight. Adrienne wants her family of 12 and she will get it by any means necessary. Adam wants to keep the kids under control and brainwashed, by any means necessary. Amy, she just wants to be a kid and protect her mother. Everything she does is for Mother...including protection when she escapes.
Freya exists in a world of security and privacy. Her whole life revolves around keeping her son safe. When strangers start to appear on her property, Freya worries for Ben. She has a right too when things start to go very wrong in her community, very quickly.
Freya's story and Amy's story are told concurrently. One is trying to live a 'normal' life, the other trying to escape a dangerous one.
This book is well written with many twists and turns along the way. If you are reading it in bed, go early as once you start reading, you really will not want to put it down until you get to the climax of the ending. Watch out for some real 'slap you in face to wake up' moments. It is like the author is toying with you and your emotions and throws in a well placed twist to just make sure you are paying attention. Please pay attention! This book is that good that you don't want to miss a second of it.
Fantastic for people who love to read about cults. Great for new J.P. fans. Also, excellent for anyone who loves a psychological thriller with an Australian backdrop.
I thought that Call Me Evie was a standout for a debut author. In The Clearing steps it up further and sucks you right in, straight away. I don't know how he has done it, but J.P. Pomare's second book is outstanding.
From the very first page you get a sense of what the book is about...The Family. It feels like a fictionalised book about this Victorian cult. It takes you prisoner, along with the kids, and keeps a hold of you, tight. Adrienne wants her family of 12 and she will get it by any means necessary. Adam wants to keep the kids under control and brainwashed, by any means necessary. Amy, she just wants to be a kid and protect her mother. Everything she does is for Mother...including protection when she escapes.
Freya exists in a world of security and privacy. Her whole life revolves around keeping her son safe. When strangers start to appear on her property, Freya worries for Ben. She has a right too when things start to go very wrong in her community, very quickly.
Freya's story and Amy's story are told concurrently. One is trying to live a 'normal' life, the other trying to escape a dangerous one.
This book is well written with many twists and turns along the way. If you are reading it in bed, go early as once you start reading, you really will not want to put it down until you get to the climax of the ending. Watch out for some real 'slap you in face to wake up' moments. It is like the author is toying with you and your emotions and throws in a well placed twist to just make sure you are paying attention. Please pay attention! This book is that good that you don't want to miss a second of it.
Fantastic for people who love to read about cults. Great for new J.P. fans. Also, excellent for anyone who loves a psychological thriller with an Australian backdrop.
November 13, 2019
Full Disclaimer: I'm a huge fan of Call Me Evie and after reading the synopsis of this was worried I wouldn't like it but OH MY GOD the twists, the pace, the story! I loved it.
I've read a few books lately that are too hard to review without giving anything away so I'll tread lightly. Freya lives in the bush with her needy son. She is super conscious about security and privacy because she has a pyscho ex and lost her first son years ago. Amy on the other hand is a youngish girl who has a weird family that also lives in the bush but don't have any real interaction with society outside of 'The Clearing'. Amy has a new 'sister' that turns up and manages to convince Amy that the world outside of the cult is not so bad and this kicks off a series of events that leads Amy and Freya to each other and that is where the story really begins.
It's not a long book but it's a real page turner with a terrifying premise.
I've read a few books lately that are too hard to review without giving anything away so I'll tread lightly. Freya lives in the bush with her needy son. She is super conscious about security and privacy because she has a pyscho ex and lost her first son years ago. Amy on the other hand is a youngish girl who has a weird family that also lives in the bush but don't have any real interaction with society outside of 'The Clearing'. Amy has a new 'sister' that turns up and manages to convince Amy that the world outside of the cult is not so bad and this kicks off a series of events that leads Amy and Freya to each other and that is where the story really begins.
It's not a long book but it's a real page turner with a terrifying premise.
August 11, 2020
Review to come!
August 17, 2020
Audio 3.5 Stars
Story 2.25 Stars
Story 2.25 Stars
May 6, 2020
After scooping international acclaim and accolades for Call Me Evie, a nerve-jangling and claustrophobic psychological thriller infused with literary flair, JP Pomare avoids any sophomore stumbles with In the Clearing, an excellent novel that cements the Melbourne-based Māori storyteller as a fresh and interesting voice in mystery writing. It addresses some similar themes to his debut – identity, psychological manipulation, and responses to trauma – while being more expansive in scope.
A seven-year-old girl is snatched in the Australian countryside as she walks home from the bus stop. Under strict orders from her ‘family’, teenager Amy holds a dosed rag to the younger girl’s face. Her new sister; successfully collected. Freya is a single mother both running from her past and looking to atone for parts of it living on an isolated property with her six-year-old son. She hears news of a child abduction, then stumbles across trespassers frolicking on her property. Later, there’s a van parked by her road. Sinister omens, or her mind playing tricks?
Pomare does a terrific job keeping readers guessing throughout In the Clearing, via both a twisting storyline and the narratives of his main characters Freya and Amy. Both protagonists seem incredibly candid at times – but can we really trust everything they say? Through Amy’s narrative and diaries we learn about ‘The Clearing’, a rural cult with a messianic mother figure that utilizes violent punishments to ensure obedience and ‘realign’ the children in its community back onto the path of ‘the Truth’.
The harrowing abuse involving Amy and her ‘siblings’ is even more chilling given Pomare took inspiration from notorious real-life Australian cult The Family. In the Clearing is a disturbing yet compulsive read, with a snap to its prose and an arresting sense of people and plac
A seven-year-old girl is snatched in the Australian countryside as she walks home from the bus stop. Under strict orders from her ‘family’, teenager Amy holds a dosed rag to the younger girl’s face. Her new sister; successfully collected. Freya is a single mother both running from her past and looking to atone for parts of it living on an isolated property with her six-year-old son. She hears news of a child abduction, then stumbles across trespassers frolicking on her property. Later, there’s a van parked by her road. Sinister omens, or her mind playing tricks?
Pomare does a terrific job keeping readers guessing throughout In the Clearing, via both a twisting storyline and the narratives of his main characters Freya and Amy. Both protagonists seem incredibly candid at times – but can we really trust everything they say? Through Amy’s narrative and diaries we learn about ‘The Clearing’, a rural cult with a messianic mother figure that utilizes violent punishments to ensure obedience and ‘realign’ the children in its community back onto the path of ‘the Truth’.
The harrowing abuse involving Amy and her ‘siblings’ is even more chilling given Pomare took inspiration from notorious real-life Australian cult The Family. In the Clearing is a disturbing yet compulsive read, with a snap to its prose and an arresting sense of people and plac
January 11, 2020
This book is BRILLIANT! I was hooked from the very first page! The prologue is utterly chilling and perfectly sets the tone for the rest of the book.
The story is told from the POV of two women—Amy and Freya. Amy has only ever known life in the Clearing. She knows what to do to please her elders, and how to make sure life in the community remains happy and calm. When a new young girl joins the group, everything is turned upside down. The new girl doesn’t want to stay with the group, and Amy’s life will be forever changed by the events that follow.
Freya has gone to great lengths to feel like a ‘normal person’. But, when a young girl goes missing and someone from her past arrives in town unexpectedly, the secrets she has buried threaten to come to the surface.
I find cults fascinating so Amy’s POV, and her journal entries, were my favourite parts of the story.
Compulsively readable and full of twists and turns, In the Clearing was one of my favourite thrillers last year. I highly recommend adding it to your TBR!
RATING: 4.5 rounded up
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book from Hachette Australia in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The story is told from the POV of two women—Amy and Freya. Amy has only ever known life in the Clearing. She knows what to do to please her elders, and how to make sure life in the community remains happy and calm. When a new young girl joins the group, everything is turned upside down. The new girl doesn’t want to stay with the group, and Amy’s life will be forever changed by the events that follow.
Freya has gone to great lengths to feel like a ‘normal person’. But, when a young girl goes missing and someone from her past arrives in town unexpectedly, the secrets she has buried threaten to come to the surface.
I find cults fascinating so Amy’s POV, and her journal entries, were my favourite parts of the story.
Compulsively readable and full of twists and turns, In the Clearing was one of my favourite thrillers last year. I highly recommend adding it to your TBR!
RATING: 4.5 rounded up
DISCLAIMER: I received a free copy of this book from Hachette Australia in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
January 1, 2020
Eerie, chilling and suspenseful. This one kept me turning the pages until I found out how it would end.
Amy has only ever know what life is like in the Clearing. As we come to know, the Clearing, is a community of people living together, who must obey their elders. Freya is living a very security conscious life with her son, bordering on paranoia. Then a young person goes missing from nearby and someone from Freya’s past shows up that changes her world.
Pomare weaves the stories of Amy and Freya together through the story, to make for a captivating tale. This is one that will leave you thinking about it for some time and I can see it being a very popular read in 2020. Definitely recommend.
Amy has only ever know what life is like in the Clearing. As we come to know, the Clearing, is a community of people living together, who must obey their elders. Freya is living a very security conscious life with her son, bordering on paranoia. Then a young person goes missing from nearby and someone from Freya’s past shows up that changes her world.
Pomare weaves the stories of Amy and Freya together through the story, to make for a captivating tale. This is one that will leave you thinking about it for some time and I can see it being a very popular read in 2020. Definitely recommend.
May 24, 2020
Cults, cults, cults. I don’t know how to write a review of this that won’t spoil it for future readers so I’ll just say it blew me away. If cults and crimes are your jam, get in there.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 752 reviews