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In the Clearing Paperback – August 4, 2020
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Four days to go
Amy has only ever known life in the Clearing, amidst her brothers and sisters--until a newcomer, a younger girl, joins the "family" and offers a glimpse of the outside world.
Three days to go
Freya is going to great lengths to seem like an "everyday mum," even as she maintains her isolated lifestyle, hoping to protect her young son and her dog.
Two days to go
When news breaks of a missing girl--a child the same age as Freya's son, Billy--Amy and Freya find themselves headed for a shocking collision.
One day to go
- Print length352 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateAugust 4, 2020
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.88 x 8.25 inches
- ISBN-100316462934
- ISBN-13978-0316462938
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“Spine-tingling . . . Pomare is able to pull off red herrings galore and crafty, satisfying twists. A heart-pounding novel made heart-rending by its reflection of real-life events.”―Kirkus Reviews
“Bombshell-laden . . . Pomare is a writer to watch.”―Publishers Weekly
"A dark, chilling, atmospheric thriller populated with mysterious and wonderfully flawed characters."―Christian White, author of The Nowhere Child
"There's no doubt about it: Pomare is a master of the carefully constructed, impeccably paced psycho-thriller."―Weekend Australian
"Sets its hooks on page one and doesn't let go until the final, chilling line."―Chris Holm, author of The Killing Kind
"A story of motherhood, damage, and a nightmarish cult . . . An outstanding and compulsive read."―Jen Conley, author of Cannibals
"A pared-back firecracker where the danger is clear and present--even if its exact shape remains opaque until the book's climax and final gasp-inducing twist."
―Books & Publishing (Australia)
"Past and present collide in this taut and unpredictable thriller ... Twist follows twist and nothing is as it seems."―Chris Hammer, author of Scrublands
"A riveting read that kept me locked in from page one. Textured, complex, and equally fast-paced and memorable, JP Pomare weaves together cults, the plight of motherhood, and family strife to create a book that will linger with you long after you've read it. The past is ever-present here, in ways both relatable and surprising. Don't miss this one."―Alex Segura, authorof Blackout and Miami Midnight
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Mulholland Books (August 4, 2020)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 352 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0316462934
- ISBN-13 : 978-0316462938
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.88 x 8.25 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #899,107 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #3,749 in Domestic Thrillers (Books)
- #5,039 in Kidnapping Thrillers
- #14,901 in Psychological Thrillers (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
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4.5 “I'm still shaking with disbelief" stars!
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2024First saw the book in my local Barnes and noble with a friend we decided to order it and start our own book club and absolutely do not regret buying it. Could not put it down and was not expecting the ending!
- Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2024"In the Clearing" allows the author to use his masterful ability to weave multiple timelines into a cohesive narrative. The work shines by maintaining a perfect balance between past and present investigations, even though that’s not how it appeared for a while.
For a book of this genre, its thoughtful exploration of parental relationships and their lasting impact across generations is what sets it apart. It also helps that the book is stripped of the typical police procedural tropes of departmental politics and underdog struggles, allowing the story’s emotional core to shine through. The thematic connection between the parallel stories is pitch-perfect, as well. Its other strength lies in the methodical approach to solving the cold case by guiding readers through the investigative process with good, easy narration. The forensic details and investigative techniques from different eras are particularly well-researched, adding authenticity to the narrative while maintaining reader engagement throughout the story.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 30, 2021Unfortunately this was disappointing and did not provide the intensity I was hoping for. I find cult stories very interesting. This aspect is what intrigued me initially. The book had much potential, however, it did not reach those high levels. The intensity and suspense was overall lacking. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton.
- Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2025Thank you to NetGalley for providing a copy of this book! I have seen others recommend this author and was excited to have the opportunity to finally read one of his novels.
The book chapters alternative between several narratives: Amy, a child; excerpts from Amy's journal; Freya, a mother; and the Watcher.
Amy lives in a place called the Clearing along with other children and some adults. Her mother, Adrienne, is the leader and guides the community. Adrienne welcomes a new child into the group and Amy begins to question her place.
Freya is a mother who keeps a close watch on her son, Billy. She is constantly worried about someone watching her and the possibility of losing her son, especially after she already lost another child.
The narratives of Freya and Amy eventually intersect as the timeline of these narratives is revealed. The plot twists were very surprising at this point and continue throughout the remainder of the novel, even until the very last chapter.
I was immediately invested in this book from the first page and read it in a single sitting. Books about cults have always piqued my interest and this one is no exception. I highly recommend this novel and look forward to reading more of Pomare in the near future.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 27, 2020'In The Clearing' by J. P. Pomare is a heart-pounding, fast read in the second half, with the first half being slow and meandering, whilst chilling. This is more thriller than crime mystery or psychological suspense.
The POVs (points of view) switch between Freya in her late-20s and 15-year-old Amy, with Amy's diary entries occasionally forming chapters.
A 7-year-old girl is kidnapped in broad daylight. We are in the van when Amy carries out the deed as directed by her cohorts, the members of the cult group, The Clearing. Head honcho, 'The Goddess', Vivienne, wants 12 blond, blue-eyed children. Asha is only the eleventh.
Freya frets for the safety of her 7-year-old son, Billy. She sounds and acts much older than her 29-odd years. Freya tells us she is capable of violence, even against Billy, whom she adores. However, she is always looking over her shoulder. This paranoia is justified when she spots a van with two young people parked in her rural, isolated property, and when bunches of yellow wattle flowers are repeatedly left at her doorstep. Freya feels like she's being watched. She suspects Billy is next. She hopes the fence around her house, her pit-bull terrier, Rocky, electric shutters the enclose the entire house, newly-installed panic button and bunker will protect her. This very fear creates suspicion in the reader that Freya won't be safe.
The camera switches to The Clearing, where the kidnapped girl, Asha, is deposited. Amy, the eldest child, takes Asha under her wing. Clearly brainwashed, Amy is confused between what she is told by adults in The Clearing and the reality of the world out there as Asha tells it. Harsh punishment is regularly doled out, the routine describes constant mediation and yoga – read brainwashing perhaps? – and the children are starved. News of the outside world is kept out, there aren't computers or the usual devices present in the time of the story. Education seems to be kept at a minimal. Keep them stupid and ignorant, perhaps. There seems to be paedophilia and murder. However, details are withheld until the end.
The reader is kept guessing as to which narrator is reliable, which is unreliable. Freya announces the existence of her mask to us early on, so the reader is on their toes trying not to be outwitted.
The other characters include the dubious ones in the cult: Adam, fleetingly Vivienne, Anton, amongst the innocent children; there's Freya's only friend, the retired detective, Corrazo, Freya's ex-husband, Wayne, and police officers. What happened when Aspen was young, we wonder, as Freya stews.
Things come to a head at around the 60% point. The build-up is slow, with Pomare trying for the literary angle of crime thriller. Some of the descriptions just dull the pace, and my preference as a reader is to do without them. The insights into character, and the analysis of society and of being conditioned are fascinating. When the plot action comes into effect, there are cat-&-mouse chase sequences, hide-and-seek chases, an unravelling of who exactly did what in The Clearing, and the perennial look over your shoulder at who's watching.
I picked up a couple of clues correctly including an identity and an antagonist. I admit that Pomare planted these clues, perhaps not expecting them to be picked up. I didn't pick up a clue about Freya.
The wrap-up isn't as complete as I would have liked, e.g. about the activities at The Clearing. I won't say more to avoid giving away any spoilers. What pull did Vivienne actually have and why? Why so much reach? Pomare refers the to the Australian cult, The Family, and its charismatic female leader, as the inspiration for The Clearning and Vivienne. Luckily, there is some redemption for the characters the reader has gotten to know, despite the sadness of the depiction of what happens to innocence in cults, the children never truly escaping their abusive backgrounds.
Top reviews from other countries
- Cliente KindleReviewed in Brazil on July 12, 2024
3.0 out of 5 stars Too dark
It's a sadistic book, one made to make you believe there is no hope left at all. It's the second time in my life where I read something and think that the tv show was better.
- BrittanyReviewed in Canada on September 11, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars So good
I really liked this book, it had a twist I was not expecting and I find I can usually figure out most mysteries or thrillers and this one caught me off guard. I read this book extremely fast and now I have myself searching for similar books and not quite finding one as good as this one. I loved every second of it!
- OdetteReviewed in the United Kingdom on December 4, 2020
4.0 out of 5 stars Very interesting book
This book was very interesting in that it gave you a look into how these 'cults' work, was quite disturbing but quite compulsive.
- janReviewed in Spain on June 28, 2020
5.0 out of 5 stars Gripping
I raced through this book. The book grips you from the first chapter and takes you on a roller coaster ride. The cult factor is very disturbing & you can imagine the brain washing and emotional blackmail that perhaps effects many people drawn into these cults. Not sure if there is a 2nd book in the pipeline.
- CloverReviewed in Australia on February 19, 2024
4.0 out of 5 stars Be prepared to plunge into the eerie depths of cult dynamics and personal trauma
J.D. Pomare's "The Clearing" plunges into the eerie depths of cult dynamics and personal trauma with a chilling narrative that intertwines the lives of its protagonists, Amy within the cult, and Freya, a mother grappling with her dark past. This novel stands out not just for its suspenseful storyline but also for its insightful exploration of human psychology and the extremes of maternal instinct.
The dual narrative structure expertly navigates between the insidious control mechanisms of a cult and Freya's tense, vigilante existence. Pomare's depiction of the cult's manipulation through starvation and psychological tactics like Stockholm syndrome is unnervingly authentic. Quotes like, “People commonly talk about the ‘fight or flight’ response when a threat is perceived; few mention the third response: ‘freeze’,” not only underscore the characters' paralysis in the face of danger but also reveal Pomare's deep dive into the nuances of fear and survival.
Freya's storyline, marked by a constant undercurrent of fear and hyper-vigilance, is equally compelling. Her reflections, such as, “The past, I realized, was a parasite. It could lie dormant inside for years and eventually flare up and kill you,” offer a profound commentary on the lingering effects of trauma. These moments of introspection add a rich layer to the narrative, making Freya's journey a poignant study of resilience and the human capacity to endure.
Pomare also injects a dose of grim humor and societal critique through observations of everyday life, such as the satire on 'yoga mothers.' This not only provides a brief respite from the tension but also showcases his ability to paint a broader picture of societal norms and expectations.
However, the novel's strength in building suspense through its slow-burn approach to Freya's backstory might not resonate with all readers. The deliberate pacing, designed to heighten anticipation, may test the patience of those accustomed to more immediate gratification in thriller narratives. Yet, for those who persevere, Pomare rewards with intricately plotted twists and a convergence of storylines that not exactly satisfying but definitely haunting.
"The Clearing" is a testament to Pomare's skill in crafting a thriller that is as much about the external dangers posed by cults and unidentified threats as it is about the internal battlefields of trust, trauma, and the instinct to protect one's own at all costs. While some aspects of the narrative may strike a chord of disbelief or discomfort, particularly for readers with personal experiences of PTSD, the novel's exploration of these dark themes is handled with sensitivity and depth.
“The Clearing" is a gripping addition to the thriller genre, offering a unique perspective on survival, the complexities of motherhood, and the shadows that our pasts cast over our present and future. Pomare's novel is a dark, introspective journey that will appeal to readers who appreciate psychological depth and are intrigued by the mechanics of manipulation and control within cults. It's a compelling read, reflecting real-life events with a narrative intensity that's both thought-provoking and profoundly moving