Sharp, sinister thriller with excellent twists inspired by The Family cult in Australia. So many times I thought I knew where it was headed and then JP Pomare pulled the rug out. Highly recommended to lovers of good suspense.

An enjoyable and very cleverly written book. The characters were very believable. A twisty tale about members of a cult in Australia. It kept me reading right to the end and kept delivering the surprises. Definitely worth a read.

A fascinating story of a cult, and its survivors and members. And I loved it! The strangeness, the exciting, terrifying climax, it was everything a thriller should be.
Believable, yet weird characters tell the story, and I could hardly put it down.

A skilful psychological thriller set in Australia. This is the story of Amy, brought up in a cult and knowing nothing of the outside world and Freya an overprotective parent of her seven year old son, Billy. The narrative is shared between the two main characters as their worlds begin to collide. Freya has deep secrets from her past and Amy is beginning to think about what being in the sect really means for her and whether it is right.

This is well written book with authentic characters. It is fast paced and there are plenty of twists and turns and a ‘wow’ of an ending. I suspect the author took a great deal of pleasure in ‘playing’ with his readers. It is very clever and a highly enjoyable read.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder Books for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the Clearing is an intense and unnerving read from J.P. Pomare, whose debut novel, Call Me Evie, won the 2019 Ngaio Marsh Award for best first novel.

Divided into six parts and unfolding from two shifting perspectives we are introduced to Amy, a young teenage girl who knows only life in The Clearing, a tiny isolated community led by the charismatic ‘Queen’, ‘Mother’ and ‘Deity’ Adrienne; and single mother Freya, who is determined to provide love and security for her young son, Billy, in their riverside home on the outskirts of Melbourne, but is haunted by her past mistakes.

Examining the role of nature vs nurture in a manner that suggests we may never truly escape our past, Pomare draws inspiration from the doomsday cult known as ‘The Family’, active in Australia for roughly twenty years in the 70’s and 80’s. In the Clearing he presents a complex and unpredictable plot that is skillfully crafted and insidiously compulsive. From the novel’s first pages the author grows a sense of unease which intensifies as the story progresses. Though the pace is measured, Pomare builds to shocking twists, and yet never quite allays our anxiety.

I’m loathe to spoil the experience for readers, but it seems responsible to warn that In the Clearing has its dark moments, alluding to the abhorrent abuse of children, and the occasional explicit, but not gratuitous, description of violence.

Provocative, clever, and powerful, In the Clearing is a stunning and devastating novel which will be difficult to forget.

Truly compelling and unputdownable, I hesitate to say this is the best book I've read this year, as I've read so many good books, but it is up there clustered at the top, with the best. It is just beautifully written and described. This is the story of Freya, narrated by her, of an upbringing in a cult, and her life afterwards. The twists and turns as her story weaves its way through a personal tragedy that connects her to that past, are surprising and believable. Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the review copy, this book has been a real treat.

I was the biggest fan of Call Me Evie, a novel I recommend to everyone, so I was really excited to read In The Clearing and it did not disappoint.

This time the author offers us an atmospheric, twisty and unpredictable psychological thriller about a sinister and secret cult…A bit like Hotel California you can check in but you can never leave…

This is a clever book and an extremely addictive one- the characters are drawn pitch perfectly, sucking you into their world on the very first page. The power of personality is explored here within a tense and pacy storyline that you will happily devour in one sitting.

Really excellent. Highly recommended.

In The Clearing is a great read - well-written and interesting throughout. There were surprises right up to the epilogue. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a good thriller.

Cleverly written book about how even once you’ve left a cult the cult doesn’t leave you. What is Freya hiding and why is she so terrified of people finding out? How is Amy going to escape? Ending perfectly leads to a sequel...

Thank you to Netgalley and Hodder & Stoughton for the arc of this book.

This follows two narrators whom are called Amy who is 15 and Freya. Amy Lives within a place called the Clearing in which this is what you call a happy, bubbly community: or you could say cult as it is consisted and of kidnapped children whom are abused, and starved even tortured and even forced to do violent acts during to serve their sick, psychopathic leaders in which lead this cult....

Next is the POV Of Freya who is a real damaged person whom is, trying to adapt she ends up keeping so many secrets she also is raising her 7 years old son named Billy but she unfortunately lost the custody of other son Aspen who is no 17 years of age as when he was a baby she left him in the car. Freya's mother is in a facility as she is suffering from dementia...

She takes so many precautions and cautions in which she ends up having very few relationships with people in society... Freya only communicates with an old police officer friend and neighbor next door. But she feels uneasy as she feels that someone is is out to get her and is watching her....

4 Stars

Cults. Cults. Cults. What is it with cults that really captivates and audience and draws us in!? I truly do love a story that delves into a Cult and this was no exception!!

I throughly enjoyed the captivating novel by J P Pomare and would highly recommend it. The twist and turns that take place in the story are so clever and when you finally clock on to what‘s happening you’re only a sentence away from being told anyway!! The novel follows to narratives, one of Amy a young girl of 15 who is in ‘The Clearing’ and part of the Blackmarsh cult and one of Freya, a single mother who from the outset you realise is extremely worried about any news stories involving missing children and is deeply concerned about the safety of her own child, Billy.

This book does a wonderful job of highlighting the psychotic nature and mind altering brain washing techniques used by cults and how the reach of the cult can last throughout adulthood and the rest of your life even when you have left it.

Thank you to Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for the ARC!

Wow.

When I first began reading this story, it was not what I expected and to be honest, I was not that keen. I quickly changed my opinion of this book and devoured it in two sittings. I couldn’t turn the pages quick enough!

There were so many surprising twists and turns and I finished the book wanting more. I loved it. I often found myself shifting to be literally sitting on the edge of my seat, willing myself to read faster.

I can usually work out where some stories are going, but I really did not expect some of the plot twists in this one.

I would HIGHLY recommend to anyone who loves a fast-paced thriller!

I started reading the book thinking it was a 'classic' thriller about a cult involving children. How wrong was i?! the author lead you slowly and expertly down a path and then smack you down with a well timed and well handled redirection. You turn the last page and understand the devious, far reaching hold cult can have even if you leave them. I was still thinking about the story days after I'd finished the book. It is so well done without unnecessary violence or even sentences. Everything is suggested. A amazing book.

In The Clearing follows the lives of Amy and Freya whose lives are interconnected although they don't really know each other. When a local girl disappears, Freya realises her past may be trying to catch up with her.

First things first, this book is a solid 5 star!

Honestly, I wasn't sure what to expect from it when I first approached it. What is going on in Amy's life as a member of a sect? Why is Freya so... paranoid?

You'll have to read this book to find out!

Disclaimer: I'd like to thank the publisher for my advanced reader's copy. This is my honest review.

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Oooh perfect, wicked ending. I suspected it about halfway in during a very revealing scene, but the shocking discoveries during the suspenseful final chapters made me forget about it, so I was definitely left with an O-shaped mouth when I reached the last paragraph.

This will be a quick review because In The Clearing is the kind book that works better when you know less about it. In a nutshell, you’re in for a treat if these following subjects appeal to you: Cults, motherhood, kidnappings, and “past will come back to bite you” plots.

A fantastic read. If you haven’t read a book by J. P. Pomare yet, you’re missing out!

Wow , I did not see that coming! A fabulous be ok centred on events in a cult. It doesn't sound gripping initially, but please be assured it is a great psychological thriller. Unusual in it's content and refreshing too. Really worth a read.

Great book downloaded it yesterday and finished it today. I couldn't put this down I was so sure I had the plan sussed but I was so wrong. Full of twists and turns and fast paced this book makes a great read. Thanks to netgalley for the arc definitely a 4.5 star read

An interesting book. I find the concept of cults fascinating so was intrigued to read this book. I think that it was a good, solid mystery, not particularly surprising in the twists (for me) so perhaps not a 'page turner' but the plot was enough to hold my interest throughout.

This is a really claustrophobic and gripping story told in two time frames. To say that nothing is as it seems is a major understatement. In the modern day story, Freya is desperately trying to maintain her fragile privacy. Everything makes her jump and she is always looking over her shoulder. Something bad is always about to happen. In the earlier story, Amy is part of a sinister cult that kidnaps children. The two stories meet in unexpected ways and there's no relaxing right to the end of the book. It's creepy in a way that will stay with you.

Huge thanks to Hodder and Stoughton and Netgalley for an invite to read 'In the Clearing'

Set in rural Australia, this book follows the interwoven stories of both Amy and Freya. Amy lives in the Clearing where herself and her 'siblings' have their hair bleached and are forced to live a strict life of commune work. Freya appears normal, teaching her yoga classes and minding her young son, often to the point of obsessing over his movements. But Freya becomes spooked when there's someone clearly hanging around her house, as we find out exactly why Freya and Amy are connected.

4⭐- I'm not really a fan of books that involve communes or cults too much, but this one gripped me as it was a very well written psychological thriller and the commune parts really heighten the story's tension. I read this book in one day as it wasn't very long and the story kept me going throughout. I was also very satisfied with the twist and ending👍