Reviews

In The Clearing by J.P. Pomare

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emolloy05's review against another edition

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challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

dels_bookmarks's review against another edition

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4.0

I hadn’t read anything by this author before, but I saw an interview where he said this was his favourite so thought it was a good place to start.

A young girl Amy, living in a religious cult, and a damaged woman Freya, trying to keep her paranoia in check to act normal, are the dual POVs on a collision course. Inspired by the Australian cult The Family, it is a chilling look into the ongoing trauma of abuse and control.

I find the idea of cults, and how survivors talk of how ‘easily’ they were brought in, rather terrifying. However, a special place in hell is reserved for those who do it to children.

There’s a very menacing atmosphere created but one where the fear and suspicion of Freya teeters on a knife edge where it could all be in her head. The sparse writing, and the hot, dry tinder box of the Australian bush setting, adds to the tension.

The revelations when they come are surprising and effective, little bits dropped at frequent intervals as the threads of the story come together.

This is a well plotted and executed thriller that has lots of suspense and sinister surprises.

I don’t read a lot of contemporary thrillers, and this is exactly why; they entirely creep me out.