In the Clearing

By: JP Pomare

Narrated by: Eryn Jean Norvil

Set against a ticking clock, this "haunting" and "atmospheric" thriller pits a ruthless cult against a mother's love, revealing that our darkest secrets are the hardest ones to leave behind (Sally Hepworth, New York Times bestselling author of The Good Sister).

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

Critic reviews

"Pomare captivates in this haunting novel, In The Clearing. I was utterly gripped with the stories of Amy and Freya from start to finish, and fascinated by the unexpected way the two came together.Thrilling, atmospheric and with twists abounding, this book held me in its spell long after the final page. A sure-fire bestseller."—Sally Hepworth, bestselling author of The Mother-in-Law

“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

Interesting and well written but

Interesting and well written, but I couldn’t get into the story the way I did with Tell Me Lies. That being said, check Tell Me Lies out by same author. Probably my favorite listen on Audible so far. Brilliant. This one was fine, but not as good for me.

I love this author! Everything I’ve read by them is creepy.

I’m going to warn you that if you start reading this, it may be difficult to stop and do other things. I have really struggled with this author, because I do not have time to read these books right now and I can. not. stop. I have read two in one week during finals and am definitely moving to whatever else is available after I’m done writing this.

The real magic of the suspense from this author is the use of scenarios that could really happen, therefore are completely terrifying. They also use this really comprehensive understanding of psychology behind the main character’s motives.

One other note is that I thought they were female because of the way they write women, and that’s a massive compliment in my opinion. The women are strong and vulnerable, and are motivated by things other than romance.

Excellent story with and excellent end

I'm picky when it comes to stories, especially the ending. So often the end to an otherwise great story is cheesy. They often feel the need to have a character give a long speech explaining every detail to every question. This story is intriguing until the very last word. It toes together the mysteries naturally without absurd speeches. It is filled with twists and turns and intrigue. it's really good. It's well worth the listen.

Well written but conflicted

I loved the way this book was written with two stories going on at once that collide toward the end. The narrator was the best I have heard in an audible book. My lower rating is due to the in depth details in first person for child abuse both physically and sexually. I can understand the authors intentions but it was almost the entire book about abuse details. I ended up fast forwarding through quite a bit. I felt it was a bit demented in that sense. While I listened to the end I would have to say I would never get next book by this author. I love suspense but not when it involves so much sadistic details.

Cult story

3.5 stars rounded down

I liked this book. The narrator was great. The story flowed nicely and I didn’t see some of the twists.