Picture a New Zealand storyteller who spun a horse-racing farm upbringing into gripping psychological thrillers—meet J.P. Pomare! With a knack for twisting narratives that plumb the darkest corners of the human mind, Pomare has captivated readers worldwide. His debut, Call Me Evie, marked him as a rising star in crime fiction, blending suspense with raw emotional depth.
Born Joshua Pomare, this Māori (Ngāpuhi) author transformed personal tragedy and a love for oral storytelling into literary triumphs. From small-town New Zealand to Melbourne’s literary scene, his journey is as compelling as the thrillers he crafts.
The Making of J.P. Pomare
Raised on a horse-racing farm in Rotorua, New Zealand, Pomare grew up surrounded by stories. His family, including his father, Wiremu Bill Pomare, shared tales that fueled his imagination, though books were scarce. The loss of his mother to cancer at age eleven and leaving home at fifteen shaped his fascination with the darker sides of human experience. After dropping out of a BA program in Wellington, Pomare moved to Melbourne, where he honed his craft, immersing himself in the literary community and launching the On Writing podcast in 2015, interviewing luminaries like Joyce Carol Oates.
J.P. Pomare’s Unforgettable Stories
Pomare’s novels are masterclasses in psychological suspense, known for intricate plots and unreliable narrators. His debut, Call Me Evie (2018), follows a young woman grappling with memory and manipulation in a remote New Zealand town. It won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel, cementing his reputation. In the Clearing (2019), inspired by cults, became a Disney+ series, The Clearing, showcasing his ability to weave real-world issues into fiction.
Tell Me Lies (2020), a #1 Audible bestseller, and The Last Guests (2021), now a Stan series, explore betrayal and surveillance, while The Wrong Woman (2022) and Home Before Night (2023) delve into guilt and survival. His latest, 17 Years Later (2024), tackles wrongful convictions, reflecting Pomare’s interest in social justice, dedicated to Teina Pora, a Māori man wrongfully convicted. His style—pacy, twist-filled, and emotionally charged—draws comparisons to Gillian Flynn and keeps readers guessing until the final page.
Why J.P. Pomare Matters
Pomare’s impact extends beyond entertainment. As a Māori author, he subtly weaves themes of race, class, and identity into his thrillers, offering subversive commentary without preaching. His work amplifies New Zealand voices in global crime fiction, and his podcast fosters emerging writers. By tackling issues like wrongful convictions and cult dynamics, he invites readers to question justice and human nature, making his stories both thrilling and thought-provoking.
- Born: New Zealand, exact date unavailable
- Key Works: Call Me Evie, In the Clearing, 17 Years Later
- Awards: Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel (2018)
- Fun Fact: Hosts the On Writing podcast since 2015
Ready for a heart-pounding read? Grab Call Me Evie and dive into J.P. Pomare’s twisty world of psychological suspense!