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PI Vince Reid #2
The Gambler
Not yet published
Expected 24 Feb 26A highly charged crime-thriller - the first in an electrifying new series - by multi-award-winning prince of the twist, J.P. Pomare.
PI Vince Reid is visiting an old friend when he's offered a case he can't Why did a respected local woman open fire at a political rally, killing a promising young university graduate? It's easy money, he's told. A sure thing.
But as Reid delves further into the case, the stakes are higher than he imagined. There are invisible players pulling the strings. Will he walk away a winner or pay for the ultimate gamble with his life?
PI Vince Reid is visiting an old friend when he's offered a case he can't Why did a respected local woman open fire at a political rally, killing a promising young university graduate? It's easy money, he's told. A sure thing.
But as Reid delves further into the case, the stakes are higher than he imagined. There are invisible players pulling the strings. Will he walk away a winner or pay for the ultimate gamble with his life?
336 pages, Paperback
Expected publication February 24, 2026
12 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Pomare
12 books1,421 followersJ. P. Pomare is a New Zealand author who lives in Melbourne, Australia.
He is the author of a number of critically acclaimed and best-selling novels including Seventeen Years Later, Tell Me Lies, and The Wrong Woman.
His novel In The Clearing was adapted for the screen as an eight part miniseries by Disney (The Clearing) and The Last Guests (Watching You) has been adapted as a series by Stan.
He is the author of a number of critically acclaimed and best-selling novels including Seventeen Years Later, Tell Me Lies, and The Wrong Woman.
His novel In The Clearing was adapted for the screen as an eight part miniseries by Disney (The Clearing) and The Last Guests (Watching You) has been adapted as a series by Stan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
PI Vince Reid is back!! I was so happy when I heard that JP was writing another book with Reid, I loved him in The Wrong Woman and I loved him even more in The Gambler. Don’t worry though if you haven’t read The Wrong Woman (but seriously what are you doing with your life… read it!!), The Gambler can be read as a standalone book.
Once again, set in the US, Reid is a private investigator who has been recommended for a job that seems to be easy money. A young woman was shot and killed at a political rally and her parents want to know why. The shooter is the most unlikely person so what made them do it? Reid soon finds himself going down a dark rabbit hole in this case, and running for his life, literally.
Reid is such a likeable character, he is flawed, he is damaged but he has a big heart and a need to get to the truth, no matter what. This case is wild and so twisty. If you haven’t read this author before then you will know not to think you have it all worked out. I couldn’t stop reading it, such an intense and fast paced story, I kind of didn’t want it to end. I hope we get more Reid books in the future.
I read most of this book in a day, my first book for 2026 and it was just brilliant. It is dark and addictive. I learnt a lot about the Amish community and how they live. It plays a big part of this story and it was really interesting.
Thanks so much to Hachette Australia for having me on the cover reveal and for sending me this fabulous books. JP Pomare is an auto read author for me and he should be for you too. Published in Australia on February 24th.
Once again, set in the US, Reid is a private investigator who has been recommended for a job that seems to be easy money. A young woman was shot and killed at a political rally and her parents want to know why. The shooter is the most unlikely person so what made them do it? Reid soon finds himself going down a dark rabbit hole in this case, and running for his life, literally.
Reid is such a likeable character, he is flawed, he is damaged but he has a big heart and a need to get to the truth, no matter what. This case is wild and so twisty. If you haven’t read this author before then you will know not to think you have it all worked out. I couldn’t stop reading it, such an intense and fast paced story, I kind of didn’t want it to end. I hope we get more Reid books in the future.
I read most of this book in a day, my first book for 2026 and it was just brilliant. It is dark and addictive. I learnt a lot about the Amish community and how they live. It plays a big part of this story and it was really interesting.
Thanks so much to Hachette Australia for having me on the cover reveal and for sending me this fabulous books. JP Pomare is an auto read author for me and he should be for you too. Published in Australia on February 24th.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book review coming soon.
January 17, 2026
Another cracker JP Pomare novel, full of twists and turns! An easy 5 ⭐️ read!
I absolutely loved this latest case - we’re introduced to PI Vince Reid once again, who first appeared in The Wrong Woman (which I now want to re read!), who has been roped into a supposed quick PI job investigating the death of a girl at a political rally and what motivated the woman who shot her. All is not as it seems and he gets sucked further into conspiracies, motives and danger.
The pacing of this was excellent and I found it a really hard book to put down because I kept wanting to read ‘just one more chapter’. There were a lot of character perspectives at times but it didn’t feel overwhelming and obviously all served for the greater plot points.
Some twists I suspected but most I didn’t at all - very cleverly written with hints dropped throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for this ARC (my first one!!) for my favourite author. I felt very lucky to read this early and it was excellent!
I absolutely loved this latest case - we’re introduced to PI Vince Reid once again, who first appeared in The Wrong Woman (which I now want to re read!), who has been roped into a supposed quick PI job investigating the death of a girl at a political rally and what motivated the woman who shot her. All is not as it seems and he gets sucked further into conspiracies, motives and danger.
The pacing of this was excellent and I found it a really hard book to put down because I kept wanting to read ‘just one more chapter’. There were a lot of character perspectives at times but it didn’t feel overwhelming and obviously all served for the greater plot points.
Some twists I suspected but most I didn’t at all - very cleverly written with hints dropped throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for this ARC (my first one!!) for my favourite author. I felt very lucky to read this early and it was excellent!
February 4, 2026
EPIC 🙌
Saddle up friends, you are in for an epic suspense thriller ride, our driver JP Pomare has smashed it out of the park with his soon to be released novel ‘The Gambler’
Number 2 in the PI Vincent Reid series and what a cracker of a story 🙌
Reid has been called into investigate a fatal shooting at an anti gun rally that left a young woman dead. Reluctantly taking the case, facts don’t add up when the Reid learns the shooter was a quiet, law abiding elderly woman who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
As Reid starts to dig more the case turns in many directions, online scams, encrypted texts, an unsolved twenty year old case - Reid needs to work out how are they all connected?
Read in a day, almost missed my train stop, I couldn’t put it down!
Short sharp multiple POV chapters had me needing answers at every chapter end
The small town setting provides the perfect backdrop to lay red herrings and tension through out
Reid is now my favourite Private Investigator, I binge read The Wrong Woman prior to reading The Gambler and loved his growth, the new relationship added a softer side to him while he was still ‘a dog to a bone’ trying to solve the case
It’s going to be hard to top! I absolutely loved it and highly recommend
Thank you so much Hachette for my ARC
Saddle up friends, you are in for an epic suspense thriller ride, our driver JP Pomare has smashed it out of the park with his soon to be released novel ‘The Gambler’
Number 2 in the PI Vincent Reid series and what a cracker of a story 🙌
Reid has been called into investigate a fatal shooting at an anti gun rally that left a young woman dead. Reluctantly taking the case, facts don’t add up when the Reid learns the shooter was a quiet, law abiding elderly woman who wouldn’t hurt a fly.
As Reid starts to dig more the case turns in many directions, online scams, encrypted texts, an unsolved twenty year old case - Reid needs to work out how are they all connected?
Read in a day, almost missed my train stop, I couldn’t put it down!
Short sharp multiple POV chapters had me needing answers at every chapter end
The small town setting provides the perfect backdrop to lay red herrings and tension through out
Reid is now my favourite Private Investigator, I binge read The Wrong Woman prior to reading The Gambler and loved his growth, the new relationship added a softer side to him while he was still ‘a dog to a bone’ trying to solve the case
It’s going to be hard to top! I absolutely loved it and highly recommend
Thank you so much Hachette for my ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
A woman opens fire at a political rally killing a young university graduate named Katie. Private investigator Vince Reid is hired by Katie's family to dig into why the shooting happened, what caused a woman to drive into a crowd and take the life of another?
The Gambler was full of so many relevant issues facing society today, gun violence being a major one. The others I can't mention as I don't want to spoil anything but I can tell you that I couldn't put this book down. It was fast paced, the plot was so clever, add in multi POV, a dual timeline and a cold case and I was absolutley hooked from start to finish.
This is actually the second book with PI Vince Reid but I read the whole book not knowing their was previous one, it read perfectly as a stand alone.
The Gambler is out on the 24th of February so mark your calendars and pre order this one, you won't want to miss it 🙌🏼
The Gambler was full of so many relevant issues facing society today, gun violence being a major one. The others I can't mention as I don't want to spoil anything but I can tell you that I couldn't put this book down. It was fast paced, the plot was so clever, add in multi POV, a dual timeline and a cold case and I was absolutley hooked from start to finish.
This is actually the second book with PI Vince Reid but I read the whole book not knowing their was previous one, it read perfectly as a stand alone.
The Gambler is out on the 24th of February so mark your calendars and pre order this one, you won't want to miss it 🙌🏼
January 15, 2026
5 STARS ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Vibe check: Unputdownable, Tension Filled Thrills
full review ⬇️
If you haven’t read a J P Pomare book yet, please consider this your official nudge. The Gambler was my eighth JP read and somehow he continues to level up every single time.
This is the second novel featuring private investigator Vince Reid, following The Wrong Woman, which I also gave 5 stars. (Both can easily be read as standalones). I didn’t remember Vince in detail going in, but I love a recurring character, especially when it’s a slightly dodgy, morally grey PI who lives on the edge rather than a more straight laced detective.
From the first chapter this book sucked me in. It delivers that classic JP Pomare suspense while diving headfirst into a world of gambling, scams, murder, secrets and misdirection where absolutely nothing is as it seems.
The tech heavy scamming elements in particular gave me strong Dark Mode by Ashley Kalagian-Blunt vibes in the best, most unsettling way. Digital age horror that feels uncomfortably close to reality is scarily interesting to read about.
The twists come thick and fast, across timelines and perspectives and I was constantly second guessing the motives, characters and outcomes. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, the rug was pulled out again.
If you’re chasing a tense, gripping thriller that keeps your heart racing and your trust levels low, The Gambler absolutely needs to be on your radar when it releases in February.
Huge thanks to Hachette and NetGalley for the sneak peek.
Vibe check: Unputdownable, Tension Filled Thrills
full review ⬇️
If you haven’t read a J P Pomare book yet, please consider this your official nudge. The Gambler was my eighth JP read and somehow he continues to level up every single time.
This is the second novel featuring private investigator Vince Reid, following The Wrong Woman, which I also gave 5 stars. (Both can easily be read as standalones). I didn’t remember Vince in detail going in, but I love a recurring character, especially when it’s a slightly dodgy, morally grey PI who lives on the edge rather than a more straight laced detective.
From the first chapter this book sucked me in. It delivers that classic JP Pomare suspense while diving headfirst into a world of gambling, scams, murder, secrets and misdirection where absolutely nothing is as it seems.
The tech heavy scamming elements in particular gave me strong Dark Mode by Ashley Kalagian-Blunt vibes in the best, most unsettling way. Digital age horror that feels uncomfortably close to reality is scarily interesting to read about.
The twists come thick and fast, across timelines and perspectives and I was constantly second guessing the motives, characters and outcomes. Just when I thought I had a handle on things, the rug was pulled out again.
If you’re chasing a tense, gripping thriller that keeps your heart racing and your trust levels low, The Gambler absolutely needs to be on your radar when it releases in February.
Huge thanks to Hachette and NetGalley for the sneak peek.
January 14, 2026
Review: The Gambler by @jppomare
4 ⭐️
The Gambler delivers all the twists and turns I’ve come to expect from J.P. Pomare. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story twisted again, and again, and somehow still managed to surprise me. Turns out I had guessed the twist, but the journey there was still a wild ride. Well played, Pomare.
What really impressed me was Pomare’s ability, as a Kiwi author, to absolutely nail the essence of small-town America. The atmosphere felt authentic and unsettling in all the right ways. Add in Amish communities, hackers, conspiracy theorists, AI, politics, honestly, you name it, and it becomes impossible not to be invested. There’s so much weirdness unfolding that I glued to the pages just to see where it would go.
At its core, this is a twisted exploration of what can happen when people fall down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. Pomare does a great job of showing how seemingly harmless people, like an older couple, can be radicalised into something far darker. The way the seeds of conspiracy are sown and nurtured is both fascinating and disturbing, and it hit close to home for me given how my own in-laws’ beliefs and loyalties shifted post-Covid.
This is the second book in the PI Reid series. While it can be read as a standalone, I’m really glad I read the first book beforehand. It added much more depth to the main character and made the emotional beats land harder.
Highly recommend!
Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC and give my honest review.
4 ⭐️
The Gambler delivers all the twists and turns I’ve come to expect from J.P. Pomare. Just when I thought I had it figured out, the story twisted again, and again, and somehow still managed to surprise me. Turns out I had guessed the twist, but the journey there was still a wild ride. Well played, Pomare.
What really impressed me was Pomare’s ability, as a Kiwi author, to absolutely nail the essence of small-town America. The atmosphere felt authentic and unsettling in all the right ways. Add in Amish communities, hackers, conspiracy theorists, AI, politics, honestly, you name it, and it becomes impossible not to be invested. There’s so much weirdness unfolding that I glued to the pages just to see where it would go.
At its core, this is a twisted exploration of what can happen when people fall down the rabbit hole of conspiracy theories. Pomare does a great job of showing how seemingly harmless people, like an older couple, can be radicalised into something far darker. The way the seeds of conspiracy are sown and nurtured is both fascinating and disturbing, and it hit close to home for me given how my own in-laws’ beliefs and loyalties shifted post-Covid.
This is the second book in the PI Reid series. While it can be read as a standalone, I’m really glad I read the first book beforehand. It added much more depth to the main character and made the emotional beats land harder.
Highly recommend!
Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC and give my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Despite having a couple of Pomare's books on my shelf, this was my first read! And even though this is book 2 in a series, it reads perfectly as a standalone.
The book follows Vince Reid, a private investigator who definitely doesn't do things 'by the book' which I really liked. He was willing to bend the rules and do what it took to get the answers he was looking for in a high-stakes case. He's been hired by a family whose daughter has been shot dead at a political rally and while the police have claimed it as a random attack, the family wants it looked into further and suddenly Reid finds himself in the firing line - literally.
The start threw me, knowing that Pomare is a New Zealander I thought this would be closer to home, so starting with a shooting in America got me off a little bit on the wrong foot. I found the start a bit tedious figuring out who all the POV were and the changing timelines but from half-way I was absolutely gripped. It was so clever the way crumbs were delivered to send you off on one path and then give you those 'ah-ha' moments when it turned another direction. I really enjoyed seeing how all the loose ends got tied up and the resolution and ending felt appropriate.
I can't wait to go back and read some of his other work now, these are the type of thrillers I love.
Expected publication for this is 24th February, 2026.
Thank you Hachette Aus & NZ for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
The book follows Vince Reid, a private investigator who definitely doesn't do things 'by the book' which I really liked. He was willing to bend the rules and do what it took to get the answers he was looking for in a high-stakes case. He's been hired by a family whose daughter has been shot dead at a political rally and while the police have claimed it as a random attack, the family wants it looked into further and suddenly Reid finds himself in the firing line - literally.
The start threw me, knowing that Pomare is a New Zealander I thought this would be closer to home, so starting with a shooting in America got me off a little bit on the wrong foot. I found the start a bit tedious figuring out who all the POV were and the changing timelines but from half-way I was absolutely gripped. It was so clever the way crumbs were delivered to send you off on one path and then give you those 'ah-ha' moments when it turned another direction. I really enjoyed seeing how all the loose ends got tied up and the resolution and ending felt appropriate.
I can't wait to go back and read some of his other work now, these are the type of thrillers I love.
Expected publication for this is 24th February, 2026.
Thank you Hachette Aus & NZ for providing me with this ARC through Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Gambler is New Zealand crime author JP Pomare’s follow up to 2022’s The Wrong Woman. That book could easily be read as a stand alone mystery as can this one. Both feature private investigator Vince Reid. In that first book, Reid had a history with the town that complicated the investigation. In The Gambler, Reid is just a PI for hire although that does not stop him getting into trouble.
Reid is brought to Illinois by his old mentor Nick who has been asked by a couple to look into the death of their daughter Katie. Katie Marshall was a political staffer who was shot at a rally for her boss Ana Guitierrez. The unlikely perpetrator was a local woman called Barb who was in turn shot by one of Ana’s other staff members, Jason King. Reid finds, that Jason, supposedly a hero, has disappeared, that the situation is a little more complicated and that it has some potential ties to the local Amish community.
Pomare deepens the mystery by providing a number of points of view other than Reid’s. In particular Katie and Barb. Katie’s narrative mainly centres on her deepening relationship with the decidedly odd Jason, one that she wants to take further but he wants to keep as a friendship. Barb meanwhile has been getting anonymous emails giving her gambling tips and soon Barb and her husband are raking in money but find themselves engaged with a shadowy group known as the “Enigmas” who seem to have more on their mind than gambling. In another thread set back in 1999, a man called Joe infiltrates the local Amish community trying to track down a man who might have done something illegal in Chicago while on Rumspringa, a period of freedom for Amish teens.
Reid is a classic detective, pushing for answers even if it means putting himself in harms way, questioning everyone and everything even those he is close to. Along the way, Pomare also dips into Reid’s relationship and hints at some deeper secrets with his father who was himself an inveterate gambler. While the alternate point of view chapters take readers away from Reid as the centre, they are deployed effectively to deepen and complicate the mystery as much as illuminate it.
Pomare has shown in his last few books his ability to construct engaging, twisty mysteries. The Gambler is no exception - another great, page-turning work of detective fiction from Pomare.
Reid is brought to Illinois by his old mentor Nick who has been asked by a couple to look into the death of their daughter Katie. Katie Marshall was a political staffer who was shot at a rally for her boss Ana Guitierrez. The unlikely perpetrator was a local woman called Barb who was in turn shot by one of Ana’s other staff members, Jason King. Reid finds, that Jason, supposedly a hero, has disappeared, that the situation is a little more complicated and that it has some potential ties to the local Amish community.
Pomare deepens the mystery by providing a number of points of view other than Reid’s. In particular Katie and Barb. Katie’s narrative mainly centres on her deepening relationship with the decidedly odd Jason, one that she wants to take further but he wants to keep as a friendship. Barb meanwhile has been getting anonymous emails giving her gambling tips and soon Barb and her husband are raking in money but find themselves engaged with a shadowy group known as the “Enigmas” who seem to have more on their mind than gambling. In another thread set back in 1999, a man called Joe infiltrates the local Amish community trying to track down a man who might have done something illegal in Chicago while on Rumspringa, a period of freedom for Amish teens.
Reid is a classic detective, pushing for answers even if it means putting himself in harms way, questioning everyone and everything even those he is close to. Along the way, Pomare also dips into Reid’s relationship and hints at some deeper secrets with his father who was himself an inveterate gambler. While the alternate point of view chapters take readers away from Reid as the centre, they are deployed effectively to deepen and complicate the mystery as much as illuminate it.
Pomare has shown in his last few books his ability to construct engaging, twisty mysteries. The Gambler is no exception - another great, page-turning work of detective fiction from Pomare.
February 3, 2026
The Gambler by JP Pomare is the second of the Kiwi-born author's books to feature PI Vince Reid. I was one of those who read
The Wrong Woman
in 2022 and commented that I liked him and would love to see him again and... voila, Pomare reinvigorates him 18 months after the events of the previous outing (albeit four years in human-years). Given the events I'm watching unfold unfold on Twitter half a world away, this is a timely read Vince is asked to look into the motive behind a shooting at a political rally and we venture into the world of American politics and those dwelling in the red or blue corner of the political jousting ring.
Pomare has also introduces a number of threads being picked at by Vince, such as the fact that the shooter and her husband had recently started gambling with astounding success, while becoming increasingly entrenched in conspiracy theories and the end of the world. And then there's Katie (our victim) working for a Congressional-aspirant and crushing on Jason, also working on the same campaign. She can't quite work him out. He's keen to spend time with her but won't take their relationship further, and for someone who spends most of his time online, his own footprint is limited. We're also taken into an Amish community, shocked by the murder of one of their own.
Pomare also adds extra colour here via the father-figure who asks Vince to take the case, on behalf of the victim's parents trying to understand why a seemingly-normal woman would target their daughter. The phrase 'she snapped' is bandied about but Vince is sure there's more to it.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Pomare has also introduces a number of threads being picked at by Vince, such as the fact that the shooter and her husband had recently started gambling with astounding success, while becoming increasingly entrenched in conspiracy theories and the end of the world. And then there's Katie (our victim) working for a Congressional-aspirant and crushing on Jason, also working on the same campaign. She can't quite work him out. He's keen to spend time with her but won't take their relationship further, and for someone who spends most of his time online, his own footprint is limited. We're also taken into an Amish community, shocked by the murder of one of their own.
Pomare also adds extra colour here via the father-figure who asks Vince to take the case, on behalf of the victim's parents trying to understand why a seemingly-normal woman would target their daughter. The phrase 'she snapped' is bandied about but Vince is sure there's more to it.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book gave me goosebumps from the start. The inciting incident felt eerily reminiscent of a recent event that made headlines around the globe. This story would have been written well beforehand, which is why the sense of foreboding was there straight out of the gate. But as the story unfolded, it took a different turn. A turn that I found refreshingly different, and one that came with a don’t-interrupt-me-I’m-reading level of intrigue.
A young woman (Kate) is shot dead at a political rally. Jason, a ‘friend’ of Kate’s, shoots the attacker dead in a heroic act, disappearing not long after without a trace. Kate’s devastated parents hire private investigator Vince Reid to find out why their daughter was targeted, but the only way he'll get all the answers he wants is to track down the elusive Jason.
That is a simple overview of what is a complex plot, and even though there was a moment towards the end when I had to flick the pages backwards to check I had the details straight, I was entirely absorbed from start to finish. (A nod to the author for another moment that had me rewinding what I’d read after I’d been skilfully misled by a clever use of language. Well played, Mr Pomare.)
This book feels very now with its exploration of the threat that technology and AI pose, not to mention conspiracy theories. I don’t often bring my husband in on what I’m reading, but this book had me providing him with regular updates. The narrative is so compelling and timely.
I didn't realise this was the second book in a series. I should have though, because the first book (The Wrong Woman) is sitting unread on my bookshelf. Oops! Thankfully, it didn't matter. This stands tall on its own.
An enjoyable and engrossing read, but not a lazy one. With its multiple storylines, POVs and time jumps, this one asks for your undivided attention. Deservedly so.
A young woman (Kate) is shot dead at a political rally. Jason, a ‘friend’ of Kate’s, shoots the attacker dead in a heroic act, disappearing not long after without a trace. Kate’s devastated parents hire private investigator Vince Reid to find out why their daughter was targeted, but the only way he'll get all the answers he wants is to track down the elusive Jason.
That is a simple overview of what is a complex plot, and even though there was a moment towards the end when I had to flick the pages backwards to check I had the details straight, I was entirely absorbed from start to finish. (A nod to the author for another moment that had me rewinding what I’d read after I’d been skilfully misled by a clever use of language. Well played, Mr Pomare.)
This book feels very now with its exploration of the threat that technology and AI pose, not to mention conspiracy theories. I don’t often bring my husband in on what I’m reading, but this book had me providing him with regular updates. The narrative is so compelling and timely.
I didn't realise this was the second book in a series. I should have though, because the first book (The Wrong Woman) is sitting unread on my bookshelf. Oops! Thankfully, it didn't matter. This stands tall on its own.
An enjoyable and engrossing read, but not a lazy one. With its multiple storylines, POVs and time jumps, this one asks for your undivided attention. Deservedly so.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is my first Pomare story but certainly won't be my last. Vince Reid is a PI and is offered an assignment from a father-figure friend of his called Nick.
The story is written a lot like an investigation, methodical and questioning, leaving us in the dark for much of it as to who the culprit might be. An innocent young lady is shot in a peaceful rally by a middle-aged woman who for all intents and purposes is a normal citizen with no prior criminal offences. The shooter is killed in the ensuing melee by the victim's friend. The victim's parents want to understand the 'why' this horrible thing happened and hence why they called in Nick who passed it to Reid.
I enjoyed Pomare's writing. Good narrative, strong character development and many surprises. Reid is certainly no 'know-it-all' sort of character and even he is often confused by all the loose ends that he finds.
The story covers many relevant themes and ideas including gun laws, the impact of cyber theft, cyber fraud, gambling addiction and the treatment of crime by Amish communities which was fascinating.
I did get a little confused at times juggling some of the 'data' and connections between some of the characters and the ending is very well written being an eye opener for me.
This is the second in the Vince Reid series but can be read as a standalone but I think I will read the first one to gain better background on Reid, the character.
I feel fortunate to have received an early ebook copy from Hachette via NetGalley, however, this had no bearing on my review.
The story is written a lot like an investigation, methodical and questioning, leaving us in the dark for much of it as to who the culprit might be. An innocent young lady is shot in a peaceful rally by a middle-aged woman who for all intents and purposes is a normal citizen with no prior criminal offences. The shooter is killed in the ensuing melee by the victim's friend. The victim's parents want to understand the 'why' this horrible thing happened and hence why they called in Nick who passed it to Reid.
I enjoyed Pomare's writing. Good narrative, strong character development and many surprises. Reid is certainly no 'know-it-all' sort of character and even he is often confused by all the loose ends that he finds.
The story covers many relevant themes and ideas including gun laws, the impact of cyber theft, cyber fraud, gambling addiction and the treatment of crime by Amish communities which was fascinating.
I did get a little confused at times juggling some of the 'data' and connections between some of the characters and the ending is very well written being an eye opener for me.
This is the second in the Vince Reid series but can be read as a standalone but I think I will read the first one to gain better background on Reid, the character.
I feel fortunate to have received an early ebook copy from Hachette via NetGalley, however, this had no bearing on my review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This novel throws private investigator Vince Reid into the centre of a baffling and unsettling mystery when a routine visit to an old acquaintance turns into a job offer he can’t easily ignore. A shocking act of violence at a public event raises far more questions than answers, and Reid quickly realises he’s stepped into something far more dangerous than a straightforward assignment. As he digs deeper, the case expands into a maze of hidden agendas and shadowy influences, pushing him to confront not only the truth but the personal cost of chasing it. The result is a story where every revelation shifts the ground beneath your feet, keeping the tension sharp and relentless.
What makes the book especially compelling is Reid himself, flawed, bruised by life, yet driven by an unwavering instinct to uncover what others would rather keep buried. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, weaving together multiple perspectives, unexpected settings, and a rich mix of cultural and technological elements that add depth without overwhelming the plot. The atmosphere is immersive, the twists land with precision, and the exploration of how conspiracy thinking takes root feels both timely and unsettling. Readers who enjoy character‑driven thrillers with layered mysteries and high‑stakes intrigue will find this one gripping from start to finish. Loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
What makes the book especially compelling is Reid himself, flawed, bruised by life, yet driven by an unwavering instinct to uncover what others would rather keep buried. The narrative moves at a brisk pace, weaving together multiple perspectives, unexpected settings, and a rich mix of cultural and technological elements that add depth without overwhelming the plot. The atmosphere is immersive, the twists land with precision, and the exploration of how conspiracy thinking takes root feels both timely and unsettling. Readers who enjoy character‑driven thrillers with layered mysteries and high‑stakes intrigue will find this one gripping from start to finish. Loved it.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.
January 24, 2026
I absolutely couldn’t put this down - The Gambler is one of those thrillers that had me turning pages well past my bedtime. J.P. Pomare has outdone himself with a story that’s tense, clever, and genuinely unpredictable from start to finish.
This instalment marks another riveting chapter in PI Vince Reid’s journey. I especially loved how the relationship between Reid and Peyton continues to grow - it adds real emotional stakes to the fast-paced mystery unfolding around them.
Pomare’s choice to weave multiple points of view into the narrative worked brilliantly here. Sometimes in thrillers I find myself favouring one storyline over another, but this time every POV had a purpose and kept me fully engaged. The structure made the twists hit even harder and kept the momentum building throughout.
The core concept - a PI pulled into a case involving a shocking public shooting that should be simple money but spirals into something much darker - is so intriguing and smartly executed. There were moments I found myself second-guessing what was real or who was pulling the strings, which is exactly what I want from a good thriller.
Overall, The Gambler is a gripping, well-crafted mystery with enough emotional depth and narrative complexity to stand out. If you’re after a thriller you’ll devour, this one’s a must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley for an early release copy in exchange for an honest review!
This instalment marks another riveting chapter in PI Vince Reid’s journey. I especially loved how the relationship between Reid and Peyton continues to grow - it adds real emotional stakes to the fast-paced mystery unfolding around them.
Pomare’s choice to weave multiple points of view into the narrative worked brilliantly here. Sometimes in thrillers I find myself favouring one storyline over another, but this time every POV had a purpose and kept me fully engaged. The structure made the twists hit even harder and kept the momentum building throughout.
The core concept - a PI pulled into a case involving a shocking public shooting that should be simple money but spirals into something much darker - is so intriguing and smartly executed. There were moments I found myself second-guessing what was real or who was pulling the strings, which is exactly what I want from a good thriller.
Overall, The Gambler is a gripping, well-crafted mystery with enough emotional depth and narrative complexity to stand out. If you’re after a thriller you’ll devour, this one’s a must-read.
Thank you to NetGalley for an early release copy in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to Netgalley and the author for this ARC. I love this authors books so was pleased to be approved for this.
What a complex and at times difficult book to follow. That said this is a gripping story brilliantly written. I hope we read more from PI Reid as the author cleverly left us with unfinished business.
When the final chapter pulls together the relationship it weaves a complicated tale that I had to reread to fully understand. How JP Pomare wrote it brew my mind, I nearly got lost in the narrative.
I wanted to like Reid but found him a difficult character to warm too. He is brash and reactive.
Writing AI as a tool within the story is clever, it’s also scary.
Barb and Ted Aldridge started receiving text messages with sure win bets. After a few wins their stakes got bigger and the money grew, until the mysterious texts decided to test them.
Two older people being manipulated so easily drawn into a world by a dangling ‘gold plated’ carrot. But nothing comes that easily without consequences. Their lack of understanding of technology and the lure of lots of easy cash made them vulnerable, highlighting how easy it is to scam someone, get into their mind and have them believe what you want them too.
JP Pomare has once again pulled us into a world that is frighteningly real with interesting and complex characters that hold our attention.
What a complex and at times difficult book to follow. That said this is a gripping story brilliantly written. I hope we read more from PI Reid as the author cleverly left us with unfinished business.
When the final chapter pulls together the relationship it weaves a complicated tale that I had to reread to fully understand. How JP Pomare wrote it brew my mind, I nearly got lost in the narrative.
I wanted to like Reid but found him a difficult character to warm too. He is brash and reactive.
Writing AI as a tool within the story is clever, it’s also scary.
Barb and Ted Aldridge started receiving text messages with sure win bets. After a few wins their stakes got bigger and the money grew, until the mysterious texts decided to test them.
Two older people being manipulated so easily drawn into a world by a dangling ‘gold plated’ carrot. But nothing comes that easily without consequences. Their lack of understanding of technology and the lure of lots of easy cash made them vulnerable, highlighting how easy it is to scam someone, get into their mind and have them believe what you want them too.
JP Pomare has once again pulled us into a world that is frighteningly real with interesting and complex characters that hold our attention.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
PI Vince Reid really should have known that there is no such thing as ‘a sure thing’. But when his old friend and mentor offers him a case in Illinois, he is intrigued (and a bit of easy money would not go astray either). So, why did Barb Aldridge, a respected local woman, shoot Katie Marshall at a political rally for congressional candidate Ana Gutierrez? And where is Jason King, another of Ana’s staff members, who shot Barb Aldridge dead?
Vince meets Katie’s parents and then embarks on investigations which lead him into danger. Mr Pomare keeps the story moving at a rapid pace. The story unfolds through several different points of view each of which adds to a complicated mystery. Jason proves elusive, Barb’s widower is dangerous and perhaps the Marshalls are not sharing everything they know. Meanwhile, Peyton, Vince’s partner is concerned about the risks Vince is taking. And his old friend and mentor, Nick, has some secrets of his own.
A very twisty page turning novel. This is only the second of Mr Pomare’s novels I have read: I’ll be looking to read the others.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Vince meets Katie’s parents and then embarks on investigations which lead him into danger. Mr Pomare keeps the story moving at a rapid pace. The story unfolds through several different points of view each of which adds to a complicated mystery. Jason proves elusive, Barb’s widower is dangerous and perhaps the Marshalls are not sharing everything they know. Meanwhile, Peyton, Vince’s partner is concerned about the risks Vince is taking. And his old friend and mentor, Nick, has some secrets of his own.
A very twisty page turning novel. This is only the second of Mr Pomare’s novels I have read: I’ll be looking to read the others.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I’m an absolute glutton for a JP Pomare book and really looked forward to reading the Gambler. It’s well worth it and I’ll be recommending it to first time or long time readers.
Note : It is the second in a series - the main character Vince Reid made an appearance on an earlier book and whilst I recommend reading it first, I wouldn’t say it’s absolutely necessary.
What you need to know - Reid is a PI who solved a prior case after a significant amount of scrutiny and met his (now partner) who also appears in this instalment. He’s asked by a mentor to do an ‘easy’ job, to investigate the motivation of a woman who shot a young staffer at a political rally.
Always eloquent, JP Pomare keeps things concise and measured. This is one of his longer books at 327 pages and you get plenty of bang (literally) for your buck. In true PI style there’ distractions and diversions, secrets and lies, car crashes and shootings. Reid is tenacious but not the smoothest of operators and it’s a real thrill to see him trying to make sense of the clues as they happen.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it did not disappoint.
Thank you to Hachette Australia for my early copy to read and review.
Note : It is the second in a series - the main character Vince Reid made an appearance on an earlier book and whilst I recommend reading it first, I wouldn’t say it’s absolutely necessary.
What you need to know - Reid is a PI who solved a prior case after a significant amount of scrutiny and met his (now partner) who also appears in this instalment. He’s asked by a mentor to do an ‘easy’ job, to investigate the motivation of a woman who shot a young staffer at a political rally.
Always eloquent, JP Pomare keeps things concise and measured. This is one of his longer books at 327 pages and you get plenty of bang (literally) for your buck. In true PI style there’ distractions and diversions, secrets and lies, car crashes and shootings. Reid is tenacious but not the smoothest of operators and it’s a real thrill to see him trying to make sense of the clues as they happen.
This was one of my most anticipated releases of the year and it did not disappoint.
Thank you to Hachette Australia for my early copy to read and review.
December 28, 2025
Thank you to Hachette Australia & New Zealand and NetGalley for the eARC.
The Gambler is the second book in Pomare���s series featuring PI Vince Reid, but it reads seamlessly as a standalone - perfect for anyone jumping in fresh. I found myself immediately drawn into the story, especially the way it highlights how easily the elderly and vulnerable can be targeted by scams. My heart genuinely went out to these characters, and as always, Pomare kept me guessing. Every suspicion I had turned out to be wrong, which made the final reveal all the more satisfying.
I really enjoyed the multiple POV structure and the way the past and present threads eventually tie together. The glimpse into Amish life added an unexpected layer of interest, and I appreciated the inclusivity woven through the narrative with characters like Reid and Peyton. Another standout element was the mathematical component of the plot - written in such an accessible way that even readers without a technical background can follow along without losing focus or feeling confused.
Having read a couple of Pomare’s books now, I’m consistently impressed by the calibre of his storytelling. The Gambler is intriguing, clever, and grounded in real‑world tension. A strong recommendation for all crime and thriller fans and I will definitely be grabbing myself a physical copy to add to my own trophy shelf!
The Gambler is the second book in Pomare���s series featuring PI Vince Reid, but it reads seamlessly as a standalone - perfect for anyone jumping in fresh. I found myself immediately drawn into the story, especially the way it highlights how easily the elderly and vulnerable can be targeted by scams. My heart genuinely went out to these characters, and as always, Pomare kept me guessing. Every suspicion I had turned out to be wrong, which made the final reveal all the more satisfying.
I really enjoyed the multiple POV structure and the way the past and present threads eventually tie together. The glimpse into Amish life added an unexpected layer of interest, and I appreciated the inclusivity woven through the narrative with characters like Reid and Peyton. Another standout element was the mathematical component of the plot - written in such an accessible way that even readers without a technical background can follow along without losing focus or feeling confused.
Having read a couple of Pomare’s books now, I’m consistently impressed by the calibre of his storytelling. The Gambler is intriguing, clever, and grounded in real‑world tension. A strong recommendation for all crime and thriller fans and I will definitely be grabbing myself a physical copy to add to my own trophy shelf!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ooh this was good!! I love crime fiction so it’s surprising that this was my first time reading one of J.P. Pomare’s books - and it did not disappoint!
In summary: PI Vince Reid takes on what should be a simple case to investigate the murder of a young woman at a political rally, but he soon gets caught up in a dangerous game of conspiracy, power and corruption where his life is at stake. I didn’t realise this was the second book in a series, however you don’t need to have read the first book to enjoy this one.
This is quite a complex story and I did get slightly lost in some of the background information at times, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story and I flew through it!
This one sucked me in about halfway through and I didn’t guess any of the twists.
Despite the 4 stars, I really enjoyed this one and would absolutely recommend it. I’ll definitely be picking up more of his books.
Thanks to Hachette Australia and NetGalley for the ARC (my first ARC!)
In summary: PI Vince Reid takes on what should be a simple case to investigate the murder of a young woman at a political rally, but he soon gets caught up in a dangerous game of conspiracy, power and corruption where his life is at stake. I didn’t realise this was the second book in a series, however you don’t need to have read the first book to enjoy this one.
This is quite a complex story and I did get slightly lost in some of the background information at times, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story and I flew through it!
This one sucked me in about halfway through and I didn’t guess any of the twists.
Despite the 4 stars, I really enjoyed this one and would absolutely recommend it. I’ll definitely be picking up more of his books.
Thanks to Hachette Australia and NetGalley for the ARC (my first ARC!)
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a fabulous crime thriller, wow! I loved it!
Part 1 was a great introduction to all the characters, I loved how this was done. It got me hooked and I was so intrigued.
Reid was given a so called “easy” case but there was so much more to it!! When the first penny dropped I gasped. I didn’t like where this was going, but knew it was too early for me to have worked this out and that a lot more was coming. I had to remind myself to breathe.
I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Innocent people making terrible choices. It was so shocking. I’m trying so hard to keep this spoiler free, but I have so much to
say!
The conspiracy theories, the hacking, deep fakes and AI were so scary and a reminder of what can happen, we are not completely safe at all!
My goodness, it was so clever. The suspense, the manipulation, the twists, so so good!
I just loved Reid. He doesn’t stop, he’s sharp, and he’s fascinating. I can’t wait to read more!
Thank you so much @hachetteaus for the early copy.
Part 1 was a great introduction to all the characters, I loved how this was done. It got me hooked and I was so intrigued.
Reid was given a so called “easy” case but there was so much more to it!! When the first penny dropped I gasped. I didn’t like where this was going, but knew it was too early for me to have worked this out and that a lot more was coming. I had to remind myself to breathe.
I couldn’t believe what I was reading. Innocent people making terrible choices. It was so shocking. I’m trying so hard to keep this spoiler free, but I have so much to
say!
The conspiracy theories, the hacking, deep fakes and AI were so scary and a reminder of what can happen, we are not completely safe at all!
My goodness, it was so clever. The suspense, the manipulation, the twists, so so good!
I just loved Reid. He doesn’t stop, he’s sharp, and he’s fascinating. I can’t wait to read more!
Thank you so much @hachetteaus for the early copy.
January 25, 2026
This is a great start to a new series. Twisty, unpredictable and well drawn characters.
PI Vincent Reid is catching up with an old friend Nash, when Nash offers him a job. A young woman has been shot and killed at a political rally. The shooter a respectable local woman with no reason or connection to the dead girl, Katie. Katie’s parents want answers, was Katie the target or just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Persuaded by the promise that this will be easy money Reid takes the case. Of course it’s anything but straight forward and as more people appear in his line of sight he suddenly finds himself in danger.
Told through multiple characters and time lines, it’s hard to see how these simple folk are connected but slowly the threads all start to come together.
It’s a truly wonderful start to a new series with the main character, Reid, having a mystery from his past that I am sure will be explored in future books.
#TheGambler. #NetGalley
PI Vincent Reid is catching up with an old friend Nash, when Nash offers him a job. A young woman has been shot and killed at a political rally. The shooter a respectable local woman with no reason or connection to the dead girl, Katie. Katie’s parents want answers, was Katie the target or just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Persuaded by the promise that this will be easy money Reid takes the case. Of course it’s anything but straight forward and as more people appear in his line of sight he suddenly finds himself in danger.
Told through multiple characters and time lines, it’s hard to see how these simple folk are connected but slowly the threads all start to come together.
It’s a truly wonderful start to a new series with the main character, Reid, having a mystery from his past that I am sure will be explored in future books.
#TheGambler. #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Reading The Gambler is no gamble at all. This is a knockout story that will grip you from the outset and keep you hooked all the way along.
Vince Reid is a Private Investigator and is given a lead for a job by one of his Dad's old mates. After his previous high profile case he really just wants something simple.
The job is to find out why a beloved retired school teacher drives her car into a political rally and opens fire, killing political staffer Katie Marshall. Sounds easy. Vince knows who so just needs to ask family and friends and try to work out why.
As Vince uncovers more and more about the shooter, this case gets more bizarre. Scams, sports betting, conspiracy theorists, encrypted messages and desperate people. And when a cold case from twenty years ago at a nearby Amish community feels relevant somehow Vince has to try to piece this altogether.
With quick chapters, tight writing, and a storyline that was gripping, I finished this in a few sessions.
I'm really enjoying getting to know this author's writing style and have loved the three books that I have read so far.
Vince Reid is a Private Investigator and is given a lead for a job by one of his Dad's old mates. After his previous high profile case he really just wants something simple.
The job is to find out why a beloved retired school teacher drives her car into a political rally and opens fire, killing political staffer Katie Marshall. Sounds easy. Vince knows who so just needs to ask family and friends and try to work out why.
As Vince uncovers more and more about the shooter, this case gets more bizarre. Scams, sports betting, conspiracy theorists, encrypted messages and desperate people. And when a cold case from twenty years ago at a nearby Amish community feels relevant somehow Vince has to try to piece this altogether.
With quick chapters, tight writing, and a storyline that was gripping, I finished this in a few sessions.
I'm really enjoying getting to know this author's writing style and have loved the three books that I have read so far.
January 30, 2026
ARC review: The Gambler by @jppomare published by @hachetteaus and supplied by @netgalley
Release date: 24 February 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Well that was a wild ride! The Gambler is book 2 in the P.I. Vince Reid series but can be read as a standalone if you have not yet read The Wrong Woman (though I do highly recommend that book too)
After the notoriety he games after the events in book 1, Reid is being a bit more particular about the cases he chooses. So when an old friend of his father contacts him with an easy to solve case, Reid agrees.
Being a Pomare book and a Vince Reid case, this was never going to be a cake walk and soon Reid finds himself sorting through conspiracy theories, a decades old unsolved murder, cyber crime and the unfortunate effects of scams on the elderly.
I loved the multiple POVs we got and varying timelines. The last 80% of the book was truly action packed and had me guessing up until the final reveal, which I love in a crime book.
Release date: 24 February 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Well that was a wild ride! The Gambler is book 2 in the P.I. Vince Reid series but can be read as a standalone if you have not yet read The Wrong Woman (though I do highly recommend that book too)
After the notoriety he games after the events in book 1, Reid is being a bit more particular about the cases he chooses. So when an old friend of his father contacts him with an easy to solve case, Reid agrees.
Being a Pomare book and a Vince Reid case, this was never going to be a cake walk and soon Reid finds himself sorting through conspiracy theories, a decades old unsolved murder, cyber crime and the unfortunate effects of scams on the elderly.
I loved the multiple POVs we got and varying timelines. The last 80% of the book was truly action packed and had me guessing up until the final reveal, which I love in a crime book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wow. First off, a massive thank you to Netgalley, Hachette AU&NZ, and J.P for an ARC of this book.
I finished this book hours ago and just had to sit with this for a while. Gathering my thoughts. This story touches on many different topics, some of which I HATE with a passion. So, I wanted to sit and disconnect from my emotions to see the story, the characters, the plot and be just the reader.
This was easy to read, follow and get into. Pacing was consistent and engaging. This story is split up in 4 parts with a prologue and epilogue. Also it's told in multiple p.o.v's and in different time periods. Each p.o.v was distinctively different with what was happening and the vibe, that there wasn't any confusion.
This had me guessing and trying to figure out the connections up until, basically the end. I was right on a few of my assumptions, However, each character, event, connection was intricately and seamlessly woven to create this masterpiece.
If you've read any other book by J.P. you may have already met Reid and Peyton in The Wrong Woman. if not that's okay.
This book is a good introduction into Reid's story and into the series. As a PI, you can gain many enemies by just doing your job. That, and pair with the questions surrounding Reid's past, this series has a lot of potential for there to be many, many books.
I won't go into this next part too much, but this does contain topics of gambling, identity theft, scams and more.
As someone who has high risk of developing a gambling addiction, seen loved ones get scammed and has been a secondary victim of identity theft, this brought up quite a bit of frustration and anger. On the flip side of that, as someone who is also slightly analytical, I can understand why each of the characters did what they did.
Aside for my personal issues with the above. I really enjoyed this. I'm excited to see where the series will go from here. Will Reid look into his father's death as a PI? Will we get a cameo from any other characters J.P has written? Will we get more of Reid and Peyton? I'll be sticking around to find out.
I finished this book hours ago and just had to sit with this for a while. Gathering my thoughts. This story touches on many different topics, some of which I HATE with a passion. So, I wanted to sit and disconnect from my emotions to see the story, the characters, the plot and be just the reader.
This was easy to read, follow and get into. Pacing was consistent and engaging. This story is split up in 4 parts with a prologue and epilogue. Also it's told in multiple p.o.v's and in different time periods. Each p.o.v was distinctively different with what was happening and the vibe, that there wasn't any confusion.
This had me guessing and trying to figure out the connections up until, basically the end. I was right on a few of my assumptions, However, each character, event, connection was intricately and seamlessly woven to create this masterpiece.
If you've read any other book by J.P. you may have already met Reid and Peyton in The Wrong Woman. if not that's okay.
This book is a good introduction into Reid's story and into the series. As a PI, you can gain many enemies by just doing your job. That, and pair with the questions surrounding Reid's past, this series has a lot of potential for there to be many, many books.
I won't go into this next part too much, but this does contain topics of gambling, identity theft, scams and more.
As someone who has high risk of developing a gambling addiction, seen loved ones get scammed and has been a secondary victim of identity theft, this brought up quite a bit of frustration and anger. On the flip side of that, as someone who is also slightly analytical, I can understand why each of the characters did what they did.
Aside for my personal issues with the above. I really enjoyed this. I'm excited to see where the series will go from here. Will Reid look into his father's death as a PI? Will we get a cameo from any other characters J.P has written? Will we get more of Reid and Peyton? I'll be sticking around to find out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Gambler delivered all the twists and turns we’ve come to expect from JP Pomare. His books always take us to unexpected places and this one is no exception. The Gambler is the second book featuring PI Vince Reid, and set in small town America.
This time around, Reid is trying to determine why a previously upstanding citizen has suddenly taken a gun to a rally, and shot a seemingly innocent woman. There are some interesting characters, including several from an Amish community, whose stories all intertwine. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist came along to make me rethink.
I enjoyed this book, as I have all of JP Pomare’s. I personally prefer his books that are set in Australia or New Zealand, but this was still a really good read.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my review.
This time around, Reid is trying to determine why a previously upstanding citizen has suddenly taken a gun to a rally, and shot a seemingly innocent woman. There are some interesting characters, including several from an Amish community, whose stories all intertwine. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, another twist came along to make me rethink.
I enjoyed this book, as I have all of JP Pomare’s. I personally prefer his books that are set in Australia or New Zealand, but this was still a really good read.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley for my review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I will read anything that J.P. Pomare writes. I don't even bother with the blurb anymore, he is on my instant buy list.
The Gambler is just as good as everything else he has written. Here we see P.I. Vince Reid back on anther case. He is offered a case from a friend, one that looks to be a nice, easy job - a respected local woman opens fire at a political rally, killing one girl who had a promising future ahead of her. Why did she do it? As Reid gets further into the case, nothing is as simple as it seems.
The plot of this book was just as twisty as I was expecting it to be, and I really loved the relationship between Reid and his mentor/friend Nick.
I really hope that we get to see more of P.I Reid in future books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
The Gambler is just as good as everything else he has written. Here we see P.I. Vince Reid back on anther case. He is offered a case from a friend, one that looks to be a nice, easy job - a respected local woman opens fire at a political rally, killing one girl who had a promising future ahead of her. Why did she do it? As Reid gets further into the case, nothing is as simple as it seems.
The plot of this book was just as twisty as I was expecting it to be, and I really loved the relationship between Reid and his mentor/friend Nick.
I really hope that we get to see more of P.I Reid in future books.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
J.P Pomare has become and automatic read for me.
The Gambler was an interesting premise with Reid being hired as a private investigator at a political rally which I felt at times mirrored events that have happened in America.
You will want to keep turning pages as you try and piece together the characters and how they are all connected and once you have, you can guarantee that something changes and you are wrong! The gambling element was interesting and show cases how easily people can fall victim to scams and be manipulated.
The Gambler is a fantastic read for fans of mystery and thrillers, highly recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette for a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The Gambler was an interesting premise with Reid being hired as a private investigator at a political rally which I felt at times mirrored events that have happened in America.
You will want to keep turning pages as you try and piece together the characters and how they are all connected and once you have, you can guarantee that something changes and you are wrong! The gambling element was interesting and show cases how easily people can fall victim to scams and be manipulated.
The Gambler is a fantastic read for fans of mystery and thrillers, highly recommend.
Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette for a copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was another cracker by Pomare. I predicted a bit more than I have in his previous works, but it was still a fast paced twisty novel that kept me wanting to turn the page.
Reid was such a loveable character and I definitely want to go back and read the first book now. I didn��t feel like I was missing anything as I read this one first, but I’d love to go back and learn things I may have missed!
I loved the multiple POV’s as well as timelines and I think that helps Pomare create these books filled with twists and turns.
This was another cracker by Pomare. I predicted a bit more than I have in his previous works, but it was still a fast paced twisty novel that kept me wanting to turn the page.
Reid was such a loveable character and I definitely want to go back and read the first book now. I didn��t feel like I was missing anything as I read this one first, but I’d love to go back and learn things I may have missed!
I loved the multiple POV’s as well as timelines and I think that helps Pomare create these books filled with twists and turns.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
What a great way to kick off 2026! Received an ARC and although I was initially concerned that it is the second in a series I haven't read, it totally did not matter. This can definitely be read and enjoyed as a standalone book. I will of course, however, now have to go back and read everything by this author as it was such a fast-paced and hard to put down read! Loved the characters, the storylines, the cleverness of the twists and turns and the satisfying ending to one case of hopefully many to be investigated by PI Vince Reid. Thank you so much for sharing this ARC, it was definitely a great read!!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
The Gambler is the second book featuring PI Vince Reid, and I think I loved this one even more than The Wrong Woman. I had no idea where the story was heading, and it absolutely kept me guessing.
Reid is such a likable character, even if he does make some questionable choices, so you are always rooting for him. I loved the Amish aspect to the story and how seemingly unrelated events and people all ended up twisted together.
An easy 5 star read 👌
Thank you so much to Hachette Australia for the ARC. J.P Pomare is easily one of my favourite thriller writers so I was so excited to receive this physical copy ❤️❤️
Reid is such a likable character, even if he does make some questionable choices, so you are always rooting for him. I loved the Amish aspect to the story and how seemingly unrelated events and people all ended up twisted together.
An easy 5 star read 👌
Thank you so much to Hachette Australia for the ARC. J.P Pomare is easily one of my favourite thriller writers so I was so excited to receive this physical copy ❤️❤️
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