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Home Before Night
As the third wave of the virus hits, all inhabitants of Melbourne are given until 8pm to get to their homes. Wherever they are when the curfew hits, they must live for four weeks and stay within a 5km radius. When Lou’s son Samuel doesn’t arrive home by nightfall she begins to panic.
He doesn’t answer his phone. He doesn’t message. His social media channels are inactive. Lou is out of her mind with worry, but she can’t go to the police, because she has secrets of her own. Secrets that Samuel just can’t find out about. Lou must find her son herself and bring him home.
A fast-paced psychological thriller for fans of Tell Me Lies.
He doesn’t answer his phone. He doesn’t message. His social media channels are inactive. Lou is out of her mind with worry, but she can’t go to the police, because she has secrets of her own. Secrets that Samuel just can’t find out about. Lou must find her son herself and bring him home.
A fast-paced psychological thriller for fans of Tell Me Lies.
5 pages, Audible Audio
First published April 26, 2023
84 people are currently reading
817 people want to read
About the author
J.P. Pomare
12 books1,403 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 408 reviews
November 5, 2023
A novella - please note you get quite a chunk of his new book to be published next year ….. I didn’t read it cos I’ll have forgotten it by next week never mind next year.
It’s the usual twisty JPP twisty read. A clever lead you down the garden path thriller. I really enjoyed it though thought the ending a tad rushed so hence 4 not 5 stars.
It’s the usual twisty JPP twisty read. A clever lead you down the garden path thriller. I really enjoyed it though thought the ending a tad rushed so hence 4 not 5 stars.
November 10, 2022
Well that was a shocking twist! Should have known with JP Pomare it would be
June 8, 2023
This is my second J. P. Pomare book and one I really enjoyed, this one is set in Melbourne during the lockdowns and this is a first for me.
A new curfew has just been announced and everyone must be home by 8.00pm, divorced mother Lou is waiting on her eighteen year old son Samuel to arrive before the curfew hits otherwise they must stay for the next four weeks where they are, when he doesn’t arrive home and she cannot contact him Lou pushes the panic buttons, does she have a reason to? Can she call the police knowing the secrets she holds?
There are lots of different twists in this mystery, thriller, my mind had all different thoughts trying to sort out what was happening, and the ending was not what I expected at all, a short story that I did in one sitting, it is fast paced and has lots happening in, characters that add to the story.
It is one that I would highly recommend come along for the journey and discover all of the secrets from the past that caused lots of suspense and drama in the now.
My thanks to Hachette AU for my copy to read and review.
A new curfew has just been announced and everyone must be home by 8.00pm, divorced mother Lou is waiting on her eighteen year old son Samuel to arrive before the curfew hits otherwise they must stay for the next four weeks where they are, when he doesn’t arrive home and she cannot contact him Lou pushes the panic buttons, does she have a reason to? Can she call the police knowing the secrets she holds?
There are lots of different twists in this mystery, thriller, my mind had all different thoughts trying to sort out what was happening, and the ending was not what I expected at all, a short story that I did in one sitting, it is fast paced and has lots happening in, characters that add to the story.
It is one that I would highly recommend come along for the journey and discover all of the secrets from the past that caused lots of suspense and drama in the now.
My thanks to Hachette AU for my copy to read and review.
November 2, 2022
This was the most ridiculous book, once’s you finish it you understand why characters are certain ways and it does make sense sense but that doesn’t change the way I felt about the first 80% of the book.
The plot twist was great and the book ends up getting really gritty and dark but I don’t think the plot twist is worth putting yourself through everything before that.
Expect a cheap Covid plot, a miserable, alcoholic, overbearing mother, shitty father, and boring plot until about 80% in. However, good writing and an interesting plot twist have bumped this one up a notch.
The plot twist was great and the book ends up getting really gritty and dark but I don’t think the plot twist is worth putting yourself through everything before that.
Expect a cheap Covid plot, a miserable, alcoholic, overbearing mother, shitty father, and boring plot until about 80% in. However, good writing and an interesting plot twist have bumped this one up a notch.
October 10, 2023
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**4.5 stars**
Home Before Night by J.P. Pomare. (2023, first published by Amazon Audible Originals in 2022).
As another wave of the virus hits, inhabitants of Melbourne are given until 8pm to get to their home. After that, curfew begins and they need to stay there for 4 weeks. When Lou's son Samuel doesn't arrive, she begins to panic. He doesn't answer his phone, or message, or get on social media. Lou is scared and worried but can't go to the police because she has secrets of her own that she can't let Samuel find out. Lou must find her son herself and bring him home.
Having read and enjoyed this author's previous novels, I had a feeling I would like this story. Being such a short length (only 189 pages) means that the tension ramped up quite quickly and had me racing through the pages. Set in a time of general stress and uncertainty during a pandemic lockdown, it's quickly clear that Lou has an extremely close relationship with her son and she is immediately concerned when he doesn't return home for the lockdown. With a few red herrings and unexpected twists, this is one engaging read that you won't want to put down.
Overall: highly recommend this thriller, especially if you are looking for something quick to get stuck into.
*www.facebook.com/onewomansbbr
**4.5 stars**
Home Before Night by J.P. Pomare. (2023, first published by Amazon Audible Originals in 2022).
As another wave of the virus hits, inhabitants of Melbourne are given until 8pm to get to their home. After that, curfew begins and they need to stay there for 4 weeks. When Lou's son Samuel doesn't arrive, she begins to panic. He doesn't answer his phone, or message, or get on social media. Lou is scared and worried but can't go to the police because she has secrets of her own that she can't let Samuel find out. Lou must find her son herself and bring him home.
Having read and enjoyed this author's previous novels, I had a feeling I would like this story. Being such a short length (only 189 pages) means that the tension ramped up quite quickly and had me racing through the pages. Set in a time of general stress and uncertainty during a pandemic lockdown, it's quickly clear that Lou has an extremely close relationship with her son and she is immediately concerned when he doesn't return home for the lockdown. With a few red herrings and unexpected twists, this is one engaging read that you won't want to put down.
Overall: highly recommend this thriller, especially if you are looking for something quick to get stuck into.
May 12, 2023
*https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com
Uncertainty, changing times, family, love, trust, loss and devotion fills the pages of J.P. Pomare’s latest quick-fire thriller, Home Before Night. Set during the pandemic as Melbourne faced lockdown after lockdown, this tension filled tale will have you flipping pages at breakneck speed to get to the bottom of this compulsive crime mystery.
Amid the chaos of curfews, travel restrictions and lockdowns, Home Before Night is the story of a bereft mother’s endless search to find her missing son during an unprecedented time in our modern world. When Lou’s son fails to communicate or connect with anyone, she knows something is not right. This mother’s gut feeling is that something is very, very wrong. But Lou knows she is unable to reach out to the police to help her locate Samuel as it will land her in hot water. Lou is withholding something and she doesn’t want anyone – including Samuel to know. So it is up to Lou alone to fight her own battle and to bring her beloved son home. Will Lou be reunited with Samuel, or has she lost him forever?
I always get a giddy feeling when I see a new J.P. Pomare novel. One of the best in the business in the crime and thriller category of fiction, I was just a tad excited to read Home Before Night. A story that was first released as an Audible exclusive, this latest Pomare offering is fast paced, incredibly twisted and oh so tense. It was a sprint from the start to the finish line with this one.
Easily a one sitting read, Home Before Night is an addictive mystery tale from thriller extraordinaire J.P. Pomare. Those readers who are already familiar with Pomare’s work will know that he is a true master when it comes to plot twists, thanks to his well received back catalogue. It was safe to say I had my seatbelt buckled in tight while reading Home Before Night, I knew that a huge jolt to my system was coming! In true Pomare style we are led down some uncertain paths that are destined to fool us. Everyone and everything is suspicious, as Pomare’s lead character embarks on her turbulent journey to find her missing son Samuel. I was deeply invested in this mother’s desperate search for her son.
Pomare’s protagonists are authentic character conglomerations, which draws the reader further into this crime tale. The realistic setting, which allows us to take a short stroll back in time to Melbourne’s trying lockdown period, pulled me into Pomare’s narrative bubble. Pomare depicts this precarious, uncertain and trying time well, reminding us of the restrictions that were placed on us just a few short years ago. For some this might be hard to travel back to lockdown times. I am a Perth resident so we didn’t face as many lockdowns as Melbourne, but we were cut off from the rest of the country and the world, so Home Before Night was a reminder of this extremely isolating time.
With plenty of doubt cast on the characters combined with a number of possibilities raised for Samuel’s disappearance, the pressure builds to a crescendo in Home Before Night. I won’t spoil it for you, so reach out and grab a copy when you can, it’s a compressed style read that you will whip through in no time!
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
AD-PR PRODUCT
Uncertainty, changing times, family, love, trust, loss and devotion fills the pages of J.P. Pomare’s latest quick-fire thriller, Home Before Night. Set during the pandemic as Melbourne faced lockdown after lockdown, this tension filled tale will have you flipping pages at breakneck speed to get to the bottom of this compulsive crime mystery.
Amid the chaos of curfews, travel restrictions and lockdowns, Home Before Night is the story of a bereft mother’s endless search to find her missing son during an unprecedented time in our modern world. When Lou’s son fails to communicate or connect with anyone, she knows something is not right. This mother’s gut feeling is that something is very, very wrong. But Lou knows she is unable to reach out to the police to help her locate Samuel as it will land her in hot water. Lou is withholding something and she doesn’t want anyone – including Samuel to know. So it is up to Lou alone to fight her own battle and to bring her beloved son home. Will Lou be reunited with Samuel, or has she lost him forever?
I always get a giddy feeling when I see a new J.P. Pomare novel. One of the best in the business in the crime and thriller category of fiction, I was just a tad excited to read Home Before Night. A story that was first released as an Audible exclusive, this latest Pomare offering is fast paced, incredibly twisted and oh so tense. It was a sprint from the start to the finish line with this one.
Easily a one sitting read, Home Before Night is an addictive mystery tale from thriller extraordinaire J.P. Pomare. Those readers who are already familiar with Pomare’s work will know that he is a true master when it comes to plot twists, thanks to his well received back catalogue. It was safe to say I had my seatbelt buckled in tight while reading Home Before Night, I knew that a huge jolt to my system was coming! In true Pomare style we are led down some uncertain paths that are destined to fool us. Everyone and everything is suspicious, as Pomare’s lead character embarks on her turbulent journey to find her missing son Samuel. I was deeply invested in this mother’s desperate search for her son.
Pomare’s protagonists are authentic character conglomerations, which draws the reader further into this crime tale. The realistic setting, which allows us to take a short stroll back in time to Melbourne’s trying lockdown period, pulled me into Pomare’s narrative bubble. Pomare depicts this precarious, uncertain and trying time well, reminding us of the restrictions that were placed on us just a few short years ago. For some this might be hard to travel back to lockdown times. I am a Perth resident so we didn’t face as many lockdowns as Melbourne, but we were cut off from the rest of the country and the world, so Home Before Night was a reminder of this extremely isolating time.
With plenty of doubt cast on the characters combined with a number of possibilities raised for Samuel’s disappearance, the pressure builds to a crescendo in Home Before Night. I won’t spoil it for you, so reach out and grab a copy when you can, it’s a compressed style read that you will whip through in no time!
*Thanks is extended to Hachette Australia for providing a free copy of this book for review purposes.
AD-PR PRODUCT
May 23, 2023
Thank you Hachette Australia for sending me a copy of this book for review.
What I loved about this book was
1) The DNA testing
2) Missing person trope
3) Ending was unpredictable.
This was a clever thriller with a masterful twist. I headed down one road and then it changed direction. I really like his writing style it is engaging. Looking forward to reading his new book in 2024.
What I loved about this book was
1) The DNA testing
2) Missing person trope
3) Ending was unpredictable.
This was a clever thriller with a masterful twist. I headed down one road and then it changed direction. I really like his writing style it is engaging. Looking forward to reading his new book in 2024.
May 2, 2023
J.P. Pomare’s latest thriller, Home Before Night, begins just as Melbourne residents are ordered into another pandemic lockdown. Single mother Lou tries to contact her 19 year old son Samuel to ensure he’s heard the news and comes home in time, but he doesn’t return her calls or text messages.
Pomare builds the tension well as Lou, unable to reach her son as the lockdown comes into effect, begins to panic. Her ex-husband is dismissive when she phones him, accusing her of being overbearing, among other things, but Lou is certain there is something wrong. She should be relieved when Sam finally video calls her late the next day claiming to be staying with his girlfriend, but there is something about his demeanour, and the video’s background, that bothers her.
It’s not clear, however, if Lou’s instincts can be trusted. She’s a heavy drinker, and presents as perhaps a little paranoid, in part troubled by a secret from her past that Pomare teases out. Deft plotting suggests several possible reasons for Sam’s absence, ensuring the reveal will likely come as a surprise.
At just under 200 pages long, Home Before Night is a fast paced and entertaining read, but also much shorter than I expected, with the paperback padded with a 100 page preview of Pomare’s forthcoming novel, Seventeen Years Later, to be published in 2024.
Pomare builds the tension well as Lou, unable to reach her son as the lockdown comes into effect, begins to panic. Her ex-husband is dismissive when she phones him, accusing her of being overbearing, among other things, but Lou is certain there is something wrong. She should be relieved when Sam finally video calls her late the next day claiming to be staying with his girlfriend, but there is something about his demeanour, and the video’s background, that bothers her.
It’s not clear, however, if Lou’s instincts can be trusted. She’s a heavy drinker, and presents as perhaps a little paranoid, in part troubled by a secret from her past that Pomare teases out. Deft plotting suggests several possible reasons for Sam’s absence, ensuring the reveal will likely come as a surprise.
At just under 200 pages long, Home Before Night is a fast paced and entertaining read, but also much shorter than I expected, with the paperback padded with a 100 page preview of Pomare’s forthcoming novel, Seventeen Years Later, to be published in 2024.
July 4, 2023
Weak and unsubstantial - as evidenced by the way that almost a third of the paperback is actually a seven chapter preview of his next book! I thought I was only halfway through the main book, but it was actually near the end and I just thought ‘is that it?’
November 4, 2022
I really disliked the main character, but maybe that was the point? I kinda wish she was more likeable though as it would have made the end much more shocking. I definitely thought the story was going one way and it went in a totally different direction which caught me by surprise. A decent listen whilst cleaning the house!
May 12, 2023
This is the first book that I have read by J. P. Pomare, and it won’t be the last. Home Before Night is set in Melbourne during a third wave of the Covid pandemic. This thriller follows Lou, a Mum to 18-year-old Samuel. Samuel hasn’t arrived home in time for the lock-down curfew, so Lou is anxious. The story builds slowly but all is revealed by the conclusion! Thank you to Better Reading for my ARC.
November 3, 2022
An interesting story with a 'didn't see that coming' end. Considering that this takes place during a COBID lockdown, the characters do get out and about quite a bit, lol.
May 26, 2023
This was better than expected, with an unexpected twist!! I do prefer unpredictable.
November 4, 2022
YES!
was not keen to revisit Covid but thought I’d give this book a go, mainly due to its price tag of being free on audible. Didn’t know what to expect, and personally I loved it. Was hooked straight away. Having a 19 month and 6 month old babies, and also being raised as a Mormon, I had multiple points of relevance with the book AND those twist…. SORRY!? it shook me!
SO GOOD
Seems like no one really has good memories of Covid and This book kinda has nothing to do with it, except a situational relevance. I reckon a lot of people will pass this one over due to the lockdown emphasis and they are gonna miss out on a short and fast listen. This gave me strong Stephen king short story vibes
was not keen to revisit Covid but thought I’d give this book a go, mainly due to its price tag of being free on audible. Didn’t know what to expect, and personally I loved it. Was hooked straight away. Having a 19 month and 6 month old babies, and also being raised as a Mormon, I had multiple points of relevance with the book AND those twist…. SORRY!? it shook me!
SO GOOD
Seems like no one really has good memories of Covid and This book kinda has nothing to do with it, except a situational relevance. I reckon a lot of people will pass this one over due to the lockdown emphasis and they are gonna miss out on a short and fast listen. This gave me strong Stephen king short story vibes
May 20, 2023
3.75 stars rounded up
The book is only short, at just 189 pages. Despite this, the story is engaging, especially in the second half. Lou is an unreliable narrator and there is more depth to Samuel than first thought. The twist to the story is not something I had seen coming but on reflection, the clues were there. My only negative is that whilst it does pack a punch in a short period of time, I was left wishing that the backstory of some of the characters had been fleshed out and this was a full length novel. I enjoyed the reading experience but I think I would have loved it even more if I had listened on the originally intended Audible format.
Thank you to Tandem Collective Global and Hachette for my copy.
The book is only short, at just 189 pages. Despite this, the story is engaging, especially in the second half. Lou is an unreliable narrator and there is more depth to Samuel than first thought. The twist to the story is not something I had seen coming but on reflection, the clues were there. My only negative is that whilst it does pack a punch in a short period of time, I was left wishing that the backstory of some of the characters had been fleshed out and this was a full length novel. I enjoyed the reading experience but I think I would have loved it even more if I had listened on the originally intended Audible format.
Thank you to Tandem Collective Global and Hachette for my copy.
July 28, 2023
This book does nothing to dispel the myth that Australians be crazy.
November 10, 2022
Ah s#&t, he got me again. Every time, every time I read a J.P Pomare I think I know what's happening and where the story is going then BOOM he flips the script on me. This one is quite different to his others, but still so compulsive and engaging . I found the protagonist needy, overbearing and in general unlikeable which might be a ick for some readers, but I don't mind especially if they're interesting and it's a bonus when it all makes so much sense at the end. The lockdown setting was great and added to the claustrophobia, I wonder if we will see many more mid-pandemic novels in the coming years?
I wasn't sure if the author was shooting for maximum veracity with his depiction of lockdowns and covid, and I did notice that he never actually mentions covid just 'the virus' which I assume is to take some liberties with the facts. The lockdown in this book is more of a New Zealand style lockdown - we never had 'where you are at 8pm tonight you must stay for x weeks' and from memory you could always exercise with one other person it was never alone. But otherwise it rang true. I remember the first time I saw people in military fatigues assisting the police at my local park (basically the same scene that happened in the book) and he nails the isolation, making friends with your neighbours, missing family and drinking at home on zoom calls... ah memories.
I wasn't sure if the author was shooting for maximum veracity with his depiction of lockdowns and covid, and I did notice that he never actually mentions covid just 'the virus' which I assume is to take some liberties with the facts. The lockdown in this book is more of a New Zealand style lockdown - we never had 'where you are at 8pm tonight you must stay for x weeks' and from memory you could always exercise with one other person it was never alone. But otherwise it rang true. I remember the first time I saw people in military fatigues assisting the police at my local park (basically the same scene that happened in the book) and he nails the isolation, making friends with your neighbours, missing family and drinking at home on zoom calls... ah memories.
May 7, 2023
It's another COVID lockdown in Melbourne. Lou's son Samuel has missed the 8pm curfew .. and his mother has no idea where he is. All social media accounts are inactive and he's not answering his phone or messaging. This is out of character for Samuel, whom Lou would do anything for... Especially protect him from a dark and disturbing secret. One that stops her from going to the police for help.
J.P got me AGAIN with the suspense that was crammed into this quick read. That twist was absolutely unexpected, turning the story upside down. Whilst I was embroiled with a very clever plot, I feel that it wasn't as explosive as usual. Lou and Markus's flippancy really contributed to this.
I did however, have a lot of fun discovering the Easter eggs referring to J.P's previous novels.
Not too bad of a read at all!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
J.P got me AGAIN with the suspense that was crammed into this quick read. That twist was absolutely unexpected, turning the story upside down. Whilst I was embroiled with a very clever plot, I feel that it wasn't as explosive as usual. Lou and Markus's flippancy really contributed to this.
I did however, have a lot of fun discovering the Easter eggs referring to J.P's previous novels.
Not too bad of a read at all!
🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
November 13, 2022
I did not see the twist and I’m mad about it.
June 23, 2023
⭐️4 Stars⭐️
Once again J.P. Pomare has delivered an engaging and addictive thriller! Home Before Night is set during the Covid pandemic in Melbourne. During the third wave of the virus everyone is given till 8pm to get home. Lou’s son Samuel has gone missing, he hasn’t returned home, she can’t reach him and she begins to panic!
Lou has secrets in her past so she is reluctant to have the police involved. Her unhelpful ex-husband doesn’t believe her concerns but will they join forces and track him down together? Desperate, Lou will do anything for her son.
There are some great twists and turns although I guessed the big reveal. At 189 pages it was compact and easily read in a few hours and what a page turner! Without giving any more away about the plot I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
The book also includes a sneak peek of Pomare’s next book ‘Seventeen Years Later’ which I am holding back on reading until it’s published because I need to read the whole book!
Publisher Hachette Australia
Publication date 26 April 2023
A huge thanks to Hachette Australia for sending me a copy of the book.
Once again J.P. Pomare has delivered an engaging and addictive thriller! Home Before Night is set during the Covid pandemic in Melbourne. During the third wave of the virus everyone is given till 8pm to get home. Lou’s son Samuel has gone missing, he hasn’t returned home, she can’t reach him and she begins to panic!
Lou has secrets in her past so she is reluctant to have the police involved. Her unhelpful ex-husband doesn’t believe her concerns but will they join forces and track him down together? Desperate, Lou will do anything for her son.
There are some great twists and turns although I guessed the big reveal. At 189 pages it was compact and easily read in a few hours and what a page turner! Without giving any more away about the plot I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
The book also includes a sneak peek of Pomare’s next book ‘Seventeen Years Later’ which I am holding back on reading until it’s published because I need to read the whole book!
Publisher Hachette Australia
Publication date 26 April 2023
A huge thanks to Hachette Australia for sending me a copy of the book.
April 10, 2023
Home Before Night is a fast paced crime thriller with the sort of blindside twist we've come to expect from Pomare. Set in Melbourne during the endless Covid lockdowns. Don't let this put you off though if you are Covid fatigued, that's about the extent of what Covid has to do with this story. It's more the lockdown providing the means for the disappearance to occur.
The characters aren't particularly likeable, but they are realistic. Pomare throws out a few red herrings to mislead you along the way, making the big reveal all the more shocking. At the heart of this novel is grief, the overwhelming way in which it can alter a person's mind and actions.
I sped through this one, enjoying it in the same way I enjoy my guilty pleasure of watching cop dramas. If anything, it ends abruptly and was a little on the short side in terms of resolution, but all in all, a satisfying read and a terrific way to finish a weekend of reading.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
The characters aren't particularly likeable, but they are realistic. Pomare throws out a few red herrings to mislead you along the way, making the big reveal all the more shocking. At the heart of this novel is grief, the overwhelming way in which it can alter a person's mind and actions.
I sped through this one, enjoying it in the same way I enjoy my guilty pleasure of watching cop dramas. If anything, it ends abruptly and was a little on the short side in terms of resolution, but all in all, a satisfying read and a terrific way to finish a weekend of reading.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
December 2, 2022
Not bad for a free Audible download. Set in Melbourne during Covid lockdown, unfortunately there weren’t really any likable characters in this book, but I did enjoy the twist which I didn’t see coming, which also helped to explain certain character traits.
May 10, 2023
This was a very engaging, fast read that I was easily able to knock over in a couple of sittings. I feel conflicted about the ending as I had to suspend my belief (and not necessarily in a good way). Saying that, I had a fun time reading it and for 190 pages, I'm not mad.
Also - is it just me or is it too soon to be writing books revolving entirely around the covid pandemic??
Also - is it just me or is it too soon to be writing books revolving entirely around the covid pandemic??
July 14, 2023
Protective mother or a mad woman?
These questions are asked about Lou, a mother whose 18 year old son doesn’t return home in the midst of Melbournes lockdown during the pandemic. He says he’s with his girlfriend but Lou has a feeling he’s not. And the other feelings and concerns she has aren’t good. Motherly instinct perhaps?
When Lou discovers Samuel isn’t with his girlfriend, more alarm bells begin to ring, and Lou can’t help but think it has something to do with events from her past with Samuel’s father Marko. And if that’s the case it’s bad, really bad.
JP Pomare has a distinct writing style. It’s direct and succinct and his style ensures his books are page turners. I have to say I was ambivalent about reading a book set in the pandemic and it did bring me back to that time and my own feelings about being in lockdown. Feeling alone, worried and concerned like Lou who had no support - I just couldn’t fathom it. The book is mainly from her perspective - a tortured look into her reality, her life beginning and seemingly revolving around Samuel. Without him, what would she be?
There are latter chapters from another perspective that just makes the book in my opinion. And I know there’ll be some chat about the ending but you won’t hear about it from me.
The moral to the story? ‘never keep big, dark secrets because they rot you from the inside’.
These questions are asked about Lou, a mother whose 18 year old son doesn’t return home in the midst of Melbournes lockdown during the pandemic. He says he’s with his girlfriend but Lou has a feeling he’s not. And the other feelings and concerns she has aren’t good. Motherly instinct perhaps?
When Lou discovers Samuel isn’t with his girlfriend, more alarm bells begin to ring, and Lou can’t help but think it has something to do with events from her past with Samuel’s father Marko. And if that’s the case it’s bad, really bad.
JP Pomare has a distinct writing style. It’s direct and succinct and his style ensures his books are page turners. I have to say I was ambivalent about reading a book set in the pandemic and it did bring me back to that time and my own feelings about being in lockdown. Feeling alone, worried and concerned like Lou who had no support - I just couldn’t fathom it. The book is mainly from her perspective - a tortured look into her reality, her life beginning and seemingly revolving around Samuel. Without him, what would she be?
There are latter chapters from another perspective that just makes the book in my opinion. And I know there’ll be some chat about the ending but you won’t hear about it from me.
The moral to the story? ‘never keep big, dark secrets because they rot you from the inside’.
May 5, 2023
Thank you Hachette for sending us a copy to read and review.
Home Before Night was first released as an audiobook exclusive and now it’s here in paperback form.
A quick, one sitting read that’s fast paced set during the pandemic.
The Covid virus has put Melbourne in lockdown.
People need to be home by 8pm and stay within 5 kilometres of home.
Lou’s son Samuel, is no where to be found.
He’s uncontactable, no messages or texts, not even through social media.
Lou doesn’t know what to do.
She can’t contact the police because her secrets will come out.
But she must find Samuel before it’s too late……
I found this one ok.
There’s no real shocks or surprises here and the length of the book is 282 pages, the story is only 189 pages and the rest is packed with a preview of next years release.
With a fair plot, the revelations are moderate and the cast is underdeveloped, it just doesn’t hit the mark for me.
I guess as it’s a short story there’s not a lot of character expansion and it’s quite quick to get to the end with a decent ending.
J.P and thriller enthusiasts will be all over it.
Home Before Night was first released as an audiobook exclusive and now it’s here in paperback form.
A quick, one sitting read that’s fast paced set during the pandemic.
The Covid virus has put Melbourne in lockdown.
People need to be home by 8pm and stay within 5 kilometres of home.
Lou’s son Samuel, is no where to be found.
He’s uncontactable, no messages or texts, not even through social media.
Lou doesn’t know what to do.
She can’t contact the police because her secrets will come out.
But she must find Samuel before it’s too late……
I found this one ok.
There’s no real shocks or surprises here and the length of the book is 282 pages, the story is only 189 pages and the rest is packed with a preview of next years release.
With a fair plot, the revelations are moderate and the cast is underdeveloped, it just doesn’t hit the mark for me.
I guess as it’s a short story there’s not a lot of character expansion and it’s quite quick to get to the end with a decent ending.
J.P and thriller enthusiasts will be all over it.
April 30, 2023
✨4.5✨
Absolutely devoured this! Another excellent J.P Pomare thriller which I could not put down. I didn’t see the twist coming at all which I loved, and I also loved the nods to all of his other novels and characters throughout as well. Nice Easter eggs for fans of his other novels.
Looking forward to another thriller from the master in 2024!
Absolutely devoured this! Another excellent J.P Pomare thriller which I could not put down. I didn’t see the twist coming at all which I loved, and I also loved the nods to all of his other novels and characters throughout as well. Nice Easter eggs for fans of his other novels.
Looking forward to another thriller from the master in 2024!
May 26, 2023
Disappointed with this. Usually such good twists and turns in these books but I felt this story could have been fleshed out so much more!
July 13, 2024
Am a huge fan of the twists aand surprises in J.P.Pomare novels and this novella didn't disappoint....I couldn't stop listening! Set in Melbourne's covid lockdown and some great turns... definitely have a listen to experience what are the magic of his novels.
September 30, 2023
WTF. Where was the rest of the book?!
The paperback is 282 pages but a big chunk of that is an extract from an upcoming novel. I haven’t read it, because based on this, it will be half the novel!
I’m a fan of this author generally and I’m sad about this because for several chapters I thought this was a 5 star read.
The whole story with Jessica fascinated me and I so wish it had gone down that path and not where it went.
The paperback is 282 pages but a big chunk of that is an extract from an upcoming novel. I haven’t read it, because based on this, it will be half the novel!
I’m a fan of this author generally and I’m sad about this because for several chapters I thought this was a 5 star read.
The whole story with Jessica fascinated me and I so wish it had gone down that path and not where it went.
April 26, 2023
Faced paced, lots of red herrings thrown in the mix and an ending I didn't see coming!
This book is set in my hometown of Melbourne, during the numerous lockdowns due to Covid. Side note, Melbourne was one of the most locked down cities in the world.
Book book centres around the third lockdown and the curfew enforced by the government, Lou's son Samuel is missing he hasn't returned home... but what can his mother do - She cant go to the police he secrets will be revealed they will know who she really is.
Another fast paced thriller, lots of twists and turns we all love. Another great read from JP.
Thank you to the lovely team at Hachette Australia for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
This book is set in my hometown of Melbourne, during the numerous lockdowns due to Covid. Side note, Melbourne was one of the most locked down cities in the world.
Book book centres around the third lockdown and the curfew enforced by the government, Lou's son Samuel is missing he hasn't returned home... but what can his mother do - She cant go to the police he secrets will be revealed they will know who she really is.
Another fast paced thriller, lots of twists and turns we all love. Another great read from JP.
Thank you to the lovely team at Hachette Australia for my copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
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