It was a tragic accident. wasn’t it? A private investigator returning to the hometown he fled years ago becomes entangled in the disappearance of two teenage girls in this stunning literary crime thriller.
Reid left the small town of Manson a decade ago, promising his former Chief of Police boss he’d never return. He made a new life in the city, became a PI and turned his back on his old life for good.
Now an insurance firm has offered him good money to look into a suspicious car crash, and he finds himself back in the place he grew up – home to his complicated family history, a scarring relationship breakdown and a very public career-ending incident.
As Reid’s investigation unfolds, nothing is as it seems: rumours are swirling about the well-liked young woman who crashed the car, killing her professor husband, and there are whispers about a second local student who has just disappeared.
As Reid veers off course from the job he has been paid to do, will he find himself in the dangerous position of taking on the town again?
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
The Wrong Woman is another gripping and exciting read from author J P Pomare. The story is told mainly through the eyes of Reid, a private investigator hired by an insurance company to investigate a car crash which killed a professor and left his wife in a coma. The accident occurred in Reid’s hometown, from which he’d left under difficult circumstances, the details of which gradually become known to us. The other point of view is that of Eshana, the professor’s widow and survivor of the accident. Two young women have also gone missing from the town – seemingly unconnected but Reid uncovers details which suggest otherwise. Reid is a likeable protagonist and the story is well-paced and keeps the reader guessing. An excellent book which I highly recommend. Thanks Better Reading Preview for the review copy. Denise, QLD, 5 Stars
I really enjoyed reading this book, I just couldn’t put it down from start to finish. It had me guessing right to the end. I’ve never read books by J.P. Pomare before, but after reading this one I’ll be checking the book stores for other titles. Debbie, VIC, 5 Stars
What a rollercoaster ride The Wrong Woman by J P Pomare was! From the first page, it moved at a cracking pace and was full of surprising twists and turns. No one in Manson is really what they seem and the characters are complex and layered, with many secrets. This book keeps you guessing right to the end. Highly recommended. A cracking read! Robyn, QLD, 5 Stars
A sensational crime thriller, Reid has returned to his hometown he is now a private investigator, looking into a suspicious car accident he gets lured into the mystery of two unsolved disappearances, he had promised the chief of police he would never return but now he is back and people are not happy to see him this is a great book from start to finish. Gavin, NSW, 5 Stars
Loved it! J.P. Pomare has written a gripping, captivating crime thriller that I couldn’t put down. I loved the plot twists – they continually kept me guessing and on my toes! I felt invested in the characters, which were well-developed. The changing timeframes were quite effective and worked well. The world felt very authentic. This is intelligent writing and its suspenseful best. I’m excited to read more of Pomare’s work in future! Highly recommend for those into crime thrillers, or anyone that enjoys a few twists and turns in their reading! Rowan, TAS, 5 Stars
I was completely captivated by this book from start to finish. The story unfolded through the eyes of the 2 main characters in whose voice each of the chapters was written. There was movement between the past and the present, but the title of each chapter made it very clear where in time it was located so that the reader could not get lost. I was particularly impressed with the accuracy with which a male author portrayed the perspective of the female character. Her insecurity, lack of trust in her husband, and at times desperation, were all well-captured. As a reader I ached for her at times. The story unfolded in an unpredictable way, there were a number of very believable twists and turns, and this held the reader’s interest until the end. I would highly recommend this book, and am now interested to read further books written by JP Pomare. Joanne, QLD, 5 Stars
One of the best crime books I have read this year. I was hooked from the very first page. The main character Reid, takes the reader on a wild journey of suspense and drama. Every page and chapter leaves the reader guessing what might happen next. I was unable to put this book down and would love to see a sequel to follow Reid’s next private investigation. The storyline is gripping, full of questions of what will happen next. The Wrong Woman will have readers turning pages well into the night. A brilliant read that you will find yourself totally engrossed in. Sue, NSW, 5 Stars
Nothing is really as it seems and it takes the entire novel to get to a point of resolution. Written from 2 points of view – Reid as he investigates and Eshana’s providing some of the background – is her view reliable? Is there any basis to her paranoia and insecurity? I liked the way Reid sets up as “invisible” and how he organised the mechanics of his investigation. Did enjoy the NQR – not quite right – concept. Pomare is maturing into a good author – this has good descriptors of location, though why it is set in America I can not understand. The twin-towns setting was interesting – close enough together to be connected and yet not so connected. His characters are well formed (as we learn more about them) and the plot is twisty to keep us engaged. I’m happy there is no storytelling from the point of view of Oliver – he really is an unpleasant man. Of course there are other awful characters too. Thanks to BetterReading and Hachette for an advance copy to read and review. KT, NSW, 4 Stars
The Wrong Woman draws you in from the beginning as you follow a private investigator as he uncovers evidence piece by piece. With a fast paced plot, but also giving space to develop the characters, it is full of twists and turns right up until the last page. As a member of the LGBTI+ community, it was refreshing to have a gay lead character in this type of book. I would definitely recommend this book for fans of crime fiction and thrillers as it keeps you on your toes and hold your attention throughout as the story unfolds. Laura, NSW, 4 Stars
The Wrong Woman is the first book by J P Pomare that I have read. I found his writing style to be clever and complex. Set in two small towns, with a plot full of twists and turns and characters that bring it all together, it is a very satisfying and quick read! Not at all predictable! Pick it up, give it a go and you won’t put it done until the last page! Kerrie, NSW, 4 Stars
This was my first read by JP Pomare but it definitely won’t be my last! I absolutely loved Pomare’s writing style and the story, characters and atmospheric setting that he created. I was completely captivated by the mysteries of the Twin Towns and its residents; it was such a compulsive and intriguing read that I just couldn’t wait to pick this book back up and if I’d had the chance would have devoured it in one sitting. The ending blew my mind, Pomare definitely knows how to write a great thriller with twists and turns aplenty. At times I got a little lost by all the twists and details, but it all came together in a very unpredictable and satisfying ending. Would definitely recommend! Yvette, NSW, 4 Stars
The Wrong Woman by J.P. Pomare follows two characters trying to solve/understand the mystery of a fatal car accident in Manson, U.S.A. Private investigator, Vince Reid, has been employed by Crown Insurance to check into the suspicious nature of the accident. Reid left Manson ten years ago when the Chief of Police ordered he leave the district. Now as persona non grata he tries to avoid the police and those who knew him. Eshana Stiles, the wife of Oliver Stiles, a college lecturer, who died in the accident, also wants answers. The novel moves from the current investigation by Reid to the back story of Eshana’s life with Oliver. Things do not add up for Reid or Eshana. Secrets are unearthed as the plot progresses. The reader also gets a glimpse into Reid’s earlier life in Manson. There are multiple twists to the story. Who does the reader believe? The final twist is well done and a complete surprise to me. Lots of suspense along the way and the odd unbelievable action by Reid given he is an ex-cop. This doesn’t detract from the story. Pomare has written a page turning, enjoyable novel, that I highly recommend. Michael, ACT, 4 Stars
What a cracking read! The book kept my interest throughout with its many twists and turns. Written from the perspective of Reid, a PI who left this small town many years ago and Eshana, the woman involved in the motor vehicle accident where her husband has died and Reid is sent to investigate. Reid discovers that not all is as it seems and gets caught up in the mystery of two missing girls. The book keeps you guessing and finding out new twists right to the very end. I recommend this book. Sue, WA, 4 Stars
A cleverly written and compelling read. Very interesting to see the book written from two characters’ points of view. The plot builds up in its complexity and intricacies which are woven into from the beginning. It hit all the right notes of cunning and complexity which ensure that you don’t know what twists and turns the story will take next leaving you wanting to keep reading. Very well written crime fiction and very refreshing to read a book that doesn’t give its ending away easily. David, TAS, 4 Stars
While I was reading this I kept focusing back on the title, The Wrong Woman, thinking it would be The Clue that would help me work out what was going on. Wrong! This was a twisty story indeed. It’s narrated from two POVs, PI Reid, and Eshana Stiles. Eshana’s involved in a terrible car crash that kills her husband and puts her in a medical coma. Reid’s sent to investigate, and suddenly it seems there’s something NQR (Not Quite Right) about quite a lot of things about the crash – and then quite a lot of things about those things are NQR too. I gave up trying to figure it out in the end because it was actually tremendous fun to read the tantalising reveal(s) JP Pomare gives us. Trust me, you’ll eventually get there too, and I dare say enjoy the thrill of it all as much as I did. What a ride! Thanks so much to Better Reading Preview and Hachette Australia for the preview copy! Malvina, NSW, 4 Stars
A book I couldn’t put down that followed investigator Reid in the future with chapters from Eshana in the past. Reid was investigating a car crash that was ruled an accident. Really well written with an ending that was not predictable keeping me on my toes. Eshana’s husband’s past was like a spider’s web with so many twists and turns. Great read, recommend. Tara, WA, 4 Stars
The Wrong Woman reads like a tv crime series. Following two people after a car accident. It follows the trail along the memory of the victim and the thoughts of the investigating PI. With many twists and turns I did not see end coming. I was kept guessing where the plot was going. Very entertaining. Ainsley, QLD, 4 Stars
This book was a pleasant surprise, my first from this author. I loved the different point of views, dual time lines and twists that I didn’t see coming! I will definitely be recommending this book to my friends and look forward to reading more of his work in the future. Kate, QLD, 4 Stars
I enjoyed reading The Wrong Woman by JP Pomare. I found the main character was well developed and you got a sense of how hard it was for him to go back to his home town. This book kept you guessing all the way through and it’s not till the end that the truth comes out. Interesting ending, but a good read. Julie, WA, 3 Stars
A private investigator returning to the hometown he fled years ago becomes entangled in the disappearance of two teenage girls. An easy read full of suspense. Enjoyed the characters and the storyline told over two timelines. I found it hard to put it down. Jonathan, NSW, 3 Stars
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