Read on for an extract from J P Pomare’s latest twisty crime thriller, 17 Years Later.
ABOUT THE BOOK
The violent slaughter of the Primrose family while they slept shocked the nation.
Their young live-in chef, Bill Kareama, was swiftly charged with murder and brought to justice. But the brutal crime scarred the idyllic town of Cambridge forever.
Seventeen years later, true-crime podcaster Sloane Abbott tracks down prison psychologist TK Phillips. Once a fierce campaigner for an appeal, TK now lives a quiet life with Bill’s case firmly in his past. As Sloane lures a reluctant TK back into the fight, evidence emerges that casts new light on the Primroses – and who might have wanted them dead.
While the list of suspects grows, Bill’s innocence is still far from assured. What will it cost Sloane and TK to uncover the truth?
Read our book review of 17 years Later by J P Pomare
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EXTRACT
Detective Marsden: Can you describe to us what happened this morning?
Jo Blackwell: Well, I woke up suddenly. I don’t know how long I was asleep for but it was late.
Detective Marsden: And what woke you?
Jo Blackwell: Well, umm. I heard screams, these animal screams, you know. Like nothing I’ve ever heard before. I knew someone was in trouble so I sat up and shook my husband, Paul. I figured there was a fight at the house. I didn’t want to interfere but the screams were so loud and so desperate that I thought I better call the police.
Detective Marsden: You called the police as soon as you heard the screams?
Jo Blackwell: Well, maybe I waited a minute or two. Paul thought I might have been hearing things, then he heard them too.
I called the Primrose house but no one answered, then I tried Gwen’s mobile but she didn’t pick up. By that stage, the screams had stopped. But then I heard them again.
Detective Marsden: Okay. And were these screams also animalistic? Or different?
Jo Blackwell: A bit different, just this long, winding scream. I put my dressing gown on and we wandered down the driveway. We can see their house from there, we’re directly across, you see. We thought we’d wait for the police because we didn’t know what was happening – we didn’t want to be seen. After a few minutes, we heard sirens. The fog was really thick but then we saw a man come out of the property. We could sense something was wrong. He didn’t seem to notice us but he came out of the gate and went off down the road.
Detective Marsden: Can you describe the man you saw?
Jo Blackwell: We both recognised him. He used to live there – we’d see him on his skateboard some days. He was Māori. He was their chef. Maybe Paul’s height.
Detective Marsden: Did you see anyone else? Or any vehicles?
Jo Blackwell: No, just him. Just that man. He was stumbling. Dark patches on his clothes. It looked like he had blood on him. We sort of froze. We didn’t know what to do. Then you all turned up and Paul ran over to tell you but by then the chef was long gone.
TK
HUMILIATION: THAT WAS one motivation offered by the prosecution. The shame of rejection drove Bill to stab each member of the Primrose family with his chef’s knife. Or wrath: he did it in a fit of rage because Simon and Gwen Primrose fired him and withheld his final paycheque. Lust: Bill’s infatuation with their teenaged daughter grew to an obsession. He’d sent her lewd notes and couldn’t live knowing he would never have her. Or a sort of psychosis: Bill was drunk, unstable.
Endless possible motives, that’s what the prosecution had – and circumstantial evidence for every one of them.
But if you believe Bill’s version of events, he simply found the bodies, heard the sirens and panicked, fleeing from the crime scene. Wrong place, wrong time.
I spent three years of my life trying to figure out what really happened and concluded that two facts should have created reason- able doubt:
One, Bill Kareama has experienced lifelong severe asthma.
Two, Bill Kareama did not have an inhaler on the night of the murders.
But the jury did not agree: when he was on trial, they decided the second fact was a lie, or seemed to believe a young man with severe asthma was capable of running three kilometres in twelve minutes without an inhaler.
It’s true that Bill did not do himself any favours the morning of the murders: at approximately 6 am, he walked 900 metres from his flat, past The Pope sports bar, past the strip of shops and the service station, to the Morning Star bakery on the corner of Pope Terrace. As he made his way there, he placed a shopping bag full of ashes into the skip beside the BP. The ashes were once the clothes he’d worn the night before, when he was at the Primrose house. At the bakery, he sat and ate a mince and cheese pie, staring out into the quiet street. It also didn’t help that he’d cut his nails to the quick, shaved his head, bleach-cleaned the flat he’d recently started renting and destroyed his mobile phone.
These acts alone do not make him a murderer but they sure as shit didn’t help his defence. Because most people don’t really understand what trauma, fatigue and drug-induced chemical imbalances in the brain can do to someone’s behaviour. Behaving strangely after exposure to death and extreme violence should not automatically get a man locked up for twenty-five years.
There were other issues with the original trial too, and if Bill ever got his retrial, it’s likely he’d win for a number of reasons. First, the question of procedural fairness and sub judice. Second, the police failed to consider, let alone investigate, any other potential suspects. Third, the coercive interview techniques used on Bill.
But there would be no retrial. Today I read that he’s now been in prison for seventeen years – it was reported in the Sunday paper, his face on page three, a recent shot from inside. It sucker-punched me, and for a moment, I was back there, meeting Bill. The first thing I noticed about him that day was his size – the photos in the press
17 YEARS LATER
didn’t seem to capture it. He was big but lean. The second thing I noticed about Bill Kareama was his unusual calmness.
As I drive from my parent’s place in Rotorua back home to Auckland, I feel the pull of Cambridge. Just like before. I can’t shake it. So I take the familiar turn-off and head out toward the house. I park outside a pair of iron gates set within a stone wall bordering the property – the sort you might find in the British countryside. I get out and approach the gates, and feel a funny sort of nostalgia as I look through. I hadn’t exactly forgotten, but it had been a while. A wide driveway splits the generous garden, leading to the expan- sive frontage of a stately home that looks more country manor than New Zealand farmhouse. The surrounding grounds have long since been sliced and diced, each portion auctioned off, built on. The density of suburbia has closed in on what was once a small number of properties with serious acreage, the surrounding landscape now blighted with townhouses. All that remains of the Primrose estate is that grand old house. Last time I was here, you could barely see the house through the tall grass and unruly hedges. Now it’s tidy, well maintained, with hedges trimmed tight and lawns buzzed close.
The new owners have done a good job.
I promised myself I’d move on, put this place behind me. So why am I here? Promises are funny like that – once you break one, the rest don’t seem to matter.
Tyres on gravel. I turn to see a Mitsubishi Pajero slowing, turning into the driveway. I step away as the gates begin to open and the vehicle pulls in and then stops.
I look in and smile, but the woman behind the wheel isn’t smiling back. The window lowers.
‘Leave us alone.’
Each syllable is bitten off with such rage I’m struck silent for a moment.
‘Sorry?’
‘You heard.’
‘I was just admiring the ho –’
‘I know what you’re doing,’ the woman says. I see the tiny spider veins in her cheeks, she can barely meet my eye. ‘Go on, clear off or I will call the police.’
‘Sure, sorry,’ I say, exhaling. I take one more look up at the house. It’s perfect – you could almost believe nothing bad ever happened here. I take my keys from my pocket and walk back to my car. Why did I come here? I shake my head. I remind myself that I don’t owe Bill Kareama anything. Not a bloody thing.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
J P Pomare is the best selling author of seven novels, most recently Seventeen Years Later. He is also the author of a number of Audible Original crime thrillers. Several of J.P.’s novels have optioned for film and TV, with In The Clearing (The Clearing) already adapted as a mini series for Disney+ and Hulu. The Last Guests (Watching You) is currently under production for Stan Australia.
J P‘s work has been published in a number of territories including the US, UK and Australia.
J P is a proud Māori (Ngāpuhi). He grew up in Aotearoa but currently resides with his family in Melbourne.
(4/5)
I have always enjoyed this author’s novels. He creates engaging characters and puts them in interesting environments, often in New Zealand. His latest is no different and what a page turner it was!
The story has three main narrators: Bill Kareama, TK Phillips and Sloane Abbott. Bill is a Maori man convicted of killing an English family seventeen years ago, TK is a psychologist who had tried to help Bill get a retrial and Sloane is a podcaster who has come across the case and wants to use it for her true crime podcast. We also get to know the murdered family – the Primroses, the family’s au pair, the lawyers involved, the police and other characters who are connected by the mass murder.
Sloane thinks that perhaps justice may not have prevailed even though everyone else is convinced that Bill is the perpetrator. She slowly encourages people to tell her what they know.
It is quite a feat to keep three storylines going and to make them all equally interesting while driving the story forward. There are plenty of twists along the way and the story has a pleasing finish. It is also a story that has things to say about class, race and how justice may not be equal for all. Recommended !
(5/5)
From the first page the story had me, I wasn’t sure if it was a true story or no. It had such an amazing story line.
I read the book in three days and found it hard to put down. I was on the edge of my chair in a few spots, it was very well written and kept me intrigued till the last page, so many twists and turns and a surprising end.
(5/5)
As a fan of both true crime podcasts and suspenseful mysteries, I was immediately drawn to 17 Years Later by J.P. Pomare. This deftly crafted crime novel follows podcaster Sloane as she reinvestigates a decades-old case where the wealthy Primrose family was murdered. The former cook, Bill, was convicted and has spent 17 years in jail. He could be free if he admitted guilt, but Sloane sees a potential injustice and a story for her podcast. The trouble is nobody in this rural New Zealand town believes in Bill’s innocence – not even his former psychologist T.K. who once fought for a retrial.
Pomare’s writing shines with alternating perspectives from Sloane, T.K and Bill. Other voices emerge through letters and journals. Sloane rings true as a podcaster seeking justice. Through Bill’s lens, the Primrose family is nuanced – the adults entitled and racist yet protective loving parents, the children adapting to a new country amidst family secrets.
The suspense grew exponentially. My heart pounded as I couldn’t put it down. Just when I thought I knew, shocking twists upended everything. The conclusion was heart-stopping and completely blindsided me.
With deft character work sustaining nail-biting tension until the mind-blowing end, 17 Years Later is a spectacular, suspenseful must-read for true crime fans. I’ll definitely seek Pomare’s next thriller!
(4/5)
This was a very nice surprise. I have read almost all the books from this author and this one is by far the best he has published. The story is captivating, full of twists and turns and it kept me guessing until the end. I thought I knew how it would be resolved, but oh boy! I was wrong 😝
In this book, an Australian true-crime podcaster travels to NZ to investigate a crime that happened 17 years ago, for which someone was convicted in a rather unfair trial however, many people still believe in his innocence. We follow three main points of view across two different timelines: The podcast host, the convicted murderer and his psychologist, jumping from present to past with each chapter. If you are into true-crime podcasts, you are going to love this book, I couldn’t put it down.
Thank you to Good Reading Magazine and Hachette Australia for my advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
(4/5)
17 Years Later combines and intertwines the perspective of three characters – Bill, the chef charged with murder of the Primrose family, Sloane, the true crime podcaster and TK the prison psychologist. Throughout this psychological crime thriller, the reader is pulled in so many directions trying to determine where the truth lies and who is protecting the truth. As each narrative develops the grey areas of truth emerge and the pace of the novel increases.
JP Pomare, a master of this genre, takes the reader on a gripping journey with many layers and twists until the suspenseful finale. If you are already a fan of Pomare’s you will not be disappointed or surprised by the number of twists (he keeps you on your toes). If you have not discovered his work yet and love psychological thrillers, strap yourself in for the ride! An engaging read.
(5/5)
The Herald Sun calls J.P. Pomare ‘the king of the twist’ and I totally agree. Twists and turns as I was led along the breadcrumb trail of clues and so many clues! But who really killed the Primrose family? Even 17 years later secrets unravel to show motives and opportunities that surprised me at every turn. I was happy to discover that J.P. Pomare has written six novels before this and so will be actively seeking them as I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I would definitely recommend this book to all who enjoy crime mysteries.
(5/5)
This novel is about an investigative journalism team who makes the world famous podcast ‘Legacy’. Their leader Sloane has come to New Zealand to look into an old case of the multiple murder of the primrose family. A young man named Bill, who was the family’s live in chef at the time, was arrested and charged for the crime. Little actual investigation took place and the trial did not seem fair, and Bill has spent the last 17 years in prison proclaiming his innocence. While Sloane does her research and interviews people for the podcast initial findings seem to confirm bill’s guilt, but digging deeper new evidence comes to light and soon the whole truth is unearthed.
This book was very exciting, such a page turner especially in the last quarter where a few twists kept me guessing till the very end! I couldn’t put it down, great story.
(5/5)
This would have to be the best crime thriller that I have read in years. It was an absolutely intense page turner, that I didn’t want to put down. The dual timelines were written so brilliantly, with so many twists and turns, to keep you hooked until the very end. And then when you have finished, you find yourself thinking about the whole story again and again. It truly was that book.
This is the first book that I have read by JP and it won’t be my last. Thank you to Good Reading Magazine and Hachette Australia for sending me an early bird copy.
(4/5)
I really enjoyed the podcast aspect of the book as well as multiple first person accounts who all had their strengths and flaws. Would have loved to hear more from some of them. The second half of the book was full of twists, some that I didn’t see coming. Through the last few chapters it was hard to put down.
This was the first book I have read of J.P. Pomare’s but I will definitely be going through their back catalogue to find more gems! Definitely one for crime fiction fans.
(5/5)
Sloane, a Sydney based award winning true crime podcaster sets out on her next pop-culture series. Her ex-pat producer from New Zealand fills her in on the Primose family murders. Bill, convicted of their murders may not have received a fair trial. After 17 years behind bars with many conspiracy theories online, Sloane is intrigued to investigate.
Calling it early, a fantastic read and my favourite crime fiction novel for 2024. I enjoyed the utilisation true crime podcast to bring crime fiction into contemporary context.
New Zealand is put on the map (having recently travelled the North Island, I am familiar with notable locations mentioned, Rotorua and Hamilton to name a couple) – it’s an accurate depiction which creates realism to draw you in.
The chapters alter between past and present with characters giving us their story. We get multiple points of view, some reliable, some not. Good writing gives each character their own dropping clues and red herrings to keep you engaged.
This is the book where you think you have it all figured out, but you turn the page, and you don’t.
If you’re into page turning twists and turns, this is for you!
(5/5)
17 Years Later was a great crime-thriller book. It’s one of those novels you just can’t put down. From the very beginning of this book, J.P. Pomare captures the reader’s attention with his detailed and captivating writing style. This is one of the best books I have read in ages. It’s a split-time novel covering the events leading up to the murders that occurred 17 years ago, and then the current day investigations and events. This novel was captivating from beginning to end. From the beginning, I was continually trying to decide who murdered the Primrose family all those years ago, and was often changing my mind. Was it really their live-in-chef Bill, who was convicted of the murders? Along the way there were so many twists. I felt as though I really got to know the main characters in this book, especially Sloane, a true-crime podcaster, and TK, a prison psychologist.
This has been my favourite J.P. Pomare book I have read so far. It’s definitely a must read for anyone who enjoys a crime thriller novel.
I look forward to reading more of his books over the coming years.
(3/5)
17 Years Later by J.P. Pomare unfolds the gripping tale of Bill, the family chef, who stands accused of murdering the family he served. The case resurfaces 17 years later when Sloane, an intrepid journalist for the renowned media company Legacy, takes an interest in the story for her investigative podcast, and is convinced of Bill’s innocence. Set against the evocative backdrop of a small New Zealand town, the narrative employs a dual timeline, shifting between the present and the events of 17 years ago, to unravel the mystery surrounding the Primrose family’s tragic demise.
The book captivates readers with its unpredictable twists and turns, creating a riveting
experience that keeps one guessing until the very end. Pomare masterfully constructs an atmosphere of suspense, as Sloane’s quest for truth uncovers layers of secrets, false convictions, and unexpected revelations. The interplay between past and present timelines is skillfully managed, adding depth and complexity to the unfolding drama.
However, despite its many strengths, the novel’s conclusion feels somewhat rushed and disjointed. The plethora of plot twists, while initially engaging, becomes increasingly convoluted. The sheer number of false leads and sudden turns, though exciting, ultimately detracts from the clarity of the narrative. In sum, 17 Years Later is an engrossing read, with a compelling premise and a well-crafted build-up. While the ending may falter under the weight of its ambitious plot, the journey through the intertwined timelines and the quest for justice make it a memorable and thought-provoking novel.
(3/5)
A suspenseful read, that builds tension towards the dramatic conclusion, easy to read quickly.
The book is set up with chapters with the name of the person narrating a chapter. Without the headers, the voices of the various characters may have been somewhat similar. The au pair was a distinct voice, French but also strong, and a bit angry. The daughter contrasted, softer but a bit sassy. The developing history of each character to the story was well done.
The story is interesting about the bloody crime for which the chef is in jail for 17 years, building to some serious drama in the final third. As the story unfolds each of the characters, and the interactions, and the past comes to light. The suspense builds slowly but steadily and you start to really feel the eeriness of the family and the house. Then as things unravel the drama amps up, and your thoughts on what happened start to change.
Want an easy read thriller, then this is for you!
(5/5)
Twist after twist, what a brilliant crime thriller this was to read! Pomare will have you turning the pages late into the night, this may be his best novel yet!
In New Zealand, Bill Kareama a young Maori man was hastily convicted of the violent murders of the rich Primrose family seventeen years ago, he was their live-in chef. Bill still claims his innocence to this day seventeen years later. Celebrity true-crime podcaster Sloane Abbott is looking into this old case, she feels it’s still a huge story and will search for the truth……what happened to the Primrose family and is Bill innocent?
As Sloane reinvestigates the case it becomes so suspenseful as we are taken back in time to learn about the characters of the Primrose family and their secrets as she uncovers new evidence working alongside the man that was once Bill’s prison psychologist TK Phillips.
This will have you guessing until the conclusion, absolutely brilliant writing, shady characters and expert plotting. I think this book will score the author many new fans.
(5/5)
17 Years Later by J P Pomare is a gripping crime novel with plenty of twists and turns, and I couldn’t read it fast enough!
This book made me feel so tense, especially while reading the scenes in the Primrose house and during Sloane’s interviews with some of the key characters. The revelations just kept coming, right to the very last page, which I love in a crime book! I kept guessing who the perpetrator could be, only to be wrong each time.
Sloane was my favourite character, and I really admired her ambition and her forthright attitude. I thought the multiple points of view worked well, as it really added to the suspense of the story. At some point each of the characters within the book were presented as being an unreliable narrator, which only added to the guessing game of trying to work out who was guilty and who was innocent.
I did find the pacing to be a little slow at the beginning of the book, but the story picked up fairly quickly. Once it did, I struggled to put this book down!
(4/5)
17 Years Later is another engaging contribution from Pomare to the crime genre. Plot dynamics is a strength in Pomare’s writing (as evident in this and his previous books) and in this book, told via the three main protagonists. I do wonder what Pomare could produce if more emphasis was placed on character development.
17 Years Later is a page turner, I devoured it to the end. An entertaining read.
(5/5)
17 Years Later by J. P. Pomare is set in a small New Zealand town with a dual present day and historical timeline. The narrative is filled with twists and turns, which kept me completely hooked and questioning “who is the real killer?”. It had me changing my mind over and over again! The cast of characters have their own secrets and motivations, which make it impossible to completely trust anyone! The story unfolds from multiple key character perspectives which creates layers of complexity to the story and as the plot slowly unravels, the suspense builds until the truth is finally revealed! If you love true crime podcasts, you will love this book. It’s the best crime thriller I have read in a long time.
(5/5)
“17 Years Later” is my first J. P. Pomare book and I am surprised I have not come across any of his books before. His writing style is balanced, good flow, good descriptions so you could imagine being at every place and picture each character but it’s not too descriptive that it makes the story long and boring.
While I found some twists a bit unrealistic and maybe forced, I liked the final ending.
I recommend the book to all crime thriller lovers. I am delighted with J.P. Pomare’s writing and will definitely read some of his previous books.