Title: TRAPDOOR
Author: J.P. Pomare
Narrators: Harriet Gordon-Anderson, Blazey Best, Yannick Lawry, Lewis Fitzgerald and Brodie Masini
Publisher: Audible Originals
Duration: 5 hours and 54 minutes
Source: Audible
Live streaming now! Trapdoor – Five go in, none come out.
Eva Kavinsky wakes in a dark cellar, with no memory of how she got here. Imprisoned with her, seemingly at random, are four men. The only way out is the trapdoor in the ceiling – and it’s locked.
The single clue about what brings them all here is a cryptic message sprayed onto one wall. Connect the dots. Repent. A camera fixed high above reach is live-streaming this whole nightmare to the world. What confessions are they meant to make to their unseen audience?
With only a single lighter between them and the cellar steadily filling with water, Eva races to discover what connects her to the four men. But nobody here is who they claim to be. And in this dark place, secrets and lies are so much easier to tell than the truth that could destroy them all.
Official Summary
13 June 2024
I stumbled onto J.P. Pomare’s “Trapdoor” while searching Audible for something short to listen to. This story turned out to be a gripping psychological thriller that hooks you from the very first page and doesn’t let go until the shocking conclusion.
The premise is both claustrophobic and tantalizing: Eva Kavinsky awakens in a dark cellar with no memory of how she got there. She is not alone; four men are imprisoned with her, and the only escape seems to be a locked trapdoor in the ceiling. The chilling twist? Their every move is being live-streamed to an unseen audience, and they are presented with a cryptic message urging them to “Connect the dots. Repent.”
Pomare creates an atmosphere of intense suspense and dread. The setting itself—a dark, flooding cellar with limited resources—amplifies the characters’ desperation and paranoia. As the water rises, so does the tension, pushing the characters to reveal their darkest secrets. The single lighter they possess becomes a symbol of their dwindling hope and their struggle to maintain control in an uncontrollable situation.
What stands out in “Trapdoor” is the characterization. Each of the five characters is intricately crafted, and as their backstories unfold, you are drawn deeper into the mystery. Eva, the central figure, is a compelling protagonist whose strength and vulnerability are portrayed with distinction. The men trapped with her are equally complex, each harbouring secrets that slowly come to light. The dynamic between the characters—marked by suspicion, fear, and occasional solidarity—keeps you guessing about their true motives and connections.
The narrative’s pacing is relentless, with Pomare weaving in twists and turns that maintain a high level of suspense. The live-streaming element adds a layer of morbid intrigue, making you feel complicit in the characters’ torment. The theme of repentance and the moral questions it raises are thought-provoking, compelling you to consider what you might confess if placed in such a dire situation.
“Trapdoor” is a thrilling, immersive experience. It’s a story about survival, guilt, and the human capacity for deception. With its unpredictable plot and richly drawn characters, this book is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers. Pomare keeps you on the edge of your seat, questioning everything and everyone, right until the very last page.
Also by J.P. Pomare
The Lasts Guests
Newlyweds Lina and Cain don’t make it out to their vacation home on gorgeous Lake Tarawera as often as they’d like, so when Cain suggests they rent the property out on weekends, Lina reluctantly agrees. While the home has been special to her family for generations, their neighbors are all signing up to host renters, and frankly, she and Cain could use the extra money. What could go wrong? And at first, Lina is amazed at how quickly guests line up to spend a weekend–and at how much they’re willing to pay.
But both Lina and Cain have been keeping secrets, secrets that won’t be kept out by a new alarm system or a locked cupboard. When strange things begin happening on their property, and a visit takes a deadly turn, Lina becomes convinced that someone out there knows something they shouldn’t–and that when they come for her, there will be nowhere left to hide.
About the Author
Author bio from the author’s site
J.P. Pomare is a New Zealand author who lives in Melbourne, Australia.
He is the author of six critically acclaimed and best-selling novels including Call Me Evie, Tell Me Lies, and The Wrong Woman.
His novel In The Clearing has been optioned for screen adaption by Disney+ and will be released as an eight-part miniseries in 2023.
This is yet another new author for me, and I can’t wait to read more of his books. I’ve already added a few to my wishlist. If you’re a fan, please share your favourite book in the comments below. As always, thank you for visiting the blog. Your support is greatly appreciated and continually motivates me to read and review more books. Until next time…. Happy Reading!
