Call Me Evie

By: J. P. Pomare

Narrated by: Olivia Mackenzie-Smith

Length: 10 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's summary

A 17-year-old struggles to remember the tragic night that changed her life forever in this twist-filled debut novel of psychological suspense for fans of Sharp Objects and The Last Time I Lied.

Evie and her uncle Jim have just moved to an isolated cabin in a remote beach town - a far cry from their hometown of Melbourne. But Evie isn't her real name. And Jim isn't really her uncle.

Jim tells Evie she did something terrible back home, that he's hiding her to protect her. But Evie can't remember anything about that night - for all she knows, he's lying. As fragments of her memory return, she starts to wonder if Jim is really her savior...or her captor.

In a riveting novel that fearlessly plumbs the darkest recesses of the mind, J. P. Pomare explores the fragility of memory and the potential in everyone to hide the truth - even from themselves.

©2019 JP Pomare (P)2019 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Winner of the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best First Novel

A Macavity Award Nominee

“[An] outstanding debut...the final pages stun with their gallows-drop plot surprises. Almost nothing will turn out as it initially appears in this devastating novel of psychological suspense.” (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“This debut novel by Pomare sets him up as a writer to watch....Pomare's writing is so crisp and his characterizations so spot-on....Readers looking for a page-turner will be happy, but so, too, will those looking for a work with deeper resonances, in this case about gaslighting and the ruthless world of teenagers. Read this one with the lights on, and keep Pomare on your radar.” (Kirkus Reviews)

“Literary psychological suspense as dark and fresh as midnight in winter. A corkscrew plot, prose that crackles like kindling, that merciless twist-of-the-knife finale - one of the most striking debuts I’ve read in years and years.” (A. J. Finn, author of The Woman in the Window)

5 star slow burn suspense

One of the best suspense novels I have read in years. Richly imagined with complex characters. I loved this book from the
very beginning.

slow read

story line is good, could have cut out about 6 chapters. story moves to slow for my liking.

It's about Jim, not Evie

I started this book before reading any of the reviews. As others point out, the "surprise ending" was obvious, but it was obvious to the point where I felt like the reader should know while the main character does not. I could sympathize with Jim throughout the majority of the story, and could feel the frustration and hopelessness building. I thought it was very well done.

Wow

This book kind of reminded me of Good Me Bad Me at the end. I really thought I knew where it was going but there were many twist and turns. I love a book that goes back and forth from past to present day. Love it! Great Narrator too.

A vicarious scare

The words used to convey the taut fear of the main narrator, were so very well used, that I physically felt anxious while listening to this.

I wish we had half stars instead of taking a whole one off as my only issue is that the story was a bit too long, which is what kept it from being perfect.

Having said all of that, I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to be in the middle of a psychological thriller and totally engrossed by it.

Just ok

The story was good but it dragged on a bit. I found myself wanting to forward through bits. Not as good as “The Scholar” for sure. Just ok.

Excellent story

Excellent narrative. It kept me on the edge of my seat. It was impossible to guess what comes next!

Attention Holder

Loved the characters in this book. Grabbed me from the start. Kept me guessing who was really the bad guy/girl and who you could trust. It was a bit predictable at some points. I wish the ending was a little more dramatic but all in all I enjoyed this book.

too many flash backs

this story would have been much better if it was told linearly. way too much back and forth between past and present. made it confusing to follow along. even at the end I'm unsure what actually happened. would not recommend this book at all

So good!

This is the 2nd book I’ve read by this author and man, he really knows how to keep you invested! This is a great listen! Definitely suspenseful and worth it!