ARC review: The Gambler by JP Pomare

The Gambler by JP Pomare is the second of the Kiwi-born author’s books to feature PI Vince Reid. I was one of those who read The Wrong Woman in 2022 and commented that I liked him and would love to see him again and… voila, Pomare reinvigorates him 18 months after the events of the previous outing (albeit four years in human-years). Given the events I’m watching unfold unfold on Twitter half a world away, this is a timely read Vince is asked to look into the motive behind a shooting at a political rally and we venture into the world of American politics and those dwelling in the red or blue corner of the political jousting ring.

About this book

PI Vince Reid is visiting an old friend when he's offered a case he can't Why did a respected local woman open fire at a political rally, killing a promising young university graduate? It's easy money, he's told. A sure thing.

But as Reid delves further into the case, the stakes are higher than he imagined. There are invisible players pulling the strings. Will he walk away a winner or pay for the ultimate gamble with his life?

My thoughts

We go back and forth in time a little here, to events leading up to the shooting both from the perspective of the victim and the shooter as well as Vince’s investigation in the present. It’s a complex read and I was slightly confused by all of the characters at the start of this book but once you realise what timeline you’re in it’s far easier.

Pomare has also introduces a number of threads being picked at by Vince, such as the fact that the shooter and her husband had recently started gambling with astounding success, while becoming increasingly entrenched in conspiracy theories and the end of the world. And then there’s Katie (our victim) working for a Congressional-aspirant and crushing on Jason, also working on the same campaign. She can’t quite work him out. He’s keen to spend time with her but won’t take their relationship further, and for someone who spends most of his time online, his own footprint is limited. We’re also taken into an Amish community, shocked by the murder of one of their own.

Pomare also adds extra colour here via the father-figure who asks Vince to take the case, on behalf of the victim’s parents trying to understand why a seemingly-normal woman would target their daughter. The phrase ‘she snapped’ is bandied about but Vince is sure there’s more to it.

Ultimately some of the threads are related (and dastardly clever!!!) and some just intersect Bermuda Triangle-style, resulting in tragic and unexpected outcomes.

The Gambler by JP Pomare will be published by Hachette in late February 2026.

I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher for review purposes.