17 Years Later by J.P. Pomare eBook Summary

“17 Years Later” by J.P. Pomare is a gripping crime thriller set in New Zealand. The story revolves around the brutal murder of the wealthy Primrose family, a crime that shocked the nation and led to the conviction of their young live-in chef, Bill Ruatara. Seventeen years later, prison psychologist TK Phillips is convinced that Bill did not receive a fair trial and is fighting for an appeal.

When true-crime podcaster Sloane Abbott takes an interest in the case, she uncovers new evidence that could challenge the prosecution’s case. As TK and Sloane delve deeper into the past, they find themselves entangled in a dangerous web of deceit and danger.

Main Characters

Here are the main characters in “17 Years Later” by J.P. Pomare:

1. Bill Ruatara: The young live-in chef who was convicted of the Primrose family’s murder. His case is central to the story as new evidence emerges that could prove his innocence.
2. TK Phillips: A prison psychologist who believes that Bill did not receive a fair trial. TK is determined to uncover the truth and secure an appeal for Bill.
3. Sloane Abbott: A true-crime podcaster who becomes interested in Bill’s case. Her investigation uncovers new evidence and leads her into a dangerous web of deceit.
4. The Primrose Family: The wealthy family whose brutal murder sets the story in motion. Their past and connections are crucial to understanding the mystery.

Central Conflict

The central conflict in “17 Years Later” revolves around the quest for justice and truth. Bill Ruatara, convicted of the Primrose family’s murder, has spent 17 years in prison, maintaining his innocence. The conflict intensifies as:

• TK Phillips, the prison psychologist, believes Bill was wrongfully convicted and is determined to uncover the truth and secure an appeal.
• Sloane Abbott, the true-crime podcaster, uncovers new evidence that challenges the original prosecution’s case, putting her in danger as she digs deeper into the past.

Key Events

Here are some key events in “17 Years Later” by J.P. Pomare:

1. The Primrose Family Murder: The brutal killing of the wealthy Primrose family, which leads to the conviction of their live-in chef, Bill Ruatara.
2. Bill’s Conviction: Bill Ruatara is sentenced to prison for the murders, maintaining his innocence throughout his 17-year incarceration.
3. TK Phillips’ Investigation: Prison psychologist TK Phillips becomes convinced that Bill did not receive a fair trial and begins to investigate the case, seeking new evidence to support an appeal.
4. Sloane Abbott’s Podcast: True-crime podcaster Sloane Abbott takes an interest in Bill’s case and starts her own investigation, uncovering new evidence that challenges the original prosecution’s case.
5. Uncovering New Evidence: Sloane and TK’s investigations reveal inconsistencies and hidden truths about the Primrose family and the night of the murders, leading to dangerous confrontations.
6. The Appeal: The new evidence gathered by TK and Sloane leads to a legal appeal for Bill, bringing the case back into the public eye and putting pressure on the justice system.

Themes

“17 Years Later” by J.P. Pomare explores several compelling themes:

1. Truth and Deception: The narrative examines the nature of truth and the lengths people will go to uncover or conceal it. It questions how much of what we believe is influenced by perception and manipulation.
2. Redemption and Forgiveness: Characters in the story seek redemption for past mistakes and forgiveness for wrongdoings, both from others and themselves.
3. The Power of Media: Through Sloane Abbott’s true-crime podcast, the book explores the impact of media on public opinion and the justice system, showing how media can both help and hinder the search for truth.
4. Resilience and Determination: The characters’ relentless pursuit of justice and truth, despite numerous obstacles, underscores the themes of resilience and determination.

Narrative style

“17 Years Later” by J.P. Pomare employs a multi-perspective narrative style, which adds depth and complexity to the story. The narrative is primarily told from the viewpoints of three key characters:

1. Sloane Abbott: The true-crime podcaster whose investigation into the Primrose family murder brings new evidence to light.
2. TK Phillips: The prison psychologist who believes in Bill Ruatara’s innocence and is determined to uncover the truth.
3. Bill Ruatara: The convicted chef whose perspective provides insight into his experiences and the events leading up to the murder.

Author Point OF view

In “17 Years Later” by J.P. Pomare, the author employs a multi-perspective narrative style, allowing readers to experience the story from different viewpoints. The primary perspectives include:

1. Sloane Abbott: The true-crime podcaster who investigates the Primrose family murder in the present day.
2. TK Phillips: The prison psychologist and advocate for Bill Ruatara, providing an opinionated narrative often in response to interactions with Sloane1.
3. Bill Ruatara: The convicted chef, whose perspective offers insights into his experiences and the events leading up to the murder2.

Psychological Impact

“17 Years Later” by J.P. Pomare delves deeply into the psychological impact of crime, wrongful conviction, and the pursuit of justice on its characters:

1. . Bill’s experiences highlight themes of trauma, resilience, and the struggle to maintain hope and sanity in the face of injustice.
2. TK Phillips: As a prison psychologist, TK’s professional and personal life becomes intertwined with Bill’s case. .
3. Sloane Abbott: The true-crime podcaster faces the psychological strain of uncovering dark truths and the danger that comes with it. Her obsession with the case impacts her sense of safety and well-being.

Personal Reflection

“17 Years Later” by J.P. Pomare offers a profound exploration of justice, truth, and the human psyche. Reflecting on the book, several thoughts come to mind:

1. The Fragility of Justice: The story underscores how fragile the justice system can be, with wrongful convictions highlighting the need for vigilance and reform. It makes one ponder the real-life implications of such miscarriages of justice.
2. The Power of Persistence: TK Phillips and Sloane Abbott’s relentless pursuit of the truth is inspiring. Their determination to uncover the facts, despite numerous obstacles, serves as a reminder of the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.
3. The Role of Media: Sloane’s podcast illustrates the significant impact media can have on public perception and legal outcomes. It raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of journalists and the power they wield.
4. Human Resilience: Bill Ruatara’s story is a testament to human resilience. Despite the psychological toll of his wrongful imprisonment, his ability to maintain hope and fight for his innocence is deeply moving.

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