We hope these questions help guide your book club discussion for this incredible thriller. We’ve done our best to avoid spoilers, but don’t read these questions unless you’ve finished The Gambler – you don’t want to run the risk of ruining any reveals!
- Have you read any other books by J.P. Pomare? If so, how were they similar or different to The Gambler?
- What do you think of the book’s title and cover? Are they particularly evocative?
- What did you think of the Bertrand Russell epigraph? Do you think it accurately reflects the book's tone?
- Which genre would you use to describe The Gambler? Discuss the genre specifics if applicable. What novels would you compare it to?
- Did you find J.P. Pomare’s depiction of the setting authentic? Is the setting similar or different to any places you’ve visited or lived in?
- The novel’s core themes include mathematics, conspiracy theories, intuition, partisanship and group polarisation. What do you think of the way JP explored these themes?
- ‘Maybe I should have been scared, or more suspicious. Maybe if I’d probed more, or pushed for an explanation, things wouldn’t have gone the way they did. If only.’ What do you think this quote reveals about Katie?
- How does PI Vince Reid grow and change because of the events in the novel? Did your opinion of him change as the book progressed?
- Did you see any of the book’s dramatic twists coming? Did any revelation surprise you more than the others?
- What did you think of the ending? Did it surprise you? Did you feel everything was resolved? What might the future look like for Reid?
-
A highly charged crime-thriller - launching an electrifying new series featuring PI Vince Reid - by multi-award-winning prince of the twist, J.P. Pomare.
Latest news
Brooke Davis' No One's Looking Tour
The internationally bestselling author of Lost & Found hits the road!
Book Cub Questions for The Frock Shop
Extract from The Frock Shop
Q&A with Michael Robotham
We spoke to Michael about his latest book 'Tell Me Something True'
Michael Robotham’s Tell Me Something True Book Tour
Meet bestselling author Michael Robotham as he tours Australia to promote his new book Tell Me Something True.
Father’s Day Gift Guide | 2026
From thrillers to history, inspiring memoirs to ground-breaking fiction, we have a great read for every dad.
Junior Book Club Guide for Eighty-Nine Questions for After
Lots for young readers to discuss in the touching middle-grade novel!
The Burn Book Tour
The Burn extract
Book Club Questions for The Burn
Reads with Rhythm
Dr Norman Swan The Brain Cliff tour
Myf Warhurst is going on tour!
Book Club Guide for Rat Daniels
Questions for your group to discuss this stand-out Australian debut.
Read an extract of Alma Vampires
Start reading the new paranormal romance series!
Amy Remeikis is going on tour!
Enter the Fantasy Realm
Hachette Australia, with The Realm, presents ENTER THE FANTASY REALM! Join Tigest Girma, Louisa Carmody and Christy Anne Jones in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne to talk all things fantasy.
Read an Extract: Die to Love
The chaos continues in Hearts & Heathens Book 2!
Read an Extract: Middle Rage
Part confessional, part manifesto, Middle Rage is full of Myf Warhurst's humour, warmth and wisdom, with some tips thrown in to help women live their best middle-aged lives.
In the Good Books with Luke Bateman - Hachette Recommended Reads
Explore our featured reads on the In the Good Books podcast
Start Reading No One's Looking
Read an extract from No One's Looking, a comedic and uplifting novel from bestselling author Brooke Davis. Out October 13 2026!
Hachette Memories of Lost & Found
Our staff share how special Brooke Davis' debut was - we’d love to hear your memories too!
Brooke Davis' Letter to Booksellers
The lovely Brooke, a bookseller herself, checks in with her colleagues across Australia to say a big hello.
Alice Oseman is coming to ANZ!
Information on Alice Oseman's - author of Heartstopper - trip to Australia and New Zealand.
Find a book you'll love, get our newsletter
Hachette Australia acknowledges and pays our respects to the past, present and future Traditional Owners and Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our head office is located on the lands of the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
© Hachette Australia, All Rights Reserved · Site by Chook