I am delighted to share my review today for The Grapevine by Kate Kemp. This is an intriguing story set in a cul-de-sac and is a debut for the author.
My huge thanks to Orion Publishers for accepting my request to read this title via NetGalley.
It’s the height of summer in Australia, 1979, and on a quiet suburban cul-de-sac a housewife is scrubbing the yellow and white checkered tiles of the bathroom floor. But all is not as it seems. For one thing, it’s 3am. For another, she is trying desperately to remove all traces of blood before they stain. Her husband seems remarkably calm, considering he has just murdered their neighbour.
As the sun rises on Warrah Place, news of Antonio Marietti’s death spreads like wildfire, gossip is exchanged in whispers and suspicion mounts. Twelve-year-old Tammy, an amateur observational scientist, is not alone in feeling determined to find out what happened. There are secrets behind every closed door in the neighbourhood, and the identity of the murderer is only one of them . . .
MY REVIEW
Of the books I have from Australian authors, they seem to have a different feel to them, this one is no exception. I mostly read crime set in the UK or US with a few from Europe. So it is always good to roam to other shores.
This book is set in a cul-de-sac called Warrah Place, which means there are a limited number of houses, so there are a limited number of characters. The author has created some interesting characters, gradually fleshing them out as the mystery of a murder is revealed. Initially, only a foot is discovered. The investigation is carried out, and it is through the eyes of the residents that the full story is told.
This is an interesting read and it is set in 1979, the disappearance of a young man who made an impact on the cul-de-sac becomes more obvious as the story evolves. Antonio was a charmer, he had a way and confidence about him for one so young. He is caught up in the lives of the other residents but why he was murdered is one thing, who murdered him is something else altogether!
The story is a slower-paced one as the residents gradually put things together, there is a police officer in the story but she is not part of the investigation. The author delves into the lives, thoughts, routines and opinions of her group of residents and what emerges is intriguing and gets more complex as attitudes and personalities differ.
Given the setting is a cul-de-sac and that the houses and residents are aware of habits and routines, it is obvious that everyone has their ideas. I do like the setting and it is something that means getting away with things would be more difficult, but it also leads to the age-old saying “You never know what goes on behind closed doors!”
This is an intriguing story and one that falls into the crime, mystery and fiction genres well. I would be happy to recommend this book.
Many thanks for reading my post, a like or share would be amazing 🙂 xx
