At 3am, Naomi scrubs blood out of her bathroom tiles while her husband, Richard, shoulders a duffle bag and reassures his wife that he is dealing with everything.

Hours later, bored twelve-year-old Tammy contemplates the long, dull, lonely summer stretching ahead of her. She is eager for a project and, when Joe next door lets slip that the police have found their neighbour Antonio's foot in the hills behind their neighbourhood, Tammy jumps at the chance to investigate.

Why are Antonio's belongings scattered around the neighbourhood? What happened the night of the church working bee when he was last seen? The plot unspools under the sweltering January sun, as the hidden connections between the residents of Warrah Place are gradually revealed.

The Grapevine, the debut novel from Kate Kemp, begins with a bang but is actually a slow burn of a novel driven as much by character development as by its whodunnit plot. Set in a suburb of Canberra, Australia in the late 1970s, Kemp skilfully amalgamates the specific suspicion which lowers over Warrah Place in the aftermath of Antonio's apparent murder with the more general climate of unease which placed immigrants and gay people - along with anyone seen to be flouting the entrenched social norms - firmly on the outside of their communities.

Tammy's initial summer project was focused on a nest of ants she had discovered, and the story is occasionally interrupted by observations about ant behaviour, an apt metaphor for the neighbours and their behaviour. The females are the lynchpins of an ant colony, and Warrah Place is no different. The narration is shared between a number of the women who populate the street - from Tammy and Naomi to Tammy's repressed, desperate-for-approval mother, Helen, Guangyu, recently arrived from Hong Kong and attempting to navigate the disapproval of both her mother-in-law and her teenage daughter, and a host of others.

Each of the women is concealing her own secrets and hopes, and their respective stories are a compelling exploration of how our interior lives can diverge from how we are perceived by others. The women are flawed individuals - some of them deeply so - but they are also strong and resilient, and depicted with grace and sympathy by Kemp; even the characters whose behaviour is most problematic are shown to have been shaped by their history and circumstances, as well as by the society they have grown up in. Refreshingly, for a story set in this place and time, Kemp's characters represent a range of intersectional experiences: all are women, but each of their lives is coloured in different ways by their race, age, sexuality, religion and class. The women of Warrah Place are far from a monolith, and they feel real because of the effort Kemp has clearly made to craft their back stories and consider how each of them would be likely to behave.

Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

In a small, suburban cul-de-sac in 1970s Australia, news of the murder of their young neighbour Antonio Marietti casts a shadow over the inhabitants of the street, as they begin to look at each other to determine how, and why, this death occurred. First to start investigating is 12-yr-old Tammy, who uses all of her powers of observation to try to track down her friend’s killer.

This is a really powerful debut novel, that showcases much of what was wrong with a great many societies in the 1970s. The characters were all believable, and I really enjoyed Tammy’s observations on those around her. The writing was engaging, and I look forward to more by this author.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley, and the publisher for the arc to review.

Sometimes a debut novel comes along that leaves you just a little bit in awe that it’s the author’s debut! The Grapevine by Kate Kemp is one of those. It has such a perfect sense of place and time, and the moodiness of it just jumped right off the page (well, ok, off the Kindle!), almost like it was its own character. It’s very, very good and you should definitely read it!

This is a moody, atmospheric read. I could feel the heat rising off the pavement of Warrah Place, a suburban cul-de-sac, sweltering amid a late ’70’s heatwave. The sticky discontent of every single character is almost palpable and readers will find themselves physically adjusting clothing and wanting to gulp down gallons of water, just to find some relief from the unbearable heat.

For a quiet little street, there’s a lot going on behind closed doors. For one thing, there’s the murder of Antonio from ‘the Italian House’, and the fact that it’s quickly clear that whoever did it is one of the residents of their supposedly secure enclave. The story is told from the perspective of Tammy, an awkward 12-year-old who’s decided that it’s up to her to solve Antonio’s murder. While she quietly studies her ant colonies and is stuck looking after Colin, a strange little boy whose own mother seems even more distant and unavailable than Tammy’s own mother, she realizes that you can find out a lot just by watching and being invisible.

Because this takes place in an era when women were still not really valued or considered for their opinions or ideas. They were secondary to the men who were more important and who were running the show. But the undercurrent of dissatisfaction that was felt by women of this time runs through this story, and is evident in the feelings and actions of the women of Warrah Place. They inherently know that if they don’t support each other (even if they don’t particularly like each other), then nobody – certainly not any of their men – is going to do it. They might not even be sure what shape or form that support is going to take at any given time, but they’ll do what they can.

As the lies and secrets that have been hiding behind the closed doors of the cul-de-sac start to be revealed, Tammy starts to understand that what began as a quest to attain value and relevance in the eyes of her peers before the end of the summer, might end with a very different conclusion to the one she’d imagined. She is a valiant little heroine that readers will find themselves quietly cheering for.

As for the rest of the residents of Warrah Place, they’re not an altogether likeable bunch. They’re flawed, for sure, but it’s their determination to struggle through that made me want to continue reading about their exploits and their attempts to continue with their day-to-day lives, despite this tragedy that had landed in their midst. The story is so character-driven that I found myself completely forgetting about the murder and who’d committed it.

I can’t wait to see what Kate Kemp has up her sleeve next!

The simmering tension in small community was so beautifully built up throughout this novel. The cast of characters each play such vital roles in building this plot and bring about an ending so unexpected it took my breath away. I loved the setting, the attitudes of people in the late 70s were perfectly portrayed. Tammy’s quest to solve mystery of a neighbour’s murder is a fascinating way to explore the crime, especially as the author throws in the missing pieces of the puzzle. The relationships between all the neighbours are intricate and finely balanced - I thoroughly enjoyed it.

This is a great book told from the eyes of 12-year-old Tammy. A Rather bored and inquisitive young lady!! There are lots of twists and turns and suspicions between all of the neighbours. Some of whom are from different cultures and people haven’t got to know them. It’s a really interesting book and a good read that kept me hooked until the end.

12-year-old Tammy is a key narrator in this book set in the aftermath of a murder in a quiet suburban neighborhood in Australia. Tammy, who doesn't quite fit in at school, is fixated on becoming cool, and what better to help her do this than catch a murderer? Tensions in the neighborhood soon rise, and everyone starts to suspect everyone else. The back stories of her neighbours are soon revealed and it's Tammy's well-meaning but naive investigations that drives the story and pulls the threads together. An interesting read with a twist I didn't foresee.

I’ve not read this author before and am looking forward to reading more of her books. A page turner from beginning to end

This book is brilliantly written! I loved everything about it and would highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my ARC

Hugely enjoyable read centred around a murder in a cul de sac in Australia. Secrets, lies and small town gossip in a coming of age mystery. Loved it

The Grapevine by Kate Kemp is an impressive debut novel set in the height of summer in 1979 Australia. What can I say? I absolutely adored this book and was completely blown away by it!

The story begins in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac as a housewife is scrubbing the bathroom tiles at 3am in the morning, desperately trying to remove all traces of blood. Her husband, on the other hand, is remarkably calm considering their young neighbour Antonio Marietti has just been murdered.

As a new day dawns on Warrah Place, news of a severed foot being found is spreading like wildfire. The foot is identified as belonging to nineteen year old Antonio Marietti who is now missing presumed dead. As gossip and suspicion mounts, 12 year old Tammy decides to begin an investigation of her own. But Warrah Place is a neighbourhood with many secrets – and the identity of the murderer turns out to only be the tip of the iceberg…

The Grapevine is very much a character driven tale that encompasses everything from prejudice to the hidden lives of women, with 12 year old Tammy taking centre stage as, with the help of 8 year old Colin, she tries to uncover the identity of a murderer.

A fascinating study of a small Australian community, this is a book that instantly transports you to the stifling hot summer of 1979 as it brings Warrah Place and the larger than life people who live there vividly to life.

A tense and atmospheric read, The Grapevine is a stunning debut that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. Kate Kemp’s writing is gorgeous and I can’t wait to read whatever she comes up with next.

Highly recommended.

A foot is found of a local boy, who it seems has been murdered. A young girl wants to tell everyone that she has found this out, but no one wants to listen to her. This book has too many characters, and as a result they all lack depth. I had high hopes for this book, but unfortunately it was not for me.

This book was fascinating. You start with the knowledge of the culprit. You watch as the folk around you scramble to figure out who is a murderer, what secrets are they hiding, what political, ethical and moral divides are there between our neighbourhood. So we know who but what is the why?
The characters have such wonderful growth. The story is pacey and rich.

With a twist that you won't see coming, you have to read this.

A fairly slow paced read told in multiple timelines before and after a murder that happened in suburban Canberra, Australia during a heatwave in the 1970s
The book opens with the aftermath of the murder and concentrates on the inhabitants of a small cul de sac - Warren Place
Loved how each chapter slowly introduced you to different households, gradually revealing what happened leading up to the murder
So many secrets hidden behind closed doors - who is the murderer?
An excellent debut novel - atmospheric and simmering with tension, prejudice and suspicion
Thanks @katekemp.writer @orionbooks and @netgalley for the atmospheric eARC

A story of a neighbourhood in a hot Australian summer. A man's severed foot is discovered and Tammy decides to investigate. But what will the repercussions for the neighbours be?
I found this story quite slow which made it hard to get involved with.

Kate Kemp’s debut novel, The Grapevine, offers a compelling glimpse into suburban life in 1979 Australia, weaving a tale of murder, secrets, and community dynamics. Set in the sweltering heat of a Canberra cul-de-sac, the story begins with a grisly murder of a neighbour and unfolds through a number of perspectives. Our main narrator is twelve-year-old Tammy, who embarks on her own investigation, uncovering more than she anticipates.

Kemp excels in creating a vivid sense of place, immersing readers in the atmosphere of the era with authentic 70s Australian slang and detailed settings. The character-driven narrative delves into themes of prejudice, secrecy, and the complexities of human relationships, particularly among the women of Warrah Place. Tammy’s perspective adds a unique layer, offering both innocence and insight as she navigates the adult world of gossip and hidden truths.

However, the novel’s pacing can be uneven, with some sections feeling slower as the intricate web of character backstories is unraveled. It was also slow to come together, and while the loose ends were tied up as neatly as possible, it may turn away readers who prefer a more evenly paced read.

Additionally, the broad range of themes explored - from racism and misogyny to homophobia and family dynamics - while enriching, may overwhelm some readers seeking a more focused narrative from start to finish.

Despite these minor drawbacks, The Grapevine stands out as a richly observed and engaging debut. Kemp’s sharp social commentary and evocative storytelling make it a noteworthy addition to contemporary fiction. For readers who appreciate character-driven mysteries set against a richly detailed backdrop, this novel is a rewarding read.

Very atmospheric and the descriptions really took you there so obviously well written however I struggled to get into it.

The Grapevine starts with an interesting concept, and there’s definitely potential in the story’s focus on secrets, small-town dynamics, and the complexity of relationships. Kate Kemp’s writing style is clear and easy to read, and there are moments where the book captures a real sense of place and character.

However, the execution didn’t quite land for me. The pacing felt uneven, and I found it hard to stay invested in the characters or their motivations. While the book touches on some intriguing themes, it often felt like it was skimming the surface rather than diving deeper.

Overall, this was a decent read with some strong elements, but it didn’t quite grab me.

It’s 1979 and the residents of Warrah Place have many secrets. When a foot turns up unexpectedly a young Tammy decides to investigate the case but in doing so she unknowingly starts to unravel more than she bargained for. After Tammy is finished with her investigation will her neighbours find a way to forgive her.

I found this book very slow to come together, it was very different to anything else I have read, it reminded me of a weeks worth of Home and Away or Neighbours so very soap drama like.
I enjoyed the read but found it a little too slow.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a soap drama style book.

Thank you to NetGalley for offering this
ARC in exchange for my personal thoughts.

The neighbours of Warrah Place all have secrets and when one of their number is murdered their suspicions and prejudice of each other become very apparent. Set in Australia in 1979 many of these characters are living very different lives behind their closed doors and many of their opinions and behaviours would not be accepted in today’s society. This book has often been likened to A List of Suspicious Things and I can see the similarities- if you liked that book you will love this. The story is toldthrough the eyes of Tammy who at 12 years old finds herself to be an outsider with many of her contemporaries and who decides that in order to belong she must find the murderer. A story of betrayal which deals with difficult topics such as misogyny, xenophobia ,homophobia and also coercive control . I held my breath as the secrets were uncovered and the neighbours discovered the true story of what happened. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel in return for an honest review.

A hot summer in the Canberra suburbs. A missing man and a neighbourhood full of secrets and lies.

Tammy is a young girl, yet to find her place in the world. When neighbour Antonio goes missing and human remains are found dumped, she makes it her mission to covertly investigate and solve the crime. But Tammy uncovers more secrets than she could ever have imagined. Affairs, forbidden relationships and surprising friendships form that will shape her future.

Skilfully crafted, this is a slow burner of a book that mirrors the languid heat of that hot summer. The adage that you never know what goes on behind closed doors, is never more appropriate than in The Grapevine. Intrigue a-plenty makes this a compelling read and it is an intimate portrayal of human relationships with all the complexity we bring to the world.

I very much enjoyed this.
It reminded me in some ways of Only Goats and Sheep - except, this is Australia and we already know the answers, or do we...
It's a clever little book, but more than that, a well written debut - I think it will be interesting to see what comes next, because this is a gem.
Thank you to the publishers for allowing me to read in advance - unfortunately, my TBR got in the way, so... better late than never!