"The Grapevine" by Kate Kemp is a richly atmospheric debut novel set in Australia during the summer of 1979. The story unfolds in a quiet suburban cul-de-sac where the seemingly perfect façade of a neighbourhood is shattered by the murder of Antonio Marietti. The author masterfully crafts a simmering tension throughout the book, capturing the oppressive heat and the undercurrents of suspicion that ripple through Warrah Place.

The novel is told from the perspective of twelve-year-old Tammy, who, driven by curiosity and a desire for justice, launches her own investigation into the murder. While the character-driven narrative and the vivid portrayal of the setting are certainly the highlights of the book, the use of a child protagonist adds a layer of complexity that can sometimes obscure the truth. Tammy's age and limited understanding of the events around her create moments of confusion that may challenge readers seeking a more straightforward mystery.

Despite this, Kemp excels in creating a strong sense of place, making the reader feel the sweltering heat and the simmering tensions within the neighbourhood. As the alliances and the rivalries come into focus, the secrets and hidden lives of the characters are revealed, adding depth and intrigue to the story.

This book is an acutely observed exploration of prejudice, suspicion, and the ties that bind a community. While the pacing may feel slow at times, the richly drawn atmosphere and the complex character dynamics make it a compelling read. For those who enjoy character-led narratives and a vividly depicted setting, this novel offers a unique and engaging experience.

Beautifully written and clever story set in a suburban community in Canberra in 1979. The main character is 12 year old Tammy who becomes quite obsessed with solving the murder of her 19 year old neighbour, Antonio. The tangled webs of the lives of the residents in this community, with many skeletons in their closets, make interesting reading. There are twists and turns galore, and I had no idea what the outcome was going to be. Really enjoyable!

A very clever, thrilling read. Warrah Place. A cul-de-sac where gossip is rife. When a foot is found that belongs to one of the residents a murder investigation is launched. Tammy, a twelve year old had a huge crush on the victim so decides to investigate herself. Eavesdropping, integrating herself among the neighbours, learning as much as she can. Each person living in the close has their own secret. Who would want Antonia Marietti dead?
This book is full of suspense with a brilliant twist. A very clever psychological read.

It’s 1979 and a stifling summer in Canberra. A young man has been murdered in a respectable neighbourhood. Twelve-year-old Tammy, to me reminiscent of Christopher in The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, delves into the crime.
Ideal for fans of literary fiction that focuses less on mystery and more on the lives, lies and simmering secrets of the characters.
With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.
On publication, I will post this review on my blog and on GoodReads.

How is this even a debut novel, I was gripped from the beginning and couldn't read it quick enough. It's essentially a crime/mystery however the ultimate focus is on the residents of a close knit, almost a little clostrophobic community.

The characters were intriguing, I loved learning their secrets and discovering their lives behind closed doors. I felt that the characters were diverse which in this case added more depth to the storyline. From housewife's to single parents to a tween struggling with social dynamics. The whole dunnit just grew and grew.

I particularly liked the authors ability to create strong female characters who were living in a then male dominant period of time.

I can't wait to see what the author has in store for us next, Kemp is certainly one to watch out for.

Thank you to Netgalley and Orion Books for the opportunity to read this book.

Set in the 1970’s in Australia this book was a good read, but a little slow in places for me. More of a lighthearted mystery of who was responsible for the death of the local young Italian, who was found cut into pieces in various locations.

There were some interesting characters, most of whom we see some of and scratch the surface of their peculiar personalities.

I was surprised at the ending and the reveal of who was behind the murder and the interest and pace definitely ramped up towards the ending.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Kate Kemp’s The Grapevine is less about solving a murder and more about the tangled lives of the people left in its wake. Set in a sweltering 1979 Australian suburb, the story unfolds through 12-year-old Tammy’s sharp but limited perspective, revealing the claustrophobic gossip and quiet desperation of Warrah Place. Kemp nails the small, loaded interactions that shape a community, and while some later plot twists lean a bit dramatic, the strength of the novel is in its characters—their secrets, their self-deceptions, and the weight of what they choose to ignore. A compelling, observant debut.

I enjoyed this book very much. The narrator for most of the chapters is 12 year old Tammy who is bored during the school holidays and decides to investigate a recent murder in the neighbourhood. It’s an interesting read, full of secrets and lies. It transported me to the Australian suburbs in 1979. The author is so good at making us feel the heat and the extreme weather. I love immersive books like this. The small community setting is excellent and I could picture the neighbours in Wareham Place. There are lots of characters but they’re clear to imagine and very well drawn. It’s more of a slow burn mystery than a thriller, with an excellent sense of place. It was fun to read something a bit different!

📖 ARC Review

PUB Date : March 12 2025

Pages : 400

My Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 3.5 Mysterious Stars

What first drew me to this book was the cover , and then when I read the synopsis I knew I just had to read it .

Turns out this debut novel wasn’t what I thought it would be, I thought it would be more of a thriller .

This is a slow burn mystery, and it was like tuning into an episode of your favorite soap opera.

Set in the late 70’s in Canberra Australia we are in a small community with all sorts of characters.

These neighbors know everything about each other, well at least they think they do.

The story starts off with Naomi & Richard scrubbing blood off the bathroom floor early in the morning and the next thing we know Antonio the racy Italian is murdered 👀 and everyone has a suspicion of who did it .

As we follow the lives of these people and 12 year old Tammy who is a noisy little bright girl , she is determined to solve this mystery of her friend Antonio.

For a debut the author did a great job of story telling and the feeling of the gossip that flows in around a small village. I loved the caveats that were weaved throughout and how there was bullet points of the life of Ants 🐜 and how it ties the story together.

This is not a thriller but a light, and at times comical & witty mystery. I thought I had the murderer figured out , but was thrown a little twist at the end and was wrong 😑

I think this author is one to look out for , my only negative was the story was a bit too long for me and some story lines with characters were not necessary making the reading a little dry for me at times , but overall really enjoyed it and was intrigued 🧐

Thank you NetGalley ,Orion Publishing Group & Kate Kemp for this mysterious ARC!

In a suburban neighbourhood alive with secrets and lies, perhaps the strangest secret is what lies behind the death of Antonio Marietti's death. It is the height of summer in Australia at the tale end of the 1970s and something is deadly and mysterious in the neighbourhood of Warra.

Tammy is a keen observer on the lives of those who live in her locality, and is determined define that the truth behind Anthony's death. The problem is, she may find out more than she bargained for.

A wonderful murder mystery style book that kept me hooked. I loved the twists and turns throughout and love a book where I can’t guess the ending!!

Claustrophobic, Atmospheric..
In essence, an atmospheric murder mystery but also an intricately painted picture of a claustrophobic community in all its tainted and wretched glory. Summer of 1979, Australia, in a peaceful cul de sac a housewife scrubs the floor erasing the bloodstains of a neighbour whilst her calm husband watches on. In no time at all news of the death has spread, the whispers begin. Brimming with suspicion, secrets, tension and jangling nerves this is a keenly observed drama with well crafted characters and a simmering plot.

Thank you to Orion and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. For me it fell between a 3 and 4 star, so I’ve upped it to a four because it is well written and explores characters well. I found it difficult to keep track of so many people though so just had to let some of it go. I enjoyed that it was mostly written from the perspective of a 12 year old girl, who does a lot of the sleuthing around the murder. I wouldn’t describe the book as a crime thriller, the pace felt too slow for that, I’m not sure what genre it falls into though. I liked the unfolding truths about different relationships of those surrounding the murder of Antonio, and how reactions to those finding out about them were dealt with. The concentration on the lived experiences of women in the 70s, especially in the cul de sac setting is very good.

Beautifully written book based in a street of houses in Australia. A young local lad is murdered and Tammy a 12 year old girl decides to look into the matter.
We see the lives of all the neighbours in the street, How they interact and the secrets they keep.
A little drawn out at times, but I enjoyed the story and all the characters.

1979 Suburbian Australia. The grapevine is told from the point of view of 12 year old Tammy. When a neighbour is murdered she sets to investigating.

A very readable, relatable debut novel. Tongues are wagging, secrets are being uncovered and neighbours are suspicious of everyone.

Great characters and well written!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the copy to review.

In a suburban neighbourhood alive with secrets and lies, perhaps the strangest secret is what lies behind the death of Antonio Marietti's death. It is the height of summer in Australia at the tale end of the 1970s and something is decidedly in the neighbourhood of Warra.

On the cusp of becoming a teenager, Tammy is a keen observer on the lives of those who live in her locality, and is determined define that the truth behind Anthony's death. The problem is, she may find out more than she bargained for!

This is an interesting and well observed coming of age tale that will appeal to a wide range of readers. It gets 3.5 stars.

It’s January 1979, Canberra. Australia, and the heat is overwhelming. The residents of Warrah Place, a small but select enclave, are definitely struggling with the temperature. When a body part is discovered nearby, and then identified by one of the locals, suspicions and accusations abound. The racist in the street is confident it is one of the ‘foreigners’ who is responsible, or perhaps one of the many boyfriends of the single woman with loose morals who lives in the only social housing residence. Secrets and lies abound, slowly indiscretions and guilt unravel, and along the way friendships are made and broken. As the plot progresses we see that it is not only the weather that’s suffocating, but the relationships too.

With a compelling start, this book really pulled me in. With Tammy and Colin giving some light relief, it is has a dark core, with the community very much the main character as a whole. It’s a story of what goes on behind closed (though not locked in this case!!) doors, and how relationships are not always what they seem on the surface.

A very different murder mystery, that leads the reader along with an unexpected twist. The ‘after’ chapters enlighten and surprise!

A very strong debut.

Thank you NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group.

A slower read than the usual murder mystery as the focus is less about the truth of the murder and so much more about the ripple effect on all of the local community.. It’s not without its dark aspects and some heartfelt trauma for many of the characters but this is offset by the innate comic input from the two main children in the story. An unexpected twist at the end and snapshots of some welcome positive outcomes..

This is the whole package. It starts with the aftermath of a very grisly murder and then takes us forwards and backwards to discover the secrets, lies and passions that lead us to the tragedy. The characters that we meet in this suburban close in Canberra are richly painted, full of surprises and it’s the irrepressible Tammy -with her side-kick of cross dressing Colin - that drives us forward into the lives behind the shuttered windows. I loved this, enjoyed the telling and am missing the neighbours.

I really loved this book. Although the main event of the book was a murder, it was not a standard murder novel which I really liked. The book focuses on the lives of the residents who live in the same street as the murder victim, a young girl Tammy whos mother is very distant, Ursala who is living with a secret and Naomi who is a wife and mother who is hiding secrets of her own.

This book is very well written, I believe this is the authors debut novel, I will definitely be keeping an eye out for more work by her.