The idea behind the story is a good one. A TV journalist, Jack Quick, delivers a programme on a "true crime" which results in the overturning of the original conviction. A second murder then occurs which Jack Quick feels compelled to try to solve because of his involvement and influence on the original case. A central theme is the telling, editing and controlling of stories and the impact this then has.
I found the book difficult to read. It didn't flow and there was too much "padding" around the narrative. At times it was hard to feel motivated to read the book, which is a shame because the plot was good with plenty of twists.

The writing style did take a bit of getting used to, but stick with it. The descriptions of physical landscapes and weather generated a suitably claustrophobic atmosphere. The male lead has his own demons to contend with and these coupled with an examination of the terrifying power of tv to sway public opinion by turning real life into "drama" made it a thought provoking book. Thanks to Hodder and Stoughton and NetGalley for a satisfying read, I will look out for Benjamin Stevenson in the future.

I wasn't a huge fan of the writing style of She Lies In The Vines, I don't think a crime book should have Tolkien-esque writing and it was off putting. I found the rest of the book pretty unique but it was an effort to finish it.
3/5 strong book but not a winner.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher Hodder & Stoughton for the ARC.
Set in Australia, Jack Quick, a true-crime documentary producer has aired his latest production on the murder of Eliza Darcey. She was found murdered at the edge of Curtis Wade's vineyard 4 years previously and Jack's programme detailed the lack of evidence against Curtis and his hasty arrest for that murder. But what if he did do it? Had Jack put his personal prestige above presenting the real truth? He has nagging doubts and going back to the crime scene discovers a piece of evidence apparently overlooked, but which could really point to Curtis's guilt, and decides to conceal it. Nevertheless he becomes determined to get to the real truth - not the edited version presented in his programme - with surprising consequences.
Although this, to me, was a unique way of approaching a crime mystery, I didn't enjoy actually reading it. The writing, for me, was much too 'flowery'; it seemed that every chance there was to describe a rainstorm, a road, or vegetation etc, the book of adjectives was squeezed of everything it could give, resulting in lengthy detractions from. the storyline rather than adding anything of interest. So, in essence, this was rather a laborious read.

A novel of intrigue and mystery set in the wine area of the Hunter Valley, north of Sydney. Whilst the setting is vague rather than precise - the town of Birravale where the murder takes place is of course fictional, this doesn’t matter. It’s the rich evocation of setting which works here. It’s vast, dry, hot and deadly. Bush land and fields as far as the eye can see.
Contrast that to the setting of the prison in beautiful Sydney bay. It might be a prison but it’s set in one of the most stunning bays in the world.This is a story which is really going to make you think and questio n a great many things. Documentaries such as Making a Murderer and the film with Kevin Spacey and Kate Winslet, The Life of David Gale really shows what this book builds to an incredible ending. How we are all to some extent fascinated by true crime and our analysis of it. But this book looks at how the media can often manipulate the audience and write what they know is going to get the headlines. It’s all very interesting. But then what happens if you change the result of a crime, a trial etc and then have to live with the consequences?




The difference between the two settings really pushes along the story. The vineyards were a great setting - very well evoked and descriptive enough to evoke all of all the five senses.The vines, the  vineyards and the eerie silence....
In real life Hunters Valley is famous for wines but you won’t find the Freemans winery - that’s just in the book thank goodness. However there are plenty more to tour!