This murder mystery is set in 1970’s Australia in a quiet neighbourhood. I loved that most of the story was told from the viewpoint of 12 year old Tammy, getting the story via pieces of gossip she overheard etc was so different to other books and I really enjoyed it.

I absolutely adored this book and devoured it over a couple of days! It has easily been one of my favourite books of the year and I can’t wait to read more from the author in the future!

A quietly compelling novel.

The time and place are perfectly described, with deftly drawn characters.

Reminiscent of Revolutionary Road.

I'm sad to say this didnt work for me.
While the synopsis had me thinking this was my type of book.
I found the constant jumping around timelines while following multiple characters POV had me lost throughout.
Some of the characters blended together so I was constantly trying to figure who was who and how they connected to the person who had died.
The plot itself just didn't keep me interested.

A compelling story about the murder of a young man in a small cul-de-sac of houses in Canberra - a place where neighbours look out for each other. Antonio Marietti is a handsome, charming young man who catches the eye of many of the neighbourhood’s women, married and single alike. Even 12 year old Tammy picks up on his charm and affability, so when his dismembered foot, identified by a birthmark, turns up, the community is shaken. Written with multiple viewpoints and flashbacks, the story reveals what is going on behind each of the houses in the neighbourhood and is a compelling read with a twist that I didn’t see coming. Of all the viewpoints, Tammy’s is the most engaging and is a reminder of how a child can be both invisible and perceptive at the same time.

With thanks to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy.

Set in Canberra in 1979, this is a well told story focusing on 12-year old Tammy.
The sweltering heat of summer is used to give the book a slow, oppressive feel which is perfect for the story.
A good debut and I'm interested in what Kate Kemp comes up with next.

A good book with a great plot I didn’t realise it enjoy it and did read right to the end but did find myself unsure whether it was my genre or not. That being said was a good read

Really enjoyed reading this story. It felt so Australian, put it this way, imagine a murder on a "neighbours" set...
The story seems to be set on a cul de sac. All the neighbours are friendly and mingle with each other to some extent. Some more than others. Antonio has gone missing until a foot turns up. Tammy the daughter of one of the couples feels that she can solve this crime and gets out her notebook.

All of the characters are well thought out and realistic even Cecil. I can just imagine him.
I would absolutely recommend this book
Thank you to netgalley for this arc

Such a beautifully written story, full of lies secrets and complex relationships. I couldn’t put it down and the plot twist had me shocked!! Highly recommend

The Grapevine is a gripping and atmospheric read, full of tension, secrets, and beautifully crafted prose. The novel weaves together an intricate story of relationships and hidden truths, set against a vividly described backdrop that feels almost like a character itself.

The writing is elegant and immersive, drawing the reader into the tangled lives of its characters. Kemp excels at building slow-burning suspense, making even quiet moments feel charged with underlying emotion. The dialogue feels natural, and the character dynamics are nuanced and compelling.

While the pacing lags in a few spots, the strong character work and the novel’s rich, evocative atmosphere make up for it. The ending is satisfying without being predictable, leaving just enough lingering questions to keep you thinking.

Overall, The Grapevine is a well-crafted and engaging novel that’s perfect for readers who love literary fiction with a touch of mystery. A solid 4 stars.

It’s 1979 in Cranberra Australia and the tale is told by 12 year old Tammy, who’s a bit of a lost soul struggling to make friends and trying to find her place in society. As the school holidays begin, she turns detective when one of the residents where she lives is murdered.
Everyone in Warrah Place is under suspicion as she sets out to discover the truth.
With a host of wonderful characters, each with their own stories to tell, I was hooked from the start. This is a great debut novel by Kate Kemp who brings such depth to each of the characters and the twist at the end took me by surprise. I thought the references to ants throughout the book was very clever and added another dimension.
With thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a slow and steady burn, which kinda feels right given the evident sweltering heat that covers everything and everyone in an exhausted, sticky, treacle as they go about their day.

The story is told predominantly from the POV of 12 year old Tammy who is nosey, bright, opinionated, unsubtle and determined to solve the mystery of  who murdered her friend/crush Antonio.

Being an unusual girl, Tammy seeks out extra homework on the last day of term and so there are poignant little ant facts throughout 🐜 🐜 🐜

There are seemingly an abundance of suspects as Antonio was mature for his age and had varying relationships with the other characters - quite the charmer to all and even had time to befriend a 12 year old girl. At points, it feels as though almost every other character could have been the murderer.

I've given it 3.5 stars mainly because it is such a slow burn which isn't my preferred reading style but honestly I am stunned this is by a debut author as it felt exceptionally polished.

My thanks to the author, NetGalley and Orion Publishing for an ARC in return for an honest review.

"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!