The Grapevine
On sale
13th March 2025
Price: £18.99
Australia, 1979. It’s the height of summer and on a quiet suburban cul-de-sac a housewife is scrubbing the yellow and white chequered tiles of her bathroom floor. But all is not as it seems. For one thing, it’s 3 a.m. For another, she is trying desperately to remove all traces of blood before they stain. Her husband seems remarkably calm, considering their neighbour has just been murdered.
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 launches her own investigation, determined to find out what happened, but she is not the only one whose well-meaning efforts uncover more mysteries than they solve. There are secrets behind every closed door in the neighbourhood – and the identity of the murderer is only one of them . . .
Richly atmospheric and simmering with tension, The Grapevine is an acutely observed debut novel about prejudice and suspicion, the hidden lives of women, and how the ties that bind a community can also threaten to break it.
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 launches her own investigation, determined to find out what happened, but she is not the only one whose well-meaning efforts uncover more mysteries than they solve. There are secrets behind every closed door in the neighbourhood – and the identity of the murderer is only one of them . . .
Richly atmospheric and simmering with tension, The Grapevine is an acutely observed debut novel about prejudice and suspicion, the hidden lives of women, and how the ties that bind a community can also threaten to break it.
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Reviews
Generous, ingeniously plotted and teeming with memorable characters, this finely observed novel brims with wit on every page. The Grapevine is a darkly compelling story about love, family, community and the friendships that sustain us
From its shocking opening to its impeccable conclusion, The Grapevine is a cleverly revealing close-up of a claustrophobic community. I loved it
I absolutely loved The Grapevine. Brilliantly gripping and atmospheric, with such great characters - secrets, lies and all
A beautifully written, claustrophobic and compelling mystery where secrets and lies hide behind closed doors. Kate Kemp is a writer to watch
Superb . . . written with effortless grace, it's a rich tapestry of a book that's psychologically astute. The wit and humour is incisive
Deliciously dark and acutely observed, reading it is like being in the story. I could see the curtains twitch as I uncovered the secrets, and there were lots of them. This is a claustrophobic read with a shocking (and very satisfying) end, I inhaled it
The Grapevine was a joy to read. Its flowing, witty prose and deft characterisation transported me effortlessly into a small suburban street in 1970s Australia where murder has occurred, opening up the lives of its inhabitants for inspection. It's a cleverly constructed page-turner, endowed with empathy and insight, but the standout for me was how accurately - and often very amusingly - Kate Kemp captured the detail and dialogue of the era. My reading experience was littered with oh yes! moments. Bravo
Full of wonderful characters, a gripping plot and great writing. I loved it and couldn't wait to return to it each night. Such a fantastic story
I absolutely adored this debut, which instantly creeps up on you. The Grapevine is claustrophobic and sharp, with a dry wit - an unapologetically feminist novel with a suspenseful murder right at the centre
A wonderful debut. I loved it and was utterly captivated by Kate Kemp's writing - one of those rare writers who made me laugh whilst also breaking my heart. Tammy especially will stay with me for a long time
The Grapevine by Kate Kemp is a lively, original murder mystery set in 1970s Australia, where twelve-year-old Tammy is determined to investigate the murder of Antonio, whose severed foot is intensifying the already choking claustrophobia of a small town community. Beautifully written and acutely observed, this is a story where women of all ages are centre stage and the intertwining relationships between families, friends and neighbours drive a story that's packed with tension and intrigue. The Grapevine is such an elegant, sophisticated read, I can't believe it's a debut. Kate Kemp is definitely one to watch
An atmospheric, richly observed debut set in 1970s suburban Australia. Immersive and compelling from first page to last. I loved it
Secrets, lies, and a sweltering summer in a Canberra suburb . . . The Grapevine is a wonderfully-written debut about the secrets we keep from each other and ourselves. Yes, there's a murder, and yes there are some stunning twists along the way, but what really kept me hooked was the brilliantly-drawn relationships between the neighbours of Warrah Place. The simmering tension, and Kate Kemp's sublime observation of the intricacies of human behaviour, means the novel sizzles towards an explosive conclusion that left my jaw on the floor. I adored it