'I absolutely couldn't stop reading . . . It took me hostage'
Marian Keyes

'Lively, original . . . packed with tension'
Janice Hallet

'A revealing close-up of a claustrophobic community. I loved it'
Jennie Godfrey

'Deeply impressive . . . The final twist is devastating'
Sunday Times

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.

What readers are saying about The Grapevine:
'A brilliant debut novel' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A gripping suburban drama steeped in mystery and neighbourhood intrigue' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'A compelling blend of psychological suspense and domestic drama' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'An absolutely brilliant read which I couldn't consume quick enough. And that plot twist at the end!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Kept me up all night' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

"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" - Margaret Meyer, author of The Witching Tide

"Deeply impressive . . . the final twist is devastating. Barbara Vine would have approved" - The Times

"Secrets and prejudices proliferate like wildfire . . . gloriously evocative" - Observer

"Extremely well-rendered . . . This dry, sharp and atmospheric debut is well worth the read" - Guardian

"I can wholeheartedly recommend this exceptional debut . . . Deserves to be a big hit" - Bookseller

"A great suburban mystery " - i Paper

"A great read that totally pulls you in and brims with simmering tension throughout" - Prima

"A thought-provoking and captivating read. It's a reminder that we can never truly know what happens behind neighbours' front doors" - Good Housekeeping 50 Best Ever Beach Books