Review: The Grapevine by Kate Kemp
Shortlisted for the 2026 Nota Bene Prize, The Grapevine is a wire-taut thriller set across a sweltering 1970s Australian summer, combining page-turning whodunnit with piercing exploration of the hidden lives of women, as a community is rocked by a brutal murder.
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.
REVIEWED BY ELIZABETH FAZAL
The Grapevine is a novel that transports the reader into a sweltering cul-de-sac in Australia in 1979, where the discovery of a body begins to uncover far more than the community expected. It focuses on the ripples felt by close-knit neighbours in a claustrophobic setting, and expertly demonstrates how gossip can spread like wildfire. The setting lends itself perfectly to the unease and tension, and the author’s background as a systemic psychotherapist clearly informs the depth of character and relationships. The reader feels every bit as on edge with the unknown as the characters do.
Kate Kemp also manages the near-impossible feat of delivering a magnificent final twist, which is no small achievement in a world saturated with whodunnits. What unfolds here is a compelling “whydunnit” that leaves a lasting impression.
At its heart, The Grapevine is a story about women. The narration moves between several female perspectives, creating a layered and powerful portrait of the community. It invites reflection on what it meant to live in that time and place, and how age, race and status shape each character’s experience of events.
A particular highlight is Tammy, a twelve-year-old girl who refuses to follow expectations. Her storyline brings a subtle coming-of-age thread, as she navigates the space between childhood and adulthood. Through her developing friendship with Colin, moments of humour are woven into the narrative, offering contrast to the tension and making the novel all the more compelling.
There’s no denying that The Grapevine is a remarkable debut, and one that feels deserving of its recognition.