Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve
Blanche D’Alpuget has been praised for her non-fiction works, particularly her biographies. With The Bunny Club, she has ventured into the popular genre of the murder mystery. This novel is spiced by the making of celebrity, wealth, beauty and a quest for erotic sex; its cardinal ingredients.
Evelyn Sinclair is the adored anchor of morning television, admired by millions. Inevitably she has reached that dreaded stage in her career where the patriarchy ruthlessly decides her career with them is finished. She departs Sydney to her Southern Highlands retreat to adjust to this shock and consider her future.
Her murder there is shocking.
To regularly console herself, she had engaged a stunning male escort, Anton. Although well educated, he chooses to live a life of luxury by offering his services to those who are happy to pay. Anton is French, charming, intelligent, and ridiculously handsome and talented in bedroom antics. One aspect of this is his mastery of the Japanese art of Shibari, the meticulous art of knot-tying to facilitate erotic pleasure. Anton is sought after, especially by ladies of Sydney’s North Shore.
A number of possible suspects feature. Her former employer, CEO of the television station, the wealthy neighbour who runs a horse stud and boasts a dungeon, her PA Samantha, possibly even Anton.
The detective in charge Lang Taylor, is accompanied by Iris Wu. She is a colourful and clever addition to the scene. Unashamedly racist, she cannot resist any opportunity to point out the superiority of the Chinese culture. Her skill in observing and drawing conclusions is exceptional and Lang cannot fail to admire her. They form a deep attachment.
The Bunny Club is not just about the murder of Evelyn Sinclair. Anton’s family history is a chronicle of tragedy, in its backdrop of chateaux and vineyards. Evelyn herself has a darkly disturbing secret and this surfaces to suggest a new suspect should be investigated.
Data concerning the often illegal financial activities of some of the characters of interest can only be discovered by delving into the dark web. This is done by a grateful client of Anton’s, Betty, a dwarf, appreciative of his only charging disabled clientele half-price.
Wry humour such as this makes the novel even more racy and enjoyable. Exchanges between the two detectives are either seriously funny or merely amusing.
Ultimately, The Bunny Club, is not just about solving a murder, or unravelling puzzles such as why a group of women wearing black backpacks with a pink furry bunny attached, enter Anton’s apartment; but it allows the reader to indulge in a touch of schadenfreude. It becomes obvious that beauty, wealth, power and influence do not secure wellbeing and may, sadly, end in disaster.
In doing this, Blanche D’Alpuget has written a novel that is diverting, entertaining and at times enlightening (I knew nothing of Shibari previously).
The Bunny Club
[2025]
by Blanche D’Alpuget
Popcorn Press
ISBN: 978 1 923236 19 6
$29.99; 278pp