Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve
Lauren Williams is fresh to the genre of crime fiction and she brings a lively and diverting touch to it. Themes she uses ensure the novel is currently appealing to a wide audience. Domestic violence, community cohesion, family dynamics, corruption in both the police force and the judiciary and a woman of colour’s acceptance in the police force are the major ones. In the hands of a less skillful writer, these might be a recipe for didactic, perhaps tedious content, but Lauren Williams evades this with an easy assurance.
It is surprising to know that Neighbourhood Watch is her fiction debut.
The reader’s interest is immediately captured with the opening pages describing the annual local festival in Curlew Street. Neighbours dig deeply into their creative urges to each produce a scarecrow. The entertainment becomes macabre when one exhibit is a prominent judge, strung up like a scarecrow, and obviously a murder victim.
The plot proceeds to the investigation, significant characters who could be likely suspects, and a closer scrutiny of both the judge and the police team. Three women come into focus – Emma, the beautiful wife of the judge, Harry Somerton, Margot her hardworking, frequently undervalued sister and the detective leading the case, Priyanka Pal. All have complicated lives, and Priyanka uses her previous expertise as a consultant psychologist to some extent, unravel the maze.
Such potentially ponderous issues could be heavily handled in a less talented writer’s hands but Lauren Williams uses humour to avoid this. One of the most amusing episodes occurs surrounding Easykill. He is obviously a villain but assumes his role in rising to Margot’s need of his ‘expertise’ with a ‘sang froid’ that is calmly professional and very funny. She finds his abilities and connections crucially important.
Australia’s multicultural side emerges with the neighbours of Curlew Street. The undercurrents there, with their petty grievances and secrets, add fuel to suspicion or divert with misleading clues. A tinge of prejudice appears with attitudes to Theo, when jumping to conclusions clouds judgement.
Emma is prey to an abusive husband and her plight is portrayed in a sensitive manner. This highlights the difficulties and dilemmas an abused spouse can face. Her relationship with her sister is fractious and seemingly impossible to smooth. Their exchanges are often difficult and painful. Both have been sadly misunderstood.
Priyanka, dedicated to her work, undeterred by the hurdles she faces with the male fellow workers is an original and initially underestimated member of the group. Her quiet determination proves to be, ultimately, a winning asset.
Lauren Williams has previously worked in different spheres. She has been a lawyer, arts journalist, diplomat and worked in communications for a museum. She has also worked as an actor in television.
Her first novel deserves enormous success. It is truly remarkable for the skill with which she has handled multiple important issues, while simultaneously producing a book which is seriously gripping, at times moving, cleverly discerning of individual foibles and indisputably entertaining.
Neighbourhood Watch
[2026]
by Lauren Williams
Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 978 1 7616 3723 0
$34,99; 374pp