By Francesca Barel
Carnations mark the spot, or do they? In this cosy mystery-thriller by Zane Lovitt set in a simple cul-de-sac, we uncover what lies beneath the neat fences and mowed lawns of our neighbours. We watch families crack and secrets spill as ghastly crimes from 13 years ago come to the surface. In The Body Next Door, we follow Jamie, a brokenhearted divorcee, who has found his way back to his childhood home to look after his mentally ill father and nurse his wounds. As well as Claire, a shy bubbly florist with a journal full of speculations, that will inevitably lead to her untimely death. Is Claire’s disappearance connected with the murder of teenager Lochlan? Is Jamie’s father, now grappling with dementia, shielding the truth? Is Tess, the new neighbour truly who she says she is? Set in Melbourne, this novel captures the essence of Australian suburban culture, and tours around familiar areas that make the city so great.
Like other thrillers, this novel has a slow start in which the main characters are seen living their mundane lives while stopping, every so often, to wallow in their pity. The neighbours are promptly presented through short bite-sized chapters, which keep one’s attention on the story; and before long we start to see the different perspectives and relationships Jamie and Claire have. Soon enough, Claire starts to question the disappearance of a boy named Lachlan. Her theories only get wilder when she attends his funeral service. It is through mediocre spy techniques that we uncover a majority of plot points. Through Claire, we meet Eleanor, her employee and future neighbour, James, her lover and suspected killer, and Holly. Overall, her character is full of different facades, and her older age gives her the wisdom that drives the book. She is self-conscious and shy, yet becomes increasingly confident and cunning with every chapter, especially when her life and that of the ones she loves are put in danger.
Jamie, on the other hand, is a much more laid-back and damp individual, who, after his divorce is, questioning the meaning of love. His chapters move at a slower pace in accordance with his introverted and sheepish character. His tight-knit relationship with his father is what drives him to uncover the secrets of Carnation Way and prove Bruce’s (his dad) innocence. The exploration of the brutality of dementia is captured through his character, and the reader truly feels for both Jamie and Bruce.
Overall, I found the ending to be quite satisfying, even though we truly never discover what the hidden treasure was. Bruce moved into a care home and Jamie and Tess unexpectedly began a new relationship. Their moving in together was severely rushed, especially as they had better chemistry as friends. In the end, it was a fun and cozy read. Great characters, no gore, and an enjoyable storyline that kept me guessing till the very end.
