The drovers seem to get on well and socialise together, especially around public holidays and for special events. Through the course of the story, we find out why this usually quiet street is called The Drove and its connection to the public park, which they tend to think belongs to or is an extension of The Drove, which it isn't.

All of a sudden, a group of people set up tents in the park. These people become known as the campers and the drovers quickly want to know what's going on. It seems their space has been invaded. What they discover causes mistrust and fear for their safety. Also, some of the residents are concerned for the welfare of these homeless people. These concerned residents are the ones who want to see that the Council provides services for them, mostly to ensure the area remains hygienically safe, while the other residents want these campers moved away as quickly as possible.

The drovers, who regularly stay in touch in their group chat on an app, arrange to meet to discuss this unwanted situation. Ideas are thrown around, including reporting to the police and having them forcibly removed, but they soon discover it is not as simple as some of the group had hoped.

It is not long before readers meet the campers. We find out they may not be that bad after all. Except there is that one tall, handsome, somewhat manipulative, fellow with dreadlocks, who says his name is Sholto who doesn't need to be homeless and comes from a well-off family, he says he is houseless and appears to be this groups leader. 

Leah has a good comfortable life with Moses and their two young children. They live next door to Luc and Jon who are quick to notice Leah's attraction to Sholto. This becomes interesting, very interesting, as the author weaves the story so well, I found I was saying to myself, "Leah, don't be such a fool and mess up your good life and family".

This is a good community enclave, where they look out for each other and they soon become engrossed in trying to find a solution to their problem. The story grows into several scenarios such as holding a friendly picnic to get to know the campers, which at first seems to work until shortly afterwards when there are problems. Throughout these side and connected stories the Leah and Sholto attraction pops up and we have to wonder why?

There are other dynamics such as Leah's stepson, Miguel, adored by his young half-sister and brother, who are delighted when he come to stay in the newly renovated shed because of conflicts with his mother,, but this too brings problems when he becomes involved with one of the itinerants, complicating matters.

This is a very well written, compelling, creative novel, filled with multiple, interesting stories resulting in some unwarranted low-level violence, revenge, emotions and relationships. However, the ending came as a bit of a surprise and I wondered if this is leaving the door open for a follow up novel.

Take note there Is quite a substantial use of profanity and explicit sex.



The Author 

Maryrose Cuskelly is the best-selling author of 'The Cane', shortlisted for Best Crime Fiction Debut in the 2022 Davitt Awards. Her book 'Wedderburn: A true tale of blood and dust' was longlisted for Best Debut and Best True Crime in the 2019 Davitt Awards and in 2016, she was awarded the New England Thunderbolt Prize for Crime Writing for her essay on the 1972 abduction and murder of Marilyn Wallman. She has twice been awarded fellowships at Varuna, the National Writers' House, most recently for her novel 'The Campers'.

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