The End of Cuthbert Close is the second novel by Australian author, Cassie Hamer. Is it the End of Summer Street Party on Cuthbert Close where things start to go wrong? Or have things been brewing well before that? Lawyer Alex O’Rourke has certainly been feeling the pressure of a full-time high-stress job while raising twins. But it’s not her wonderful husband, James, or her best friends and close neighbours, Beth Chandler and Cara Pope exerting the pressure; it’s Alex herself.

The annual party comes to a first-ever premature end with the arrival of a wild storm hot on the heels of the removals truck that brings a new and unexpected (by all but one) neighbour, Charlie Devine and her teen-aged daughter, Talia, the family of lifestyle and hunter-gatherer guru, Ryan Devine (aka The Primal Guy).

Beth is feeling pressure of a different sort: her children don’t seem to need her any more, and their new neighbour interprets her welcome as interfering. Young widow Cara’s ever-critical Korean mum thinks she should do more with her life: being a food stylist isn’t a proper job; she should use her accounting qualifications; and move out of that dilapidated cottage in the bulb of their cul-de-sac. But that cottage holds all her memories of Pete.

Then things ramp up a notch: for Alex, the results of the test she’s just done, a dead pet, and the call from the boys’ school principal just add to the load; Beth’s husband is exchanging concerning texts with an unknown number; Cara’s visitor brings bad news, and the man her mother has selected? Please, no! But then an evening commiseration session sparks an idea that might just save the day for some of them.

Hamer’s depiction of Cuthbert Close will strike a chord with many readers: a place where neighbours become friends. And this group of friends is easily recognisable from the ordinary people we encounter in our daily lives. Most of the characters are appealing for all their very human flaws.

The plot, which includes a fire, a missing ring, a malicious note and an unplanned haircut, has a few twists and red herrings to keep the reader guessing before a very satisfactory conclusion, some aspects of which will surely surprise. Themes of holding onto the past, work-life balance and empty-nesters are explored.

The description of the Melted Snickers Mug Cake will have many readers salivating: luckily, the recipe is available in the free Cuthbert Kitchen recipe book, along with several other delicious sounding dishes, if you sign up for the author’s newsletter. A very enjoyable read.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and HQ Fiction.