Abigail Fancy returns to the tiny town that the Fancys have ruled for decades, fresh from her second stint in prison and utterly out of time…
Port Kingerton: the insular cray-fishing town at the butt-end of South Australia, where everyone knows everyone. And everyone knows too that when Abigail Fancy left town at seventeen, she hung out the window of her boyfriend’s Corolla, middle fingers held high, swearing she’d never come back. And she hasn’t, until now.
At her parents’ house, Abigail finds a party (read: town meeting) in full swing over something iffy found on the beach – a thighbone. And although iffy things aren’t uncommon in Port Kingerton, Abigail’s surprise arrival forces a family – and an entire town – to unpack a twenty-four-year-old secret that rocked this tiny place to its core: that time they found something much iffier …
Through Abigail, her grandfather Old Dick Fancy’s unreliable memories and the collective voices of the town itself, Port Kingerton unravels as old wounds are picked open, skeletons fall from closets and unlikely bonds are forged. But will Abigail finally change the past…?
A story about stories – those we tell, those we believe and those we make into a reality – whether they are true, murky or not true at all. A bold, punchy and wry novel from the author of The Other Side of Beautiful.
Buy a copy of The Fancies here.
Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:
This story had drawn me in from the very first page. Set in a small cray fishing town known as Port Kingerton where everyone knows everybody and everyone’s business. Enter the Fancy family and the surprise return visit of Abigail Fancy who swore she would never be back to Port Kingerton. A mystery from many years ago and the appearance of a bone washed ashore at present-day keep you guessing as to what happened in this small town. Intrigue and humour keep you hooked in from the beginning and continue to keep you hooked the whole way through. I don’t want to spoil a moment of this novel; you need to do yourself a favour and pick it up as soon as possible. I absolutely loved it and can’t recommend highly enough. Amanda, VIC, 5 Stars
The Fancies is witty, with lots of laugh-out-loud moments as Abigail attempts to stitch her life back together. The stories or memories told by some are a bit mixed up, but the reality is not far from the truth. Kim Lock provides an easy style of verse, allowing the reader to flow from page to page with interest. I really enjoyed The Fancies, it was uplifting. Sharon, QLD, 5 Stars
Abigail Fancy turns up at her parents’ home unexpectedly after her second stint in jail, the same day a human thigh bone washes up on the beach. The little town they live in is tight where everyone knows everyone’s business. Abigail vowed never to return to her hometown but with not a penny to her name, she has no choice. We are taken through flashbacks of her childhood and secrets start to come out. With lots of plot twists, this book is sure to keep you on your toes. I found this book to be really well written. It kept me engaged page after page after page and it was really hard to put down! You’ll fall in love with the characters as the story takes you through the eyes of the different lives of the Fancy fam and townspeople. Francis, NSW, 5 Stars
A snappy and witty drama that encapsulates the apoplectic Aussie stereotype of ‘just getting it done’ and ‘not giving a …’ that will have you laughing, crying, cringing, and held in suspense. The way Kim Lock captures the individual voices and viewpoints of many characters while switching seamlessly from third to first person and female to male characters is a joy to read. The way in which each person’s story still manages to fit into the narrative and keep the plot flowing and understandable is a triumph. The Fancies is a wonderfully written family drama that you will not be able to put down. Jamye, VIC, 5 Stars
The second book I’ve read by Kim Lock, loved both. Being a South Aussie I enjoyed it being set in SA. Highly recommend it, loved the ending and just want to keep reading after it finished! Paula, SA, 5 Stars
The Fancies gave me plenty of laughs at a time when I needed them – for that I’m grateful. I was captivated from the start. Kim Lock’s writing jumps off the page, with a swagger and attitude that I found endearing. I loved the small-town feel throughout. Port Kingerton, a cray-fishing town in South Australia, felt familiar, relatable, the kind of place where everyone knows everyone. As mysteries from the past began appearing, it turned into quite a page-turner. I could easily imagine it as a film, such were the vivid imagery and atmosphere that Kim was able to portray. The different character perspectives kept things interesting and added another layer to the story. I loved how everything came together by the end. Definitely recommend this one! I’m already looking forward to reading more of Kim’s work. Well done. Rowan, TAS, 5 Stars
What a refreshing read. The Fancies are fancy in name only. A tale of small-town people and their small-town minds, decade-long secrets and grudges will have you unable to put this book down. Deanne, VIC, 5 Stars
What a hoot of a read!!!! Thoroughly enjoyable read. This is a story about the Fancy family. They live in a small town, Port Kingerton, and the surnames of the families who live there are just so fanciful. The story centres around the life of Abigail Fancy. It highlights the dangers of small-town family life where everyone knows everything about everybody who lives there. Abigail left the town 25 years ago after her life there became a living hell. When she returns, after lots of dramas along the way, and after an eventful evening in the town, the truth finally comes out about a happening in the town all those years ago and which led to her leaving the town. It is amazing when the townspeople learn the truth about this event that made Abigail leave the town. Her grandfather, Old Dick, is a real hoot. He is living his last days on earth and cannot keep his mouth shut about the events of his life and the town. But this does help the truth to be revealed. A very interesting read with lots of laughs along the way; also some sad moments. Glenice, VIC, 5 Stars
I was captivated from the first page. This book consumed me. I loved The Other Side of Beautiful and The Fancies did not disappoint. Everything from the character building to the dialogue was A1. A great historical view of how women/girls weren’t taken seriously and how much has changed. Loved this book! Christie, NSW, 5 Stars
The underlying mystery, entwining the meddling characters of a small town, compels the reader to read on. The reader becomes part of the story through their own imagination and the ending – brilliant! Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of the story (within a story). Highly recommended. Dianne, QLD, 5 Stars
I could not put down the delightful novel, The Fancies by Kim Lock. It’s set in the cray fishing town of Port Kingerton where everyone knows each other’s secrets. Or do they? They all remember when Abigail Fancy left town vowing never to return. Now she is back, on the very same day a thigh bone is washed up on the beach. Is it more than a coincidence? Long-held secrets are disturbed and the town must sift through the stories that are told versus the stories that are real. Filled with quirky small-town characters and a small-town mystery plot, The Fancies will keep you guessing to the end. I loved this unique and original story and read long into the night. It will make you laugh, cry, and have you thinking about the people and stories in your life. Loved the touches of feminism and strong female characters. A gem of a read! Michelle, QLD, 5 Stars
The Fancies by Kim Lock gives the prodigal son an Australian flavour. After time in prison, Abigail Fancy returns to Port Kingerton where the Fancy family have reined for years. In a town where everyone knows everyone and air their dirty laundry, Abigail finds support from her grandfather Dick, whose memories may sort the truth from hearsay. A must-read to escape this gloomy world. Robert, QLD, 5 Stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading The Fancies by Kim Lock. It is set in the small fictional fishing town of Port Kingerton in South Australia and centres on Abigail Fancy, who has returned to her childhood home after being away for 24 years. The story is told from three perspectives: Old Dick (Abigail’s grandfather who has the beginnings of dementia), Abigail herself, and Them (the rest of the town). Along the way we are given tantalising titbits into the past which allows us to slowly piece together the events that led Abigail to leave home at 15 vowing never to return. Lock is adept at writing characters and showing the relationships between them. She delves into the complex nature of human beings and explores the consequences of the choices they make. I love mysteries like this where the author drip-feeds clues along the way that keeps the reader guessing until the end. Lock is witty and clever and has produced a funny novel that is touching at times and quite raw. I read this whilst away on a relaxing weekend and found it the perfect novel to travel with. Mary-Jo, VIC, 4 Stars
The return of long lost daughter, Abigail Fancy, to a small South Australian fishing village, coincides with a human femur bone washing up on the beach. Coincidence? This is a funny observation of the intricacies of small-town relationships, prejudices, and reputations. The mystery is slowly revealed throughout the book by writing that is sharp and engaging, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. Highly recommended! Jane, VIC, 4 Stars
When Abigail returns to her small hometown unannounced, you are immediately asking yourself what her story is. She has a history, some stints in prison, but she isn’t the only one with a story to tell… or figure out. It soon becomes clear that a town secret has everyone intertwined. I found myself excited for that next page turn to find out more. So cleverly Australian and relatable with characters that make you laugh, leaving you intrigued and ultimately feeling like you’ve met them yourself. Tess, TAS, 4 Stars
The Fancies kept me guessing what the big secret was until the end, which turned into a few secrets. It was easy to read and Kim Lock did a great job at showing the viewpoints of different characters… who although not perfect were still interesting and likeable. A great Aussie read. Kelly, QLD, 4 Stars
The Fancies is a little bit mystery, a little bit quirky, and a whole lot of fun! I found this to be a terrific easy read that can be finished in a day or a weekend. While it was a little bit slow to start with, it soon picked up the pace and had you laughing at the brilliant portrayal of a small town where everybody knows everyone and long-held grudges are upheld after people have long forgotten why. The Fancies would make a terrific beach or holiday read and could easily be adapted to the screen. Mel, NSW, 4 Stars
Love, love, loved The Fancies, a book that makes you think, question, and laugh. Told via three points of view, which worked so well: Abigail Fancy, who returns home after being released from her second stint in prison, having been away for 24 years vowing never to return; her grandfather Old Dick, who is in the throes of dementia and so doesn’t always make sense; and ‘Them’, the rest of the occupants of Port Kingerton, a small cray-fishing town in South Australia. Each reveals just a little bit more about the stories, secrets, and events of the town but always leaves just the right amount of suspense to keep you interested and reading. As a society, we are sometimes very quick to judge and believe stories without really questioning them. This book hits the nail on the head around this topic and really made me think about how I react to things I hear, read, and see online. Was a bonus that it was mixed with characters that make you laugh while reading. My first book from the author Kim Lock, a must read in my opinion. I will be adding more of her books to my to-read list ASAP. Natalie, WA, 4 Stars
The Fancies is a wonderful exploration of small-town Australia, and the way stories and half-truths get passed around and become something else. This book took a while to get into, and I still have some questions, but overall this was very enjoyable to read. Kate, QLD, 4 Stars
This book has it all. An intriguing mystery that keeps you engaged until the end, set in a small Australian coastal town. Typical of small towns, everyone knows everyone’s business, and people are subjected to the gossip/rumour mill. This is particularly true for the central character Abigail, who was essentially run out of the town twenty-four years earlier. Upon her return, nothing has changed, and male misogyny is still present. Kim Lock has a wonderful ability to write quirky and at times humorous characters in her books. We also see characters trying to run from their pasts, with two rival families and a historic feud that has run deep between them. We also see how the townsfolk have different versions of events and where they sit on one side or the other of this feud that has shaped the town. I came to like Abigail’s character, she was understandably hardened by her experiences and past treatment by others, but we see her remarkable growth and have hope for a brighter future for her. Overall, a highly enjoyable read. Melissa, VIC, 4 Stars
Thank you for the opportunity to review this book. There were three different perspectives from which the book was written. The small-minded townsfolk with their “Chinese whispers” can be typical in a small town. The residents are very judgemental of the Fancies. I enjoyed the characters of the Grandfather (Old Dick Fancy) and Abigail. Their personalities were fierce and their perceptions were the most enjoyable to read. The writing was real and at times uninhibited. I didn’t mind the swearing which made me chuckle a bit, I might add. The story poses a bit of a mystery about where certain things come from and to whom they belonged. There are certain scenarios in the book that I am still trying to work out. The ending was a little confusing to me. I had to reread some parts. I would have liked to have read more of the story, which in my opinion finished with unanswered questions. Overall I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more from Kim Lock. Tracey, QLD, 4 Stars
The Fancies is set in a small coastal town in South Australia. It’s the type of place where everyone knows everyone, gossip rules, and never mind whether or not the gossip is the truth. The Fancies are well known and respected except for their daughter Abigail, who left the town as a teenager and vowed to never return. The story opens with Abigail returning to Port Kingerton; she is not particularly welcomed even by her own family. She is clearly down on her luck, the question is how did she get into that position: was it the result of trauma as a child? Will she be accepted back into the community, or does she have to build some bridges first? All the chapters have the titles of Abigail, Old Dick, or Them. Old Dick is Abigail’s grandfather who has dementia, he lives with Abigail’s parents and gets very confused about reality and memories. Them refers to the rest of the population of the town. The story unpacks events that led up to Abigail leaving, the truth is slowly uncovered. At times it is funny, frustrating, and sad; it reminded me to check facts before I accept gossip and give everyone a second chance. Jacky, QLD, 4 Stars
When Abigail Fancy returns to her childhood home in the small fishing town of Port Kingerton, she returns to gossip and conjecture from the town’s residents about the reason for her reappearance. In order to move forward, Abigail must go back and unpack the circumstances for her originally leaving. The Fancies is told from three perspectives, Abigail Fancy, her grandfather Old Dick Fancy and ‘Them’ (residents of the town). While I found it difficult at first to keep track of the number of characters introduced at the beginning of the novel, once I became immersed in the story I found it to be an innovative way to narrate the story. I particularly enjoyed the multiple perspectives on the same events in the novel appearing in consecutive chapters. It makes the reader consider the author’s use of unreliable narrators and the role individual memory, perspective, and prejudice play in the collective town memory. This is an interesting read with multiple layers to the story, which has stayed with me after finishing the novel. Holly, WA, 4 Stars
This latest release of Kim’s is wonderful! Told from the perspectives of Abigail (the main character), her grandfather, and the townsfolk. I really loved the main character Abigail. Town gossip runs rife and old secrets are revealed. A cleverly written story with a surprising ending. Poppy, QLD, 4 Stars
There is so much intrigue in this novel and the reader is kept guessing. We slowly gather clues as to the reasons for Abigail’s absence from her family and hometown for the past 23 years. This book is an intricate observation of a small, isolated town, personal relationships, and how innuendo, gossip, secrets, and lies alter the truth and affect the lives of individuals, families, and the whole community. Old Dick provides some levity to often serious scenes, with his ‘laugh out loud’ comments. A thought-provoking and enjoyable story! Sandra, NSW, 4 Stars
I loved Kim Lock’s book The Other Side of Beautiful, so I was excited to read her latest novel, The Fancies. It did not disappoint! Abigail returns to her hometown of Port Kingerton, a small fishing town in South Australia, after two stints in prison, and over a decade of running from her past – an event that happened in her teens before she left home. An event that the town wanted to forget. Abigail’s return shakes up the whole town and the mystery of the past unfolds. The characters were brilliant. It raised important issues about the prison system, misogyny, small-town mentality, and judgement, but in a way that was original and entertaining. Viktoria, WA, 4 Stars
In this fearless, dynamic, and dry novel, we are introduced to Abigail Fancy, who returns to the small town of Kingerton in South Australia, where the Fancies have ruled for several decades. Here in Kingerton, everyone knows everyone and remembers Abigail (what she was like at 17) all too well. She never intended on coming back to the small town and didn’t up until now. Abigail’s surprise arrival leads to not just her family but the whole town having to come to grips with unpacking a 24-year-old secret that uncovers skeletons in the closet, old wounds are reopened, and new unlikely bonds are forged. All this comes about through her grandfather’s unreliable memories and through the citizens of the community itself. Will Abigail’s return be what changes the past? Catherine, NSW, 4 Stars
A woman returns to her hometown and family after 25 years to find that nothing has changed since she left. The town is full of secrets and rumours and gossip, but finally it all comes to a head. Thouroughly enjoyed it. Michelle, VIC, 4 Stars
The Fancies is a great story of living in a small country town in South Australia. As Abigail returns home for the first time in many, many years, the story is told from alternative viewpoints. I love how this is written, all the various viewpoints make it a very interesting, fun read. Old Dick was hilarious and added so much fun to the story. Abigail returns to find rivalries are still in tact and some things don’t change… There are a few twists and turns and things were reveled that I didn’t even know I needed to know about – until I found out about them. Great Australian story. Jessica, NSW, 4 Stars
Kim Lock, author of The Other Side of Beautiful, has done it again with The Fancies – a laugh-out-loud small-town mystery. An engaging story with punchy humour delivered as an adventure by road trip. Port Kingerton could be any small town throughout Australia and the town’s people, places, and secrets are exposed in this observational tale told in a witty and insightful way. Recommended! Peter, NSW, 4 Stars
Kim Lock returns with another Australian tale, The Fancies, which is her fifth novel. Told from three points of view, Abigail, Old Dick and Them, is the story of a small, country South Australian town where everyone knows everyone. Abigail is returning to the town after leaving when she was seventeen. Coincidentally she chooses to return on the same day a thigh bone is discovered on the local beach. Through gossip and hearsay, Abigail’s surprise arrival forces a family and the entire town to unpack a twenty-four-year-old secret that rocked the tiny town to its core. An enjoyable read that is funny, humorous and entertaining. Lock has captured the true essence of small-town gossips, rumours, truths, untruths, and where everyone has an opinion. Abigail is a great character who is witty, charming, and has spunk; however, she did seem to be a lot younger than the 39 years old she turned out to be. Whilst I didn’t love this book as much as Lock’s other novel, The Other Side of Beautiful, it was an enjoyable read and it came together nicely in the last quarter. It is one that I’d suggest picking up if you are short on reading material. Tyson, TAS, 3 Stars
A tall tale of tales about small towns with not much else to do than fish and be the first around town with the hottest gossip. The Fancies see Abigail out of her second jail stint with absolutely nothing to her name except some boots, a flowy dress, and a bag of underwear. 24 years ago she left town, and now she’s back, and unknowingly so is a secret in the form of a human thigh bone. A compelling, fun, and easy read, this book has a slow start just like a fish trawler on her way out. Amanda, VIC, 3 Stars
The story of Abigail’s return to her hometown is told from multiple perspectives – a technique that works well in this book. I found the whole premise of the book very sad, that a town, and even Abigail’s parents, turned against her without knowing, or even wanting to know the truth of a secret that turned her life on its head. Pamela, QLD, 3 Stars
I must confess that I struggled to get into this story. Fancy is the name of the family that the story revolves around. It’s an amazingly accurate depiction of small-town life and the fact that some people spend their time taking far too much notice of their neighbours’ activities and embellishing the narrative as it passes from one to another! Abigail is the main character who returns to her hometown after a rather acrimonious exit many years before. Her grandfather Old Dick has memory issues and has a habit of blabbing secrets at inappropriate times and has to be shut down, and the rest of the town’s residents have secrets of their own. The reader is left guessing about many things until the last few pages when secrets are unearthed and it all makes sense. I do recommend this book to readers who like a bit of mystery. Elizabeth, NSW, 3 Stars
Abigail has been released from her second stint in jail and has returned home to her small country cray-fishing town after swearing that she would never return. Is it coincidental that something strange washed up on the beach at the same time? Feisty Abigail finds that time has not changed the townsfolks’ attitudes and prejudices. This story is told from 3 perspectives – Abigail’s, her grandfather’s, and them (the townsfolk). I really enjoyed this type of structure and found Abigail’s perspective to contain lots of laugh-out-loud moments! The characters are complex and interesting and I felt I knew them all well from Kim Lock’s descriptions. The setting was exactly what I imagine a small town to be like. I found the book to be an easy and enjoyable read, but I felt like I was missing out on something or needed some more details of certain storylines to complete the story. Amanda, NSW, 3 Stars
There is a lot to like about The Fancies. A small town where everyone knows everyone’s business (or thinks they know), an old man with dementia who knows a bit too much, and a woman, who swore never to return, bursting back on the scene and opening old wounds. Kim Lock’s writing helps draw you in and keeps the story moving along. There are also some things that aren’t so great. I found many of the men (other than Old Dick) and some events in the story to be a bit too fanciful, for want of a better word. Overall, it’s an easy read with the odd laugh and there was a drive to finish it, but the small-town trope didn’t quite hit the mark for me in this book. Michelle, WA, 3 Stars
My first impression of this book wasn’t favourable because of the bad language used. However, not long after, I was either so entertained by the story, or the language just eased off, that I didn’t notice it nearly as much. The story is about Abigail and her return home to a remote but fictional South Australian coastal fishing town, after years away which included a jail sentence. My favourite character was ‘Old Dick’, Abigail’s grandfather, closely followed by the vet, Adrian. Old Dick is suffering from dementia. He goes in and out of the present and he is an absolute delight. This book starts off in a light-hearted and flippant way and ends in a more thought-provoking manner that leaves the reader questioning the way we all, consciously or unconsciously, judge others. Janette, TAS, 3 Stars
The Fancies tells a story of a small town with big stories. We follow Abigail as she returns to her small hometown after she’s released from prison. Secrets come out. New relationships are formed and a family reunited. I enjoyed following Abigail on her journey to reconnect to her past. Tayla, VIC, 3 Stars
A cute tale of friendships, family, and ups and downs set in a coastal fishing town. Readers can expect to be embraced by the characters, and mesmerized by their charming ways. Izabella, VIC, 3 Stars
I loved the author’s previous book The Other Side of Beautiful. It was one of my favourite reads of the year. So I was really looking forward to The Fancies. Unfortunately, I struggled with it. I don’t think I’m a prude but I found the colourful language jarring in the early chapters. The Fancies just wasn’t for me. Michele, NSW, 2 Stars
The premise was clever – an insular town and the stories that plague our childhood and dictate our adult lives. The execution had some laugh-out-loud moments for me – especially the ramblings of Old Dick the cantankerous demented patriarch. But the story fell flat for me, unfortunately – way too many characters. It became really hard to keep them straight and figure out how Abigail’s story really fitted into the mix. I felt as though this might be what the author was trying to achieve – how the gossip and the truth become completely mixed. Frances, NSW, 1 Star
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