• Review

Your Preview Verdict: Campers by Maryrose Cuskelly

Buy a copy of Campers here.

Read some great reviews from our Preview readers here:

Absolutely loved this book!! Intriguing and complex characters and compelling storyline. From the beginning of The Campers I just needed to know more and never predicted what twist lie ahead. Great Australian fiction – highly recommend! Rachel, VIC, 5 stars

The Campers by MaryRose Cuskelly is a very engaging read- easy to pick up and put down, a great escape from the outside world. A story which highlights that the grass is not always greener on the other side. The story is focused around Leah- a complex individual, mother of two and stay at home wife who is trying and struggling to reintegrate into life the other side of the pandemic- we all lived through it and can relate to her struggles. Leah is feeling discontent and admiring what she perceives to be the idyllic life of The Campers. Intriguing and engaging, highly recommend! Dianne, QLD, 5 stars

Really enjoyed this fast paced story of domestic relationships, human nature and the clash between the haves and the have nots. The most interesting aspect of the story is how the privileged among us can turn just as savage when provoked and the line between the ‘ferals’ and the Drovers becomes blurred as their own living arrangements are placed under threat. Great read. Graciela, NSW, 5 stars

Maryrose Cuskelly has crafted a clever, and at times dark, story that addresses the unassuming privilege that comes from living on the Drove. Relationships are tested and true colours are revealed as the narrative progresses, with a few unexpected outcomes along the way. The Campers had me intrigued from the first page, gripping my attention until the very end. Chrissie, WA, 5 stars

What a good read! Perfect for the summer holidays. I live on a small street that leads to a bush reserve. This story really resonated with me – the cast of characters uncannily similar to my neighbours (has Maryrose been lurking here with her notebook?!) I am sure there would be exactly the same response from us if a group of people set up camp on ‘our’ reserve. The characters are engaging in all their diversity, and together sum up middle class Australia’s attitudes towards homelessness, and privilege. The glimpses into the different lives, (some ‘in-person’ and others via texts) were all captivating and relatable. Not sure about the ending though – I guess I am always hopeful for a happy resolution. I am sure every reader will have their favourite (most-like?) character in this novel with something for everyone – families, relationships, big social issues, and of course, sex and dogs and chooks! Victoria, NSW, 5 stars

Tons of suspense, great characters. Very well written Shannan, NSW, 5 stars

Leah, her husband Moses, and their two children live on “The Drove”, an inner-city cul-de-sac. Their small community of neighbours, the drovers, are friendly and supportive of each other. When a group of wanderers arrive in The Drove, and set up camp, things begin to change. Neighbours are at odds with each other as to how the campers should be treated – some want to assist them; others want to see them move on. The arrival of the campers sees things begin to change within The Drove. Friendships are strained, and battle lines drawn. Leah finds herself inexplicably drawn to the camper’s leader Sholto. His charisma brings intrigue and attraction, which has the potential to throw Leah’s stable, comfortable life into complete turmoil. The Campers, by Maryrose Cuskelly, is an interesting, unexpected adventure into human relationships – individual, marital, neighbours, strangers. Even when you think you know someone extremely well, do you really know all of them? Or are they just showing you the pieces of themselves they believe you will respond to? Karen, WA, 4 stars

The Campers is a book that initially starts like you’re listening in on a cosy suburban chat. The residents who are lucky enough to live in The Drove, a housing area in a leafy, hidden part of the city are a seemingly close group, with WhatsApp chats and regular barbecues and gatherings. That they trust and hold each other with affection appears clear. However this peace is gradually but surely unsettled when a group of ‘houseless’ people move into the area. Cracks start to show, biases become evident and friendships start to fracture. Tensions further arise in relation to Sholto, the enigmatic and charismatic leader of the group. The protagonist Leah has a seemingly perfect life, but this is shaken to its core when she realises how strong her physical attraction is to Sholto. As the book progresses we see how Leah’s actions cause ripples and then waves throughout the community – both her own and that of the houseless people. This book is such a page turner, you’ll be longing to see what happens in the end! Kate, VIC, 4 stars

Short easy read about a group of campers setting up their tents in the park on a quiet community-oriented street called The Drove. Leah lives on The Drove with her family, and she and her neighbours “The Drovers” look out for each other. The Drovers community start expressing their feelings on their chat group, all putting forward their thoughts on the situation and how to deal with it. The Drovers are divided with some wanting to help, and some starting to worry that the campsite is in danger of becoming a semi-permanent fixture. Mystery surrounds Sholto the charismatic leader of the campers who Leah finds herself drawn to. What connections does Sholto have with The Drove, and why is he living in a tent, when his parents have assets and connections. Will the residents act following the vandalism of a Drovers vehicle and the injury sustained by Leah from a thrown bottle? The storyline addresses several social issues, particularly in relation to the ongoing housing crisis. Diverse range of characters, none that I found very likeable, and although I found the story thought-provoking, it was not enough for me to love it. Michelle, SA, 4 stars

You can’t choose your neighbours and The Campers is exactly what it’s about. The pacing was excellent and the author slowly builds up the tension between the drovers and campers. It’s a compelling read that delves into many society issues like homelessness, mental health and the lack of community services available. Overall a great read Susan, NSW, 4 stars

A very compelling read! Leah and her family love living in their close cul-de-sac and have good relationships with their neighbours. But this cosy suburban life is thrown into chaos when a group of itinerants set up camp nearby. Conflict arises as opinions are divided and relationships start to happen with the campers. Some questionable choices lead to even greater rifts, resulting in a dramatic finale. Although I found Leah to be unlikeable at times, the story was very intense and I really felt her unease and discomfort. A good read. Denise, QLD, 4 stars

The Campers is a slow burn, but a good read, filled with drama, mystery and strong emotional topics. Set mainly around Leah and her husband Moses, their family and the rest of the families that live on The Drove, and how their lives change when a group of homeless decide to set up camp in a park nearby. Homelessness and poverty as well privilege and prejudice are strong themes in this story, but the strongest theme is of society and human nature itself and what people are capable of in certain circumstances. An enjoyable read and it’s not long before you start to sympathise with Leah and the confliction that she feels when it comes to her life, marriage and what is happening around her, including the impact that many of the campers have on her. I will admit that I wasn’t a fan of the ending. In my eyes it didn’t really end with many questions left unanswered, leaving me with a bit of a dissatisfying feeling, however I enjoyed the book as a whole and would recommend it, just keep in the back of your mind that you may not walk away with all the answers you want. Nerelle, NSW, 4 stars

The Campers written by Maryrose Cuskelly was an easy read that I enjoyed. Relationships in the neighbourhood and within the household were interesting and great characters that I wanted to keep reading and find out more about what happens to all the Drovers. Christine, WA, 4 stars

Set in the privileged cul de sac,The Drove, with an eclectic community of neighbours, The Drovers. Their lives are challenged when homeless campers arrive to settle into their neighbourhood park, Gideon’s Paddock. When faced with homelessness and poverty how will The Drovers react? Will they use their privilege to be compassionate, or will prejudice come to the fore?Does Sholto, the charismatic, handsome self proclaimed leader of the campers exert his influence for the good of his group, or for his own ends. We get insights into The Drovers through their social media posts. Do they really want to help the campers improve their lot, or do they rant to preserve their enclave of privilege? Why do the campers have such an effect on Leah’s choices? Thought provoking and challenging, however the ending left many unanswered questions. Will there be a sequel? Rita, WA, 4 stars

It’s a tale of suddenly having your charmed life encroached on by a nomadic group and suddenly realising how lucky you were. The owners of the homes that back onto the drove suddenly realise the fight they have to keep the status Quo and protect their families from unsavoury behaviour of the Itinerants. What lengths would you go to to protect your possessions and those you love. A very thought provoking subject matter given the cost of living crisis and ever growing risk of homelessness for those who fall through the cracks. A riveting but harrowing read. Hirell, NSW, 4 stars

Not familiar with this author, but very pleased to receive an advance copy. While I have no interest in camping in real life, this was a relatable story with a good mix of suspense and insight into human relationships. Easy holiday read. Chris, WA, 4 stars

In The Campers, Maryrise Cuskelly explores the complex realities of homelessness and dives into the social tensions that arise between a close knit small community and a group of displaced persons who set up camp in the local park. Particularly relevant to current social issues, with a cast of characters relatable to people we all know, this is a thought provoking story. Rachel, QLD, 4 stars

The Campers by Maryrose Cuskelly is an intriguing story with engaging characters and true to life storylines throughout. Although the main character Leah makes some questionable choices throughout the novel, I found her and her ‘grass is always greener’ scenario to be very relatable. The personality types of the remaining characters have a certain familiarity, giving you the feeling that you yourself have become part of ‘The Drovers’ and the issues they’re facing in their community. I found ‘The Campers’ to be an ‘unputdownable’ novel, and I look forward to reading more from Maryrose Cuskelly. Sally, SA, 4 stars

Imagine life is wonderful you live in a quiet community where everyone supports each other and is just getting on with life. All of a sudden a group of mostly homeless people move into the council parkland across the street. The home owners have to decide to embrace new commers or get rid of them, some how. The two groups meet up and all seems fine until the newcomers embark on a drunken and riotous night causing damage to the home owners property. Then there is much chatter about removing campers some for some against. The campers will make you think how you would react if strangers all of a sudden occupy your space where you felt most comfortable. Sally, VIC, 4 stars

Leah has a good life – a loving husband, two kids and lives in a fancy inner city house. With her work life at a standstill, she gets caught up with the ‘new neighbours’ and is drawn to one in particular. Will she risk her happy life to protect the newcomers or stay strong to her cul-de-sac community? Rachael, NSW, 4 stars

The Campers, by Maryrose Cuskelly, was an enjoyable read. The book is based in a suburban community, living in a cul-de-sac called The Drove, the “Drovers” as the community are known, enjoy an idyllic life, and generally get on well with each other. Next to their cul-de-sac there is a park, which they feel belongs to them. It is this park which becomes the focus of the book. A group of homeless travellers set up camp there. This inevitably brings into question the topic of homelessness, privilege and prejudice. The story is told through the eyes of Leah, a married lady with two small children. Leah and her fellow Drovers have to address their new neighbours and their own perceptions on the situation. Will they get along? Will there be trouble ahead? I recommend giving the book a read to see how it all played out. Kelly, VIC, 4 stars

In a normal little street that could be in any town residents of The Drove find some new challenges. Nearby a transient community have set up camp on the reserve. This book follows many issues within this community and twists and turns. It might just remind you of anyplace and any family. This book has taken so many twists and turns I did not know what would be next within it Tianne, NSW, 4 stars

Campers is an intriguing novel set in an idyllic pocket of Australian Suburbia that focusses on relationships between families, neighbours and society. As the cover asks “what will neighbours do when threats…come to close for comfort?” Being in a similar life stage to Leah, the protagonist, I really related to some of her feelings, but not her actions. I think this would be an excellent book club book as there’d be a lot of good discussion that could come from this well written text about relationships, society and even the character names, choices and outfits. Fiona, WA, 4 stars

Maryrose Cuskelly’s latest book The Campers follows Leah, her family and neighbours, as they navigate the perceived intrusion of campers/houseless on their park. The residents of the Drove are a tight knit community tucked away from the bustle of inner city life. As some residents empathise with the campers others are more intolerant. Leah, being disillusioned with her marriage, is easily taken in by the campers charming leader, Sholto. As the situation escalates between the residents and the campers, Leah finds herself caught in the middle of the problem, having shown some sympathy for the plight of the campers but also not sure of their intentions. When the occupants of the share house also support the campers, tempers flare and a night of vandalism fractures the community.Cuskelly covers the issues of family dissatisfaction, elitism, homelessness, tolerance and hypocrisy in an engaging story. At times I was extremely frustrated with Leah’s choices, preparing to risk her family, but also sympathetic to her need to feel alive. A great read! Annette, ACT, 4 stars

The Campers by Maryrose Cuskelly is an interesting story of inner city living and those you live near and those who live near you. The story focuses on Leah, one of a handful of residents of an inner city street. She’s married with two children and while seemingly picture perfect is a little lost in who she has become. At the same time, the picture perfect cul-de-sac in which she lives, is also struggling. This struggle has arisen due to the nearby park becoming a ‘campground’ for those doing it rough. As Leah struggles with her identity, so too does her neighbourhood. What starts with a little help and support from the neighbours to those camping, turns to distrust, anger and outrage. The story had a tendency to wander, and there were times when I was left a little lost, much like some of the campers. I could see that the story was trying to shine a light on the haves and have nots, the struggle of homelessness and mental health and the lack of support but I was left feeling that there was more to explore and wondering why other aspects made the cut. While it may not be my book of the year, it’s an interesting story about current issues. Jodie, WA, 3 stars

A bored suburban housewife has her peaceful neighbourhood disrupted by the arrival of a group of homeless people who set up camp near their quiet street. Leah lives on The Drove with her husband and two young children, surrounded by loving neighbours collectively known as “The Drovers.” A large homeless camp sets up in the park by their street, and their charming leader Sholto immediately catches Leah’s eye. Is there peace to be had between these visitors and the Drovers? Or will societal expectations cause friction? Jessica, QLD, 3 stars

A thought provoking read about the inequities of society today. Those privileged to live on The Drove, a small community of houses, struggle with the influx of homeless people who “invade their space”. The residents become divided on what they want and expect from the council and police in relocating the itinerants. There is plenty of tension and activity in the Drovers lives, secondary to the itinerants, to keep you wanting to read. A compelling read to show how different people behave when facing things not wanted in their lives. Helen, TAS, 3 stars

This one had me hooked from the beginning… I was waiting for some twists and turns, but they didn’t eventuate. The ending was interesting, in the way Cuskelly explores human behaviour, but overall it wasn’t for me. I did however appreciate the moral dilemmas and questions around human behaviours. It was a forced time of reflection. Melissa, QLD, 3 stars

The Campers, while an interesting read, was not for me and was different to my expectations. There were a lot of decisions and actions that the ‘drovers’ made that left me wondering who would do that. I didn’t find any of the characters likeable or relatable. I felt the ending was a let down, with issues left unresolved and incomplete. Natalie, NSW, 3 stars

The Campers certainly took me by surprise as I originally thought it was a psychological thriller. Instead it was a well written book that had a good meaning behind it. It wasn’t particularly my style of reading, but I do believe a lot of people would enjoy reading it and will provide them with a thought provoking story line Katrina, TAS, 3 stars

This book was not what I was expecting. There was a lot of built-up sexual tension for a simple look or touch, yet the shed scene didn’t have the same lust or excitement. I feel like there was no emotion and it was built up to fizzle out too quickly. I enjoyed the character Vivian, learning about her tough life and work-hard attitude. There were a few characters that were left unresolved. Is there another book coming? I felt like Sholto, Miguel, Leah and Moses were unresolved. I felt like the novel wasn’t finished. Tara, WA, 3 stars

‘An engrossing and provocative exploration of privilege, hypocrisy and justice by the bestselling author of The Cane.’ I was expecting something more exciting, thrilling and intense but found this book ran a bit flat for me. You have a nice quiet community and the campers move in and ruin all that which of course causes tensions. This book I believe is trying to get a point across, about society, classes and how we perceive people. This is a story about acceptance as well and I think one good thing is that it really does show how society acts in different situations. The pacing is good, the setting and the Australian feel of the book is wonderful but the story itself didn’t thrill me. I can see what was happening but found both sides a bit annoying at points. But thing I can say is you really can see how our society is in this day and age and it isn’t always good! Donna, TAS, 3 stars

The Campers is told through the perspective of Leah. She is one of the residents living on the Drove, a quiet cul-de-sac that overlooks bushland and Gideons paddock. The street is very community-orientated calling themselves the Drovers. However, a group of strangers decided that it was the perfect area to set up camp for a while. This book had me a little confused at the very beginning as there were so many names being thrown around and took me a little bit to understand who was who. I loved how she had a variety of different family/house dynamics in the neighbourhood and how brought up issues such as homelessness. Maryrose had a good variety of characters there were some characters that you loved such as Barb and how helpful she was towards the campers. While other characters I began to get angrier and angrier with them as I continued reading especially the last chapter with Lucas. I feel like the book did kind of end suddenly I wish there was a bit more information about Moses & Leah. Emma, WA, 3 stars

Campers is a suburban noir – why? Because it takes what is a relatable neighbourhood community and concern about outsiders. What’s next is layer upon layer of deeply complex characters, community pressure about preserving the known. The suspense and crescendo keeps you guessing until the last page. An excellent book that captures the mob mentality middle class suburbia can illicit. Kathleen, ACT, 3 stars

The Campers delves into complex themes such as homelessness, privilege, hypocrisy, power dynamics, compassion, blended families, and community bonds—woven together with an undercurrent of love. The story follows a tight-knit, affluent neighborhood as it grapples with the gradual establishment of a homeless encampment within its exclusive enclave. At the heart of the novel is Leah, a mother of two young children, who finds herself juggling an escalating neighborhood conflict while adjusting to life with her newly arrived stepson—all in the absence of her husband, who is away for work. I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this book, but it certainly challenged me to reflect on my own perspectives on homelessness and how I might react if faced with a similar situation. The characters, while realistically flawed, were difficult to connect with, making it hard to become fully invested in their journeys. Overall, The Campers was a thought-provoking read, though not particularly compelling for me. Jodi, QLD, 3 stars

I’m not sure how I feel about The Campers by Maryrose Cuskelly. It left me feeling very uncomfortable, which is perhaps the point. It also left me quite confused as there was no resolution to any of the threads in the story. I really enjoyed The Cane by the same author, but this one felt like it was lacking something. Alice, NSW, 3 stars

The Campers is based on a quiet cul-de-sac called The Drove. The residents call themselves the drovers and are a close-knit. Main character Leah lives with her husband Moses and their two children. Itinerants (campers) set up camp in the park opposite to The Drove and the residents are not happy. The number of campers grew, pitching tents, stealing and causing chaos with loud music and parties. Leah felt an attraction to the handsome head camper Sholto. Sholto was a troublemaker causing lots of problems for the drovers, including Leah. He had lots of secrets and knew a lot about the drovers. Using this information against them. How did he know these secrets and why was he so familiar to one of the older residents? Police were called often because of damage to cars and homes, stealing and chaos. Leah was badly injured when a bottle was thrown in her direction. It all came to a head when the campers rioted in the street and started fires and more chaos. Personally I didn’t enjoy this novel and the characters where hard to like. I was very disappointed with the ending. Renae, QLD, 2 stars

I really wanted to like it after reading the blurb, but I just couldn’t deal with the multitude of characters. There was way too many of them, some with weird names for me to keep track of. The story didn’t grab me from the beginning and it was hard to push through to the finish, but I did. Sorry, but it was just not for me. Keryn, SA, 2 stars

Leah and her young family live a cosy life in a sought after suburban cul de sac with a park and natural bushland on their doorstep. The residents feel grateful to be part of this tight knit community, considering the park as their own and guarding its pristine state fiercely. When a rag tag group of homeless people sets up camp in their park, the fragility of this peaceful existence quickly becomes obvious. The campers are doing nothing illegal but text messages between the residents (cleverly woven into the story) highlight the escalation of tensions among the previously harmonious group. Values and judgements which had never been tested reveal the caring face of The Drove as a rather brittle facade. A night of drug and alcohol fuelled chaos challenges every one of this privileged group. Meanwhile, Leah’s reckless behaviour may have put her whole family structure in jeopardy and the author allows her readers to judge the outcome of Leah’s temptations. Dianne, QLD, 1 star

Buy a copy of Campers here.