Book club is BACK, and just in time for those long, sunny summer days! Brought to you by Villa Maria, we’re so excited to once again bring you a new book to devour and savour over the season. Whether you like to steal a few hours of me-time with your feet up, or sneak in a chapter or two before bed, we invite you to relax, enjoy, and maybe even share a cheeky discussion with friends or family about the madness you just read.
And, thanks to our partners Villa Maria, each book is expertly wine matched with one of their incredible canned wines – perfect for a picnic, the beach, or just you, a book, and a little chilled indulgence at home.
This month, Kelly is reading a juicy, dark, twisty thriller about wealth, secrets, and family drama, matched with a crisp, peachy Pinot Gris to offset all that drama. A match made in heaven? We think so!
Capsule x Villa Maria
THE BOOK: SEE HOW THEY FALL REVIEW
Honestly, if you’re going to read one book this summer, make it this one – this was one of Capsule’s absolute favourites of the year!
Billed as a cross between Succession and The White Lotus, we really didn’t need to hear much else before reviewing this one – and it’s from a Kiwi author!
We’re talking a whodunnit thriller, with rich people and their disastrous lives, terrible decision making (which does leave you feeling rather smug) and complicated family dynamics. See How They Fall serves more than an episode of Ru Paul’s Drag Race – but it’s deep, twisty and sometimes, a little unnerving.
See How They Fall feels like a delicious mash-up of Lucy Foley’s nail-biting twists, Frieda McFadden’s “guilty pleasure” murder mysteries (see our book club from last month!) and the beautifully interwoven character development of a Liane Moriarty (Big Little Lies) novel, set in our corner of the world.
It kicks off with the veneer of perfection: a wealthy Aussie family, the Turners (which we’re pretty sure had to be at least partly based on the Murdochs) embarking on an Easter weekend at their sprawling, luxurious estate. Turner Corp is a luxury goods empire, recently rocked by the death of its founder and patriarch. The three sons gather to “honour the family,” but things go off the rails when an illegitimate heir appears… and tragedy quickly follows, as it’s wont to do.
We experience this world through two women’s eyes. First, Skye, married into the Turner dynasty, juggling secrets and the pressure to maintain a “normal” life for her beloved six-year-old daughter. The weekend spirals into a parent’s worst nightmare, leaving Skye desperate to uncover the truth about the Turner family to help figure out what happened to her daughter – but of course, she has an ‘interesting’ past too. Then, beautifully interwoven with the main story is Detective Mei, tasked with untangling the twisted web of lies and betrayal – and she’s dealing with her own shit too. Under intense pressure from superiors and the media, she soon realises that pulling at the threads could bring down the entire empire, and maybe put herself in danger in the process.
The characters are gloriously messy. You’ve got polished siblings, glamorous wives with secrets, rebellious teens, and family friends who are never quite what they seem. It’s juicy, chaotic, and very, very addictive. You’ll laugh, gasp, and occasionally clutch the book as you watch people manipulate, gaslight, and generally wreak havoc on each other’s lives.
There’s a lot of ‘can two things be true!?’ in this book – it leaves you asking if people can be inherently good and do bad things, and vice versa. Values are shoved into the spotlight and you realise that you can’t quite put your finger on some characters… well, at least at first.
This is an impressive debut for Rachel Paris – so impressive that she was offered a two-book deal straight off the bat. And honestly, I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next – it’s kind of glorious to watch the wealthy implode spectacularly!
In short, if you’re after a book to indulge in and get lost in with a wine in hand, this is your weekend read (trust me, it makes you forget about your own problems for a while!) Fast-paced, gripping, scandalous, and full of twists – See How They Fall is a perfect little pick for a summer escape.
PAIR IT WITH: VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN PINOT GRIS – but make it picnic perfect with the canned version!
Ideal for sipping while you spiral through all the drama, chaos, and family disaster. Light, crisp, slightly fruity, and utterly addictive, like the book itself. We took along some picnic classics – curried chicken sandwiches and lemon slice included – which paired perfectly, or if you’re wanting to whip a salad, a rocket, pear and feta number would be ideal to match the pear and slight spice in the wine – and don’t worry, it’s off dry finish means it’s not too sweet. Pop it in a chilly bin, pour over ice if you want, we’re not here to judge, and settle in for the ride.
R18, Drink Responsibly
