Claire Powell’s first novel, At the Table (2022), delineated a year in the life of the Maguire family from south London – a separating couple and their adult children – with each chapter revolving around a meal. This was done so cleverly that not only did it not seem gimmicky, it was not even immediately obvious. The book won many plaudits, including from Philip Hensher and Marian Keyes. All In is even better.
Jo and Dave are about to go on a trip with Dave’s investment broker brother, Teddy, Teddy’s girlfriend, Kayla, and Dave and Teddy’s father, Alan. The brothers’ mother, Val, has recently died. The holiday has been paid for by Teddy, much to Dave’s discomfort.
Jo and Dave’s marriage is at crisis point after a round of unsuccessful IVF, and she is haunted by the insistent refrain: ‘It’s over.’ She watches Dave as he waters plants one evening with noise-cancelling earphones on: ‘At one time in her life it might’ve intrigued Jo to know what was going on in Dave’s mind. She was quite jealous at the beginning, always fearful he fancied someone else, that he might leave her for a colleague or an ex. Now – 19 years in – she found she didn’t care.’
