This story primarily revolves around three Australian women in the year 2018. There is Jess, a journalist who has lived in London for many years and only returns to Sydney when her grandmother, Nora, has a fall and is hospitalised. Jess’s mother is Polly, who lives a more reclusive and modest lifestyle in Brisbane and has been estranged from both Nora and Jess for some years. Nora is wealthy enough to have given Jess a privileged upbringing and education in Sydney. It is only when Nora dies that mother and daughter will be forced back together.

Jess meanwhile has uncovered details of a family tragedy involving Nora’s sister-in-law Isabel that took place in South Australia on Christmas Eve, 1959, and her investigations leave her with questions about Nora and why she never told her about what happened.

The dominating and assertive Nora is not particularly likeable and it is hardly surprising that the diffident, anxious Polly needed to escape her control. Jess’s character has her grandmother’s self-confidence and while she has fond childhood memories of being with her mother, she struggles to restore their relationship.

There is a lavish cast of secondary characters, some of whom are vital to the plot but many others who are fleeting and superfluous. The astute reader will no doubt pick up on some clues early on that may explain Nora’s behaviour and what might really have happened to Isabel and her children.

As with Kate Morton's other books, this is an effusive novel and if you prefer a tighter or fast-paced narrative you may get impatient with the excessive flowery descriptions and exposition. The plot takes many twists and turns and there is a major contrivance that borders on the implausible. There are also some minor anachronisms, especially as regards terminology in use in 1959. (My review copy being an uncorrected proof, these should be picked up in final editing.)

It also comes with a warning: if you’re easily distraught over stories of children dying in suspected family murder-suicides, then best give it a miss.

With many thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC.

Two-and-a-half stars.
 
(Publishing in April, 2023. Note there are various covers.)


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Dymocks Australia

Edwina (“Ted”) Bristol is a gutsy, pint-sized Melbourne private investigator who, with her miniature schnauzer Miss Marple, usually exposes unfaithful spouses. When she overhears a conversation between a suspect husband and his girlfriend, she realises she’s uncovered a major fraud and finds herself involved in more sinister doings that lead to murder.

Ted isn’t afraid of challenges but can be cynical and some of her unresolved personal relationships underlie the plot. The other main characters are all well-drawn. There’s Ted’s gentle and trusting sister, Roberta (“Bob”), who seems to have been exposed to an online catfishing scam, and her neighbour Chantal, a New Age spiritual medium who Ted thinks is just another phoney until events prove otherwise. Vying for romantic attention are Joel, who’d like to be more than just a casual “friend with benefits”, and Ted’s “Swordcraft” combatant mate, the shambolic copper, Spike.

This is an easy, fast-paced and hugely entertaining read that has moments of wry humour but also some serious elements. The ending suggests this may be the beginning of a new series and I look forward to more exciting madcap adventures featuring the sassy Ted and her trusty sidekick Miss Marple. 

Four and a half stars.

(Many thanks to Better Reading previews for the ARC.)

Not published until 31 January 2023. Further links to come.

Dymocks Australia

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