Amanda Hampson

it is set in early 1966. The Sydney Opera House is under construction, decimal currency is being introduced, ladies fashions are changing and tea ladies are at risk of being replaced by self-serve machines called the Café-Bar.

Betty is eager to find another mystery to solve. Irene has received a cryptic message from her imprisoned husband. Meanwhile, Hazel is worried about her teenage neighbour Maude, who is pressured by her mother into becoming the priest’s new housekeeper.

Hampson does an effective job of intertwining all the seemingly disparate threads together into one cohesive narrative. I was impressed with the way that details, like the Opera House or the change of currency, are not just a backdrop, introduced merely to establish the historical context, but actually become relevant to the plot.

I was fascinated by the historical details and entertained by the story. Hazel is delightful company, so good at using her skills as a peacemaker and as a problem-solver to help those around her and to unravel mysteries. I am pleased to learn that there’s another book coming out next year!… (more)

Sydney 1966. The building of the Sydney Opera House has begun and local feeling is running high about what many feel will be a white elephant. Pounds, shillings and pence are a thing of the past, and many are confused about the swap to decimal currency.

Things are changing on the tea lady front too, A new fangled thing known as a Cafe Bar has appeared and is threatening their jobs.

While for me this was a bit of a slow read, I enjoyed the interplay between the main characters, the hint of romance in Hazel's life, and the historical setting with it's several themes.… (more)

My review of the not as cosy as you'd think from the look of it crime novel The Tea Ladies by THE TEA LADIES by Amanda Hampson is one of those interesting sort of novels that tippy toes a line between its cosy(ish) setting and some considerably more ruthless plot lines with a deftness that made for a really enjoyable reading experience.

Full review at: https://www.austcrimefiction.org/review/tea-ladies-amanda-hampson… (more)