The Model Murder (A Tea Ladies Mystery #4) by Amanda Hampson

Never underestimate a tea lady! Someone suggests that there’s nothing to fear from a tea lady. Betty’s reply? ‘Don’t be too sure of that.’

 How wonderful to be back in the company of the indomitable tea ladies: Betty, Irene, Merl and Hazel.

 It’s now 1968 and in Sydney there are demonstrations in the streets: against the war in Vietnam and for women’s rights. In a dark Surry Hills Lane a popular local man is murdered and his glamorous girlfriend has disappeared – the police pegging her as his murderer. But Hazel smells a rat and calls in her fellow tea ladies to help dig to the bottom – and it’s a very murky bottom filled with corrupt policemen, brothels and Russian mobsters.

 Aside from solving crimes our ladies have their own fish to fry. Betty has become involved in community theatre, fallen for the leading man, and is quoting Shakespeare any moment she can. Irene is looking for a career change, and has taken up with an unlikely weapon to help her stay safe. And Merl, well Merl has a family secret that could blow her family apart. Hazel finds her advice is much sort after by two young women looking to spread their creative wings. Amongst all this drama, there don’t appear to be many cuppas being poured!

 Amanda Hampson does a fabulous job of weaving these many threads through a portrait of the seismic societal changes of the 1960s. I suppose this is what is referred to as ‘cosy crime’ in so far as there is minimal violence and the characters are appealing. But I don’t like using the term as it is so reductive. Let’s just say, if you are looking for an entertaining novel with characters that you will love, then you are in the right place.

Reviewed by GABY MEARES
Murder on a Monday Reading Group