Weekend Cooking: The Deadly Dispute by Amanda Hampson

 

Hazel, Irene, Betty and the other tea ladies are back and trouble isn't far behind!

In the previous book in the series, which I reviewed here, Hazel Bates had just lost her job as a tea lady at Empire Fashion after being replaced by a coffee machine. After months out of work, she is excited to finally has a new job working as a tea lady at a union office on the docks in Sydney. It's 1967, and the docks are dangerous for anyone, let alone a tea lady. On her first day at work, Hazel even sees a dead body being hauled out of the harbour. 

The docks are under the spotlight due to the ongoing issues with theft, unionism and a very large theft of South African Krugerand (gold coins) which seems to have disappeared into thin air. It's not really a place for someone as eagle eyed and curious as Hazel, and she soon finds herself embroiled in the mystery. 

Betty is now boarding with Hazel which is a much better arrangement than when Irene had moved in. Betty is feeling a bit disillusioned with life, which didn't quite work out the way that she thought it might when she was younger. She meets a much younger woman at work who seems to see her rather than see through her and Betty is drawn into a different world which she doesn't quite understand.

As for Irene, she is still living in the high class brothel but she is beginning to see that the Maltese Mafia is taking an interest in what is going on. When she tries to warn her boss that there might be a turf war coming, her fears are dismissed. However, Irene knows what she knows, and she takes matters into her own hands.  

When things get dangerous and one of them disappears, it is up to the others to use all their detective skills to work out where she and to save her before it is too late!

I really enjoy the fact that our three main characters all get their own storylines to shine in. As always I do find Irene to be a complete hoot! She is definitely a rough diamond, although I am not sure I would want to cross her. 

One of the things that was a bit different in this book is that the ladies don't get to spend as much time together given that they no longer work in such proximity. Snooty Merl also doesn't get as much page time after she gets upset with the way that the Tea Ladies Guild is being run. There is also less food and drink in this book, but the series as a whole does feature lots of cake, home made fruit wine and, of course, tea!

Fashion is still an important part of this story. Young Pixie is trying to get out of her parent's business and set up on her own. With Hazel's help she finds a location, and the assistance she needs to set up a boutique where she can be free to design what she wants, including groovy jumpsuits like the one on the cover.

Another of the secondary characters who are an important part of the story is Hazel's next door neighbour, Maud, who is now training to be a policewoman, which her Catholic parents are not all that happy with. It's always useful to have a policewoman to call upon when needed!

This is the first series in forever that I have read in such quick succession and rated so consistently high. I went to see the author at an event at my local library in April and I have subsequently read all three books in the series. Getting through them so quickly is partially because I read them through the library and I couldn't renew them but it is mostly because I just really enjoyed the stories, especially the characters. I am already looking forward to the next book. Hopefully it will be out next year. 

I am sharing this review with the Foodies Read challenge hosted at Based on a True Story with the Historical Fiction Reading Challenge, and with the New Release Challenge hosted by The Chocolate Lady's Book Reviews. It also counts for Aussie August 2025 on Bookstagram.

Rating 4.5/5

Weekly meals

Saturday - Spaghetti Bolognaise
Sunday - Beef and Broccoli Noodles
Monday - tuscan Chicken Pasta bake
Tuesday - Baked beans and eggs on toast
Wednesday - Cajun Chicken Rice (new/)
Thursday - Out for dinner
Friday - Pork Nachos

Weekend Cooking is open to anyone who has any kind of food-related post to share: Book reviews (novel, nonfiction), cookbook reviews, movie reviews, recipes, random thoughts, gadgets, quotations, photographs, restaurant reviews, travel information, or fun food facts. If your post is even vaguely foodie, feel free to grab the button and link up anytime over the weekend. You do not have to post on the weekend. Please link to your specific post, not your blog's home page