A Stranger in my Street

Deborah Burrows

Jun 2012 · Macmillan Publishers Aus.

About this ebook

It's January 1943. Australia is at war and Perth is buzzing.

US troops have arrived, in what local men refer to bitterly as the "American occupation", and Perth women are having the time of their lives. The Americans have money, accents like movie stars, good manners, and young women are throwing caution to the wind and pushing social boundaries.

The war has brought nothing but heartbreak for Meg Eaton, however, stealing her young love eighteen months ago. Until, that is, she meets her lost lover's brother, Tom - standing over a body in her neighbour's backyard.

Suddenly, Meg finds herself embroiled in the murder mystery, and increasingly involved with Tom Lagrange. But is he all that he seems? And what exactly was his relationship with the dead woman?

Ratings and reviews

A Stranger in My Street is an enjoyable novel that blends mystery, romance and wartime history. It is a hot summer evening in 1943 when Meg Eaton and Captain Tom Legrange discover the body of Mrs Doreen Luca in an air raid shelter. It is assumed her husband, home on leave, one of 'those' passionate Italians, stabbed her in a fit of jealousy and rage but neither Meg nor Tom are so sure. Despite their awkward relationship, the pair are caught up in a desire to solve the mystery of her death which leads them from Meg's quiet suburban neighborhood to the dance halls of Perth amongst the rowdy American servicemen. Though A Stranger in My Street has a mystery at its core, it is more than a simple who-dunnit. Burrows has created a novel rich with history, romance and interesting themes. The novel is well paced and the characters are appealing.

Really enjoyed this book, Although a bit slow though the middle it still worth the read :)

About the author

Deborah Burrows is a lawyer, historian and writer from Perth. She is currently based in Oxford and writing fulltime. Her first novel, A Stranger in My Street, was published in 2012, followed by Taking a Chance in 2013. She was inspired to write about Australia in World War II by her mother's stories of dancing with American servicemen in Perth. Her father's exploits as a commando fighting in East Timor and New Guinea with the famed 2/2nd Independent Company were an inspiration for A Time of Secrets.