The House on Boundary Street

Tea Cooper

Jul 2020 · Sold by HarperCollins Australia

About this ebook

From a bestselling Australian author comes a tale of double-dealing, adventure and the dark underbelly of 1920s Sydney...

In the aftermath of World War I, Sydney is no place for the fainthearted. Sly grog shops thrive, the cocaine trade flourishes and brothels abound. Into this big dark city comes fresh-faced country girl, Dolly Bowman, ready to risk everything in pursuit of her dreams. After all it's the 1920s - time to turn her back on her terrible childhood and search for her future.

Cynthia Burton's life changes irrevocably the day she steps over the threshold of the house on Boundary Street. Determined to survive the only way she can, she breaks into the world of money and matinee idols in order to fulfil a promise she made and now there's no going back.

As Dolly and Cynthia's lives entangle they find themselves drawn into a far-reaching web of lies, intrigue and double dealing. Could it be that the house on Boundary Street, once their safe haven, offers nothing more than a dangerous facade?

The House on Boundary Street is a revised and expanded edition of the novel originally published as Jazz Baby.

Ratings and reviews

The House on Boundary Street (also published as Jazz Baby) is a novel by UK-born Australia Author, Tea Cooper. After her Pa dies, Dolly Bowman resolves to leave Wollombi and make her life in Sydney. The publican for whom she worked gave her a contact in Darlinghurst, so Dolly arrives in mid-1923, at number 54 Boundary Street, ready to clean rooms and make beds for Mrs Mack. Dolly is stunned to find Jack Dalton there: Jack was her brother Ted’s best friend, and the girlhood crush she’s never overcome. With Ted MIA and presumed dead, it’s so wonderful to see a familiar, friendly face. If Jack isn’t entirely happy to see Dolly at Mrs Mack’s, his current companion, Cynthia Williams is extremely unhappy with the effect this beautiful, innocent young lass has on her Jack. Cynthia has enjoyed Jack’s generous patronage and his interest in Dolly might spell the end of that, increasing the difficulty of paying her rent and supporting young Sam. She will need to be quite unambiguous with Dolly about her claim on him. Dolly is pleased to meet Mrs Mack’s approval, although she has quickly deduced that Mrs Mack’s is more than a boarding house for young ladies. As a partner in the business, Jack sets clear boundaries with Millie Mack on Dolly’s role, although neither anticipates that she will soon be entertaining patrons, albeit in a different way. Spreading his wealth at a two-up game one night, Jack is stunned to encounter Ted, whose fist clearly telegraphs his regard for his mate. It seems that Ted has avoided all contact to spare those for whom he cares the sight of his horrific facial injuries, but is that the only reason? He has been staying under the radar and consorting with the city’s criminal elements, but by necessity or design? Cooper easily captures the feel of post-WW1 Sydney and the plight of the single woman trying to survive on her wits as well as the challenges faced by injured return soldiers and survivors of the Spanish ‘flu epidemic. Her characters have a depth that may surprise from initial impressions. To the glamour of the high-living wealthy, Cooper adds flavour with the seedy underworld figures pushing cocaine and virtually enslaving sex workers. Excellent Australian historical fiction. This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Escape Publishing.

About the author

Tea Cooper is an award-winning Australian author of historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling. She is the internationally bestselling author of several novels, including The Talented Mrs Greenway, The Butterfly Collector, The Naturalist's Daughter, the USA Today-bestselling The Woman in the Green Dress, The Girl in the Painting and The Cartographer's Secret, winner of the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award. To find out more, visit Tea on her website.You can also follow Tea on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.