The Mystery Woman
Author: Belinda Alexandra
Publisher: HarperCollins Australia
Genre: Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Thriller
Year of release 2020
Release date 2nd September 2020
Rating 
Trigger Warning Suicide, PTSD, Disability, Domestic Violence, Elder Abuse
Synopsis
Rebecca Wood takes the role as postmistress in a sleepy seaside town, desperate for anonymity after a scandal in Sydney. But she is confronted almost at once by a disturbing discovery – her predecessor committed suicide.
To add to her worries, her hopes for a quiet life are soon threatened by the attentions of the dashing local doctor, the unsettling presence of a violent whaling captain and a corrupt shire secretary, as well as the watchful eyes of the town’s gossips. Yet in spite of herself she is drawn to the enigmatic resident of the house on the clifftop, rumoured to have been a Nazi spy.
Against the backdrop of the turbulent sea, Rebecca is soon caught up in the dangerous mysteries that lie behind Shipwreck Bay’s respectable net curtains.
Review
Rebecca Wood needs to leave the hustle and bustle of Sydney behind, so when the position of Postmistress becomes available in the quant seaside town of Shipwreck Bay; Rebecca packs her suitcases and departs at once surely moving to a town you’ve never heard of is better then having your secrets exposed to the world?
Upon arrival to the sleepy seaside town hopeful that the curiosity from the townsfolk will eventually ease. Rebecca soon discovers there is plenty to be done in and around the post office, she finds this a welcome task. One day Rebecca is informed by her landlady of the events surrounding the need Shipwreck Bay has for a new and efficient postmistress, learning of her predecessor’s suicide sets Rebecca on edge.
Rebecca is paid a visit by the local Doctor who begins to show his intentions of courtship early this sets Rebecca on edge, the last thing she needs is attention focused on her, try as she might Rebecca finds she can’t avoid the Dr, the pair form a friendship. The longer she calls Shipwreck Bay home the more she realises she’s not the only one with a secret to hide, can Rebecca tackle the turbulent seas ahead of her of will or she become another one of Shipwreck Bay’s mysteries?
I was immediately drawn towards the seaside town and its townsfolk but it’s not until you begin to dust away the sand you discover not everything is as it seems.
Welcome to Shipwreck Bay 1950 Australia, as soon as you open the book you feel as if you’ve embarked on a journey. Author Belinda Alexandra has taken the time to craft a community with residents you care about.
When it comes to the characters, as always Belinda has taken great care to mould believable characters you can picture as you read. I must say in the early chapters I didn’t much care for Rebecca’s personality as she always seemed to find something about someone she didn’t like, normally this wouldn’t phase me, but she’s only just met these people, her fashion sense however was enviable.
I am glad to say as the story progressed, I could find myself caring for her. I’m really glad her views changed towards the townsfolk in the middle chapters heading into the climax, I thought the minor characters were well suited in the roles they portrayed.
The role Stefan played was not overly interesting for me nor did I find him saintly if that’s what I was supposed to feel, it missed the mark. To this reader he was as the other community members suggest snobbish, however I will say I applaud his stance on the environmental issues of whaling.
I was more taken with the Doctor!
As some of you may know from my past reviews, I’ll admit I’m not drawn to books set in my own backyard preferring those in Europe and America and even though I knew Australia participated in whaling it wasn’t until The Mystery Woman come along, I realised just how much devastation was caused and just how much our beautiful oceans will suffer without their magnificence.
Since finishing this book I’ve often wondered whether and even hoped a sequel could be woven from The Mystery Woman. I miss the community even if they were a little nosy.
Belinda Alexandra has covered a range of themes such as Suicide, PTSD, Disability, Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse; these issues were handled with respect and care. I believe having these elements woven into the story made for a fantastic, suspenseful and moving read, I could see some of the events coming my way, this was no concern for this reader, but the hidden surprises spun me in unexpected directions and that’s what I loved most the promised twist which was a twist delivered!
Never was I left wondering when this tale would end, I wanted just one more chapter even when the events seemed minor in the beginning to the race towards the final chapters. I was hooked thanks to Belinda Alexandra’s skilled writing, words and worlds flow with ease in the readers mind making her a must-read author.
If you loved her previous offerings it may seem a little left of centre at first, but I promise you, you won’t be disappointed! I highly recommend this book, especially if you’re looking for a new author, Belinda Alexandra is a perfect place to start. I’m already awaiting her next offering whatever that may be.
