The Tea Ladies #1

Author: Amanda Hampson 

Publisher: Penguin Random House Australia 

Genre: Fiction & Literature, Crime & Mystery, Historical Fiction. 

Year of release: 2023

Release date: 12/04/23

Rating  🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Book #1 of 3 not required to be read in order. 

Synopsis

They keep everyone’s secrets, until there’s a murder…

Sydney, 1965- After a chance encounter with a stranger, tea ladies Hazel, Betty and Irene become accidental sleuths, stumbling into a world of ruthless crooks and racketeers in search of a young woman believed to be in danger.

In the meantime, Hazel’s job at Empire Fashionwear is in jeopardy. The firm has turned out the same frocks and blouses for the past twenty years and when the mini-skirt bursts onto the scene, it rocks the rag trade to its foundations. War breaks out between departments, and it falls to Hazel, the quiet diplomat, to broker peace and save the firm.

When there is a murder in the building, the tea ladies draw on their wider network and put themselves in danger as they piece together clues that connect the murder to a nearby arson and a kidnapping. But if there’s one thing tea ladies can handle, it’s hot water.

Review

Sydney, Australia, 1965. Welcome to Zig Zag Lane in the heart of the city’s rag-trade district, where Tea Ladies Hazel Bates, Betty Dewsnap and Irene Turnbuckle encounter a stranger in the alley. The women soon realise they’ve stepped into Sydney’s underbelly — where ruthless crooks and con artists circle every corner, hunting a woman believed to be in danger.

Hazel’s job at Empire Fashionwear is suddenly under threat, especially as the firm struggles to keep up with shifting trends. The arrival of the miniskirt sparks a fashion revolution — but not everyone’s ready to embrace change. As tensions rise among staff, it’s up to Hazel, ever the quiet diplomat, to help broker peace.

When a murder rocks Empire Fashionwear, suspicion spreads. The Tea Ladies don their detective hats drawing on their network of friends to connect the dots between the murder, a kidnapping, and nearby arson. As the danger draws closer, the women find themselves in hot water — but if there’s one thing they know, it’s how to handle a crisis with a good cup of tea in hand.

They keep everyone’s secrets… until there’s a murder.

Over the years, I’ve become a fan of cosy crime novels and amateur sleuth stories. What hooked me with The Tea Ladies was that these women become accidental detectives — but in a way that never feels forced or predictable. I love that a sexagenarian leads the charge, and the historical setting (1965 Sydney) adds texture without overwhelming the plot. With female friendships woven throughout, the story also leans into elements of women’s fiction — a blend of genres I adore. There’s something comforting and compelling about this series, and I found myself deeply invested from the first page.

From the first chapter, it’s clear Amanda Hampson has put care into crafting her characters. Each one feels fully formed and essential to the story — never static or only present when needed. There’s a real sense that these women were inspired by someone real, and that authenticity shines through.

Hazel Bates makes for a brilliant protagonist. From the beginning, I sensed something was troubling her — and she sensed it too. At first, she tries to dismiss her concerns, which worried me, but as the story progresses, Hazel grows in self-confidence and becomes more determined to uncover the truth, no matter how painful. I love seeing a character blossom gradually rather than being “healed” by the end with little explanation.

Irene Turnbuckle wasn’t someone I warmed to immediately. She feels like that one person who always needs the last word — and at first, I thought she was only there to antagonise Betty. But over time, I began to see their dynamic as friendly banter. Irene is a bold, capable sleuth, and I couldn’t help but wonder what she was like in her younger years. I bet she’s always been able to talk her way in — and out — of anything!

Betty Dewsnap is the kind of character I’d befriend in real life. She might play a more minor role in this particular book, but she never feels like a minor character. She brings lightness, care, and humour to every page she’s on. I love how she lifts Hazel up and gets stuck into the mystery with such energy. She’d make a fabulous detective in her own right.

If you’re after a slow read to dip into every so often, this might not be the one — because I absolutely devoured The Tea Ladies. The plot moves with steady momentum from the very first page, holding my attention all the way through. It even had me hooked before the major conflict unfolded. This pacing is part of why I rated the book a strong 5 stars.

Cozy crime has really flourished in recent years, and I’m here for it. While some might think The Tea Ladies sounds too similar to other titles in the genre, I’d urge readers to give it a go — it absolutely holds its own. One of the most compelling aspects for me was the setting: 1965 Australia. I’ve always read Australian authors, but in the past, I often steered away from Australian settings, likely to avoid clichéd portrayals. This book made me rethink that entirely.

Before reading, I didn’t know being a tea lady was an actual profession! I’d heard of lift attendants in department stores, but this was new to me. And honestly? I think I wouldn’t have minded being one.

A warm and witty cosy crime that’ll have you smiling one moment and tense with suspense the next. Set in the heart of 1960s Sydney, it’s a story of friendship, secrets, and strength in unexpected places.

Subplots and tropes included in The Tea Ladies:

• 1960s Australia
• Amateur sleuths
• Death
• Female friendship
• Secrets
• Lies
• Lightbulb moment
• Protagonists ahead of their time
• Self-belief
• Self-discovery
• That one religious person
• The big reveal
• The plot twist

The ending ties things together in a way that fits the tone of the book perfectly. There are still unanswered questions — particularly around Hazel, Betty, and Irene — but that feels fitting. It leaves the door open for The Cryptic Clue, and I was more than ready to continue the series.

 Readers who enjoy Jane Caro, Joanna Nell, Rachael Johns or Tricia Stringer should definitely consider adding The Tea Ladies to their collection.

Without hesitation. I highly recommend The Tea Ladies to readers who enjoy cosy crime with a dash of history, strong female leads, and character-driven stories full of heart. It’s the kind of book that feels like a warm hug with a side of danger — ideal for those grey-weather afternoons when you want something comforting but clever, too.