Join Lily Shepherd as she sets sail from England to Australia on the brink of World War II in 1939. Part of a program offering free passage for people who will be servants in the wealthy homes of Sydney, she is onboard swept up in the romantic atmosphere of the balls, dinners and cocktails with people she would never have met under normal circumstances. Lily is a close observer of the strong personalities of her fellow passengers, including fascist George, Jewish refugee Maria, the friendly but enigmatic Edward and Helena Fletcher, and the wealthy but troubled Max and Eliza Shepherd, who keep drifting down from first class. A mystery is set up in the first chapter as police lead a prisoner wearing a green suit and fox stole off the boat in Sydney. The next chapter sees Lily boarding the boat at the beginning of the journey.
VERDICT Making her historical fiction debut, Rhys, who also writes psychological thrillers as Tammy Cohen, offers plenty of glamorous atmosphere, period detail, and engaging ports of call along the way to please both historical fiction readers and mystery lovers.
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