Violet Kelly and the Jade Owl

Phryne Fisher meets Underbelly in an arch, out-of-the-box debut historical crime caper.

A centuries-old curse, a house of secrets, and one young woman determined to find out the truth.

Sydney, 1930: In the well-heeled suburb of Paddington, just a short distance from the razor gangs of Darlinghurst and Kings Cross, sits Maison des Fleurs, an upscale brothel run by the indomitable Madame. The star of Maison des Fleurs is Violet Kelly – beautiful, clever and determined to make something of herself in a world that has already taken so much.

When a former associate of Madame's emerges to claim a long-owed favour involving a kidnapped girl and an ancient curse, Violet is drawn into a dangerous game of cat and mouse that takes her from dangerous underworld dealings to raucous parties to untold stories about her own past, and, eventually, right into the heart of Maison des Fleurs. But how much is she willing to risk to save her friends, her home, and the life she's come to love? And will it be enough?

This is Agatha Christie meets Underbelly, and Violet Kelly is a thrilling addition to a long line of amateur sleuths like Phryne Fisher.