The Mystery Woman - Book Review

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It's 1957 and glamourous Rebecca Woods unexpectedly moves to Shipwreck Bay, the sleepy, fictional coastal town located 4 hours from Sydney to become the town's Postmistress. Rebecca is escaping a much-publicised scandal involving her extra marital relationship with Federal politician, Ned McKell.



Shipwreck Bay, which uses whaling as a major employer and income source for the town's longstanding residents seems like the perfect place for Rebecca to start a more simple existence and find the anonymity she seeks.

The town rarely welcome newcomers and Rebecca's arrival is a major source of interest for the prying eyes and ears of the local, gossiping and judgmental townsfolk. The parochial locals are firmly fixed on Rebecca for her youth, beauty and air of mystery as she takes up her new position. The often vicious comments come from the townswoman she describes as "yapping chihuahuas."

Rebecca also catches the attention of the respected local young doctor, Timothy Litchfield, who appears steady, hard working and kind albeit slightly less adventurous and interesting than her previous beaus. He makes for a perfect husband and so she becomes the good doctor's wife.

Rebecca soon realises that all is not as it appears in Shipwreck Bay. A history of suspicious deaths has her questioning what really happened. The novel deals with issues of domestic violence, sexual abuse, suicide and abortion, at a time when these topics were not freely discussed.

Will Rebecca stay safe and will she find the happiness and love that has so far eluded her?

My Verdict
The book is filled with smokes and mirrors with the characters harboruing sinister secrets as maintaining social veil or normalcy, which was perhaps reflective of the time. As the novel's twist was unravelling, I felt like the narrative had gone a little too far by adding too many unexplained incidents which had occurred in Shipwreck Bay. The plot was already set up and it became too layered for me. As a result, the last 100 pages appeared a bit overbaked.

It does, however, contain highly important social and health messages about self-worth, self-care and social responsibility against destructive narcissism and domestic violence and the importance of speaking up when things just don't seem right – both to ourselves and others.

About the Author - Belinda Alexander
Belinda Alexandra's literary works have been published in Australia and New Zealand, France, Germany, Holland, Poland, Norway and Greece. She is the daughter of a Russian mother and Australian father, and has travelled widely since her youth.

As well as writing, she is also a volunteer rescuer and carer for the New South Wales Wildlife Information and Rescue Service (WIRES). The Mystery Woman is published by Random House.

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