In the aftermath of World War I, Sydney is no place for the fainthearted. Sly grog shops thrive, the cocaine trade flourishes and brothels abound. Into this big dark city comes fresh-faced country girl, Dolly Bowman, ready to risk everything in pursuit of her dreams. After all it's the 1920s - time to turn her back on her terrible childhood and search for her future.
Cynthia Burton's life changes irrevocably the day she steps over the threshold of the house on Boundary Street. Determined to survive the only way she can, she breaks into the world of money and matinee idols in order to fulfil a promise she made and now there's no going back.
As Dolly and Cynthia's lives entangle they find themselves drawn into a far-reaching web of lies, intrigue and double dealing. Could it be that the house on Boundary Street, once their safe haven, offers nothing more than a dangerous facade?
My Thoughts
When her father dies and her brother doesn't return from the war, Dolly Bowman, an independently minded girl from the country, heads to Sydney to take up a position at number 54 Boundary Street, at what she believes is a reputable boarding house. Number 54, however, is a bawdy house, partly owned by a childhood friend, Jack Dalton. Naive though Dolly is, she accepts this news pragmatically and, despite Jack's disapproval, accepts the job as a show of independence. A talent for singing sees Dolly rise from housemaid to the star attraction of number 54.
Cynthia is a high class prostitute. She has more privileges than the other prostitutes and chooses to live away from the safety of number 54, in an area rife with crime and poverty, where violence, drugs and alcohol go hand in hand. Cynthia's lucrative relationship with Jack ends when he falls in love with Dolly. This is the first of a number of misfortunes that leaves Cynthia in straitened circumstances with very few options and makes her secret harder to protect.
When she meets the down and out Ted, they are surprised by their instant rapport, but Cynthia knows that a man without money or prospects cannot provide what she needs. Even though Ted is heartened that Cynthia is able to ignore his facial scars, he soon discovers she has a mercenary streak and begins to question what her true feelings towards him are. As Cynthia's life starts to unravel and she becomes more desperate, Ted offers his help. His links to the cocaine trade and his interest in the house on Boundary Street makes her wary of trusting him, but she has no one else to turn to if she is to keep a promise made years ago.
This book felt like two separate novels. While Dolly's story and romance with Jack has its ups and downs, it is sweet and uncomplicated compared to Cynthia and Ted's storyline. When the former was resolved early, I thought the book was wrapping up. At this point I felt a little disappointed and cheated as there were a number of threads left hanging. Fortunately, the story continued with the action ramping up as it raced towards a very exciting conclusion.
I loved how Cynthia and Ted, two flawed individuals, eventually learnt to trust each other and find their self-worth too. Their story had far more impact than Dolly and Jack's.
The House on Boundary Street is a revised and expanded version of Jazz Baby, a novel first published in 2014. Overall, it is another enjoyable read from Tea Cooper, but not a favourite.
Thank you to Escape Publishing via Netgalley for a complimentary copy of this book.
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I agree that Cynthia and Ted stole the show in this book.
ReplyDeleteThey certainly did!
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