Murder in Punch Lane (Jane Sullivan, Echo)

Jane Sullivan’s third novel, Murder in Punch Lane, transports readers to the grizzly underbelly of 1860s Melbourne. Actress Lola Sanchez doesn’t believe her best friend, theatre star Marie, died by suicide. In a society that is against her gender every step of the way, Lola pairs up with part-time columnist and full-time womaniser Magnus Scott to prove that Marie was murdered and unravel the mysteries of the city. When Lola’s newfound stardom forces her into harrowing experiences that echo those of her late friend, she finds her life on the line in a twist ending involving betrayal and deceptive appearances. Murder in Punch Lane is fast-paced, as Sullivan (Storytime) skilfully creates and maintains tension throughout, and her confronting explorations of feminism, sex work and exoticism vividly depict the society of the time. Lola’s strong character shines as she opposes the gender norms of the period. At the same time, Magnus’s perspective shows character development as he grapples with his changing perception of money and the role of women. Their slow-burn romance is sweet and subtle. The novel is based on the death of Marie St Denis in 1868 and cleverly introduces real characters from Melbourne’s history, such as Redmond Barry. This gothic melodrama will appeal to readers aged 16+, especially those drawn to 19th-century historical fiction, amateur detective and crime novels with a touch of romance.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Alexandra Ashburner-Hill is a creative writing graduate from the University of Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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