The sequel to The tea ladies, the tea ladies are back in business. Having already solved a murder, kidnapping and arson case they are now in a race to foil a plot threatening national security.

I didn't think this was as good as The tea ladies, but still a fun romp.

Caught at meetup today on TBR pile

Tea ladies Hazel, Betty and Irene are concerned about their jobs as machines called a Cafe Bar are introduced into the factories for the workers to make their cuppa. Hazel’s neighbour’s daughter Maude has begun work as a housekeeper for the local priest. She is suspicious of the two visiting priests from Ireland. Hazel meets a man, an acoustics engineer working on the new opera house under construction. Hazel is concerned for Maude and Oscar makes a listening device for Maude, and they uncover an IRA plot to blow up the Opera house. An entertaining read.

To be released at meetup

In ZigZag Lane, in the heart of Sydney's rag-trade district, tea ladies Hazel, Betty and Irene find themselves in hot water. Having already solved a murder, kidnapping and arson case, and outwitting an arch criminal, they have proved themselves a useful resource and earned the respect of a local police officer. Now he needs their help to solve a plot that threatens security. As if that's not enough, Irene gets a coded message directing her to the spoils of a bank robbery, which sends the tea ladies on a treasure hunt with an unexpected outcome. There's also trouble brewing within the walls of Empire Fashionwear, where an interloper threatens not just Hazel's job but the very role of tea lady. It's up to Hazel to convince her friends to abandon their trolleys and take action to save their livelihoods - before it's too late.