The Ivory Rose

Belinda Murrell (author)

Random House, Australia: May 2011; 288pp

ISBN: 9781742750712

Genres: adventure, historical fiction, mystery

Issues: family, friendship, social condition

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When Jemma starts her first baby-sitting job at Rosethorne, one of the famous 'witches' houses' in her suburb, she is startled to find what appears to be a resident ghost, the haunting spectre of a murdered girl.

Georgie, as she is called, seems sad and ill. When she asks for help, what can Jemma possibly do for her? Then an ivory rose necklace and a nasty fall carry Jemma back to 1895 where she becomes a maid in Georgie's household. Is Georgie truly ill or is there something far more sinister going on? Can Jemma do anything to change the past as she knows it? And will she ever find her way back to her own time, her own family and friends?

A little stilted at first, Murrell's writing soon relaxes and the tightly crafted narrative will interest readers who enjoy historical fiction. Murrell uses Jemma's experiences as a maid to embed an enormous amount of well-researched and lively-drawn information about life in early Sydney during a time of terrible poverty. Readers are introduced to baby farmers, poor Irish immigrants, children forced to leave school to work and help support their families, labourers unprotected by unions – and the wealthy few who offer occasional charity. Seen through the eyes of the modern Jemma, Murrell brings to life Australia before Federation – and the many conveniences we take for granted in our daily lives. There's even a cameo role for Sir Henry Parkes.

An enjoyable time-slip novel, The Ivory Rose will appeal to readers who enjoyed Playing Beattie Bow.