There’s always a risk with sequels, particularly when you love the bit that came first. And I enjoyed The Dressmaker by Rosalie Ham – her signature blend of rural Australian noir, satire, and the lampooning of small-town politics was good fun. With Ham’s stories, there’s never any doubt as to who the ‘goodies’ and the ‘badies’ are – it’s the book equivalent of a pantomime, where you’re shouting “He’s behind you!”

The Dressmaker’s Secret follows Ham’s formula – there’s a bit of mystery and intrigue; and you know the villains will eventually get their comeuppance.

There are lots of bright spots – the descriptions of the fashions are sublime; as is the perfectly-described Melbourne setting and the tiresome woman Tilly works for at second-rate salon at the wrong end of Collins Street. Also notable is the fact that the story highlights the social prejudices that many people whose lifestyle circumstances didn’t fit the accepted norm, faced in the fifties.

Ham’s sense of humour is evident, whether she’s describing a Dungatar resident, or an unfortunate death –

She arrived at dinner wearing her brown velvet suit. The entire CWA dining room turned to stare, and Marigold told her loudly that she looked like a full set of stacked luggage.

But… it was all a bit much and Tilly Dunnage’s ‘secret’ becomes diluted in a story with too many layers, too many subplots, and too many characters.

2.5/5 A miss for me but if it was made into a film, I’d be there.

I received my copy of The Dressmaker’s Secret from the publisher, Pan Macmillan Australia, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Tilly said she was starting to feel nervous, and Mae declared that the best thing for nerves was vacuuming. “I think I’ll make a drink instead,” Arlen suggested. “Would anyone like one?”Arlen prepared many sidecars.