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A Stranger in My Street
It's January 1943. Australia is at war and Perth is buzzing.
US troops have permanently docked in the city in what local men refer to bitterly as the American occupation, and Perth women are having the time of their lives. The Americans have money, accents like movie stars, smart tailored uniforms and good manners. What's more, they love to dance and show a girl a good time, and young women are throwing caution to the wind and pushing social boundaries with their behaviour.
Not Meg Eaton, however. The war has brought her nothing but heartbreak, stealing her young love eighteen months ago. Until, in the middle of a Perth heat-wave, she meets her lost lover's brother, Tom – standing over a dead body in her neighbour's backyard.
Suddenly, Meg finds herself embroiled in the murder mystery, and increasingly involved with Tom Lagrange. But is he all that he seems? And what exactly was his relationship with the dead woman?
Debut author Deborah Burrows has brought her skills as a historian to the fore with this meticulously researched and thoroughly entertaining novel of love and intrigue.
US troops have permanently docked in the city in what local men refer to bitterly as the American occupation, and Perth women are having the time of their lives. The Americans have money, accents like movie stars, smart tailored uniforms and good manners. What's more, they love to dance and show a girl a good time, and young women are throwing caution to the wind and pushing social boundaries with their behaviour.
Not Meg Eaton, however. The war has brought her nothing but heartbreak, stealing her young love eighteen months ago. Until, in the middle of a Perth heat-wave, she meets her lost lover's brother, Tom – standing over a dead body in her neighbour's backyard.
Suddenly, Meg finds herself embroiled in the murder mystery, and increasingly involved with Tom Lagrange. But is he all that he seems? And what exactly was his relationship with the dead woman?
Debut author Deborah Burrows has brought her skills as a historian to the fore with this meticulously researched and thoroughly entertaining novel of love and intrigue.
352 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
3 people are currently reading
469 people want to read
About the author
Deborah Burrows
10 books70 followers I was born and grew up in Perth, Western Australia, and am the author of five popular novels set in the Second World War. The latest is Ambulance Girls Under Fire, which is the second of a trilogy set in the London Blitz. And my non-fiction "Nursing in Australia: The Illustrated History" will be published by the National Library of Australia in November 2018.
I am a former lawyer with a passion for history (and three history degrees to prove it!!). And although I love the clear skies, beautiful beaches and easy-going atmosphere of my home town, I also adore the dreaming spires of Oxford, UK, where I read medical history.
I now see myself as a proud citizen of both cities, but for the time being am living in Oxford (although I go to Perth as often as I can).
I use my research and legal skills to make my historical novels as accurate as possible, and my imagination to make them as entertaining as I can.
I am a former lawyer with a passion for history (and three history degrees to prove it!!). And although I love the clear skies, beautiful beaches and easy-going atmosphere of my home town, I also adore the dreaming spires of Oxford, UK, where I read medical history.
I now see myself as a proud citizen of both cities, but for the time being am living in Oxford (although I go to Perth as often as I can).
I use my research and legal skills to make my historical novels as accurate as possible, and my imagination to make them as entertaining as I can.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
January 28, 2019
Well this one was a very pleasant surprise. It was the author's debut novel and based on this book I would say she should have a great career as a writer! Genre wise I suppose it is historical fiction, but it is also a great romance and a murder mystery. All good!
Historically it was fascinating to read about how Perth survived the second world war and the influx of American forces. We are also reminded of the attitude of the day to immigrants, especially Italians, who were locked away in camps for the duration of the war.
The romantic interest becomes obvious very early on but then suddenly a dead body is discovered and we are instantly involved in a murder mystery. I was delighted! In fact I enjoyed the whole book enormously and read it in one afternoon. I will look out for Ms. Burrows later books.
Historically it was fascinating to read about how Perth survived the second world war and the influx of American forces. We are also reminded of the attitude of the day to immigrants, especially Italians, who were locked away in camps for the duration of the war.
The romantic interest becomes obvious very early on but then suddenly a dead body is discovered and we are instantly involved in a murder mystery. I was delighted! In fact I enjoyed the whole book enormously and read it in one afternoon. I will look out for Ms. Burrows later books.
June 2, 2017
A Stranger in My Street is a historical romantic crime mystery set in Perth during WWII. Meg Eaton was living a simple life after the death of her boyfriend Peter until the day Meg, and Tom Lagrange found the body of Doreen Luca. Readers of A Stranger in My Street will follow Meg and Tom investigation into who killed Doreen Luca and on the way Meg and Tom fall in love. Also, Readers of A Stranger in My Street will be surprised with the ending of this book.
A Stranger in My Street is the second book by Deborah Burrows I have read, and I amazed with the way she writes about issues that affect people during the war years. Also, the way Deborah Burrows intertwines her characters with the mystery who killed Doreen Luca. Deborah Burrows skills as a historian are highlighted in A Stranger in My Street by the way Deborah portrays her characters that make the readers feel they are transported back to 1943.
Readers of A Stranger in My Street will learn about what happens in your family is Italian during second world war and the hardship this can cause families. Also, reading A Stranger in My Street, you will learn about relations with Perth residents and the American Soldiers.
I recommend this book.
A Stranger in My Street is the second book by Deborah Burrows I have read, and I amazed with the way she writes about issues that affect people during the war years. Also, the way Deborah Burrows intertwines her characters with the mystery who killed Doreen Luca. Deborah Burrows skills as a historian are highlighted in A Stranger in My Street by the way Deborah portrays her characters that make the readers feel they are transported back to 1943.
Readers of A Stranger in My Street will learn about what happens in your family is Italian during second world war and the hardship this can cause families. Also, reading A Stranger in My Street, you will learn about relations with Perth residents and the American Soldiers.
I recommend this book.
August 12, 2012
This debut novel by Aussie author, Deborah Burrows, has a murder mystery, romance and intrigue, combined with WW2 history, and is set in Perth, Australia in 1943.
Meg Eaton lived with her Mum and sister Joan, whilst working for a big time law firm, as a secretary. She loved her job, but the heartache she had endured caused her to be extremely unhappy, and her family were worried about her. She had lost her young love, Peter Lagrange, to the war. Peter had joined up as a pilot, so excited to be serving his country, and flying the planes he loved, but he was shot down and killed 18 months prior. She read about his death in the paper, as his family hadn’t thought it necessary to let her know!
With US troops settled permanently in Perth, flying their Catalina’s out on sorties daily, the people of Perth were used to seeing them everywhere. The only ones to enjoy the company of the US servicemen though, were the women, as the troops had money, good manners and showed the local girls a good time. They were pushing the social boundaries to the limit…why not, there was a war on! The local men were not impressed!
Meg was not in the least interested, only leaving her home to go to work, until the day she heard an Australian soldier (who sounded very familiar) talking to the young kids down the road from her place. She raced outside, into the extreme heat of the Perth summer, to come face to face with Tom Lagrange, Peter’s brother, whom she’d only met once before.
When Tom and Meg discover the body of their next door neighbour, a woman who had enjoyed the company of the US troops, AND was married, things began to get extremely complicated. Tom seemed to have secrets, Meg was confused about him, his relationship to the dead woman, and the murder mystery which seemed to be going nowhere.
Suddenly Meg was in danger…what was going to happen? Was Tom friend or foe? Were any of the US troops she’d met involved? The intrigue, the suspense, the build-up to the finale with the final twist (which I didn’t see coming!) was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining novel, and will definitely read more from this author.
Meg Eaton lived with her Mum and sister Joan, whilst working for a big time law firm, as a secretary. She loved her job, but the heartache she had endured caused her to be extremely unhappy, and her family were worried about her. She had lost her young love, Peter Lagrange, to the war. Peter had joined up as a pilot, so excited to be serving his country, and flying the planes he loved, but he was shot down and killed 18 months prior. She read about his death in the paper, as his family hadn’t thought it necessary to let her know!
With US troops settled permanently in Perth, flying their Catalina’s out on sorties daily, the people of Perth were used to seeing them everywhere. The only ones to enjoy the company of the US servicemen though, were the women, as the troops had money, good manners and showed the local girls a good time. They were pushing the social boundaries to the limit…why not, there was a war on! The local men were not impressed!
Meg was not in the least interested, only leaving her home to go to work, until the day she heard an Australian soldier (who sounded very familiar) talking to the young kids down the road from her place. She raced outside, into the extreme heat of the Perth summer, to come face to face with Tom Lagrange, Peter’s brother, whom she’d only met once before.
When Tom and Meg discover the body of their next door neighbour, a woman who had enjoyed the company of the US troops, AND was married, things began to get extremely complicated. Tom seemed to have secrets, Meg was confused about him, his relationship to the dead woman, and the murder mystery which seemed to be going nowhere.
Suddenly Meg was in danger…what was going to happen? Was Tom friend or foe? Were any of the US troops she’d met involved? The intrigue, the suspense, the build-up to the finale with the final twist (which I didn’t see coming!) was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed this entertaining novel, and will definitely read more from this author.
March 15, 2017
This was a thoroughly enjoyable and beautifully written debut novel about life in Perth during WW2.
October 3, 2013
I was not prepared for how much I would get into this book, as it is not the usual type of book I would read. I met Deb Burrows at a writer's festival and loved hearing her describe the research she had done about wartime Perth, which is a subject that I wanted to learn more about, both because I live in Perth and love knowing more about my local area, but also because of a song I love by The Waifs called The Bridal Train, about the American War Brides. I think there is a book in that and it is on my writing list.
The heroine Meg, is believable and feisty, in the restrained way of the wartime period. She is instantly lovable. The hero Tom LaGrange is a damaged soul, and I found myself wanted to tell him to just get his act together! But they did get there in the end, the murder was solved (some great plot twists) and the girl got her (flawed) guy. Deb Burrows showed a side to the war and its effects on the men fighting in a really unique way. I want to read more of her historical romance crime fiction.
The heroine Meg, is believable and feisty, in the restrained way of the wartime period. She is instantly lovable. The hero Tom LaGrange is a damaged soul, and I found myself wanted to tell him to just get his act together! But they did get there in the end, the murder was solved (some great plot twists) and the girl got her (flawed) guy. Deb Burrows showed a side to the war and its effects on the men fighting in a really unique way. I want to read more of her historical romance crime fiction.
June 1, 2012
A Stranger in My Street is an enjoyable novel that blends mystery, romance and wartime history. It is a hot summer evening in 1943 when Meg Eaton and Captain Tom Legrange discover the body of Mrs Doreen Luca in an air raid shelter. It is assumed her husband, home on leave, one of 'those' passionate Italians, stabbed her in a fit of jealousy and rage but neither Meg nor Tom are so sure. Despite their awkward relationship, the pair are caught up in a desire to solve the mystery of her death which leads them from Meg's quiet suburban neighborhood to the dance halls of Perth amongst the rowdy American servicemen.
Though A Stranger in My Street has a mystery at its core, it is more than a simple who-dunnit. Burrows has created a novel rich with history, romance and interesting themes. The novel is well paced and
the characters are appealing.
A twenty one year old stenographer who lives with her widowed mother and sister, Meg Eaton lost her lover in combat and has been grieving for the last eighteen months. The unexpected appearance of Captain Tom Legrange, her boyfriends older brother, and the discovery of her murdered neighbour is the catalyst for Meg's recovery. Meg is sweetly naive, which is typical of the time, yet has a steady core of intelligence and resilience that gives her character depth.
The former Rhodes Scholar, member of Perth's social elite and older brother of Meg's deceased lover, Captain Tom Legrange is an enigmatic character haunted by his POW experiences, painful wounds and secrets he struggles to hide. Despite his engagement to a society darling, he is drawn to Meg's optimism and innocence which contrasts with his own tortured darkness.
The mutual attraction that develops between Meg and Tom is complicated not only by their connection to Peter but by their individual circumstances, they are opposites in social status, and worldly experience. The romance is built up slowly over the course of the novel but is contained within the story so that it doesn't overwhelm the plot.
World War II had a significant impact on Australia, despite being far from the front lines. The usual privations of wartime such as rationing, shortages and blackouts were in effect, women were pressed into employment in greater numbers, Germans, Italians and Japanese were interred in camps as 'enemy aliens' while hundreds of thousands of men went to war and never returned, and those that did were often badly injured and suffering shock. For some, particularly those in capital cities like Perth the general deprivations of war were mitigated by the presence of thousands of American servicemen, who introduced economic and social change. Burrows integrates the social and cultural circumstances of the period seamlessly into the novel with vivid and authentic detail.
I particularly enjoyed the setting for this novel, largely because of my familiarity with the city of Perth. Meg strolls through the Stirling Gardens, passes The Swan Brewery and gazes out across the Swan River and though it has been more than twenty years since I was last there, images of the landmarks mentioned flashed through my mind. I admit to knowing little about the city during wartime though and was impressed with how Burrows captured the atmosphere of the period with interesting details.
A Stranger in My Street is an entertaining debut from Australian novelist Deborah Burrows that is sure to appeal to a wide audience
Though A Stranger in My Street has a mystery at its core, it is more than a simple who-dunnit. Burrows has created a novel rich with history, romance and interesting themes. The novel is well paced and
the characters are appealing.
A twenty one year old stenographer who lives with her widowed mother and sister, Meg Eaton lost her lover in combat and has been grieving for the last eighteen months. The unexpected appearance of Captain Tom Legrange, her boyfriends older brother, and the discovery of her murdered neighbour is the catalyst for Meg's recovery. Meg is sweetly naive, which is typical of the time, yet has a steady core of intelligence and resilience that gives her character depth.
The former Rhodes Scholar, member of Perth's social elite and older brother of Meg's deceased lover, Captain Tom Legrange is an enigmatic character haunted by his POW experiences, painful wounds and secrets he struggles to hide. Despite his engagement to a society darling, he is drawn to Meg's optimism and innocence which contrasts with his own tortured darkness.
The mutual attraction that develops between Meg and Tom is complicated not only by their connection to Peter but by their individual circumstances, they are opposites in social status, and worldly experience. The romance is built up slowly over the course of the novel but is contained within the story so that it doesn't overwhelm the plot.
World War II had a significant impact on Australia, despite being far from the front lines. The usual privations of wartime such as rationing, shortages and blackouts were in effect, women were pressed into employment in greater numbers, Germans, Italians and Japanese were interred in camps as 'enemy aliens' while hundreds of thousands of men went to war and never returned, and those that did were often badly injured and suffering shock. For some, particularly those in capital cities like Perth the general deprivations of war were mitigated by the presence of thousands of American servicemen, who introduced economic and social change. Burrows integrates the social and cultural circumstances of the period seamlessly into the novel with vivid and authentic detail.
I particularly enjoyed the setting for this novel, largely because of my familiarity with the city of Perth. Meg strolls through the Stirling Gardens, passes The Swan Brewery and gazes out across the Swan River and though it has been more than twenty years since I was last there, images of the landmarks mentioned flashed through my mind. I admit to knowing little about the city during wartime though and was impressed with how Burrows captured the atmosphere of the period with interesting details.
A Stranger in My Street is an entertaining debut from Australian novelist Deborah Burrows that is sure to appeal to a wide audience
June 1, 2012
Love, suspense and an intriguing murder mystery set in 1943 in Australia. A Stranger in My Street was an unexpected treat- a novel set in Perth during the time when Australian troops were being enlisted for World War II. The protagonist, Meg Eaton is grieving the loss of her lover, Peter Lagrange who died eighteen months prior. Life looks bleak and Meg loses herself in her mundane life, refusing to date or socialise with the troops because she can’t imagine loving anyone the way she loved Peter.
But when she encounters a handsome stranger on her street, an Australian troop who bears the same surname as Peter, her fear and curiosity draw her in. She meets the mysteriously charming, Tom Lagrange- Peter’s older brother.
During an unexpected meeting, they stumble across the dead body of neighbour, Doreen Luca who has quite a reputation for frolicking with the American troops while her husband Frank is away. They become involved in the investigation of her murder, with Meg and Tom doing their own amateur sleuthing to uncover the truth of her death. Meg questions Tom’s relationship with Doreen and wonders whether she can trust him as it becomes clear he is hiding something from her.
Tom and Meg develop a friendship based on one commonality, their love for Peter. They develop an emotional bond that brings Meg out of her grief-stricken state and back to interacting with the world through dancing, dating and D&M’s with handsome Tom. Their friendship is characterised by an obvious attraction and an intellectual connection however Tom is engaged to be married to a beautiful Perth socialite.
Meg was an intriguing character who I quite liked and Tom was also likeable despite his arrogance and the uncertainty the author creates around his role in Doreen’s life. The author fleshed out Tom’s character really well and I quite enjoyed reading about the more vulnerable side to Tom and the internal conflicts he faced post-war. The relationship development was well-paced and believable.
Burrows has skilfully entwined her historian attributes to a well-researched novel based in Australia during the war. She explores issues pertaining to culture, racism, social class and the status of women in society while providing a suspenseful murder mystery and love story. A highly engaging debut by Australian author, Deborah Burrows.
But when she encounters a handsome stranger on her street, an Australian troop who bears the same surname as Peter, her fear and curiosity draw her in. She meets the mysteriously charming, Tom Lagrange- Peter’s older brother.
During an unexpected meeting, they stumble across the dead body of neighbour, Doreen Luca who has quite a reputation for frolicking with the American troops while her husband Frank is away. They become involved in the investigation of her murder, with Meg and Tom doing their own amateur sleuthing to uncover the truth of her death. Meg questions Tom’s relationship with Doreen and wonders whether she can trust him as it becomes clear he is hiding something from her.
Tom and Meg develop a friendship based on one commonality, their love for Peter. They develop an emotional bond that brings Meg out of her grief-stricken state and back to interacting with the world through dancing, dating and D&M’s with handsome Tom. Their friendship is characterised by an obvious attraction and an intellectual connection however Tom is engaged to be married to a beautiful Perth socialite.
Meg was an intriguing character who I quite liked and Tom was also likeable despite his arrogance and the uncertainty the author creates around his role in Doreen’s life. The author fleshed out Tom’s character really well and I quite enjoyed reading about the more vulnerable side to Tom and the internal conflicts he faced post-war. The relationship development was well-paced and believable.
Burrows has skilfully entwined her historian attributes to a well-researched novel based in Australia during the war. She explores issues pertaining to culture, racism, social class and the status of women in society while providing a suspenseful murder mystery and love story. A highly engaging debut by Australian author, Deborah Burrows.
May 20, 2012
Actually this is more like a 3.8 for me (I wish Goodreads would change their star ranking system!). I quite enjoyed this book. Easy to read, well paced, interesting characters and a nice blend of murder mystery and romance in WWII Perth. It's about Meg Eaton who has lost her love in the war. One day, however, she meets her dead lover's brother, Tom - who has been maimed in the war and is now a liaison officer - and is embroiled in a murder mystery when they discover a dead body. Over the course of the book we will get to know both leads, and warm to them both, even with Tom's annoying fiancé in the background. Meg is young and impressionable. And its a time when Perth has been "occupied" by American troops - who have money, manners, smart uniforms, and the jitterbug! But not everyone and everything as it seems. Meg is still trying to unravel the mystery of Doreen's murder and there are more than a few secrets locked away, waiting to be uncovered. Balancing a few genres, "A Stranger in my Street" drew me in nicely - it is a book you can pick up/put down easily over the course of a few days. I could also picture all the characters and situations, as if I was watching them on tele or the big screen. It would actually work quite well visually. A sequel anyone........?
March 11, 2013
This novel is 'streets ahead' of many I have read lately, with an original storyline and loveable characters to linger over. I've wanted to read this since first seeing it promoted on various social media sites, and I am pleased to say you can judge this book by it's cover. It's a deliciously nostalgic story and the setting and characters richly drawn, making them easy to connect with.
I admit to being a bit of a sucker for his period in our country's history (there is something very romantic about it - although as the author shows, it was not so romantic for those enduring the effects of war on their towns and people.) I discovered a thing or two about Australia during war time too and those things surprised me.
The read may well be a trip down memory lane for some (sorry about another bad street metaphor!) It is a lovely easy read, great for a cosy weekend or tucked up in bed at night.
A Stranger In My Street is engaging, entertaining and informative. Just how I love my fiction!
I admit to being a bit of a sucker for his period in our country's history (there is something very romantic about it - although as the author shows, it was not so romantic for those enduring the effects of war on their towns and people.) I discovered a thing or two about Australia during war time too and those things surprised me.
The read may well be a trip down memory lane for some (sorry about another bad street metaphor!) It is a lovely easy read, great for a cosy weekend or tucked up in bed at night.
A Stranger In My Street is engaging, entertaining and informative. Just how I love my fiction!
August 22, 2012
Pure masterpiece! I felt like i had been transported back to the 1940s. Loved it!!
May 19, 2013
It is 1943, the Second World War is still in full swing. In Perth Australia, US troops have landed and are making life just a little bit more bearable for the local young women. The men are generous, always bringing things such as food like meat and fresh fruit and vegetables and little gifts to express their thanks for the hospitality whenever they are invited anywhere. They have access to far more in the way of rationed items and are far better paid than their Australian counterparts. They are also friendly and happy, always willing to take a girl out for a meal, or dancing, often with little in the way of return. Many are just seeking some company, a night of fun to forget the horrors they’ve seen and been a part of. And many young women are very happy to be that distraction.
Meg Eaton isn’t one of them. This war has brought upon her nothing but pain, first stealing the man she loved away from her and then keeping him when he was killed in action 18 months ago. Since then Meg has done very little, just gone to work and come home again. On a hot Perth summer’s day, she meets her former fiancé’s brother Tom, who is looking for a woman who lives in Meg’s street – a married woman who, with her husband away in the war, has taken to hanging out with the American officers. Meg is disconcerted to finally meet Tom, the man Peter admired so much and it’s not long until she sees him again – when the two of them find the dead body of Doreen Luca, the woman Tom was looking for.
The immediate suspect is her jealous husband, home on leave but Meg, who knows Frank and Tom, who definitely knows more than he’s letting on, aren’t so sure. Despite Meg’s grief and Tom’s engagement to a chilly society type, they find themselves spending more and more time together. It is a way for them to talk about Peter as well as try and figure out exactly what is happening in their neighbourhood. When a young boy from their street goes missing, Meg is even more desperate for answers – anything to distract her from her growing feelings for the very taken but also very troubled, Tom Lagrange.
I saw a lot of reviews for this book last year – lots of bloggers I follow and admire and trust had glowing reviews and really enjoyed it and so it was kind of hovering around at the back of my mind, always on my radar without me ever really going out of my way to hunt it down. The other day I went to pick up a book at my local library – they have a ‘recently returned’ shelf which often has some great books sitting on it and I always browse there just before I pick up my holds. This book was the first one I saw on that shelf the other day so I immediately snatched it up.
I have to admit, when I read novels set during the war, they’re rarely ever set here. I’ve read quite a few books set around WW2 and just about all of them have taken place in Europe. It was refreshing to read something set close to home and get an idea of what life was like for Australians while the war was going on. Perth wasn’t entirely removed from the action and the arrival of the American troops helped greatly, which is only partially why they were so well received. The Americans are fun and lively and do a lot to bolster community spirits although it does send up a bit of a friendly rivalry (or perhaps not-so-friendly) with the local boys who perhaps can’t shower as many luxuries! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, story wise but this novel was a tightly written mystery sprinkled with a believable war time feel and a forbidden romance.
I felt for Meg, she had found such a lovely happiness and then had it snatched away from her by a conflict on the other side of the world. Despite the fact that the war has taken from her, she retains her compassion and the ability to see people as who they are, not where they are from. When Doreen Luca is found murdered, many locals suspect her husband Frank, an Australian born Italian. Italians faced prejudice and even incarceration in Australia during WW2 as “aliens”. However, Meg never suspects Frank, knowing him to be more than just his stereotypical background.
I really liked the way in which things developed between Tom and Meg – Tom is her dead fiancé’s brother and at first he’s just a person she can reminisce about Peter with. The two of them are thrown together after discovering the body of Doreen but they seem to find solace in each other’s company. Tom has demons that Meg doesn’t even know about, having been captured by the Japanese and tortured horrifically. He’s employed as a liaison officer between the Australian forces and the Americans and definitely knows more than he is letting on. He and Meg meet often for lunch (which causes gossip, not least because Tom is engaged). There’s also a noted class difference between the two, which Meg has already faced when she briefly met Peter’s parents when they were dating. They’re wealthy whereas Meg is definitely lower middle class, living with her mother and her sister, the three of them pooling their resources to get by. They’re not starving, but there’s definitely very little money for luxuries. Apart from spending time with Meg himself, Tom convinces her to begin to live again, to go out and have fun and Meg begins to accept dates with some of the American soldiers and learn that life does indeed, go on. However she soon finds that the one man that really interests her seems to be the one that she can’t have.
This was a very enjoyable book – I just wanted to keep reading all day until I was finished. I know that the author has another book out and now I’m very keen to read that too. It’s going on my list.
Meg Eaton isn’t one of them. This war has brought upon her nothing but pain, first stealing the man she loved away from her and then keeping him when he was killed in action 18 months ago. Since then Meg has done very little, just gone to work and come home again. On a hot Perth summer’s day, she meets her former fiancé’s brother Tom, who is looking for a woman who lives in Meg’s street – a married woman who, with her husband away in the war, has taken to hanging out with the American officers. Meg is disconcerted to finally meet Tom, the man Peter admired so much and it’s not long until she sees him again – when the two of them find the dead body of Doreen Luca, the woman Tom was looking for.
The immediate suspect is her jealous husband, home on leave but Meg, who knows Frank and Tom, who definitely knows more than he’s letting on, aren’t so sure. Despite Meg’s grief and Tom’s engagement to a chilly society type, they find themselves spending more and more time together. It is a way for them to talk about Peter as well as try and figure out exactly what is happening in their neighbourhood. When a young boy from their street goes missing, Meg is even more desperate for answers – anything to distract her from her growing feelings for the very taken but also very troubled, Tom Lagrange.
I saw a lot of reviews for this book last year – lots of bloggers I follow and admire and trust had glowing reviews and really enjoyed it and so it was kind of hovering around at the back of my mind, always on my radar without me ever really going out of my way to hunt it down. The other day I went to pick up a book at my local library – they have a ‘recently returned’ shelf which often has some great books sitting on it and I always browse there just before I pick up my holds. This book was the first one I saw on that shelf the other day so I immediately snatched it up.
I have to admit, when I read novels set during the war, they’re rarely ever set here. I’ve read quite a few books set around WW2 and just about all of them have taken place in Europe. It was refreshing to read something set close to home and get an idea of what life was like for Australians while the war was going on. Perth wasn’t entirely removed from the action and the arrival of the American troops helped greatly, which is only partially why they were so well received. The Americans are fun and lively and do a lot to bolster community spirits although it does send up a bit of a friendly rivalry (or perhaps not-so-friendly) with the local boys who perhaps can’t shower as many luxuries! I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, story wise but this novel was a tightly written mystery sprinkled with a believable war time feel and a forbidden romance.
I felt for Meg, she had found such a lovely happiness and then had it snatched away from her by a conflict on the other side of the world. Despite the fact that the war has taken from her, she retains her compassion and the ability to see people as who they are, not where they are from. When Doreen Luca is found murdered, many locals suspect her husband Frank, an Australian born Italian. Italians faced prejudice and even incarceration in Australia during WW2 as “aliens”. However, Meg never suspects Frank, knowing him to be more than just his stereotypical background.
I really liked the way in which things developed between Tom and Meg – Tom is her dead fiancé’s brother and at first he’s just a person she can reminisce about Peter with. The two of them are thrown together after discovering the body of Doreen but they seem to find solace in each other’s company. Tom has demons that Meg doesn’t even know about, having been captured by the Japanese and tortured horrifically. He’s employed as a liaison officer between the Australian forces and the Americans and definitely knows more than he is letting on. He and Meg meet often for lunch (which causes gossip, not least because Tom is engaged). There’s also a noted class difference between the two, which Meg has already faced when she briefly met Peter’s parents when they were dating. They’re wealthy whereas Meg is definitely lower middle class, living with her mother and her sister, the three of them pooling their resources to get by. They’re not starving, but there’s definitely very little money for luxuries. Apart from spending time with Meg himself, Tom convinces her to begin to live again, to go out and have fun and Meg begins to accept dates with some of the American soldiers and learn that life does indeed, go on. However she soon finds that the one man that really interests her seems to be the one that she can’t have.
This was a very enjoyable book – I just wanted to keep reading all day until I was finished. I know that the author has another book out and now I’m very keen to read that too. It’s going on my list.
July 23, 2012
Like most readers, I have my favourite types of books. For example, tell me a book is set in either World War I or World War II then I will certainly consider whether it might be something that I might want to read. Tell me that book is set in my home town of Perth then I will have to do more than that! Of course, that bring it's own dangers. What if the representation of the city feels off? Luckily, that wasn't an issue here.
Perth is a city that has been invaded, mostly by the American servicemen who have been based there as a flying base and also, to a certain degree, as a deterrent to a Japanese invasion. With them the US service men bring hard to find goods that can be sold on the black market, money and good times, especially for the young ladies in town. They look good in their uniforms, and they know how to show a lady a good time with music and dancing and more!
To read my full review head to
http://www.theintrepidreader.com/2012...
August 31, 2013
I don't usually lean towards books about war. However, as A Stranger In My Street was set in Perth, Western Australia, in 1943, I was intrigued. With my grandparents meeting and marrying during WWII, and growing up in WA myself, I wanted to try and understand their stories a little better.
Thank you Deborah for such a wonderful story. The characters were so colourful, and at times, unpredictable, but very relatable and likeable (for the most part!) As I read your descriptions of Perth in 1943, I found myself imagining the streets and parks of today, and how they appeared all those years ago. You also managed to raise a few memories for me - in particular, shopping at Boans in Perth!
I'm now looking forward to reading my special copy of Taking A Chance. :)
Thank you Deborah for such a wonderful story. The characters were so colourful, and at times, unpredictable, but very relatable and likeable (for the most part!) As I read your descriptions of Perth in 1943, I found myself imagining the streets and parks of today, and how they appeared all those years ago. You also managed to raise a few memories for me - in particular, shopping at Boans in Perth!
I'm now looking forward to reading my special copy of Taking A Chance. :)
August 18, 2012
I liked it. It is not a book that I normally read but I was interested in, as it was set in Perth, Australia. The story follows Meg Eaton, who is grieving over the death of her boyfriend, Peter Lagrange. She encounters Tom Lagrange, Peter's older brother, and a slow romance develops. Amongst all this is the murder of Doreen Luca and a mystery is to be solved as to who murdered her and the motive. I was surprised that I finished this book within a week and although not a big fan of stories set in war time I found myself enjoying this book.
August 3, 2013
Loved this book for local content and intrigue. Best part was my handing on to my 'nearly ninety' Nan who happens to live in nearby aged care setting. She was inspired to look up the street directory and go on her own investigation to find the street and imagine which would be the houses described in the book.
May 29, 2012
My thoughts on the book are here at Beauty and Lace: http://bookgirl.beautyandlace.net/boo...
August 22, 2012
A really enjoyable read!
November 19, 2018
Deborah Burrows 'A Stranger in My Street' has been the first novel that has evoked me to write a goodreads review as, I am left mesmerised by the plot line.
The book was cleverly constructed with a plot which left readers wanting to read more. This resulted in 4 am early mornings reading where I could not sleep as I was so curious and began to feel attachment to the characters - I was worried if they were safe?Would Tom and Meg get together? Who was the murderer? What were everyone's connections to the murder? If you're a Perth reader this book positions you to feel as if the action is occurring in your backyard despite being set back during ww2. I think that the relationship between Meg and the brothers is one which questions human behaviour, social norms and morals in the text's contexts and contemporary society which made the novel so interesting to read.
Historically, I have learn't a lot for example - the influence the American's had over Perth by buying nylons, food hampers and chocolates for women. Also the young American solider who believed that in Perth, no one spoke English (still researching that historical account if true or not).
The plot line and ideas in the text however, was well thought out by Burrows which has made it a compelling read. Overall, I enjoyed this text immensely.
The book was cleverly constructed with a plot which left readers wanting to read more. This resulted in 4 am early mornings reading where I could not sleep as I was so curious and began to feel attachment to the characters - I was worried if they were safe?Would Tom and Meg get together? Who was the murderer? What were everyone's connections to the murder? If you're a Perth reader this book positions you to feel as if the action is occurring in your backyard despite being set back during ww2. I think that the relationship between Meg and the brothers is one which questions human behaviour, social norms and morals in the text's contexts and contemporary society which made the novel so interesting to read.
Historically, I have learn't a lot for example - the influence the American's had over Perth by buying nylons, food hampers and chocolates for women. Also the young American solider who believed that in Perth, no one spoke English (still researching that historical account if true or not).
The plot line and ideas in the text however, was well thought out by Burrows which has made it a compelling read. Overall, I enjoyed this text immensely.
December 27, 2021
I had had this book lying around for awhile and got reading it today. I had acquired it because I was looking for novels set un Perth and Fremantle, as a project I had set myself, to discover more about our history through reading novels.
What a lovely surprise this was. The plot was well constructed, the characters believable and the murder mystery tied it all together beautifully. And then the historical reality of Perth during those Second World War years, with the Catalinas coming and going and the Americans dispersing chocolates nylons and other luxuries to the locals, was beautifully realised.
What a lovely surprise this was. The plot was well constructed, the characters believable and the murder mystery tied it all together beautifully. And then the historical reality of Perth during those Second World War years, with the Catalinas coming and going and the Americans dispersing chocolates nylons and other luxuries to the locals, was beautifully realised.
December 7, 2018
As a Perth resident and amateur historian this book was fantastic, every street is accurate and the scenery is set so beautifully. My 5 stars comes mostly from the sheer realism Deborah Burrows creates.
In regards to a romance this book was so wonderful, it's certainly not insta-love though it's very gripping.
Admittedly I lost interest in the mystery, I was surprised with the resolution, but I think I lost focus because I was so enamoured with Meg's story.
In regards to a romance this book was so wonderful, it's certainly not insta-love though it's very gripping.
Admittedly I lost interest in the mystery, I was surprised with the resolution, but I think I lost focus because I was so enamoured with Meg's story.
September 25, 2018
This was Deborah Burrows's debut novel, and my second read of her books. It was a beautiful, intense read that never had a dull moment. The characters are well developed and we get to know them more as the book goes on. It's a very intriguing read and I recommend it. I'll definitely be reading more of her books.
December 5, 2020
Meg was grieving her lost boyfriend during WW2, when she unexpectedly met his older brother. A body they found in an air raid shelter throws them together on more than one occassion as they investigate and find the answers which have eluded the police. Romance, History, and Murder what more could you want in a book.
August 5, 2017
Nice, easy read.
February 9, 2024
A good first novel. Just had to finish it to find out who dunnit!!!
Interesting to read about Perth during WWII.
Interesting to read about Perth during WWII.
January 23, 2025
War, romance, mystery and Australiain the 1940s! What more could you ask for in a book. I could not put this down and completely devoured it.
September 7, 2025
Not my usual read but was a nice change.
November 11, 2012
I'm not a huge fan of historical novels, which to me means anything set before I was born. But a recommendation by Liz Byrski,carried a bit of weight so I brought this home. However from the time I started it I found myself taken back to the time of World War 2. It helped that the novel was set in Australia. It was interesting to learn more about Perth since I have never been there.
The story combines love, loss and a murder mystery as well as details of Perth in war time. I liked Meg, the main character, who had suffered the loss of her boyfriend Peter. His brother Tom, proved to be a bit of an enigma and with good reason. I found it very enjoyable to read. Just wsnlt 100oerdcent convinced by the ending but others may feel differently.
The story combines love, loss and a murder mystery as well as details of Perth in war time. I liked Meg, the main character, who had suffered the loss of her boyfriend Peter. His brother Tom, proved to be a bit of an enigma and with good reason. I found it very enjoyable to read. Just wsnlt 100oerdcent convinced by the ending but others may feel differently.
February 14, 2013
This is a light, easy to read book set in Perth during WW2. Early in the story a murder is committed and each new character becomes a suspect. Woven around this is the romance between Meg and Tom, a complex and damaged war hero.
The description of Perth during this period certainly seems historically accurate and details nicely the shortages of food and material possessions, objects easily obtained by US troops causing friction between US troops and Australian men. I thought this underlying tension plus the conservatism, class consciousness and the interment of Italian immigrants was handled really well by author, Deborah Burrows. 3.5 stars.
The description of Perth during this period certainly seems historically accurate and details nicely the shortages of food and material possessions, objects easily obtained by US troops causing friction between US troops and Australian men. I thought this underlying tension plus the conservatism, class consciousness and the interment of Italian immigrants was handled really well by author, Deborah Burrows. 3.5 stars.
August 10, 2016
I really enjoyed this book mainly for its local history content. The names of streets, parks and hotels are still accurate today. It is set in the suburb where I live and recalls the time of the war in 1943, in Perth Western Australia. The characters are well developed and realistic. The murder mystery also includes some romance, so there is a pleasant development of relationships. A very enjoyable and easy read. Particularly personally intriguing due to well researched history details of my locale.
December 29, 2015
A debut novel by an author who is a lawyer specialising in medical law & has a postgraduate degree in medical history. She has managed to write a book that combines all these interests. It is a murder-mystery, liberally sprinkled with war time romance; a very easy read. What I enjoyed most was the setting in Perth in 1943 - the fashions, the descriptions of architecture, the entertainments, family life & of course, Perth itself.
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