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  • Published: 3 April 2024
  • ISBN: 9781761341021
  • Imprint: Viking
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $34.99

The Cryptic Clue

A Tea Ladies Mystery




Look who’s back in hot water! The highly anticipated new novel in The Tea Ladies mystery series, a runaway bestseller of the year. Ideal for fans of Richard Osman and Bonnie Garmus.

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.

Praise for The Tea Ladies by Amanda Hampson:

A total joy!’ Joanna Nell

‘Sheer delight.’ Country Style

The Thursday Murder Club wish they had Hazel.’ GOODREADS

‘This hilariously dark crime novel about a group of tea ladies who accidentally become sleuths will have you enthralled!’ Woman’s Day

‘The Tea Ladies is a delightfully intriguing romp, full of twists, turns, shocking discoveries… and scones.’ Better Reading

‘Crime, comedy and fashion, it’s a layer cake of which any tea lady would be proud.’ The Age

‘A satisfying mystery, a trio of intrepid older women discovering their own strengths, and a window into a vanished past. I give it five TimTams.’ Readings Books

  • Published: 3 April 2024
  • ISBN: 9781761341021
  • Imprint: Viking
  • Format: Trade Paperback
  • Pages: 336
  • RRP: $34.99

Other books in the series

About the author

Amanda Hampson

Amanda Hampson grew up in rural New Zealand. She has lived in London and Sydney, and now lives in Melbourne. Writing professionally for more than 20 years, she is the author of The Olive Sisters, Two for the Road, The French Perfumer, The Yellow Villa, Sixty Summers, Lovebirds, and the bestselling cosy crime novel The Tea Ladies. Her forthcoming novel is The Cryptic Clue.

Also by Amanda Hampson

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Praise for The Cryptic Clue

The Tea Ladies are back! I have been reading cosy mysteries for years and have probably read about 100 of them. I can honestly say this is one of the best cosy series around today. The tea ladies are quirky, clever and hysterical. The mystery is extremely well crafted but it’s the dynamic between the characters that’s gold here. Additionally, the challenges of the times (1966) are so thoughtfully examined. It’s not often that a book makes me laugh out loud, but this one did. I hope we get many more in the series. Thank you for sending me one of my most anticipated books of the year. It lived up to my expectations!

bookwormdownunder

I loved returning to ZigZag Lane, this time set in 1966. This series just gets better and better! Amanda brings the timely events of that era into the story so cleverly. The delightful story becomes a mini history lesson and Hazel is a wonderful leading lady ... A fantastic page-turning cosy crime, whodunnit mystery that had me laughing out loud and they kept me guessing throughout. This was one of my highly anticipated releases of the year and it was worth the wait!

emiliesbookshelf

I loved everything about this book. It’s even better than the first!

brooke michie

The Cryptic Clue is an easy, entertaining read. It goes beyond the usual cosy conventions to ignite a yearning for an intangible golden age where people knew their neighbours, most of life’s problems could be solved with good chat over a warm cup of tea and there was comfort in believing that in the end, everything would turn out just fine

Sydney Arts Guide

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Read More: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-cryptic-clue-9781761341021 Look who’s back in hot water! The highly anticipated new novel in The Tea Ladies mystery series, a runaway bestseller of the year. Ideal for fans of Richard Osman and Bonnie Garmus. 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.

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PRE-ORDER NOW: https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-cryptic-clue-9781761341021 Look who’s back in hot water! The highly anticipated new novel in The Tea Ladies mystery series, a runaway bestseller of the year. Ideal for fans of Richard Osman and Bonnie Garmus. 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.

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