Hobsons Bay author Alison Stuart is returning to the fictional town of Maiden’s Creek for one last time.
Her third book in the Maiden’s Creek series, titled The Homecoming, is now available in local bookstores, including Book and Paper in Williamstown.
Based on the town of Walhalla and set in 1892, the book follows Charlie O’Reilly and her return to the town as acting matron of the local hospital.
Ms Stuart said her passion is writing historical fiction and incorporating romantic elements into the story.
“I believe the history is very important as part of the story,” she said.
“I just think so much of the past dictates how we think today.
“It puts us into context.”
Ms Stuart said the first book in the Maiden’s Creek series, titled The Postmistress, focuses on the smallpox epidemic, which echoed a number of the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.
She said she approaches her characters by thinking about who would have been the key people within a small Australian town in the 1800s.
Ms Stuart said The Homecoming also features a murder mystery, inspired by her Harriet Gordon murder mystery series written under the pen name of A.M. Stuart.
“I enjoy the puzzles of writing murder mysteries,” she said.
Ms Stuart said while she is bidding farewell to the Maiden’s Creek series, she is also planning for the next Harriet Gordon book to be the series’ last.
“I’m looking forward to starting something new,” she said.
The Newport Library is hosting a launch of The Homecoming on Wednesday, February 1 from 6pm, featuring a conversation with writer Mary-Lou Stephens.
Details: www.alisonstuart.com
Matthew Sims
