I read The Tea Ladies and A Cryptic Clue earlier in the year and really liked the whole vibe of the Tea Ladies series so I was pretty confident I’d enjoy this one and I did. The Deadly Dispute is fun and just the right kind of cosy crime to sink into on a lazy afternoon.
This time the tea ladies get tangled up in something a bit more dangerous. Hazel has a new job as a tea lady for the workers union on the docks. It isn't what she is used to, but Hazel being Hazel, sets out to make the most of it. It becomes more dangerous though when a dead body turns up and ther eis talk of missing gold from a ship that has come in. Of course Hazel starts asking questions, which inevitably leads to danger. One mystery is never enough of course. Irene becomes involved in troubles related to her employer's attempt at expanding her brothel empire and Betty falls into personal troubles when she reflects on her past and what she has missed. Things get really tense when Hazel disappears, forcing the others to pool their wits to rescue her.
The characters remain the best part of the series. They are ridiculously loveable, even when they veer into caricature at times. Hazel, Betty, Merle and Irene are flawed, funny, and loyal, and watching them navigate danger while still managing to sip tea and throw shade at each other is exactly what makes this series so enjoyable.
The mystery is satisfying without ever being too heavy. Amanda Hampson keeps things moving. She gives things enough danger to feel the stakes while still keeping the cosy, nostalgic feel of 1960s Sydney and the gentle humour that makes the series so comforting.
Overall, this series continues to be a reliable comfort read. Nothing wildly surprising, but consistently enjoyable. If she keeps writing them, I’ll happily keep picking them up.
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