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The Hobart Hotel
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26Glamour, intrigue and two women who will gamble their lives to survive ... the compelling new Tasmanian historical fiction from a bestselling Australian author.
December 1939: The grand opening of Australia's most glamorous and talked about hotel, the Wrest Point Riviera.
The equally glamorous Sabine Winters, recently arrived in Hobart from the Continent, anticipates a safe port from the storm that rages in Europe along with a few select items of jewellery to add to her (stolen) collection. What she doesn't expect is to be blackmailed into becoming a spy, torn from the safety of Tasmania and taken to the viper's nest of intrigue and plots that is South America during the rise of Nazi power. Her instincts and charms will only get her so far ...
February 1973: The grand opening of Australia's most glamorous, talked about and controversial hotel, the Wrest Point Hotel Casino.
Jenny Davies anticipates a night surrounded by dizzying decor and thrilling action. What she doesn't expect is an invitation to become a Ladybird, one of the casino's croupiers. But Jenny's choice to pursue this exclusive career creates a devastating chain of events that could destroy her life as she knows it. Can a mysterious letter and the gift of a key from a relative Jenny has never heard of somehow be the answer to all of her problems?
December 1939: The grand opening of Australia's most glamorous and talked about hotel, the Wrest Point Riviera.
The equally glamorous Sabine Winters, recently arrived in Hobart from the Continent, anticipates a safe port from the storm that rages in Europe along with a few select items of jewellery to add to her (stolen) collection. What she doesn't expect is to be blackmailed into becoming a spy, torn from the safety of Tasmania and taken to the viper's nest of intrigue and plots that is South America during the rise of Nazi power. Her instincts and charms will only get her so far ...
February 1973: The grand opening of Australia's most glamorous, talked about and controversial hotel, the Wrest Point Hotel Casino.
Jenny Davies anticipates a night surrounded by dizzying decor and thrilling action. What she doesn't expect is an invitation to become a Ladybird, one of the casino's croupiers. But Jenny's choice to pursue this exclusive career creates a devastating chain of events that could destroy her life as she knows it. Can a mysterious letter and the gift of a key from a relative Jenny has never heard of somehow be the answer to all of her problems?
- GenresHistorical Fiction
Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 31, 2026
2 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Mary-Lou Stephens
7 books143 followersMary-Lou Stephens was born in Tasmania, studied acting at The Victorian College of the Arts and played in bands in Melbourne, Hobart and Sydney. Eventually she got a proper job - in radio, where she was a presenter and music director, first with commercial radio and then with the ABC.
She received rave reviews for her memoir Sex, Drugs and Meditation (2013), the true story of how meditation changed her life, saved her job and helped her find a husband.
Mary-Lou has worked and played all over Australia and now travels the world slowly and writes, mostly.
Her debut novel The Last of the Apple Blossom was published by HarperCollins (HQ) in 2021.
The Chocolate Factory (HarperCollins HQ) 2024.
The Jam Maker (HarperCollins HQ) 2025
Praise for The Chocolate Factory
"I devoured it in one sitting. It's an absolute treat - totally enthralling and completely and utterly satisfying. It's another triumph for Mary-Lou Stephens. " – Karen Brooks, best selling author of The Good Wife of Bath
"Sweet and bitter, and a story that’s brightly compelling and thought-provoking at once. With Stephen’s fine eye for historical detail and ear for dialogue that’s just right, this novel is a lovely leap into the past." – Kim Kelly winner of the Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Prize
Praise for The Last of the Apple Blossom
‘What a cracker of a debut! A beautiful story of family and orchards, of secrets and love and forgiveness.' – Victoria Purman, author of The Women’s Pages
‘The crisp prose sparkles and the characters stay with you long after the story ends.' – Lauren Chater, author of Gulliver’s Wife
‘Timeless yet also telling an achingly familiar story to us here and now, this is an unforgettable tale of love and loss, triumph and tragedy.
– Karen Brooks, author of The Good Wife of Bath
'Mary-Lou Stephens writes evocatively about family secrets, love, sacrifice, and finding the courage to rise again after devastating loss. An engrossing and poignant story, beautifully told.'
— Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance
'I have long been a fan of Mary-Lou's writing, which is always evocative and compelling. What a wonderful story this is, set at such a poignant moment in Tasmania's history. I loved it.'
— Josephine Moon, author of The Tea Chest and The Jam Queens
Praise for Sex, Drugs and Meditation
"Bracingly honest, funny and rewarding, this is a book you can't put down." Sydney Morning Herald.
"Perfection. Sex, Drugs and Meditation is one of the best memoirs I have read in years. Humble, witty and so very, very true. All I wanted was for this book never to end." --Walter Mason, The Universal Heart Book Club.
"A bad girl antidote to Eat, Pray, Love." Courier Mail.
She received rave reviews for her memoir Sex, Drugs and Meditation (2013), the true story of how meditation changed her life, saved her job and helped her find a husband.
Mary-Lou has worked and played all over Australia and now travels the world slowly and writes, mostly.
Her debut novel The Last of the Apple Blossom was published by HarperCollins (HQ) in 2021.
The Chocolate Factory (HarperCollins HQ) 2024.
The Jam Maker (HarperCollins HQ) 2025
Praise for The Chocolate Factory
"I devoured it in one sitting. It's an absolute treat - totally enthralling and completely and utterly satisfying. It's another triumph for Mary-Lou Stephens. " – Karen Brooks, best selling author of The Good Wife of Bath
"Sweet and bitter, and a story that’s brightly compelling and thought-provoking at once. With Stephen’s fine eye for historical detail and ear for dialogue that’s just right, this novel is a lovely leap into the past." – Kim Kelly winner of the Finlay Lloyd 20/40 Prize
Praise for The Last of the Apple Blossom
‘What a cracker of a debut! A beautiful story of family and orchards, of secrets and love and forgiveness.' – Victoria Purman, author of The Women’s Pages
‘The crisp prose sparkles and the characters stay with you long after the story ends.' – Lauren Chater, author of Gulliver’s Wife
‘Timeless yet also telling an achingly familiar story to us here and now, this is an unforgettable tale of love and loss, triumph and tragedy.
– Karen Brooks, author of The Good Wife of Bath
'Mary-Lou Stephens writes evocatively about family secrets, love, sacrifice, and finding the courage to rise again after devastating loss. An engrossing and poignant story, beautifully told.'
— Christine Wells, author of Sisters of the Resistance
'I have long been a fan of Mary-Lou's writing, which is always evocative and compelling. What a wonderful story this is, set at such a poignant moment in Tasmania's history. I loved it.'
— Josephine Moon, author of The Tea Chest and The Jam Queens
Praise for Sex, Drugs and Meditation
"Bracingly honest, funny and rewarding, this is a book you can't put down." Sydney Morning Herald.
"Perfection. Sex, Drugs and Meditation is one of the best memoirs I have read in years. Humble, witty and so very, very true. All I wanted was for this book never to end." --Walter Mason, The Universal Heart Book Club.
"A bad girl antidote to Eat, Pray, Love." Courier Mail.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 29, 2026
Hobart Hotel
What a story! I’ve loved all of Mary-Lou Stephens books and this didn’t disappoint. The imagery and details had you stepping in to life in Tasmania in the eras the story covered. At times I did find all the war details a little too much but then again, I think they were important for the story to develop. I really enjoyed reading about life in the casino and the training they went through. Another great read which I’m sure will be a hit for 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
What a story! I’ve loved all of Mary-Lou Stephens books and this didn’t disappoint. The imagery and details had you stepping in to life in Tasmania in the eras the story covered. At times I did find all the war details a little too much but then again, I think they were important for the story to develop. I really enjoyed reading about life in the casino and the training they went through. Another great read which I’m sure will be a hit for 2026.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 of 1 review