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The Palace of Lost Virtue
By the bestselling author of The War Nurses, this is an unforgettable new novel set in the WA goldrush era inspired by real characters and a shocking true crime.
The bush keeps its secrets and its gold...
In 1898, Marigold Harrington arrives on the goldfields of Western Australia with conviction in her heart. The daughter of a prospector and a proud member of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union, she dreams of rescuing women the gold rush has forgotten, those trapped in the shadows of brothels and bars.
Across town, Pansy Arlington presides over the Palace of Pleasure, a woman who has built her own small empire from ruin. When Marigold arrives at her door, offering God’s forgiveness, she surprises Pansy with unexpected kindness.
Though they come from opposite worlds, the two women spark an unlikely friendship. But, in a rough, lawless town built on greed and desire, their bond will be tested by betrayal, violence and a crime that will echo through the years.
Inspired by true events and the real women of the gold rush, The Palace of Lost Virtue dares to rewrite history books, giving voice to the lives of the formidable women who lived and died in the goldfields.
By the bestselling author of The War Nurses, this is a lively and colourful tale about loyalty, forgiveness and freedom.
The bush keeps its secrets and its gold...
In 1898, Marigold Harrington arrives on the goldfields of Western Australia with conviction in her heart. The daughter of a prospector and a proud member of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union, she dreams of rescuing women the gold rush has forgotten, those trapped in the shadows of brothels and bars.
Across town, Pansy Arlington presides over the Palace of Pleasure, a woman who has built her own small empire from ruin. When Marigold arrives at her door, offering God’s forgiveness, she surprises Pansy with unexpected kindness.
Though they come from opposite worlds, the two women spark an unlikely friendship. But, in a rough, lawless town built on greed and desire, their bond will be tested by betrayal, violence and a crime that will echo through the years.
Inspired by true events and the real women of the gold rush, The Palace of Lost Virtue dares to rewrite history books, giving voice to the lives of the formidable women who lived and died in the goldfields.
By the bestselling author of The War Nurses, this is a lively and colourful tale about loyalty, forgiveness and freedom.
400 pages, Paperback
Published April 21, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
June 3, 2026
Kalgoorlie, Western, Australia. Marigold Harrington leaves Melbourne with her mother Evelyn and they arrive in the wild town looking for their father and husband Herbert.
They have not heard from him in months, Marigold is a member of Christian Women’s Temperance Union, the gold rush has left many women stranded, the only place they can find work is in brothels and hotels and she wants to help them and maybe find some information about her dad along the way.
Pansy Arlington is a madam and she runs the Palace of Pleasure, when Marigold knocks at her door, she surprises Pansy and the other ladies by her kindness and friendship. The women are very different, but unlike others Marigold doesn’t judge Pansy and her girls, life for ladies at the time wasn’t easy and many find themselves in situations they have no control over.
I really liked both Marigold and Pansy’s characters, their relationship was an interesting one and most of what Pansy said made me laugh out loud and so did her attitude.
The narrative has a dual timeline and set in 1898 and 1926 and is easy to follow.
Violence, crime and corruption is rife in gold mining towns, when two men are murdered, Marigold and her neighbour Gert discuss it over the fence or at the kitchen table with a cup of tea.
Inspired by true events and the real women of the gold rush, a rollicking tale about greed, violence, disregard for the law, loss, and overcoming hardship at a time when women were expect to follow society’s rules and expectations.
I received a copy of The Palace of Lost Virtue from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. I really enjoyed Anthea Hodgson’s previous book The War Nurses and her latest is just as impressive.
I was engrossed in this novel from start to finish, five stars from me and I highly recommend.
They have not heard from him in months, Marigold is a member of Christian Women’s Temperance Union, the gold rush has left many women stranded, the only place they can find work is in brothels and hotels and she wants to help them and maybe find some information about her dad along the way.
Pansy Arlington is a madam and she runs the Palace of Pleasure, when Marigold knocks at her door, she surprises Pansy and the other ladies by her kindness and friendship. The women are very different, but unlike others Marigold doesn’t judge Pansy and her girls, life for ladies at the time wasn’t easy and many find themselves in situations they have no control over.
I really liked both Marigold and Pansy’s characters, their relationship was an interesting one and most of what Pansy said made me laugh out loud and so did her attitude.
The narrative has a dual timeline and set in 1898 and 1926 and is easy to follow.
Violence, crime and corruption is rife in gold mining towns, when two men are murdered, Marigold and her neighbour Gert discuss it over the fence or at the kitchen table with a cup of tea.
Inspired by true events and the real women of the gold rush, a rollicking tale about greed, violence, disregard for the law, loss, and overcoming hardship at a time when women were expect to follow society’s rules and expectations.
I received a copy of The Palace of Lost Virtue from NetGalley and Penguin Random House Australia in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. I really enjoyed Anthea Hodgson’s previous book The War Nurses and her latest is just as impressive.
I was engrossed in this novel from start to finish, five stars from me and I highly recommend.
June 2, 2026
After reading and absolutely loving The War Nurses, I was very much looking forward to this one. A completely different approach, The Palace of Lost Virtue by Aussie author Anthea Hodgson looks at lives back in Australia's vast outback, in Kalgoorlie at the gold mines of 1898, with the prostitutes working hard to keep the miners happy; Pansy Arlington ran one particular brothel - The Palace of Pleasure - and with Marigold Harrington and her mother working to help the fallen women, Marigold became well known in the district. She and Pansy became unlikely friends; Marigold's mother left to go back to Melbourne and Marigold took a room at the brothel. But not to be "one of Pansy's girls".
When Marigold married Robert, her life changed remarkably. She wasn't allowed to return to Hay Street at all in the more than twenty years she was married to Robert, but tragedy ripped Marigold's life apart. She stayed strong, as well as loyal; her neighbour Gert was a good friend. What would be the future for Marigold, now in 1926, with lawlessness still an issue in the West?
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
When Marigold married Robert, her life changed remarkably. She wasn't allowed to return to Hay Street at all in the more than twenty years she was married to Robert, but tragedy ripped Marigold's life apart. She stayed strong, as well as loyal; her neighbour Gert was a good friend. What would be the future for Marigold, now in 1926, with lawlessness still an issue in the West?
With thanks to NetGalley & Penguin AU for my digital ARC to read and review.
July 16, 2026
Anthea Hodgson takes her readers on and adventure back to Kalgoolrie in 1898 gold is everywhere and it plays a big part in the story and then there is the duel time line that takes us to 1926, come along and meet two woman from very different sides of the track who make friends and where they end up.
1898 and Marigold Harrington arrives with her mother in Kalgoolrie in search of her father who left their happy home in Toorak Melbourne in search of gold to make their lives better, Marigold is a member of The Christian Woman’s Temperance and she is determined to help woman wherever she can, especially those who are in brothels and the such, but she never thought her life would change the way it did.
Pansy Arlington has come to Western Australia from Kentucky USA after her life changed and now she owns and runs The Palace of Pleasure she has built her business up from nothing and has some very good girls working for her, Pansy does love a drink though so when Marigold arrives doing her best to talk to Pansy and the girls and change their minds about what they are doing, Pansy is not going to listen, but Pansy sees a strength in Marigold and also kindness.
It is not long before Marigold and Pansy become good friends and although their lives run in different circles they are there for each other especially when Marigold finds herself in a difficult situation and Pansy steps up and helps Marigold but it means the end of their friendship but does it really.
1926 sees Marigold still in Kalgoolrie but life is very different for her now things have changed she has been through a lot but she is still the most determined woman there is and there is a lot that keeps her going especially the court case regarding the murders of two policeman, her and her neighbour Gert are full of interesting information, will they find the killer or killers?
This story is based on true events, it was a hard time and I loved this one I loved Pansy she is a wonderful character as is Marigold and the girls Rosie and Bertha, there is a twist at the end that I did not see coming but I applauded it, I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good Aussie historical fiction. Thank you Anthea Hodgson for another fabulous story.
1898 and Marigold Harrington arrives with her mother in Kalgoolrie in search of her father who left their happy home in Toorak Melbourne in search of gold to make their lives better, Marigold is a member of The Christian Woman’s Temperance and she is determined to help woman wherever she can, especially those who are in brothels and the such, but she never thought her life would change the way it did.
Pansy Arlington has come to Western Australia from Kentucky USA after her life changed and now she owns and runs The Palace of Pleasure she has built her business up from nothing and has some very good girls working for her, Pansy does love a drink though so when Marigold arrives doing her best to talk to Pansy and the girls and change their minds about what they are doing, Pansy is not going to listen, but Pansy sees a strength in Marigold and also kindness.
It is not long before Marigold and Pansy become good friends and although their lives run in different circles they are there for each other especially when Marigold finds herself in a difficult situation and Pansy steps up and helps Marigold but it means the end of their friendship but does it really.
1926 sees Marigold still in Kalgoolrie but life is very different for her now things have changed she has been through a lot but she is still the most determined woman there is and there is a lot that keeps her going especially the court case regarding the murders of two policeman, her and her neighbour Gert are full of interesting information, will they find the killer or killers?
This story is based on true events, it was a hard time and I loved this one I loved Pansy she is a wonderful character as is Marigold and the girls Rosie and Bertha, there is a twist at the end that I did not see coming but I applauded it, I do highly recommend this one to any lover of a good Aussie historical fiction. Thank you Anthea Hodgson for another fabulous story.
June 29, 2026
⭐️4.5 Stars⭐️
I loved The War Nurses so I was super excited for Anthea Hodgson’s new book The Palace of Lost Virtue. I was swept up into the story so much I lost track of time, the author paints a vivid and engaging world combining gold prospecting, brothels, crime and women during the times of the gold rush in Australia. Told in two timelines of 1898 and 1926.
Marigold Harrington is a likeable character and accompanied by her mother they arrive in Kalgoorlie from Melbourne looking for her father now a gold prospector who went to seek a fortune but they haven’t heard from him in months. They’re both respectable women and members of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union and while they’re here they also want to help the fallen women in town.
Pansy Arlington is a strong willed and formidable character, she’s a madam who runs the Palace of Pleasure on Hay Street but she also has a good heart. I enjoyed her character and banter as a heavy drinking American with a no filter attitude.
The two very different women form an unlikely friendship as they deal with their challenges, I also liked Rowan’s character. I enjoyed the murder mystery and the outcome immensely although predictable.
A entertaining, empowering and well written novel inspired by true events, I can’t wait for the next novel Anthea writes.
Publication Date 02 June 2026
Publisher Imprint Penguin
Thank you so much Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
I loved The War Nurses so I was super excited for Anthea Hodgson’s new book The Palace of Lost Virtue. I was swept up into the story so much I lost track of time, the author paints a vivid and engaging world combining gold prospecting, brothels, crime and women during the times of the gold rush in Australia. Told in two timelines of 1898 and 1926.
Marigold Harrington is a likeable character and accompanied by her mother they arrive in Kalgoorlie from Melbourne looking for her father now a gold prospector who went to seek a fortune but they haven’t heard from him in months. They’re both respectable women and members of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union and while they’re here they also want to help the fallen women in town.
Pansy Arlington is a strong willed and formidable character, she’s a madam who runs the Palace of Pleasure on Hay Street but she also has a good heart. I enjoyed her character and banter as a heavy drinking American with a no filter attitude.
The two very different women form an unlikely friendship as they deal with their challenges, I also liked Rowan’s character. I enjoyed the murder mystery and the outcome immensely although predictable.
A entertaining, empowering and well written novel inspired by true events, I can’t wait for the next novel Anthea writes.
Publication Date 02 June 2026
Publisher Imprint Penguin
Thank you so much Penguin Books Australia for a copy of the book.
June 12, 2026
Inspired by true events, The Palace of Lost Virtue is an engaging historical novel of friendship, courage, heartbreak, and revenge from Anthea Hodgson.
Set among the goldfields of Western Australia, it begins in 1898, unfolding from the perspectives of two women; new arrival Marigold, a respectable young lady in the company of her mother, who is searching for her father; and Pansy, the hard drinking American expat madam of Pansy Arlington’s Palace of Pleasure. It’s Marigold’s involvement with the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union that introduces her to Pansy, and the two women form an unlikely friendship.
The contrast of the pair’s personalities works well for the story, Marigold’s quiet curiosity and naivety is a great foil for Pansy’s brash and bawdy cynicism, and I enjoyed the development of the relationship between them. Marigold shows Pansy simple kindness and respect, and when she experiences a financial, and then personal, crisis it’s Pansy who provides her with a lifeline.
There’s a touch of romance and glimpses of humour in The Palace of Lost Virtue, but also a lot of tragedy. Hodgson explores themes such as class, sexism, charity, hypocrisy, grief, and alcoholism, among others.
Early on Hodgson also introduces a second narrative set in 1926 from Marigold which sees her involve herself in an investigation into the fate of two missing gold detectives. It takes some time for the relevance of this mystery to become clear, but it’s satisfying when it does.
Rich in historical detail with appealing characters and an absorbing plot, The Palace of Lost Virtue is an entertaining and poignant exploration of friendship and resilience.
Set among the goldfields of Western Australia, it begins in 1898, unfolding from the perspectives of two women; new arrival Marigold, a respectable young lady in the company of her mother, who is searching for her father; and Pansy, the hard drinking American expat madam of Pansy Arlington’s Palace of Pleasure. It’s Marigold’s involvement with the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union that introduces her to Pansy, and the two women form an unlikely friendship.
The contrast of the pair’s personalities works well for the story, Marigold’s quiet curiosity and naivety is a great foil for Pansy’s brash and bawdy cynicism, and I enjoyed the development of the relationship between them. Marigold shows Pansy simple kindness and respect, and when she experiences a financial, and then personal, crisis it’s Pansy who provides her with a lifeline.
There’s a touch of romance and glimpses of humour in The Palace of Lost Virtue, but also a lot of tragedy. Hodgson explores themes such as class, sexism, charity, hypocrisy, grief, and alcoholism, among others.
Early on Hodgson also introduces a second narrative set in 1926 from Marigold which sees her involve herself in an investigation into the fate of two missing gold detectives. It takes some time for the relevance of this mystery to become clear, but it’s satisfying when it does.
Rich in historical detail with appealing characters and an absorbing plot, The Palace of Lost Virtue is an entertaining and poignant exploration of friendship and resilience.
June 3, 2026
Big thanks to Penguin for sending us a copy to read and review.
An extraordinary historical fiction story that mixes fact with fiction oozes out of beloved author Anthea Hodgson.
The Palace Of Lost Virtue is a stunning, fresh and unique tale.
Let’s go back to the outback in Western Australia and the year is 1898.
Marigold Harrington has arrived in the goldfields with her mother.
On a journey to spread gods words she has also come to find her missing father.
On the other side of town there’s Pansy Arlington.
The madam of the Palace of Pleasure runs the establishment with her girls.
Building it up from the ground, it’s a controversy among the community.
These two very different women form a friendship and reword history and deal with everyday challenges.
Captivating, candid, momentous, significant, funny, mysterious and fascinating.
A wealth of detail, well crafted and executed, fastidiously researched and brilliantly imagined.
This is a story of greatness, a story of devotion, a story that’s powerful and a story that everyone should read.
Be dazzled as we follow our leading ladies lives in a bygone era.
An extraordinary historical fiction story that mixes fact with fiction oozes out of beloved author Anthea Hodgson.
The Palace Of Lost Virtue is a stunning, fresh and unique tale.
Let’s go back to the outback in Western Australia and the year is 1898.
Marigold Harrington has arrived in the goldfields with her mother.
On a journey to spread gods words she has also come to find her missing father.
On the other side of town there’s Pansy Arlington.
The madam of the Palace of Pleasure runs the establishment with her girls.
Building it up from the ground, it’s a controversy among the community.
These two very different women form a friendship and reword history and deal with everyday challenges.
Captivating, candid, momentous, significant, funny, mysterious and fascinating.
A wealth of detail, well crafted and executed, fastidiously researched and brilliantly imagined.
This is a story of greatness, a story of devotion, a story that’s powerful and a story that everyone should read.
Be dazzled as we follow our leading ladies lives in a bygone era.
June 10, 2026
Loved the dual narrative within this book, well-researched and cleverly written. Marigold played the long game, which engrossed me. Attitudes to women, the shame of prostitution and unmarried mothers, were largely unchanged in the thirty-year timeline. Both shocking and sad. Highly recommend.
May 14, 2026
Thank you Better Reading and Penguin Books Australia for my ARC of The Palace of Lost Virtue by Anthea Hodgson. The setting of Kalgoorlie a place I know well as a born and bred West Australian, Anthea portrayed Kalgoorlie and its people in a time setting of 1898 the gold rush, so well! After reading maybe 50 pages I turned back to the beautiful cover realising that both ladies story’s Marigold and Pansy names came from the wonderful flowers on her front cover. Inspired by true events, this historical story comes out of an unlikely friendship, women and survival often not heard about in a story of the gold rush time period. A beautiful tale told by a great writer…Thanks Anthea.
July 7, 2026
What a wonderfully intriguing read.
Set in Kalgoorlie during the gold rush days of the late 1800s and in 1926, this dual timeline tale will keep you riveted.
I love a good comeuppance story!
Set in Kalgoorlie during the gold rush days of the late 1800s and in 1926, this dual timeline tale will keep you riveted.
I love a good comeuppance story!
June 18, 2026
WOW!!!
Another amazing unputdownable book!
Absolutely fabulous!
Another amazing unputdownable book!
Absolutely fabulous!
June 16, 2026
Set in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia, amid the gold rush times, this historical fiction novel focuses on two very different women in a dual POV format. Pansy is a prostitute, while Marigold is prim and proper. The novel also moves between 1898 and 1926, where we follow Marigold later in life. The 1926 chapters also are a bit of a murder mystery.
Love and loss are big themes throughout this book, which is a bit of a slow burn. I found the story to be interesting and an enjoyable read, but it didn’t really grab me. Perhaps the 1926 chapters were there to add a bit of excitement to the book, but I did not really feel that those chapters made me more involved in the book.
Although there were some sad events in this book, I never really felt emotionally engaged with it, but that is okay as I don’t really like getting emotional either!
The novel was well written and I enjoyed learning a bit more about life in the gold field town of Kalgoorlie in 1898. For me, it was good, but not brilliant. It will likely appeal to readers of historical fiction who don’t mind a slow read with not a lot of suspense.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia and NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Love and loss are big themes throughout this book, which is a bit of a slow burn. I found the story to be interesting and an enjoyable read, but it didn’t really grab me. Perhaps the 1926 chapters were there to add a bit of excitement to the book, but I did not really feel that those chapters made me more involved in the book.
Although there were some sad events in this book, I never really felt emotionally engaged with it, but that is okay as I don’t really like getting emotional either!
The novel was well written and I enjoyed learning a bit more about life in the gold field town of Kalgoorlie in 1898. For me, it was good, but not brilliant. It will likely appeal to readers of historical fiction who don’t mind a slow read with not a lot of suspense.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Australia and NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
July 26, 2026
Marigold Harrington arrives in Kalgoorlie believing she knows what virtue looks like. It's modest, respectable, Christian and properly married. Pansy Arlington, an American brothel owner with a sharp tongue and no interest in being forgiven, appears to represent its opposite.
Then Pansy becomes the kinder woman.
That reversal is what makes this book so compelling. Anthea Hodgson doesn't simply place a devout young reformer beside a so-called fallen woman and wait for their differences to produce conflict. She allows them to become genuinely important to one another. Their friendship develops through misunderstanding, discomfort, practical generosity and the gradual dismantling of everything Marigold has been taught about women like Pansy.
Set against the heat, dust and instability of the Western Australian goldfields, the novel captures a world where fortunes are being made while women remain dangerously dependent upon reputation, marriage and male protection. Hodgson has cleverly exposed the hypocrisy of a society that condemns sex workers in public while relying upon them in private, and that promises respectable women safety without giving them any real power.
Pansy is magnificent: funny, difficult, perceptive and far more tender than she wants anyone to realise. She never feels sanitised for the reader’s approval. The author allows her to be abrasive, damaged, generous and entirely herself. Marigold’s development is equally satisfying because her transformation doesn't depend upon abandoning every conviction she holds. Instead, she learns that morality without humility can become cruelty, and that being respectable isn't the same as being good.
The later 1926 storyline, inspired by the real murders of gold detectives John Walsh and Alexander Pitman, initially seems separate from the friendship at the centre of the novel. Its relevance emerges gradually, and when the connection becomes clear, it changes the emotional meaning of much that has come before. The historical crime isn't used merely as a dramatic hook. It deepens the novel’s questions about justice, revenge, loyalty and who's permitted to control the version of history that survives.
What impressed me most was the way Hodgson resisted easy moral categories. The book contains people who do loving things for selfish reasons, damaging things out of fear and unforgivable things while maintaining an impeccable public reputation. It also contains women who've been condemned by society yet repeatedly show greater courage and compassion than the people judging them.
This is historical fiction with real emotional substance. It's =vivid without becoming decorative, intelligent without becoming heavy and deeply interested in the lives of women who were rarely allowed to narrate their own histories.
At its heart, The Palace of Lost Virtue asks a deceptively simple question: when every respectable institution has failed a woman, where is she supposed to find protection?
For Marigold, the answer arrives in the form of the very woman she once believed she had been sent to save.
The full review is on my blog: https://www.silkandsentences.com.au
#ThePalaceOfLostVirtue #AntheaHodgson #AustralianHistoricalFiction #HistoricalFiction #FemaleFriendship #WomenInHistory #Kalgoorlie #WesternAustralianFiction #FeministHistoricalFiction #AustralianAuthors #BookReview #FiveStarRead #GoodreadsReview #HistoricalMystery #BooksSetInAustralia
Then Pansy becomes the kinder woman.
That reversal is what makes this book so compelling. Anthea Hodgson doesn't simply place a devout young reformer beside a so-called fallen woman and wait for their differences to produce conflict. She allows them to become genuinely important to one another. Their friendship develops through misunderstanding, discomfort, practical generosity and the gradual dismantling of everything Marigold has been taught about women like Pansy.
Set against the heat, dust and instability of the Western Australian goldfields, the novel captures a world where fortunes are being made while women remain dangerously dependent upon reputation, marriage and male protection. Hodgson has cleverly exposed the hypocrisy of a society that condemns sex workers in public while relying upon them in private, and that promises respectable women safety without giving them any real power.
Pansy is magnificent: funny, difficult, perceptive and far more tender than she wants anyone to realise. She never feels sanitised for the reader’s approval. The author allows her to be abrasive, damaged, generous and entirely herself. Marigold’s development is equally satisfying because her transformation doesn't depend upon abandoning every conviction she holds. Instead, she learns that morality without humility can become cruelty, and that being respectable isn't the same as being good.
The later 1926 storyline, inspired by the real murders of gold detectives John Walsh and Alexander Pitman, initially seems separate from the friendship at the centre of the novel. Its relevance emerges gradually, and when the connection becomes clear, it changes the emotional meaning of much that has come before. The historical crime isn't used merely as a dramatic hook. It deepens the novel’s questions about justice, revenge, loyalty and who's permitted to control the version of history that survives.
What impressed me most was the way Hodgson resisted easy moral categories. The book contains people who do loving things for selfish reasons, damaging things out of fear and unforgivable things while maintaining an impeccable public reputation. It also contains women who've been condemned by society yet repeatedly show greater courage and compassion than the people judging them.
This is historical fiction with real emotional substance. It's =vivid without becoming decorative, intelligent without becoming heavy and deeply interested in the lives of women who were rarely allowed to narrate their own histories.
At its heart, The Palace of Lost Virtue asks a deceptively simple question: when every respectable institution has failed a woman, where is she supposed to find protection?
For Marigold, the answer arrives in the form of the very woman she once believed she had been sent to save.
The full review is on my blog: https://www.silkandsentences.com.au
#ThePalaceOfLostVirtue #AntheaHodgson #AustralianHistoricalFiction #HistoricalFiction #FemaleFriendship #WomenInHistory #Kalgoorlie #WesternAustralianFiction #FeministHistoricalFiction #AustralianAuthors #BookReview #FiveStarRead #GoodreadsReview #HistoricalMystery #BooksSetInAustralia
June 3, 2026
I began this book two days ago, its a new release and I only happened to attend the pre-launch party in lieu of my friends' husband being ill (down with a case of footy-fever LOL) I was not expecting to engage with the material, I'm not much of a reader, and I've never done a historical, but after listening to the apparently acclaimed Anthea Hodgson- I found myself not only charmed into the purchase of one of her books, but also devouring it in a record two days! I have not been known to be swept up into a story, in fact, footy-fever has nipped at me in the past, but Anthea's unique, expressive, and utterly honest approach to this fantastical story had me wanting more, more, more!!
her characters and their relationships were unexpected, but inevitable and completely made sense within their context. I was frustrated by their struggles and in my mind we all laughed and cried together.
Without wanting to give away too much, but still hoping to insight as many others as i can to give this book a go- it should be noted AGAIN that I'm really not a reader, I didn't even have a good reads account before this. I start maybe three books a year and of those I finish one or two. This year I intend to buy and read the three other Hodgson books I have subsequently looked up.
this author is a veritable local treasure, and whilst I'm reveling in having discovered this hidden gem, I'm more excited for her to shine!!
her characters and their relationships were unexpected, but inevitable and completely made sense within their context. I was frustrated by their struggles and in my mind we all laughed and cried together.
Without wanting to give away too much, but still hoping to insight as many others as i can to give this book a go- it should be noted AGAIN that I'm really not a reader, I didn't even have a good reads account before this. I start maybe three books a year and of those I finish one or two. This year I intend to buy and read the three other Hodgson books I have subsequently looked up.
this author is a veritable local treasure, and whilst I'm reveling in having discovered this hidden gem, I'm more excited for her to shine!!
July 6, 2026
Another wonderful historical fiction novel from Anthea! This time we head west to Kalgoorlie in the late 1800’s which bring together two very different women living two very different lives. Marigold and her mother have arrived from Melbourne to meet her father who came months ago to find gold which will get them out of debt. Whilst waiting for him to return from the goldfields Marigold makes it her mission to save women from the demon drink. Pansy runs the local brothel and is a hard taskmaster controlling her girls and making sure nothing unforeseen happens to them. Total opposite, but when Marigolds life changes Pansy takes her in and the two become friends.
What a great story this was, so much research has gone into this novel and Anthea painted a great picture of the era for me. As you can see I read this 400 page book quite quickly which is a testament to the author. Highly recommended for fans of Australian historical fiction.
What a great story this was, so much research has gone into this novel and Anthea painted a great picture of the era for me. As you can see I read this 400 page book quite quickly which is a testament to the author. Highly recommended for fans of Australian historical fiction.
June 29, 2026
Inspired by true events, The Palace of Lost Virtue is an atmospheric novel about loyalty, grief and unlikely friendships in Kalgoorlie’s goldrush era.
⛏️ This was my first book by Anthea Hodgson and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The historical setting of a town I used to live in made for an engrossing read.
While it starts off slow, it sets the scene and the unfurling relationship between Marigold and Pansy well. I really liked their friendship and the found family of women working at the Palace of Pleasure. The dual timeline keeps you wondering as the narrative evolves, it covers a shocking crime and investigation, and it makes for an eye opening conclusion to the story.
Overall, a beautifully written novel about strong, formidable women living in a harsh town ruled by gold.
Thank you to @penguinbooksaus for a copy to review.
⛏️ This was my first book by Anthea Hodgson and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The historical setting of a town I used to live in made for an engrossing read.
While it starts off slow, it sets the scene and the unfurling relationship between Marigold and Pansy well. I really liked their friendship and the found family of women working at the Palace of Pleasure. The dual timeline keeps you wondering as the narrative evolves, it covers a shocking crime and investigation, and it makes for an eye opening conclusion to the story.
Overall, a beautifully written novel about strong, formidable women living in a harsh town ruled by gold.
Thank you to @penguinbooksaus for a copy to review.
June 15, 2026
The Palace of Lost Virtue by Anthea Hodgson is a fantasic new read by this outstanding Australian author.
It's a story set in 1898 in Kalgoorlie on the goldfields of Western Australia with Marigold Harrington and Pansy Arlington being the main characters.
Two unlikely characters interwine and become friends; Marigold is daughter of a gold prospector and member of the Christian Women's Temperance Union and Pansy Arlington resides in the Palace of Pleasure.
Their bond is tested by betrayal, violence and crime to echo throughout the years.
Inspired by true events and the real women of the goldrush ~ this is a story of forgiveness and friendship; darkness and light; sea shanties intertwined and the disappearance of two gold detection officers.
Find out why Marigold asks Pansy why she would never forgive the Atlantic Ocean and the significance of these words.
What happens at the end you'll have to find out for yourself.
Read The Palace of Lost Virtue to find out set in the heart of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
It's a story set in 1898 in Kalgoorlie on the goldfields of Western Australia with Marigold Harrington and Pansy Arlington being the main characters.
Two unlikely characters interwine and become friends; Marigold is daughter of a gold prospector and member of the Christian Women's Temperance Union and Pansy Arlington resides in the Palace of Pleasure.
Their bond is tested by betrayal, violence and crime to echo throughout the years.
Inspired by true events and the real women of the goldrush ~ this is a story of forgiveness and friendship; darkness and light; sea shanties intertwined and the disappearance of two gold detection officers.
Find out why Marigold asks Pansy why she would never forgive the Atlantic Ocean and the significance of these words.
What happens at the end you'll have to find out for yourself.
Read The Palace of Lost Virtue to find out set in the heart of Kalgoorlie, Western Australia.
July 23, 2026
2.5 🌟
Great premise, clumsy execution. I was excited by the Goldfields setting, but the jarring dialogue and caricature-like characters kept pulling me out of the story.
The audiobook made things worse. The inconsistent accents and overly theatrical delivery often sounded more like an adult performing for a child than a convincing historical narrative.
So much potential, but ultimately, a disappointing read.
Great premise, clumsy execution. I was excited by the Goldfields setting, but the jarring dialogue and caricature-like characters kept pulling me out of the story.
The audiobook made things worse. The inconsistent accents and overly theatrical delivery often sounded more like an adult performing for a child than a convincing historical narrative.
So much potential, but ultimately, a disappointing read.
June 12, 2026
The Palace of Lost Virtue is an evocative and engaging historical novel that offers a satisfying reading experience, even if some elements didn’t entirely meet my expectations. Set in 1898 Kalgoorlie, the story vividly captures the heat, dust and restless energy of the goldfields during a time when thousands of prospectors were pouring into Western Australia. The goldfields were harsh, unpredictable and often unforgiving, and the novel conveys this atmosphere with clarity. Kalgoorlie’s rapid transformation from remote outpost to booming frontier town adds richness to the narrative and grounds the characters’ struggles in a believable world.
At the heart of the novel is the unlikely friendship between Marigold Harrington, a member of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union, and Pansy Arlington, the strong willed brothel owner on Hay Street. Their relationship is the emotional anchor of the book, offering moments of loyalty, compassion and resilience. The contrast between their backgrounds creates an engaging dynamic, and the descriptive writing brings both women and their environment to life.
Some characterisation felt slightly uneven. Marigold’s convictions and choices occasionally seemed at odds, though this also made her feel human and conflicted. Pansy is vibrant and memorable, even if she sometimes leans toward familiar archetypes. The supporting cast, particularly the men, serve their purpose but don’t always stand out.
The dual timeline, shifting to 1926, adds an intriguing and more sombre layer. This narrative thread is anchored by the infamous trial of the men accused of murdering Inspector John Walsh and Sergeant Alexander Pitman. These chapters give Marigold new challenges to face as an older woman, and they ultimately provide resolution to the overarching mystery. The 1926 storyline also shows how the echoes of the women’s 1898 experiences continue to shape their lives decades later.
At the heart of the novel is the unlikely friendship between Marigold Harrington, a member of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union, and Pansy Arlington, the strong willed brothel owner on Hay Street. Their relationship is the emotional anchor of the book, offering moments of loyalty, compassion and resilience. The contrast between their backgrounds creates an engaging dynamic, and the descriptive writing brings both women and their environment to life.
Some characterisation felt slightly uneven. Marigold’s convictions and choices occasionally seemed at odds, though this also made her feel human and conflicted. Pansy is vibrant and memorable, even if she sometimes leans toward familiar archetypes. The supporting cast, particularly the men, serve their purpose but don’t always stand out.
The dual timeline, shifting to 1926, adds an intriguing and more sombre layer. This narrative thread is anchored by the infamous trial of the men accused of murdering Inspector John Walsh and Sergeant Alexander Pitman. These chapters give Marigold new challenges to face as an older woman, and they ultimately provide resolution to the overarching mystery. The 1926 storyline also shows how the echoes of the women’s 1898 experiences continue to shape their lives decades later.
Review of advance copy
Marigold Harrington and Patsy Arlington couldn’t be more different. Marigold and her mother have come to the rough goldfields town of Kalgoorlie in 1898 in a desperate hunt for her father who had left Melbourne to seek his fortune but has disappeared.
Marigold is an avowed Christian, intent on doing good works while Patsy is a prostitute from Kentucky who runs a pleasure palace catering to the hordes of men who have flooded the region in the elusive hunt for gold. When Marigold runs into financial and personal difficulties it is Patsy who comes to her rescue and the two women form an odd but strong friendship.
There’s a second narrative that takes place in 1926 and features a murder trial with links to the past of both women that provides a stunning final twist.
In spite of its colourful narrative and energetic dialogue, this story has its dark side with observations about how men control women’s lives and the choices they are forced to take. As the forthright Patsy ironically observes: “… God doesn’t care for the suffering of women – it’s men he’s chosen to bless. So we must help each other and leave God to his cigars.”
The infamous history of Hay Street, Kalgoorlie, is well-researched and gives the novel a good foundation but most of the characters are unappealing. There’s a bland predictability about the weak and scheming men. Marigold’s behaviour varies between soft and hard and is often at odds with her espoused Christian values. Pansy is the stereotypical tough bad girl with a good heart. The seedy side of prostitution is camouflaged with banter. The result - a somewhat depressing read.
(Thanks to Better Reading and Penguin for the ARC.)
Marigold is an avowed Christian, intent on doing good works while Patsy is a prostitute from Kentucky who runs a pleasure palace catering to the hordes of men who have flooded the region in the elusive hunt for gold. When Marigold runs into financial and personal difficulties it is Patsy who comes to her rescue and the two women form an odd but strong friendship.
There’s a second narrative that takes place in 1926 and features a murder trial with links to the past of both women that provides a stunning final twist.
In spite of its colourful narrative and energetic dialogue, this story has its dark side with observations about how men control women’s lives and the choices they are forced to take. As the forthright Patsy ironically observes: “… God doesn’t care for the suffering of women – it’s men he’s chosen to bless. So we must help each other and leave God to his cigars.”
The infamous history of Hay Street, Kalgoorlie, is well-researched and gives the novel a good foundation but most of the characters are unappealing. There’s a bland predictability about the weak and scheming men. Marigold’s behaviour varies between soft and hard and is often at odds with her espoused Christian values. Pansy is the stereotypical tough bad girl with a good heart. The seedy side of prostitution is camouflaged with banter. The result - a somewhat depressing read.
(Thanks to Better Reading and Penguin for the ARC.)
July 30, 2026
‘The streets of Kalgoorlie were a welcome relief to Marigold and her mother after a long day of travel.’
The story begins in 1898, when Marigold Harrington and her mother arrive in the goldfields of Western Australia. They have come to find their father and husband, who has become a prospector. The Harrington women are also members of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union and hope to rescue the fallen women trapped in brothels and bars.
Elsewhere in Kalgoorlie, American ex-pat Pansy Arlington presides over her brothel: the Palace of Pleasure.
Pansy and Marigold form an unlikely friendship. Pansy’s cynicism and Marigold’s naivety provide an interesting contrast. Both Pansy and Marigold will face tragedy, and each will deal with it in her own way. Ms Hodgson brings the rough and ready lifestyle of the goldfields to life, including the tension between the supporters of temperance and the alcohol-fuelled lifestyle followed by both Pansy and many others.
Part way into the story Marigold becomes involved in the police investigation of a murder. The relevance of this becomes apparent near the end of the story.
The story, which unfolds between 1898 and 1926, is inspired by real characters and a shocking true crime. The Author’s Note at the end of the novel provides an explanation but I would recommend
reading the novel first to avoid spoilers.
An intriguing read.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
The story begins in 1898, when Marigold Harrington and her mother arrive in the goldfields of Western Australia. They have come to find their father and husband, who has become a prospector. The Harrington women are also members of the Christian Women’s Temperance Union and hope to rescue the fallen women trapped in brothels and bars.
Elsewhere in Kalgoorlie, American ex-pat Pansy Arlington presides over her brothel: the Palace of Pleasure.
Pansy and Marigold form an unlikely friendship. Pansy’s cynicism and Marigold’s naivety provide an interesting contrast. Both Pansy and Marigold will face tragedy, and each will deal with it in her own way. Ms Hodgson brings the rough and ready lifestyle of the goldfields to life, including the tension between the supporters of temperance and the alcohol-fuelled lifestyle followed by both Pansy and many others.
Part way into the story Marigold becomes involved in the police investigation of a murder. The relevance of this becomes apparent near the end of the story.
The story, which unfolds between 1898 and 1926, is inspired by real characters and a shocking true crime. The Author’s Note at the end of the novel provides an explanation but I would recommend
reading the novel first to avoid spoilers.
An intriguing read.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
August 24, 2026
The Palace of Lost Virtue
Another incredible Aussie read!
Travelling through Western Australia as I read this just gave so much more meaning to the vast, open spaces of the outback that are described in this story. It's incredible to think that people travelled out there on the dream of striking it rich. And travelled by horse or foot to a remote town with minimal water and no guarantees of finding that gold nugget that would change their lives.
I loved the storyline. I thought I had it all figured out but there was a plot twist that left me shocked! The two main female characters were were strong, ambitious and survivors in their own ways. The combination of the murder mystery as well as both womens' fight for survival in such a hard climate was enthralling! What made it even more interesting is that it draws on the lives of real people and true events while using fiction to imagine the lives and experiences that history may have left unexplored.
Andrea Hodgson does an incredible job of successfully combining history, friendship and mystery while also giving a voice to women who have been largely forgotten. If you enjoy Australian historical fiction, strong female characters and stories inspired by true events, then this is a must read!
Another incredible Aussie read!
Travelling through Western Australia as I read this just gave so much more meaning to the vast, open spaces of the outback that are described in this story. It's incredible to think that people travelled out there on the dream of striking it rich. And travelled by horse or foot to a remote town with minimal water and no guarantees of finding that gold nugget that would change their lives.
I loved the storyline. I thought I had it all figured out but there was a plot twist that left me shocked! The two main female characters were were strong, ambitious and survivors in their own ways. The combination of the murder mystery as well as both womens' fight for survival in such a hard climate was enthralling! What made it even more interesting is that it draws on the lives of real people and true events while using fiction to imagine the lives and experiences that history may have left unexplored.
Andrea Hodgson does an incredible job of successfully combining history, friendship and mystery while also giving a voice to women who have been largely forgotten. If you enjoy Australian historical fiction, strong female characters and stories inspired by true events, then this is a must read!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
After reading and enjoying The War Nurses by the same author I was looking forward to this ARC. The author gives terrific insight to the plight and lives of the fallen women involved in the brothels of Kalgoorlie, but I felt the Christian viewpoint lacked a similar depth. We are taken into the lives of the madam of The Palace of Pleasure and the found family she has gathered. These characters were alive on the page, but the Christian viewpoint was shown in a somewhat poor light. All of these characters came across as snooty and patronising to the women they claimed to be wanting to help. Marigold, as the other main character was a disappointment. Her convictions and actions lacked depth and were hardly convincing. I think the blurb on the back of the book gave me a false expectation of her motives, so perhaps I was expecting her to have stronger agency.
Hodgson can certainly tell a highly readable tale. I enjoyed this book, in particular the unfolding mystery, though I had anticipated the outcome earlier than I would have liked. I suppose I wanted a better representation of faith, which this sadly lacked.
Hodgson can certainly tell a highly readable tale. I enjoyed this book, in particular the unfolding mystery, though I had anticipated the outcome earlier than I would have liked. I suppose I wanted a better representation of faith, which this sadly lacked.
Review of advance copy
I recently received an ARC copy of The palace of lost virtue by Anthea Hodgson thanks to @betterreadingau #BRPreview and Penguin Random house Australia for an honest review. Another book inspired by true events by the author of War nurse's which I also loved, it's a tale of unlikely friendship in the harsh environment of the Western Australian Goldfields.Pansy a life hardened owner of the brothel The palace of Pleasure and Marigold the innocent and naive member of the Christian women's Temperance union and daughter of a missing prospector are brought together to form the most unlikely friendship from mutual respect and loyalty despite nobody expecting them to have anything in common. They have each other's backs when many around them betray and use violence when blinded by greed. An amazing look into the lives of women in the 1890's Goldfields and their determination not only to survive but thrive. A very emotional and empowering book. I truelly loved it and can't wait to see what Anthea will create next.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Set in Western Australia’s Kalgoorlie during the gold rush era of 1898 and the infamous Hay Street, the red-light district of the time, The Palace of Lost Virtue is about an unlikely friendship between two women. Marigold, a devout Christian who sets out from Melbourne with her mother to find her father who went to seek his fortune, and Pansy, a sharp-tongued brothel madam and prostitute herself from Kentucky.
I loved the vivid, well researched setting, as well as the contrast between the two women’s social divisions and values. Pansy was a breath of fresh air, with no filter, back when women were expected to be demure and compliant. She was looked down upon by society for her trade, when nothing is said of the men, often husbands and figures of authority who frequent the brothels.
I’m not sure if I liked the middle part of Marigold’s life and her decision-making, I couldn’t. It makes me mad that women had to rely on men so much during that era, which makes the novel’s portrayal of their resilience even more powerful.
I loved the vivid, well researched setting, as well as the contrast between the two women’s social divisions and values. Pansy was a breath of fresh air, with no filter, back when women were expected to be demure and compliant. She was looked down upon by society for her trade, when nothing is said of the men, often husbands and figures of authority who frequent the brothels.
I’m not sure if I liked the middle part of Marigold’s life and her decision-making, I couldn’t. It makes me mad that women had to rely on men so much during that era, which makes the novel’s portrayal of their resilience even more powerful.
June 30, 2026
The Palace of Lost Virtue was such a fascinating read with incredibly memorable characters. I found myself completely absorbed in this story set in the 1890's in the Wild West.
Two women.
Pansy Arlington, originally from Kentucky is a Madam of brothel in Kalgoorlie.
Marigold is a part of the Christian Temperance Women's Movement and has a desire to help women who work in Brothels and Bars.
When these two women meet, they forge an unlikely friendship, which I absolutely loved.
Based on actual events, this is such an exquisitely written book which had me glued to the pages the whole way through.
I didn't expect the dual timelines of 1898 and 1926, but this added to the story and had me completely intrigued as to how the two storylines would intertwine, but when it does - my goodness is it satisfying!
This was the first book by Anthea Hodgson but certainly will not be the last that I read by her, in fact, I may have started the War Nurses already!
Thank you so much to Penguin Books for the copy of The Palace of Lost Virtue to read and review. I enjoyed it immensely!
Two women.
Pansy Arlington, originally from Kentucky is a Madam of brothel in Kalgoorlie.
Marigold is a part of the Christian Temperance Women's Movement and has a desire to help women who work in Brothels and Bars.
When these two women meet, they forge an unlikely friendship, which I absolutely loved.
Based on actual events, this is such an exquisitely written book which had me glued to the pages the whole way through.
I didn't expect the dual timelines of 1898 and 1926, but this added to the story and had me completely intrigued as to how the two storylines would intertwine, but when it does - my goodness is it satisfying!
This was the first book by Anthea Hodgson but certainly will not be the last that I read by her, in fact, I may have started the War Nurses already!
Thank you so much to Penguin Books for the copy of The Palace of Lost Virtue to read and review. I enjoyed it immensely!
July 7, 2026
I’ve never read an Anthea Hodgson book before The Palace Of Lost Virtue but after this one, I’m definitely heading off to check out her back list. Set in Kalgoorlie, Western Australia partly at the end of the nineteenth century and partly in the 1920’s, this story is centred around Marigold Harrington, who travelled therer with her mother to join her father, and Pansy Arlington, a hard-drinking, take-no-nonsense Kentucky-born brothel owner. The lives of these two women coould not be more different, yet they become firm friends, despite the disapproval of the do-gooding women of the town. Anthea Hodgson has done a masterful job of describing life in the brothel as well as the town at large. It is so easy to envisage the beauty and the harshness of the landscape, the difficulties of living in a town where water is unbelievably scarce and where fortunnes are made and lost regularly. There are plenty of twists along the way, so you’ll be kept guessing until the end. There is so much to love about this book. Read it and find out for yourself.
August 17, 2026
The Palace of Lost Virtue is an exacting and colourful portrait of the Kalgoorlie gold rush, told from the perspectives of two fascinating females: the plucky but somewhat pious (and cleverly named) Marigold, and the foul-mouthed, humorous but wounded brothel owner Pansy. At its heart, this is a rite of passage story, told from Marigold and Pansy’s perspectives, who, despite being from different sides of life, form an unlikely bond. It’s also about lust, love, loss, rebellion and then an act of revenge you won't see coming. Having been to Kalgoorlie (and Boulder), I could almost taste the red grit in the air, feel the heat, and see the makeshift desert towns shimmering with turn-of-the-century gold fever. I applaud Anthea for setting this quintessentially Australian story somewhere other than our island state, and filling it with wit, wisdom, and, in some of Pansy’s scenes, laugh-out-loud one-liners. Props to Anthea for delivering historical fiction that's fresh, engaging, and impeccably researched.
June 3, 2026
Anthea Hodgson's new novel 'The Palace of Lost Virtue' was a stunning piece of literature, with engaging characters and thrilling plot lines.
I particularly loved the characterisation of Marigold and Pansy. I felt the characters provided exactly what was needed to make the novel flow. The faults and growths of Marigold was so refreshing to read. I love to see protagonists that make mistakes or aren't perfect, loveable people, who feel no shame reclaiming power when deserved.
The Palace of Lost Virtue made me laugh and cry, the plot line was enthralling, and shocked me as I cuddled up in a comfy window seat in a cosy airbnb in Albany. The perfect environment to read such a uniquely Australian story, with a perfect balance of an often under shadowed historical perspective and engaging fiction.
An easy 5 star read, and I was extremely privileged to have an advanced copy, which I had stolen out of Anthea's office myself. Would highly recommend.
I particularly loved the characterisation of Marigold and Pansy. I felt the characters provided exactly what was needed to make the novel flow. The faults and growths of Marigold was so refreshing to read. I love to see protagonists that make mistakes or aren't perfect, loveable people, who feel no shame reclaiming power when deserved.
The Palace of Lost Virtue made me laugh and cry, the plot line was enthralling, and shocked me as I cuddled up in a comfy window seat in a cosy airbnb in Albany. The perfect environment to read such a uniquely Australian story, with a perfect balance of an often under shadowed historical perspective and engaging fiction.
An easy 5 star read, and I was extremely privileged to have an advanced copy, which I had stolen out of Anthea's office myself. Would highly recommend.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
In 1898, Marigold Harrington and her mother arrive on the goldfields of Kalgoorlie to be reunited with their prospecting father/husband. Marigold and Pansy, who runs the local brothel become friends. Hypocrisy is the norm when ladies try to save the prostitutes from their terrible fate (even there is not other work for them to do) but refuse to lend a book to Pansy. The book alternates between 1898, Marigold and Pansy's view and 1926, when the bodies of two murdered police officers are found. I found the first part of 1926 out of context and only later in the book it becomes clear what this is all about and its relevance. I liked the descriptions of the way people lived in those times, the hardship they faced but I could not warm to Marigold. It is a tale of friendship, betrayal and revenge
June 17, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Pansy and Marigold. An interesting friendship between ladies from the opposite sides of the track so to speak.
Marigold and her mother Evelyn come to Kalgoorlie in search of Marigold’s father who left Melbourne for Western Australia’s Goldfields in search of gold and fortunes. They are members of the Christian women’s temperance and believe their job is to save the poor women of Kalgoorlie.
Pansy runs one of many brothels in town and is a very interesting character. I enjoyed reading her story.
I also enjoyed the dual timeline and how Anthea was able through poetic license to tell the story of not only Pansy and Marigold, but also that of the murders of two gold detectives in 1926.
No Spoliers, but I will say I loved the ending and how things turned out. 😁
Marigold and her mother Evelyn come to Kalgoorlie in search of Marigold’s father who left Melbourne for Western Australia’s Goldfields in search of gold and fortunes. They are members of the Christian women’s temperance and believe their job is to save the poor women of Kalgoorlie.
Pansy runs one of many brothels in town and is a very interesting character. I enjoyed reading her story.
I also enjoyed the dual timeline and how Anthea was able through poetic license to tell the story of not only Pansy and Marigold, but also that of the murders of two gold detectives in 1926.
No Spoliers, but I will say I loved the ending and how things turned out. 😁
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