December, 1948. Officer Kitty Wheeler is a member of the Women Police, responsible for ‘upholding the moral virtue’ of Adelaide’s at times unruly and amorous citizens. Patrolling Somerton beach one night, Kitty and her partner spot a man leaning against the sea wall, apparently drunk. It’s late, they’re tired, and they leave him to sleep it off…
The man is dead, his identity unknown, and Kitty has missed a career-making opportunity. In the following months, the case of the Somerton Man grips first Adelaide, then Australia, as bizarre clues point towards international espionage, Eastern mysticism or salacious scandal. Kitty, preoccupied with the case, joins the investigation wherever she can, although the men are firmly in charge. Meanwhile, she must decide whether she wants husband and family, or a career – in 1940s Australia, she can’t have both. Her boyfriend Peter wants to pop the question, but Kitty is keener on solving the case…
BR readers were first introduced to author Olivia Wearne through her debut novel, The Grand Tour – which our preview readers loved. Now, she returns with The Woman Who Knew Too Little, an engrossing novel that blends one of Australia’s most interesting unsolved mysteries with fiction. It’s intriguing, wholly engaging and a must-add to your TBR list.
If you’re unfamiliar with the case, two passing couples spotted and dismissed an assumedly drunk man passed out on the beach… until it was discovered that he was, in fact, dead. He remained unidentified for decades, although there were many rumours and theories about the Somerton Man and the events that led to his cryptic murder. Wearne has fictionalised Kitty Wheeler’s story and merged it into the real-life 1940s mystery of the Somerton Man, exploring the life and crimes of a city and its people – few of whom are without their secrets.
Wearne has a background in screenwriting, and this experience shows in how cinematic this story is, and also how tight the dialogue is. Her prose is incredibly polished, the story well-paced, and great dialogue that drives everything forward. There are many layers to this novel, and I appreciated how Wearne fuses factual details and theories from the case as a portal to shed light on 1940s Australia.
Kitty is a refreshing and necessary protagonist. In a male-dominated industry, working on this case means more to Kitty than doing her job – it’s a chance for her to push the boundaries of societal expectations, be a trailblazer in the police force and do work that she believes really matters. Wearne uses the Somerton Man mystery as a gateway to explore feminism, family, relationships and workplace discrimination. Ultimately, Kitty demonstrates that you can excel in your career while also wanting a family.
The Woman Who Knew Too Little is a wryly funny, sharply-observed novel about one of Australia’s great mysteries, and the life choices available to mid-century women. Wearne effectively ties up loose ends, making for a riveting yet gratifying read.
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