The resulting tale stands tall among contemporary, historical writing as the author, his knowledge of the period encyclopaedic and his writing style original and fascinating, tells a wonderful story..

This book is all about secrets – hidden Australian history, family relationships, and illicit affairs. When Lisa begins to research the central question of Angie’s identity, she knows that what she might unearth might not be what she wants to know. As Leatherdale says, in his inimitably beautiful prose, “Secrets were as explosive as the undetonated hand grenades one heard about, hidden for decades under a hedge in an English country lane, waiting for some curious schoolboy to poke them with a stick” (126).

Palace of Tears is a Pandora’s box of secrets, a tale lovingly told by a master novelist, a fascinating tale of human strengths and follies. It is eminently satisfying.