After taking voluntary redundancy from the newspaper she worked at, Valerie is happy to have an editing job at a corporate firm to see her into retirement. At 63, she has assumed invisibility in public but her sharp observational skills are undiminished.

When a young coworker, Anna, confides in Valerie about her boss’s inappropriate touching and lewd comments, Valerie encourages her to speak up. But Anna is fired, and Valerie is determined to right the injustice, gathering together a team to fight it. Because Valerie has been on the receiving end of unwanted sexual attention and male power before and has always regretted her silence.

In the 1970s, good girls didn’t speak up – or, if they did, they were rarely believed. Anna’s treatment awakens long-buried traumatic memories from Valerie’s youth. In defending Anna, she may finally find her own voice and the courage to speak up.

Ageism, sexism, power plays, #MeToo scenarios: much of this book feels uncomfortably real. But the light humour and Valerie’s courage to fight back, for other women’s rights and her own, powers the book to a satisfying resolution.

Reviewed by Melinda Woledge

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I am a writer and editor living in Boorloo (Perth).

Born and raised in Toronto, Canada, I have spent over half my life in Perth, forging a long career in professional writing and editing. Over the years I have covered diverse subject matter and evolving formats, from print to screen to digital. ALong the way I have entertained various ideas for creative writing projects of my own, but it was not until 2009 that I was able to pursue any of them to fruition.

Enrolling in a creative writing program at Curtin University, I completed a PhD project comprising an historical novel and thesis. My PhD accreditation opened the door to a new career path at Curtin as a tutor in professional and creative writing units.

For me, the road to published authorship has been a long one. To other writers out there who feel it’s taking too long to make their dream of becoming a published author a reality – practice your craft, read widely and dan’t let age become a barrier.