on sale : 30th June 2026
From the bestselling author of The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison comes a vivid, cosy drama teeming with suburban secrets. For more than 30 years, Delia Watson was the silent engine behind her husband Charlie’s glittering music career – the perfect wife, the reliable rock. Now retired, she is ready for leisure. The universe, however, has other plans.
Trapped cat-sitting a loathsome feline in the deceptive calm of Pretty Point, Delia’s patience snaps when a cryptic letter arrives from a stranger. Charlie claims ignorance, but Delia knows he is lying.
She is done playing nice.
Aided by the formidable ladies of the bridge club, Delia uncovers a sordid mystery lurking beneath the suburb’s superficial charms. With a missing cat, a furious husband, and a mother-in-law threatening police action, Delia faces a tangle of greed, ambition, and betrayal where even the dead have stories to tell. It is time for the silent partner to finally make some noise.
books
newsletters
event facilitator
Writing is my all time favourite thing to do. My next favourite thing is to interview other writers and find out what makes them tick. Over the years, I've had the privilege and pleasure to meet and chat with a lot of amazing writers including Marian Keyes, Markus Zusak, Alexander McCall Smith and Liane Moriarty.
If you’re looking for a seasoned facilitator for your next event or book launch, please get in touch. I’m available for author talks on the themes of my books and the writing process. I’d also be delighted to run a discussion on any of my novels at your next book club.
reviews
‘I’ve just finished Meredith Jaffé’s second novel The Making of Christina which I LOVED.’
Marian Keyes
‘This deliciously original, immersive and darkly funny novel is full of hope and heart. A refreshing take on the theme of redemption & second chances from an assured writer.'
Joanna Nell
‘Like Christos Tsiolkas’s The Slap, Australian debut author Meredith Jaffe’s novel homes in on a hot-button issue that divides the characters.’
Herald Sun
‘Reminiscent of the fiction of Liane Moriarty, Meredith Jaffé’s debut explores a range of topics…written with astute characterisation.’
Books+Publishing
Well-crafted, feel-good and funny. Jaffé is an excellent creator of complex and believable characters, drawn with sharp-eyed humour and affection, and the plot is perfectly paced.'
Sydney Morning Herald
Funny, heartfelt, and gorgeously written, The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison is a highly original and extremely enjoyable read from Meredith Jaffé.’
Better Reading
about
meredith
Meredith Jaffé is the author of five novels for adults, including the bestseller The Dressmakers of Yarrandarrah Prison, which was twice voted into the Better Reading Top 100 and is currently optioned for television. Her other works include The Tricky Art of Forgiveness, The Making of Christina, The Fence, and the children's novel Horse Warrior.
A versatile writer, Meredith was the literary editor for The Hoopla, and her feature articles, reviews, and opinion pieces have appeared in The Guardian Australia, The Huffington Post, and Mamamia. She was also the founder and festival director of StoryFest, held on the NSW South Coast, and is a seasoned facilitator at major writers' festivals and author events.