Author: Carmel Taylor
Publisher: Tachygraph Publishing
Reviewer: Karin Kos
Welcome to 1955 in Melbourne where rattling trams are a constant mode of transport, Carlton cafes were not allowed to serve alcohol, and that new painting Collins St, 5pm by John Brack is on display at the National Art Gallery of Melbourne and creating quite the stir. Carmel Taylor deftly creates the mid 50’s vibe of Melbourne and the expectation that the work day was a place for men – as subtly included in the Brack’s painting – allowing her protagonist Phil Philpot to draw the attention of women emerging as young professionals in a predominantly male sector. Phil Philpot is the alias for Phillis Philpot, a name defined on her business card, who challenges stereotypes of women who strive for a career and independence, rather than being relegated to the sphere of domesticity.
Through the narrative voice of Phil Philpot, Taylor is able to question gendered expectations for women who run their own small business, own their own home, or even dictate their relationships on their terms. Things that Phil regularly ponders as she navigates her instincts for finding the truth as a stenographer for the courts. Phil contemplates how if she was “a bachelor, she would be fancy-free and enviable” for her professional accomplishments. However, being present at many court cases she soon observes that “inequities” and “hypocrisy” is thickly woven into the Victorian justice system. Prompting her to become a forensic stenographer, as she starts to freelance her skills and unwittingly uncovers a few murder mysteries at ‘The Melbourne Shorthand Writers Group’ and when working for the female led “Alice Club’ when she starts to run shorthand classes for ‘Proxy Brides’.
Her cases include the tragedy of a family where the son ‘Chas’ is accused and executed for murdering his father, as his sister Vera tries to seek justice when finding a secret diary her mother kept in shorthand. Phil is engaged in solving the mystery and seeing if she can bring justice and solace to the grieving Vera. Exposing the misogyny of post World War II Melbourne society where women were told “wives need to show gratitude for what their husbands had done for them”, as the trauma imposed upon them created homes filled with fear and isolation. This case dovetails into the ‘Proxy Bride’ disappearance, where Phil is teaching shorthand skills to women who immigrate from Italy to fill the migration needs of Australia post World War II. Enabling Phil to try to uncover the truth of proxy bride Elena’s disappearance, exposing more than what she expected by modern standards of female slavery and saving one woman from an evil fate. To then, by accident, discovering the deaths of two teenage girls whose deaths are shrouded in rumour. Drawing attention to the elitism of the private school system and how scandals thwarted justice for these two girls. Destroying families in the process and marginalising students who are same sex attracted or are experimenting with their sexual agency, all in the name of a school’s reputation.
Taylor creates a seamless transition between all three murder mysteries, through the agile Phil Philpot and her no-nonsense attitude to investigating crimes against women in 1950s Melbourne. I loved this book for its understanding of the nostalgic days of mid-Century Melbourne where on a Saturday “at noon, the shoppers were expelled, doors closed and bolted and by 1:00pm the streets were near empty again”. This setting creates an authenticity to Phil as she seeks to uncover the truth and assist police on investigations deemed unnecessary, as they pertain to the trauma experienced by women. This highly engaging narrative gives life to a time when women were making a mark in Melbourne society; irrespective of a system where they could not even “secure a bank loan” in their “own right”. Through Phil, Taylor tempts her readers to embrace the life of early female trailblazers, enabling other women to have careers and independence. The Shorthand Sleuth is worth your attention and does not disappoint.
Blurb (from Amazon)
The compelling story of an entrepreneurial young woman whose shorthand skill takes her into un untapped niche of forensic phonography.
Post-war Melbourne, Australia 1950s
Phillis Philpot challenges and rejects the roles prescribed for women in 1950s society. Her feminist views and desire for independence underpin her life choices, one of which was to become a top-notch shorthand court reporter for the Supreme Court of Victoria. Phillis’s experience as a shorthand writer highlights a possibility when she believes untranscribed or undetected shorthand notes, which may contain vital evidence, are overlooked.
With her intuitive and enquiring mind, Phillis launches her business. At times she simply stumbles across cases. Transcribing a diary of a deceased woman reveals information written about a murder, which upended the stability of a family. Meanwhile, Phillis volunteers to teach shorthand to a group of immigrant women. A missing student and a scratchy shorthand note received in the mail introduce Phillis to a web of deceit. An innocent visit to a secondhand bookshop combined with Phillis’s insatiable curiosity launches her into an investigation which cements her reputation as “Phil Philpot, Forensic Phonographer”.
When the daily newspapers highlight her successful forays, her business in forensic phonography is propelled into the public awareness. Phillis is confident she has harnessed a previously neglected and potential-laden career opportunity.
Phillis is excited that this is just the beginning.