Eumundi Voice Issue 113, 20 March 2025

Literature

“You can take the girl out of Tasmania but … ” Mary-Lou Stephen’s passion for her home state’s history inspired her latest novel The Jam Maker. Mary-Lou studied acting in Melbourne and enjoyed the bohemian life of touring bands before getting a “proper” job in radio on the Sunshine Coast. She found success with her memoir Sex, Drugs and Meditation, which led to her book set in historical Tasmania called The Last of the Apple Blossom. This was followed by her delicious bestseller, The Chocolate Factory. The book is set around the opening of Cadbury’s factory and describes the battle for women to have equal work opportunity, while industrial espionage leaves a bitter taste.

Her new release – The Jam Maker – uses the history of the IXL Jam Factory in Hobart as background to the lives of Harriet and Henry. From hungry children gluing labels on tins, they rise to become adults passionate about creating popular conserves, willing to do anything to protect and provide for their loved ones.

True history is blended with suspense, danger, secrets and lies which lead Harriet to make ever more desperate choices which, if discovered, threaten the lives of those she loves most. Meanwhile Henry rises to be the real Sir Henry Jones, powerful owner of IXL and Peacocks jam factories and other businesses in Tasmania and beyond.

Mary-Lou’s characters are so vividly created we feel their pain, distress and struggle to survive. We smile when they find happiness in friendships and another new jam recipe which proves popular. We are saddened when another threat appears, or economic and political factors affect their future. Did I really hope certain criminal acts would remain undiscovered?

Mary-Lou often ‘vanishes’ on slow journeys in exotic locations to devote her time and energy fully to research and writing. However, anyone who visits Hobart or Cygnet, or takes a tour after reading The Jam Maker will certainly have a new taste for the history of this area. So many places mentioned are still right there still to see, admire or even stay in. Eileen Walder