The House Keeper is set in Brisbane from the late 1920s through the upheavals of the Second World War and its aftermath and follows Myra Henzel, the devoted housekeeper to Judge Reece and his family.

Myra’s life unfolds within the grandeur and eventual decay of Ardwyn, a classic “Queenslander” home, shadowed by social tensions and political change.

Myra’s life at Ardwyn begins with routine domestic duties, managing the Reece family’s household under Kitty Reece's watchful eye. The narrative captures the nuances of service, the social hierarchies, and the small joys and trials within the grand home. The household is a hive of activity balanced by moments of intimate detail—knitting socks by the fire, preparing elaborate meals, managing the garden, and coping with illness. The novel explores duty, loyalty, love, hardship and resilience, while gradually revealing the complex relationships and secrets surrounding Myra and the enigmatic judge. 

At its heart is a compelling mystery surrounding Judge Reece’s death and Myra’s role in it, set against a vividly rendered portrait of a changing Australia.