6 Mar 2022

The notorious Flora McKenzie inspires a trio of crime novels

From Standing Room Only, 2:39 pm on 6 March 2022
Jen Shieff

Jen Shieff Photo: supplied

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Photo: supplied

 

Auckland's famous madam Flora MacKenzie has now inspired a trilogy of crime novels by writer Jen Shieff.

The first two in the series The Gentleman's Club and The Vanishing Act were both finalists in the Ngaio Marsh Awards.

The Final Call is set in 1979 Auckland.

It's a time and place where boundaries are being pushed in fashion, music and social attitudes.     

And yet male homosexuality and prostitution are still illegal.

Lynn Freeman talks to Jen Shieff about Flora McKenzie's Auckland and why she inspired her to write three books.