The Kiss of Death is a novel by New Zealand writer Stephen Tester.
Set in 1918 it is the story of a female lawyer in Wellington, New Zealand trying to make a career in justice just as the First World War ends and the Spanish Flu devastates the world.
Not only must she take on an incredibly misogynistic justice system, she also has to fight conformity and rigid social structures. While she herself is straight, many of her friends are lesbians – this all adds up to a fascinating tale about life in New Zealand over one hundred years ago.
I sat down with Stephen to talk about this excellent book.
Press play to listen to the interview:
The Kiss of Death is published mid March 2024.
