The Chocolate Factory
In the early 1920s, the British confectionary consortium of Cadbury-Fry-Pascall sets up its first overseas factory near Hobart, Tasmania. Dorothy Adwell is one of several Cadbury’s employees sent to Australia to help with its establishment. A war widow, she sees this as a step up in her career and also a chance to find a renewed sense of purpose following the loss of her husband. En route she meets Thomas, a man who has been damaged psychologically by the ravages of war.
Dorothy is charged with employing local staff and sees potential in young Maisie Greenwood, eldest daughter in a struggling family also affected by the loss of her father. Maisie is attracted to foreman, Frank, until something in his past drives a wedge between them, while Dorothy must tread a cautious path as she tries to help Thomas with his demons.
After Dorothy witnesses what might be an act of sabotage in the factory, she receives strangely worded anonymous letters. Is it possible there is a spy in the factory, someone working for a rival company intent on disrupting Cadbury’s business or trying to steal the secret recipe for the famous Dairy Milk chocolate? Love, friendships and loyalties are tested as Dorothy and Maisie are caught up in the plot.
The business of the manufacture of chocolate, including engineering processes, is well-researched and described, as are the social mores, religious attitudes and prejudices against both men and women trying to overcome the lingering tragedies of World War I. With its unusual setting and account of industrial chocolate espionage that is based in fact, there is much to recommend this novel. Although a little slow to start, when the pace intensifies it improves considerably as these indomitable Cadbury girls step up and display their courage and determination.
