Books by J Mary Masters
Ten years on from the publication of the first Belleville novel, Julia's Story, author J Mary Masters (Judy) answers questions about the Belleville family series and the spin-off Philippe Duval series.
Q. Tell us about the background to the Belleville books?
A. The idea for the series began from remembering the stories my father told of American soldiers stationed around my home town of Rockhampton during World War 2, which is when the Belleville series begins.
The war impacted life in many ways. I enjoyed delving into the past to recreate the backdrop for the storyline.
Q. The series has international links too. Was this just a natural part of the story progression?
A. Ideas for the story spring from many sources, but I know, for example, that many Australian men served with the RAF in Britain during the war. It seemed an obvious choice for the elder son of the Belleville family as he heads off to war. It was a period of great change in society as a whole but it had enormous impact on individual relationships. People formed relationships they would otherwise never have had the opportunity to do, which is what you see with Richard's marriage and with Julia's love affair with an American Army doctor.
Q. Spoiler alert: without giving too much away, what are the major themes of your novel?
A. Indeed, spoiler alert it is. I’ve always believed that seemingly successful families may hide beneath their polished façades secrets and lies they would give anything not to reveal publicly.
I won’t go into too much detail but suffice to say two big issues in particular are at the heart of the first two novels and I think many women - readers of a certain age - will identify with one particular issue. You’ll have to read the books to find out more. But it is not hard to imagine the issues that a wealthy family with three children coming to adulthood just as World War 2 takes hold will face. The world as they know it and as they expect it to continue is turned upside down.
Q. So the action takes place across the three countries?
A. Yes, it’s mainly based in Australia but the action moves to England and to the United States at various times. I was keen to only use places I’ve been to. I’ve visited England a number of times, most recently in 2023, and also the United States, most recently in 2003. My husband and I lived in Washington DC for a year during his time at the Australian Embassy too.
Q. This was always going to be just a trilogy but it's more than a trilogy now, isn't it?
A. Yes, I loved my characters so much, I couldn't leave them out of my writing life. They are alive to me. I want my readers to feel the same emotional response I do.
Q. And now we've reach the end?
A. Yes, I believe so. The final book in the Belleville series - WINDS OF CHANGE - will be released on 14 November 2025. The story ends with some surprising revelations about the very origins of the Belleville family.
I urge readers to read the entire series, in this order:
Julia's Story
To Love, Honour and Betray
Return to Prior Park
Heirs and Successors
First Born Son. (Book 1 spin-off)
Price to Pay. (Book 2 spin-off)
and then, finally, WINDS OF CHANGE, the fifth and final book in the Belleville series.