A new historical novel set partly in southern Sydney is bringing attention to a little-known chapter of Australia’s wartime history and the experiences of Italian migrants during the Second World War.
Australian historical fiction author Camille Booker will release her latest novel, Code Name Funnel Web, in April 2026. The book blends romance, suspense and historical insight while exploring the social tensions and personal stories that unfolded on the Australian home front during the early years of the war.
The story opens in 1940 in the suburb of Como, in Sydney’s south. There, Frances “Frankie” Davies meets Leo, an Italian immigrant with a passion for boats. Their budding romance is soon overshadowed by the growing fear and suspicion that spread across Australia after the outbreak of war. When Leo is arrested and detained as an “enemy alien”, Frankie refuses to remain a bystander and becomes drawn into a dangerous world of secrets, coded messages and daring missions.
Booker’s narrative moves across continents, taking readers from quiet Australian towns to wartime Europe and beyond. At its heart, however, the novel focuses on the experiences of ordinary people caught in extraordinary circumstances. A central theme of the novel is the treatment of Italian migrants in Australia during the 1940s. Thousands were interned or placed under strict surveillance after Italy entered the war, as authorities feared potential threats to national security. These events left a lasting mark on many families within the Italian-Australian community.
The choice of setting is also significant. The suburb of Como itself draws inspiration from Italy, with street names such as Verona Range, Genoa Street and Tivoli Esplanade reflecting the influence of the famous Lake Como region. This connection helped inspire Booker’s portrayal of a community shaped by both Australian and European cultural influences.
