The following version of this book was used to create the guide: St John, Madeleine. The Women in Black. Simon & Schuster, Inc., 1993.

Madeleine St John's novel The Women in Black is a third person narrative following the lives of four women working at Goode's Department Store in post-World War II Sydney, Australia.

At the novel's start, all of the women working in Goode's Ladies' Frocks Department, are preparing for the upcoming holiday season. Patty and Fay, seasoned Goode's employees, know the next six weeks will be defined by stress. Magda, an immigrant from Slovenia, has always been different from her coworkers, and seems unaffected by the approaching season. Every morning the women come into work at the same time, don their issued black frocks, and prepare for the day.

Though Patty and Fay spend the most time together, they are rarely honest about their personal lives. Every day, Patty wonders about her mysterious single friend, judging her for living alone. Meanwhile, Fay wonders about Patty's marriage, and if she is really content. In truth, Fay has grown tired of her single life. Her tireless search for a husband has left her feeling alone and despairing. She realizes she is caught in an inescapable cycle. If she stops dating, she will never find a husband. However, she has little will to continue. Meanwhile, though Patty often talks about her husband, Frank, she never admits her true frustrations. She has been married for 10 years, and still has no children. Instead of confronting him, however, she retreats inward.

One day, Lisa Miles gets hired as a temporary worker at Goode's. Everyone judges her diminutive size and childish dress. Magda, however, thinks she will be useful in her section, Model Gowns. Lisa secretly believes that working at Goode's will change her life and teach her how to become an adult. Not long after starting, she can feel herself transforming.

The first time she works with Magda in the Model Gowns section, she is overwhelmed. As soon as Magda explains the significance of the dresses, however, she realizes that clothing can be an art and a form of self-expression. She sees the dresses like her favorite poems, hoping to someday be able to afford one of her own. Not long into her time at Goode's, she discovers a dress called Lisette. The gown is not only elegant, but seems like a representation of Lisa's truest self.

Thrilled with her new job, Lisa eagerly accepts Magda's invitation to lunch one afternoon. While at Magda's apartment, Lisa is taken by Magda's husband Stefan's kindness and authenticity. Later, Magda helps Lisa amend her appearance, gifting her a new lipstick and belt. When Lisa returns home, she finally tells her mother she has changed her name from Lesley to Lisa. Though her mother is initially upset, she realizes her daughter is growing up. Lisa's honesty deepens their relationship.

After the four women survive Christmas Eve at Goode's, they each celebrate the holiday with family and friends. Then Magda and Stefan host a New Year's Eve party at their flat. During the party, Fay meets Stefan's close friend, Rudi. Lisa also meets a boy her age named Michael.

After the holiday, the women prepare for Goode's annual New Year's sale. Lisa desperately hopes Lisette will be discounted so she can afford it. Meanwhile, she anxiously awaits the scores on her Leaving Exam. The gown gets marked down, and she decides to buy it for the dance she will attend with Michael. When the Leaving results come in, Lisa is thrilled to discover she has passed. Suddenly the world seems open to her.

Meanwhile, Patty and Frank heal their relationship, while Fay and Rudi fall in love and get engaged. The characters each begin a new phase of life, closing their era at Goode's.