Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Naturalist's Daughter by Tea Cooper on August 20, 2024
Genres: Romance, Historical Mystery
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Two fearless women--living a century apart--find themselves entangled in the mystery surrounding the biggest scientific controversy of the nineteenth the classification of the platypus.
1808 Agnes Banks, NSW
Rose Winton wants nothing more than to work with her father, eminent naturalist Charles Winton, on his groundbreaking study of the platypus. Not only does she love him with all her heart but the discoveries they have made could turn the scientific world on its head. When Charles is unable to make the long sea journey to present his findings to the prestigious Royal Society in England, Rose must venture forth in his stead. What she discovers will forever alter the course of scientific history.
1908 Sydney, NSW
Tamsin Alleyn has been given a travel to the Hunter Valley and retrieve an old sketchbook of debatable value, gifted to the Public Library by a recluse. But when she gets there, she finds there is more to the book than meets the eye, and more than one interested party. Shaw Everdene, a young antiquarian bookseller and lawyer, seems to have his own agenda when it comes to the book. Determined to uncover the book's true origin, Tamsin agrees to join forces with him.
The deeper they delve, the more intricate the mystery of the book's authorship becomes. As the lives of two women a century apart converge, discoveries emerge from the past with far-reaching consequences in this riveting tale of courage and discovery.
A dual timeline historical, set against two time periods in Australian history, featuring the fascinating platypus and an intrepid pair of women at the heart of the story. I read my first Tea Cooper when I reveled in her The Fossil Hunter. I saw something along much the same lines in The Naturalist’s Daughter and my instincts were bang on.
The Naturalist’s Daughter had split times a century apart both in a historical setting. I love how the author fully immersed me in the historical setting and main character backgrounds of both timelines, Regency and Edwardian. I was more into the older story with Rose, but I also enjoyed Tamsin’s search. For me, the true main character was the amazing platypus or Mallalong, as the Aboriginal people called it. I felt drawn to Rose and her need to fulfill her father’s dream of presenting to the Royal Society, but she was a woman in Regency London and the platypus defied animal classification so she was climbing uphill on that one because the creature was considered a hoax and some stitched together and stuffed specimen to fool the credulous. She is determined, but out of her element. Rose’s story dropped off at the good part, of course, so I had to wait and see what Tamsin uncovered when sketches appear once again and are at the heart of the mystery researcher Tamsin is determined to uncover when she comes to the Hunter Valley.
There was a lovely slow burn sweet romance and I enjoyed Tamsin’s rivalry with the lawyer also interested in the sketches and their provenance. I had my suspicions about what happened in the end and I was mostly right as there were some good hints along the way.
Again, I was thrilled to delve into Australian history and the natural history relating to the platypus. I really do need to get to Tea Cooper’s backlist at some point. Those who enjoy historical fiction with a strong slow burn romance motif are the target crowd.
About Tea Cooper
Tea Cooper is an established Australian author of historical fiction. In a past life, she was a teacher, a journalist, and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling. She is the internationally bestselling author of several novels, including The Naturalist’s Daughter; the USA TODAY bestselling The Woman in the Green Dress; The Girl in the Painting, The Cartographer’s Secret, winner of the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award; and The Fossil Hunter.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
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This sounds really good! I read another book by Cooper that I really liked. I’ll have to add this one to my TBR list. 😀
After enjoying my second book by her, I definitely need to get busy on her backlist. Hope you get the chance at this one, Lark!
I like platypus, they are such interesting creatures. This sounds like a nice romance too.
Yes! That was what really got my attention outside the relationships.
Ooo! Australia!!!!
Yes! Big hit getting the Aussie history side.
Oh, that’s interesting that the two timelines are both historical. I feel like usually one is present day. Glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, ones from 250 years ago and one from just over a hundred. It was fascinating getting both settings.
Love that it’s Australian natural history. I need to read this author. Great review!
This is her second I’ve read that dealt with Aussie natural history and I’ve enjoyed them a great deal. Glad to put her books on your radar.