The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper (Austenprose PR Book Tour)

 

Title: The Naturalist’s Daughter

Author:  Tea Cooper

Narrated by:  Corinne Davies

Publisher: Harper Muse

Length: Approximately 13 hours and 37 minutes

Source: Thank you @tea_cooper @harpermusebooks @austenprose for the physical review copy and @netgalley for the audiobook review copy.

What is your favorite animal to watch in the wild?  While I was in college, I loved watching beavers swim in an area that was along the bike bath I used. 

In 1808 Agnes Bank, Australia, Rose Winton works with her father, Charles on his research on the platypus.  This research is groundbreaking.  After he is involved in an accident, Rose sets off to present his findings to the Royal Society in England.  Why did her mission ultimately fail?  Wha family secrets will she discover?

In 1908 Sydney, Tamsin Alleyn, is sent to retrieve an old sketchbook that was donated to the library by a recently deceased elderly lady.  Tamsin discovers that the sketchbook is very valuable and provides clues to a mystery from the past.  What has she discovered?

·       This review was supposed to be posted last week but was delayed by numerous technical problems.

·       This was a dual narrative novel.  I liked both timelines.  At first, I was engaged by the 1808 timelines the most, but then I was caught up in the 1908 story.  They both tied up nicely at the end.

·       I loved the STEM tie in with the research on the platypus and trying to get the Royal Society to believe that such a creature existed.  It was fascinating.

·       This historical fiction story had a few gasp out loud moments from me, and it had some suspense and Gothic elements in the last half of the novel.  It made it a very enjoyable read for me, that completely captured my imagination.

·       I loved the sweet romance that occurred in both timeless.

·       The characters were believable and relatable.  I enjoyed their journey and really wanted to know more about them.

·       I love that “Jamaica Inn” was mentioned as well as that it served pasties.  This seemed like a good Easter egg for author Daphne Du Maurier’s classic novel, Jamaica Inn.  Jamaica Inn is a real inn that can be found in Cornwall, England.

·       I always find the history of the convict ships to Australia to be fascinating.

·       This was an intriguing audiobook.  I didn’t want to stop listening!

·       I was disappointed to find out in the author’s note that Charles and Rose Winton were fictional characters.  They were so believably real throughout the novel.  There was real history mixed into the story.

The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper was a fascinating and unique historical tale with great characters, STEM elements, and suspense.  This is another highly recommended book from me!

BOOK DESCRIPTION

Two fearless women—living a century apart—find themselves entangled in the mystery surrounding the biggest scientific controversy of the nineteenth century: 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 mission: 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.

AUTHOR BIO

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.