I am still off having a great family holiday, I have snuck a little computer time while the family are all sleeping. My reading is going pretty slow, and today I ended up not reading while we drove because I was looking out the window at the scenery. So slow reading means I need to do some more short posts for reviews to be left and review properly later.
Tea Cooper is an established Australian author who writes captivating historical fiction. The Naturalist’s Daughter is her latest novel and it encompasses a dual timeline set in both 1808 and 1908 in NSW. It is the tale of two women, separated by a century. There seems to be quite an interesting mystery that I can’t wait to unravel.
The synopsis according to Harlequin:
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, Rosie must venture forth in his stead. What she discovers there will change the lives of future generations.
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 – and Tamsin. In an attempt to discover the book’s true provenance Tamsin decides to work with him.
The deeper they delve, the more intricate the mystery becomes. As the lives of two women a century apart converge, discoveries rise up from the past and reach into the future, with irrevocable consequences…
Thanks to Harlequin 20 of our Beauty and Lace club members will be reading The Naturalist’s Daughter so please be aware there may be spoilers in the comments below.
I devour books, vampires and supernatural creatures are my genre of choice but over the past couple of years, I have broadened my horizons considerably. In a nutshell – I love to write! I love interacting with a diverse range of artists to bring you interviews. Perhaps we were perfect before – I LOVE WORDS!
LOVED IT, absolutely loved it!!!! I have always loved historical fiction, especially Australian historical fiction and my first choice January book didn’t let me down! Thank you so much for the opportunity to read “The Naturalist’s Daughter,” Beauty and Lace. I was unaware of Tea Cooper before reading this but having enjoyed this as much as I have I will look for her other books.
It is almost impossible to say anything about the story apart from the excellent synopsis from the back of the book without giving away clues that should definitely not be forthcoming. The way the stories unfold, intermingle and evolve is wonderful. I felt that nothing was forced. The way the study of the platypus was woven into the story was masterful. The time lines were handled beautifully with the reader never losing track of the developments.
I loved the way the strength of both Rose and Tamsin was portrayed with both lovely young women being way beyond their time, both living well before it became “acceptable” to have a mind of your own if you were born female. They were both so independent but caring. There is no doubt that this book will be one of my favourites for some time to come.
Thank you to Harlequin for this excellent book – thank you, Tea Cooper – this will not be the last book of yours I read. For anyone who loves Australian historical fiction I recommend this book highly. I loved it.
Thrilled to hear you enjoyed Rose and Tamsin’s story, Trish.
What a fascinating novel Harlequin Publishers have made available, by talented author Tea Cooper. Thank you to you and Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to review ‘The Naturalist’s Daughter’.
Oh what a captivating tale. I was a little sceptical about whether I’d enjoy this story. Wondered if a story about the evolution of the platypus would enthral me. Well wasn’t I wrong. It was an intricate tale of two eras in history, 100 years apart; told in alternating chapters.
Early 1800 in NSW, Australia, Rose Winton literally and figuratively follows in her father’s footsteps investigating the beguiling life of the platypus. Here her complicated, fascinating story unravels, immersing the reader in mystery, adventure, love and romance.
100 years on in Sydney we are introduced to an independent young Tamsin Alleyn, working for the Mitchell Library who has a fascination with compiling accurate events of history through investigating tales and truths from old books and the like. So her story begins with investigating the authenticity of an old journal, suspected to belong to the early Australian Naturalist, Charles Winton.
The author provides characters of such substance, revealing tales and mysteries of the past and present to beautifully interweave these two characters with fascinating results.
I loved it. It will keep you wondering, entertain and impress you.
I have just finished reading The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper. I could not put it down.
I am a fan of historical fiction and this story is set in Australia and covers two women, Rose Winton whose father was a naturalist studying platypus in the early 1800’s. Tamsin Alleyn is the second woman, her story is set in early 1900’s. The two stories evolve through the book, and become more intertwined. Plenty of mystery, education of life in early times, a bit of romance.
This was an extremely well written and enjoyable book by Tea Cooper and I will be looking for more of her books to read, Thank you to Beauty and Lace, and Harlequin books for the opportunity to read and review it.
Tea Cooper! You have done it again! MY second book read of yours did not let me down! I was so excited to receive my copy of The Naturalists Daughter and couldn’t wait to start, then read it within 2 days! I could not put it down.
So very detailed, descriptive and researched it has everything an Australian history novel could ask for. With a touch of mystery, some romance without being over the top in both time sequences, murder, and a back ground story to keep you guessing.(altho I did guess but not until near the end)
I eagerly look forward to your next novel!
Thank you Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read The Naturalists Daughter
Thankyou Beauty and lace and Harlequin for the opportunity to read The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper.
Firstly I loved the cover, it would entice me to pick up this book. I also loved the story!
It is set in two time frames, with two story lines.
1808 Charles Winton is a naturalist researching the Australian platypus. HIs daughter Rose spends time with him and helps with his research. Her father is invited to England to present his findings at the Royal Society in England, but is unwell and Rose travels to England to take his place. In this story line we gain a great insight into very early Australia and England of early 1800s.
1908 Tamsin Alleyn works for the Mitchell Library and she is entrusted to travel to the Hunter Valley to collect a sketch book which has been donated to the Library. It is possible that it is Charles Winton’s work and would need to be authenticated. If it is genuine it would be very important to the history of Australia and quite valuable. However when she arrives unfortunately the donor has passed away and here begins the fight for the book. The library believe they have the right to it, Mrs Rushworth believes she has inherited it and Shaw Everdene ( a young antiquarian bookseller and Lawyer) is interested in it. Once again we get a wonderful historical feel for early 1900s Australia.
Both Rose and Tamsin are inspirational women.
The book has romance, mystery and a wonderful insight into the unusual platypus .
Absolutely recommend this book! It is the first book by Tea Cooper I have read and I will certainly be reading her others!
A fascinating story that is so hard to put down!
The Naturalist’s Daughter is a wonderful Australian historical fictional novel set in 2 different time periods in NSW, 1808 and 1908. The two main female characters, Rose Winton and Tamsin Alleyn are remarkably strong and inspirational women you can’t help but admire.
Rose Winton follows in her father’s footsteps, learning all about the platypus and circumstances lead her to showcase her and her father’s findings to the other side of the world. Her determination to succeed amidst challenges and the love she has for her father is wonderfully displayed through her character, whilst her story is encompassed in mystery, adventure and a little romance.
Tamsin Alleyn works for the Mitchell Library and her love of old books compel her to authenticate an old journal detailing the life of the platypus which is believed to have belonged to Charles Winton, an Australian Naturalist.
The two stories are woven together beautifully. With very descriptive writing, the reader is easily taken back into both women’s worlds.
Thank you Beauty and Lace for the opportunity to read this amazing book. Thank you also for introducing me to the author, Tea Cooper. I loved this book and am interested in reading more novels from this amazingly talented author.
What a good read. Take yourself on a trip back in time to the early 1800 and early 1900s as the story of Rose Winton and Tamsin Alleyn bend together. Rose studied the platypus with her father since she was young. He taught her the latin, about the physiological and behavioural species of this animal. Charles Winton was researching these animals for the Royal Science Society back in England. Sadly his work was never to be recognised, not for lack of trying.
Tamsin worked for a local library in NSW and was sent to retrieve a sketch book thought to be the works of the Naturalist Charles Winton. Unfortunately the owner had recently died and her daughter was not keen to comply with the bequest of her mother to donate the book, it was worth too much money.
Follow the challenge in the 1900s between what is right for Australian history and greed. Join Rose in her journey in the 1800s to honour the only father she has known, only to find that the world was not a fair place for females in this era.
Enjoy the history, the drama, the sordid background and the search for the truth. Thoroughly enjoyed this read and recommend it to all. Thanks for the opportunity!!!
It’s been couple of days since I checked back and I was greeted with so many lovely reviews. Thank you everyone for taking the time to read The Naturalist’s Daughter. I’m beyond excited about your responses! I don’t think I’ll have another book out for about twelve months but if anyone would like to keep up with my progress there’s a newsletter sign up on the contact page of my website.
Thanks again, and all the best!
Tea
Well what a fantastic book this turned out to be. I was not that sure what I was in for, for me the start was a little uninteresting but once I kept turning the pages my opinion soon changed and the story just enthralled me. An Australian story set between two eras of history 100 years apart told in alternate chapters.
The first part of the story is set in the early 1800’s in New South Wales, where Rose Winton follows in her father’s footsteps of investigating the life of the platypus. She is a very interesting young lady who has you following her life which is full of adventure, love, romance and who would know what could happen next.
The other side of the story is set in 1908 of a young Tamsin Alley, who works in the Mitchell library in Sydney and loves to research events of history. The library received a letter to advise that a journal was available for donation to the library but has to be collected. Hence Tamsin is sent to collect the journal only to find the lady in procession of the journal has passed away and the daughter will not release the journal as she feels it is a very valuable and would benefit her and will not donate to the library. The story really starts to unfold when Tamsin begins to follow the events to find out if the journal really belonged to Charles Winton, but this needs to be authenticated. The discovery takes her on an adventure also and she is not willing to give up on the journal until she has proof of its history.
A fantastic storyline and well written, I would highly recommend to everyone to read, I look forward to reading more novels by Tea Cooper in the future.
The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper is one of the best books I have read.
The storyline spans over a hundred years and the way it is brilliantly written,
you do not get bogged down trying to fix which era you are in, it flows effortlessly.
Australian Historical Fiction,a scientific topic,
mix in two strong willed women ahead of their times,
and you will be enthralled.
Tea Cooper describes the discovery and detailed studies of the Platypus
that anyone with a non-scientific background can easily understand.
Her portrayal of the young women striving to be acknowledged in a predominatley male world
will have you cheering for their strength and determination,
while understanding the barriers they come up against.
The conclusion has been wonderfully entwined with quite an unexpected twist.
The Naturalist’s Daughter is one of the few books that has taken it’s place on my
must read again bookshelf.