The Naturalist’s Daughter is an interesting read and takes an indepth look at one of Australia’s iconic animals. An animal that is as enigmatic as it is iconic and one that I admit I don’t know a lot about, or didn’t until I read this book anyway.

The platypus is an animal that lives on our currency but I don’t know that I have ever actually seen one. I remember learning a little about them in primary school …. about a million years ago; but I don’t recall them ever really being a part of my adult knowledge base which is a little sad because they are a fascinating mammal.
Tea Cooper explores Australian history as she delves into the controversy surrounding the classification of the platypus in a tale that is both mysterious and intriguing.
The Platypus is a fascinating creature but not one that I would have thought warranted a novel of it’s own, until I read this one. The platypus takes a front row seat but it’s not the only star of the story, there is a quite intriguing cast of human characters with their own stories to tell.
The narrative spans a century, and still ends over a century ago. I’m not sure if there is any factual basis to the controversy over classification or if any of the associated names are real people. That is something part of me is itching to go and research but I know that really that’s just a procrastination tool because I’m struggling due to leaving it so long to review.

In Sydney in 1908 there is a sketchbook bequeathed to the Public Library by a recluse; a book that could be worth quite a lot, or very little depending on it’s authenticity. Tamsin Alleyn is tasked with traveling to the Hunter Valley to retrieve the book but when she arrives she discovers more than she bargained for. There is more than one interested party and not everyone cares for the historical significance of the find.
Tamsin finds herself working with Shaw Everdene, a lawyer also involved in the case of the bequeathed book, to uncover the mysteries of the sketchbook. The more they learn the more they realise they don’t know. The mystery gets deeper and they are left with more questions.
The second storyline takes place in 1808 with Rose Winton working alongside her father, the renowned naturalist Charles Winton. The two are doing some groundbreaking study of the platypus and Charles is ahead of his time, moreso because he is happy to allow Rose to work alongside him. Unfortunately when he is finally offered the opportunity to journey back to the prestigious Royal Society in England and present his findings he is unable to make the long sea journey and Rose sets off in his place.
The Royal Society hasn’t yet recognised females so it isn’t as easy as Rose just making the trip, not that she’s to know that at the time. We follow through her experiences with her first time leaving Australia and all of the secrets she uncovers across the sea. There are many mysteries to be solved for Rose and she finds that things are far from how they seem.
The Naturalist’s Daughter is mysterious, suspenseful, engaging, enlightening and a fascinating look at the history of our country and one of it’s iconic mammals. The more I read by Tea Cooper the more I want to read. Her storytelling just gets stronger and her vibrant painting of our country’s history is always a satisfying experience.

A beautifully written tale involving a mystery, romance and the history of the platypus. Rose Winton is growing up with her mother and father in Australia, who is documenting the biology of the platypus; a strange and wondrous creature that is a mammal but also lays eggs. Her father is sending information back to Joseph Banks in England and is invited to present his findings, but tragedy strikes and Rose must go herself. Her mother reveals a horrific secret before her departure and when Rose gets to England, a murder mystery unfolds.
A few generations later Tamsyn is working at the Library of New South Wales, determined to provide that Charles Winton, Rose's father, was the first person to discover the platypus. A sketchbook is gifted to the library which may provide answers and as Tamsyn journeys to Wollombai to collect it, she discovers more about her own family history than she could have imagined. This novel has a compelling plot with interesting characters and a surprising ending. It's a really great read and I couldn't help thinking it would make a great film.
I wish the author had covered off more on the end of Rose's story, just to tie up loose ends, but that would be my only criticism, probably born from the fact that I didn't want the story to end.
Lovers of historical fiction will eat this book up - 5 stars.

My Thoughts


Having been impressed with Tea’s, ‘Currency Lass’, (review HERE) I was happy to see her new tale, ‘The Naturalist’s Daughter’, tackling strong female historical figures once again. This truly is such a heartfelt story and I thoroughly enjoyed both dual time narratives that were so very cleverly linked.


Set one hundred years apart, both Rose in 1808 and Tasmin in 1908 have much to offer the reader with their courage and tenacity. Rose’s story is heart wrenching as she travels to England to represent her father and not only face humiliation but also conflicting familial connections (the secondary story is in itself is quite fascinating - Tea gives us a little gothic mystery on the English moors - I mean truly - this tale has it all!) Tasmin in 1908 and her pursuit of discovering the truth, is both admirable for a woman of that age and the intrigue and mystery will grip you to the very end.


Then there is the historical story behind the platypus - I learnt so much, it was fascinating to read about this unusual Australian mammal. The way Tea interweaved fact and captivating fiction with both the historical debate over its existence right down to its extraordinary habits and characteristics is highly commendable. Rich in both intriguing historical and scientific facts, you will cheer for both the discoveries and lament the setbacks.


This is really a clever story that will have you piecing together all the puzzle pieces that have been masterfully crafted by Tea. I was captivated by not only the strength and determination of the two women, but the cast of secondary characters that range from their respective beau’s, to the parentage and familial relationships - both being deep and meaningfully conveyed.


Congratulations Tea on once again producing such a spellbinding and masterfully crafted tale of mystery and intrigue that will see the reader journeying side by side with Rose and Tasmin to firstly uncover and then piece together the puzzle that is, ‘The Naturalist’s Daughter’.




This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher and provided through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The quoted material may have changed in the final release

There were unexpected twists revealed in a dual timeline story, portrayed between two female protagonists. The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper was a great story that was well worth the read. A cleverly put together story that made for an intriguing read.
Review copy received from Harlequin Australia via Netgalley

I thoroughly enjoyed this historical fiction novel. I loved the dual timelines and couldn't wait to see how they tied together. I learnt a lot about the platypus and always enjoy learning more about Australia back in the day. I highly recommend this novel.

I have read a few of MS Cooper’s books and loved them but I have to say that this is just the best so far what an amazing story set across a century here in Australia and England, the characters are strong and are alive there is a mystery that crosses the century that was amazing as it was unravelled and the two woman are fabulous they showed such courage, I had a very early morning as I finished this one.

Where do I start? Maybe with Rose Winton I loved Rose and her strength and courage she worked so hard alongside her father Charles Winton one of the colonies first naturalists studying the native platypus in its environment and this was in Agnes Banks New South Wales 1808 Rose is a young girl than but years working with her father taught her how to draw and paint and learn, she lived with her Pa and Mam a convict transported for theft but there were secrets that were kept and when they come out people’s lives are turned upside down but Rose shows such strength when it is needed.

It is now 1908 and Tamsin Alleyn is working for at the public library in Sydney and is asks to take a trip to The Hunter Valley and investigate a sketch book that is supposed to belong to Charles Winton, Tamsin meets a solicitor Shaw Everdene who is working for the family who supposedly owns the book, this starts a journey of investigation that is so intriguing when one discovery leads to another and Tamsin and Shaw get closer.

This book has left me speechless I practically gulped this one down in one sitting it is so good two woman a century apart linked like you would not believe I loved the strength that these two showed and with the help of the men who jumped in and added to the journey was amazing, of course there is the history of the platypus and the settings, MS Cooper you have knocked my socks off with this one I cannot highly recommend it enough. I loved this one.

Book blurb...
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 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…

My thoughts…
The Naturalist’s Daughter captivated me. It’s a fabulous as the cover - and the cover is divine.
After reading this beautifully told story I want to sit on a shady bank, by a river, where Platypus live and watch them while imagining earlier time in Australia when Charles Winton and his daughter, Rose, lived.
The lives of both Rose and Tamsin, although characters living 100 years apart, are so wonderfully drawn I want more! I want to keep reading and discover other family members. (There’s a whole generation that can have its own story, so come on Tea!) I’m dying to know more about Rose’s mother and Charles during their time in Agnes Bank.
If you like historical fiction and Australian authors, put this book on your TBR pile.

Historical preservation and greed are at war with each other in a legal battle over inheritance that goes back many generations. And with it, two romantic relationships are formed that end not only in happiness, but making sure that justice is served. The Naturalist’s Daughter is a fascinating read across centuries, across cosmopolitan Syndey and rural Australia, and with breaking-edge technologies (the automobile and the telegraph) which are woven together to seek the truth. And at the centre of it all is the Platypus.

Review to appear on link below approximately 11th December

As a young Rose Winton followed her Pa down to the river’s edge to continue the drawings of the mallangong and its young, her delight in all she was learning heightened. Her pa was a naturalist and his mentor was Sir Joseph Banks of London. Charles Winton’s research was well before its time; his discoveries fascinated Rose. It was 1808 and their little community of Agnes Banks in NSW, inland from Sydney was a breeding ground for the mammals. Rose lived in the tiny cottage with her mother and father – she was also friends with the local Aboriginals, especially Yukri and Bunji.

With passage booked on a ship to London, Charles unexpectedly became ill prior to departure. Unable to travel, and unwilling to let the opportunity to present his findings to Sir Joseph go, he sent Rose in his place. The sea journey was long, but Rose enjoyed it; the fresh salt air, the interest in what she had never imagined she’d see in her life – all delighted her. But when she arrived in London she received a shock. Was all she had known a lie?

One hundred years later and Tamsin Alleyn was working in the Public Library of NSW, Sydney; her love of Australian history and books deep in her soul. When she was sent to Wollombi in the Hunter Valley to collect a sketchbook which was being donated to the Library she wasn’t sure what she’d find. Tamsin’s keen interest in the sketchbook and her interest in the surrounding countryside felt right. But the news she received on arrival wasn’t promising. What would happen? And why was there a lawyer at the home?

The depth of mystery surrounding the sketchbook astounded Tamsin – could she find the answers she needed? As she investigated the past, she knew time was of the essence…

The Naturalist’s Daughter by Aussie author Tea Cooper is outstanding in its breathtaking beauty. The heartfelt story of the platypus and the events one hundred years apart which had an impact on future generations. Rose’s story, especially that set in London, is utterly fascinating. And the story of Tamsin and her research into the past, mysterious and intriguing. I’ve loved all this author’s historical fiction novels, but must say this one is her best in my opinion. And the cover is divine! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Enterprises Australia for my uncorrected proof ARC to read and review.

Thanks Harlequin (Australia), TEEN / MIRA and netgalley for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Learned so much about Aussie's cool but often overlooked contributions to plant and animal kingdom history. This story has all the ups and downs, joys, and sadness of a soap opera.