One summer, more than a decade ago, my children and I captured nine Swallowtail caterpillars in various instar stages.  We fed them and watched these caterpillars shed their skins and eat them between stages, make a chrysalis on sticks we provided, overwinter inside and then when it warmed up in spring they emerged triumphantly into butterflies.  It really was remarkable and every year since, much like Theodora, I have watched for their return.  And like Theodora, I have been disappointed. Obviously, I could identify with her fascination with butterlies.

The Butterfly Collector isn't completely about butterflies, as enchanting as that would be.  It's a dual timeline story with two strong FMCs, themes of heartbreak and hope, loss and betrayal.  It is set in Australia and the characters, which span generations, are all mysteriously connected. I had trouble getting into the first half of the story, but it gets better so much better I had trouble putting it down. There was a time, however, when things were not making any sense to me. Believe me, I was trying really hard to figure it ou! Then I encountered an unexpected plot twist and a little gem of a detail was revealed! Voila! Eyes opened! Well done Tea Cooper!

I still don't understand how two of the characters develop an interest in one another.  Well I get how but to my understanding he should be the same age as her father timeline-wise but he isn't written that way.  Maybe I missed something? Maybe he is older? It doesn't matter. It doesn't add or detract from the story, just added to my inability to figure part of this mystery out.

Choose this as your next read if you like:
Monarch Butterflies
Dual timelines
Mystery
Aussie setting
Loveable characters
Clean romance

Content warnings: Some language, physical violence, trafficking

Thank you, Tea Cooper, Harper Muse and Net Galley for the complimentary copy of this book.  The opinions expressed here are my own

The characters in this novel are multi-dimensional and relatable. Theodora's determination and Clarrie's resilience are portrayed with authenticity, making them characters you can't help but care deeply about. Their evolving friendship, amidst the backdrop of a high-stakes mystery, adds depth and emotional resonance to the story.

As the narrative unfolds, it becomes a mesmerizing journey of discovery, not just in the realm of science but also in the secrets and hidden truths that lie beneath the surface. The plot is skillfully paced, with each revelation and twist propelling the story forward, keeping me eagerly turning the pages.

This book is a beautifully written historical mystery that combines art, science, and suspense in a way that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Tea Cooper's storytelling prowess shines through in this novel, and I found myself completely absorbed in the world she created. If you're looking for a book that will transport you to another time and challenge your intellect while tugging at your heartstrings, this is a must-read. "The Butterfly Collector" is a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring fascination of the natural world.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from I received a complimentary copy of this book from Harper Muse through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you so much!

The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper is a unique story set in Australia. With a fifty year old mystery involving a missing baby and monarch butterflies, Cooper crafted a different story with a twist. I enjoyed the parts of the mystery when the heroine, Verity tried to piece together the pieces to figure out why the butterfly painting looked familiar. Even though the setting is unfamiliar to most American readers, Cooper makes the setting familiar, yet mystic at the same time. The characters are deeply developed with hurts and familiar lifestyles. Surprisingly, something so small as a butterfly could craft an entire story that shows the hurts and betrayals done by certain people that has a butterfly effect fifty years later in a different part of the continent. Overall, The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper was nice to read and captured my attention. Just like all the other Cooper stories that I have read, this one was nicely written and handled.

I received a complimentary copy of The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper from Harper Muse Publishing, but the opinions stated are all my own.

Another winner from Tea Cooper! I adored this dual timeline story. Verity and Theodora are fascinating characters, and the format works well to explore their different stories.

The mystery of the butterfly is a wonderful way to connect the timelines.

Thoroughly entertaining and a fascinating exploration of two historical time periods. I particularly enjoyed reading about women's struggles to be independent and in charge of their own lives.

Highly recommended for fans of historical fiction.

And don't you just love that cover??!!

I received a complimentary e-galley from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my review; all opinions are my own.

Absolutely loved this story. It blended seamlessly between two different timelines both in the past from now, one in the late 1800’s and the other in the early 1900’s. So right from the beginning there is a very different and in some ways simpler lifestyle to ours that we get to discover. But simple in some ways became more complex in other ways when women were really looked upon as second grade citizens. Outcast if pregnant out of wedlock and major life decisions sometimes taken out of their own hands without them knowing. We get to know a group of people who’s lives are intertwined in a way that is not fully revealed until the very end. And then woven all through the book is the beautiful storyline about the butterflies. This would be a lovely book to read during a summer holiday or curled up by the fire in winter - just make sure you have plenty of time because it will be difficult to put down once you start.

The Butterfly Collector
By Tea Cooper
Nov, 28, 2023
Harper Collins
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinions.
* historical fiction
*Dual timelines well done
This is a well written book I would highly recommend to readers of historical fiction. Easy to follow dual timelines of 1868 to 1922. This is my favorite book by Cooper thus far! Compelling historical mystery with many unexpected twists and turns. A story about secrets, family ties, adoption, cover up, and illegal baby trafficking. It also tracks a trailblazing woman’s interest in art, nature , science and the Wanderer Butterfly! I loved the Austrailian historical fiction.
4 stars

Thank you, Harper Muse and Net Galley, for the opportunity to read and review this book.

The Butterfly Collector is a dual timeline story taking place in the village of Morpeth in the Hunter Valley approximately 100 miles north of Sydney. Verity Binks is a competent young twenty something orphan, daughter and granddaughter of successful journalists. She is recently let go from her current position with a newspaper to make room for soldiers returning from WWI.

In 1922 Verity receives a mysterious invitation to a masked ball in Sydney along with a dress and cape of black and orange with white dots. While at the ball, she is introduced to a Mr. Treadwell an older wealthy man who is interested in having his mother's good works with babies of unwed mothers documented. Verity arranges to visit the Treadwell home. During her visit she sees a painting of a butterfly which is very similar to her masked ball costume. Intrigued, she set out to visit Morpeth home of her grandparents to seek out the connection.

In 1868 Theodora Breckenridge and her three sisters are completing a mourning year after the death of their parents and only brother, Jamie. While her sisters are looking forward to returning to Sydney, Theodora insists on remaining behind to further investigate a strange orange, black and white butterfly she has never seen or documented. Verity's grandparents Sid and Clarrie live in Morpeth and their story merges with Theodora's and ultimately Verity's.

As the story progresses, we get a glimpse of women's independence issues, the cruel world of babies being adopted without their mothers' consent and the discovery of never-before-seen monarch butterfly in Australia.

The book captivated me from the beginning, and it was interesting to learn how important a role the bicycle played in advancing women's freedom; something new to me. Enjoy!

This was an interesting story with several plot twists. I enjoyed the strong female characters and the writing style. The story was fascinating and made me definitely wanting to learn more about this time period.

Téa Cooper delivers again with The Butterfly Collector, a fabulous blend of history and fiction in a novel that kept me on my toes till the end. This dual timeline novel set partly in 1922 Sydney and partly in 1868 in the Hunter Valley Town Of Morpeth is a fascinating family history as well as an exposé of the baby farming trade that was rife at the time.
The story jumps effortlessly between timelines, keeping readers on their toes and guessing. The characters are real enough to step off the page and tell their own tales. The plot kept me on my toes and guessing through. This has been a wonderful read and is a story for my keeper shelf.

I have never read this author before . But after reading this novel, I requested all her books from my library. This historical book set in Australia will draw the reader right in with all the strong female characters. Set in two different time periods, all center around the history of a particular type of butterfly. I loved it! For Kate Morton readers, this book is right up your alley.

The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper is a dual-timeline story set in Australia. The first is set in 1868 and follows Theodora Breckenridge and her pursuit to document the first sighting of the monarch butterfly. She befriends/hires Clarrie, a maid and young mother whose baby goes missing. The second timeline follows Verity Binks in 1922 and her quest to solve a mystery she stumbles across while trying to make a name for herself in journalism.

Overall I enjoyed this book. It was a bit difficult to follow all of the characters at first but as the story progressed the plot became more apparent and the way that the story resolved was very satisfying. There was an element of mystery than is not common in the historical fiction genre. It was also interesting to learn about the history of the monarch butterfly’s discovery in Australia.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers, and the author for granting me an ARC. The USA publication of this book is expected to come out in November 2023.

This was a nice read. Not as much mystery as I prefer - felt like it was given away pretty early on, but maybe this kind of book isn't aiming for a full mystery. Really enjoyed the old fashioned aussie language - reminded my of my grandmother. Well researched, but a bit heavy on the feeding that into the writing.

I must say I am a huge fan of Tea Cooper novels and this is why I requested this book and it didn't disappoint. But I must say that when I started reading it I realised I had already read it. That is alright though as it was just as good the second time around.

The story of Theodora Breckenridge, a woman in mourning in a time (1868) when women were discouraged from having their own lives and when the thing to do was find a husband. But Theodora just wanted to work on her art work and this is were the story really begins.

And as this is a dual timeline story we move to Sydney in the 1920's where Verity Binks receives an invitation to a ball where her life changes as she digs up mysteries from the past.

This is a wonderful story about Australian History which is something we don't see enough of and it is so well written and researched you feel as if you are there within the book. The setting is wonderful, the story brings to life what life was like in past times and the mystery kept me enthralled and kept me reading.

Another great book by Tea Cooper.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

A spellbinding dual-time narrative with two strong, independent female leads? Yes please! This book was absolutely unputdownable. It is a maze or a labyrinth that pulls you along its thrilling path to try and solve the mystery along with the intrepid, feisty Verity. This is a very original story, with Theodora more interested in butterflies and science than husband-hunting, but a terrible thing happens, and her hopes are...well, you'll have to read it for yourself to see what happens. All I can tell you is that it is a wonderful book that I could not put down and highly recommend. I can't wait to own a print copy for my own library!

The Butterfly Collector is a historical novel by Australian author, Tea Cooper. In 1922, Verity Binks loses her job as a stenographer at The Sydney Arrow, in favour of returned servicemen. Her boss does offer to consider her freelance articles for printing. On the same day, a costume, mask and ticket to the Sydney Artists’ Ball arrive from a mystery sender.

As the daughter of the late War Correspondent, Charles Binks, she is introduced to Mr Treadwell, whose mother began the Treadwell Foundation, for which he wants some positive publicity to attract funds. It sounds like a worthwhile organisation, providing support and care for unmarried mothers, but he seems reticent about his mother’s background, and Verity’s journalistic interest is piqued.

In Morpeth, in 1868, Clarrie loses her job as maid-of-all-work when Rev. Lodestar discovers she is pregnant. Her beau, Sid Binks has promised to take care of her, and finds a midwife who will allow Verity to leave the baby in her care and find work. Sid works at The Morpeth Want as a compositor, but lives in quarters with other “Want” men, quite unsuitable for a mother and baby. His boss, though, Redmond Kendall is an understanding man and he has an idea…

After a period of bereavement for their parents and brother, Theodora Breckenridge’s sisters are focussed on re-entering the social scene in Sydney. As a nature illustrator, she would much rather stay in Morpeth, helping ready the garden for winter and looking out for the amazing butterfly she’s spotted once only, apparently never before seen in Australia.

Verity research involves a trip to Morpeth, where she meets the current Want editor, Arlo Kendall, and from the archives and further investigation, she manages to uncover a shocking racket involving the adoption of illegitimate babies, something she’s determined to expose. And when she discovers a personal connection, it solidifies her resolve.

This dual timeline story is told by Clarrie, Theodora and Redmond in the mid-nineteenth Century, and by Verity and Arlo in the early twentieth Century. The depth of Cooper’s research is apparent on every page and her descriptive prose is very evocative: the sights, sounds and smells of both inner-city Sydney and the Australian bush are particularly well-rendered. There are some dramatic scenes and the element of mystery will keep the reader enthralled through to the final pages of this superb Australian historical fiction.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Muse