The Butterfly Collector is an intriguing historical fiction novel that covers two timelines in Australia. The first is set in 1860 in the town of Morpeth and follows Theodora Breckenridge who discovers a “new” butterfly never before found in Australia. She hires Clarrie, a young single mother to help her collect and catalogue the butterfly. Much of this timeline centers around Clarrie before and after she gives birth to her illegitimate son.

The second timeline is set in 1922 in Sydney and follows newspaper writer Verity Binks who recently lost her job to make room for men coming back from the Great War who need jobs. In developing her next freelance story, Verity uncovers a secret lucrative business that spans 60 years that involves baby farming, where babies of poor or single women were adopted for money- many times without their knowledge or consent.

This story is well written and expertly researched. I listened to the audiobook version of this story, narrated by Emily Barrett, who was moving and compelling. I highly recommend this audiobook!

I SO wanted to love this. I’ve been in a spot of loving historical fiction lately, and I don’t believe I’ve ever read one set in Australia before. The premise sounded very intriguing, the cover is gorgeous, but I found it very lacking, personally. Unfortunately the story just did not grip me enough from the beginning to want to continue, and I found the narrator hard to follow. No doubt Tea is a talented writer, I actually really enjoyed her style, but the subject matter was not for me.

The Butterfly Collector is a captivating historical novel that transports readers to Morpeth, New South Wales, in two distinct timelines, 1868 and 1922. The novel skillfully weaves together the lives of two remarkable women, Theodora Breckenridge and Clarrie in 1868, against the backdrop of a society marked by the rigid constraints of class and gender. Theodora is from a well to do family, mourning the loss of her parents and brother in a recent ship wreck.. She emerges as a character of depth and passion. Her fascination with the arts and nature, particularly butterflies, sets her apart from her sisters, who are solely preoccupied with securing suitable husbands. Her aspirations to follow in the footsteps of the Scott sisters, renowned nature illustrators, ignites a fervor within her to explore the world of unique butterflies and scientific discovery.

Clarrie's story, add a poignant layer to the narrative. Her struggles as an unwed mother, facing societal judgement and discrimination, reflect the harsh realities of the 1800's. The author expertly portrays Clarrie's determination to care for her child, Charlie and both Clarrie and her partner Sid, are very devoted to him. Theodora's decision to hire Clarrie as her housekeeper and assistant forges a unique bond between them, highlighting the power of female solidarity and the support women can provide each other in challenging circumstances. The addition of Maude, a scrupulous character, who assists unwed mothers, who runs a child minding business as a ruse to take advantage of these poor mothers and covertly run a baby farming business, showcases the depravity of human nature.

As the timelines intersect, the mystery surrounding baby Charlie's disappearance adds suspense and intrigue to the narrative. I found myself eager to uncover the truth and learn more about this heart-wrenching subplot.

Meanwhile, in 1922 Verity Binks, a talented journalist, finds herself at a crossroads in her career due to the prevailing gender biases of the post-war era. When she inherits her grandfather Sid's home, she is gifted a mysterious, anonymous invitation to the prestigious "Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball", complete with a stunning butterfly masquerade dress and a beautifully embossed invitation and a paid ticket. This enigmatic gift sets the stage for a thrilling and emotionally charged story. At the ball, Verity is presented with a significant commission to write a story for the Treadwell Foundation, an organization dedicated to supporting disgraced unwed mothers and their babies. This commission catapults Verity into a world of secrets and scandals, as she delves into her own family's history, particularly her grandparents heartbreaking experience with the baby farming business.

The novel skillfully navigates between the 1922 timeline and flashbacks to the late 19th century, where the shocking truth about Verity's grandparents past slowly unravels. The juxtaposition of Verity's contemporary struggles with her family's hidden shame creates a compelling and emotionally charged narrative arc. The historical context surrounding baby farming and its consequences for unwed mothers add depth to the storyline and sheds light on a dark chapter in Australian history.

Verity's determination to uncover the truth and redeem her family's name is a driving force that kept me engaged throughout. The character development is strong, especially in Verity's journey of self-discovery and resilience in the face of societal challenges.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for providing me the book to read.

"A botanical illustration of a butterfly. A missing baby. And a twisted mystery fifty years in the making."
The twist and turns if this book keep me on the edge of my seat. Just when I thought I had it all figured out more woudl reveal its self!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I don't even know where to start with a review for this book. I absolutely loved it and how the different stories were told generations apart and then they all came together in the end. I was concerned for a bit as I was getting a little confused by the characters and which timelines they belonged to but after figuring it out, it was such a great story about doing whatever you could to find your baby when it goes missing and never ever giving up hope. I don't think my review would do this book justice so I am simply going to say you have to go out and read it. I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend you do the same. Enjoy!!!

Dual-timeline historical fiction set in Australia... 1868, Morpeth, follows Theodora Breckenridge's scientific pursuits and 1922, Sydney, follows journalist Verity Binks' investigation into an old mystery.

I love dual-timeline historical fiction, but this one was just so hard for me to get into, I think in part because of some difficult subject matter, and in part because of the narration. I think different narrators for the different points of view would have worked much better.

Thank you to Harper Muse via NetGalley for gifting me with an ALC to review!

I’ve never listened or read this author, but am a fan of historical fiction so thought I’d try it. I got used to the narrator, but I really noticed her breathy-ness in the first few chapters.

Overall I liked the story. The main character, Verity, was likeable. This story had lots of layers to it. I liked that you learned about Verity’s grandparent’s story throughout the book too since it jumped from from the late 1860’s to 1920’s.

A story of family, friendship and the unexpected, this was an interesting listen!

The Butterfly Collector is a duel timeline historical fiction novel that follows Theodora Breckenridge, Clarrie, and Verity Binks. Both Theodora and Clarrie’s stories occur in 1868 while Verity’s is set in 1922. I found each character’s story to be compelling. I enjoy a dual timeline story that slowly unfolds why the two timelines are important to each other, and this book really hit the mark.

The synopsis describes a twisty mystery with a missing baby and a mysterious ball. There is definitely an overarching mystery, but it didn’t feel like it was a large piece of the story until after the halfway point or later. This didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book as it does well exploring the lives of the three woman as they faced challenges and pursued goals - something I enjoy reading about with or without added mystery.

The audiobook was narrated by Emily Barrett. The performance overall created a listening experience that allowed me to become easily immersed in the story. My one critique would be that many character voices sounded similar. There was one conversation between Sid and Clarrie where it was impossible to differentiate who was talking based on voice alone.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for an audio ARC of this book. All expressed opinions 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!

4.25
I loved how Tea Cooper interwove different historical stories into one excellent book. The history of the butterflies and those who documented the flora and fauna of Australia was a perfect backdrop to the other story line. The multiple time lines were well handled to lace them together without confusion. Seeing the difficulty women in different ages had in dealing with the need for security and supporting their lives was the base of the stories.

The beautiful cover is what first attracted my attention to this book and if you listen to the audiobook you will love the spectacular narration of Emily Barrett

Thank you to #netgalley and #harpermuse for the audio ARC of #TheButterflyCollector for my honest and independent review.

Very interesting book with well developed, likeable characters. I also really enjoyed the narration. Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Muse Audiobooks for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A beautifully written story about two strong women, Theodora Breckenridge, and Verity Binks, taking place in Australia over two time periods – 1868 Morpeth and 1922 Sydney. Baby farming and kidnapping, the newspaper business, sighting of the first monarch butterfly in Australia, and the beginning of the women’s rights movement are all featured in this story of missing babies, and the connection to a painting of a monarch butterfly.

Thank you Harper Muse Audiobooks and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
I would say this is average Historical Fiction. The storyline was interesting enough to keep my attention and thankfully it is not a romance.
The butterfly segments, totally uninteresting to me.
As for the narrator, she had that nice Australian voice but she did not differentiate between characters. This made it difficult to know who was speaking.

The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper
(Narrated by Emily Barrett)

What a twisty, well-written and interweaving Australian historical fiction.

The dual timelines happened in 1860s and 1920s, between Theodora Breckenridge who was a butterfly enthusiast and Verity Binks who was a young journalist.

While you thought there was nothing connecting between them, then you were absolutely wrong.

Theodora discovered a special species of butterfly in Australia and she had helped with her maid Clarrie in this discovering journey. Clarrie and Sid were trying to have a baby, but their newborn went missing.

On the other hand, Sid and Clarrie’s granddaughter Verity had a chance to write about Treadwell Foundation and she received a mysterious invitation to a charity event. When she was there in a butterfly costume, Verity recognized a painting there that related to her family history and some secrets.

Amazing story plot which connected two subtly storylines but turned out into a surprising story. Intriguing and keep you guessing what’s going on.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Harper Muse and Tea Cooper for that audiobook!

Format: Audiobook (10h43m)
Pub date: Nov 28, 2023

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.


Clarrie and Sid just discovered their son has been taken, but by whom they don’t know. This young couple – she a maid and he a newspaper worker – are trying to get their life together in 1868 Morpeth, Australia, but this is set to derail everything. Their employers are determined to help them find their son and deploy their resources. More than 50 years later, their descendants reopen the investigation and discover family secrets can rock the community even decades later.

Tea Cooper delivers a striking dual timeline story in The Butterfly Collector that will play to your emotions. This novel is an ode to chaos theory, taking the reader on a decades long journey to see how one action can change the course of history. Moreover, it is an intimate historical retelling of two important events in Australian history – stolen infants and the arrival of the Monarch butterflies to the continent.

I give The Butterfly Collector 4 out of 5 stars. I appreciate the way Cooper weaves together two separate timelines that seem so independent at first. I was surprised at some of the twists later in the book and enjoyed the plot of this novel. However, some parts of the story and characters felt like they were missing details and needed to be further developed to sync with the rest of the story. I was impressed by the details Cooper included about the butterflies and other natural aspects of the area during the time. I did find it difficult to determine which character was speaking in the audiobook – the reader had distinct voices for each character, but slipped and used incorrect voices a few times. This caused me to have to pause and replay the scene to grasp the full story.

This book would be great for book clubs and individual readers alike, especially those interested in butterflies or mysteries. I would also recommend this for readers interested in Australian history – the book juxtaposes several historical events in a way that gives the readers a feel for life in those eras. With light references to death, this book may be best suited for readers over 13.

I was excited to see this book available with Netgally – the beautiful cover caught my eye immediately! Monarch butterflies have a special meaning for me and I appreciate any time a butterfly can become a character in a novel. I also appreciate Cooper’s work as an Australian historical fiction writer – so much of the historical fiction available to me and that I have read centers on American or European events. I am not as familiar with Australian history and it was nice to learn so much while I read!

The Butterfly Collector will release on November 28th – preorder your copy today!

ARC Audiobook Review
Publication Date: November 2023

Dual timeline story:
1. 1868, Morpeth, Australia. Theodora Breckenridge lost her parents and brother in an accident on the sea. She is an artist who spends most of her time keeping to herself and doing art at her family’s court side estate. Rather than finding a husband in Sydney’s society. During her many hours spent alone doing art, she discovers butterfly never seen in Australia. She wants to find all the facts and be known for the scientific discovery. Then sudden, Claire’s newborn goes missing, see what happens!

2. 1922, Sydney, Australia. Verity Binks is a journalist has been sent a package with a butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball, anonymously, the same day she has lost her job. At the ball, she is approached and offered a commission to write the history of Treadwell Foundation. Which just so happens to be an institution that helps to support unwed young and disgraced mothers to be. Little does she know till later, there is a dark and sinister past. Can she solve the fifty year old mystery?

This was a captivating story. I loved how the timelines ended up tying together. Tea Cooper’s spin of historical events mixed into her fictional characters was flawless. I wish there was a little more concentration on the missing child. The narrator did an excellent job as well. It’s definitely worth a read or listen.

Thank you Netgalley, Harper Muse and Tea Cooper for the arc audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

The butterfly collector
By Tea Cooper
A complex blend of history and fiction, so we'll done that readers can not believe her characters are not historical figures. Dual time lines fill in the story of the family shown as the connection linchpin of the story.
Dynamic characters that go through remarkable arcs. Many hints at Australian culture and historical facts. She does indicate many aboriginal beliefs with cultural respect and understanding.

The Butterfly Collector is a dual-timeline historical fiction mystery set in Australia in 1868 and 1922. The 1868 timeline centers around Theodora, a young woman more interested in art and nature than in doing what is expected of her and seeking a husband. She discovers what she thinks is a previously-unknown butterfly species. The 1968 timeline centers around Verity, a young female reporter who loses her job when the men return from war expecting to step back into the jobs women had been filling in their time away.

The two seemingly disparate timelines connect in dark and surprising ways via a missing baby case that draws us in right alongside Verity.

I enjoyed this story, especially given the two women at the center who were both, in their own ways, pioneers bucking the conventions of their times.

Emily Barrett did a good job narrating the audiobook.

Thank you Tea Cooper, Harper Muse, and NetGalley for providing this ALC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

1868 Morpeth Theodora Breckinridge is still mourning the loss of her parents and brother. She is focused on her art over trying to find a husband even though her older sister has other ideas. With the help of her maid, she is able to make a natural science discovery that can put her on the map. But then her maid's son goes missing and everything changes.

The Butterfly Collector was fascinating and unexpected. There were two timelines, and both were easily followed. The title of the book is a tad misleading to what is really happening in this book, but it works well for the first timeline. I don't know what I was expecting but the underlying plot was very unexpected, and it really made this book a more interesting read. This is my first Tea Cooper book I have read, and I can see myself picking up another.

Thank you NetGalley and Harper Muse for the ARC and the chance to listen and review it honestly.

Happy reading

This book follow three stories lines 1. Verity (1922) 2. Theodora ( 1868) 3. Clarrie (1868).
As this book has multiple POV — I think the audiobook would have been easier to follow and more enjoyable if there was multiple narrators for the different POV — but the narrator chosen was good at reading the story - though I did wish there was more variation in her voicing of male and female characters. But this didn’t detract from the excellent writing of the author.
The longer I listened to this book the more the threads of the story entrapped me and had me needing to know how everything was connected - I was most invested in Verity and Clarrie’s characters and stories and especially —Verity’s investigative reporting . This book is a great addition to Australian literature as it includes historical facts mixed with fiction. The historical notes at the end were really interesting too! I really enjoyed this story and highly recommend it !!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Muse for this ARC , this is my honest review .