The dual timelines of 1808 and 1908, featuring strong female protagonists Rose Winton and Tamsin Alleyn, are skillfully interwoven, creating a compelling narrative that kept me engaged throughout.

I enjoyed the detailed depiction of early Australian natural history, particularly the study of the platypus, added a unique and fascinating element to the story.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Hello! Many thanks, indeed, to Netgalley for having provided me with an ARC of the Naturalist's Daughter. I enjoy the writing style of Tea Cooper, and her approach to the dual timeline in this book was well-executed. I am not always a fan of dual timelines, as, for me, it depends upon the particular time periods that are the central focus of the book. I also prefer that time periods not bounce from one to the other and back again. However, in the Naturalist's Daughter, I thought that the presentation of the novel was seamless for the reader. It was completely 'natural' to time travel, and I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in an historical fiction novel in Australia. I have been fascinated by the platypus, and am super intrigued about its inclusion as an element in this novel. I feel like it was included as a major force here because it is culturally-significant to the country and the book. The platypus has evolved independently as have the women in this book. Also, the platypus is a prominent figure for the First Peoples culture as well as in Creation stories and is a central icon of Australia. I think these women's stories, as are the time periods, as is the platypus, inextricably linked. Thank you! :)

I found this book to be utterly delightful. Ms. Cooper pens fantastic dual timeline stories with the primary setting in Australia. It tells the story of two women, Rose and Tamsin, separated by 100 years. Their stories are connected by a sketchbook journaling the study of the platypus. I found this a unique and original focus that I found totally intriguing.

While I was interested in Rose's story, I was enthralled by Tamsin's. As she researched the provenance of the sketchbook, she digs up long buried secrets that connect the two stories. With a few unexpected twists along the way.

With vivid prose that transports her readers to the atmospheric backdrop of Australia in the early 1800's, many American readers will find this a refreshing change of pace. With expert plot pacing and engaging characters, I found this to be the perfect peek into history with an intriguing mystery holding me captive til the very last page was read.

Content warning- A few incidences of use of curse words.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher through Netgalley and was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

THE NATURALIST’S DAUGHTER by Tea Cooper

Who knew there was such a controversy regarding the discovery and classification of the platypus? This book was a good (roundabout) way to learn about this small, aquatic, egg-laying mammal.

I was expecting to love this because it combines historical fiction and science. Unfortunately, I did not connect with any of the characters or develop any interest in the mystery itself. I also wasn’t a fan of the “insta love” interest especially since it didn’t add to the plot at all.

If you’re looking for a light, (albeit predictable) historical mystery with some romance thrown in this would be a good choice. I liked it, but didn’t love it.


Rating: 3/5 ⭐️

**ARC courtesy of Netgalley & HarperMuseBooks.

Thought this was a well crafted book with an engaging story and characters. I felt pulled into the imagery in the story
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review book

In 1808, Rose Winton embarks on a journey to England to present her father's groundbreaking research on the platypus, a mission that will have lasting impacts on future generations. A century later in 1908, Tamsin Alleyn is tasked with retrieving an old sketchbook, only to uncover a deeper mystery involving antiquarian Shaw Everdene, with whom she reluctantly partners. As the lives of these two women intertwine across time, their discoveries hold far-reaching consequences that connect past and future.

I’ve enjoyed other works by this author, so I was eager to start this one. The setting is New South Wales Australia. As with other works, the story is told in two different timelines, early 1800s and early 1900s. I didn’t love one timeline more than the other. They both were interesting.

I did find how the timelines connected at the end a little confusing and took me out of the story. Not that it wasn’t set up well, but I just didn’t find it satisfying.

Overall, it was well-written and I found the details of early Australia interesting. Readers who enjoy historical fiction and dual timelines will no doubt enjoy this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher!
This historical fiction tells the story of a daughter, trying to get her naturalist father’s work recognized, and in a dual timeline, a librarian works to get this naturalist’s sketchbook authenticated in the hope that it will be a new addition to her library. There is a LOT going on, but the dual timeline is easy to follow, and it’s quite satisfying when the stories merge later on.

Tea Cooper is an exquisite historical fiction writer. Set in Australia and consisting of duel time periods, two extraordinary woman take center stage. The characters are well-drawn and the plot moves quickly with a few nice twists at the end. I loved learning about the platypus. For fans of Kristin Hannah and Martha Hall Kelly.

I've never read anything by Tea Cooper before but I've been eyeing her book for awhile so I was super excited to receive this arc! I was HOOKED, absolutely enthralled from the get go! The story follows two different storylines in Australia, Rose in 1808 and Tamsin a hundred years later, in 1908. I loved both of these women, they were very different and their voices very distinct, but both were spunky and ahead of their times but in very realistic ways. Both are intelligent and connected through their interest in what was then a pretty unknown species, the platypus, I found all the naturalist stuff super interesting to read and there is of course a bigger mystery connecting both women and it just played out so well, I was on the edge of my frigging seat by the end. There were also small romantic subplots for both ladies that I really appreciated!

The Naturalist’s Daughter is my first read by Tea Cooper, and my first read to feature the platypus, to the best of my knowledge. The two timelines – separated by 100 years – each follow two smart and engaging women who stand on the cusp of great discovery. In 1808, Rose Winton idolizes her father and loves helping with his groundbreaking research into the platypus, also called the mallangong by the aboriginals that live around their home in rural Australia. In 1908, we meet Tamsin Alleyn, an employee of the Public Library in Sydney who is charged with retrieving and authenticating a donated sketchbook purported to belong to the 19th century naturalist Charles Winton.

Rose is gregarious and sharp, gifted in art as well as science. She loves her parents and would do anything for her father. She’s a bit of a free spirit who cares little for social restraints or society’s expectations. Even when she is sent reeling (on multiple occasions) by some surprising events and their ramifications, she bravely does what needs doing and I completely respected her for this. In fact, her part of the story is what initially engaged my interest when I started reading this novel. But it was Tamsin’s story that ultimately kept me turning the pages. I really enjoyed following her as she tracked down clues and documents and long-held secrets in hopes of proving that the sketchbook was indeed Winton’s. Of course as readers, we already know it is (thanks to the 1808 timeline) but like Rose, Tamsin’s journey ends up taking some unexpected turns too. And it’s these particular twists – and how they link back to Rose’s story – that eventually made the 1908 timeline my favorite of the two.

Bottom Line: The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper is smartly-plotted historical fiction that will appeal to a variety of readers, told across two timelines with more than one mystery to solve, several intriguing discoveries, and even a dash of romance. Full of colorful and compelling characters (including one of my faves, Gayadin), the story also allows readers to travel to the 19th and early 20th century Australia from the comfort of their preferred reading spot – something that American readers don’t often get to do and something that I definitely enjoyed experiencing. The narrative and the writing voice drew me in right away and, even though it dragged a bit in the middle for me, my attention was firmly gripped again by the end. If you’re looking to read something outside of the ‘same old, same old’ of historical fiction, then you’ll definitely want to give The Naturalist’s Daughter a try.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Submitted this review for audiobook. Had both on my shelf.

https://theycalledmebookworm.com/2024/09/27/the-naturalists-daughter-tea-cooper-audiobook-narrator-corrine-davies/

Highly recommend this 4.5 star book!
This is my 1st book by Tea Cooper and I'll be reading them all!
The book is a dual timeline setting with 1 story set in 1808 Agnes Banks, Australia with Charles Winston, his wife and their daughter Rose. His groundbreaking discovery , study and documentation of the fascinating platypus is the 1st interesting plot.
The 2nd timeline is set in 1908 with Tasmin Allyn, a librarian, sent to assess a newly found sketchbook in Sydney, Australia. England also plays a connecting role between the timelines.
The book is deliciously layered with the unveiling of the various characters and how they intersect with each other in such unexpected ways. It has intrigue, romance, betrayal, the ache of sexist and class divisions as well as family loyalty and deep friendships that shine throughout the book. The infancy of Australia's beginnings were also so interesting and well done, with lush descriptions of the environment and the platypus.
This was a true page turner that had me hooked from the beginning with its well paced suspense and satisfying end.

Tea Cooper’s The Naturalist's Daughter is a captivating historical fiction novel that weaves together two timelines set Australia in the early 1800s and early 1900s. The novel beautifully blends historical intrigue, familial duty, and scientific discovery.

In the early timeline, we follow Rose, the daughter of naturalist Charles, who has painstakingly documented the yet to be documented for people outside of Australia- the mallingong or water mole (known today as the platypus). When Charles can’t travel to England to present his findings, Rose steps up to carry out her father’s mission—a journey that highlights her strength and tenacity. In the later timeline, Tamsin, a librarian, is asked to collect Charles’s original notebook from a woman’s estate, sparking her own adventure.

The characters are compelling and relatable. Rose and Tamsin, in particular, are beautifully written. The dual narrative is expertly executed, with both timelines complementing each other and coming together in a satisfying and surprising conclusion.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it to fans of historical fiction!

Thank you to Harper Muse and Netgalley for an advance read copy to review!

Historical fiction is my jam and I enjoy stories with two timelines, so was excited to read The Naturalist's Daughter by Tea Cooper. This story follows two women 100 years apart - but with a twist as the story lines are set in 1808 and 1908 Australia. Well researched and engaging characters, I enjoyed learning about the politics around classifying a newly discovered species (the platypus) and the role of women in both 1808 and 1908 Australian (and British) society. The relationship that unfolded between the protagonists was predictable, wrapping the story up with a "pretty bow." But that said, I enjoyed reading the Naturalist's Daughter and am happy to recommend it.

Platypuses. (Platypi?) I am now obsessed with learning about them, thanks to this book!

Charles Winton is an Australian naturalist who, with his daughter Rose, is studying platypuses and is facing difficulty convincing the scientific establishmen that such a creature--with features of mammals and birds--exists. A terrible accident makes hm unable to present his findings in England so Rose goes in his place.

A century later, a young woman named Tamsin must travel to a small town in New South Wales to see if a sketchbook was actually created by Charles Winton. Both timelines intertwine so that the right people can finally get credit for their stunning contributions to the zoology of Australia.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love the web of connection that strings the characters together and the historical research on the mallangong/platypus.

4.5 Stars

THE NATURALIST'S DAUGHTER is a story of discover, family, perseverance, and love set mostly in Australia. One woman seeks to represent her father and his discoveries. Another seeks to prove those same discoveries years later. Both fight for their place as women in their world and society, and in a field that is predominately men. Highly recommended to historical fiction fans who are looking for a story both intriguing and heartfelt.

This is a steadily paced story that shifts from the early 1800s to the early 1900s related to the discoveries of the platypus in Australia. The shifts from one time to the other were handled fairly well. There were a few times I was really invested in what was happening and then it shifted to the other storyline, which pulled me out of the story. This wasn't often though as I found both storylines interesting. There were a few climatic moments and the story continued to build in emotional intensity as it progressed and reached towards the end, which made me want to turn the pages faster. I also really liked all the characters, Rose as she emulates and then represents someone very important to her, and then Tamsin as she fights for what she believes is right while also trying not to fall for the charming solicitor. It was honestly an enjoyable story from beginning to end, even in my frustration with some of the societal constrictions of the time, and the dishonestly, sexism, and racism of some of the people.

In the end, was it what I wished for? This was a very interesting story about a subject and premise that I haven't come across before in any of my other reading. It was well written, with fully fleshed characters, and a story that kept me engaged from start to finish. I'm planning to read this author's previous works and look forward to her next release!

Content: Clean
Source: I received a complimentary copy through Austenprose PR, which did not require a positive review. All opinions are my own.

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.

• 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!

Review of The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper

It’s hard to go wrong with a book about the platypus, strong female characters, and a bit of mystery. Tea Cooper delivers a duel-time line historical fiction novel with elements guaranteed to delight in The Naturalist’s Daughter.

The first timeline follows Rose in the early 1800s as she learns from her father, Charles Winton, the Naturalist working to prove the existence of the Platypus to the world. The second timeline occurs a century later when Charles Winton’s notebook is found. The notebook could prove that Charles Winton was the first person to document and study the platypus. Tamsin is desperate to secure the notebook for the people of Australia and to give Charles Winton the post-humous accolades he deserves. She’s not the only one after the notebook; she’ll have to solve the mystery behind it if she wants to secure it for the library.

The Naturalist’s Daughter is for readers who enjoy atmospheric novels, family drama, and mystery. Readers may be disappointed in the level of coincidences that shape the novel’s ending. If you think you know what will happen by the end of the book, you are probably correct, but you’ll still enjoy the ride.

Thank you to Harper Muse and NetGalley for providing an ARC copy of this novel for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This is a very good book, especially if enjoy historical stories, this one takes place during two time periods, 1808 and 1908 in both Australia and England. In 1808 in Agnes Banks NSW, Rose Winton is a young girl who follows her Pa, Charles Winton, around as he studies and documents observations of what will eventually be called a Platypus, he sketches the environment they live and and their mating, birthing and feeding of their young. Her father sends reports of this finding to a mentor, Joseph Banks in London, who invites him to London to present his findings to the Society. Before he can go, he falls ill, unable to travel, he insists that Rose go in his place to present the sketchbook and his findings. In 1908, Tamsin works for the Public Library in Sydney, the library has received a letter from a woman who wants to donate a sketchbook that belonged to Charles Winton to the library. Tamsin is instructed to go to Agnes Banks and review the sketchbook to determine if it's real and if it is, bring it back to display at the library. Tamsin travels to Agnes Banks and quickly discovers that the woman who had donated the sketchbook has passed away and her daughter has hired a lawyer to sell it as soon as possible. Tamsin meets with the lawyer Shaw Everdene, who also has an interest in the sketchbook and together they try to determine if it belonged to Charles. The story goes back and forth between the two timelines and comes together very nicely at the end. I would highly recommend. Thanks to #Netgalley and #Haper Muse for the ARC.