It’s 1808 and Rose Winton wants nothing more than to work with her g father on the groundbreaking study of the platypus. It’s 1908 and Tamsin Alleyn, a librarian, is asked to retrieve a sketch book that was gifted to the library only to learn that there is more than one interested party. As the debate continues of this sketchbook, the mystery becomes more complex and intriguing.

I truly never thought I’d say I really enjoyed a book about the platypus, but here I am. This was such a complicated and well developed story with diam timelines and dual POVs that enhanced the story and created great forward momentum slowly revealing the facts along the way. Also, being a genealogy buff, loved the piecing together what was known about the family history involved in the sketch book. There was no authors note in the arc, and hope that there is one in the finished copy. I did do some googling and this story does appear to be inspired by a real person rather that based on the person. Highly recommend this one for those that love historical fiction with a little mystery and little romance thrown in.

I absolutely loved this book. The writing, the characters, the dual timelines, and the history were all masterfully done.

This book gave insight into the early 1800s and 1900s as well as discoveries of the platypus. Two women, centuries apart, but each working in their own way to help the man who made many discoveries of the platypus get the recognition and to help make and preserve history. As a mystery shines throughout the novel, you slowly unfold what happened to the naturalist and his family.

This was a time in Australia that I wasn’t as familiar with prior to reading this, and I learned much of the platypus too. I appreciated how the author wove knowledge of both through the overall story, but it felt as if it were part of the story itself. I really wasn’t very familiar with the platypus and now find them fascinating.

This novel showed lives of two woman, each a century apart, yet both in historical settings. I really enjoyed following their journeys. Their strength and determination persisted throughout, which I appreciated.

The stories themselves connected beautifully in the end. I loved how they tied together, and how the mysteries were solved. I didn’t expect the ending, so it was a fun surprise, too - it’s not often that I’m thrown off course. But I was so engrossed in the story I was not prepping for, or expecting, any twists.

Really, the entire book was a great read, and I am determined to read through Tea Cooper’s backlist now.

If you’re looking for a historical fiction out of the norm, I highly recommend this one!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, received from Tea Cooper, Harper Muse Books, and Austenprose. However, all thoughts and views reflected are strictly my own opinions

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐+ Tea Cooper's The Naturalist's Daughter is a beautiful blend of history, science and, a great story. This is told as a dual timeline about two women, A sketchbook, and a platypus. This book is destined to be a favorite for lovers of historical fiction.

BOOK: THE NATURALIST'S DAUGHTER

AUTHOR: TEA COPPER

PUB DATE: 20TH AUGUST 2024

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REVIEW

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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I loved this book, it was filled with a rich history and suspense because of the dual timelines. The book was set a 100 years apart; 1808 and 1908. I loved connecting the dots and uncovering the secrets. I just kept turning thebpage because I wanted to know what next. I loved the ending, it was everything I wanted and more. If there's anything I might add, I would have wanted to read Rose's POV in the epilogue too.

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The book was about the animal, Platypus also called Mallangong and it's first discovery. Rose worked hard to present her father, Charles Winton work and she also contributed to the study too. In a way, what Tasmin did a 100 Yeats after was similar. I liked the love interests both characters had. It add a soft edge to the book.

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However, nothing prepared me for the family secrets that were uncovered. They were totally unexpected! I loved the mentions if the aboriginals too, the book would have never been complete without them.

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This book was very good and I savored every word of it. You should definitely read it!

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One of my most anticipated novels this summer was The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tea Cooper. Though it was first published in Australia in 2017, this is its first release in the United States.

What initially drew me to this book is its focus on the platypus. In New South Wales, Australia in the early 1800s, Rose helps her father Charles in observing and understanding the platypus, with plans to formally present this information in London. But after Charles is spurred by a platypus, Rose must travel to England alone to present their groundbreaking work. A century later, in 1908, Tamsin is researching aa newly unearthed sketchbook detailing the platypus some decades before knowledge of the animal was accepted. Who made these discoveries, and why were they never acknowledged?

With two mysteries and a lot about the platypus, this is a work of historical fiction unlike any I’ve read before.

Tropes & Narrative Devices:
- Dual timeline (1819-1820; 1908)
- Third-person narration

What I Liked:
- Platypus! I’ve always loved animals and really enjoyed this opportunity to learn more about the platypus and its fascinating history. It’s such an incredible animal that defies our general understanding of mammals; it’s no wonder people were skeptical about it… though they certainly should have listened to Rose in this novel!
- Women in science. Speaking of Rose’s scientific contributions, I loved seeing a young woman taking charge in the study of animals. She was helping her father, already a naturalist himself, but her contributions were invaluable. I loved seeing how knowledgeable and committed she was in her observations of the platypus. This is especially groundbreaking considering she was doing this in the early 1800s when women weren’t thought to belong in science.
- Women’s achievements and earning greater respect. Both Rose and Tamsin face sexism for their work, being barred from participating in areas for which they’re well qualified. It’s infuriating to see them need to fight for any scrap of respect, and worse still when men still don’t give them the respect they deserve. Nonetheless, I love seeing women defy the patriarchy and forge ahead.
- Dual mysteries. Both Rose in 1820 and Tamsin in 1908 are unraveling mysteries. Rose is uncovering shocking secrets about her family, while Tamsin is trying to determine who made these incredible discoveries about the platypus, years before traits were thought to be discovered, and by an unknown woman no less. Readers, of course, know a bit more than Tamsin going in, but there’s more to be revealed.

What Didn’t Work for Me:
- Nothing, I enjoyed all of it!

Final Thoughts
The Naturalist’s Daughter is a captivating work of historical fiction that takes readers on a unique journey. If you’re interested in animals (especially the platypus), women in science, and family mysteries, this is a must-read. This is my first time reading Tea Cooper, and I’m eager to dive into more of her novels soon.

Fascinating dual time story about a Naturalist and his daughter studying the platypus in Australia in 1801. Their sketchbook documents the discovery and habits of the odd animal and this becomes the object of controversy 100 years later. There are gothic overtones in the 1900 part of the story and a mystery to be solved about the rightful owner of the historic book.
I liked the descriptions of the life of the naturalist and his family. The more recent time period was interesting because of the elements of tracking down the history of the sketchbook and the people who played a part in keeping it safe for 100 years. The way all the pieces came together was tense and exciting. The romance was sweet and the hero was trying to respect the heroine while attempting to fulfill his commitment to his employer.
Be aware this is a general market publication and has a few swear words. The writing was enjoyable and the setting was unique. The author captured the flavor of the times. It was also enjoyable because it was a story about antique books with a mystery to solve.
*I received a complimentary e copy of this title from Harper Muse via NetGalley. I was not required to post a favorable review. All opinions are mine alone.*

I love to discover new things when I read historical fiction, and with this one I have had a lot of data with which to spend it interesting.

A story told in two tenses, a trope often used in this genre, but both tenses are in the past, one in 1808 and the other in 1908, we are transported to Australia and with them the discovery of the Platypus. I'll be completely honest, in my head only the song of Perry the Platypus was playing (very millenial and Disney girl of me, I know).

The touch of mentioning what the world of science and many of its different branches was like in those years, has delighted me (I've always loved science, even though I didn't have the opportunity to pursue a career in any of its fields), so I greatly enjoy it when I read historical fiction that touches on such topics.

We have two independent women with strong characters who seek to excel in their respective fields.

I loved all the research that went into the story, so I felt like I was part of the moment, a reading experience that I love to live.

Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with this amazing ARC.

#TheNaturalistsDaughter #NetGalley

Well, this friends, was an unexpected delight of a read. I really enjoy a good historical fiction to break up some of the heavier fantasy worlds I like to dive into and man, this one was just what I was looking for. If you enjoy dual timeline stories and loveable characters, put this one on your list.

In these pages we have two different timelines, both with strong female characters that are fighting to learn the truth in a world that isn't ready to handle opinionated women who speak up for themselves. I LOVED all of it.

I can’t talk about this one without mentioning how much I loved that this story featured the history of the platypus. Don’t let that throw you off. It is such an interesting and loveable addition, keeping me intrigued even more. This was a little bit of history I knew nothing about prior to reading this, adding to my love of this book. It still makes me smile just thinking about it.

Tea Cooper’s writing is something special. The way the plot moves along at the perfect pace mixed with characters you want to know more about from the very beginning makes for such an enjoyable read. This was my first Tea Copper book, and I can honestly say it will not be my last. If you enjoy this genre, she is one to watch.

I love when one of my fascinations ends up in a book and a complete story is wrapped up in it. Who has not been curious about the platypus. A mammal that nurses its young, hatches from an egg, and has a duck bill. It is a creature that brings out the curiosity in anyone. Such is the case with this book. Told in dual timelines, one hundred years apart. Told through two amazingly strong women, who are way ahead of their times. Willing to risk everything to get the truth out to the world.

Rose Winton helps her father observe the platypus, take detailed notes, sketches, and creates incredibly detailed watercolors in their natural environment. Her father's goal is to give his paper in front of the Royal Society in England. He is over the moon about his invitation and when he is unable to go, Rose steps in to make the 150-day journey aboard a ship from Australia to England. What Rose was not prepared for was the deeply hidden family secrets that are ripped from the earth. Making her mind spin and makes her question her entire world.

One hundred years later, Tasmin Alleyn is working in the Public Library. She is being sent to authenticate a sketchbook that is being donated to the library. Tasmin has been trying to uncover anything she can about the naturalist, Charles Winton. She knows his discoveries on the platypus need to be celebrated in the way they should have been 100 years ago. What she finds when she reaches Wollombi is a disaster. The woman who was making the donation has passed and her daughter wants to sell everything. Her mother's estate and everything inside the mansion. Including the sketchbook. As Tasmin sets her determination to find out the truth about the book, she uncovers so much more about the Winton family and her own.

This book is phenomenal, as with all of Tea Coopers reads. The characters are meticulously crafted. The setting is detailed and described in such a way that you find yourself sitting beside the stream watching a platypus swim around, scratching his belly. There is way more to this book than what meets the eye. The mysteries tare hip deep and will send you on a wild goose ride. The ending of the book will leave you in shock. Thank you to Tea Cooper and Harper Muse for my gifted copy of this fantastic read.

I voluntarily received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.
I actually really enjoyed this book! It was definitely scientific at times because it is based around the discovery of the platypus (even uses Latin familial names in the book). While it had its slow times throughout the book, there were several times that a plot twist or mystery came up and I was excited to see what would happen. Definitely a mature teen/adult read, but I thought it was a good mix of history, science and discovery.

In 1808, Rose embarks on a journey to share her father’s groundbreaking research into the platypus. A century later, Tamsin uncovers hidden truths within the sketchbook’s pages. Together, their stories reveal a captivating tale of scientific discovery, family secrets, and the enduring power of knowledge.

This book is highly entertaining, yet also provides insights into the unique history of the platypus. I loved the characters—they’re likable. relatable, and deeply committed to sharing knowledge with the world. The author did a great job of bringing to life the dual time periods and the varied settings, while interweaving the romance and mystery plots.

Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.

With stories set a century apart, Tea Cooper delivers a great dual-timeline novel with “The Naturalist’s Daughter,” a story that is filled with mystery while taking on an interesting topic — the platypus.

In 1808, Rose Winton helps her father, naturalist Charles Winton, research the platypus, discovering facts and features about the elusive animal not yet known to the scientific world. When Charles is injured, he asks Rose to travel from Australia to England to present their knowledge to the scientific community.

Relying on unknown relatives, Rose is sucked into a warped and twisted world that shows no respect for her or her father’s findings. With only the help of Finneas Methenwyck, a connection to the family, can she save their reputation?

In 1908, Tamsin Alleyn has stumbled upon a very important scientific journal that could make major waves in the world of science. But as she tries to acquire it for the Public Library of New South Wales, she faces challenges from the owner’s daughter. However, when one of the daughter’s solicitors, Shaw Everdene, gets involved, can Tamsin trust his help, or is he there to hinder?

As the stories of Rose and Tamsin intertwine, Cooper goes a great job of blending two stories into one, all while leaving the reader guessing as to its resolution. She creates deeply intriguing characters, while reminding us of the power of family, loyalty and love.

Fans of historical novels, scientific discovery stories, dual-timeline novels, and authors like Kate Morton and Amanda D*kes will love “The Naturalist’s Daughter,” which is due out Aug. 20.

One disclaimer: the book does contain some mild occasional cursing.

Five stars out of five.

Harper Muse provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

historical-novel, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-romance, history-and-culture, Australia, Australian-author, 1808, 1908, family-drama, family-dynamics, family-history, not-TTS-enabled, rural, saga*****

This is a fantastic saga of specific women in a scientific episode of Australian history as imagined by the author. All I can say is that it was wonderful and kept drawing me back into it whenever I had a chance to sit down and read.
I requested and received a free temporary EARC from HarperCollins Focus | Harper Muse via NetGalley. Thank you

First, Thank you to NetGalley for the eArc in exchange for a fair and unbiased review.

I seem to have been pulled lately to family histories, and this was a wonderful one! I've not read many books that centered around Australia, especially the early years. We begin in 1809, in a very small town, but our family is definitely rural. Pa is a naturalist, a studier of all things in nature, a man of science. And as a man of science, he knows to document every little thing. Currently, that thing is the mallangong. He takes his daughter of his heart, Rose, out with him, teaching her the ways of science along the way, which is unheard of.

Fast forward 100 years, a young woman named Tasmin is researching the naturalist, Charles Winston (Pa). She too is on a rebellious path as a research librarian, a job mainly reserved for men. Tasmin is trying to protect the name of Charles Winston, proving that he had made discoveries decades before other more prominent scientists had.

The character development was phenomenal! I could picture both of our young ladies and the important men in in their lives. Descriptions were also fantastic, as I saw and was transported to the time of the stories, as if looking through a secret window. Traveling back and forth in time was done seamlessly.

All in all, I so enjoyed this book and am looking forward to reading more by Tea Cooper. I'm honestly surprised that with her acclaim, I had not heard of her before!

Tamsin is a librarian in the early 1900s in Sydney, Australia. She is tasked to fetch a donated sketchbook of a naturalist from almost 100 years previous, Charles Winton. But when she arrives, the woman who is planning to donate the book has died and her daughter wants to sell the book, not donate it. In addition, the book has some sketches that don’t quite “fit”, though… ones that he may not have drawn, so where did they come from? Tamsin is able to take the book back to the library to try to figure out the provenance.

Almost 100 years earlier, Rose lives with her mother and father, Charles Winton, a naturalist studying platypus. When Winton gets sick just before leaving for England to share his information on the platypus, he sends his daughter Rose, instead. But it’s not easy to get a group of scientific men to listen to a woman, no matter how credible she is.

I really enjoyed this. I liked both timelines and both women, who fought for what they were trying to do. It got a bit confusing toward the end, but that didn’t diminish my enjoyment of the book.

In this new book by Australian writer, Tea Cooper, we meet two strong women separated by 100 years. In the past, Rose the daughter of a naturalist, goes to London to present her father's findings. In the later years, Tasmin, a librarian, is traveling to Australia to obtain a scrapbook of drawings that has been promised to her employer's library collection. The intersection of these two stories makes for an absolute fantastic read. Highly recommended, I plan to go back and read this author's other books.

I would like to preface by stating that Tea Cooper is a talented author and writes beautifully. The story is easy to follow, the plot well-outlined. I would definitely be interested in reading other books that Tea Cooper has written, as I found her writing style enjoyable.

With that said, I am afraid that I had to DNF this book. The subject itself was fairly interesting, and the plot played out well. The story, unfortunately, was painfully slow. I continued to read, thinking that perhaps the pace would pick up. However, it continued to drag. The characters were not fleshed out well, and blended into each other, as none were exceptionally unique. I would hesitate to recommend this book.

A delightful dual timeline story, The Naturalist’s Daughter by Tia Cooper, is a fictional story surrounding the discovery of the duckbill platypus in Australia. Convicts were sent to colonize New South Whales followed by military men and naturalists. This is so much more than a scientific novel. It is a story of families, love, and unraveling mysteries separated by a hundred. Greed loses and right wins. Love finds a way and happily ever after occurs. Along the way, there are unexpected twists and turns making this an “I couldn’t put it down” read.. I don’t give many 5 star ratings, but this book deserves it. I was able to read an ARC on #NetGalley.

This book had everything I look for in a historical fiction novel. The setting and storyline were well crafted. I found the characters engaging and the overall pace perfect, even though it was a bit slow initially. I could forgive that because it helped set the tone for the rest of the book. I will be excited to own a physical copy when it is released.

Well, the previous 5 of her books just went on my TBR pile. How have I missed her books before now?Well crafted, great characters, good pacing. A little formulaic, but if the formula works why not?!