Once again Tea Copper takes us on a trip through outback Australia in the Hunter Valley, this time in 1880 and 1911, to uncover secrets that have been unknown for years.
Drawing on the true mystery of Dr Ludwig Leichhardt’s disappearance whilst exploring from the East Coast to the West Coast, we meet Evie in 1880 whose father’s obsession with the explorer takes her on a mission to try to discover what happened to Leichhardt.
In 1911, we meet Letitia, who after the loss of her brother is drawn to meet her Great Aunt Olivia who still lives on the family estate waiting for Evie to return. Letitia is tasked with sorting out her Grandfather’s study and trying to discover what happened to Evie.
I loved how headstrong and independent these women were, determined they could do things as well as any man. There is a supernatural feel to the connection that Letitia feels for Evie, and I enjoyed that connection. Olivia was a great character and I felt she was a wonderful role model for Letitia to have finally met, especially as Letitia’s mother is not the sort of role model an independent woman like Letitia would have needed. I really liked Nathaniel who is intrigued by Letitia and I liked the attraction between these two a lot.
I found cartography and the way that Evie illustrated the maps to be really interesting and would love to see these kinds of maps for myself. I can only imagine the difficulties involved in mapping this vast country of our back then and am not surprised that many people went missing, never to be discovered again.
This was an entertaining read with plenty of mysteries and a touch of romance.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for a digital copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
Claire's Reads and Reviews 