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The Butterfly Collector
A botanical illustration of a butterfly, a missing baby, and a twisty mystery fifty years in the making.
1868, Morpeth. Theodora Breckenridge, still in mourning after the loss of her parents and brother at sea, is more interested in working quietly on her art at the family’s country estate than she is in finding a husband in Sydney society, even if her elder sister Florence has other ideas. Theodora seeks to emulate prestigious nature illustrators, the Scott sisters, who lived nearby. She cannot believe her luck when she discovers a butterfly never before seen in Australia. With the help of her maid Clarrie and her beautiful drawings, Theodora is poised to make a scientific discovery that will put her name on the map. Then Clarrie’s newborn son goes missing and everything changes.
1922, Sydney. When would-be journalist Verity Binks is sent an anonymous parcel containing a spectacular butterfly costume along with an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball the same day she loses her job at The Arrow , she is both baffled and determined to attend. Her late grandfather, Sid, an esteemed newspaperman, would expect no less of her. At the ball, she lands a juicy commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation, an institution that supports disgraced young women and their babies. As she begins to dig, her research quickly leads her to an increasingly dark and complex mystery—a mystery fifty years in the making. Can she solve it? And will anyone believe her if she does?
The Butterfly Collector is USA TODAY bestselling author Tea Cooper at her best.
1868, Morpeth. Theodora Breckenridge, still in mourning after the loss of her parents and brother at sea, is more interested in working quietly on her art at the family’s country estate than she is in finding a husband in Sydney society, even if her elder sister Florence has other ideas. Theodora seeks to emulate prestigious nature illustrators, the Scott sisters, who lived nearby. She cannot believe her luck when she discovers a butterfly never before seen in Australia. With the help of her maid Clarrie and her beautiful drawings, Theodora is poised to make a scientific discovery that will put her name on the map. Then Clarrie’s newborn son goes missing and everything changes.
1922, Sydney. When would-be journalist Verity Binks is sent an anonymous parcel containing a spectacular butterfly costume along with an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball the same day she loses her job at The Arrow , she is both baffled and determined to attend. Her late grandfather, Sid, an esteemed newspaperman, would expect no less of her. At the ball, she lands a juicy commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation, an institution that supports disgraced young women and their babies. As she begins to dig, her research quickly leads her to an increasingly dark and complex mystery—a mystery fifty years in the making. Can she solve it? And will anyone believe her if she does?
The Butterfly Collector is USA TODAY bestselling author Tea Cooper at her best.
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First published November 3, 2022
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About the author
Tea Cooper
28 books942 followersTea Cooper writes Australian contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.
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September 19, 2023
In a Nutshell: A historical mystery focusing on two disparate plot points: a woman with a fascination for butterflies, and a mystery concerning Treadwell Foundation and its alleged focus on “disgraced young women and their babies.” Having either of these would have been fine. But the two topics don’t mesh well, creating a disjointed effect. The title is misleading.
Story Synopsis:
1922, Sydney. Twenty-five-year-old aspiring journalist Verity Binks gets an anonymous parcel containing a gorgeous butterfly costume and an invite to a prestigious masquerade ball. There, she is approached by Mr. Treadwell to write a history of the Treadwell Foundation. While digging into its past, Verity discovers a shady mystery that seems to go back more than fifty years. Can a young journalist take down a wealthy and powerful man?
1868, Morpeth. Twenty-one-year-old Theodora is still in mourning after the death of her parents and her brother at sea. Though staying with her three sisters, she prefers being in solitude and working on her art. Her inspiration comes from her friends, the respected Scott sisters, who are making a name for themselves as nature illustrators. When she spots a butterfly that has never been seen before in Australia, she realises that she has the chance to make a name for herself in the scientific community. Hence she takes help from her friend Redmond and her maid Clarrie to locate the butterfly. Does Theodora get the credit for her discovery?
The story comes to us mostly from the third person perspectives of Verity, Theodora, and Clarrie.
Bookish Yays:
ꕤ The Australian setting and its use in the plot. While many of the place names were quite new to me, I still liked how the author described the locations, helping me to visualise them better.
ꕤ The details related to the butterfly – its unexpected presence in Australia, its habits, its description. It was awesome to read about a historical female character with an interest in lepidoptery. (I didn’t like the description of how butterflies were pinned in order to study them better. There is a repeated emphasis on how “they didn’t feel a thing”, which didn’t alleviate my discomfort. But this is more of a ME problem.)
ꕤ The details about the “baby farming” in historical Australia. It is an important topic, and highlighted well in this novel.
ꕤ While there are two unexpected romantic relationships in the novel, I appreciate how the author didn’t change focus to highlight the romance more. The attention stays on the main plot than on the sparks flying between the characters.
ꕤ The author’s note at the end, detailing the facts behind the fictional plot. I love it when historical fiction authors provide such elaborate notes about their writing choices rather than leaving readers to wonder what was real and what wasn’t.
ꕤ The above also highlights how well the author has researched the historical facts. The story has an undertone of authenticity when it comes to the factual elements.
ꕤ While I am not usually a fan of covers with “ladies with their back to the camera”, I find this one gorgeous, and apt for the butterfly collector angle of the plot, though not for the whole book.
Bookish Nays:
🐛 The title is wrong for this book. It led me to believe that the focus of the book would be on Theodora and her interest in “butterfly collection.” However, this is a relatively minor angle in the novel, and Theodora isn’t the sole main character at all. I don’t understand why the title had to focus on her; it sets absolutely wrong expectations from the story.
🐛 The link between the two timelines is quite clear almost from the start, much before the characters even discover the connection. We just have to wait for the characters to catch up to what we already know. In fact, most of the mystery isn’t a mystery to us. Better not to read this as a “historical mystery” but as a “historical drama.”
🐛 Having two historical timelines is also a little confusing in this case. Except for the characters, there isn’t much to distinguish the two timelines as both feel “historical” in the same way. Only the characters help you remember which timeline is going on.
🐛 That said, the story sometimes gets confusing, not just because of the number of characters, but because so many of them are related through blood or acquaintance. The connections across the characters is quite farfetched. Moreover, only the main characters are sketched decently. The rest are used only as and when the plot needs them to do something, so their development is somewhat hazy. One of the characters has an abrupt turnaround in behaviour TWICE!
🐛 The progress of the story is quite slow. In the first 30-40%, there is hardly anything happening. The GR blurb goes much beyond the halfway mark, and even I had to resort to writing more than the initial 10-15% in my synopsis because there’s nothing concrete in the plot at that stage. The first half is more like a backstory to Theodora’s life and Verity’s investigation, while the second half suddenly changes track and focusses more on the mystery.
🐛 The plot progress is a bit too convenient at times. There are abrupt developments to incorporate a twist. Clues come up exactly when the characters are looking for them. The motivation of the person gifting the butterfly costume was quite flimsy. I wouldn’t call all this ‘lazy writing’ because the research does indicate the hard work behind the story. But maybe the author is better at dramatic stories than mysteries.
🐛 The finale was a huge letdown. There is an extended info-dump in the penultimate chapter, filling in some of the blanks of the “mystery”. Then all of a sudden, there is an epilogue, seemingly springing out of nowhere. But even this elaborate detailing doesn’t clarify the missing gaps. There are many unanswered questions about crucial plot points, with the death of certain key characters leaving us with no explanation of their motivation except for some guesswork by those investigating the past.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 10 hrs 43 min, is narrated by Emily Barrett. She has a lovely voice, but her narration didn’t work that well for me. She reads quite slowly, but worse for me, she has a ‘breathy’ voice. Even when I sped up the narration, I could hear her breathing, which was very distracting. Moreover, she didn’t change her pitch or tone between male and female characters, so keeping track of the speaker was tricky. One positive was that she didn’t have an overly strong Aussie accent, so understanding her was a breeze.
All in all, this was partly a case of expectations going awry. I went into the book, prepared to get a historical story about a butterfly collector. I didn’t expect a mystery that wasn’t related to butterflies at all. Though the subject of the investigation was quite serious and also based in facts, perhaps it would have been better either to have the story focus on just the mystery aspect and ignoring the butterfly-related aspects (or maybe vice versa), OR to change the title and cover to something that better suited the mystery-related elements.
This is my first book by this renowned Aussie author, and I am not dissuaded against trying more of her works after this novel. Hoping for a better experience the next time around.
Recommended with reservations to light mystery or historical drama readers as a one-time read.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia for the DRC, and Harper Muse for the ALC of “The Butterfly Collector”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
Story Synopsis:
1922, Sydney. Twenty-five-year-old aspiring journalist Verity Binks gets an anonymous parcel containing a gorgeous butterfly costume and an invite to a prestigious masquerade ball. There, she is approached by Mr. Treadwell to write a history of the Treadwell Foundation. While digging into its past, Verity discovers a shady mystery that seems to go back more than fifty years. Can a young journalist take down a wealthy and powerful man?
1868, Morpeth. Twenty-one-year-old Theodora is still in mourning after the death of her parents and her brother at sea. Though staying with her three sisters, she prefers being in solitude and working on her art. Her inspiration comes from her friends, the respected Scott sisters, who are making a name for themselves as nature illustrators. When she spots a butterfly that has never been seen before in Australia, she realises that she has the chance to make a name for herself in the scientific community. Hence she takes help from her friend Redmond and her maid Clarrie to locate the butterfly. Does Theodora get the credit for her discovery?
The story comes to us mostly from the third person perspectives of Verity, Theodora, and Clarrie.
Bookish Yays:
ꕤ The Australian setting and its use in the plot. While many of the place names were quite new to me, I still liked how the author described the locations, helping me to visualise them better.
ꕤ The details related to the butterfly – its unexpected presence in Australia, its habits, its description. It was awesome to read about a historical female character with an interest in lepidoptery. (I didn’t like the description of how butterflies were pinned in order to study them better. There is a repeated emphasis on how “they didn’t feel a thing”, which didn’t alleviate my discomfort. But this is more of a ME problem.)
ꕤ The details about the “baby farming” in historical Australia. It is an important topic, and highlighted well in this novel.
ꕤ While there are two unexpected romantic relationships in the novel, I appreciate how the author didn’t change focus to highlight the romance more. The attention stays on the main plot than on the sparks flying between the characters.
ꕤ The author’s note at the end, detailing the facts behind the fictional plot. I love it when historical fiction authors provide such elaborate notes about their writing choices rather than leaving readers to wonder what was real and what wasn’t.
ꕤ The above also highlights how well the author has researched the historical facts. The story has an undertone of authenticity when it comes to the factual elements.
ꕤ While I am not usually a fan of covers with “ladies with their back to the camera”, I find this one gorgeous, and apt for the butterfly collector angle of the plot, though not for the whole book.
Bookish Nays:
🐛 The title is wrong for this book. It led me to believe that the focus of the book would be on Theodora and her interest in “butterfly collection.” However, this is a relatively minor angle in the novel, and Theodora isn’t the sole main character at all. I don’t understand why the title had to focus on her; it sets absolutely wrong expectations from the story.
🐛 The link between the two timelines is quite clear almost from the start, much before the characters even discover the connection. We just have to wait for the characters to catch up to what we already know. In fact, most of the mystery isn’t a mystery to us. Better not to read this as a “historical mystery” but as a “historical drama.”
🐛 Having two historical timelines is also a little confusing in this case. Except for the characters, there isn’t much to distinguish the two timelines as both feel “historical” in the same way. Only the characters help you remember which timeline is going on.
🐛 That said, the story sometimes gets confusing, not just because of the number of characters, but because so many of them are related through blood or acquaintance. The connections across the characters is quite farfetched. Moreover, only the main characters are sketched decently. The rest are used only as and when the plot needs them to do something, so their development is somewhat hazy. One of the characters has an abrupt turnaround in behaviour TWICE!
🐛 The progress of the story is quite slow. In the first 30-40%, there is hardly anything happening. The GR blurb goes much beyond the halfway mark, and even I had to resort to writing more than the initial 10-15% in my synopsis because there’s nothing concrete in the plot at that stage. The first half is more like a backstory to Theodora’s life and Verity’s investigation, while the second half suddenly changes track and focusses more on the mystery.
🐛 The plot progress is a bit too convenient at times. There are abrupt developments to incorporate a twist. Clues come up exactly when the characters are looking for them. The motivation of the person gifting the butterfly costume was quite flimsy. I wouldn’t call all this ‘lazy writing’ because the research does indicate the hard work behind the story. But maybe the author is better at dramatic stories than mysteries.
🐛 The finale was a huge letdown. There is an extended info-dump in the penultimate chapter, filling in some of the blanks of the “mystery”. Then all of a sudden, there is an epilogue, seemingly springing out of nowhere. But even this elaborate detailing doesn’t clarify the missing gaps. There are many unanswered questions about crucial plot points, with the death of certain key characters leaving us with no explanation of their motivation except for some guesswork by those investigating the past.
🎧 The Audiobook Experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 10 hrs 43 min, is narrated by Emily Barrett. She has a lovely voice, but her narration didn’t work that well for me. She reads quite slowly, but worse for me, she has a ‘breathy’ voice. Even when I sped up the narration, I could hear her breathing, which was very distracting. Moreover, she didn’t change her pitch or tone between male and female characters, so keeping track of the speaker was tricky. One positive was that she didn’t have an overly strong Aussie accent, so understanding her was a breeze.
All in all, this was partly a case of expectations going awry. I went into the book, prepared to get a historical story about a butterfly collector. I didn’t expect a mystery that wasn’t related to butterflies at all. Though the subject of the investigation was quite serious and also based in facts, perhaps it would have been better either to have the story focus on just the mystery aspect and ignoring the butterfly-related aspects (or maybe vice versa), OR to change the title and cover to something that better suited the mystery-related elements.
This is my first book by this renowned Aussie author, and I am not dissuaded against trying more of her works after this novel. Hoping for a better experience the next time around.
Recommended with reservations to light mystery or historical drama readers as a one-time read.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to NetGalley, Harlequin Australia for the DRC, and Harper Muse for the ALC of “The Butterfly Collector”. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog | The StoryGraph | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
November 5, 2022
A book with two timelines which initially appear to have nothing to do with each other yet eventually twist and turn together in amazing ways.
In Morpeth in 1868 Theodora Breckenridge discovers a butterfly which may be a first sighting ever in Australia. Her sisters cannot persuade her to travel to Sydney with them as they go to seek husbands. She stays at home and with the help of Clarrie, a maid, attempts to gain proof of her sighting. However when Clarrie's baby goes missing their lives take a very dramatic turn.
In Sydney Verity Banks wishes to be a reporter but it is 1922 and she has to leave her job to make way for men returning from the war. On the lookout for stories to write to try and gain herself recognition, she stumbles across a mystery involving adopted babies which seems to have great relevance to her own family history.
This is a well written book with interesting characters and a lot of intriguing historical fact. The author weaves people's lives together in tricky ways and the reader needs to stay alert to remember who is related to whom all the time! I did wish that Verity and Arlo's relationship had been given a little more room to develop.
Highly recommended for people who enjoy this genre.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
In Morpeth in 1868 Theodora Breckenridge discovers a butterfly which may be a first sighting ever in Australia. Her sisters cannot persuade her to travel to Sydney with them as they go to seek husbands. She stays at home and with the help of Clarrie, a maid, attempts to gain proof of her sighting. However when Clarrie's baby goes missing their lives take a very dramatic turn.
In Sydney Verity Banks wishes to be a reporter but it is 1922 and she has to leave her job to make way for men returning from the war. On the lookout for stories to write to try and gain herself recognition, she stumbles across a mystery involving adopted babies which seems to have great relevance to her own family history.
This is a well written book with interesting characters and a lot of intriguing historical fact. The author weaves people's lives together in tricky ways and the reader needs to stay alert to remember who is related to whom all the time! I did wish that Verity and Arlo's relationship had been given a little more room to develop.
Highly recommended for people who enjoy this genre.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
November 28, 2023
EXCERPT: Once she’d stirred the coals to spark some latent warmth into the stove, she reached for the box of matches, lit the lamp’s wick and took a long, slow look at the box. She hooked her fingers under the lid and wriggled it, releasing a tantalising scent of the unknown, exotic—a mixture of rose, spices and something woody. Beneath the lid she discovered a mound of soft, white tissue paper and in the centre a thick cream envelope, her name scrawled across the front in black ink. The sort of envelope that would contain an invitation to a wedding—not any wedding, a society wedding. The sort of invitation that sat on a marble mantelpiece next to a carriage clock, though chance would be a fine thing.
A matching card slipped out, the writing as bold and flamboyant as the event.
SYDNEY ARTISTS MASQUERADE BALL
TOWN HALL, AUGUST 23, 1922
DANCING 8PM TO 2AM
Admit One
Ticket £1
One pound! Almost a week’s wages. She flipped it over:
TICKET NUMBER: 768
PAID IN FULL
The invitation slipped from her hand and fluttered to the tabletop. Who’d sent it? More to the point, why? Her attention flicked to the window where the scraggy fig tree in the backyard rubbed its branches against the dirty panes. Shadowy wings flitted past—bats searching for a roosting place more than like—but her reflection hampered the view and the recollection of the unease she’d felt as she’d cycled through The Cut returned. Stepping away from the window she shook off her uncanny sense of dread.
Imagination, nothing more.
ABOUT 'THE BUTTERFLY COLLECTOR': What connects a botanical illustration of a butterfly with a missing baby and an enigma fifty years in the making? A twisty historical mystery from a bestselling Australian author.
1868 Morpeth Theodora Breckenridge, still in mourning after the loss of her parents and brother at sea, is more interested in working quietly on her art at the family's country estate than she is finding a husband in Sydney society, even if her elder sister Florence has other ideas. Theodora seeks to emulate prestigious nature illustrators, the Scott sisters, who lived nearby, so she cannot believe her luck when she discovers a butterfly never before sighted in Australia. With the help of Clarrie, her maid, and her beautiful illustrations, she is poised to make a natural science discovery that will put her name on the map. Then Clarrie's new-born son goes missing and everything changes.
1922 Sydney When would-be correspondent Verity Binks is sent an anonymous parcel containing a spectacular butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball on the same day she loses her job at The Arrow, she is both baffled and determined to go. Her late grandfather Sid, an esteemed newspaperman, would expect no less of her. At the ball, she lands a juicy commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation - an institution that supports disgraced young women and their babies. But as she begins to dig, her investigation quickly leads her to an increasingly dark and complex mystery, a mystery fifty years in the making. Can she solve it? And will anyone believe her if she does?
MY THOUGHTS: The Butterfly Collector is a twisty, complex mystery based on fact written over two timelines, the 1860s and the 1920s. The book is rich with historical fact and oozes the atmosphere of these times. It also shows the disparity between the wealthy and the lower middle class, those who have to work to get a roof over their heads, who leave their children in the care of others and may only see them once a week. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same . . .
The dual timeline works well, with each one segueing into the other as Verity examines her family history and uncovers family secrets, a web of lies, an unexpected adoption and the practice of 'baby farming'.
I appreciated the view into the day-to-day life in New South Wales during these time periods but felt the ending to be more than a little rushed. The romance between Arlo and Verity seems to come out of nowhere. Although I enjoyed this, and it is obviously very well researched, I longed to be gripped and excited, and I just wasn't. An above average but not particularly memorable read.
Emily Barrett was superb narrator for this book.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheButterflyCollector #NetGalley
I: @tea_cooper @harpermusebooks
X: #TeaCooper @harpermusebooks
#australianfiction #crime #familydrama #historicalfiction #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Tea Cooper writes Australian contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Muse via NetGalley for providing an audio ARC of the Butterfly Collector written by Tea Cooper and narrated by Emily Barrett for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
A matching card slipped out, the writing as bold and flamboyant as the event.
SYDNEY ARTISTS MASQUERADE BALL
TOWN HALL, AUGUST 23, 1922
DANCING 8PM TO 2AM
Admit One
Ticket £1
One pound! Almost a week’s wages. She flipped it over:
TICKET NUMBER: 768
PAID IN FULL
The invitation slipped from her hand and fluttered to the tabletop. Who’d sent it? More to the point, why? Her attention flicked to the window where the scraggy fig tree in the backyard rubbed its branches against the dirty panes. Shadowy wings flitted past—bats searching for a roosting place more than like—but her reflection hampered the view and the recollection of the unease she’d felt as she’d cycled through The Cut returned. Stepping away from the window she shook off her uncanny sense of dread.
Imagination, nothing more.
ABOUT 'THE BUTTERFLY COLLECTOR': What connects a botanical illustration of a butterfly with a missing baby and an enigma fifty years in the making? A twisty historical mystery from a bestselling Australian author.
1868 Morpeth Theodora Breckenridge, still in mourning after the loss of her parents and brother at sea, is more interested in working quietly on her art at the family's country estate than she is finding a husband in Sydney society, even if her elder sister Florence has other ideas. Theodora seeks to emulate prestigious nature illustrators, the Scott sisters, who lived nearby, so she cannot believe her luck when she discovers a butterfly never before sighted in Australia. With the help of Clarrie, her maid, and her beautiful illustrations, she is poised to make a natural science discovery that will put her name on the map. Then Clarrie's new-born son goes missing and everything changes.
1922 Sydney When would-be correspondent Verity Binks is sent an anonymous parcel containing a spectacular butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball on the same day she loses her job at The Arrow, she is both baffled and determined to go. Her late grandfather Sid, an esteemed newspaperman, would expect no less of her. At the ball, she lands a juicy commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation - an institution that supports disgraced young women and their babies. But as she begins to dig, her investigation quickly leads her to an increasingly dark and complex mystery, a mystery fifty years in the making. Can she solve it? And will anyone believe her if she does?
MY THOUGHTS: The Butterfly Collector is a twisty, complex mystery based on fact written over two timelines, the 1860s and the 1920s. The book is rich with historical fact and oozes the atmosphere of these times. It also shows the disparity between the wealthy and the lower middle class, those who have to work to get a roof over their heads, who leave their children in the care of others and may only see them once a week. It seems the more things change, the more they stay the same . . .
The dual timeline works well, with each one segueing into the other as Verity examines her family history and uncovers family secrets, a web of lies, an unexpected adoption and the practice of 'baby farming'.
I appreciated the view into the day-to-day life in New South Wales during these time periods but felt the ending to be more than a little rushed. The romance between Arlo and Verity seems to come out of nowhere. Although I enjoyed this, and it is obviously very well researched, I longed to be gripped and excited, and I just wasn't. An above average but not particularly memorable read.
Emily Barrett was superb narrator for this book.
⭐⭐⭐.5
#TheButterflyCollector #NetGalley
I: @tea_cooper @harpermusebooks
X: #TeaCooper @harpermusebooks
#australianfiction #crime #familydrama #historicalfiction #mystery
THE AUTHOR: Tea Cooper writes Australian contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Harper Muse via NetGalley for providing an audio ARC of the Butterfly Collector written by Tea Cooper and narrated by Emily Barrett for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
November 3, 2022
Morpeth, 1868. Theodora Breckenridge is still mourning the loss of her parents and brother Jamie in a tragic accident, she lives at The Landing with her three sisters Constance, Florence, and Viola. Her sisters want to travel to Sydney to find husbands and go dress shopping, Theodora would rather stay home and draw and paint. Theodora admires Harriet and Helena Scott, they once lived on nearby Ash Island and they documented the areas flora and fauna. Theodora discovers a butterfly, it’s never been seen before in Australia and it’s native to the Americas.
The Butterfly Collector has an easy to follow dual timeline, it’s set in 1868 and 1922 in New South Wales, Australia.
Sydney, 1922. Verity Binks loses her job at The Arrow, and her boss Mr. Bailey feels he should employ returned servicemen at the newspaper. She arrives home early and her neighbor Mrs. Carr informs her that someone has delivered a parcel. The anonymous package contains a much sort after invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball, a beautiful butterfly costume and mask. While attending the ball, she meets Mr. Treadwell, and he would like her to write an article prompting his mother’s charity. The Treadwell Foundation, it supports unmarried women who find themselves in a delicate condition and their babies.
Verity begins to look into the Treadwell Foundation, she discovers that Mrs. Treadwell and her grandparents Sid and Clarrie had all lived in Morpeth and around the same time. Her grandfather Sid worked for the local newspaper called The Morpeth Want, and Verity slowly uncovers the well hidden clues and attempts to solve a fifty year old mystery.
I received a copy of The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. This is my favourite book by Ms. Cooper, it’s a compelling historical mystery and one with so many unexpected twists and turns. A story about secrets, family ties, adoption, cover ups and illegal baby trafficking, and a trail blazing woman’s interest in art, nature, science and the Wanderer Butterfly. Five stars from me, I highly recommend this book and a must read for fans of well written Australian historical fiction.
The Butterfly Collector has an easy to follow dual timeline, it’s set in 1868 and 1922 in New South Wales, Australia.
Sydney, 1922. Verity Binks loses her job at The Arrow, and her boss Mr. Bailey feels he should employ returned servicemen at the newspaper. She arrives home early and her neighbor Mrs. Carr informs her that someone has delivered a parcel. The anonymous package contains a much sort after invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball, a beautiful butterfly costume and mask. While attending the ball, she meets Mr. Treadwell, and he would like her to write an article prompting his mother’s charity. The Treadwell Foundation, it supports unmarried women who find themselves in a delicate condition and their babies.
Verity begins to look into the Treadwell Foundation, she discovers that Mrs. Treadwell and her grandparents Sid and Clarrie had all lived in Morpeth and around the same time. Her grandfather Sid worked for the local newspaper called The Morpeth Want, and Verity slowly uncovers the well hidden clues and attempts to solve a fifty year old mystery.
I received a copy of The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper from NetGalley and Harlequin Australia in exchange for an honest review. This is my favourite book by Ms. Cooper, it’s a compelling historical mystery and one with so many unexpected twists and turns. A story about secrets, family ties, adoption, cover ups and illegal baby trafficking, and a trail blazing woman’s interest in art, nature, science and the Wanderer Butterfly. Five stars from me, I highly recommend this book and a must read for fans of well written Australian historical fiction.
October 25, 2022
1868 and Clarrie and Sid were sweethearts when Clarrie realised she was pregnant. Sid would stand beside her, working everything out so Clarrie wasn't left destitute. Maud was a midwife and would assist with Clarrie's birth, then the lay-in period, and when Clarrie found work at the Breckenridge home as an all purpose maid, helping out Theodora as well as working in the house, they were happy. Sid worked at the local newspaper office - "The Morpeth Want" - and visited his newborn son as often as he could. But the day he was snatched, everything changed...
Verity Binks missed her grandpa Sid immensely, though she was grateful for the home he'd left her in Sydney. It was 1922 and Verity worked at a newspaper in the city, cycling everywhere. It was when Verity was commissioned to write a piece about the Treadwell Foundation that history reared its head and Verity's interest was aroused, especially after she spotted a painting she recognised. She was determined to discover the secrets of the past, secrets which had affected her family as well as others. Returning to Morpeth, meeting a newspaper man there, they joined forces. But would they discover the truth? Plus Verity knew she needed proof...
The Butterfly Collector is another exceptional historical novel by Aussie author Tea Cooper, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Based on fact, the author's notes at the end of the novel are very interesting, and show how much research the author put into this book. Clarrie, Sid and Theodora were wonderful characters, along with Verity (although she had a bit of a temper!) and Arlo, son of the newspaper editor who was good friends with Sid. All in all, a twisty, involved historical mystery which I highly recommend.
With thanks to HarperCollins AU for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Verity Binks missed her grandpa Sid immensely, though she was grateful for the home he'd left her in Sydney. It was 1922 and Verity worked at a newspaper in the city, cycling everywhere. It was when Verity was commissioned to write a piece about the Treadwell Foundation that history reared its head and Verity's interest was aroused, especially after she spotted a painting she recognised. She was determined to discover the secrets of the past, secrets which had affected her family as well as others. Returning to Morpeth, meeting a newspaper man there, they joined forces. But would they discover the truth? Plus Verity knew she needed proof...
The Butterfly Collector is another exceptional historical novel by Aussie author Tea Cooper, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Based on fact, the author's notes at the end of the novel are very interesting, and show how much research the author put into this book. Clarrie, Sid and Theodora were wonderful characters, along with Verity (although she had a bit of a temper!) and Arlo, son of the newspaper editor who was good friends with Sid. All in all, a twisty, involved historical mystery which I highly recommend.
With thanks to HarperCollins AU for my uncorrected proof ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 10, 2023
The Butterfly Collector is a delightful and captivating story set in Australia. It begins in 1868 with a young lady named, Theodora. She enjoys painting and hopes to emulate her neighbor’s daughters who have done the intricate illustrations for their father’s guidebook on butterflies. She dreams about this so much that she’d rather stay home and paint her beautiful surroundings than venture with her older sisters on an outing to Sydney.
The story continues 54 years later in 1922, with another young Lady named, Verity, who aspires to be a journalist. She is spirited and enjoys riding a bicycle in a time when it is unladylike to do so. She wants to be known for writing articles about topics that further women’s rights.
The story switches back and forth between the two girls and their narratives finally bringing their lives together in a surprising way.
There are many secrets along the way, including a missing baby and long hidden family secrets. The beginning is slow while the story is being set up but when it picked up the pace I couldn’t stop listening. The ending brings the secrets to light and you finally see how everything is tied together.
Tea Cooper has done intense investigation about the events and people in Australia during both time periods and even though it’s fiction she has carefully added important facts. She explains fact vs fiction in an authors note. She also suggests books to read if you want to learn more.
This is a great historical mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Many thanks to Harper Muse via NetGalley Audio.
The story continues 54 years later in 1922, with another young Lady named, Verity, who aspires to be a journalist. She is spirited and enjoys riding a bicycle in a time when it is unladylike to do so. She wants to be known for writing articles about topics that further women’s rights.
The story switches back and forth between the two girls and their narratives finally bringing their lives together in a surprising way.
There are many secrets along the way, including a missing baby and long hidden family secrets. The beginning is slow while the story is being set up but when it picked up the pace I couldn’t stop listening. The ending brings the secrets to light and you finally see how everything is tied together.
Tea Cooper has done intense investigation about the events and people in Australia during both time periods and even though it’s fiction she has carefully added important facts. She explains fact vs fiction in an authors note. She also suggests books to read if you want to learn more.
This is a great historical mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed.
Many thanks to Harper Muse via NetGalley Audio.
November 5, 2022
I loved this story so very much, from start to finish Tea Cooper took me on a journey back in two time lines, to follow the story of a twisty historical mystery involving gorgeous butterflies and wonderful characters that I loved, come along for the fascinating trip, you will not want to put this one down.
1869 Morpeth which is a small river town close to The Hunter Valley, Theodora Breckenridge is in morning after loss her parents and older brother in a ship wreck, but her three sisters decide it is time to make a trip to Sydney but Theodora is much happier staying at home and working on her research about butterflies and do her painting, she is very excited about discovering a butterfly that has never been seen in Australia and is determined find out much more about it. Hiring a new maid Clarrie to help at home is a bonus as they become close and Clarrie is a lot of help, but Clarrie has a baby who is being cared for by a local midwife and when he goes missing there are lots of questions that need answering. Will Sid the baby’s father find their son and uncover the truth?
1922 Sydney, Verity Binks has wanted to become a correspondent and follow in her father and grandfathers footsteps when she is sent a beautiful butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artist Masquerade Ball anonymously on the day she has just lost her job at The Sydney Arrow newspaper, this is a mystery but one that Verity is determined to get to the bottom of and arrives and meets Mr. Treadwell and is asked to write an article about the history of The Treadwell Foundation, an institute that supports and helps young girls in disgrace, or does it, what will Verity find when she digs deep a mystery that goes back more than fifty years with links to her past as well.
Tea Cooper has again researched so well and added fact and fiction together to bring her readers a brilliant story, a story that digs deep into the past and has Verity uncovering information about baby farming and Theodore finding the elusive Monarch butterfly, there is mystery, secrets and friendships all wound together to make this a compelling story that had me up late last night. I loved the characters Verity, Theodora, Clarrie and Sid and also Redmond and Arlo all were easy to get to know and made this story fabulous, my thanks MS Cooper for another keeper, this is one that I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
1869 Morpeth which is a small river town close to The Hunter Valley, Theodora Breckenridge is in morning after loss her parents and older brother in a ship wreck, but her three sisters decide it is time to make a trip to Sydney but Theodora is much happier staying at home and working on her research about butterflies and do her painting, she is very excited about discovering a butterfly that has never been seen in Australia and is determined find out much more about it. Hiring a new maid Clarrie to help at home is a bonus as they become close and Clarrie is a lot of help, but Clarrie has a baby who is being cared for by a local midwife and when he goes missing there are lots of questions that need answering. Will Sid the baby’s father find their son and uncover the truth?
1922 Sydney, Verity Binks has wanted to become a correspondent and follow in her father and grandfathers footsteps when she is sent a beautiful butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artist Masquerade Ball anonymously on the day she has just lost her job at The Sydney Arrow newspaper, this is a mystery but one that Verity is determined to get to the bottom of and arrives and meets Mr. Treadwell and is asked to write an article about the history of The Treadwell Foundation, an institute that supports and helps young girls in disgrace, or does it, what will Verity find when she digs deep a mystery that goes back more than fifty years with links to her past as well.
Tea Cooper has again researched so well and added fact and fiction together to bring her readers a brilliant story, a story that digs deep into the past and has Verity uncovering information about baby farming and Theodore finding the elusive Monarch butterfly, there is mystery, secrets and friendships all wound together to make this a compelling story that had me up late last night. I loved the characters Verity, Theodora, Clarrie and Sid and also Redmond and Arlo all were easy to get to know and made this story fabulous, my thanks MS Cooper for another keeper, this is one that I highly recommend.
My thanks to Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
December 5, 2023
Over the years, I have gotten to read several books by Tea Cooper. Although The Butterfly Collector was not one of my favorite books that she has written I did enjoy it. The beginning was a little confusing for me as there were so many characters and a duel timeline to keep track of. Once I started to progress through the story it started getting easier to understand the relationships between the characters. The Butterfly Collector took place in Morpeth, Australia in 1868 and in Sydney, Australia in 1922. There were two strong female protagonists who were ambitious, independent and quite capable in their own ways. I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by Emily Barrett. One of the main topics Tea Cooper explored in this book was “baby farming” in Australia during the 1800 and 1900’s. She also touched upon the discovery of the migration of Monarch butterflies to Australia.
In 1868, the Breckenridge family suffered a devastating tragedy. The parents and young brother of Theodora and her two sisters were killed in a shipping accident. Theodora and her sisters continued to live at the family’s estate. Theodora was quite different from her sisters. While her sisters were interested in traveling to Sydney where they hoped to participate in the social events worthy of their standings and seek out potential husbands, Theodora was content to stay at home and pursue her artistic ambitions. Theodora’s goal was to become an illustrator of things that pertained to nature. She aspired to follow in the footsteps of the Scott sisters. Her drawings were exquisite but it was her scientific discovery of a species of butterflies foreign to Australia that would eventually make her famous. Left at the family estate while her sisters travelled to Sydney, Theodora was introduced to young woman who had recently given birth to a baby boy and was in need of a job. Theodora took an instant liking to Clarrie and hired her to work as a maid. Clarrie and Theodora formed a bond. They were determined to help each other as much as they could. Clarrie helped Theodora with her beautiful drawings and Theodora helped Clarrie earn extra time to visit her young son. When Clarrie discovered that her son had been taken from her everything changed in a blink of an eye. Who had taken Clarrie’s baby and why? Could Theodora help Clarrie get him back?
In 1922, in Sydney, Australia, many women were being forced to vacate the positions they had held while the war was being fought and hand them back to the returning soldiers. Verity Binkx, an aspiring journalist for The Arrow, was one of those women. She understood the situation but was sad to let go of her position at the paper. Her articles were just beginning to be recognized for their good content and some had even been printed. Her late grandfather, Sid, had been a well known and respected newspaper man. On the day Verity lost her job at The Arrow a strange thing happened. An anonymous package arrived at her home for her. Inside the package was an elegant butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball. Who could have sent these to her? Verity decided to attend the ball. Perhaps she would encounter the sender at the ball. Although Verity came no closer to discovering the identity of the sender, she was offered an assignment to write about the Treadwell Foundation and the role they had played in helping young girls who found themselves unwed and pregnant over the years. As Verity conducted her research about The Treadwell Foundation throughout Australia’s history, she discovered a butterfly painting that was almost identical to the costume that had been sent to her. This discovery led Verity to do some digging in Morpeth. Would Verity be able to link the connections between the butterfly painting, Morpeth and the Treadwell Foundation? What would she discover?
The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper was an engaging historical mystery. As I learned about the occurrences of “baby farming “ that was so prevalent in Australia during that time period I was surprised at how many babies were taken away and sold. I really enjoyed the characters of Theodora, Verity and Clarrie. They were each strong women in their own right. The emergence and discovery of a new butterfly species in Australia was a phenomenon that I had not known about. I continue to admire Tea Cooper’s writing and enjoyed listening to this book. Even though this was not my favorite book of hers I enjoyed it and I recommend it.
Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
In 1868, the Breckenridge family suffered a devastating tragedy. The parents and young brother of Theodora and her two sisters were killed in a shipping accident. Theodora and her sisters continued to live at the family’s estate. Theodora was quite different from her sisters. While her sisters were interested in traveling to Sydney where they hoped to participate in the social events worthy of their standings and seek out potential husbands, Theodora was content to stay at home and pursue her artistic ambitions. Theodora’s goal was to become an illustrator of things that pertained to nature. She aspired to follow in the footsteps of the Scott sisters. Her drawings were exquisite but it was her scientific discovery of a species of butterflies foreign to Australia that would eventually make her famous. Left at the family estate while her sisters travelled to Sydney, Theodora was introduced to young woman who had recently given birth to a baby boy and was in need of a job. Theodora took an instant liking to Clarrie and hired her to work as a maid. Clarrie and Theodora formed a bond. They were determined to help each other as much as they could. Clarrie helped Theodora with her beautiful drawings and Theodora helped Clarrie earn extra time to visit her young son. When Clarrie discovered that her son had been taken from her everything changed in a blink of an eye. Who had taken Clarrie’s baby and why? Could Theodora help Clarrie get him back?
In 1922, in Sydney, Australia, many women were being forced to vacate the positions they had held while the war was being fought and hand them back to the returning soldiers. Verity Binkx, an aspiring journalist for The Arrow, was one of those women. She understood the situation but was sad to let go of her position at the paper. Her articles were just beginning to be recognized for their good content and some had even been printed. Her late grandfather, Sid, had been a well known and respected newspaper man. On the day Verity lost her job at The Arrow a strange thing happened. An anonymous package arrived at her home for her. Inside the package was an elegant butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball. Who could have sent these to her? Verity decided to attend the ball. Perhaps she would encounter the sender at the ball. Although Verity came no closer to discovering the identity of the sender, she was offered an assignment to write about the Treadwell Foundation and the role they had played in helping young girls who found themselves unwed and pregnant over the years. As Verity conducted her research about The Treadwell Foundation throughout Australia’s history, she discovered a butterfly painting that was almost identical to the costume that had been sent to her. This discovery led Verity to do some digging in Morpeth. Would Verity be able to link the connections between the butterfly painting, Morpeth and the Treadwell Foundation? What would she discover?
The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper was an engaging historical mystery. As I learned about the occurrences of “baby farming “ that was so prevalent in Australia during that time period I was surprised at how many babies were taken away and sold. I really enjoyed the characters of Theodora, Verity and Clarrie. They were each strong women in their own right. The emergence and discovery of a new butterfly species in Australia was a phenomenon that I had not known about. I continue to admire Tea Cooper’s writing and enjoyed listening to this book. Even though this was not my favorite book of hers I enjoyed it and I recommend it.
Thank you to Harper Muse for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2022
Excellent!!
Settle in, get comfy, and pay attention…because this is a story you will happily want to absorb! This book is so much more than first impressions might imply.
Sydney, 1922
Verity is very proud of her position at The Arrow and her potential to ultimately become a worthy female newspaper correspondent.
So when she is summoned to the office of her boss at The Arrow, she is not for a moment concerned, and fully expects that her boss wants to commend her for her latest article.
Her boss however, had bad news for Verity, informing her that due to the return of servicemen from the war, and the shortage of jobs, he would have to let her go.
He assured her that he would still pay her for any worthwhile special freelance stories that she might write.
Devastated and in shock, she packs her meagre belongings and goes home to her rented accommodation to ponder her grim looking future. As she arrives home her [nosy] neighbour greets her with a parcel which was anonymously delivered earlier, addressed to Verity with no sender address or any other identification.
The mysterious parcel contains an invitation [also anonymous] to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball, as well as an amazing Butterfly themed costume for her to wear.
Verity is so intrigued by this mysterious invitation that she feels compelled to go, even if only to get a story to sell to her [now ex] employer at The Arrow.
Verity’s attendance at the Ball is about to throw her life into yet another huge spin!
Morpeth, 1868
Theodora Breckenridge is still mourning the loss of her parents and brother at sea after the steam boat they were travelling in was hit by a rogue wave and dashed against rocks killing all but one person.
Theodora is one of four sisters, Florence, Constance and Viola, with Florence being the eldest, assuming charge of them all.
When Florence announces that it’s time to cast aside their mourning attire and travel to Sydney on a steamer boat with a view to shopping for new dresses…Dresses suitable for young women to wear whilst seeking a husband…Theodora is filled with trepidation.
Not one for socializing at the best of times, she is also (understandably) terrified at the prospects of travelling on a steamer. She is adamant that she will not go and would much prefer to stay at home and work on her paintings but Florence feels she should go, especially as she has nobody to play chaperone if she stays home, except for their housekeeper.
After much pleading and cajoling, Theodora is allowed to stay at home with her painting work, under the watchful care of their housekeeper.
This is where Theodora, whilst painting in her mother’s garden, saw…or imagines she saw…an unusual butterfly. She goes in search of it and in so doing, opens up an adventure, which uncovers some mysteries and long held secrets…
Meanwhile in Sydney…
Weaving some of Australia’s most fascinating historical facts in with some tantalizingly clever fiction, Tea Cooper has built a richly complex story with an equally rich and complex cast of well developed characters.
Told in two timelines with parallel themes that flow smoothly between each, we are taken on an amazing journey of unfolding mysteries, where pieces of a long standing puzzle are cunningly brought together to reveal some astonishing new truths.
This story would make a wonderful television mini-series!
I am more than happy to recommend this book to all readers, I loved it!!
5⭐️s
With thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for my copy to read and review.
Settle in, get comfy, and pay attention…because this is a story you will happily want to absorb! This book is so much more than first impressions might imply.
Sydney, 1922
Verity is very proud of her position at The Arrow and her potential to ultimately become a worthy female newspaper correspondent.
So when she is summoned to the office of her boss at The Arrow, she is not for a moment concerned, and fully expects that her boss wants to commend her for her latest article.
Her boss however, had bad news for Verity, informing her that due to the return of servicemen from the war, and the shortage of jobs, he would have to let her go.
He assured her that he would still pay her for any worthwhile special freelance stories that she might write.
Devastated and in shock, she packs her meagre belongings and goes home to her rented accommodation to ponder her grim looking future. As she arrives home her [nosy] neighbour greets her with a parcel which was anonymously delivered earlier, addressed to Verity with no sender address or any other identification.
The mysterious parcel contains an invitation [also anonymous] to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball, as well as an amazing Butterfly themed costume for her to wear.
Verity is so intrigued by this mysterious invitation that she feels compelled to go, even if only to get a story to sell to her [now ex] employer at The Arrow.
Verity’s attendance at the Ball is about to throw her life into yet another huge spin!
Morpeth, 1868
Theodora Breckenridge is still mourning the loss of her parents and brother at sea after the steam boat they were travelling in was hit by a rogue wave and dashed against rocks killing all but one person.
Theodora is one of four sisters, Florence, Constance and Viola, with Florence being the eldest, assuming charge of them all.
When Florence announces that it’s time to cast aside their mourning attire and travel to Sydney on a steamer boat with a view to shopping for new dresses…Dresses suitable for young women to wear whilst seeking a husband…Theodora is filled with trepidation.
Not one for socializing at the best of times, she is also (understandably) terrified at the prospects of travelling on a steamer. She is adamant that she will not go and would much prefer to stay at home and work on her paintings but Florence feels she should go, especially as she has nobody to play chaperone if she stays home, except for their housekeeper.
After much pleading and cajoling, Theodora is allowed to stay at home with her painting work, under the watchful care of their housekeeper.
This is where Theodora, whilst painting in her mother’s garden, saw…or imagines she saw…an unusual butterfly. She goes in search of it and in so doing, opens up an adventure, which uncovers some mysteries and long held secrets…
Meanwhile in Sydney…
Weaving some of Australia’s most fascinating historical facts in with some tantalizingly clever fiction, Tea Cooper has built a richly complex story with an equally rich and complex cast of well developed characters.
Told in two timelines with parallel themes that flow smoothly between each, we are taken on an amazing journey of unfolding mysteries, where pieces of a long standing puzzle are cunningly brought together to reveal some astonishing new truths.
This story would make a wonderful television mini-series!
I am more than happy to recommend this book to all readers, I loved it!!
5⭐️s
With thanks to NetGalley and the Publishers for my copy to read and review.
December 13, 2025
Delightfully captivating historical fiction novel, set between two time periods, with dual-narrative storytelling.
1868 in Morpeth, in the Hunter Valley, Theodora Breckenridge is the butterfly collector from the book title.
1922 in Sydney, Verity Binks is tasked with writing the history of the Treadwell Foundation, an institution that ‘supports’ young unwed mothers and their babies. She soon discovers a mystery 50 years in the making, and identifies many travesties committed against so many individuals.
While this book is titled The Butterfly Collector, it does have elements of natural history and scientific discoveries. There are also emotionally charged depictions of ‘baby farming’, and the mistreatment of unmarried mothers, with all the associated complexities.
This was a well-written and well-researched read, although could be a difficult novel for some readers.
1868 in Morpeth, in the Hunter Valley, Theodora Breckenridge is the butterfly collector from the book title.
1922 in Sydney, Verity Binks is tasked with writing the history of the Treadwell Foundation, an institution that ‘supports’ young unwed mothers and their babies. She soon discovers a mystery 50 years in the making, and identifies many travesties committed against so many individuals.
While this book is titled The Butterfly Collector, it does have elements of natural history and scientific discoveries. There are also emotionally charged depictions of ‘baby farming’, and the mistreatment of unmarried mothers, with all the associated complexities.
This was a well-written and well-researched read, although could be a difficult novel for some readers.
October 16, 2022
This historical novel is set in the town of Morpeth near Maitland in the Hunter Valley, and also in Sydney. It’s in two timelines, the late 1860s and 1922. The earlier timeline follows Theodora Breckenridge (the butterfly collector of the title) who thinks she has seen a ‘wanderer’ butterfly never found in Australia before; and Sid and Clarrie, a young couple expecting a child. Sid works on the local newspaper and Clarrie is a maid. The second timeline is about Verity Binks, Sid and Clarrie’s granddaughter, who has just lost her job at a Sydney newspaper to make room for men back from the war who need jobs. The title suggests that the main topic of the novel is butterflies, and it is a big part of the first timeline but the overall theme is .
I really enjoyed this novel, both timelines worked well, the subjects and history was very interesting.
Another excellent novel by Tea Cooper.
I really enjoyed this novel, both timelines worked well, the subjects and history was very interesting.
Another excellent novel by Tea Cooper.
February 1, 2023
The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper
Synopsis /
1868 Morpeth Theodora Breckenridge, still in mourning after the loss of her parents and brother at sea, is more interested in working quietly on her art at the family's country estate than she is finding a husband in Sydney society, even if her elder sister Florence has other ideas. Theodora seeks to emulate prestigious nature illustrators, the Scott sisters, who lived nearby, so she cannot believe her luck when she discovers a butterfly never before sighted in Australia. With the help of Clarrie, her maid, and her beautiful illustrations, she is poised to make a natural science discovery that will put her name on the map. Then Clarrie's new-born son goes missing and everything changes.
1922 Sydney When would-be correspondent Verity Binks is sent an anonymous parcel containing a spectacular butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball on the same day she loses her job at The Arrow, she is both baffled and determined to go. Her late grandfather Sid, an esteemed newspaperman, would expect no less of her. At the ball, she lands a juicy commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation - an institution that supports disgraced young women and their babies. But as she begins to dig, her investigation quickly leads her to an increasingly dark and complex mystery, a mystery fifty years in the making. Can she solve it? And will anyone believe her if she does?
My Thoughts /
Tea Cooper writes Australian contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.
The Butterfly Collector is my second Tea Cooper novel (check out my review for The Fossil Hunter) and is a fantastic example of how to seamlessly combine dual timelines. I’m now officially a devotee.
This dual timeline novel is set in and around Sydney, Australia during 1868 and 1922.
1868 – Theodora Breckenridge, Clarrie and Sid
Our 1868 timeline begins in Morpeth, a town situated in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Theodora Breckenridge, one of four sisters, is still mourning the loss of her parents and her brother, Jamie - all three tragically lost their lives when the steamer ship they were travelling in was caught in a storm, hit a reef and sank. Since their parents’ death, her sister, Florence had taken it upon herself to take charge over them all in respect to household and family decisions. When Florence summoned of all the sisters to a meeting: Florence, Constance, Viola and, Theodora; Theodora knew something was up. At the meeting, Florence announced that she’d decided that it was time for their period of mourning to end. Not only that, it was also time for the sisters to put themselves back out into ‘society’, attend galas and balls, and to find themselves suitable husbands. To do that, they would all need to relocate to Sydney for a time and they were to leave in a few weeks. That whole scenario terrified Theodora, not only the travel by steamer, but coming out to parties and socialising; she much preferred her own company, staying at home and working on her paintings in her mother’s garden.
Clarrie is the maid-of-all-work for the local clergyman and has been ‘stepping-out’ with beau, Sid Binks for quite some time. When Clarrie discovers she is pregnant with Sid’s child, she’s elated, but the Reverend Lodestar is abhorred, throwing Clarrie out of the house and, out of a job. Sid promises to take care of them both and, true to his word, finds a local midwife named Maud, who agrees to let Clarrie to stay with her until the baby is born and will look after the baby when Clarrie goes back to work.
1922 – Miss Verity Binks (Grand-daughter of Sid and Clarrie Binks)
Working as a writer for The Arrow newspaper, Verity’s boss, Mr Bailey, calls her into his office. He’s got bad news. Now that the war has ended (WWI), and the soldiers are returning home, her job will need to go back to being filled by a returning soldier. He couldn’t do anything about that but, he’d made a promise to Verity’s grandfather, Sid, that he would always look out for Verity, so he made her this offer: he’ll pay her the equivalent of stringers’ rates for every article she writes that is newsworthy and gets published by the paper. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps, Verity was resolute in her intention to write a newsworthy article. When she received an anonymous package addressed to her at home, which included an invitation to the Sydney Artists’ Masquerade Ball and a beautiful butterfly costume to go with it. While at the ball, Verity is approached to write an article about the history of the Treadwell Foundation. The Foundation is famous for providing support for unmarried women and their babies. How could Verity know this event was to trigger a lifechanging experience? Verity begins her research with a trip back to Morpeth where her grandparents met and where her father, Charlie was born. The research she undertakes begins a journey of discovery about her family, her connections to the family that lived at The Landing.
Tea Cooper’s writing is a joy to read. She has made this historical-fiction story come alive. The dual timeline story slips easily back and forth between 1868 and 1922. The characters are fleshed out and interesting. The plot is fuelled by powerful historical events and themes of the time-period. This complex mystery starts and ends with a family – a family brimming with mystery, unexpected directions, and surprises.
Synopsis /
1868 Morpeth Theodora Breckenridge, still in mourning after the loss of her parents and brother at sea, is more interested in working quietly on her art at the family's country estate than she is finding a husband in Sydney society, even if her elder sister Florence has other ideas. Theodora seeks to emulate prestigious nature illustrators, the Scott sisters, who lived nearby, so she cannot believe her luck when she discovers a butterfly never before sighted in Australia. With the help of Clarrie, her maid, and her beautiful illustrations, she is poised to make a natural science discovery that will put her name on the map. Then Clarrie's new-born son goes missing and everything changes.
1922 Sydney When would-be correspondent Verity Binks is sent an anonymous parcel containing a spectacular butterfly costume and an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball on the same day she loses her job at The Arrow, she is both baffled and determined to go. Her late grandfather Sid, an esteemed newspaperman, would expect no less of her. At the ball, she lands a juicy commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation - an institution that supports disgraced young women and their babies. But as she begins to dig, her investigation quickly leads her to an increasingly dark and complex mystery, a mystery fifty years in the making. Can she solve it? And will anyone believe her if she does?
My Thoughts /
Tea Cooper writes Australian contemporary and historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.
The Butterfly Collector is my second Tea Cooper novel (check out my review for The Fossil Hunter) and is a fantastic example of how to seamlessly combine dual timelines. I’m now officially a devotee.
This dual timeline novel is set in and around Sydney, Australia during 1868 and 1922.
1868 – Theodora Breckenridge, Clarrie and Sid
Our 1868 timeline begins in Morpeth, a town situated in the Hunter Region of New South Wales, Australia. Theodora Breckenridge, one of four sisters, is still mourning the loss of her parents and her brother, Jamie - all three tragically lost their lives when the steamer ship they were travelling in was caught in a storm, hit a reef and sank. Since their parents’ death, her sister, Florence had taken it upon herself to take charge over them all in respect to household and family decisions. When Florence summoned of all the sisters to a meeting: Florence, Constance, Viola and, Theodora; Theodora knew something was up. At the meeting, Florence announced that she’d decided that it was time for their period of mourning to end. Not only that, it was also time for the sisters to put themselves back out into ‘society’, attend galas and balls, and to find themselves suitable husbands. To do that, they would all need to relocate to Sydney for a time and they were to leave in a few weeks. That whole scenario terrified Theodora, not only the travel by steamer, but coming out to parties and socialising; she much preferred her own company, staying at home and working on her paintings in her mother’s garden.
Clarrie is the maid-of-all-work for the local clergyman and has been ‘stepping-out’ with beau, Sid Binks for quite some time. When Clarrie discovers she is pregnant with Sid’s child, she’s elated, but the Reverend Lodestar is abhorred, throwing Clarrie out of the house and, out of a job. Sid promises to take care of them both and, true to his word, finds a local midwife named Maud, who agrees to let Clarrie to stay with her until the baby is born and will look after the baby when Clarrie goes back to work.
1922 – Miss Verity Binks (Grand-daughter of Sid and Clarrie Binks)
Working as a writer for The Arrow newspaper, Verity’s boss, Mr Bailey, calls her into his office. He’s got bad news. Now that the war has ended (WWI), and the soldiers are returning home, her job will need to go back to being filled by a returning soldier. He couldn’t do anything about that but, he’d made a promise to Verity’s grandfather, Sid, that he would always look out for Verity, so he made her this offer: he’ll pay her the equivalent of stringers’ rates for every article she writes that is newsworthy and gets published by the paper. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps, Verity was resolute in her intention to write a newsworthy article. When she received an anonymous package addressed to her at home, which included an invitation to the Sydney Artists’ Masquerade Ball and a beautiful butterfly costume to go with it. While at the ball, Verity is approached to write an article about the history of the Treadwell Foundation. The Foundation is famous for providing support for unmarried women and their babies. How could Verity know this event was to trigger a lifechanging experience? Verity begins her research with a trip back to Morpeth where her grandparents met and where her father, Charlie was born. The research she undertakes begins a journey of discovery about her family, her connections to the family that lived at The Landing.
Tea Cooper’s writing is a joy to read. She has made this historical-fiction story come alive. The dual timeline story slips easily back and forth between 1868 and 1922. The characters are fleshed out and interesting. The plot is fuelled by powerful historical events and themes of the time-period. This complex mystery starts and ends with a family – a family brimming with mystery, unexpected directions, and surprises.
December 7, 2022
This is another intriguing piece of Australian historical fiction by Tea Cooper.
Told in parallel lines, on the the early 1920's featuring Verity Binks, a young aspiring journalist. The other being in the 1860's, featuring Theodora Breckenridge, a young woman who becomes involved with Verity's grandparents Sid and Clarrie.
The story circles on a mystery of a supposed foundation that supports single mothers, and also the illegal practice of 'selling' babies to affluent families.
The story has many fascinating twists and turns that are both happy and sad. Overall quite an interesting story and very well told.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Told in parallel lines, on the the early 1920's featuring Verity Binks, a young aspiring journalist. The other being in the 1860's, featuring Theodora Breckenridge, a young woman who becomes involved with Verity's grandparents Sid and Clarrie.
The story circles on a mystery of a supposed foundation that supports single mothers, and also the illegal practice of 'selling' babies to affluent families.
The story has many fascinating twists and turns that are both happy and sad. Overall quite an interesting story and very well told.
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to read this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 2, 2022
⭐️5 Stars⭐️
The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper book has everything, five stars from me! This is Tea Cooper’s best yet and possibly my favourite book of the month. I love historical fiction and stories with nature themes and mystery.
We follow two timelines in the story where one includes the discovery of the first sighting in Morpeth, Australia of the Monarch butterfly native to the Americas.
Sydney 1922 - Verity Binks loses her job at the newspaper due to Australia's servicemen coming home and returning to their employment. She soon receives an anonymous parcel with an invitation to the most talked about Sydney’s Artist’s Masquerade Ball together with a mask and a gorgeous butterfly costume. The ball leads her to a commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation, a charity that supports unwed pregnant women and their babies. During her research Verity makes a shocking discovery.
Morpeth 1868 - Maid-of-all-work Clarrie finds herself pregnant but the baby’s father Syd is determined to take care of things. Meanwhile Theodora Breckenridge who has a passion for nature is mourning the loss of her parents and brother at sea. For Theodora her painting and the garden her mama created becomes a place of solace and comfort for her.
These two timelines are connected and this is revealed as the plot unfolds. This is such a beautiful tale, set in Australia during a time where unwed women were treated appallingly. The story is a mix of fiction and historical facts and centres around a missing baby and the arrival of the Monarch butterfly in Australia.
I fell in love with everything about this captivating and well written and researched story, it is absolutely charming and the author beautifully captures the era. A must read!!
Publication Date 03 November 2022
Publisher HQ Fiction
Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Harlequin Australia for sending me this book.
The Butterfly Collector by Tea Cooper book has everything, five stars from me! This is Tea Cooper’s best yet and possibly my favourite book of the month. I love historical fiction and stories with nature themes and mystery.
We follow two timelines in the story where one includes the discovery of the first sighting in Morpeth, Australia of the Monarch butterfly native to the Americas.
Sydney 1922 - Verity Binks loses her job at the newspaper due to Australia's servicemen coming home and returning to their employment. She soon receives an anonymous parcel with an invitation to the most talked about Sydney’s Artist’s Masquerade Ball together with a mask and a gorgeous butterfly costume. The ball leads her to a commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation, a charity that supports unwed pregnant women and their babies. During her research Verity makes a shocking discovery.
Morpeth 1868 - Maid-of-all-work Clarrie finds herself pregnant but the baby’s father Syd is determined to take care of things. Meanwhile Theodora Breckenridge who has a passion for nature is mourning the loss of her parents and brother at sea. For Theodora her painting and the garden her mama created becomes a place of solace and comfort for her.
These two timelines are connected and this is revealed as the plot unfolds. This is such a beautiful tale, set in Australia during a time where unwed women were treated appallingly. The story is a mix of fiction and historical facts and centres around a missing baby and the arrival of the Monarch butterfly in Australia.
I fell in love with everything about this captivating and well written and researched story, it is absolutely charming and the author beautifully captures the era. A must read!!
Publication Date 03 November 2022
Publisher HQ Fiction
Thank you so much to the fabulous team at Harlequin Australia for sending me this book.
July 10, 2023
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 Harlequin Australia
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 Harlequin Australia
December 16, 2023
Synopsis
In 1920s Sydney, Verity Binks has just been let go from her reporting job. She’s not alone. Women, who were recently welcomed to the workforce to fill the slots of men who had gone to war, are now being sent home to open jobs for those men to return to. Her only chance to keep some income coming in is sell freelance stories to the paper she no longer works at and she may have just got a tip that will break a fifty year old mystery wide open. Will Verity solve the crime and get her big break? Will her editor have the courage to ruffle some prominent feathers?
My Overall Thoughts
I felt the narrator did an exceptional job with this dual timeline narrative. It is often difficult to follow multiple timelines in audiobook format, but the narrator did an exceptional job of differentiating the two.
The story itself was captivating and both timelines held up on their own. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
What I Didn't Love
I did find that the 1868 timeline took quite a while to get to the actual crime. It could have moved a little faster. It wasn’t until past the halfway mark that the makings of a crime were even introduced. Fortunately, the 1922 timeline was a little quicker off the starting block, so I was never bored, just a little confused where things were going.
Potentially Offensive Content
There is some child abuse and child abduction. If that makes you squeemish, I would read something else.
What I Loved
I really loved the character of Verity Binks. She was a true cozy flapper heroine. She has that quality that can only be described as pluck. She’s smart, energetic, and sweet. She parallels the early timeline heroine, Theodora Breckenridge, delightfully well. Both are modern, willful women in a time where that is not always an asset. They play off each other so well, the reader is dying for them to meet in the end.
I Would Recommend This Book To
If you love 1920s cozies, this is one you will not want to miss.
In 1920s Sydney, Verity Binks has just been let go from her reporting job. She’s not alone. Women, who were recently welcomed to the workforce to fill the slots of men who had gone to war, are now being sent home to open jobs for those men to return to. Her only chance to keep some income coming in is sell freelance stories to the paper she no longer works at and she may have just got a tip that will break a fifty year old mystery wide open. Will Verity solve the crime and get her big break? Will her editor have the courage to ruffle some prominent feathers?
My Overall Thoughts
I felt the narrator did an exceptional job with this dual timeline narrative. It is often difficult to follow multiple timelines in audiobook format, but the narrator did an exceptional job of differentiating the two.
The story itself was captivating and both timelines held up on their own. I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.
What I Didn't Love
I did find that the 1868 timeline took quite a while to get to the actual crime. It could have moved a little faster. It wasn’t until past the halfway mark that the makings of a crime were even introduced. Fortunately, the 1922 timeline was a little quicker off the starting block, so I was never bored, just a little confused where things were going.
Potentially Offensive Content
There is some child abuse and child abduction. If that makes you squeemish, I would read something else.
What I Loved
I really loved the character of Verity Binks. She was a true cozy flapper heroine. She has that quality that can only be described as pluck. She’s smart, energetic, and sweet. She parallels the early timeline heroine, Theodora Breckenridge, delightfully well. Both are modern, willful women in a time where that is not always an asset. They play off each other so well, the reader is dying for them to meet in the end.
I Would Recommend This Book To
If you love 1920s cozies, this is one you will not want to miss.
June 24, 2024
A tale of Australian historical fiction that combines elements of mystery, scandal and discovery that birth an original yet unexpectedly wearisome story, accompanied by forgettable characters. Told from dual timelines, Tea Cooper fails to fulfil her duty as a verifiable storyteller by establishing and distinguishing a clear chronicle in her randomly alternating chapters that scarcely touch on any form of a climax.
Cooper's troupe of two-dimensional and superficial characters only contributes to the mundane musings she painfully exerts throughout the novel, concocting a blend of bland and inconsequential tripe.
What is promised to be an enchanting tale of a lepidopterology discovery, tediously manifests into an unforeseen and dark story about child trafficking that has no reprieve for the characters or reader.
Cooper's troupe of two-dimensional and superficial characters only contributes to the mundane musings she painfully exerts throughout the novel, concocting a blend of bland and inconsequential tripe.
What is promised to be an enchanting tale of a lepidopterology discovery, tediously manifests into an unforeseen and dark story about child trafficking that has no reprieve for the characters or reader.
November 28, 2022
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1868 – Theodora is more interested in her art than finding a husband and when her three sisters go to Sydney she stays behind on the family property in Morpeth. A chance sighting of a new species of butterfly starts Theodora on a quest to find its nesting place.
1922 – Verity is from a long line of journalists and when an anonymous invitation to a socialite ball arrives she sees this as an opportunity to write an article for the local newspaper. Connections she makes at the ball lead her back to her grandfather’s home of Morpeth and a fifty year old mystery.
Tea Cooper blends fact and fiction to deliver a story that is rich in intrigue and wonderfully immersive.
The Butterfly Collector is a dual timeline Historical Fiction set in1868 Morpeth in country NSW and 1922 Sydney, NSW. I enjoyed all the mentions of Sydney landmarks that still stand to this day. As the story evolves connections are made between the characters from each timeline.
Tea keeps the pages turning with a layering of mysteries. The mysteries hold you for a few chapters then once they are revealed a new mystery is created causing a continuous aura of mystery throughout the book. There is also an underlying sense of foreboding and I always had this feeling that something terrible was going to happen.
Centred around the first sighting of the Wanderer butterfly in Australia, the newspaper industry and baby farms, Tea Cooper has seamlessly delivered a story that is diverse in its content and impossible to put down.
Tea Cooper’s trademark strong female characters take centre stage in this multi-layered tale of friendship and tenacity.
1868 – Theodora is more interested in her art than finding a husband and when her three sisters go to Sydney she stays behind on the family property in Morpeth. A chance sighting of a new species of butterfly starts Theodora on a quest to find its nesting place.
1922 – Verity is from a long line of journalists and when an anonymous invitation to a socialite ball arrives she sees this as an opportunity to write an article for the local newspaper. Connections she makes at the ball lead her back to her grandfather’s home of Morpeth and a fifty year old mystery.
Tea Cooper blends fact and fiction to deliver a story that is rich in intrigue and wonderfully immersive.
The Butterfly Collector is a dual timeline Historical Fiction set in1868 Morpeth in country NSW and 1922 Sydney, NSW. I enjoyed all the mentions of Sydney landmarks that still stand to this day. As the story evolves connections are made between the characters from each timeline.
Tea keeps the pages turning with a layering of mysteries. The mysteries hold you for a few chapters then once they are revealed a new mystery is created causing a continuous aura of mystery throughout the book. There is also an underlying sense of foreboding and I always had this feeling that something terrible was going to happen.
Centred around the first sighting of the Wanderer butterfly in Australia, the newspaper industry and baby farms, Tea Cooper has seamlessly delivered a story that is diverse in its content and impossible to put down.
Tea Cooper’s trademark strong female characters take centre stage in this multi-layered tale of friendship and tenacity.
October 13, 2023
This wasn’t a bad book but it wasn’t what I had expected, the title and the blurb are a little misleading.
We have two timelines, one in 1868 when Clarrie and Sid try to make ends meet and Theodora paints butterflies. The other in 1922 when Verity gets an invitation for a masquerade ball with a beautiful butterfly costume attached to it, and proceeds to investigate the mystery surrounding the Treadwell Foundation.
This book started off very slow and it took me a while to get invested. The overall pacing felt uneven, the buildup was dragging and some things mentioned in the blurb didn’t happen until about 75% in(!), which was very confusing.
The last ~25%, when the mystery was unraveling were good and I liked the mystery itself. It’s an important topic and the way the characters were all affected by it worked well.
The thing is, however, that the mystery had nothing to do with butterflies; butterflies were just a distracting subplot that didn’t even get a decent closure. I guess it was supposed to tie the story together but it felt contrived and unnecessary.
3,5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
We have two timelines, one in 1868 when Clarrie and Sid try to make ends meet and Theodora paints butterflies. The other in 1922 when Verity gets an invitation for a masquerade ball with a beautiful butterfly costume attached to it, and proceeds to investigate the mystery surrounding the Treadwell Foundation.
This book started off very slow and it took me a while to get invested. The overall pacing felt uneven, the buildup was dragging and some things mentioned in the blurb didn’t happen until about 75% in(!), which was very confusing.
The last ~25%, when the mystery was unraveling were good and I liked the mystery itself. It’s an important topic and the way the characters were all affected by it worked well.
The thing is, however, that the mystery had nothing to do with butterflies; butterflies were just a distracting subplot that didn’t even get a decent closure. I guess it was supposed to tie the story together but it felt contrived and unnecessary.
3,5 stars
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
October 3, 2022
‘My office, if you please, Miss Binks.’
Sydney, 1922. On the same day that Verity Binks loses her position at The Arrow to make way for returned servicemen, she receives an anonymous parcel containing an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball and a spectacular butterfly costume. Verity is curious and determined to attend. While at the ball she lands a commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation, a foundation which supports young women and their babies. Verity lives on her own, in a terrace house in The Rocks. Both her parents and grandparents are dead.
Morpeth, 1868. Theodora Breckenridge, still mourning the loss of her parents and brother, lives at The Landing with her three sisters and their housekeeper. Theodora would rather remain at The Landing than move to Sydney to seek a husband with her three sisters. Theodora, a gifted artist, would rather emulate the example of the Scott sisters who live nearby and who are nature illustrators. After she discovers a butterfly which has never been seen before in Australia, and with the help of her maid Clarrie, Theodora’s success seems assured. And then Clarrie’s newborn baby goes missing.
Back in Sydney, as Verity tries to investigate the work of the Treadwell foundation, she finds more questions than answers. Verity travels to Morpeth, where her grandparents Clarrie and Sid met and where her father Charlie was born.
A fascinating mystery unfolds. Verity’s research takes her into the shadowy, tragic practice of baby farming and exposes several secrets which society would prefer not to deal with. Verity also finds an unexpected family member.
I enjoyed this novel: following Verity as she uncovered unsavoury aspects of the past, as well as learning about the Monarch butterfly.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
Sydney, 1922. On the same day that Verity Binks loses her position at The Arrow to make way for returned servicemen, she receives an anonymous parcel containing an invitation to the Sydney Artists Masquerade Ball and a spectacular butterfly costume. Verity is curious and determined to attend. While at the ball she lands a commission to write the history of the Treadwell Foundation, a foundation which supports young women and their babies. Verity lives on her own, in a terrace house in The Rocks. Both her parents and grandparents are dead.
Morpeth, 1868. Theodora Breckenridge, still mourning the loss of her parents and brother, lives at The Landing with her three sisters and their housekeeper. Theodora would rather remain at The Landing than move to Sydney to seek a husband with her three sisters. Theodora, a gifted artist, would rather emulate the example of the Scott sisters who live nearby and who are nature illustrators. After she discovers a butterfly which has never been seen before in Australia, and with the help of her maid Clarrie, Theodora’s success seems assured. And then Clarrie’s newborn baby goes missing.
Back in Sydney, as Verity tries to investigate the work of the Treadwell foundation, she finds more questions than answers. Verity travels to Morpeth, where her grandparents Clarrie and Sid met and where her father Charlie was born.
A fascinating mystery unfolds. Verity’s research takes her into the shadowy, tragic practice of baby farming and exposes several secrets which society would prefer not to deal with. Verity also finds an unexpected family member.
I enjoyed this novel: following Verity as she uncovered unsavoury aspects of the past, as well as learning about the Monarch butterfly.
Note: My thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
November 15, 2023
Hidden pasts!
Tea Cooper has an uncanny ability to join a story by threads of happenstance across several generations. This time in Morpeth, NSW (Australia). The story is connected by the central idea of a delicate painting of the first discovery of the Wanderer Butterfly, painted and researched by Theodora Breckenridge(unacknowledged of course!)
Add into this the tragedy of baby farms, stolen children and a woman who orchestrated these things, and we have a stunning expose across time delving into just exactly what happened in the Morpeth community between 1868 and 1922.
In 1922 Verity Binks, a struggling reporter and the daughter of the a now deceased war correspondent, is invited to write a piece about a charity, the Treadwell Foundation. The mover behind the organization is David Treadwell, husband to Theodora’s sister Florence . It’s in Treadwell’s home that Verity first sees the stunning painting of the Wanderer Butterfly.
As the circle closes it appears Verity’s grandparents came from Morpeth where the butterfly was painted.
I love the way Cooper’s writing transverses the Australian historical landscape as she weaves her storytelling magic.
Sublime descriptions of gardens lush and heavy with perfumed anticipation contrast against the fractured lives of the women and babies that intrude into a harsh reality. Darkness hides amongst them. Mystery and tragedy beckons!
Another heart stopping treat from Tea Cooper!
A Harper Muse ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
Tea Cooper has an uncanny ability to join a story by threads of happenstance across several generations. This time in Morpeth, NSW (Australia). The story is connected by the central idea of a delicate painting of the first discovery of the Wanderer Butterfly, painted and researched by Theodora Breckenridge(unacknowledged of course!)
Add into this the tragedy of baby farms, stolen children and a woman who orchestrated these things, and we have a stunning expose across time delving into just exactly what happened in the Morpeth community between 1868 and 1922.
In 1922 Verity Binks, a struggling reporter and the daughter of the a now deceased war correspondent, is invited to write a piece about a charity, the Treadwell Foundation. The mover behind the organization is David Treadwell, husband to Theodora’s sister Florence . It’s in Treadwell’s home that Verity first sees the stunning painting of the Wanderer Butterfly.
As the circle closes it appears Verity’s grandparents came from Morpeth where the butterfly was painted.
I love the way Cooper’s writing transverses the Australian historical landscape as she weaves her storytelling magic.
Sublime descriptions of gardens lush and heavy with perfumed anticipation contrast against the fractured lives of the women and babies that intrude into a harsh reality. Darkness hides amongst them. Mystery and tragedy beckons!
Another heart stopping treat from Tea Cooper!
A Harper Muse ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
(Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.)
September 4, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley For the review copy of this book.
I totally loved this book! I found it very visual, the words in the page forming real images in my mind.
I think I even felt the river breezes on my skin.
That aside, what an amazing way to write about a real part of Australian history, of such awful things that took place. I have no doubt that they did happen, not just here, but in many countries all over the world.
The characters were so real, and I could easily see myself being friends with them.
I totally loved this book! I found it very visual, the words in the page forming real images in my mind.
I think I even felt the river breezes on my skin.
That aside, what an amazing way to write about a real part of Australian history, of such awful things that took place. I have no doubt that they did happen, not just here, but in many countries all over the world.
The characters were so real, and I could easily see myself being friends with them.
November 5, 2023
Tea Cooper is a master at combining historical fiction with suspense and this was brilliant. Set in Australia with dual time periods, the character development is divine and the writing beautiful. For fans of Christina Baker Kline and Martha Hall Kelly.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Harper Muse and Tea Cooper for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Harper Muse and Tea Cooper for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 22, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Many thanks to Netgalley and the Publishers for this opportunity.
This is a glorious read, one of intrigue, history, loss, love, deception and cruelty.
1922; Verity Banks has walked into her place of work only to be informed that her journalist position has been terminated. Like so many women after the war, positions that they had been so urgently needed for became redundant in order for returning male soldiers to take up the positions. Verity is bereft and makes her way to the home of her grandparents, both now deceased. The house has been left to her but her loss of work has impacted on her morale. Surprising her, her neighbour informs her that a parcel has arrived for her. On opening the parcel an invitation to the Sydney Artists' Masquerade Ball has her name on it along with everything she would need to wear, a beautiful butterfly costume and mask. The wonder of it; who would send her such an invitation?
Going back in time to 1868 the author introduces two women from completely different walks of life that will through events of necessity collide. One, of a young woman Carrie, who has been working as housekeeper for the local Vicar of Morpeth and who has been stepping out with a young man, Sid, a printer's compositor. They plan to marry but with Carrie's unexpected pregnancy the need is all the more urgent which is made even worse when the Vicar sacks her because of her condition. Fortunately Sid is an honourable young man and arrangements are made for Carrie to stay at the midwife's house, however this is only temporary and other arrangements will have to be made. As it so happens another young woman, one of a different nature to her sisters, not interested in the normal female delights of this era, rather one with a love of the natural world and who in the past had become acquainted with two sisters, accredited naturalists and artists has decided to stay at home rather than trip down to Sydney for social events and fashion hunting. Theodora has spotted an unusual butterfly, her unskilled drawing had been sent to the Scott sisters for which she receives a reply and to which she understands she must find the colony and take a specimen for her to receive any recognition of the butterfly not ever seen before in Australia. The era is one where women such as Theodora and her social standing are overprotected and controlled which presents a problem for her with her sisters going away. Carrie becomes the chaperone for Theodora to venture out with Redman, a longtime male friend who can take her to the island where she believes there maybe a colony of these unusual butterflies. Theodora makes a connection with Carrie who shares her enthusiasm and makes arrangements for her to be a maid and help to their housekeeper, cook.This is not entirely ideal for Carrie as a live-in giving her only small opportunities to see her new baby, a son, leaving him in nursery care with Sid monitoring when he can. The door of destitution is always open leaving Carrie no choice but to accept her situation. It's during this time where things start to go pear shaped and it's only through Theodora's assistance that gives Carrie and Sid the means to save their baby.🦋
Forward to 1922, Verity attends the Masquerade Ball, a charity event for which she is sought after to write an article. Her old boss has indicated that he would publish articles of such nature for her.
Verity's pursuit in determining who sent her the butterfly outfit leads her investigations way beyond her imagination, one that will take her to the plight of unmarried mothers, her father's own history and to look further into the past to the era of her grandparents, Carrie's and Sid's, Theodora's family and Sid's Morpeth Want newspaper boss as well as to criminal activity.
This is a glorious read, one of intrigue, history, loss, love, deception and cruelty.
1922; Verity Banks has walked into her place of work only to be informed that her journalist position has been terminated. Like so many women after the war, positions that they had been so urgently needed for became redundant in order for returning male soldiers to take up the positions. Verity is bereft and makes her way to the home of her grandparents, both now deceased. The house has been left to her but her loss of work has impacted on her morale. Surprising her, her neighbour informs her that a parcel has arrived for her. On opening the parcel an invitation to the Sydney Artists' Masquerade Ball has her name on it along with everything she would need to wear, a beautiful butterfly costume and mask. The wonder of it; who would send her such an invitation?
Going back in time to 1868 the author introduces two women from completely different walks of life that will through events of necessity collide. One, of a young woman Carrie, who has been working as housekeeper for the local Vicar of Morpeth and who has been stepping out with a young man, Sid, a printer's compositor. They plan to marry but with Carrie's unexpected pregnancy the need is all the more urgent which is made even worse when the Vicar sacks her because of her condition. Fortunately Sid is an honourable young man and arrangements are made for Carrie to stay at the midwife's house, however this is only temporary and other arrangements will have to be made. As it so happens another young woman, one of a different nature to her sisters, not interested in the normal female delights of this era, rather one with a love of the natural world and who in the past had become acquainted with two sisters, accredited naturalists and artists has decided to stay at home rather than trip down to Sydney for social events and fashion hunting. Theodora has spotted an unusual butterfly, her unskilled drawing had been sent to the Scott sisters for which she receives a reply and to which she understands she must find the colony and take a specimen for her to receive any recognition of the butterfly not ever seen before in Australia. The era is one where women such as Theodora and her social standing are overprotected and controlled which presents a problem for her with her sisters going away. Carrie becomes the chaperone for Theodora to venture out with Redman, a longtime male friend who can take her to the island where she believes there maybe a colony of these unusual butterflies. Theodora makes a connection with Carrie who shares her enthusiasm and makes arrangements for her to be a maid and help to their housekeeper, cook.This is not entirely ideal for Carrie as a live-in giving her only small opportunities to see her new baby, a son, leaving him in nursery care with Sid monitoring when he can. The door of destitution is always open leaving Carrie no choice but to accept her situation. It's during this time where things start to go pear shaped and it's only through Theodora's assistance that gives Carrie and Sid the means to save their baby.🦋
Forward to 1922, Verity attends the Masquerade Ball, a charity event for which she is sought after to write an article. Her old boss has indicated that he would publish articles of such nature for her.
Verity's pursuit in determining who sent her the butterfly outfit leads her investigations way beyond her imagination, one that will take her to the plight of unmarried mothers, her father's own history and to look further into the past to the era of her grandparents, Carrie's and Sid's, Theodora's family and Sid's Morpeth Want newspaper boss as well as to criminal activity.
October 27, 2024
In The Butterfly Collector, we have a very different type of story from Tea Cooper. Usually, her books revolve around the mystery of who, but in this one the story is all about the why. Instead her usual mystery about some mysterious, secret personage unknown from the past, we are told from the beginning who our principals are and their relationship to each other. What we don’t know is why are they connected, what is the story between them? That is the mystery that drives the story. And wow, the secrets that are discovered!
The story centers around a child named Charlie who figures into the past timeline of 1868 as the grandfather of the main character Verity Binks, and the later one of 1922 as the infant child of Clarrie, the maid of Theodora Breckenridge, the discoverer of a rare specimen—the beautiful Monarch butterflies, down-under known as Wanderers. Having read The Butterfly Collector right after The Naturalist’s Daughter, both stories were a delight, revolving somewhat around the unknown earlier discoveries of the Monarch in one and the Platypus in the other. Having read both back to back, it created a pleasing contrast that made both that much more enjoyable.
I don’t think Tea Cooper can right a bad book, just varying degrees of good ones. This one is different, but just as good. It is a treat when an author challenges themselves to do something different, and I applaud her. I loved this one!
The story centers around a child named Charlie who figures into the past timeline of 1868 as the grandfather of the main character Verity Binks, and the later one of 1922 as the infant child of Clarrie, the maid of Theodora Breckenridge, the discoverer of a rare specimen—the beautiful Monarch butterflies, down-under known as Wanderers. Having read The Butterfly Collector right after The Naturalist’s Daughter, both stories were a delight, revolving somewhat around the unknown earlier discoveries of the Monarch in one and the Platypus in the other. Having read both back to back, it created a pleasing contrast that made both that much more enjoyable.
I don’t think Tea Cooper can right a bad book, just varying degrees of good ones. This one is different, but just as good. It is a treat when an author challenges themselves to do something different, and I applaud her. I loved this one!
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September 19, 2022Tea Cooper is always a must-read for me and The Butterfly Collector doesn't disappoint.
April 21, 2025
In The Butterfly Collector, by Tea Cooper, the reader discovers the connection between a botanical illustration of a butterfly and a missing baby, an enigma spanning 50 years.
In this dual timeline set in New South Wales in 1868 and 1922, a twisty mystery of deception through familial connections is unraveled. Based on real life events and characters, this novel explores art, nature, and science weaving historical facts with fiction.
Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Ash Island, a copper haired waif, Theodora, is quick to discover a new species of butterfly in Australia, composing intricate botanical illustrations of the it in its natural habitat.
One of the paintings is a thread binding the colorful set of characters from the dual timelines that we follow through the story like a wandering butterfly.
I found some flaws in the storyline, but it didn’t keep me from enjoying the novel. The baby farming aspects including the midwife, Maud, was quite dense. Also, the masked ball seemed cliché and the use of the troubadour costumes and masks seemed incredulous and out of place. Further, the details of the mystery seemed far-fetched at times and the connection between characters coincidental. But all in all, I would have loved to live in Theodora’s world a little longer at the Breckinridge Home. It was a delightful atmospheric read.
In this dual timeline set in New South Wales in 1868 and 1922, a twisty mystery of deception through familial connections is unraveled. Based on real life events and characters, this novel explores art, nature, and science weaving historical facts with fiction.
Set against the gorgeous backdrop of Ash Island, a copper haired waif, Theodora, is quick to discover a new species of butterfly in Australia, composing intricate botanical illustrations of the it in its natural habitat.
One of the paintings is a thread binding the colorful set of characters from the dual timelines that we follow through the story like a wandering butterfly.
I found some flaws in the storyline, but it didn’t keep me from enjoying the novel. The baby farming aspects including the midwife, Maud, was quite dense. Also, the masked ball seemed cliché and the use of the troubadour costumes and masks seemed incredulous and out of place. Further, the details of the mystery seemed far-fetched at times and the connection between characters coincidental. But all in all, I would have loved to live in Theodora’s world a little longer at the Breckinridge Home. It was a delightful atmospheric read.
November 18, 2022
The Butterfly Collector switches between 1868 Morpeth and 1922 Sydney. Along the way we are introduced to Clarrie and Sid, Redmond Kendall and Theodora Breckenridge and her family. In 1922 we meet Verity Binks, Stella and Arlo. We appear to have a great host of characters however disappointingly, I don’t really feel like I got to know any of them.
I confess I did not find this book that enjoyable- just as I got entrenched, the story suddenly went “cold”- the burgeoning romance between Kendall and Theodora was implied but there was no detail, Charlie’s abduction and subsequent discovery was quite unfulfilling as we never really found out what happened next- to him, Clarrie or Sid. As for the budding friendship between Arlo and Verity – it just seemed to be shoved into the background. This book had too many loose ends for me. Did Stella eventually meet up with her daughter? What was her ongoing relationship with Verity? Did Arlo have a relationship with his aunt, the mysterious Mrs. Treadwell? Did she know any of the background regarding the mystery of Charlie’s abduction?
So many questions, too little answers. Now I know why it took me so long to read.
I confess I did not find this book that enjoyable- just as I got entrenched, the story suddenly went “cold”- the burgeoning romance between Kendall and Theodora was implied but there was no detail, Charlie’s abduction and subsequent discovery was quite unfulfilling as we never really found out what happened next- to him, Clarrie or Sid. As for the budding friendship between Arlo and Verity – it just seemed to be shoved into the background. This book had too many loose ends for me. Did Stella eventually meet up with her daughter? What was her ongoing relationship with Verity? Did Arlo have a relationship with his aunt, the mysterious Mrs. Treadwell? Did she know any of the background regarding the mystery of Charlie’s abduction?
So many questions, too little answers. Now I know why it took me so long to read.
January 5, 2023
The background story to this novel was interesting, if heartbreaking ("baby farming" in 19th and early 20th century Australia), but not enough to overcome what I perceived as downsides to the work.
The novel switches between two historical periods (1860s / 1920s). Usually I don't have a problem with that. Here, though, I found the links between the characters led to confusion. Perhaps none of the characters had enough depth so that the reader was totally reliant on their names. The confusion was further heightened by the familial connections (grandparents, parents (deceased), aunts etc.). There was not enough time to build up the family trees in the reader's mind before the book skipped onto the next plotline.
And plotlines there were aplenty, each one based on coincidences and happenstance that were highly unlikely in real life. I felt I could almost see the author creating a flowchart of events and circumstances.
This was an easy read (apart from the confusion of family lines) but, to me, there were just too many aspects of the book that could have been improved upon in order to make it the fascinating
social novel it should have been.
The novel switches between two historical periods (1860s / 1920s). Usually I don't have a problem with that. Here, though, I found the links between the characters led to confusion. Perhaps none of the characters had enough depth so that the reader was totally reliant on their names. The confusion was further heightened by the familial connections (grandparents, parents (deceased), aunts etc.). There was not enough time to build up the family trees in the reader's mind before the book skipped onto the next plotline.
And plotlines there were aplenty, each one based on coincidences and happenstance that were highly unlikely in real life. I felt I could almost see the author creating a flowchart of events and circumstances.
This was an easy read (apart from the confusion of family lines) but, to me, there were just too many aspects of the book that could have been improved upon in order to make it the fascinating
social novel it should have been.
November 25, 2023
✨Audio Review✨
Pub day: November 28, 2023
This was a little bit of a tough start due to not feeling connected to the narration. For whatever reason the voice didn’t feel like it properly reflected the situation or character and that disconnection continued the entire book. The story took awhile to get into, it wasn’t until about 35% in that I finally started feeling interested and invested in it but then I did find myself looking forward to learn more about the characters. I appreciated the nods to factual events, the mystery, and the connecting of the two timelines.
Thank you Harper Muse for the alc via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
Pub day: November 28, 2023
This was a little bit of a tough start due to not feeling connected to the narration. For whatever reason the voice didn’t feel like it properly reflected the situation or character and that disconnection continued the entire book. The story took awhile to get into, it wasn’t until about 35% in that I finally started feeling interested and invested in it but then I did find myself looking forward to learn more about the characters. I appreciated the nods to factual events, the mystery, and the connecting of the two timelines.
Thank you Harper Muse for the alc via Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion.
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