The Fossil Hunter
The Fossil Hunter by Tea Cooper, published by Harper Muse in 2022, is a historical mystery that spans two timelines in Australia. The narrative begins in 1847 with Mellie Vale, who, after a fever-induced episode, is sent to stay with amateur paleontologist Anthea Winstanley. Anthea’s quest to uncover the existence of ancient sea dragons captivates Mellie, setting the stage for a journey filled with buried secrets and determination. The story then shifts to 1919, where Penelope Jane “PJ” Martindale returns from World War I, seeking closure for her family’s losses and uncovering a connection between a fossil and a troubling history of disappearances in her hometown.
Readers will find a rich tapestry of mystery, suspense, and romance woven through the lives of Mellie and PJ as they navigate their respective challenges. The Fossil Hunter explores themes of discovery and the impact of the past on the present, inviting readers to delve into the intricacies of both timelines. With a page count of 400, this edition offers a comprehensive look at the intertwining stories of its characters, making it a notable addition to the genres of historical fiction and mystery.
Official synopsis Publisher
Buried secrets. An ancient fossil. And one woman’s determination to unravel a nineteenth-century mystery.
Australia, 1847. The last thing Mellie Vale remembers before the fever takes her is sprinting through the bush with a monster at her heels–but no one believes her. In a bid to curb Mellie’s overactive imagination, her benefactors send her to visit a family friend, Anthea Winstanley. Anthea is an amateur paleontologist who is convinced she will one day find proof that great sea dragons swam in the vast inland sea that covered her property millions of years ago. Mellie is instantly swept up in the dream.
Australia, 1919. Penelope Jane “PJ” Martindale arrives home from the battlefields of World War I intent on making peace with her father and commemorating the deaths of her two younger brothers in the trenches. Her reception is disappointing. Desperate for a distraction, she finds a connection between a fossil at London’s Natural History Museum and her brothers’ favorite camping spot. But the gorge has a sinister reputation: seventy years ago, several girls disappeared from the area. When PJ uncovers some unexpected remains, she’s determined to find answers about what happened all those years ago … and perhaps some closure on the loss of her brothers.
Weaving together these two timelines, The Fossil Keeper offers everything you love: history, mystery, suspense, romance, and startling discoveries that will keep the pages turning.
Praise for The Fossil Hunter:
“This elegant dual narrative historical from Cooper follows a young woman as she pieces together the fate of a 19th-century paleontologist … Cooper’s confident prose and deep empathy for her characters will keep readers hooked as she unspools her intrigue-filled mystery. Historical fans will want to dig this one up.” — Publishers Weekly
- Tea Cooper is a USA TODAY?bestselling and Daphne du Maurier award-winning author
- Full-length historical mystery
- Stand-alone novel
- Includes discussion questions for book clubs
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