THE CARTOGRAPHER'S SECRET
2021 Overall Winner RWAmerica Daphne du Maurier Awards for Excellence in Mystery and Suspense
'This layered family saga will keep readers turning the pages.' Publishers Weekly.
'This layered family saga will keep readers turning the pages.' Publishers Weekly.
A young woman's quest to heal a family rift entangles her in one of Australia's greatest historical puzzles when an intricately illustrated map offers a clue to the fate of a long-lost girl. A mesmerising historical mystery set in the Hunter Valley from bestselling author Tea Cooper for readers of Natasha Lester and Kate Morton.
1880 The Hunter Valley
Evie Ludgrove loves to map the landscape around her home - hardly surprising since she grew up in the shadow of her father's obsession with the great Australian explorer Dr Ludwig Leichhardt. So when an advertisement appears in The Bulletin magazine offering a thousand pound reward for proof of where Leichhardt met his fate, Evie is determined to figure it out - after all, there are clues in her father's papers and in the archives of The Royal Geographical Society. But when Evie sets out to prove her theory she vanishes without a trace, leaving behind a mystery that taints everyone's lives for 30 years.
1911
When Letitia Rawlings arrives at the family estate in her Model T Ford, her purpose is to inform her Great Aunt Olivia of a bereavement. But Letitia is also escaping her own problems - her brother's sudden death, her mother's scheming and her own dissatisfaction with the life planned out for her. So when Letitia discovers a beautifully illustrated map that might hold a clue to the fate of her missing aunt, Evie Ludgrove, her curiosity is aroused and she sets out to discover the truth of Evie's disappearance.
But all is not as it seems at Yellow Rock estate and as events unfold, Letitia begins to realise that solving the mystery of her family's past could offer as much peril as redemption.
Evie Ludgrove loves to map the landscape around her home - hardly surprising since she grew up in the shadow of her father's obsession with the great Australian explorer Dr Ludwig Leichhardt. So when an advertisement appears in The Bulletin magazine offering a thousand pound reward for proof of where Leichhardt met his fate, Evie is determined to figure it out - after all, there are clues in her father's papers and in the archives of The Royal Geographical Society. But when Evie sets out to prove her theory she vanishes without a trace, leaving behind a mystery that taints everyone's lives for 30 years.
1911
When Letitia Rawlings arrives at the family estate in her Model T Ford, her purpose is to inform her Great Aunt Olivia of a bereavement. But Letitia is also escaping her own problems - her brother's sudden death, her mother's scheming and her own dissatisfaction with the life planned out for her. So when Letitia discovers a beautifully illustrated map that might hold a clue to the fate of her missing aunt, Evie Ludgrove, her curiosity is aroused and she sets out to discover the truth of Evie's disappearance.
But all is not as it seems at Yellow Rock estate and as events unfold, Letitia begins to realise that solving the mystery of her family's past could offer as much peril as redemption.
THE CARTOGRAPHER'S SECRET is available in audio, digitally and in print from the following websites
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NOW AVAILABLE IN NORTH AMERICA in hardback, paperback, audio and digital
Cooper gets to the heart of a family’s old wounds, puzzles, and obsessions, while providing a luscious historical rendering of the landscape. This layered family saga will keep readers turning the pages.' Publishers Weekly
Another outstanding work of fact blended with fiction ... highly recommended.' Brenda Telford
Cooper’s uncanny ability to draw out fascinating and largely unknown facets of history in the form of an engaging narrative is impressive. I have nothing but praise and admiration for this gifted Australian storyteller.' Mrs B's Book Reviews
Tea excels at writing complex, strong female characters. Evie and Lettie, and their dual timelines and tales, are completely mesmerising.The Cartographer’s Secret is an excellent Australian historical.' Better Reading
A eloquently written and splendidly plotted family puzzle with a sprinkle of romance and lots of drama that’s been extremely well researched and giving us a mix of fact with fiction. Happy Valley Book Reviews
Another outstanding work of fact blended with fiction ... highly recommended.' Brenda Telford
Cooper’s uncanny ability to draw out fascinating and largely unknown facets of history in the form of an engaging narrative is impressive. I have nothing but praise and admiration for this gifted Australian storyteller.' Mrs B's Book Reviews
Tea excels at writing complex, strong female characters. Evie and Lettie, and their dual timelines and tales, are completely mesmerising.The Cartographer’s Secret is an excellent Australian historical.' Better Reading
A eloquently written and splendidly plotted family puzzle with a sprinkle of romance and lots of drama that’s been extremely well researched and giving us a mix of fact with fiction. Happy Valley Book Reviews
