The Woman in the Green Dress
Author Tea Cooper’s latest historical fiction novel spans two time periods and tells a story full of feeling and description.
It is WWI and Fleur, has married Hugh right before he heads off to the war. Before he leaves, he tells her of his blue skied home of Australia, and promises her that they will make their lift their together after the war. Just after the war ends, Fleur learns of Hugh’s needless death just a few days before the war’s end. Then, to shock Fleur even more, she has inherited wealth and property from Hugh’s estate. In complete and utter denial of Hugh’s death, she travels to Hugh’s home, Australia to set things straight and find out all she can about Hugh and his family. Once there Fleur begins to unravel the family secrets Hugh left behind along with the mysterious and unusual curio shop with the help of Kip, a former military man.
Flash back to 1853 and Della is working for her Aunt Cordelia as a taxidermist. Unannounced Austrian Captain Stefan von Richter and his loyal aid, Bert, show up on Della’s doorstep looking for the whereabouts of the very first opal discovered in Australia. Upset by this, Della, von Richter and Bert travel to Sydney and danger.
I was so happy to receive this book as the synopsis truly intrigued me, and I was not disappointed. The storyline was fast paced, and the mystery and intrigue kept my attention. There were twists and turns along with humor to keep a lighter side to the plot.
Also, I really enjoyed Tea Cooper’s descriptive language throughout the novel. You can tell she threw herself into her research in order to stay as true to the times and characters as possible. Cooper’s writing is atmospherically eloquent and you find yourself living with the characters in each time period. You will celebrate the end of the war in London and then find yourself swept away as they trapeze through the Australian wilderness.
Most of all, I love the powerful central female characters of Della, Cordelia and Fleur. Della was an amazing hard working woman of her time and made great strides in her life along with her Aunt Cordelia. Fleur was my personal favorite, and I found myself grow with her as the plot progressed.
This is my first Tea Cooper novel and I have a feeling it won’t be my last. I’m so glad this novel is making it’s way stateside for more readers to enjoy!
Thank you Netgalley and Harlequin Australia for the opportunity to review The Woman in the Green Dress.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
