The Botanist's Daughter: The bestselling and captivating historical novel readers love! Paperback – 18 April 2019

This story is slightly different to the usual books I would read. It has much focus on plants. The story moves between 2 different time periods - late 1880s and 2017. Elizabeth is the daughter of the Victorian Botanist, John Trebithick. They reside at Trebithick Hall in Cornwall. John made several voyages across the world in search of rare plants to bring back to England. Elizabeth fulfils her father's dying wish for her to go in search of a very rare plant which grows in South America. She makes the perilous journey to Chile accompanied only by her maid, Daisy. In 2017 an old decorative metal box is discovered by workmen in the wall of a house whilst being renovated. This house in Sydney was inherited by Anna who has her own gardening business. The box contains a sketchbook of plants, a notebook and some seeds. Anna researches her family tree to try to unravel the mystery of the box. Her search takes her to London and Cornwall. The story takes a lot of unexpected turns. I really enjoyed reading it but I felt that it ended quite abruptly. I was left wondering if Anna settled in England or did she return to Australia. Also did her relationship with Ed from Kew Gardens develop any further.

My first impression of this book is just how well written it is, it is beautifully presented and the story is easily woven, it is brought to life in the imagination.We go back and forwards between Cornwall in 1880s and Sydney in 2017, with both characters young women who have suffered a recent loss.Lizzie is charged with looking for a plant with wonderous and very dangerous qualities called the devils trumpet. I enjoyed the plot straight away, and couldn’t wait to continue reading, though I did find the middle of the book quite boring and a bit of a trudge to get through, felt like they were on that boat forever!The blossoming relationship between Tomas and Lizzie is sweet and beguiling, the parallels between the two main characters was a nice touch though became a little predictable.The twist at the end shocked me as I did not see it coming at all, I felt the mystery was intriguing, interesting and had a sweet ending!

This is a well crafted storyline set in the 1800s (Chile and Cornwall) and in the present day (Sydney Australia and Cornwall). It was especially enjoyable for me as I am a keen gardener although I don't think you would need to know anything about plants to enjoy the book. The pages 'turned' easily and I was never bored. There was one tiny thing that perhaps should have been picked up at the editing stage where the main female character towards the end of the book is in conversation with an elderly lady (won't spoil it by saying who) when she professes not to know where the bad guy fits into the story but then says she 'forgot to say' and does appear to know without any explanation by the author in between. Slightly confusing but certainly didn't take away from a lovely book. I will definitely read more by this author.

I found the account of finding foreign plants useful in medicine in the 1800's was interesting. The modern account was less interesting and the plant located seemed unlikely in its great power to kill and give magical cures in very small quantities unlikely.

Engaging characters in the split time novel across several generations of a family. The descriptions are vibrant, the tale a little thin and far fetched, but overall enjoyable. Some of what happens is rather unbelievable, but then sometimes you need a flight of fancy to mae a fictional tale work. I'll definitely read other books by this author.

I really enjoyed this book from start to finish. A great plot. I couldn’t put it down. A must for anyone who loves stories of history mixed in with modern day and a romance.

Enjoyable story

As a keen amateur botanist I bought this book solely on its title. I enjoyed it more than I expected as I'm usually a thriller and more contemporary fiction reader.I liked the switching between past & present & the slow unfolding of the mystery. The historical Chile & present day UK were my favourite settings. Plant facts etc were all accurate & added to my enjoyment