The Cartographer’s Secret - Tea Cooper - 4 stars.

I quite enjoy historical fiction, so when this book was recommended to me, I was excited to find a new author of the genre that I could enjoy.

It starts with a bang – literally and it has all the elements of a family saga – a child lost, a family torn apart by grief and of course a couple of villains to add to the drama. The two timelines worked well at the beginning, and I enjoyed Lettie and Evie’s parts equally. Both were strong women in an era where strong women shouldn’t exist, and I appreciated how they were fleshed out, each with their own interests, Evie in her passion for exploring and Lettie in her quest to be seen as an equal. The only issue I have with this was that, at the most convenient time, Evie’s timeline stops. This of course leaves Lettie to discover the whereabouts of Evie. However. A big however here! But I’ll stop there – I wouldn’t want to give away the ending because I really think this was fun to read.

The historical elements worked well enough to keep me satisfied that some of this was taken from history and woven into a work of fiction. I liked the sense of the outback, could imagine the world of Lettie and Evie around me.

There is a little romance happening too, which I could take or leave.

I do have some reservations. A heck of a lot of loose ends! Lots and lots! And some things you could see coming a mile away, but if you don’t mind some predictability, then give this one a go.

4 stars from me.