The Girl in the Tower: The History Mysteries

by Jill Darragh

Two women from different centuries, bound by their passion for knowledge and freedom.
In 16th century Wales, Catherine grows up in Coity Castle, dreaming of a life outside the castle walls. Isolated and desperate for connection, she dedicates herself to the science of herbalism. Despite her best efforts, the mystery of her hidden identity remains beyond her reach.
Fast forward to London based immunologist Phryne Howard escapes to New Zealand, seeking answers to her own research through traditional Māori medicine. When Phryne is gifted Catherine’s journals, she realises her own battles with male manipulation and deceit as a woman in modern science are not unlike Catherine’s.

Travel between centuries with The Girl in the Tower and explore how two worlds collide as both women search for answers about their own futures.

222 pages, Paperback

Published September 29, 2024

About the author

Jill Darragh lives near Feilding, New Zealand. She has a BA in English and Media Studies and is presently studying for a Post Graduate Diploma in Media Studies at Massey University. She has worked for the BBC. been Chairman of the Manawatu Arts Council and contributed articles to the Manawatu Evening Standard.

Reviews

[Lisa]

This is an excellent historical mystery, and I sincerely hope it is the beginning of a long series. The story is told in a dual timeline, one set in 15th-century Wales and the other in present-day New Zealand. Invariably, I prefer one timeline to the other but not in this book because both were equally fascinating. I loved the idea of 400 years of journals written by gifted women healers being a treasured collection and gifted to the next worthy woman. The author drops subtle hints about the mysteries faced by both heroines but the big reveal at the end was a shocker! I have no idea how this book popped up in my feed...maybe the universe thought I needed a little gift. Whatever the reason, I'm always happy to discover a new book and a new-to-me author. I highly recommend this one.