The Girl in the Painting in Aussie Readers

Dec 15, 2019 Brenda rated it it was amazing

Shelves: historical-mystery, arc, own-read, aussie-authors, sent-by-publisher, reviewing-by-request, 2019-release, uncorrected-proof

It was 1863 when Michael Ó’Cuinn and his little sister Elizabeth left London bound for Australia. Their Mam and Da had gone earlier, leaving the two children with an aunt, but her death meant the journey to join their parents took place sooner than originally planned. Leaving Elizabeth with the Camerons in Sydney while Michael searched for their parents, the shock he faced meant he had to do some rapid growing up.

Fifty years later in 1913, Michael and Elizabeth lived in Maitland, NSW. They were ...more

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Dec 18, 2019 Shelleyrae at Book'd Out rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc-are, aussie-author, provided-by-publisher

The Girl In the Painting is an engaging historical fiction novel, with an element of mystery, from Tea Cooper.

Set largely in New South Wales during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the narrative of The Girl In the Painting moves between two timelines which connects siblings Elizabeth and Michael Ó’Cuinn with Jane Piper, a bright young orphan, who becomes their ward.

As the story unfolds we learn of the circumstances that brought Michael and Elizabeth to New South Wales from Liverpool, England in ...more

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Dec 19, 2019 Helen rated it it was amazing

Tea Cooper is a fabulous story teller and this book was beautifully written, a wonderful read with rich and engaging characters, I got to know Michael and Elizabeth so well, I felt their emotions as we journeyed from England to Australia in times that were tough and exciting a time of change, this is a captivating story that had me turning the pages.

The late 1860’s and a young Michal O’Cuinn is emigrating with his young sister Elizabeth to Australia to meet up with his parents, things don’t turn Tea Cooper is a fabulous story teller and this book was beautifully written, a wonderful read with rich and engaging characters, I got to know Michael and Elizabeth so well, I felt their emotions as we journeyed from England to Australia in times that were tough and exciting a time of change, this is a captivating story that had me turning the pages.

The late 1860’s and a young Michal O’Cuinn is emigrating with his young sister Elizabeth to Australia to meet up with his parents, things don’t turn out as planned and Michael leaves Elizabeth in Sydney while he travels to the gold mining town of Hill End in New South Wales, the news is not good when he gets there but Michael is determined to give all he has to make a future for him and Elizabeth, he finally brings her to Hill End where she grows and learns so much and together they work hard and move onto Maitland.

It is now 1913 and Michael and Elizabeth are very successful business owners in Maitland, they are generous people and well liked they take on a young orphan Jane Piper (I loved Jane) who is mathematically gifted and the three get on very well running the auction house, until an exhibition of paintings by an English artist comes to town and Elizabeth has a turn or a dilemma and finds herself not acting normally, Michael is determined to help his beloved sister but he must also confess a secret and gets Jane who is ever logical to help solve the mystery. The mystery thickens is there a link to the paintings?

I don’t want to give too much away, I highly recommend that you read this one, MS Cooper has taken me on a trip back in time, the setting and descriptions are so good and along with Michael, Elizabeth and Jane there are other characters that add a lot to this story, the reality of Hill End and the beauty of Maitland were so well done, this one had me racing to the end of the book I really needed to know the outcome of the mystery, I loved the ending lots of smiles from me. I loved this one, you have done it again MS Cooper, you rock fabulous story, don’t miss this one.
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Mar 15, 2021 Kathy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: australia

4.5 stars.

Based around true life events, The Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper is a captivating historical novel.

In 1862, fifteen year old Michael Quinn and his five year old sister Elizabeth set sail from Britain for Australia to join their parents. Upon arrival in Sydney, Michael leaves Elizabeth in the care of the Cameron family while he travels to the goldfields to locate their parents. After making a tragic discovery, Michael successfully builds a family business in Hill End. When Elizabet 4.5 stars.

Based around true life events, The Girl in the Painting by Tea Cooper is a captivating historical novel.

In 1862, fifteen year old Michael Quinn and his five year old sister Elizabeth set sail from Britain for Australia to join their parents. Upon arrival in Sydney, Michael leaves Elizabeth in the care of the Cameron family while he travels to the goldfields to locate their parents. After making a tragic discovery, Michael successfully builds a family business in Hill End. When Elizabeth joins him, she divides her time between school and working as a bookkeeper for their business. A few years later, Michael and Elizabeth relocate to Maitland where they begin a new business and become philanthropists.

In the early 1900s, Michael and Elizabeth bring ten year old Jane Piper into their home to provide her with an education and hopefully set her up in a career when she is older. Jane has lived her entire life in a local orphanage and she has an aptitude for numbers. She is very intelligent, straight forward and full of life. Although the Quinn’s do not adopt her, Jane is part of their family.

In 1913, Jane and Elizabeth visit a local exhibit which includes an archaeological find, paintings and taxidermy. Jane is shocked to discover Elizabeth cowering in fear and repeating a strange word. Because Elizabeth remains troubled and unlike herself, Michael reveals a secret he has been keeping for decades. After telling his sister, he then confides in Jane in hopes the two of them will find answers that might bring their beloved Elizabeth peace and comfort.

The Girl in the Painting is a thoroughly enchanting historical novel that is rife with historical details. From Sydney to the goldfields to Maitland, this enthralling novel springs vibrantly to life. Elizabeth and Michael are wonderfully drawn characters who are altruistic and charming. Jane is a breath of fresh air as tackles everything in her life with enthusiasm. With an unexpected plot twist, Tea Cooper brings this enthralling novel to a heartfelt conclusion. I absolutely loved and highly recommend this brilliant historical novel. ...more

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Dec 26, 2021 Catsalive rated it liked it

Shelves: aww, 2021

An enjoyable read. I liked the historical aspect of Sydney, Hill End & Maitland in the late-19th, early-20th centuries. The characters were good too.
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