Sometimes when you pick up a book the cover and the description bring to mind a particular vision of how you think the book will end. When I picked up The Girl in the Painting, I anticipated a particular ending but discovered the book wasn't at all what I expected--it was better!
Tea Cooper is a new to me Australian author who specializes in historical fiction and whose books are just now being released in the U.S.A. The Girl in the Painting shares the heartbreaking story of Irish immigrants who after making a new life in Australia use their good fortune to help orphans, like Jane, in their country. Using flashbacks, Cooper shares the story of when Michael and Elizabeth Quinn first came to Australia, their origins in Ireland, and how they became very successful, upstanding citizens. Cooper uses the flashbacks to provide gradually ever more detailed information regarding the Quinn family story. About half way through the book, new characters and a huge plot twist are introduced and that also injects a huge mystery into the book. Although numerous obstacles are thrown in their way, Jane and Elizabeth unravel the mystery. The reader will soon find that everything is not what you expected or even that the characters themselves believed to be true.
For non-Australians, Cooper provides an interesting look at the history and landscape of this beautiful continent. For all readers, Cooper raises some interesting ethical and moral questions to consider. Thoroughly enjoyable!
I received a complementary copy of The Girl in the Painting from Thomas Nelson via NetGalley. I am not required to provide a positive opinion.
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