The Girl in the Painting

Written by Tea Cooper

Narrated by Casey Withoos

An orphaned young math prodigy in need of family. A painting that shatters a woman’s peace. And a decades-old mystery demanding to be solved.

Australia, 1906: Orphan Jane Piper is nine years old when philanthropist siblings Michael and Elizabeth Quinn take her into their home to further her schooling. The Quinns are no strangers to hardship. Having arrived in Australia as penniless immigrants, they now care for others as lost as they once were.

Despite Jane’s mysterious past, her remarkable aptitude for mathematics takes her far over the next seven years, and her relationship with Elizabeth and Michael flourishes as she plays an increasingly prominent part in their business.

But when Elizabeth reacts in terror to an exhibition at the local gallery, Jane realizes no one knows Elizabeth after all—not even Elizabeth herself. As the past and present converge and Elizabeth’s grasp on reality loosens, Jane sets out to unravel her story before it’s too late.

From the gritty reality of the Australian goldfields to the grand institutions of Sydney, this compelling novel presents a mystery that spans continents and decades as both women finally discover a place to call home.

Praise for The Girl in the Painting

“Combining characters that are wonderfully complex with a story spanning decades of their lives, The Girl in the Painting is a triumph of family, faith, and long-awaited forgiveness. I was swept away!” —Kristy Cambron, bestselling author of The Paris Dressmaker

• Stand-alone novel with rich historical details
• Book length: 102,000 words
• Also by Tea Cooper: The Cartographer’s Secret and The Woman in the Green Dress

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson
• Release date: Mar 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9780785240358

Tea Cooper

Tea Cooper is an established Australian author of historical fiction. In a past life she was a teacher, a journalist, and a farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling. She is the internationally bestselling author of several novels, including The Naturalist’s Daughter; the USA TODAY bestselling The Woman in the Green Dress; The Girl in the Painting, The Cartographer's Secret, winner of the prestigious Daphne du Maurier Award; and The Fossil Hunter.

Reviews for The Girl in the Painting

[Betsy McCullen · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

Audiobook has the most annoying reader voice!! After every break she takes this loud deep breath. The story seemed interesting but I just could NOT listen to her voice after a few chapters. Unfortunately Scribd doesn’t offer the book version.

[fernemysteryreader · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Mesmerizing historical fiction told in dual time periods of Australia from 1906-1913, and England from 1862–1873. The novel is rich in history, rich in descriptive language, rich in character development and narrative. I wanted to know how the story ended and yet I never wanted this reading experience to end. I simply loved every page of it.I was even more entranced to read the "Historical Note" in which the author shares that the novel is "based around a series of unconnected historical events." Simply and beautifully magnificent.I am always appreciative of authors who give credit for elegant covers and Tea Cooper delighted me in her Acknowledgments" with credit to "the marvelous designer Darren Holt." It is not that I will ever recognize the name but I appreciate the work as a significant contribution to the beauty of the novel.Book Club readers will appreciate the author's provision of "Discussion Questions" at the end of the novel.

[janarose1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

After showing an aptitude for mathematics, Jane, an orphan, gains the attention of siblings Michael and Elizabeth. They take her into their home, educate her, and teach her their auction house business. The book alternates with a young Michael and Elizabeth, as they arrive in Australia, only to discover that their parents have died. When adult Elizabeth has a fit after visiting a local art gallery, Jane realizes that there is some mystery in Elizabeth's life.I really enjoyed this book. It was well written and engaging. The characters were very dynamic and the mystery unraveled nicely. I will definitely look for more books from this author. Overall, highly recommended.

[bookscookslooks · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

The Girl in the Painting is a novel rich in story with a compelling plot and very interesting characters. I love the math wizard! So often are girls/women with these skills overlooked in stories both current and historical. Here we have part of the story taking place in London and part in different places in Australia as different types of people emigrate.Michael arrives in Australia with his sister Elizabeth but things are not what what he was expecting. To find out what his parents left him he heads in country leaving his sister with people in town. Neither lives the life they expected upon their arrival but it is what it is until Michael can get everything situated.What follows is a rich and complex story about the settlement of part of Australia, mining, treatment of Chinese immigrants and so much more. I found myself very involved in the life stories. I was kept on my toes until the very end the final answers were still a surprise which is always welcome when reading a book.

[kimkimkim-7 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

“Jane clattered down twenty-nine timber stairs” and I was hooked. A nine year old powerhouse who finds all aspects of math the definition of life. She is scary smart, introspective and talks too much. She is an amazing little girl who has been an orphan since she was two weeks old. Under the tutelage of Michael Hughes and his sister Elizabeth she is to find a home, a career and a series of strange events that she will eventually help to untangle. Told in two timelines across the ocean from England to Australia interesting history is wrapped within the story. It was relevant, thought-provoking and informative. Ever heard of the “Fibonacci Sequence, the Golden Mean”? Tea Cooper manages to incorporate it into her story and even make the perfect shape of nature understandable. It is all about the math and mathematics runs through the story in the best way. It defines the women, it helps to clarify the story but the reveal is in the title and that is a little long in coming. This is a really good book with strong vibrant characters, greats descriptive writing and just a bit of weakness in wrapping up the plot. Thank you NetGalley and Thomas Nelson for a copy.

[fredreeca · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Michael and Elizabeth are wealthy siblings. They take in an orphan, Jane. She is a prodigy in math. Jane helps them with all their business dealings. When Elizabeth sees a museum exhibition, she has a “spell”. This turns on some past memories and Jane struggles to find out what is going on.I love this family. Michael has a heart of gold. Elizabeth is tough as nails. And Jane just wants to learn and be the best she can be. But, when Elizabeth becomes ill, it throws everything off kilter. I mean…what do birds and paintings have to do with her memory?Then…Michael reveals his secret…and what a secret it is!I fluctuated between 4 and 5 stars. I settled on 4 because it is just a bit far fetched. You will have to read this to find out…But, I enjoyed the story and the setting. And…it is fiction! Right!? And…you might find it to be a 5 star! Grab your copy today!I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

[susan0316 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In 1906 in Australia, nine year old Jane Piper is rescued from the orphanage that she has lived in for her entire life. Michael and Elizabeth Quinn, philanthropist brother and sister, have heard about her aptitude for mathematics and want to give her a chance to continue her schooling. As her education and understanding of numbers continues, she becomes an important part of the business that the family owns and is treated like a member of the family. When Elizabeth reacts in a strange way to a painting and almost has a breakdown, Jane realizes that she knows little about the Quinn's past and tries to solve Elizabeth's problems before she gets worse and is sent to a mental hospital as the doctor recommends.This well written book has a dual time line. The first time line is 50 years earlier and is the story of Michael and Elizabeth emigrating from England to Australia to re-unite with their parents. This part of the novel gives a picture of the earlier life in Australia while there were people working to find gold in the streams and rivers of the desolate areas. There they learn that their parents had died but left an auction company to their children. Michael and Elizabeth work hard to continue the success of the business before they sold it all and moved to the city of Maitland. Once again they took over a business and it became a success so they were able to help others and ultimately bring the orphan Jane, into their family.Elizabeth and Jane are both strong female characters. They both have an aptitude for numbers and Jane learns to handle the books for the business from Elizabeth. At this time in the past, women were supposed to stay in the home but both of these women far surpassed that! There is also a mystery about what is affecting Elizabeth's mental health and Jane is determined to solve it.I really enjoyed The Girl in the Painting - there is family, romance, mystery and the beautiful land of Australia. This is the second book that I've by this author and I look forward to visiting Australia again in her next book.

[alekee_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was such an enjoyable read, from beginning to end. I never expected the final outcome, yes, clues are left throughout, but there are a lot of surprises.I never anticipated all that happens here, from the standing in line to boarding the ship, to the landing in 1860's Australia, and a few years later the taking of Jane to live with Elizabeth and Michael Quinn!I enjoyed reading between the two time periods, 1863 and 1912, it helped answer questions, and made the story richer and then a page turner.The title of this book becomes apparent at the end, but a loved the journey getting there.The only problem I had, was the story had to end, I wanted to keep on with their lives.I received this book through Edelweiss and the Publisher Thomas Nelson, and was not required to give a positive review.

[shelleyraec · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

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 1863 as children, and the life they make for themselves in Hills End, and later Maitland Town. It’s 1906 when the siblings offer Jane, a math prodigy, a home, a role in their business, and the chance to further her education, but the crux of the story isn’t revealed until 1913 when Elizabeth uncharacteristically experiences a panic attack at an art exhibition, prompting Jane to investigate the cause, and a startling confession from Michael. I liked the thread of intrigue that the author developed, though the resolution was a little contrived.I really enjoyed the setting of the novel. Cooper uses real, though unconnected, historical events as a framework, from the fire in an orphanage in Liverpool, to the attempted assassination of Prince Alfred, and the flooding of Maitland Town in 1913. The social and cultural details of the period, and the landscape of early Australia from the crowded streets of Sydney, to the goldfields of Hill End, and the nascent town of Maitland, are interesting and feel authentic.Well crafted, with appealing characters, and rich in Australian historical detail, The Girl In the Painting is a novel that is sure to please.