I received a dARC from the publisher via NetGalley. Here is my honest review.

It's hard to know what to say over this book. I thought the story was good and certainly interesting. But it wasn't so compelling that I had to keep reading it to find out what happened. It took me quite a while to read this one. I found the dual timelines more confusing than typical but the greatest element I struggled with was just the gaps in the plot. Some areas were really developed while others were glossed over when they shouldn't have been.

I didn't hate it but it's probably more a 2.75 stars for me.

Fleur Richards had married after a whirlwind romance, but her husband died on Armistice Day. She feels that his relatives in Australia deserve his fortune more than she does, but once there is in charge of a remote farm and a dilapidated curio shop full of items, and a mystery that began over sixty-five years ago. Fleur soon discovers the story of an opal and a woman in a green dress.

This is a dual timeline novel with a slow and steady start, dealing with grief and change of different kinds. Fleur's thread takes place in 1919, and her whirlwind romance with Hugh leaves her confused about the inheritance in Australia. She has to track down the properties on her own when the solicitor's office is in disarray, learning more about Hugh and his family. In the 1853 thread, we have Captain Stefan von Richter meeting Della, who is gifted in taxidermy and is friendly with the Darkinjung, one of the Aboriginal tribes.

The two threads are intertwined in the final third of the book, and the explanation tied it all together. I feel it's a fantastic look into the race and class relationships of the time period, with beautiful descriptions of the land and animals. This is a book that focuses on the characters and relationships as well as the meaning of legacy.

Fleur fell in love and married in a short period of time because her new husband was going to war. She daydreamed about moving to Australia and living happily ever after. Then she recieves news he's dead and he's willed his estate to her. She doesn't want his estate, she wants Hugh!

Thomas Nelson and Net Galley let me read this book for review (thank you). It has been published and you can get a copy now.

Since it's her inheritanance, she decides to go look for relatives and give most of it to them.

This is a story in two parts: Part historical and part contemporary. I enjoyed the historical version best but the book was good overall.

The shop is a taxidermist but the lady running it takes all kinds of aboriginal things in, too. She has weapons, clothes and a bit of everything. When Fleur finds the men she has acquiring the goods are killing the aboriginis to get them, she tells her. She doesn't care. Many don't consider them human, they are more animal. The men leave the area once they've been found out. The proprietess disappears.

When the current owner shows up, the building is boarded up and has been for sometime. She, with the help of a male, gets in. She starts snooping about and makes a discovery she's rather not. The proprietess is no longer missing. She'd been helping women kill their hubands so you can't feel too sorrry for her.

Fleur did share her inheritance with those who needed it.

This was an entertaining story that kept me reading.

I got an ARC of this book from Netgalley and this is the first book from this author that I’ve read. Although it didn’t grab me from page one, I found that the plot drew me in and kept me interested throughout the book. Switching between time periods, 1853 and 1918, but maintaining the third-person narrator, kept the story flowing and slowly unveiled details that would solve the mystery presented at the beginning. Some of it was fairly easy to figure out, but that does not detract from the skill of telling the story.

There was one line in the book that made me chuckle because it was so out of place and called to mind cartoons depicting the early 1900s. “She tucked her hand into her coat pocket and pulled out a sixpence and held it out to him. His eyes lit up and she had the strangest feeling he was going to snatch it and bite down on it.” That said, I liked it there. It was the narrator’s way of winking at the reader, saying, “I know this probably wouldn’t happen, but wouldn’t it be funny if it did?”

The plot will keep you guessing for at least the first half of the book. How are Fleur and Stefan related? Why are we following an Austrian soldier and a young widowed English woman? How does Della fit in? Because the narrator sometimes followed Stefan and sometimes followed Della, it was unclear who was the protagonist in 1853, but I suppose they could both serve in that role. Fleur was the clear protagonist of 1918, and eventually, of the story as a whole.

Overall, I enjoyed the story. It included details that painted a vivid picture of Australia in 1853 and 1918, including common landmarks as well as changes in population and development. There was some commentary on the role of outside “explorers” coming in and denying the indiginous people their rights to live on the land. Murdering them for encroaching on settlers’ lands was perfectly acceptable. Furthermore, it did not shine a favorable light on those sent to Australia as convicts since the ones featured in the story continued to behave in sociopathic ways despite being given a second chance. My only question at the end of the book was, how did Hugh know? To me, it wasn’t explained clearly enough for me to connect the dots. I still recommend the book.

3.5 stars

The Woman In The Green Dress was such a unique read. I wasn't expecting the two timelines and so I was a little confused at first, but once I got used to the alternating stories, I found it intriguing. 

The mystery was fascinating, and even creepy at times (mainly near the end, lol). I was hooked in trying to figure things out and really liked how it ended. There was a certain aspect that I didn't care for, as it seemed unrealistic, but I can understand why it was in the story. 

All in all, The Woman In The Green Dress was a good read and one that I'm sure historical lovers will enjoy. 


*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*

The Woman in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper is a time-slip novel with two historical timelines, one in the 1850s in Australia and the other just after the end of WWI in England/Australia.
I am new to time-slip novels, but I was fascinated by this one. I am a huge historical fiction fan, so it was perfection for me to have both timelines be historical. And the author does an amazing job painting the setting for readers. The exotic and sun-filled landscape of Australia was made vivid and alive.
The one thing I love about time-slips is making the one big connection between timelines. Sometimes they are obvious, but in The Woman in the Green Dress, I felt you had to really delve into the story and characters to understand all the intricately woven details between generations. It was a fascinating journey, and one that is entirely satisfactory in the end.
The characters are all carefully crafted and memorable for one reason or another. It is difficult to pick a favorite, but I did love Fleur's tenacity, Bert's cheekiness, and the Captain's unwavering honor. They will all stay with you well after you close the book!
Any fan of historical fiction or time-slip novels will appreciate this story. You won't want to put it down until you have every question answered!
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectation of a positive review.

When I started The Woman in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper, I had no idea what path it would take and how it would end up. The story is told in two timelines: 1853 and 1919. Both of these timelines have an element of mystery with interesting characters. It wasn't until I was well into the story when I finally began to put details together and figure out how all of the characters' lives would intersect. Every chapter felt like another layer was being built so the final third of the story could make big reveals. Once I started sensing the connection, things moved quickly and overall, the story was quite fascinating.

I don't want to spoil a single thing about this story so I won't mention any of the details, but I had no idea that the story would move in some of the directions that it did. I really enjoyed the mystery aspects of the story. Part of the intrigue for me, I think, is that I have very little knowledge of Australia's history during the 1850's and the early 1900's. Most of what I know about these time periods is mostly through the lens of United States and Europe. So having the chance to read things from an Australian perspective was really great. There were several times that I stopped reading so I could go online and learn more about the places and events and customs in the story.

I particularly enjoyed reading about Della and Fleur and I think other readers will love them too.

Sidenote: I read an uncorrected digital galley and it did not include a map so I spent a great deal of time tracking the characters' travels on online maps. I'm not sure if a map is included in the final copies of this book, but I think it would make a lovely addition to the text and I urge readers to check out the area online so you can track the characters' travels too.

I received this book for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you, Thomas Nelson!

This historical fiction follows the path of two women in two different times in Australia. Fleur Richards loses her husband as WWII is ending and travels to Australia to sort out an estate she doesn't believe she deserves. Della Atterton is an accomplished taxidermist who lives nearly a hundred years earlier. Her story is at the heart of the novel. There is a mystery behind the Atterton's shop in Sydney that continues to Fleur's day. Of course, the shop is part of the estate Fleur inherits.
The action weaves back and forth between the two heroines and the mystery unwinds. There are romances that spark in each time.
I enjoyed the story and would look for more books by this author. A good read and intriguing mystery.

Tea Cooper's The Woman In the Green Dress was a work of fiction. The time period is pre and post WWI. There are many characters and this book is well written. The story takes place mainly in Australia and most of the characters are convicts and or their descendants. The book switches time frames from mid 1800s to early twentieth century. Readers who are interested in Australia should find this an interesting read. ARC

A romantic mystery set in Australia. Wonderful story overall, liked the characters and the writing. Wish there would have been a heading indicating time line as it got confusing at times. Thank you publisher and netgalley for this arc in exchange of an honest review.

The Woman In The Green Dress written by Tea Cooper – 3 Stars
I read the book in the evening before going to bed. Then my kindle gave out. I had to wait for a new one to finish this book. I was really struggling to keep with the book as she would be with one character from one time period and within the same chapter in the next paragraph, she would have changed time periods and characters without any break. At least that is the way it came in kindle format. Very hard to get caught up in, I never thought I would finish it. I got used to the changing format when I got the new kindle and returned to the book the last half of the book seemed to move much faster and be more interesting. I usually don’t mind stories that change time periods and characters but this was handled in such a strange way I didn’t enjoy it. There was a ton of research that went into the book, much of the interesting things for me were in the latter half of the book and I don’t want to give it away. This really wasn’t the book for me although from the reviews I saw that people loved it or really had a hard time with it. I gave it three stars because I did find interest in it eventually but kept putting it down before my kindle gave out. I fall into the latter category where the book just wasn’t for me. Therefore, the three stars. It may be the book for you if you enjoy these time periods and mysteries and don’t mind changing story lines mid chapter. If you do give it a go. It’s a slow starter but picks up very much towards the end.

I received this book through NetGalley and wasn’t required to write a review or to give it a positive one. I wasn’t paid to read the book. The words above are my own and freely given.

Description as found on NetGalley.com:
A cursed opal, a gnarled family tree, and a sinister woman in a green dress emerge in the aftermath of World War I.
After a whirlwind romance, London teashop waitress Fleur Richards can’t wait for her new husband, Hugh, to return from the Great War. But when word of his death arrives on Armistice Day, Fleur learns he has left her a sizable family fortune. Refusing to accept the inheritance, she heads to his beloved home country of Australia in search of the relatives who deserve it more.
In spite of her reluctance, she soon finds herself the sole owner of a remote farm and a dilapidated curio shop full of long-forgotten artifacts, remarkable preserved creatures, and a mystery that began more than sixty-five years ago. With the help of Kip, a repatriated soldier dealing with the sobering aftereffects of war, Fleur finds herself unable to resist pulling on the threads of the past. What she finds is a shocking story surrounding an opal and a woman in a green dress. . . a story that, nevertheless, offers hope and healing for the future.
This romantic mystery from award-winning Australian novelist Tea Cooper will keep readers guessing until the astonishing conclusion.
“Readers of Kate Morton and Beatriz Williams will be dazzled. The Woman in the Green Dress spins readers into an evocative world of mystery and romance in this deeply researched book by Tea Cooper. There is a Dickensian flair to Cooper’s carefully constructed world of lost inheritances and found treasures as two indomitable women stretched across centuries work to reconcile their pasts while reclaiming love, identity and belonging against two richly moving historical settings. As soon as you turn the last page you want to start again just to see how every last thread is sewn in anticipation of its thrilling conclusion. One of the most intelligent, visceral and vibrant historical reads I have had the privilege of visiting in an age.” —Rachel McMillan, author of The London Restoration
“Refreshing and unique, The Woman in the Green Dress sweeps you across the wild lands of Australia in a thrilling whirl of mystery, romance, and danger. This magical tale weaves together two storylines with a heart-pounding finish that is drop-dead gorgeous.” —J’nell Ciesielski, author of The Socialite
Full-length historical story with both romance and mysteryStand-alone novelIncludes Discussion Questions for Book Clubs

Close to 3.5
Tea's historical look at Australia after the first world war was interesting and the storyline unique. The characters were vibrant and I wanted to know more about them.
I had some difficulty with the time hoping and found the 1850s held my interest more than the scenes from 1919. As I neared the end the timelines were converging on the same subject which helped. I wanted to know more about Della and Captain Stefan von Richter's relationship as there was a light romance theme that wetted my mind for a more in-depth look. Overall it was a pleasant read. I wish I could have gotten connected the time hops connected sooner.

I received a copy from Thomas Nelson-Fiction via NetGalley and this is my honest opinion.

The Woman in the Green Dress
by Tea Cooper
Rating: 4/5

After seeing this recommended on Instagram, I had to read it for myself. I was intrigued by the premise and I do love when two stories get folded into one. The mystery aspect was well done while the romance was not in the forefront which was a nice change.

Amidst the celebrating during Armistice Day, Fleur Richards receives news that her husband did not survive the war. She is confused and distressed to learn that he has left her a fortune in his home of Australia. She travels from London to Sydney in order to figure out what her husband has left her and transfer the inheritance to someone more deserving. What she finds is a mystery surrounding the shop and land owned by her late husband's family. Can Fleur find out what happened to the supposedly cursed shop and family? Will the mysterious opal and woman in a green dress help give her answers?

The story moves back and forth between the past and present which can be a bit confusing without proper headings but the author was very good about giving you a timeline. As someone who has never been to Australia, I was delighted to learn new things about the animals and wildlife (I guess that's the scientist in me). I loved learning about the history and am eager to read more. I was a bit disappointed that the author didn't tie up all the loose ends but there is a satisfying conclusion to the mystery. I also felt the title was a bit misleading but it still works, I guess. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed the story and characters.

I still recommend reading this book if you enjoy romantic mysteries set in historical Australia.

My thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of the book. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. No positive review was expected and no compensation received.

The Woman in the Green Dress
by Tea Cooper
Mystery taken on a wider scale, this book encompasses English imperialism, and Australia roots. Flashing between two time lines using the two time periods to leave the reader on the hook, Tea Cooper shows how a mystery is drawn from events in Australian history, and the aftermath of the first world war. The book in its heart is a mystery, but the two love stories that come from it are remarkable and poignant. I found myself drawn into the story so much that the ending was a surprise. Thank you for a lovely story, and a remarkable thriller.

I have not read a lot of historical fiction that centers around World War I, and none that shows the impact that the war had on relations between England and Australia, so the synopsis of The Woman With The Green Dress was immediately intriguing to me. Author, Tea Cooper, kept my interest piqued by opening Fleur's story in the middle of the action as the end of the war is announced in Trafalgar Square, and the newlywed is looking for her husband. The back and forth taking the reader from England in the 1900s to Australia in the 1850s, was rapid, but the writing was engaging and although I had to slow down to take note of all the characters who were introduced and keep track of their relationships, the narrative kept me interested all the way through. I admired Cooper's writing as it felt like sophisticated sentences building an engaging story and relating a topic I am interested in but haven't read much from this perspective.
Despite the multiplicity of settings, the author's use of local details in comparisons and dialogue, helped keep the focus and I enjoyed quotes like, "she'd been no more than a joey hardly big enough to be out of her mother's pouch" and  "Straighten your pinny. This one's upper crust, not like that last one with his funny accent and cheek." It all helped to make this historical fictional tale feel more authentic and I enjoyed how the author showed the characters' personalities and tendencies through their actions and internal monologues, rather than mere descriptions. Added to the historical fiction, The Woman With The Green Dress includes romance, immigration and freedom of the native people, as well as some intrigue surrounding a precious opal and the identity of a mysterious character. Unspooling the back stories at the same time I was rooting for the main character to excel at her own sleuthing, definitely heightened my enjoyment.  Overall, I enjoyed this one and am interested in reading more from this author.

I love historical fiction probably one of my favourite genres. The Woman in the Green Dress by Tea Cooper fell flat for me. It starts in 1835, in Mogo Creek a rural area in NSW concentrating on Della Atherton a taxidermist selling her wares in a family shop in Sydney. We quickly go to 1919 London where a window inherits a sizeable inheritance, including a property in Mogo Creek and a taxidermy shop in Sydney- see the connection? The duel timeline told from two POV will surely hold many readers interest just not mine.
The setting is beautiful, and the characters are rich it just did not hold my attention.

Thank you #netgalley for copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was good. It wasn't my typical read but I still enjoyed it. The duel timeline was probably what made it a little lacking for me. I find the switching back and forth can feel like it's cutting into the story a bit. I was happy to be able to join the blog tour.

I received this copy from Net Galley for an honest review. I found this book confusing. For me, it was hard to follow and the storyline did not keep me interested. I DNF'd it at 78%.

This work of historical fiction by author Tea Cooper is captivating. The storyline is written during two time periods that are tied together as the novel unravels.

In the aftermath of World War I, Fleur leaves London to make her first trip to Australia. In search of information about her deceased husband, recently killed in the war, she discovers more than she could have possibly imagined. She discovers hidden ledgers with detailed information from years past, and interesting items in the Curio shop that's owned by her husband's family. This leads to . . . . no spoiler here.

The other part of the story dates back to the 1850's and details Della Atterton's story. Her family has a taxidermy business (the Curio shop mentioned above). She meets Captain Stefan Von Richter, who was commissioned to look for a unique, valuable opal, while she is living in the remote area of Mogo Creek. They end up working together, along with the Captain's newly acquired young friend, Bert, to figure out the current location of the precious stone and help the Aboriginal people. Their adventures will uncover more than a missing opal.

The story has great characters, mystery, romance, history, and more. If you are looking for a book that will keep you searching for the next 'thing,' this book will meet that need.

I received a copy of this novel in eBook form from Thomas Nelson Publishers via NetGalley in order to review. In no way has this influenced my review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

#TheWomanintheGreenDress #NetGalley

If you enjoy historical fiction or dual timeline books, this is the book for you! Set in the mid 1800s and early 1900s in Australia, it was a great read. I enjoyed learning more about life in Australia during those time periods.