that explores the world of 1800's Palaeontology?
Well, here we go!
This week, I read Kimberley Woodhouse's new novel
The Secrets Beneath.
It's the start of a new series exploring women in Victorian era science, specifically palaeontology.
The official description reads:
Anna Lakeman has spent her life working alongside her paleontologist father, drawing intricate sketches at every dig. When they find dinosaur bones near their home in Wyoming Territory, they're swiftly caught up in the era known as the Bone Wars. But when her father becomes sick and an old beau, Joshua Ziegler, returns for the summer, Anna's world is upended and the practical, orderly life she has made for herself shatters.
As a lover of Historical Fiction, this book was filled with fascinating people and topics! The Bone Wars was "a period of intense and ruthlessly competitive fossil hunting and discovery during the Gilded Age of American history." To prepare for writing her novel, Kimberley explored The National Dinosaur Monument - a literal wall of dinosaur bones! She was also able to consult with the grand-daughter of renowned palaeontologist and the man who discovered the bone wall - Earl Douglass.
Kimberley's extensive research and passion for women in science really brought those parts of the book to life. I love reading all the scenes that involved discovering and exploring the dinosaur site. If anything, I could have used more of it!
Most of the novel centres around the romance between Anna and Joshua. It was good, but honestly? I don't think romance novels are for me. As much as I love romantic films and music, I just can't get into romance as a genre. And truly, not every story needs to have a romance in it!
That said, there really is so much to love about this book. The landscape, science, and drama in those areas are gripping. And the character of Julian is beyond fantastic!
If you want to read a well-written novel that explores a little explored piece of American history,
I recommend The Secrets Beneath!
You can learn more about Kimberley's wonderful novels at
Book has been provided courtesy of Baker Publishing Group and Graf-Martin Communications, Inc.