Eliza's family leave London and head for Australia. There her father runs a pearl fleet, seeking riches and a successful business however it's dangerous and time isn't kind to Eliza's family. Tragedy strikes and her father goes missing presumed drowned or murdered. She refuses to believe it is that simple and storms around the town looking for answers and digging up secrets. Can she find the truth?

I really didn't get along with this book. For me it really dragged at the start, it wasn't until over halfway through that I felt the story was really moving forward. I felt the story had such promise, perhaps I wanted more action and a faster pace.

Eliza's father goes missing mysteriously, whilst out at sea. Dissatisfied when the officials blame her native friend, Eliza sets about to uncover what happened.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Eliza and her family arrived in Bannin Bay ten years ago, to make their fortune with the other pearlers.
Her father and brother both went out on the latest trip, but only her brother returned with the crew - none of whom had seen her father disappear.

The story follows Eliza as she goes about Bannin Bay, trying to uncover the many secrets. It also dips in and out of her history, and what else has happened in the last ten years.

Unfortunately, I couldn't get on with this book.
The author spends so much time describing the make-shift town and its residents, with so many heavy-handed metaphors and similes, sometimes in every paragraph on the page - I have no idea what anyone or anything actually looks like!
Also, by half-way, nothing has happened, as it's still completely focussed on describing every little thing in a ludicrous manner.

I couldn't connect with Eliza and her 'friends'. For all the narrative spends time on describing how everything looks, it barely spares a sentence to describe characters. Their histories and motives are mentioned briefly in a business-like manner. We don't actually get to know anyone, not even Eliza herself.
It's not like they're shallow or two-dimensional, there's just a complete lack of expansion on any of the characters involved.

The 'feminist adventure' was lacking feminism (and adventure, if I'm honest).
It stated everything that Eliza found wrong with the lives of women, with a very modern voice.
It then spent the rest of the time revolving around the lives of men.
Our 'feminist' heroine Eliza is open-minded and friends with a prostitute.. but her open-mindedness only goes so far, as she castigates the other women of her own class.

Overall, this book was not for me, but I can see it appealing to others.

Moonlight and the Pearler’s daughter ticked a lot of the boxes on my ‘favourite books’ list:
Historical fiction ✅
Set somewhere completely out of my previous knowledge ✅
A strong female character, operating in a difficult situation ✅
A bit of a mystery ✅ (I don’t really want to try and solve it, I just like the big reveal!)

As is often the case, the expectation of women in historical fiction is to stay at home, look after the house, wait to get married and have babies. But Eliza won’t stay at home when her father goes missing - she doesn’t assume he’s dead like the rest of the townsfolk.

There’s a real feeling of danger in a town where there appears to be no law keepers - not honest one’s, anyway. And if the corrupt, prejudiced townsfolk don’t get you, the climate and the wildlife (jellyfish, crocodiles!!) will.

This is a gripping, descriptive novel, that puts the reader firmly in Eliza’s world. I certainly had more of an idea of the hardships of living in NW Australia at this time. What will stay with me however, is Eliza’s determination to save her father and her family. She’s single-minded in her quest to find him, and determined not to let anyone else take the blame for his supposed death. It’s unnerving at times, when the attitudes of the white settlers towards the Aboriginals and other people of colour are starkly described.

A dark time in history, indeed.
And I’d highly recommend this. It’s wonderfully told.

Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter by Lizzie Pook is set in Bannon Bay, Western Australia in 1896.

Eliza is a young woman who came with her family from England 10 years ago.  Her father is the captain of a pearl diving boat, which her brother also works on, along with others.

When her father doesn't return one day, and her brother won't say what's happened, Eliza starts to look into what's happened, in a time when women aren't meant to be investigating in this way, especially when blackmail and corruption is involved.

This is a very evocative book that transported me to the heat of Western Australia.  I find Eliza to be a sympathetic character, and I was carried along on her journey.

Moonlight and the Pearler's Daughter was published on 3rd March 2022, and is available from Amazon, Waterstones and Bookshop.org.

You can follow Lizzie Pook on Twitter, Instagram and her website.

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to Pan Macmillan.

Australian historical fiction set in the latter half of 19th century starring the eponymous pearler's daughter Eliza Brightwell. About a missing father lost at sea, a strong independent twenty year old lady; about the oppressive seascape, cruelty towards indigenous people, racism.

A terrific debut novel by Lizzie Pook. Set in Australia in the latter part of the nineteenth century. Eliza Brightwell is the 20 year old Pearlers daughter.. In 1886 the then 10 year old Eliza sailed with her parents, Thomas her older brother, and her Uncle Willem and Aunt Martha from England to Bannin Bay, Western Australia. Charlie, Eliza’s father dreams of making his fortune by taking up pearling, sadly it turns out to be a really tough life, with the sun, and often deadly flora and fauna. There are many diverse rivals competing within the profession, the divers face life threatening challenges and dangers. Ten years later Eliza is awaiting her father’s pearling Luger, the starling which has been away at sea for 3 months.

But the starling doesn’t arrive until late afternoon and Eliza’s father is not on board. Where is he? There are several rumours, he fell overboard, or as rumours suggest he was murdered and there was mutiny on board. But Eliza is not able to get any answers. She doesn’t believe Charlie is dead. So goes to see Sergeant Archibald Parker who is an obnoxious, racist man working at the gaol. He arrests aboriginal Billy Ballari who couldn’t have had anything to do with Eliza’s missing father. But Parker will not listen, when Billy escapes, Parker goes after him.

Woven in the story are parts of Charlie’s journal, Eliza looks for clues in it to give her ideas as to what happened. Family secrets are revealed, and Eliza ends up sailing the Moonlight, Father McVeigh’s Luger, with German Axel Kramer and Aboriginal boy, Knife, as a deckhand they face storms, sharks, crocodiles, as Eliza searches to find her father.

This is a well written, well researched historical novel which shows some of the horrific treatment of Aboriginals, for them it was a nightmare, as they were enslaved, murdered, forced to be pearl duvers and much more. Eliza is a very strong female character with a determination to find her father, with the help of her friend Min.

There are many twists and turns, but this is one engrossing, atmospheric read, there are many unsavoury characters, as well as the violence which underpins the Bannin Bay community and the pearling business, the criminal underbelly. I highly recommend this if you enjoy a good historical read.

I would like to thank #netgalley and the publishers for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

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Bannin Bay, Australia. 1886.
A young Eliza Brightwell arrives in Australia with her family from the UK to start a new life on the sun kissed shores of Bannin Bay where the main source of income is pearling. As Eliza enters adulthood a decade later, she waits for her father's boat to return from a pearling expedition. Whilst her brother and the rest of the crew disembark, Eliza receives the news that her father is missing, presumed dead. After quizzing her brother and other crew members, Eliza decides that it is down to her to discover what really happened to her father...

I thought that this was an enjoyable read with beautiful vivid descriptions of Western Australia. The author really paints a picture of the sweltering blistering heat and the dangerous world of 19th century pearling.

I liked the mystery element of Eliza trying to figure out what happened to her father as she makes her way through contradicting testimonies and accounts and her confusion and frustration is portrayed excellently.

The scenes that took place in the sea totally freaked me out but this is only because I have an extreme fear of the ocean and all the creatures that inhabit it - it will be absolutely fine for people without this ridiculous fear.

All in all, a very enjoyable adventure story with a strong female lead in 19th century Australia, revealing the glamour, and dangers, of the pearling trade and the dark underbelly of coastal living.

Thank you to Netgalley, Mantle Publishing and Lizzie Pook for an e-arc of the book in exchange for an honest review 🌊

The tale of young Englishwoman who searches for the truth about the whereabouts of her eccentric father who disappears from his boat and everyone presumes is dead. However, Eliza knows he is not and eventually finds him after amongst other challenges, standing up to men and dangerous sea travels. This is a well researched historical adventure novel set in the perilous world of the pearl diving industry in 19th-century Western Australia.

I really enjoyed the historical setting, which was brought to life beautifully, and the insights into the pearling business. The story kept me turning the pages and I loved the feisty main character..

You don’t find many books set in Australia - let alone Western Australia and this one does not disappoint!! If you want an adventure from the comfort of your own sofa with a kick ass Eliza and be submerged into a world full of mystery then look no further!

Living in Western Australia, I was instantly drawn to this 19th-century setting in the arid northern part of the state. From the outset, I absorbed the vivid descriptions, felt the dust clinging to my skin and was kept on my toes as the mysteries continued to unfold.

Eliza's father is a respected pearler who is away at sea for long periods of time with his loyal crew and Eliza's older brother. In anticipation of their return, Eliza goes to greet the boat but can tell quickly that something is wrong - her father is missing, presumed lost at sea. Presumed dead. This puts a local crewman and close friend of Eliza's family in danger, suspected of murdering her father. Unwilling to accept this, Eliza investigates with the help of a visiting German man and a pastor's apprentice who doubles as a keen sailor. Armed with a boat, they head out into the unforgiving waves, determined to find the evidence needed to free the innocent man and save her father.

Let's start by acknowledging how brilliant the heroine, Eliza Brightwell, is in this book. She defies all the conventions of a typical woman living in the 1880s. She cares little for her appearance, wants nothing less than a man to whisk her away, and will put herself in danger for the sake of saving her family. She is headstrong, tenacious, and likeable - the perfect female protagonist.

The book twists and turns through many a scenario, with different perspectives woven into the narrative to give a broader view of the story. I especially loved the excerpts from Eliza's father's diary - these descriptive accounts of marine and insect life helped paint the picture of Australia as well as provide some interesting context.

It was clearly well-researched which was another huge tick in the box for me. As an avid historical fiction reader, I appreciate learning about history through books and this was a topic I had no prior knowledge in. I would have liked a little more exploration into the pearling trade and Eliza's early years in the country, especially after reading the author's note which expanded on the former and some other elements of time and history that I would have liked to learn more about in the book itself.

Back to the plot; I didn't love the motives which felt a little weak in parts (no more said on this to prevent spoilers). I thought too much of the story centred around the revelations and was expecting something a bit more complex. I still really enjoyed the story overall though and would definitely recommend. It was certainly a great way to put Western Australia and its history on the map.

I’ve recently discovered a love of reading about voyages/adventures/ships and usually it’s polar explorations but I jumped at the chance to review this book based in Western Australia. I loved Eliza’s character, she’s strong, determined and everything and more as a daughter and woman in her own right. The plot isn’t typical and it’s fast paced and exciting. I highly recommend this book to any armchair adventurer out there.

Thank you @netgalley for the eARC of this novel in return for an honest review. Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter is out now.

Set in and around Bannin Bay in Western Australia in the late 1800s, Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter follows the journey of young Eliza Brightwell as she goes in search of her father who disappeared from his pearling vessel the night before he was due back on land.

Eliza came with her family to Bannin Bay when she was still a child. Her father came to make his fortune. A kind man, he encourages her to investigate the new land they live in and arranged for Eliza to learn the land and creatures from a native man now accused of her father’s murder.

Is her father really dead? Can any pearler truly be kind? Who can she trust in this hard, hot world?

Lizzie Pook’s writing really transports you to a different, hot land and the mind of a young girl left to fend for herself when her father and brother are out diving for pearls. It’s a page-turner that requires Eliza to overcome all kinds of barriers in her search for a fairer world.

I’m not quite the target audience for this novel, but you’ll know from the description if it’s for you.

I loved this book. it was an interesting read. The book is set in Western Australia, in the nineteenth century. Eliza Brightwell, the main character is trying to find out what happened to her father. The family are involved in the pearl diving industry. I knew little about this and I was fascinated to find out more. Pearl diving in Western Australia was built on dubious colonial practises and it can be an uncomfortable read. in places.

The book tells the story of a family who left England to find their fortune. In many ways it is mesmerising. It is very descriptive of how the family lived. I think it would appeal to those who like historical novels and this one is also a mystery story.

I knew about diving for pearls, but I knew nothing about pearlers – the pearl divers/the people who trade in pearls – so I thought Moonlight and the Pearler’s Daughter would be a good way to find out more about it. And it is – I learned a lot. It has a great sense of both time and place. Although Bannin Bay is a fictional town in Western Australia its geography is modelled on parts of the north-west Kimberley coast. Lizzie Pook’s research, which she details in her Historical and Cultural Note at the end of the book, is fascinating. Her descriptive writing is very good and I felt that I was transported back to 19th century Australia experiencing the sights and smells of the coastal town and witnessing the appalling abuse and violence dealt out to the aboriginals who were forced to become pearl divers.

And I was also convinced by the main characters, Eliza in particular who comes across as a determined young woman, not cowed into conforming with the behaviour expected of women in the local community. She does everything she can to find out what happened to Charles, her father when he doesn’t return with his ship, the White Starling. It seems he just disappeared and no one can tell her what happened to him. She finds his diary and realises that there must be a reason why he didn’t take it with him as he always did. It contains detailed information about shell-beds, stars, storms, sharks and life at sea, but she also finds a sheet of paper between its pages with a cryptic clue she is convinced will help her find him. The police assume he went overboard and arrest one of the aboriginal divers for his murder. But Eliza is convinced that he is not dead and helped by Axel Kramer, a German and a newcomer to Bannin Bay, she sets sail on his lugger, Moonlight to search for him.

The book starts slowly, building up a picture of the town, its inhabitants, and landscape, and builds to a crescendo as Eliza’s search takes a dramatic turn when the Moonlight is caught up in a terrible storm putting their lives in danger. I enjoyed the book, just as much for its historical detail and vivid descriptions of the landscape and wildlife, as for the mystery of Charles’ disappearance.

Beautifully written with such a great protagonist in Eliza, this book really does transport you back to 1886 and what life was actually like for the daughter of a pearler in Austalia. I loved the writing style and found it to be very immersive, the sese of place is fantastic. It's clear that a lot of research has gone into this book, it really adds to the whole story and gives a real sense of time and the environment. Life could certainly be brutal and Eliza was ahead of her time in both her thoughts and her actions. The historical writing really shone and there being a mystery element was a great hook too. Great characters, good pace and very compelling, highly recommend!

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher.
I enjoyed this book! An interesting story and a strong denouement. I was particularly interested in the historic elements of the pearl trade and these stations in Australia in the 19th century. Lizzie Pook is careful to explain and educate without it feeling forced, it piqued my curiosity and I'd be intrigued to read more about it. 4 stars.

It’s is late 19 century when Ten year old Eliza lands in Bannin Bay Australia with her parents and young brother and, extended family, all intent on seeking their fortune from the pearling industry. A decade later a mixture of personal family misfortune yet successful trading has ensured their place in what is often a hostile and frightening environment. Unexpectedly her fathers ship is delayed returning to port at which time she is told that the reason has been a fruitless search for her father, supposedly lost at sea. Refusing to believe or accept this version of events she embarks on a perilous mission to uncover the truth and find her father. Thus the story unfolds explaining describing and through words, drawing a poetic and literary picture of early Australian life in the pearling industry for early settlers and women. An unusual premise outlining an industry and environment that the majority of readers would be unaware whilst allowing our young protagonist the voice to draw us into the colourful and dangerous world her reckless journey leads her. Many thanks to author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC of this thrilling and enlightening adventure .

Historical fiction is not my usual genre but this sounded so good I had to read it.

I wasn’t disappointed-it’s a well written and immersive story which I really enjoyed.

The descriptions are vivid and the characters and well written.