Book review: The Currency Lass

22 Mar 2017

If you’ve spent much of your life in the country and around horses – or even dreamt of doing so – The Currency Lass will speak to you. 

Plot overview

The Currency Lass follows the story of Catherine Cottingham as she attempts to piece together her life after the death of her father. Catherine plans to take over her father's Hunter Valley property when she becomes an independent woman at age 21, but an unwelcome arranged marriage throws a spanner in the works.

When circus comes to town, it brings with it an escape from the hands of Catherine’s insistent would-be suitor Henry Bartholomew. Rudi’s Equestrian Circus, and its dashing lead equestrian Sergey Petrov, draw Catherine into a world of crime and danger as she finds herself in the Victorian goldfields.

But Sergey has a secret, and his mysterious quest will connect Catherine and himself in a way neither of them could have foreseen. 

Review

An easy read with a gripping storyline, The Currency Lass is good for a cold winter's day inside, and even better for a blazing hot day in the country sun.

While there are a few interesting characters in the book, the novel’s greatest achievement is its portrayal of country and city Australia in the 1800s. When a book makes you want to visit the scene it’s set in, you know the author has created something special.

The crumbling roads, frequented by jarring horse-drawn wagons, along with the sweeping hills of the Great Dividing Range create a nostalgic scene that leaves you wanting to take a trip to the Hunter.

The book’s characters are quite simple, but that doesn’t mean you won’t become invested in them. Rudi’s quest for revenge and Catherine’s fight for freedom are easy to get caught up in, and their romantic tension means you’ll struggle to put this book down for long.

And if colonial Australian horseback romances aren’t your thing, that’s okay; there’s still plenty to enjoy in this historical novel as it explores the society and characters of an Australia from years past. 

About the author

Tea Cooper writes Australian contemporary and historical fiction. Previously she was a teacher, journalist and flower farmer. These days she haunts museums and indulges her passion for storytelling.