We’re delighted to be sharing Laura’s thoughts about The Daisy Chain by Al Campbell.
Jera’s Jamboree receives payments for affiliate advertising. This is at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. As a Cratejoy affiliate I earn if you click on a link and shop from my link. Please see my disclosure policy for more information.
- Publisher : RedDoor Press (10 Mar. 2022)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 288 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1913062937
- ISBN-13 : 978-1913062934
England, 1771: Recently orphaned Daisy Salter moves from quiet Suffolk society to the hustle and bustle of London. A talented botanical illustrator and amateur scientist, frustrated Daisy finds herself governess to the daughter of her sister and brutish noble brother-in-law. However, a chance encounter with pre-eminent scientist Joseph Banks changes everything and, when the extent of her talent is revealed, Daisy not only becomes Artist in Residence at the magnificent Kew Gardens, but confidante of Queen Charlotte, King George III’s wife.
But whilst science and plant hunting expeditions are flourishing, at sea the ‘triangular trade’ is in full swing and Daisy is unwittingly inveigled into espionage, tea smuggling and the slave trade. Who is friend and who is foe? Can Daisy work out whom to trust before disaster strikes?
Book Review
I read The Daisy Chain after a recent trip to Kew Gardens and fell in love with this book.
Set in 1771 with the lead character Daisy Salter moving from the countryside to live with her married sister and brutish brother in law, in London.
Daisy is a fascinating character. She is fiercely independent, talented and adores science. She creates exceptionally beautiful botanical illustrations which leads her to becoming artist in residence at Kew. From this position she also becomes art tutor to the King’s wife, Queen Charlotte.
The Daisy Chain is set in a wonderful time for botanical discovery but this book also highlights the shocking aspects of slavery.
I was wonderfully charmed by this book and Daisy.
A self-confessed serotonin storyteller, Al Campbell wants the words he writes to make people happy. Writing is both a habit and a hobby – originally as an advertising agency creative director and copywriter, latterly as an MA student through flash fiction, short stories and poetry. In common with many creative people Al is dyslexic, something to which he attributes his love of dialogue. This is his first novel.