The Daisy Chain

(Paperback)

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Set in an incredibly exciting period of history, a pacy debut, brimming with adventure and romance. 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 AUTHOR: 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.

Reviews

"I absolutely loved The Daisy Chain which wasn't at all what I was expecting. Part romance, part history book, part spy thriller, this charming page-turner ticks all my boxes! Swirling from the beauty of Kew Gardens to the opulence of the Queen's chambers, to the dark underworld of Georgian England, the story kept me gripped throughout and the wonderfully drawn characters will stay with me. Blooming marvellous!" --Posy Lovell: author, The Kew Gardens Girls

"Set in the upper echelons of Georgian society the story takes the reader on a journey through espionage, tea smuggling and the slave trade. After meeting pre-eminent scientist Joseph Banks Daisy has to navigate her way through a complex plot and determine who she can trust and how she can help to stop a disaster. Whilst well known to scholars, this period in history was a battleground between science, the natural world and empire, and the author manages to encompass all of this into a superb novel of mystery, adventure and romance, highly recommended." --Paul Scott: Curator/Trustee, Joseph Banks Society

Author Bio

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.