Martin Davies: The Conjuror's Bird

If The Da Vinci Code has given you a taste for historical mysteries and you would like to try something similar but with more weight, this literary thriller could be the perfect book, especially since much of its plot is derived from actual events. But don't expect any grand conspiracies — The Conjuror's Bird is more a gentle stroll into the past where burglary is the extent of the violence.

Like A. S. Byatt's Possession, Davies, a BBC producer by day, divides his storyline into two separate narratives and time zones: the first is told by taxidermist and natural history lecturer John "Fitz" Fitzgerald in the present day, while the second is based around renowned naturalist Joseph Banks in the late 18th century.

Fitz's humdrum existence is disturbed when his Brazilian conservationist ex-wife Gabby re-enters his life with her Swedish lover and benefactor Karl Anderson. Fitz and his Swedish flatmate Katya are soon involved in an enthralling chase to track down the titular bird itself, The Mysterious Bird of Ulieta, an extremely rare specimen of an otherwise undistinguished thrush which vanished into the annals of time after apparently being discovered by Joseph Banks.

Fitz and Gabby also have to resolve some unfinished business and while he is reinvigorated by his newfound sense of adventure, Davies refreshingly resists cliche by not making him too bitter and cynical.

Davies also does a good job of ensuring that the 18th century storyline is not too dry in comparison with the contemporary narrative. And rather than revealing all the secrets behind the disappearance of the Ulieta Bird, Davies concentrates on Banks' illicit affair with the highly intelligent but disadvantaged "Miss B", who is forced to remain in the shadows because society would not tolerate a romance between a man of such high station and a woman of lowly means.

Miss B vanishes anonymously into history but turns out to be not only the real source of the mystery but also the heart and soul of a very good book.

Hodder and Stoughton $36.99

* Stephen Jewell is an Auckland reviewer.