Orphan Jane Piper has lived with siblings Michael and Elizabeth Quinn since she was a young girl and they learned of her advanced math capabilities. They arrived in Australia some 50 years earlier, penniless and with only their intelligence to get by, so they felt the need to help those in similar situations. Everything seems to be going swimmingly until Jane and Elizabeth visit a traveling exhibition that causes Elizabeth to suffer a panic attack. As Jane begins to search for clues to what triggered the attack, Elizabeth begins to suspect that she doesn't know herself nearly as well as she thought she did.
This was an excellent, well-woven mystery that sheds light on the immigration situation at the turn of the 19th Century, as well as the Australian gold rush and other elements. I particularly enjoyed seeing strong female characters fighting against the status quo in everyday ways. A fun, propulsive story.
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