Nicely timed to coincide with the 150th anniversary of the publication of "The Origin Of Species", Chevalier delves back into the early 19th century to vividly bring to life the world at the time. Mary Anning uncovers dinosaurs fossils in the cliffs near her home, and sets the scientific community alight. But with the academics against her, and her neighbours maliciously gossiping about her, she has a fight on her hands to be taken seriously. She finds an unexpected ally in spinster Elizabeth Philpot, and together they struggle for recognition.