The Conjurer's Bird: A Novel Hardcover - 2005

From the publisher

"The Conjurer's Bird" is a beautiful story in the spirit of" Possession "that is as exciting as "The Club Dumas," inspired by one of the great puzzles of natural history: that of the Mysterious Bird of Ulieta. Seen only once, in 1774, by Captain Cook's second expedition to the South Seas, a single specimen was captured, preserved, and brought back to England. The bird was given to famed naturalist Joseph Banks, who displayed it proudly in his collection until its sudden, unexplained disappearance.
Two hundred years later, naturalists continue to wonder if the world will ever get another glimpse of the elusive bird. Were it not for a colored drawing done by the ship's artist, there would be nothing to say that the bird had ever existed. "The Conjurer's Bird" is a gripping literary mystery and passionate love story that tackles the intrigue surrounding the celebrated Banks, his secret affair with an enigmatic woman known only as "Miss B," and the legendary bird that becomes a touchstone for their love.
Seamlessly spanning two time periods, "The Conjurer's Bird" is at once the story of this romance and of a present-day conservationist named Fitz, who is drawn into a thrilling and near-impossible race to find the elusive bird's only known remains.

An Alternate Selection of the Book-of-the-Month Club and Quality Paperback Book Club