Tim Flannery

Tim Flannery

Tim Flannery (Timothy Fridtjof Flannery) was born on January 28th, 1956 and is currently 70 years old. Tim Flannery was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Flannery attended La Trobe University, Monash where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English literature and the University of New South Wales where he received a PhD in Palaeontology.

Tim Flannery is an Australian mammalogist, paleontologist, environmentalist, conservationist, explorer, author, science communicator, and activist. He is widely known for his 1994 book The Future Eaters, which explores the natural history of Australasia and was later adapted for television in 2006. His 2006 book The Weather Makers examines the impact of climate change in Australia and earned him international recognition.

Beyond academia, Flannery has written several other books on natural history and environmental topics, such as Throwim Way Leg and Chasing Kangaroos. He has also appeared frequently on television and in the media to promote environmental awareness.

Tim’s book The Mystery of the Venus Island Fetish is set in the 1930s and follows Archibald Meek, an assistant curator in the anthropology department at the Sydney Museum.

Archibald has just returned from a long field trip to the Venus Isles, eager to share his collection of plants, worms, fish, insects, and artefacts from the Islanders. He also hopes that the traditional love token he brought back will convince his fiancée Beatrice to accept his marriage proposal.

When Archie examines the museum’s ceremonial mask known as the Venus Island Fetish, he notices that it has changed. Some of the skulls forming part of the artefact are discolored. Soon after, he learns that several museum curators have mysteriously gone missing.

Believing these strange events might be connected, Archie grows increasingly anxious for the safety of those who remain. He begins to question whether it is all coincidence or something much darker.

The author fills the novel with eccentric and unpredictable characters, many with names that add a playful sense of humor. The mystery includes a good dose of tongue-in-cheek humor, and the final twist along with the closing note will leave readers smiling.

The author includes a wide range of curious details such as a government inquiry, a meteorite, Meissen pottery, the Japanese Navy, a Roman bronze Priapus, fugu poison, arson, soapbox orators, rare minerals, stuffed goats, buck teeth, a tattoo, an amputation, an outhouse full of spiders, prickly pear, and shady dealings involving antiquities.

Although the novel is set in the 1930s, many of its situations and themes reflect those of modern life which make the story timeless.

Professor Flannery’s presentation of this “discovered” manuscript adds an extra touch of charm, leaving readers hoping that he might find more hidden stories within the museum’s archives.

Overall, The Mystery of the Venus Island Fetish is an engaging, witty, and quick read. Its brisk pace keeps the story lively, though sometimes it moves almost too fast. It offers a fun escape and makes an excellent choice between heavier books. Fans of imaginative and quirky fiction, especially those who enjoy the tone of Christopher Moore’s work, will find it a satisfying and entertaining read.

Related Authors

Fans of Tim Flannery also enjoy these authors:

1. Stephen King, author of The Dark Tower Series.
2. J.K. Rowling, author of the Harry Potter Series.
3. Harlan Coben, author of the Myron Bolitar Series.
4. Jussi Adler-Olsen, author of the Department Q Series.
5. Louise Penny, author of the Inspector Gamache Series.

Tim Flannery: F.A.Q