From the moment she's struck by lightning as a baby, it is clear Mary Anning is marked for greatness. When she uncovers unknown dinosaur fossils in the cliffs near her home, she sets the scientific world alight, challenging ideas about the world's creation and stimulating debate over our origins. In an arena dominated by men, however, Mary is soon reduced to a serving role, facing prejudice from the academic community, vicious gossip from neighbours, and the heartbreak of forbidden love.

Luckily Mary finds an unlikely champion in prickly, intelligent Elizabeth Philpot, a middle-class spinster who is also fossil-obsessed. Despite their differences in age and background, Mary and Elizabeth discover that, in struggling for recognition, friendship is their strongest weapon.

Tracy Chevalier is the author of four previous novels, including the international bestseller Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Virgin Blue, Falling Angels and The Lady and the Unicorn. Born in Washington, DC, she moved in 1984 to London, where she lives with her husband and son.

Hattie Morahan has performed in Three More Sleepness Nights, The Seagull and Time and the Conways at the National Theatre. Other theatre credits include The Family Reunion, The City and See How They Run. On TV she starred as Elinor Dashwood in Sense & Sensibility, played Jane in Outnumbered, and appeared in Trial & Retribution, Bodies and New Tricks.