The Corus Wave by Karenza Sparks

Lorelei is just trying to finish her BA thesis. Then her research into an obscure star-shaped Devonian-era cephalopod fossil drags her into a scavenger hunt that indicates her subject may be hiding some of the central secrets of the universe. Or at least, that's what 19th century polymath Havius Corus thought. Careening through libraries, churches, botanical gardens, and stone circles with her roommate Eddie (and their trusty cat Raisin, who travels with them via backpack), Lorelei explores the puzzles and the mysteries the polymath has hidden from the world . . . unseen in the architecture and the nature all around her. Can Lorelei find the solutions to the secrets of fossil history? And will her thesis advisor think her hard work is a legitimate dissertation topic? Lorelei, Eddie, and Raisin are on the case!