What do you think?
Rate this book
Sins of the father
She has a way out of the poverty-stricken life she lives – but it might just destroy her to take it…
DESPERATELeft to raise eight siblings after her mother's death, 17-year-old Emma Chambers faces a daily battle with hunger and her father's drunken rages.
Until she is offered a way out. If she marries landlord Horace Bell – twenty years her senior – Emma can swap abject poverty for comfort.
DEGRADEDBut Horace soon reveals his true, sadistic colours. Emma is thankful when he eventually abandons her – until she realises she is again penniless and in peril.
A chance meeting plants an idea in her mind. All her life, men have taken advantage of her. Now it's time to turn the tables.
IN DANGER…Years later, and Emma has built up a successful business on South London's meanest streets. But then tragedy strikes – and it becomes clear that someone has been watching Emma, intent on revenge…
An emotionally gripping and gritty family drama saga from the Sunday Times bestseller, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Nadine Dorries and Dilly Court.
DESPERATELeft to raise eight siblings after her mother's death, 17-year-old Emma Chambers faces a daily battle with hunger and her father's drunken rages.
Until she is offered a way out. If she marries landlord Horace Bell – twenty years her senior – Emma can swap abject poverty for comfort.
DEGRADEDBut Horace soon reveals his true, sadistic colours. Emma is thankful when he eventually abandons her – until she realises she is again penniless and in peril.
A chance meeting plants an idea in her mind. All her life, men have taken advantage of her. Now it's time to turn the tables.
IN DANGER…Years later, and Emma has built up a successful business on South London's meanest streets. But then tragedy strikes – and it becomes clear that someone has been watching Emma, intent on revenge…
An emotionally gripping and gritty family drama saga from the Sunday Times bestseller, perfect for fans of Katie Flynn, Nadine Dorries and Dilly Court.
- GenresFiction
342 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2008
196 people are currently reading
244 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 29, 2012
This book wasn't what I expected but I still really enjoyed it. I loved the characters and the plot kept my interest. Poor Emma, one thing after another! For some reason while I read this book I had the wrong era in my head and I couldn't get it out. The story took place in the 1940s and 50s, but I couldn't help feeling like it was 100 years earlier. I imagined the characters in long dresses with horse drawn carriages and no electricity but I was way off. I couldn't get it out of my head so I just went with it. :)
August 25, 2017
Always enjoy Kitty Neale's books and this was no exeption.
Very talented author who i highly recommend.
Very talented author who i highly recommend.
August 3, 2013
Sins of the Father follows a young girl Emma who throughout her life is disappointed and used by men. After being used one too many times, she comes up with a plan to change her fortunes, and for her to use men instead.
The Sins of the Father is an easy enjoyable read. While Emma came across as cold I couldn't help but feel sorry for her (which I suppose is the point of the book). The dialogue at times wasn't the best, however I found the story that intriguing that I could overlook this.
Definitely worth a read!
The Sins of the Father is an easy enjoyable read. While Emma came across as cold I couldn't help but feel sorry for her (which I suppose is the point of the book). The dialogue at times wasn't the best, however I found the story that intriguing that I could overlook this.
Definitely worth a read!
July 18, 2012
I thought the story was good, but the writing and dialogue was bad. I think that she could have done much better with the writing. It kept me interested though and I sped through it.
June 6, 2013
Found this quite hard going in places. Couldn't decide if the author was mocking the reader with a few of the character's actions. For example, Polly puts the kettle on and Dick, stiffens!
July 2, 2025
Kitty Neale delivers once again in this gripping tale filled with family drama, romance, and crime. I’m always drawn to her novels, and this one—rich with emotional tension and moral complexity—did not disappoint.
The story explores the lasting impact of emotional wounds, showing how both men and women can leave deep scars on each other. It delves into how unresolved pain can fester into bitterness and lead to destructive choices. While the title hints at the consequences of men’s actions, I found that characters like Emma and Polly powerfully illustrated that women, too, are capable of inflicting serious emotional harm.
Emma, in particular, was a fascinating character—often cold and hard to sympathize with, yet still layered with pain and vulnerability. At times, I found myself frustrated by her decisions, but they only added to the realism of her journey.
As always, the vivid London setting gave the novel an added sense of grit and atmosphere. The fast-paced plot kept me hooked—I could hardly put it down. My only wish was to see Horace return, if only to reconnect with his daughter. That emotional thread felt a little unfinished.
All in all, a compelling, emotionally charged saga that fans of Kitty Neale will definitely appreciate.
The story explores the lasting impact of emotional wounds, showing how both men and women can leave deep scars on each other. It delves into how unresolved pain can fester into bitterness and lead to destructive choices. While the title hints at the consequences of men’s actions, I found that characters like Emma and Polly powerfully illustrated that women, too, are capable of inflicting serious emotional harm.
Emma, in particular, was a fascinating character—often cold and hard to sympathize with, yet still layered with pain and vulnerability. At times, I found myself frustrated by her decisions, but they only added to the realism of her journey.
As always, the vivid London setting gave the novel an added sense of grit and atmosphere. The fast-paced plot kept me hooked—I could hardly put it down. My only wish was to see Horace return, if only to reconnect with his daughter. That emotional thread felt a little unfinished.
All in all, a compelling, emotionally charged saga that fans of Kitty Neale will definitely appreciate.
December 29, 2021
A story of Emma’s life in Battersea in the 40’s, which started off in poverty and told of her journey. Loved the warmth of the characters. It was so easy to read and I couldn’t put this book down. Already on to my next Kitty Neale book.
January 4, 2022
Love this book
Couldn't put this book down,just loved the way it was written.From start to finish.May I say the ending did annoy me ,but you will have to read it to see what I mean.Can't wait to read another Kitty Meals book.
Couldn't put this book down,just loved the way it was written.From start to finish.May I say the ending did annoy me ,but you will have to read it to see what I mean.Can't wait to read another Kitty Meals book.
October 11, 2024
What a great story absolutely love Kitty Neale’s
Books and this one is no exception
The story of Emma from rags to riches torture and the child she had and the way Emma came through all what happens and eventually fining true love and happiness
Books and this one is no exception
The story of Emma from rags to riches torture and the child she had and the way Emma came through all what happens and eventually fining true love and happiness
May 25, 2017
Surprisingly good, hard to put down!
January 10, 2018
Terrible dialogue and I couldn’t stand the main character.
January 27, 2018
Nice fast read to distract me from my tax return!! Thought the from title was going to be 'just another book' but pleased to say the book proved me wrong
October 25, 2019
Booked from page 1. Excellent.
November 4, 2019
'Reading was her solace, a way of drowning out the world and her unhappiness' 😥
April 5, 2020
I failed to finish this book since I couldn’t go through the bad writing. I really tried.
October 9, 2020
Gritty, rough and could be upsetting but unfortunately that is what life is like sometimes. Loved this novel about a strong woman. ten out of ten Kitty Neale, well done! Enjoyed!
July 20, 2021
A brilliant story.
This is about Emma and how she came from a poverty beginning to a wealthy woman and the hardships and friendships she faced along the way.
This is about Emma and how she came from a poverty beginning to a wealthy woman and the hardships and friendships she faced along the way.
February 7, 2024
An interesting story even if the dialogue- of which there is far too much- was often very wooden.
February 12, 2024
Recommend
Good book couldn't put it Down. Looking forward to read more of her books. On par with other good authors
Good book couldn't put it Down. Looking forward to read more of her books. On par with other good authors
February 15, 2024
i think i liked it?
was sad
and confusing
and a bit random
but did keep me gripped soooo
was sad
and confusing
and a bit random
but did keep me gripped soooo
August 27, 2024
excellent
Couldn’t put the book down stayed up all night reading it
Best book I’ve read in a long time !
Couldn’t put the book down stayed up all night reading it
Best book I’ve read in a long time !
September 18, 2024
Started off really well but what happened later felt a bit too far fetched, a good read though.
February 8, 2025
Such a good read
July 4, 2023
good story but a few things spoiled it for me . the main character became unlikeable for a good while, though it is suppose to have turned into a 'hardened cold' woman , i didnt think at some points she would be plain unlikeable. also as the story progressed , you expect - and as the title says... that her estranged husband comes back into the story and it hinted at that way, and then.. nothing, and someone you dont expect takes over out of nowhere. kind of confusing, like why bother adding the husband in again at all and seeming like he had bad intentions . annnyway. enjoyable apart from that, bit of an easy read which i do enjoy now and again and as first book i have read from kitty neale, i would like to read others from her :)
October 13, 2011
I enjoyed this book. I have read other books by the same author and liked them more but this was good to read.
August 3, 2012
Loved this book I have read all kitty neales book and enjoyed them all
October 17, 2013
Easy read. Sometime sover doing the dramatics but enjoyable none the less.
September 20, 2013
my favorite author by far!
February 14, 2014
I really did like this book, even though I felt like strangling Emma at times. A lot of it served her right, but how many of us wouldn't have been similarly tempted given the circumstances?
April 28, 2014
Enjoyed this
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews