A Mother's Secret

by Dilly Court

When seventeen-year-old Belinda Phillips falls in love with a handsome Anglo-Indian officer, she knows that he is a man she can never hope to marry. When he is reported missing, believed killed in action, Belinda discovers that she is pregnant. Facing disgrace and ruin, she has no option other than to accept an arranged marriage with a middle-aged widower, knowing she must keep the secret of her child's birth for ever. Reluctantly she sends her beloved daughter to a foster mother in Cripplegate, little realising she has entrusted Cassy's care to Biddy Henchard, a woman who runs a notorious baby farm in an area full of poverty and disease. Despite her terrible upbringing, Cassy survives the old woman's cruel neglect. All the while she dreams of a mother she has never known, hoping she will come and save her from her dreadful fate. But when Biddy dies suddenly, ten-year-old Cassy finds herself destitute and with little hope of ever finding the mother she so longs for...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Historical

510 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 4, 2010

About the author

Dilly Court grew up in North-east London and began her career in television, writing scripts for commercials. She is married with two grown-up children and four grandchildren, and now lives in Dorset on the beautiful Jurassic Coast with her husband. She is the author of eighteen novels and also writes under the name of Lily Baxter.

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. Truly exceptional and thought provoking book that I couldn't put down. Storytelling at it's best.

[Iwik Pásková · Rating 5 out of 5]

Zajímavá kniha, při jejímž čtení mě místy mrazilo, ale pak byly i okamžiky, kdy jsem se pěkně pobavila. Občas jsem v hlavní hrdince viděla sama sebe. Vyprávění bylo autentické a uvěřitelné. Autorka příběh napsala s lehkostí, a proto jsem si příběh velmi užila. Mohu vřele doporučit.

Recenzi najdete zde: http://www.iwikovaknihovna.cz/2018/03...

[Gail Atkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book came highly recommended by my daughter, who read it in a day.
The story takes us from wealthly India to the slums of East London. We watch how the character of Cassy develops from a young baby to a young lady.
Cassy, as a young girl is a carer of others and has high dreams. Throughout her life we meet the the people who will help to develop her. Hidden secrets come out and the past lingers in the background.
A great easy read; which has plenty of love, history and prejudices throughout the pages.

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good storyline.love her books.

[Lauren Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Absolute torture.

[Punit Sahani · Rating 4 out of 5]

The novel follows Casy, a young girl born into a life of neglect and extreme hardship. From the very beginning, her world is shaped by abandonment, emotional deprivation, and the harsh realities of slum life. What makes Casy such a compelling protagonist is not just the suffering she endures, but the strength she discovers within herself as life pushes her down unfamiliar and often painful paths.
The journey from poverty to prosperity is not portrayed as a fairy tale transformation, but as a gradual evolution shaped by choices, relationships, and inner battles. Casy constantly wrestles with her emotions — feelings of unworthiness, fear, longing for affection — while also confronting society’s judgments and limitations placed upon her. Her resilience is inspiring without ever feeling unrealistic.
One of the most touching aspects of the story is Casy’s natural love for children and her instinct to nurture and protect. Despite being deprived of love herself, she grows into someone capable of immense compassion. Her desire to help others becomes a defining trait, proving that hardship does not have to harden the heart.
The romantic elements of the novel are tender and meaningful. Love enters her life not as a rescue fantasy, but as a gentle healing force that helps her rediscover trust and self-worth. Watching her open up, fight her fears, and gradually allow herself happiness is truly satisfying.
By the end, the story leaves you with a sense of hope — that no matter how broken the beginning, life can still offer joy, dignity, and fulfillment. It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but one that ultimately rewards the reader with warmth and optimism.

[Glenys · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cassie as a baby was delivered to an address in London where she was supposed to be cared for, instead she grew up caring for others.
A lady she thought of as her mother came each year on her birthday to pay the woman who ran a childrens nursery, sounds altruistic except she was a drunkard and couldn't look after the children properly. She dies and Cassie finds herself on the streets but rescued by the lady that paid the yearly fees. Her life takes a turn for the better as she is sent to a young ladies school to be educated. Later she finds that her mother is a lady. and the woman paying the fees was her maid servant. no more spoilers... get a copy and read it yourself.

[Linda Leedham · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read . Again it is a book hard to put down, and eager to pick up again. The end to me was unpredictable so surprised how it finished . Looking forward to reading the next Dilly Court book

[Yazz Bond · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit disappointed with this book. Although I liked the story, I thought it ended rather suddenly. In my opinion, it needed another chapter to finish the story. I've read a lot of Dilly's books and this one is probably my least favourite.

[marieka luker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good read

I'm finding that I enjoy reading Dilly Court books easy to read looking forward to the next one.
Dilly Court is one of my favourite author's

[Shelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mother's secret

Oh what an emotional roller coaster. At the start the story is just heart breaking, the book draws you in from page 1 and just gets better n better. Must read

[Christina Rochester · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one really isn't what it says on the tin. I've enjoyed it in a passable way, but it's definitely not my favourite.

Can't wait to delve into another book.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good.

I again wished there was a further chapter to finalise so many unanswered questions. In my opinion it ended rather abruptly.

[Sandra Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As ever a great read from Dilly Court.

[Pamela-louise Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Couldn’t put it down was really good

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book

[Suzanne Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all of Dilly Court's books, this is an enjoyable read. It has a nice flow and is easy to lose yourself in.

[Justine Hodgson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dilly Court does not disappoint, it's an older book of hers but they are always lovely reads.

[Miles Row · Rating 4 out of 5]

Could do with an editors note about historical language and not good cover has a seemingly white baby.

That said I still enjoyed the book more than 'literary' fiction that explore similar themes.

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this so much would have given it more stars if I could

[Lorna Morris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me

I found this book very boring indeed and was waiting for something to happen. Certainly not a page turner! Sorry.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

*contains spoiler* I really enjoyed this book full of interesting characters and a good story plot tho at times their antics were very staid and exasperating but surely this was how things were back hundreds of years ago. Cassy was very likeable as were Bailey and Oliver. You knew that somewhere down the line she would end up with either of them but for me it was always Oliver as they had a much playful fun relationship whereas Bailey was always like a brother so it just was wrong if they got together. Even in the end I realised that her and Oliver weren't right for each other I still couldn't see her with Bailey. They started out as a sibling relationship and she only realised she had feelings for him near the very end,there was no chemistry or anything with them and I am a romantic at heart but Bailey was not the man for her.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutly ace very much like catherine cookson
totally different from what i usually read
Its about a girl whos put into a baby farm by her mother coz the child is half cast,every year on her birthday mum sends her maid back to the farm to pay money but one day by chance they reunite

[Zoe-Katarina (KattieKay) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book on the campsite we were staying on, and decided to give it a try. I absolutely loved it. The descriptions were vivid and I fell in love with the characters very quickly. I couldn't put it down. I hope that the other books by this author are just as good!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the first few chapters so depressing. Was thinking of abandoning it half way but then the story picked up. Was enjoyable a very different kind of story. Found little ms sunshine too forgiving, the mother very selfish and centred the twist in the tale, a little far fetched.

[A Novel Idea]

Requested by Sharon Govender

[J.J. JOHNSTONE · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

Enjoyed this book but thought the ending could have been a bit better! Maybe just me being an old romantic.

[Lesley Puncher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dilly Court at her best. I was just a little bit confused as to what decade it was set and think it was mid 19th century. I would recommend this book.