Katie's Kitchen

by Dee Williams, Nadia May

When her friend and business partner, Edwin Brown, dies, it seems that Katherine Carter's own world has ended. Not only has her closest companion been taken from her, she's also lost the successful restaurant they built up together, as well as the comfortable home they shared with her young son. Now all this has been snatched away, for Edwin has left no will and his lecherous brother, Gerald, presumes he's inherited Katherine along with the house.

With little money but full of determination, Katherine escapes Gerald's violent advances and takes lodgings in Rotherhithe, with her cook's sister, Milly. Despite its poverty, Dockhands London is full of hope and friendship and, in helping her new neighbors through their difficulties, Katherine finally begins to tackle her troubled past. But even as she rebuilds her life around the pie-and-mash shop where she works, a terrible shadow is hanging over the country. And little does anyone know the horrors 1914 will unleash... .

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Historical, Romance

MP3 Book

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Dee Williams grew up in Rotherhithe, East London, and left school at fourteen. After living abroad, she settled in Hampshire with her husband, where she remains active as a fundraiser for breast cancer awareness while staying close to her family.

Reviews

[Clare O'Beara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining story of a woman who, returned from Australia, has been operating a restaurant in London but her partner dies early and she has to quit the business. With her young son she comes down in the world and moves to Rotherhithe on the south bank of the Thames in the early part of the twentieth century. From wishing everyone wasn't so nosey and gossipy about her circumstances, she becomes pretty nosey and gossipy herself about total strangers.

Our heroine works in a pie and mash shop, and decides that if she could take over the management she might be able to make a go of it. Oddly she needs help in the shop but doesn't have a swarm of people asking for work. I could not figure that. The early part of the book gives plenty of description of the changing settings but later on it becomes static and all about the established characters. Also we only get the heroine Kate's viewpoint so we never see a ship being loaded at the dock, or inside a warehouse, nor inside the motor garage where her son works. You'd have thought she'd go to look sometime. Kate has to make some very difficult decisions.

I have also read Maggie's Market by this author, again a tale of a London woman suddenly without a man in her life, who runs a very small business to keep her family. Both tales are really about the wider community and interesting characters. Adult scenes are few but scenes involve the local midwife and the prostitute as well as some distressing occurrences. This is not a traditional romance.

This is an unbiased review.

[Ria · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Katherine Carter's business partner Edwin died and their restaurant business was handed over to his younger, lecherous brother Gerald.
Gerald is violent and will stop at nothing to have Katherine so she flees to her cook's sister Milly and tries to rebuild a home and business in much less affluent surroundings.
But with her change in circumstances Katherine also finds love, acceptance and new friends that become like family.
A touching period drama that will appeal to all historical fiction fans.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. It was enough to keep me reading but nothing spectacular.

[Madge Todd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as usual!!!!!down to earth couldn't stop reading great characters belivable even the nasty Gerald

Definatley recommend and I am 66 years old!.. Thank you......happy to write this review and do hope other readers appreciate this nove!l

[Honeybee · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful read about wartime in the early 1900s over near London. A young lady who lost the kitchen she was running has to relocate and start from scratch again...a good book about grit and hope for the future. Well written and I read it in one day. I ordered her other books..anxiously awaiting them!

[Derek Gates · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and was disappointed when it came to its rather abrupt end. There was so much more that could have been written. Hopefully there will be a sequel sometime in the not too distant future.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put this book down, lots of lovely characters in it

[Jean Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Didn't want it to finish thoroughly enjoye it but wished for a better ending ie Gerald getting his cum-uppance!

[Kathleen Orme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good holiday read

[Adele · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting and enjoyable read. The characters were easy to connect with and the author’s writing style had a good balance of descriptions and conversations.

[Diane Murphy]

This is the story of Katherine who at the start of the story is living in a large house with servants in central London. She had built up a restaurant business with a gentleman she met on the boat returning from Australia. Unfortunately her business partner died without leaving a will so the house and business was left to his debauched brother.

Katherine took her 12 year old son to rotherhyde where she rented a room. The story then follows Katherine’s story of her struggle to eventually own her own businesses once again.

[alice booth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great reading

Lovely book...couldn't put it down...well thought out...happiness and tragedy well done to Dee Williams...now the second book I've read. Will be reading more of your books Dee...thank you Alice Booth, England

[skcocnaH · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure if I would give this book 4 stars. It might be 3, but since I couldn't be sure I erred on the generous side. Well written. Good plot. Well researched.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although fiction it is a believable and interesting story. Loved the English brogue.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little slow, but well written and interesting.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite enjoyed this - all Dee Williams' books I have read I have enjoyed.

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a book that I would like to re-read enjoyed it throughly!

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Heartwarming if predictable soap opera.

[Amanda Thomas]

Excellent - straightforward storytelling with no frills. Lots of events and happenings which kept you interested.

[Pauline · Rating 3 out of 5]

As usual a nice easy read by this author.Always very heartwarming these books.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested.