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The Dollmaker's Daughters
A powerful new saga set in turn-of-the-century London. Two sisters, tragically divided by love, jealousy and ambition . . . for Ruby and Rosetta life in the slums holds little promise. Then they meet handsome Jonas Crowe, but little do they know how much one man will affect both their lives forever . . .
From the Hardcover edition.
From the Hardcover edition.
432 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
123 people are currently reading
581 people want to read
About the author
Dilly Court
86 books422 followersDilly 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
August 8, 2016
BRILLIANT READ.one of dilly courts best books,brilliant author love her books was hooked.ruby wants to be a nurse and her sister Rosetta has big dreams in the theatre but do there wishes come true.and a brother who gets involved in gambling.and a twist I didn't expect near the end.recommend this book.
March 31, 2018
Loved it!
Another riveting story from dilly court, a real page turner, could not put it down. Definitely one of my favourite authors.
Another riveting story from dilly court, a real page turner, could not put it down. Definitely one of my favourite authors.
January 20, 2015
As always another brilliant book by Dilly Court. Cant wait to start reading the next one
April 18, 2018
Set in 1898 Whitechapel, London “The Dollmaker’s Daughters” opens with twins Ruby and Rosetta Capretti whose father, a dollmaker has died leaving the family without his small income and with little hope for the future. Selfish, beautiful and flighty Rosetta dreaming of fame and fortune having quit her job at Bonski’s a sewing sweatshop leaves home, joining a chorus line in a music hall and living with her wayward aunt whose counselling leads her astray.
Determined to support her mother and grandmother her sensible and quiet lookalike sister who dreams of becoming a nurse quickly takes up her position at Bronski’s only to be swept up in a confrontation between the owner and a street gang who steal the women’s wages. Discovering her brother Joe plagued by large gambling debts was coerced into participating in the robbery, Ruby approaches Jonas Crowe owner of an illegal gambling den and head of the Raven Street Gang only to make a deal that has her living over his club and looking after his songstress, the ailing Lilly Lawson.
Told from Rosetta and Ruby’s perspectives the story heats up as they both follow their dreams; one falling in love with Jonas Crowe and seeking the limelight, the other loved and helped by him in making her wish a reality. Intensity and suspense escalate as Ruby trying to save her brother from the ramifications of his gambling addiction begins working for Jonas as a companion to the ailing Lily only to be accepted against all odds into the hospital as a nurse probationer. In contrast headstrong Rosetta makes bad decisions that have her getting pregnant, marrying a man she says she doesn’t love and abandoning her family. Exciting and riveting with twists and turns that include Ruby going to Africa, nursing soldiers during the Boer War only to return sick and devastated by a tragic loss, the plot is filled with multiple emotionally-charged moments.
Their relationship fracturing after the loss of their father, even love divides these sisters as the ambitious Rosetta falling for Jonas Crowe’s wealth and influence sparks with jealousy when he ignores her to pursue her sister Ruby. Both girls follow their romantic dreams only to have them crushed and to have to face reality, like the pregnant Rosetta dreaming of another man only to marry the generous, hardworking and kind Billy Noakes while Ruby’s body inflamed after a night with Jonas who she can’t forget continues to care for a man she can never have.
Dilly Court continues to create complex and realistic characters that infuse the story with depth and passion like Ruby a serious, sensible and hardworking young woman, a bluestocking with a conscience in comparison to her self-absorbed, high-spirited and rebellious twin Rosetta. Jonas Crowe is the over-confident, arrogant, and hard-hearted illegal businessman who discovers a heart after meeting Ruby while Billy Noakes known for his shady reputation is cocky but humorous, generous, selfless and brave.
I thoroughly enjoyed “the Dollmaker’s Daughters” a compelling story set against a backdrop of poverty, ambition tragedy, and war that kept me enthralled until the end.
Determined to support her mother and grandmother her sensible and quiet lookalike sister who dreams of becoming a nurse quickly takes up her position at Bronski’s only to be swept up in a confrontation between the owner and a street gang who steal the women’s wages. Discovering her brother Joe plagued by large gambling debts was coerced into participating in the robbery, Ruby approaches Jonas Crowe owner of an illegal gambling den and head of the Raven Street Gang only to make a deal that has her living over his club and looking after his songstress, the ailing Lilly Lawson.
Told from Rosetta and Ruby’s perspectives the story heats up as they both follow their dreams; one falling in love with Jonas Crowe and seeking the limelight, the other loved and helped by him in making her wish a reality. Intensity and suspense escalate as Ruby trying to save her brother from the ramifications of his gambling addiction begins working for Jonas as a companion to the ailing Lily only to be accepted against all odds into the hospital as a nurse probationer. In contrast headstrong Rosetta makes bad decisions that have her getting pregnant, marrying a man she says she doesn’t love and abandoning her family. Exciting and riveting with twists and turns that include Ruby going to Africa, nursing soldiers during the Boer War only to return sick and devastated by a tragic loss, the plot is filled with multiple emotionally-charged moments.
Their relationship fracturing after the loss of their father, even love divides these sisters as the ambitious Rosetta falling for Jonas Crowe’s wealth and influence sparks with jealousy when he ignores her to pursue her sister Ruby. Both girls follow their romantic dreams only to have them crushed and to have to face reality, like the pregnant Rosetta dreaming of another man only to marry the generous, hardworking and kind Billy Noakes while Ruby’s body inflamed after a night with Jonas who she can’t forget continues to care for a man she can never have.
Dilly Court continues to create complex and realistic characters that infuse the story with depth and passion like Ruby a serious, sensible and hardworking young woman, a bluestocking with a conscience in comparison to her self-absorbed, high-spirited and rebellious twin Rosetta. Jonas Crowe is the over-confident, arrogant, and hard-hearted illegal businessman who discovers a heart after meeting Ruby while Billy Noakes known for his shady reputation is cocky but humorous, generous, selfless and brave.
I thoroughly enjoyed “the Dollmaker’s Daughters” a compelling story set against a backdrop of poverty, ambition tragedy, and war that kept me enthralled until the end.
January 9, 2026
Love this author! Such great story telling and easy enjoyable reading.
January 20, 2016
I have only read one other book by this author although I have read all the books written under her other name Lily Baxter and loved each one. I wasn't sure what to expect from this story but the more I read the more I enjoyed it. A well rounded cast of characters, each with traits to love and to hate. Our main characters, Rosetta wild and selfish looking out only for herself and what she wants. Twin sister Ruby serious, quiet dreaming of becoming a nurse and always putting the needs of others before her own and constantly covering for her sister. Then there are the supporting characters, brother Joe who gets himself into trouble and uses Ruby to help get him out of it, their mother Sarah self sacrificing to support her family following the untimely death of her husband. Granny Mole, Sarah's mother who seems to do nothing but complain and eat for the entire book. Billy a neighbour who secretly tries to help out the family and also has an unrequited love for one of the sisters, Jonas Crowe who will drive a wedge between the twins and is not quite all that he appears to be at first glance. Also included in the story is Aunt Lottie a former star of the stage who lost it all to gambling, Pamela and Adam who help Ruby to achieve her goals and dreams, Elsie a somewhat dimwitted but kind hearted servant girl and Sly, who is somewhat on the sleazy side. The story follows the girls as they try to achieve their goals and dreams, Rosetta on stage and Ruby in the hospital. Rosetta soon finds herself forced to give up her dream, and to return home to a life she never wanted, while Ruby soon finds herself, first as a nurse companion and then later on the battlefields of Africa. I wasn't sure how this book would end, how it would all wrap up since no one seemed happy as I got close to the end of the book, but somehow things all tied up nicely in the end and it didn't feel rushed or forced at all and I was left quite happy with how the story ended. Overall a very enjoyable and satisfying read.
May 24, 2020
Lovely story! I don’t normally pick this type of genre but my nan told me I’d enjoy it and she was right!
The two sisters are so different and yet you still end up wanting the best for them both.
I like the rags to riches theme with Ruby raining too be a nurse and the conversation she hears with Adams mum about being lower class.
I’m pleased she ended up with Jonas it seemed a slow burner and my only frustration was it took her so long to admit her feelings for him.
That said, I would look out for more stories from this author
The two sisters are so different and yet you still end up wanting the best for them both.
I like the rags to riches theme with Ruby raining too be a nurse and the conversation she hears with Adams mum about being lower class.
I’m pleased she ended up with Jonas it seemed a slow burner and my only frustration was it took her so long to admit her feelings for him.
That said, I would look out for more stories from this author
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2017
I loved this book a lot, especially the characters, who were so realistic. I especially liked Ruby, who seemed to me to be like Melanie from Gone With the Wind (which you should definitely read if you haven't), however, her relationship with Adam reminded me of Scarlett and Ashley a bit. However, her husband turning out to be her long lost cousin was a bit far fetched, and I found Rosetta a bit annoying at times, although I wanted to like her. However, Dilly Court is a fantastic writer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 5, 2018
Dieselblackcat
This book started out wired and it took me three goes to get into it but it is up to a high standard and I enjoyed it. Now that I have read all of Beryl Matthews books they are good but have the same sort of typical ending but what I enjoy the most in her books is how she gets to the end. Thank you Beryl please keep writing. 😀
This book started out wired and it took me three goes to get into it but it is up to a high standard and I enjoyed it. Now that I have read all of Beryl Matthews books they are good but have the same sort of typical ending but what I enjoy the most in her books is how she gets to the end. Thank you Beryl please keep writing. 😀
December 31, 2019
Guess I am a sucker for this genre of books. Rich men, poor women. I enjoy reading how life was in the late 1800's and realize how much is taken for granted nowadays.
My favourite quotes are...
'Me lungs are so full of fluff I could cough up a wooly hat'
'Had danced like a duck wearing hobnailed boots'
My favourite quotes are...
'Me lungs are so full of fluff I could cough up a wooly hat'
'Had danced like a duck wearing hobnailed boots'
May 26, 2022
Another fantastic book from Dilly couldn’t put this down it like all her books it pulls you in within the first few pages
Two sisters torn together and apart over a love of one man Ruby denies her love for him whereas her sister Rose only wants his lifestyle and money until both realise they truly are in love with different men
Two sisters torn together and apart over a love of one man Ruby denies her love for him whereas her sister Rose only wants his lifestyle and money until both realise they truly are in love with different men
September 13, 2019
This is absolutely my favourite Dilly Court book so far! I've been crushing on Jonas just a little, and this is the first book I've read by Dilly Court where things have felt a little raunchy.
Despite Rosetta's character development I really couldn't warm to her, so theres a star lost for that.
Despite Rosetta's character development I really couldn't warm to her, so theres a star lost for that.
February 21, 2017
Another good read
Fantastic start to finish
Every book I read from Dilly Court never fails to bring joy
I will recommend it to everyone
Fantastic start to finish
Every book I read from Dilly Court never fails to bring joy
I will recommend it to everyone
September 5, 2017
Nice story...pleasant read after the last gruesome novel I read.
June 26, 2018
A good read
A really good read, found it hard to put it down so many twist and turns, A bit ?omg winded in p!aces but this makes it more eager to get to the next chapter
A really good read, found it hard to put it down so many twist and turns, A bit ?omg winded in p!aces but this makes it more eager to get to the next chapter
March 29, 2019
Good read
Once again another amazing book by Dilly Court. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would certainly recommend this book to everyone to enjoy.
Once again another amazing book by Dilly Court. Thoroughly enjoyed it and would certainly recommend this book to everyone to enjoy.
April 4, 2019
Good book I really enjoyed it
It started a bit slow but just like all of Dilly Courts books it grips you, I could not put it down.
It started a bit slow but just like all of Dilly Courts books it grips you, I could not put it down.
June 25, 2019
its quite an awesome book
October 25, 2019
Excellent
I never want to spoil a book by telling too much. I recommend this book, it has many twists to the story, all good.
I never want to spoil a book by telling too much. I recommend this book, it has many twists to the story, all good.
December 25, 2019
Another great Dilly Court read. I love this author and intend to read all of her books.
January 14, 2020
Lots of 5 star reviews for this book but I found it a bit weak.
May 4, 2020
Brilliant
Another very good read, found it very hard to put down once I started. Going to browse for the next one.
Another very good read, found it very hard to put down once I started. Going to browse for the next one.
May 5, 2020
Good read.
At first I couldn't get into the story but as the story got more interesting I couldn't stop a very on the edge of your seat story.
At first I couldn't get into the story but as the story got more interesting I couldn't stop a very on the edge of your seat story.
July 1, 2020
Enjoyed this book. but lacked suspense and history which I have enjoyed in other books
September 19, 2020
Good story with a great twist
September 15, 2022
An easy Catherine Cookson style novel. Predictable but enjoyed overall.
October 30, 2022
Wasn't sure about reading this but so glad I did. A lovely story throughout.
December 5, 2023
Amazing story again love Dilly Court books, just can't put the books down.
January 21, 2024
Another of my favourites very descriptive right from page 1
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews