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Feeney Family #4
Dickie
The fourth and final title in Sheelagh Kelly's bestselling 'Feeney' saga follows the story of Richard William Feeney -- 'Dickie'. Supposedly dying a hero's death in a tragic fire in 1874, Richard Feeney secretly escaped the flames and fled to America, where he prospered. Now, twenty-six years later, he is back in York in the bosom of his astonished family. The year 1900 is about to fade! along with the life of Patrick Feeney, Dickie's beloved father. Recriminations are temporarily forgotten, as the family reunites in grief. But the past has a way of catching up, and Dickie's day of reckoning is just around the corner. His jaunty good looks and disregard for the law invariably land Dickie in trouble. Behind him lies a trail of chaos, and his long-suffering wife and family are burdened with the consequences. When Mr Rufforth of the Yorkshire Insurance Company recognizes Dickie as the son who supposedly died, he is faced with a trial and possible imprisonment. Meanwhile, Detective Chief Inspector Scholes Nettleton reopens his files on an unsolved double murder.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
528 pages, Paperback
First published December 15, 1989
69 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Sheelagh Kelly
25 books22 followersSheelagh Kelly was born and continues to live in York, where most of her novels are set. The seeds of her first book, A Long Way From Heaven, were sown when she developed an interest in genealogy and decided to trace her ancestors' story.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
November 24, 2018
I enjoyed this book even though it was the fifth in the Feeney Family Saga.
This book concentrated on the eldest son Richard (Dickie).
It took place in Northern England, during the latter part of the nineteenth century.
Richard who had been in America for over twenty five years suddenly returns home to York and is welcomed with open arms, like the prodigal son, by his mother, dying father, and brother, even though he left with them thinking he was dead.
Only his sister sees the true Richard and warns the family of the problems his arrival will cause.
A womanizer, charming and witty Dickie fears no -one not even the law and he constantly battles to outwit and out play the local police.
Only his wife and her passion to adopt some orphans to fulfil the childlessness, she has endured, gets him to think seriously about conforming to society.
But maybe there is just too much from which to escape, as he tries to flee once more back to America.
This book concentrated on the eldest son Richard (Dickie).
It took place in Northern England, during the latter part of the nineteenth century.
Richard who had been in America for over twenty five years suddenly returns home to York and is welcomed with open arms, like the prodigal son, by his mother, dying father, and brother, even though he left with them thinking he was dead.
Only his sister sees the true Richard and warns the family of the problems his arrival will cause.
A womanizer, charming and witty Dickie fears no -one not even the law and he constantly battles to outwit and out play the local police.
Only his wife and her passion to adopt some orphans to fulfil the childlessness, she has endured, gets him to think seriously about conforming to society.
But maybe there is just too much from which to escape, as he tries to flee once more back to America.
August 30, 2017
Forth book
This book kept me gripped from the beginning I just had to keep reading it to see what happens next ! A brilliant story as was one two and three...
This book kept me gripped from the beginning I just had to keep reading it to see what happens next ! A brilliant story as was one two and three...
February 23, 2018
Great story
Not my favorite of the 4 books but liked the ending, All 4 books keep you reading Great family saga.
Not my favorite of the 4 books but liked the ending, All 4 books keep you reading Great family saga.
May 22, 2017
Good read
Son is missing for years suddenly returns and is welcomed home by a except his sister , I would describe him as a lovable rogue but I wouldn't have given him house room . I enjoyed the book and would have given 5 stars but for the poor editing..
Son is missing for years suddenly returns and is welcomed home by a except his sister , I would describe him as a lovable rogue but I wouldn't have given him house room . I enjoyed the book and would have given 5 stars but for the poor editing..
November 30, 2017
Feeney family
Feeney family is very entertaining and it carries thru all four books very good author
I am ready to tackle another waggle by s Kelly
Feeney family is very entertaining and it carries thru all four books very good author
I am ready to tackle another waggle by s Kelly
October 1, 2017
Cool story. I have read one of Sheelagh Kelly's books before so was looking forward to this one. Wasn't disappointed either.
Dickie is the errant son who supposedly vanished in a house fire 26 years previously, but in fact had escaped to America and built a life there. Unbeknownst to his grieving family back in England, he lived his life in questionable circumstances and enjoyed a wealthy lifestyle envied by many.
Dickie had taken his English girlfriend Dusty with him to America and married, but they weren't fortuned by children. Dickie was not the most faithful of husbands but Dusty stood beside him through thick and thin.
Then 2 years prior to his returning home to England to see his dying Irish father, he'd decided to make contact with his younger brother John, aka Sonny. Sonny didn't let on to the family that Dickie was still alive but he did tell him that their father was dying so Dickie and Dusty sailed back to England only to make it to the dying father's bedside with little time to spare.
After the death of the father, the insurance man arrived for the mother to sign the papers for the father's insurance, and suddenly, every part of the 26 year web of deceit that Dickie had spun, started to unravel.
A fascinating adventure of stupidity, both honest and dishonest, and a web of lies and deceit that would eventually catch up with Dickie, but unfortunately dragged in his entire family.
What a great piece of writing and well worth the time to read...loved this book.
Dickie is the errant son who supposedly vanished in a house fire 26 years previously, but in fact had escaped to America and built a life there. Unbeknownst to his grieving family back in England, he lived his life in questionable circumstances and enjoyed a wealthy lifestyle envied by many.
Dickie had taken his English girlfriend Dusty with him to America and married, but they weren't fortuned by children. Dickie was not the most faithful of husbands but Dusty stood beside him through thick and thin.
Then 2 years prior to his returning home to England to see his dying Irish father, he'd decided to make contact with his younger brother John, aka Sonny. Sonny didn't let on to the family that Dickie was still alive but he did tell him that their father was dying so Dickie and Dusty sailed back to England only to make it to the dying father's bedside with little time to spare.
After the death of the father, the insurance man arrived for the mother to sign the papers for the father's insurance, and suddenly, every part of the 26 year web of deceit that Dickie had spun, started to unravel.
A fascinating adventure of stupidity, both honest and dishonest, and a web of lies and deceit that would eventually catch up with Dickie, but unfortunately dragged in his entire family.
What a great piece of writing and well worth the time to read...loved this book.
June 19, 2022
In this instalment of the Feeney family saga we hear the story of Dickie Feeney, the "bad egg" of the family.
Always having been the so called black sheep, the womanising scoundrel Dickie disappears after a fire.
The family believing him lost when a body is pulled from the debris moan him for nearly twenty five years.
But then Dickie and his wife Dusty make a reappearance into the Feeney fold, having arrived from America just in time to see his father Pat die this is just the start of a turbulent chapter in their lives.
Past crimes and misdeeds catch up with the family and at the heart of all the strife is Dickie of course.
Dickie is a reprehensible character with awful ways yet somehow you just can't help liking the lovable rogue.
The stuff he comes out with at times made me laugh out loud, loved hearing of all his underhand and salacious adventures and now have to backtrack to get the rest of the novels in the series.
Though they can be read as separate stories, I just enjoyed the characters and want to catch up.
Always having been the so called black sheep, the womanising scoundrel Dickie disappears after a fire.
The family believing him lost when a body is pulled from the debris moan him for nearly twenty five years.
But then Dickie and his wife Dusty make a reappearance into the Feeney fold, having arrived from America just in time to see his father Pat die this is just the start of a turbulent chapter in their lives.
Past crimes and misdeeds catch up with the family and at the heart of all the strife is Dickie of course.
Dickie is a reprehensible character with awful ways yet somehow you just can't help liking the lovable rogue.
The stuff he comes out with at times made me laugh out loud, loved hearing of all his underhand and salacious adventures and now have to backtrack to get the rest of the novels in the series.
Though they can be read as separate stories, I just enjoyed the characters and want to catch up.
February 24, 2025
What a fantastic series of books
Absolutely loved everyone of them couldn’t put them down and once finished one had to start other straight away
Following the lives of the Feeney family through hardship and great fortune and the to the sad and happy endings for some of the family members ant through it all the Mother Thomason’s or Tommy for short keeps them all as close as she can
With one Son causing her heartbreak every time he does something
But she still loves them all so much
Absolutely a must read
Absolutely loved everyone of them couldn’t put them down and once finished one had to start other straight away
Following the lives of the Feeney family through hardship and great fortune and the to the sad and happy endings for some of the family members ant through it all the Mother Thomason’s or Tommy for short keeps them all as close as she can
With one Son causing her heartbreak every time he does something
But she still loves them all so much
Absolutely a must read
May 9, 2022
Brilliant!
Absolutely one of the best sagas I’ve read and I’ve read many over the years, the stories bought back memories for me, My Dad was Irish and many of the phrases made me smile and some of them made me titter and laugh out loud, these book will stay in my memory and help me appreciate how lucky I am compared to the hard life the Irish had, loved the characters, feel like I know them. Thank you for giving me many happy, sad , funny, exciting hours of reading
Absolutely one of the best sagas I’ve read and I’ve read many over the years, the stories bought back memories for me, My Dad was Irish and many of the phrases made me smile and some of them made me titter and laugh out loud, these book will stay in my memory and help me appreciate how lucky I am compared to the hard life the Irish had, loved the characters, feel like I know them. Thank you for giving me many happy, sad , funny, exciting hours of reading
October 10, 2017
Perfect in every way !! I loved the whole series. Delicious twists and turns that you will never figure out.
However, be prepared to be reading all the time. You won't be able to put it down.
ENJOY!! And read the entire series!
However, be prepared to be reading all the time. You won't be able to put it down.
ENJOY!! And read the entire series!
Read
March 24, 2018This collection was enjoyable
Very discreptive ,a lot of little remarks that r common in all families. And everyday life. A believe able family.
Very discreptive ,a lot of little remarks that r common in all families. And everyday life. A believe able family.
March 10, 2018
Another good book
I have given the author and book titles to several of my friends. One of the best family sagas I have read.
I have given the author and book titles to several of my friends. One of the best family sagas I have read.
August 16, 2021
Good read
Really enjoyed these books. Pity theres no book 5. People in the story really came alive
Need to find another series.
Really enjoyed these books. Pity theres no book 5. People in the story really came alive
Need to find another series.
September 6, 2022
Just finished reading book 4 of this series. Hoping there will be a book 5 😊 Enjoyed all 4 books! Now need to find another series of similar books to keep me occupied!
April 8, 2025
3.5⭐️
Not my favourite of the four books but I still enjoyed it. The editing was terrible 🤦🏼♀️
Not my favourite of the four books but I still enjoyed it. The editing was terrible 🤦🏼♀️
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews