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Red Sky in the Morning
A young girl stands alone in the cobbled market place of a small Lincolnshire town, bedraggled, soaked through and very afraid. Who is she? Where has she come from and from whom is she running away? No one knows or cares. Only kindly farmer, Eddie Appleyard, recognises something in the girl that touches his heart. In a drunken haze and scarcely realising what he is doing, Eddie takes her home even though his wife is a tyrant, who will believe the worst. `Is this your fancy piece?` Bertha accuses and turns Anna out into the cold, wet night. Eddie hides the girl in the hayloft and, later, in a tumbledown shepherd`s cottage that becomes her new home. Anna`s arrival will change their lives; Eddie`s, Bertha`s and even that of their young son, Tony, torn between his warring parents and the mysterious stranger. It will take years for the secrets of Anna`s former life to be revealed, but Bertha bides her time and awaits her moment, little realising the tragedy her vengeance will unleash.
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First published April 1, 2004
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About the author
Margaret Dickinson
69 books182 followersBorn in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Margaret Dickinson moved to the coast at the age of seven and so began her love for the sea and the Lincolnshire landscape. Her ambition to be a writer began early and she had her first novel published at the age of twenty-five. This was followed by many further titles including Plough the Furrow, Sow the Seed and Reap the Harvest, which make up her Lincolnshire Fleethaven Trilogy. She is also the author of Fairfield Hall, Jenny's War and The Clippie Girls. Margaret is a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
February 10, 2024
A bit long winded but a lovely ending all in all I thought.
I'd read more from this author.
Three stars.
I'd read more from this author.
Three stars.
September 27, 2025
"When the noise of the motor had died away the marketplace was deserted, except for the girl.
The only other living creature was a pony, harnessed to an old-fashioned trap and tethered outside the Shepherd's crook. It looked as wet and miserable as the girl felt".
Red Sky in the Morning by Margaret Dickinson
This review is for a book I read quite awhile ago.
Red Sky in the morning:
This was a solid four star read. It is also a book I had not heard of before reading. This was given to me by a friend. I have to say I enjoyed it .
This book is about Anna, a young and scared girl, who is found by a kindly farmer, sopping wet and abandoned. Her past is a mystery. She will not say much and the farmer has no idea where she came from.
Because Eddie, the farmer is a good and decent man, he brings the young girl home to his family's farm. Gradually Anna becomes like one of the family, as Eddie and his family keep her fed and clothed.
But there is one member of the family who does not take to Anna. That is Eddy's wife Bertha.
Bertha is a bitter and hard woman who cannot fathom her husband's kindness, which she mistakes for weakness. She is suspicious of Anna from the beginning. Anna has secrets and is nothing more then a fearful young girl but Bertha regards her as a rival.
Anna is shell shocked and cannot speak of what has happened to her. The family decides to keep her at their farm, in another part of the property.
As time goes on, Anna's story is gradually revealed and when Bertha, unable to let go of her bitterness, decides to take revenge on her husband for bringing Anna into the family, tragedy follows.
As I said, this book was given to me by a friend. I'd never heard of it before then. I must say I enjoyed it. The plot moves slowly but it is interesting. My main issue was that I disliked Bertha so much. That did sort of interfere with my enjoyment of the book a bit. But other then that I found it be be a very interesting read.
I would recommend this to fans of Historical Fiction. It is a beautifully written and moving novel with strong characterizations. It does move a bit slowly and drags a bit in the middle but is very good overall.
The only other living creature was a pony, harnessed to an old-fashioned trap and tethered outside the Shepherd's crook. It looked as wet and miserable as the girl felt".
Red Sky in the Morning by Margaret Dickinson
This review is for a book I read quite awhile ago.
Red Sky in the morning:
This was a solid four star read. It is also a book I had not heard of before reading. This was given to me by a friend. I have to say I enjoyed it .
This book is about Anna, a young and scared girl, who is found by a kindly farmer, sopping wet and abandoned. Her past is a mystery. She will not say much and the farmer has no idea where she came from.
Because Eddie, the farmer is a good and decent man, he brings the young girl home to his family's farm. Gradually Anna becomes like one of the family, as Eddie and his family keep her fed and clothed.
But there is one member of the family who does not take to Anna. That is Eddy's wife Bertha.
Bertha is a bitter and hard woman who cannot fathom her husband's kindness, which she mistakes for weakness. She is suspicious of Anna from the beginning. Anna has secrets and is nothing more then a fearful young girl but Bertha regards her as a rival.
Anna is shell shocked and cannot speak of what has happened to her. The family decides to keep her at their farm, in another part of the property.
As time goes on, Anna's story is gradually revealed and when Bertha, unable to let go of her bitterness, decides to take revenge on her husband for bringing Anna into the family, tragedy follows.
As I said, this book was given to me by a friend. I'd never heard of it before then. I must say I enjoyed it. The plot moves slowly but it is interesting. My main issue was that I disliked Bertha so much. That did sort of interfere with my enjoyment of the book a bit. But other then that I found it be be a very interesting read.
I would recommend this to fans of Historical Fiction. It is a beautifully written and moving novel with strong characterizations. It does move a bit slowly and drags a bit in the middle but is very good overall.
October 30, 2015
This book was given to me by my Nanna and I was quite dubious, the front cover wasn’t inviting and I wasn’t sure if it would be to “old” for me as I read it when I was 14. I was wrong, this is the first book that made me cry, I will not reveal what part as I don’t like giving spoilers, but any book that can make someone cry is clearly a very well written book. Margaret Dickinson is an excellent author, the way she tells stories captivates you and makes you fall in love with characters and their stories. That is what happened when i read this book. Excellent book full of suspense.
August 31, 2021
I liked it! It's something fresh that I need it. I enjoyed the characters and the idea was good. It could been better...it could been worse.🌄
July 4, 2018
This was a very enjoyable book. Well drawn and realistic characters, scenic descriptions in accord with the time and place, and an interesting, nicely moving plot made this book a pleasure to read.
February 19, 2017
Author: Margaret Dickinson
Title: Red Sky In The Morning
Genre: Fiction, Romantic, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Literature Fiction, Contemporary, Literature. Romance,
I was given this book.
Book Dedication: For Zoe and Scott, My daughter and son-in-law
This book has 464 pages and 33 chapters.
I highly recommend this book.
I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio. Even if you do not read books like this.
I normally read books of this genre but l also stepped outside my comfort zone with authors and genres l am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.
Synopsis: A young girl stands alone in the cobbled marketplace of a small Lincolnshire town, bedraggled, soaked through and very afraid. No one knows or cares who she is or where she has come from. Only kind farmer Eddie appleyard recognizes something in the girl touches his heart, in a drunken haze Eddie takes her home. His wife Bertha accuses him of infidelity and turns Anna out in to the cold, wet night. Eddie hides the girl in a tumbledown shepherd's cottage that becomes her new home. Anna's arrival will change their lives: Eddie's, Bertha's and even that of their young son Tony, Torn between his warning parents and the mysterious stanger. It will take years for the secrets of Anna's former life to be revealed, but Bertha bides her time and awaits her moment, little realizing the tragedy her vengeance will unleash. Anne ends up pregnant after she was raped and Eddie helps Anna through her pregnancy and when she gives birth to her daughter and she stays in the cottage for years and Eddie and his son Tony help Anne loads and helps with Anna's daughter and Anna keeps the secret of what happened to her and how she got pregnant and how she got the scar on her fingers and why she run away from home and her family and the guy who raped Anna turns up with his dad and ends up stabbing Eddie who passes away and Anna, Tony, Maisie and Bertha try to save him but is is too late.
Review: I really found this book a mystery at first because of Anna just turning up and standing so still in the marketplace and it was very nice of Eddie and his son Tony helping her through everything she went through and Eddie helping her through the birth of her daughter and Anna helps Eddie with stuff around the farm but tries to keep out of the sight of Eddie's wife because she does not like Anne and Bertha sounds like a bitch and gets jealous of Eddie trying to help people because Eddie had a kind heart and Tony has a good heart like his dad. Tony takes after his dad not his mum. Tony took food to Anna for his dad when his dad was busy. I found this book really easy to get in to and hard to put down once l got in to it. I was sad to read that Anna's grandad was murdered and she was raped and had to run away from home to be safe from it happening again and her having to marry her rapist and I like Eddie and him helping poor Anna and her daughter Maisie and l like that Tony takes after his dad not his mum. After Eddie murder Tony kept helping Anna and Maisie because he knew that what his dad would want him to do. His mum Bertha left the farm after Eddie's passing because she felt guilty about telling the people who murdered Eddie and Anna's grandad where they could find Anna and her daughter Maisie. Tony helped teach Maisie to read and write which l think was nice of him. I wish l could rate this book more then five stars because it is worth more then the five stars l rated it.
About The Author: Margaret Dickinson was born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Margaret Dickinson moved to the coast at the age of seven and so began her love for the sea and the Lincolnshire landscape. Her ambition to be a writer began early and she had her first novel published at the age of twenty-five. This was followed by a number of further titles including the clippie girls, fairfield hall and welcome home. Margaret is a Sunday times top ten bestseller.
About The Book: I really like the book cover of this book and l like the font.
Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars
Title: Red Sky In The Morning
Genre: Fiction, Romantic, Contemporary Fiction, Family Saga, Literature Fiction, Contemporary, Literature. Romance,
I was given this book.
Book Dedication: For Zoe and Scott, My daughter and son-in-law
This book has 464 pages and 33 chapters.
I highly recommend this book.
I would tell people that you should step outside your comfort zone with books because it is good to add more authors and genres to your reading portfolio. Even if you do not read books like this.
I normally read books of this genre but l also stepped outside my comfort zone with authors and genres l am so glad l did because l have read so many great books and come across some great authors.
Synopsis: A young girl stands alone in the cobbled marketplace of a small Lincolnshire town, bedraggled, soaked through and very afraid. No one knows or cares who she is or where she has come from. Only kind farmer Eddie appleyard recognizes something in the girl touches his heart, in a drunken haze Eddie takes her home. His wife Bertha accuses him of infidelity and turns Anna out in to the cold, wet night. Eddie hides the girl in a tumbledown shepherd's cottage that becomes her new home. Anna's arrival will change their lives: Eddie's, Bertha's and even that of their young son Tony, Torn between his warning parents and the mysterious stanger. It will take years for the secrets of Anna's former life to be revealed, but Bertha bides her time and awaits her moment, little realizing the tragedy her vengeance will unleash. Anne ends up pregnant after she was raped and Eddie helps Anna through her pregnancy and when she gives birth to her daughter and she stays in the cottage for years and Eddie and his son Tony help Anne loads and helps with Anna's daughter and Anna keeps the secret of what happened to her and how she got pregnant and how she got the scar on her fingers and why she run away from home and her family and the guy who raped Anna turns up with his dad and ends up stabbing Eddie who passes away and Anna, Tony, Maisie and Bertha try to save him but is is too late.
Review: I really found this book a mystery at first because of Anna just turning up and standing so still in the marketplace and it was very nice of Eddie and his son Tony helping her through everything she went through and Eddie helping her through the birth of her daughter and Anna helps Eddie with stuff around the farm but tries to keep out of the sight of Eddie's wife because she does not like Anne and Bertha sounds like a bitch and gets jealous of Eddie trying to help people because Eddie had a kind heart and Tony has a good heart like his dad. Tony takes after his dad not his mum. Tony took food to Anna for his dad when his dad was busy. I found this book really easy to get in to and hard to put down once l got in to it. I was sad to read that Anna's grandad was murdered and she was raped and had to run away from home to be safe from it happening again and her having to marry her rapist and I like Eddie and him helping poor Anna and her daughter Maisie and l like that Tony takes after his dad not his mum. After Eddie murder Tony kept helping Anna and Maisie because he knew that what his dad would want him to do. His mum Bertha left the farm after Eddie's passing because she felt guilty about telling the people who murdered Eddie and Anna's grandad where they could find Anna and her daughter Maisie. Tony helped teach Maisie to read and write which l think was nice of him. I wish l could rate this book more then five stars because it is worth more then the five stars l rated it.
About The Author: Margaret Dickinson was born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Margaret Dickinson moved to the coast at the age of seven and so began her love for the sea and the Lincolnshire landscape. Her ambition to be a writer began early and she had her first novel published at the age of twenty-five. This was followed by a number of further titles including the clippie girls, fairfield hall and welcome home. Margaret is a Sunday times top ten bestseller.
About The Book: I really like the book cover of this book and l like the font.
Star Rating: Five Out Of Five Stars
June 5, 2016
Rating: 3.5 - 4 stars.
This book had suspense running through it from start to finish. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, because I had purchased it from an online bookshop for a bargain price, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was my first novel by Margaret Dickinson but it won't be my last.
It was a well written story. The first half of the book took place just after War World II (1946). A teenage girl (17yrs old) Anna, was standing in a market place near Lincolnshire, England, alone, cold, soaking wet and pregnant. A kind local farmer Eddie felt sorry for the lass and took her back to his farm, which he shared with his wife Bertha and his 10 year old son Tony.
Eddie and Tony showed concern, kindness and love towards Anna, but Eddie's wife Bertha was full of contempt and jealousy, believing that Anna's baby belonged to her husband. Eddie was not the baby's father but Anna would not reveal who the father was, nor how she came to be alone, pregnant and so fearful. Eddie housed Anna in a small cottage near his farm. She only intended to stay a short time then go as far away from Lincolshire as she could, but with Eddie's insistence, she ended up staying for over 15 years. She gave birth to a daughter Maisie, and kept herself and her daughter hidden away from people. Only a selected few people who Eddie trusted ever met Anna and Maisie. Eddie's close friend Pat was a caring nurse who helped Anna give birth to Maisie and became her closest friend. She persuaded Anna to allow Maisie to attend the local schools and be allowed to socialize a little.
Eddie loved Anna like a daughter and was glad to have her around. She proved to be an excellent, experienced shepherdess, so she became useful around his farm. Helping Eddie was her way of repaying for his generosity and kindness. Tony grew up to be just like his father, gentle, kind and full of compassion. His mother Bertha tormented him by constantly poisoning his mind against Anna and Maisie. He started to believe that Maisie may have been his half sister afterall, and he became a tortured soul for some time, as his feelings for Maisie were not brotherly. His loyalties were constantly torn between his twisted mother and his kind father.
For over 15 years Anna would still not reveal to anyone, not even her own daughter, why she shunned society and was so afraid. Then a devastating event revealed why Anna was so justifiably terrified. The book then launched into the second half of the story. It went back to 1939 when Anna was just 10 years old. The story revealed where Anna came from, what her family was like, who her friends were, and how she ended up emotionally scarred, frightened, alone and pregnant. Some parts of the story were somewhat predictable but overall, the story full of suspense.
This was a really good book. Some of the characters were delightful, some were naïve, some were weak, and some were pure evil. I enjoyed this story very much, and although there were some sad moments, I was glad there was a happy ending.
This book had suspense running through it from start to finish. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it, because I had purchased it from an online bookshop for a bargain price, so I wasn't sure what to expect. It was my first novel by Margaret Dickinson but it won't be my last.
It was a well written story. The first half of the book took place just after War World II (1946). A teenage girl (17yrs old) Anna, was standing in a market place near Lincolnshire, England, alone, cold, soaking wet and pregnant. A kind local farmer Eddie felt sorry for the lass and took her back to his farm, which he shared with his wife Bertha and his 10 year old son Tony.
Eddie and Tony showed concern, kindness and love towards Anna, but Eddie's wife Bertha was full of contempt and jealousy, believing that Anna's baby belonged to her husband. Eddie was not the baby's father but Anna would not reveal who the father was, nor how she came to be alone, pregnant and so fearful. Eddie housed Anna in a small cottage near his farm. She only intended to stay a short time then go as far away from Lincolshire as she could, but with Eddie's insistence, she ended up staying for over 15 years. She gave birth to a daughter Maisie, and kept herself and her daughter hidden away from people. Only a selected few people who Eddie trusted ever met Anna and Maisie. Eddie's close friend Pat was a caring nurse who helped Anna give birth to Maisie and became her closest friend. She persuaded Anna to allow Maisie to attend the local schools and be allowed to socialize a little.
Eddie loved Anna like a daughter and was glad to have her around. She proved to be an excellent, experienced shepherdess, so she became useful around his farm. Helping Eddie was her way of repaying for his generosity and kindness. Tony grew up to be just like his father, gentle, kind and full of compassion. His mother Bertha tormented him by constantly poisoning his mind against Anna and Maisie. He started to believe that Maisie may have been his half sister afterall, and he became a tortured soul for some time, as his feelings for Maisie were not brotherly. His loyalties were constantly torn between his twisted mother and his kind father.
For over 15 years Anna would still not reveal to anyone, not even her own daughter, why she shunned society and was so afraid. Then a devastating event revealed why Anna was so justifiably terrified. The book then launched into the second half of the story. It went back to 1939 when Anna was just 10 years old. The story revealed where Anna came from, what her family was like, who her friends were, and how she ended up emotionally scarred, frightened, alone and pregnant. Some parts of the story were somewhat predictable but overall, the story full of suspense.
This was a really good book. Some of the characters were delightful, some were naïve, some were weak, and some were pure evil. I enjoyed this story very much, and although there were some sad moments, I was glad there was a happy ending.
February 1, 2017
Set in rural Lincolnshire during and just after WWII, this is the story of a young and heavily pregnant girl, Anna, who is taken under the wing of gentle farmer, Eddie Appleyard, when he finds her in the pouring rain one evening. Much to the disgust of his deeply suspicious wife, Bertha, he lodges Anna in a derelict cottage on the farm. Anna is reluctant to talk about how she has come to be there and lives in fear of being discovered, to the point where she insists that her daughter, Maisie, is not allowed out beyond the farm and the village. As a normal teenager, Maisie rebels one day and goes to nearby Lincoln with Eddie’s son, Tony. The repercussions of that trip trigger a tragedy and lead to Anna’s past and the reason for her justified fear being revealed. This is described at some length in a separate part describing the events preceding Anna running away. Although I enjoyed the book, I did find this middle section a little over-long as it interrupted the action. I still enjoyed the story though and would recommend it as a good read.
July 31, 2011
This was not a bad story, quite a heart warming and happy story.
December 20, 2011
only took two days to read i just wanted to get to the end and see how it finished a sign of a good book...
March 5, 2016
couldnt put this book down heartbreaking story of anna and maisie life really wrote from the heart of the author didnt want it to end thank you to the author
November 24, 2021
I did enjoy this book, another great story, I really enjoy Margaret's books.
February 17, 2024
I got this book many years ago it was free with. A magazine a nice storyline but I gave it to a friend as trying to downsize my physical book collection
March 12, 2024
A tough read for me, emotionally. It's a happy ending, though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2025
Couldn’t put this book down
Great story that kept you guessing. It started off quite slowly but then became a page turner for me. I just didn’t want it to end.
Great story that kept you guessing. It started off quite slowly but then became a page turner for me. I just didn’t want it to end.
December 24, 2025
A great read but rather long winded.
May 10, 2009
This was such an amazing book. I totally got drawn to the book in the first pages which Margaret's books always do. I felt so bad/sad for Anna in this book :( especially not knowing what happened to her, I figured it must of bad and I really didn't like when I found out, Bruce is such a horrible man espesially what he did to Anna and all the other things he did. :( I always prefer Jed to Bruce and when Bruce came into the picture, I was worried it was due to him Anna ran away. :( and the way Anna's dog went to was so sad. :(
I loved Eddie and his son Tony.Eddie was such a wonderful man. Shame he went the way he went. Bruce and his dad were such horrible guys. :( This book was so good. It's a shame Eddies wife couldn't she how good of a guy Eddie was until he was dying ;(. such a great book.
I loved Eddie and his son Tony.Eddie was such a wonderful man. Shame he went the way he went. Bruce and his dad were such horrible guys. :( This book was so good. It's a shame Eddies wife couldn't she how good of a guy Eddie was until he was dying ;(. such a great book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2013
I picked this book up from a used bookstore while on vacation. It took awhile for the story to take hold of me and I enjoyed the last half more than the first. I also felt like I never really got to know the main character, Anna, until the last half either. I understood she was keeping a secret, but I still wanted to know more about her as a person as the novel progressed. The other characters Eddie, Tony, Bertha, Pat, and Maisie had a bit more meat to them. I think I enjoyed Pat's dialogue the most and sympathized with Tony and Maisie the strongest. I'm a sucker for a love story and would have liked to have seen that more throughout as well. In the end the book was light on action almost until the end. I also felt once I knew what happened to Anna I wanted it to be worse since she refused to face her past for over seventeen years. Decent read to pass the time.
April 23, 2018
This book is set in rural Lincolnshire after World War II. I enjoyed this book and would recommend.
November 13, 2017
Choices and deep remorse leads to a lot of self blame. These are prominent recurring motifs in this novel, almost to the point of genetic repeat. Still; visions, dreams and kindness are not to be overshadowed in the characters of Anna's GrandPa, her accidental benefactor Eddie and Tony Appleyard, and Nurse Pat.
Diehard qualities surface some for the good of all and some like in the case of Eddie's wife to the detriment of all.
This is definitely a tear-jerker, we cry alot with our characters in between moments of joy and laughter.
We meet and get to know the characters thoroughly as Margaret Dickinson weaves her tapestry of tangled relationships through peace time, and War days and, from Lincolnshire England to the little backwoods farm of Eddie and Berta Appleyard.
We are left to ponder deeply: the short vision of human nature, the drive of passion, greed, violence; the gifts of warm hearts and hard hearts, all of these colours are woven into her tapesty of Red Sky in The Morning'
Diehard qualities surface some for the good of all and some like in the case of Eddie's wife to the detriment of all.
This is definitely a tear-jerker, we cry alot with our characters in between moments of joy and laughter.
We meet and get to know the characters thoroughly as Margaret Dickinson weaves her tapestry of tangled relationships through peace time, and War days and, from Lincolnshire England to the little backwoods farm of Eddie and Berta Appleyard.
We are left to ponder deeply: the short vision of human nature, the drive of passion, greed, violence; the gifts of warm hearts and hard hearts, all of these colours are woven into her tapesty of Red Sky in The Morning'
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews