The Cockney Sparrow

by Dilly Court

The enthralling saga set in turn-of-the-twentieth-century London from the Sunday Times bestselling author. Gifted with a beautiful soprano voice, young Clemency Skinner is forced to work as a pickpocket in order to support her crippled brother, Jack. Their feckless mother, Edith, has fallen into the clutches of unscrupulous pimp, Todd Hardiman, whose evil presence threatens their daily existence. Befriended by Ned Hawkes and his kindly mother, Nell, Clemency struggles to escape from life in the slums of Stew Lane. She finds work with a troupe of buskers run by larger than life Augustus Throop, and is spotted by the manager of the Strand Theatre. Clemency looks set for operatic stardom, but a chance meeting with the mysterious Jared Stone brings danger and intrigue and threatens to change her life forevermore.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Literature

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

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

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another book from dilly court,love the storyline.great read.

[Shirley Revill · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Storytelling at it's best.

[kellie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book. Loved the characters and the writing was good. Although I thought the last few chapters were rushed, which is why I didn't give it a five star rating.

[Emma Nicholson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great characters and kept my interest with surprising turns and sub-plots.

[Jean St.Amand · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out pretty good, quite like a Catherine Cookson novel but about half way through it just got silly and predictable and basically turned into a Harlequin Romance. Not really my kind of story.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great dilly court book,not got the 5 star rating as read a few better books of hers still a good story.great author.

[Nicola Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Picked this book up and was drawn into the story from day one, one of my favourites of Dilly’s

[Wendy]

Opening in 1888 in the destitution and squalor of Cheapside “The Cockney Sparrow” is the compelling story of Clemency Skinner a gifted young woman with a beautiful soprano voice who provides for her mother a drunk prostitute and a crippled brother as a pick pocket.

Threatened by her mother’s abusive pimp, Clemency takes action moving her family to a rooming house on Flower and Dean Street in Spitalfields, Jack the Ripper territory where she joins a roving band of buskers. Disguised as a boy, her voice and personality winning admirers in the streets as well as within her musical troupe she’s not only able to feed her family but is given a chance to join a production at the Strand Theatre.

Yet as in all emotionally gripping stories troubles continue to stalk Clemency when she’s lured into working for Jared Stone after her mother’s near- fatal abortion, escaping the vicious pursuit of Todd Hardiman and with the promise of a possible cure for her brother’s disability.

Set within an historical framework, this well written plot flows seamlessly as Clemency dreaming of pursuing a singing career gets swept up in Jared Stone’s vendetta against a French aristocrat while struggling to keep her family safe from the cruelty of her mother’s former pimp. Intensity and suspense escalate with her mother’s bad choices as Clemency bargains with a new adversary using her pick pocketing skills and losing more than she bargained in the process. Yet Dilly Cork skillfully defuses the pain and suffering with tender moments as Jack finds hope and love, Clemency passion, and their mother the affection of an honourable man. And sprinkled throughout are splashes of humor with Clemency and Fancy’s verbal sparring.

Dilly Court has a talent for creating memorable and complex characters like Clemency a spirited, wary and fearless young woman with the voice of a nightingale; her vulnerable, talented brother Jack Skinner who’s a good judge of character; the decent, kind and honourable Ned Hawkes and his mother Nell; as well as arrogant, astute Jared Stone an aristocratic criminal with a heart. All infuse the plot with depth and passion; or like the cruel, bully Todd Hardiman and the ruthless and sinister Monsieur Marceau add a dark chill.

I enjoyed “The Cockney Sparrow” a captivating and intriguing story by a talented author.

[Halah · Rating 4 out of 5]

She felt safe amongst the theatrical folk who had quickly become her friends her heart always lifted as she entered through the stage door she left clemency skinner outside on the street and lost herself in a magical world of colour, light and music she became La Moineau, which might be French for sparrow but sounded so much more exotic.
The cockeny sparrow
_Dilly Court
I'm certain that every book i read it's meant for me to read it especially if the book was chosen randomly without knowing anything about the story or the writer and especially if it was your first time with the author and this book was meant for me to read and just in time I was in need for it.
We all need this cute light read (i mean the story not the pages cuz it has 537 pages 😂) But because the book was unputdownable i finished it in a short period I really have a confusing and mixed feelings about this novel but what I'm sure about that I'm freakin in love with it.
Why is nobody talk about this book it's literally perfect and and I'm really surprised that dilly Court isn't a famous author in the wide world that much because she is so talented and she knows how to write she knows how to make you live an amazing adventure with in the book gladly And it's wonderful adventure Unforgettable and unputdownable and definitely not my last time with dilly even if I doubt if there is any book will make me feel and live what this book made me do but I have a huge excitement in dilly court writings
I really hate the concept in every where in films, tv shows and in books about the men being the hero who save a girl or a princess life but dilly here she was out of the usual idea she made the hero of the story a young beautiful girl "clemency" to be the one who is responsible for her entire family and their life depends on her which I liked the most in this story
.
The story of follows clemency skinner who has a wonderful voice and she sings like Nightingale and she was forced to work as a pickpocket to help her crippled brother and her drunk mother I really like dilly court writing style it was very sweet and thrilling and funny and addictive which made me read over 200 per day which is cool 😂❤️

[Dani Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

the story revolves around Clemency and her struggles to save her family which consists of her not so sober (useless) mother Edith and her crippled brother (who always talks big for whatever reason) Jack against Hardiman, a bad person who led them to a life of crime to survive. there's also the owner of the tavern Nell and Ned who helps Clem when they can. she depended on them many times throughout the story. (I feel so bad for Ned and how it turned out in the end). And the introduction of the performance troop which i believe was my favorite arc in this story. the 2/3 of this book is her carrying the bunch of them on her shoulders while they present more problems to her than she could handle. (girl needs rest. i dont think she had a proper rest all throughout the book)
my pet peeve here is her mother, who doesn't act like it. And as much as Clem thinks her brother's gf , Fancy is insufferable she did more to help compared to Edith who will hook up to the first man she sees when sober. There's some plot twist regarding the family on what I believe was too convenient so that the main love interest could flourish.
the remaining 1/3 of the book was her falling in love with the man who she thought was a villain. some things were rushed by the end and there was a sudden shift of the genre when you get to that part with the frenchman. (i also think it was unnecessary, because i did not expect that at all based on the tone of the book.) it's happy ending (or endings)don't worry.

3 stars
look, as much i think it's very well written, i struggled to finish because i am not fond of some of the characters and when i did finish it i was not happy with what happened in france. it's a personal preference at the end of the day.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in January 1889, just a few months after the killing spree of Jack the Ripper. This book tells of the struggles faced by Clemency Skinner, as she attempts to save her family from poverty and the control of her mothers pimp Tom Hardiman - a character much like Dickinson's Fagin. When we meet Clemency she has taken to pick-pocketing rich theatre goers in order to put food on the table for her mother and crippled brother Jack.

It tells of the opportunity and tragedy Clemency faces when her operatic talent is discovered and she is manipulated by the men around her. The suspense and surprises will have you on the edge of your seat.

Even though the book is written in the 3rd person it is firmly from Clemency's perspective. Dilly Court excels her self in her fastidious descriptions of the supporting characters, I really felt as if I was a fly on the wall in this book. Although I would have loved the ending to stretch on a little further.

I loved how the story seamlessly moved across Central and the East End of London, beginning in Cheapside, then across to Spitalfields before settling in Finsbury Circus. I work near by so it was wonderful to spend my lunch times reading a book set right where I was sat!

Once this book got going I could not put it down. This was my first Dilly Court story, but it certainly won't be my last!

[Abhipsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I brought it on impulse and I am glad to say that I am not disappointed. It is the story of how a poor girl of a prostitute leaves the world of pickpocketting, to go on to sing in an opera, only to fall back in the world of pickpocketting but ultimately leaving it for good. A story where money and security is the driving force and loves seems an illusion. A world of politics, social classes, fascades, betrayal and marriages. Where everyone is struggling to stay afloat. The story is interesting and would keep you turning your page. One would also have a close glance at the lower rungs of London in the beginning of the 20th century. It is the story of how two worlds, seemingly so different can collide as one.

[Judith Ring · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dilly Court is a great writer; if you enjoy a historical saga there’s little to criticise in her work. I vary my reading material widely, enjoying some murder/detective edge of your seat type books amongst other genres. When I want a “light hearted easy read” she is one of my favourite authors. Her characterisations make you feel as though you really know the characters; enough for you to feel warmth, loathing or anywhere in between for each person. This story has some mild trauma, just enough to make the book a great page turner. The plot is unpredictable with various twists along the way, and an ending which doesn’t leave you hanging.

[Hayley Briston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from Dilly court. I’m slowly reading through all her books and enjoy every one of them. Although they are mostly written in the same vein they are all different and enjoyable. Historical fiction is my favourite genre and these suit me to a T!

[Cheryll · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and might have given it 4 stars but it started to annoy me at around Chapter 20. When such a terrible situation occurred I felt it wasn't taken seriously enough. A predictable happy ending...

[sun haze · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed the reading experience. It was my first read from Dilly Court but it won't be the last.

[Claire Knoechl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the storyline but it could have had a better ending. So much happened in the last few chapters. Otherwise i thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Rowlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another marvellous Dilly Court read. I couldn't put this one down.

[Lindsey Pasturel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. Enjoyed the characters. Felt it was rushed a bit at the end though.

[Jenny Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy and enjoyable read, as are all Dilly Court books. However, I wasn't entirely convinced by Jared as a character.

[Paul Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Narrative not very descriptive. Plot is not very feasible. Will not be buying any more of her books.

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. A very good read

[K. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading this book. Loved the characters and the writing was good. Although I thought the last few chapters were rushed, which is why I didn't give it a five star rating.

[Kirstin Lammers · Rating 5 out of 5]

2nd book I have read of Dillg Court...really loving them....bring onnthe 3rd

[Dawnie1610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always enjoy Dilly Court and this was no exception, easy read,

[Athmikha Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Romance was kinda rushed but other than that I love the book

[Valerie · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy enjoyable read.

[Sambrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Giddy!

[Noninuna · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of the great story work. Splendid I would say but typical characters. Cinderella type of romance & great storytelling, it was like as if I can hear Clemency beautiful voice. At certain point, i thought i was reading a Dicken's. However, things got a lil bit downhill towards the end costing 2 of my stars.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

I Enjoyed this book, nice easy read, as I come from London I could picture Finsbury Circus (in fact my mother worked in one of those 'large houses' which are still there, but used for office space now) , as well as the routs that she walked/run.
It didn't grab me as 'Forever Amber' did when I first read that, but yes, it was a pleasant read.