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The Sand Dancer
Rosie Goodwin's engaging addition to Catherine Cookson's series.
Despite her success as a writer, Maisie's life has never been easy. But with the help of Hamilton, the imaginary horse she conjures up to escape harsh reality, her humour and courage pull her through. Now married to Tommy, Maisie's hopes of happiness are shattered when he becomes jealous and controlling - threatening even her relationship with her beloved adopted son, Harold.
After a tragic accident, Maisie reluctantly agrees to move back to her home town of Fellburn, Tyneside, for a fresh start. But her husband's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and one of his new employees, a strange man nicknamed the Sand Dancer, strikes fear into her heart every time she meets him. Maisie begins to avoid his place of work, little realises that Tommy is concealing something so terrible it could destroy everything she holds dear...
Despite her success as a writer, Maisie's life has never been easy. But with the help of Hamilton, the imaginary horse she conjures up to escape harsh reality, her humour and courage pull her through. Now married to Tommy, Maisie's hopes of happiness are shattered when he becomes jealous and controlling - threatening even her relationship with her beloved adopted son, Harold.
After a tragic accident, Maisie reluctantly agrees to move back to her home town of Fellburn, Tyneside, for a fresh start. But her husband's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and one of his new employees, a strange man nicknamed the Sand Dancer, strikes fear into her heart every time she meets him. Maisie begins to avoid his place of work, little realises that Tommy is concealing something so terrible it could destroy everything she holds dear...
352 pages, Paperback
First published February 21, 2008
2 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Rosie Goodwin
103 books366 followersBefore becoming a writer, I was a Placement Support Worker and foster carer, and worked in the social services department after completing a teacher training course. Many children have joined my family over the years. I still live in Nuneaton, where many of my books are set, with my husband, Trevor, and our beloved dogs.
I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!
I was thrilled to discover that I'd become one of the top 250 most-borrowed library authors in the UK, and would like to thank all of you who have taken out my books over the last few years! I love meeting my readers and am always pleased to hear from you. I hope you will all continue to get in touch and please do sign up for my newsletter!
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 16, 2015
A good read that tidied up ends.
April 10, 2022
Through this novel Rosie Goodwin has grown Catherine Cookson's character Maisie into an successful author who is in the midst of an troubled third marriage. After the loss of a baby and her second husband Maisie has survived her share of grief over the years, however unfortunately her sorrows are not yet over.
Rosie Goodwin has created relatable person despite Maisie being portrayed as a celebrity. This is perhaps done to convey that everyone has battles to overcome despite the seemingly idealic exterior. There is plenty of themes which the reader can relate to such as baby loss, child loss, gambling addiction, marriage breakdown, grief, radicalisation and mental health to name a few. The choice to set the novel in the 1980s allows the reader to understand how opinions regarding such issues were beginning to change and awareness was beginning to improve. The revealation of the sand dancers' identity at the end of the novel also left the reader curious throughout the narrative.
Although the reader appreciates all that Rosie Goodwin has put into creating this novel, the ending was very prompt. This possibly may make cause some confusion in some readers. Some readers may perhaps feel some of the antagonists in this novel were not rightly punished for their wrong doings.
Rosie Goodwin has created relatable person despite Maisie being portrayed as a celebrity. This is perhaps done to convey that everyone has battles to overcome despite the seemingly idealic exterior. There is plenty of themes which the reader can relate to such as baby loss, child loss, gambling addiction, marriage breakdown, grief, radicalisation and mental health to name a few. The choice to set the novel in the 1980s allows the reader to understand how opinions regarding such issues were beginning to change and awareness was beginning to improve. The revealation of the sand dancers' identity at the end of the novel also left the reader curious throughout the narrative.
Although the reader appreciates all that Rosie Goodwin has put into creating this novel, the ending was very prompt. This possibly may make cause some confusion in some readers. Some readers may perhaps feel some of the antagonists in this novel were not rightly punished for their wrong doings.
June 28, 2020
Rosie Goodwin's addition to Catherine Cookson's Hamilton series.
Despite her success as a writer, Maisie's life has never been easy. But with the help of Hamilton, the imaginary horse she conjures up to escape harsh reality, her humour and courage pull her through. Now married to Tommy, Maisie's hopes of happiness are shattered when he becomes jealous and controlling - threatening even her relationship with her beloved adopted son, Harold.
After a tragic accident, Maisie reluctantly agrees to move back to her home town of Fellburn, Tyneside, for a fresh start. But her husband's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and one of his new employees, a strange man nicknamed the Sand Dancer, strikes fear into her heart every time she meets him. Maisie begins to avoid his place of work, little realises that Tommy is concealing something so terrible it could destroy everything she holds dear..
As with her Mallen Secret addition to the Mallen Series I was conflicted about this addition. I loved Harold and to have killed him off was just too much for me and I cannot think that Catherine Cookson would have done that!. It was a shame how Tommy became so controlling and how his choices impacted so dreadfully upon Maisie! Not sure again that Catherine Cookson would have had a plot involving the IRA threatening Maisie and her family to devastating effect. I did like how the Mohican became more involved (or should I say James). This I think would have pleased Harold looking down on Maisie from heaven. This addition really upset me!!!
Despite her success as a writer, Maisie's life has never been easy. But with the help of Hamilton, the imaginary horse she conjures up to escape harsh reality, her humour and courage pull her through. Now married to Tommy, Maisie's hopes of happiness are shattered when he becomes jealous and controlling - threatening even her relationship with her beloved adopted son, Harold.
After a tragic accident, Maisie reluctantly agrees to move back to her home town of Fellburn, Tyneside, for a fresh start. But her husband's behaviour becomes increasingly erratic and one of his new employees, a strange man nicknamed the Sand Dancer, strikes fear into her heart every time she meets him. Maisie begins to avoid his place of work, little realises that Tommy is concealing something so terrible it could destroy everything she holds dear..
As with her Mallen Secret addition to the Mallen Series I was conflicted about this addition. I loved Harold and to have killed him off was just too much for me and I cannot think that Catherine Cookson would have done that!. It was a shame how Tommy became so controlling and how his choices impacted so dreadfully upon Maisie! Not sure again that Catherine Cookson would have had a plot involving the IRA threatening Maisie and her family to devastating effect. I did like how the Mohican became more involved (or should I say James). This I think would have pleased Harold looking down on Maisie from heaven. This addition really upset me!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 3, 2019
I read the Hamilton books in 2016 and gave them 5 stars! I love Catherine Cookson and didn't know that Rosie Goodwin had written sequels to some of Catherine's trilogies. This one didn't disappoint although it was quite sad - I read it very quickly as it was very good! I'll be looking out for the other sequels!
June 14, 2022
At first I wasn't sure what to make of this book as it's one author's characters living through another author but it was a great book. I didn't realise this was part of a series so definitely want to read the others now in the series.
January 14, 2025
What did I just read!?!?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews