The Obsession

by Catherine Cookson

Since the death of her mother, young Beatrice Steel has been ruling the family home with an iron fist, and when her wealthy father dies she realizes that she will stop at nothing to retain control of Pine Hurst. 30,000 first printing.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Romance, Historical Romance, Historical, Novels

318 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Catherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, who Catherine believed was her older sister. Catherine began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married Tom Cookson, a local grammar-school master.

Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular contemporary woman novelist. She received an OBE in 1985, was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993, and was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997.

For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne.

Reviews

[Shirley Revill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another brilliant story by Catherine Cookson. Storytelling at it's best. Recommended.

[Margo Penhall · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found myself sympathetic to the villain, Beatrice. Perhaps the reason she became obsessed with the house was it was solid compared to the cutsie cardboard characters around her.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrice Steel, eldest daughter of Simon Steel, is and always has been and always will be obsessed about her family home. Since her mother died, she has been mistress of the manse and she enjoys that position well. Her sisters, Helen and Marion, are engaged to be wed. The youngest sister, Rosie, is not yet betrothed. She perplexes everyone when she continues to be friends with neighbors, Robbie and his mother, Annie, MacIntosh. Robbie's father had been given the land years ago by Beatrice Steel's grandfather. This irks her.

After the unexpected death of her father, Beatrice and the rest of the family learn from the solicitor that Beatrice gets the house and along with it all the debts incurred by her father: gambling debts, mortgages on the house, loans from loan sharks and mostly finding out that her father was a womanizer, paying for their favors using household expense monies. Now Beatrice decides she needs to plot to protect her position and mostly what is hers: THE HOUSE. She will sacrifice anything and anyone to protect it.

Read on to find out what Beatrice will do and how she manages to put a distance between herself and her sisters all for the love of that HOUSE.

[Lili · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read all of Catherine Cookson's books some years ago and enjoyed them immensley. I recently re-read all of them and find that on a second look I found them all so very predictable, and was rather disappointed. However I'm sure that it is my tastes that have changed not the calibre of her story telling.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know some people do not like Catherine Cookson books, but I like them very much, and have read many of them. This was not as good as a lot of them, but had all the elements. Only one murder in this book!!

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh such a wonderful story! I love Catherine Cookson book's and this one was no exception. 5/5

[Frances Vivienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely a brilliant read.

Dame Catherine Cookson was a brilliant author. This is the story of a family that doesn't know how bad their father was. After his death, they find out and, all is not as they thought. The obsession of one sister is for love of the house, but find out the truth of her father. Two of the other sisters marry, and the other one stays with the sister who has the house. The Dr is a good man, and finds himself with one sister he loves, but she's lost to him, as she's marring another. The story follows three sister, into love and hate. With other great characters in it. The storyline is great and you keep picking the book up whenever you can. Its one of Catherine Cookson's books that i read a long time ago, with all her other books. I found it well worth reading again. Seeing we read so many books, it's only natural that you do forget the storyline.
A highly recommend read.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of Cookson's best books IMHO. Thought this book was very good.

Back Cover Blurb:
It is Beatrice Steel's 21st birthday party. Since her mother's death she has run her father's home, Pine Hurst, with an iron hand. When her father unexpectedly dies, she realizes her security is threatened and she must lay plans to protect her most prized possession, Pine Hurst.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read, enjoyable, however a bit predictable. Catherine Cookson is a solid author, with well written stories. I would read more of her books, the character development in this book was done well.

[Selvameena Dhandapani · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catherine Cookson's book have kept me company in the dark lonely days in 15 years back. I read the author's books back to back. I weeped watching The Glass Virgin. This book, although it didn't exceed the expectation, it didnt disappoint either. I listened to this book in audible, and the narrator is awesome. The final part is where it all came tumbling down. Once we know what has happened, and how it will end, the story took it's own sweet time before the 'The End' curtain was dropped. I had to listen in 2x speed to finish it off.

Regarding the characters, they all mostly fell flat. Rosy and Robbie, felt like the most likeable characters, so bit more on them or bit deeper about them would have been better. The core character Beatrice is the most underdeveloped character. The change of Beatrice character would have been better, if we see it ourselves through some scenes. But instead we get to hear from John as he laments to his mom, and others gossip about her. Helen's husband conveniently dying to make way for John is the cliche from that period... so I accept it with whole heart...


Other than these, I am glad to have listened to my favourite authors book as an audiobook.

[Sophie · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked this book based on rave reviews on the jacket and that Catherine Cookson has a number of published books. Unfortunately, this was just not for me. It is the type of book that typically turns me off from historical fiction.
A young doctor falls in love with one of three sisters but she marries someone else. The oldest sister is obsessed with being the mistress of the family estate. Despite the fact she is a conniving bitter old maid (at the age of 25) he marries her to disastrous results.
I feel sort of guilty giving it a low rating because, for those who may enjoy this type of writing, it may be a good book. For me, the writing was pretty awful and the story was so so.

[Suzanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was so disappointed with this book because I usually love anything written by Catherine Cookson but I could not get into it. The pages and pages of prattle at the beginning set the scene for the story but I began to be put off by the endless block of dialogue. However, I stuck with it and really became interested in the newly married Beatrice, but that died off, and once the shock of what she did came out, I began losing interest again. It was the never ending dialogue that done me in, although I did finish the book.. skipping along.

[Jill Barnes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books where you can see the deviousness of the villain, and your adrenalin gets racing as she dupes the other characters one after the other. There is a lull in the middle of the story, as difficulties are resolved, but you continue to have a niggle that more evil is to come. Sure enough, there is an action-packed climax, with shadows of "Jane Eyre" or Philippa Gregory's "Wideacre".

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It revolves around one main sister, Beatrice, who is completely obsessed with the homestead. It includes involvements with two of the three younger sisters, Helen and Rosie, and the doctor, John Falconer.

The deceit, jealousy, and obsession is outstanding and keeps the storyline flowing in a fashion that keeps you guessing. Well written and easy to read and quite a story.

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slightly different feature this time: mental illness. Liked John and Robbie a lot, so it was good they came out of it happy. Despite the fact that Cookson seems to be known for her strong females - I find a lot of them wimpish and fragile. Maybe it's just the time period she's writing in. I liked Daisy. She would have made a great story.

[Maryanne Wilson]

I always love her books. According to my list, I hadn't read this one (or, at least, don't own it). Since I started reading them over 30 years ago, it might have been a re-read but I still breezed through this one and enjoyed it.

[Charley Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book
The different parts to make it focus on different people in the story made the book feel like lots of characters had been forgotten about. The story would have been better if it did not have the different parts

[Carol Preston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great period story in Cookson's style. Romance, intrigue, family conflict, characters to love and hate.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was lent this book, and now I can say I've read a Catherine Cookson. Interesting enough story, but quite violent! I don't know that I'll read another

[Cheryll · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it! Another great read from Catherine Cookson.

[Herbert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cookson is en blijft goed goede lectuur voor tussen door wat vlot leest en je niet te hard bij moet nadenken. Deze zijn voor mij de perfecte boeken voor 'on the road'

[Pdamon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clearly written in another time and about an even earlier time. Interesting. The dialogue is very different. Moves at a different pace from today.

[barb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!

Good read. Can't go wrong with a Catherine Cookson book!
I recommend this book and many of her books I've read through the years.⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

My copy was called a sisters obsession but it was this story so what’s going On?

[Shirley Dawson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read by Catherine Cookson. A little different from her previous novels but a real page turner which had me hooked to the last page. Would recommend.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

I

[Bookish Enchantment (Katherine Quirke) · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best of Catherine Cookson. Whilst I found the story to start slow it really did ramp up with a twist that will make you cringe.
Highly recommended.

[Kitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though well written and engaging, the story became a bit too grim for me

[Irina Pekausiene · Rating 4 out of 5]

CC story lines are very long, from very childhood till the adulthood of next generation.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

2025 Helmet-lukuhaaste: 9. Kirjassa on konflikti