The Lead Miner's Daughter

by Margaret Manchester

AMAZON INTERNATIONAL NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER

"An outstanding author whose debut novel The Lead Miner’s Daughter is the most authentic historical novel I’ve read in a long long time." - Phil Mews, Author

"A well written book that just keeps you turning the pages. Cannot wait to read more by this author." - Amazon Reviewer

A story of love, life and crime.

It is 1872 when Mary Watson leaves her childhood home to work at Springbank Farm. She soon meets a handsome farmer, Joe Milburn, and becomes infatuated with him, but is he the right man for her? What will her future hold?

Mary’s story is woven into a background of rural life and crime. What happens in this remote valley leaves the community reeling in shock and seeking justice.

Find yourself in the secluded valley of Weardale, on the wide open moors and in the deep mines of the North Pennines as this intriguing and dramatic story unfolds.

A clean historical romance.

This book has been a #1 Bestseller in Victorian Historical Romance in both the UK & Canada.

Genres: Historical Fiction

352 pages, Paperback

Published July 19, 2018

About the author

Margaret Manchester is a UK-based author from County Durham, specialising in historical fiction, thrillers, and regional history rooted in North East England.

Drawing on her background in archaeology, genealogy, and local history, her work brings to life the landscapes, communities, and industrial heritage of County Durham and the wider North East. Her novels are known for their strong sense of place, authentic detail, and emotionally engaging characters.

Margaret has taught archaeology, local history, and genealogy, and has longstanding involvement in heritage work, including her time at Killhope Lead Mining Museum and with the Friends of Killhope. These experiences continue to inform both her fiction and non-fiction writing.

She also writes historical non-fiction under the name M. R. Manchester, focusing on regional history, ancestry, and the lived experiences of northern communities.

Margaret holds a Master’s degree in Archaeological Survey from Durham University and is the founder of Durham Hens. She lives in County Durham with her husband.

Reviews

[Booklover BEV · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Loved this book from my part of the country its a must read for all readers. Very enjoyable book. My first from the author

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful book this is, even though it's about the hardships of living in a remote, rural valley in Durham in 1872, in the secluded village of Weardale where Mary lives, you would think it would be sleepy and peaceful, but it grips you from the start, it reminds me of a Catherine Cookson novel, but without the bitterness, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it flows so easily and pulls you in from page one, I would certainly recommend it to others.

[Tracy Sullivan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book from start to finish and I couldn't put it down. I'm from near where the book is set and could relate to the characters and the hardships they go though. My granda was a coal miner in east durham and it was a hard life. The description of the area is spot on, even down to the flora and fauna which I'm very interested in. The author obviously knows the area well. Can't recommend this book enough and look forward to the next one.

[stacey walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read

Couldn't put it down read it in 1 day. Had me gripped till the end hope there is a sequel

[Susan M Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked his book

It started a little slow but quickly I couldn’t put it down I read it in 3 days. It’s a god story .

[Soozee · Rating 5 out of 5]

First class! This is the first book by a new author and was very good. An entertaining tale, with love and murder abounding, based in the lead mining and farming area of Weardale in County Durham in the nineteenth century. The author depicts the era very well, and draws you into the tale. I enjoyed it very much.

[Bonnie Stallings · Rating 2 out of 5]

Characters lacked depth.

Very predictable and trite. The prose was choppy. The story line was boring. Would have been more interesting with a few unexpected twists to the characters.

[brenda evans-morris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love that sees you thru what ever life throws

A book that is so full of love trials that Mary overcame will keep you reading till you finish it loved every part of it couldn't put it down till the end

[Carole Clark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, have been to all the places Margaret
Mentioned as i live near area, looking forward to Margaret’s next book

[Miss Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing

Lovely story of romance with a little mystery with added history of mining in the hills of the North East of England

[Ginny · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me...this book didn't live up to the 'hype'.
I read it because someone said it was on a par with Catherine Cookson's work. NO way! I own every book Catherine wrote..including the young reader stories, and the non novels. All of her novels have left me breathless! All the Young Readers books have left me smiling. Even the just informative works have been 'satisfying'
THIS book has a very promising story line, but, for me....none of it was 'fleshed out'.
Felt kind of 'choppy'. I finished it as I began...not really entwined with the characters.
That said tho, it's a first novel! So I take that into consideration. Maybe Margaret Manchester will grow into the potential I see in the story line itself. I hope she does! I'll be rooting for her...because we can never have too many wonderful story tellers.

[Anita Dent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Watson needs to find a job to help her family survive. When a trip to the local lead mine proves unsuccessful she is advised to try Springbank Farm. She secures a place with the Peart family. When she meets Joe Milburn she falls deeply in love with him, however he knows he can never achieve what he truly wants by marrying Mary and casts her aside. Mary is left to pick up the pieces of her life.

[Julie Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story

I read this book in one (bad weather day.) The hardships of farming life are only known to a small number of the population and it is good to be reminded of what our ancestors endured.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book worth reading

Margaret Manchester is a fabulous author. She brings the characters to life and you learn to love them. I will recently be reading all of her books.
Thank you Margaret Manchester ❤

[Susan Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Lead Miner's Daughter immerses you into the hardship of Victorian rural life. The descriptive Weardale setting and strong characters brought the story to life. Well researched history, mystery and romance made for an engaging read.

[Vikki Vaught · Rating 3 out of 5]

My Musings

This is a book where there is a lot of telling but not much showing. Nonetheless, while not much character development I did like most of the characters. A mostly satisfied reader!

[Sara-Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm surprised this book had so many high reviews. I only read the first few chapters, but I found the writing to be all tell and no show.

[Julie Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Enjoyed the descriptions of weardale.

[Elizabeth Cleland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absorbing read!

Enjoyed this book so much could not put down. Kept reader interested whole way through must read more of this author's books!

[MRS EILEEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read

Enjoyable and relaxing read. Well defined characters with a nice story story and a satisfying happy ending satisfying ending. Lovely descriptions of Weardale

[Vanessa Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely historical novel, short but with plenty of plot to keep you interested, very enjoyable read.

[yolanda watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The lead miner's daughter

This is a fantastic book i really enjoyed reading this story and i didnt want to put it down recomend reading.