Nettie’s Secret

by Dilly Court

The new novel from the Sunday Times bestselling author.Taking one last look around her attic room in Covent Garden Nettie knows there is no turning back, they must run for their lives…

London, 1875. Thanks to her hapless father, Nettie Carroll has had to grow up quickly. While Nettie is sewing night and day to keep food on the table, her gullible father has trusted the wrong man again. Left with virtually nothing but the clothes they stand up in, he’s convinced that their only hope lies across the English Channel in France.

Nettie has little but her dreams left to lose. Even far from home trouble follows them, with their enemies quietly drawing closer. But Nettie has a secret, and it’s one with the power to save them.

Can she find the courage to trust in herself and pave the way for a brighter future?

Genres: Romance, Fiction

416 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 16, 2019

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

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in London, 1875. Nettie Carroll and her father Robert, are on the run from the police. Robert is an artist and he was duped into making copies of famous paintings by a man known as Duke. But Duke sold the paintings on as originals. This is where the adventure begins. We are taken to France, a trip on a barge and we even meet a Contessa. Nettie and her father struggle to earn a living. Robert draws people he meets in the street to try and earn them some money. There are some marvellous characters in this book. Dilly Court is a fabulous author. Her books are easy to read. I have read and loved all of her books.

I would like to thank NetGalley, HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction and the author Dilly Court for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would give this book a 3.5 rating.nettie and her father go to France on the run,her father is an artist who makes copies of paintings and get themselves into trouble.they meet many characters The contessa in a castle.wasnt my favourite read from Dilly but enjoy her books,This is a long read I am forward to reading more of her books.like reading the Victorian era.

[Steph · Rating 2 out of 5]

There’s not been a Dilly Court book I have disliked, until now...there is always a strong female character & yes there was one here in the form of Nettie, but there was really far too many other characters with their own dramas taking over the whole book that Nettie never actually had her own role, she was just there floating about.
The book had no actual story other than the same group of people going back & forth & back & forth from one place to the next, going over the same dramas repeatedly.
As for Netties love interest & how it ended, seriously!!! There was barely any connection between them other than friendship, it was very disappointing.

[StinaStaffymum · Rating 2 out of 5]

★★ 2.5 stars

There hasn't been a Dilly Court book that hasn't enthralled me from beginning to end...until now. In fact, I sadly couldn't wait for the whole drama to end, sadly. It's not that I didn't like it, but I didn't love it. And Dilly is capable of such wonderful Victorian sagas but I can't say that this was one of them. She always pens a strong female lead and we had that in Nettie but she was forever overshadowed by all the silly characters around her and their collective dramas to really shine. Even her romance came in at the last moment in the final leg that it seemed out of kilter with the rest of the story.

Beginning in London in 1875, Nettie Carroll is more like the parent to her feckless artist father Robert who is easily lead and even easier duped. It appears he has been conned into producing copies of the artistic greats by a less than reliable art dealer, Marmaduke Dexter, who palms them off as originals, whilst Robert is given a measly sum for his trouble which he spends lavishly giving no thought to rent or food or coal - things they actually need. Nettie tries her best to have him tow the financial line but it is a battle she often loses.

One day she returns home afternoon to find her father packing hurriedly and instructing her to gather her things but to pack lightly. When she questions him he tells her than the police are seeking both him and Duke Dexter for the forgeries that he supplied Dexter with in good faith. Really? Is he that naive?

And so they go on the run, along with Byron who lived in the same boarding house, and use the last of their funds for a train fare to Dover and a passage to Calais. There they try to make their own way but before long find themselves reliant on the nefarious Dexter once again. However, their travels take them through France to Paris, along the Seine on a river barge before fleeing once again, this time to Spain. Why Spain? Because Byron had a purpose that would take him there and so naturally the others followed. They garner yet more dependents along the way before they must once again flee back to Paris and onto England once again. In the end they pretty much ended up where they started and in the same boat yet again! Did they not learn from the first time round? However, this time they had in tow a spoilt young woman and a Contessa who both believed work of any form was below them and left anything more arduous than taking tea and enjoying comfort of any kind to others. Basically, Nettie was left to wait on everyone and do everything because Constance and Lisette found anything like that beneath them and Robert wastes any money that came into his hands.

Aside from everyone else's flair for dramatics, Nettie has a secret of her own. She aspires to be published author but after having her first novella rejected she began work on yet another which she took with her from pillar to post from London to France to Spain and back again. If she could only get her work published then she would be able to take care of herself and her father. However, she has little time for her dream when everyone else has dramas of their own playing out before her that she must often play referee to. And so her secret dream takes a backseat.

The tale is honestly just a tad too drawn out with Nettie and her growing entourage going back and forth, back and forth from London to France and Spain then back again...only to return to France again...and again! One could get whiplash for all the to-ing and fro-ing they did, particularly as travel to the continent and back wasn't undertaken by people of their class nor to such an extent.

And then there are the cast of characters which includes an artist with no business sense, a young man who speaks fluent French despite having seen his French mother since he was about 4, a spoilt young French woman, a Spanish contessa who isn't actually a contessa, her son who went to Cambridge but never worked a day in his life, an heir to a brewery in Kent with questionable intentions towards our heroine, a bargee who likes to greet the morning in all his glory, not to mention our nefarious art dealer who is as slippery as an eel, various other questionable characters and of course our heroine Nettie who can cook soup but not stew...

Dilly's books are known for their length and usually this is never a problem as once you begin, you're soon immersed within the Victorian era living alongside our heroines and their cohorts. But not so with NETTIE'S SECRET. I found it drawn out and I just wanted it to be over because no one was going anywhere, except back and forth constantly and all to no real avail. And then there is Nettie's romance which pretty much came out of nowhere...and then the story ended.

I had high hopes for NETTIE'S SECRET as I have so enjoyed Dilly's books in the past but this one was disappointing. None of the characters were particularly endearing except Byron. In fact I found Constance to be a spoiled child, Lisette equally spoiled if not entitled, Robert was selfish and thoughtless thinking of no one but himself half the time and Dexter was meant to be disliked as that is how his character was written. Everyone else was somewhat bearable with the except of Rufus Norwood's horrible mother.

Unfortunately, NETTIE'S SECRET was a disappointing read when I know Dilly can offer so much better. I do look forward to other reads from her which I know will be of her usual outstanding quality. Sadly, this was not one of them.

I would like to thank #DillyCourt, #Netgalley, #HarperCollinsUK for an ARC of #NettiesSecret in exchange for an honest review.

This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.

[Lucy-Bookworm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book takes us from 1870s London across the continent to France, Spain & home again via the hop fields of Kent.
It’s not a bad story but it isn’t believable, in fact it is almost farcical to think that an ever increasing group of people could travel so widely with no money & whilst constantly staying one step ahead of those looking for them! As the story progresses, the group expands from 2 to 7 and includes an artist with no business sense, a young man who speaks fluent French despite not having seen his French mother since he was 4, a spoilt young French woman, a Spanish Contesa who isn’t actually a Contesa and of course our heroine Nettie who knows how to cook soup but not stew ....

I can’t say that I enjoyed this book, though it’s storyline would make a great CarryOn film! I found it unbelievable with characters that were mostly one dimensional & in settings that seemed to jump around between “Victorian London” and the 1920s utilising many stereotypes instead of solid research/fact
Overall it was quite a quick read but not one i’ll be recommending - other Books by this author are far better

Disclosure: I received this book free via NetGalley, but all opinions are my own

[Kathy E · Rating 4 out of 5]

I usually love Dilly Court's book, but this one I found very different from her usual stories and could not get into it very quickly. It just didn't hold my interest at all.

[Alex (Gadget Girl 71) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an enjoyable book to read. I couldn’t put it down. If you like Historical Fiction and Women’s Fiction then this is a book for you. It’s got everything you need in a book. It’s got a great plot, that takes you on a journey from London and though Europe, with lots of twists and turns filled with lots of intrigue along the way.

The year is 1875 and Nettie Carroll lives in Covent Garden, a district in London England, with her father Robert Carroll in a rented attic studio. Her father used to be quite a popular artist to the rich and famous, until his style of painting portraits lost popularity.

So now he spends his time making copies of other peoples works. This work doesn’t bring in the same amount to what he used to make. It doesn’t cover the cost of food and rent and if he does have any money he usually spends it before Nettie manages to pay the bills. Some nights she’d go to bed hungry.

Luckily for Nettie she has some good friends who live on the 2nd floor, Byron Horton who is a clerk in a law firm, Philip Ransom who also works at the same firm and Ted Jones (aka Tender Heart as women are always breaking his heart) and he works for the Midland Railway Company. They sometimes invite Nettie down to share their supper and on other occasions they take her with them when they go out for a meal and treat her.

Nettie aspires to being a published author but to make a little extra money, she mends clothes for the people who can afford to let others mend them. When she gets paid for this she try’s to save a little of the money. She also try’s to make sure that Ma Burton their landlady is paid. As the last thing you want is to be owing Ma Burton as her 2 son’s don’t mind bashing people up for unpaid debts.

Nettie takes her fathers finished painting to an art gallery owned by Marmaduke Dexter, known as Duke to most people. He says that he is selling her fathers paintings a copies, but Nettie thinks that her fathers work is so good Duke is actually selling them as originals. Making himself lots of money and only paying her father a pittance. Nettie always disagrees with Duke about the amount he pays her father, as she believes he should be paid more, but Duke doesn’t agree as he says he’s the one taking all of the risks.

One afternoon as Nettie reaches the art gallery she notices a man acting strangely and it’s obvious that he’s watching the gallery and making notes of who is going in and out. She mentions this to Duke. It turns out that this man is called Samson Wegg and he’s a PI who the police have hired to look into the goings on at the art gallery.

Just before Nettie leaves Duke tell’s her that it would be best if she and her father left London for a while and the sooner the better. In case the police decide to arrest her father. Nettie demands extra money off Duke so that they can leave London.

Nettie and her father quickly pack up their essentials so they can flee London, but Nettie can’t just leave without saying good bye to her friends on the 2nd floor. When Byron hears about this he insists on accompanying them, so he can protect Nettie and help her with her father.

So the 3 of them set of for Paris in the hope of meeting up with Duke. As Duke has another art gallery in Paris and they know that he’ll have connections there so her father can make some money.

Things go from bad to worse and they end up having to flee Paris, because Samson Wegg has found them and he’s ready to summon the police. During their time in Paris Byron has been making enquiries down at the river. Trying to find any trace of his mother and her side of the family. His mothers family are known to have been water gypsies who made a living by sailing up and down the river. As luck would have it Byron found the only person on the river to have known his mothers family and he says he can take them further up stream to the little village where his uncle still lives.

It takes them a few days to reach Byron’s uncles village, but they all have a great time meeting the locals every time they dock for the night. The locals at every dock seem to know their hosts and every night turns out to be a party with singing, drinking and dancing. When they have finally reached their destination Nettie and her father let Byron go and find his uncle on his own, while they find a nice cafe and before Nettie knows it her father is the life and soul of the cafe. He’s drawing funny caricatures of the locals in exchange for wine and food for them all.

Before long Samson Wegg catches up with them again, so they find themselves on the run again. With not much money between them and with Nettie and her father having nowhere else to go they decide it’ll be best to go with Byron. He has been told roughly where he might find his mother. It’s another long arduous journey through some of toughest terrains through Europe, but every day is like a new adventure not knowing where they’ll end up.

They eventually find Byron’s mother, she is living in an old castle on a hill and everyone refers to her as the Countess. The castle is very grand in a bit of a dilapidated way on the outside, but inside it’s far brighter and very homely.

They all stay with Byron’s mother for a while and Byron finds out things that his father never told him, as it turns out that there were many secrets. One big secret is that his mother is as broke as they are. When the Count died he didn’t leave her anything, apart from her clothes and the jewellery he gave her.

While they are staying with Byron’s mother who should turn up on the door step? Non other than Duke and his young wife. They also end up staying at the castle, but they have no idea about the Countess being broke and Duke is trying to sell her artwork that she can’t afford.

Within a short time after Duke and his wife arrived Samson Wegg has caught up with them yet again. He threatens them all from outside of the castle and they all know that time is running out for them. So they decide the best plan of action is to go back to London and try and clear Nettie’s fathers name.

Once they land back on British soil and due to the lack of money they find that they have to get jobs and work to make enough money to travel the last leg of their journey to London. Then to hopefully get everything sorted out once and for all.

As I said at the beginning this is a really good book it’s full of adventure and intrigue . Taking you from London to the continent during 1875, when not many people travelled that far. If you love historical fiction I’m sure you’ll just love this book and fall in love with the huge array of characters.

[AnnMarie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nettie's Secret is a standalone book by Dilly Court.

My sister is a huge fan of this author so when I saw a book available on NetGalley by the author I had to request it. I wanted to see what my sister enjoyed so much. After reading this book I believe she and I will have to agree to differ in our taste in books. Proof in the pudding is that it took me 6 days to read the book when normally when I enjoy a book it can be read in one or two days tops. That said, I have read some of the reviews of this book and it has been said by fans of the author that this book was a one-off disappointment. With that in mind, I will give Dilly Court another chance if another book is offered at a later date.

For now, though, I am sorry to say that I didn't enjoy this book much at all. Nettie has a lovely character but she is too soft by far when it comes to her father. He surely can't be as dim as we are made to believe...I won't give spoilers but let's just say he is quite disappointing. The one part I did enjoy about the story is that whilst on the run Robert and Nettie spend time on a barge with a delightful character who I could read a whole book about. All those scenes along the river were a joy to read, especially one early morning scene where Nettie gets quite a surprise. I shall say no more.

The premise of the book was promising, artist and his daughter on the run for a crime unwittingly committed and their adventures whilst on the run. But it just wasn't believable. The ending especially was crazy, both with the romance aspect and what happens with Nettie's dad, or more to the point how it happens.

I am sorry that I found this book so disappointing, I really had high hopes for it.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have read other books from this author and really enjoyed them so had high hopes for this one but sadly like other reviewers I found this one so silly. I found the story unbelievable a lot of the time. How this ever increasing group of random people could travel with no money from one country to another so many times is beyond me. The characters all had their little troubles and Nettie had no real story line of her own. I found her Dad annoying and her love story a bit silly quite frankly. Not a good book this time sadly

[Glynis Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book from start to finish

[Jane Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Dilly Court romantic saga I’ve read, and I enjoyed it.

Set in Victorian England and Europe, it follows the adventures of Nettie and her father, as they flee from the law, in the wake of an art forgery scandal. The plot is gently paced with hardships, romance and mystery, all intertwined to create, an easy to read historical adventure. The historical setting is well- researched and enriches the plot with different lifestyles and cultures and iconic cities and countryside.

The characters are authentically written. Netties’ father is a particularly irritating man. Netties is courageous, intuitive and loyal. You want her to find a happy life, after the constant stress of looking after her father.

This is quite a lengthy read, but it is easy to pick up the story again if life interferes with your reading time.

I received a copy of this book from Harper Collins UK - Harper Fiction via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

[Roz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by Dilly Court. It took me a while to get into the book and whilst I quite enjoyed it I did think the plot was rather weak in places and the ending was quite predictable.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun! I stayed up until 2 am reading.

This book might have been a bit far-fetched but it was a fun read! There was a countess, castles, paint forgeries, long-lost families, friendship, romance, a marriage of convenience and water gypsies.

The action went from England to Paris to Spain.

Nettie was a strong and determined character. The rest of the characters, with the exception of Byron and Biddy, were extremely selfish and self-absorbed.

I'm looking forward to reading another book by Dilly Court! Thank you, merci, gracais-Ms. Court!

[Sophie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's quite bad, but at least it's not boring.

[Brenda Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic story from this author,looking forward to her next book in this series.

[Susan Page · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable, if unbelievable story. There is a large element of farce in the way a group of people run away from London to Paris, then on to other places in France, then Spain, then back to England; with practically no money between them. Nettie is a young woman who tries very hard to look after her father, a painter. He will not let her work at a proper job because the next painting is going to make his fortune. Sadly he is a bit of a wastrel, when he has money it trickles through his fingers fast. Nettie does have a secret, that might actually make her a reasonable fortune, but her father’s brush with the law means they have to run away as fast as they can. No matter where they go the trouble keeps up with them, even when it looks as though they can relax the next crisis occurs. They meet other people on their way who join them in their travels, so two become seven in no time!

An amusing read for a lazy day.

[Aileen (Ailz) Grist · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice, lightweight romance that travels around England, France and Spain. An artist in the clutches of an unscrupulous businessman is copying works of art, supposedly being sold to the middle class as copies, but in actually being passed as originals. He, his daughter and a friend escape and manage to remain one step ahead of the police. All the while Nettie is writing her secret.

I enjoyed this book.

[Karen Kingston · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this novel set in Victorian England, France and Spain. Nettie is a determined young lady who has to deal with a wide range of problems, inconsiderate acquaintances and lots of travelling.

I haven't read any other books by Dilly Court but I will now look at reading more of her novels.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins for a digital review copy in exchange for a honest review.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another lovely story that you loose yourself in by Dilly Court.
Nettie lives in London with her Father, an artist, they only just make ends meet, sometimes going hungry. Duke Dexter is a con man who uses Robert, Nettie's father to reproduce coppies of paintings that he then sells as originals. When Duke and so also Robert find they are in trouble they flee to France as wanted men. This book as it all, a good plot, mystery, danger, twists and turns and of course a little romance too.

[Annemarie Farthing · Rating 5 out of 5]

It amazes me that the characters could just up and move with ne'er a penny in their pockets.
Loved Ernest Burton and my favourite quote is
'I refuse to share a compartment with peasants stinking of garlic and tobacco smoke and that person is taking a pig into third class. Either that or she has a very ugly child.'

[Jenny Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1875 and Nettie and her father, Robert, are living hand to mouth in attic rooms in London. Robert is an artist and has no idea how to look after himself, leave along how to provide for a family. Nettie does her best by taking in sewing work when she can but things take a turn for the worse when Robert inadvertently becomes involved in some dodgy dealing and their only hope is to flee the country. Trouble follows them to Paris and beyond but Nettie may have a way to save them.

Dilly Court has done it again. She is a great storyteller and this book is no exception. There is nothing deep and meaningful about her books – they are just easy holiday reads and I always find them both riveting and enjoyable. In this particular novel there is an eclectic range of characters, many with eccentricities which make them very interesting and quirky. These are largely people that Nettie and Robert “collect” on their travels as well as some that they just encounter on their journey.

My only criticism (and it is a very mild one) is that Dilly’s books all tend to follow the same formula, with a very similar pattern of events. I am not seriously suggesting that she changes this as it is a very successful formula which the author has perfected, but it can make the outcome a little predictable for seasoned readers. I have reduced my rating from 5 stars to 4 stars as a result.

I have read a number of Dilly Court books before and have never been disappointed. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good story which does not challenge intellectually, but just lets you escape for a while. I will certainly be looking out for her next one.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t usually read period drama but liked the look of this one, and I was not disappointed, I read it in one afternoon! Nettie and her father la poor life, he was an artist who did work for a gallery, not thinking or asking too many questions about what he was producing !! When things went wrong Nettie and her father fled the Country, but not before Bryon, her friend, caught up with them and told her he was going with them! He had his reasons for going so it was an easy decision for him to make. Nettie is an amazing young woman who knew what she wanted and went after it. Bryon, knew he wanted to be with Nettie but she needed to see it too! Can time apart make her realise her love for him and will he take her back!

[Lisa Trup · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Dilly Court book that I've read, but it won't be the last!

The story starts off in London's Covent Garden, with an impoverished painter and his daughter. Our heroine Nettie secretly writes manuscripts that she hopes one day will get published. Her father Robert is not good with money and has been conned into producing forgeries.

The con- man Dexter takes flight for Paris and so do all the other characters. The tale takes us on to Italy. I thought the story was going to be predictable, but actually it wasn't and the book was filled with many twists and turns.

I wasn't completely enthralled with the book until about 60% through the book, but then I couldn't put it down.

A thoroughly enjoyable and ultimately addictive book.

[Michelle ♥ The Romance Vault ♥ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I struggled a little with Nettie's Secret. Whilst there was a very engagable bunch of characters the story didn't really grab me. The historical setting did grab me though, I love reading Victorian setting books. I think Nettie's dad had been a little self centered and needed to be less annoying and the trouble he created through sheer self indulgence and Nettie let him off the hook far too many times!

I think all the characters with their own problems overshadowed Nettie a bit. I do think this would make a great movie/mini series for TV which I hope will happen some day.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love Dilly Courts books and have enjoyed and read most of them. But this one i couldn't get into, i found my mind wandering whilst reading it. It just didn't hold my interest at all. and some of it seemed unbelievable. It isn't like her other books and i was sorely disappointed, i can't understand where she was coming from with this one and am sad to say i read half of it got bored and gave up. I really hope she goes back to the stories we all love.

[lorraine peachey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love wins

I really enjoyed this book, but it took me a little while to get into it, hence four stars.
A lot of lovely characters, who you really get to know. Lives that are very poor and some that have it all. Lots of twists and plots in the story, that surprises you many times. Love, loyalty, control, threat, and travel to and from Europe. A husband who loses it all, a bardgeman who gains much, a lady or a water gypsy, money or love are all woven into this book.

[Neil · Rating 1 out of 5]

I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.

This was one of the worst reads for this year.
The story line was very disjointed with the main character appearing as a bit part floating through the story.
Very disappointing.

[Carol Mageean · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was very kindly granted by Net Galley. I found it rather boring to be honest the tale of Nettie and her father - it did not hold my interest and I found it a bit of a chore to read. Disappointed.

[tracey saltmarsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Netties secret by Dilly Court

What a wonderful and page turning book. I couldn't stop reading this wonderful storyline. It had twists and turn that held you captivated. Yet again another fantastic book written by my favourite author.

[Shirley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read about 60 pages but it wasn't doing anything for me. I thought the narrative was shallow and the characters one dimensional.