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The Rockwood Chronicles #3
Runaway Widow
Don’t miss the third book in the heartwarming six-part series from the No.1 Sunday Times bestselling author Dilly Court!
When Patricia’s husband dies suddenly, she is left with nothing. At twenty-four she finds herself a penniless widow with nowhere to turn. Determined not to rely on her family’s generosity or to return to her childhood home, Rockwood Castle, Patricia decides to strike out on her own.
Inspired by her mother’s career as an opera singer, Patricia secures a minor part in a theatre show in London. But her wages are low, and she finds herself far from the luxurious life she once led. To support herself, she starts singing in a local public house and on the streets. There she learns about London’s poor, and tries her best to help them.
But a dangerous figure from her family’s past is lurking in the shadows, and before long she finds herself fleeing London.
Without her family around her, will Patricia lose her way?
Book Three of The Rockwood Chronicles
When Patricia’s husband dies suddenly, she is left with nothing. At twenty-four she finds herself a penniless widow with nowhere to turn. Determined not to rely on her family’s generosity or to return to her childhood home, Rockwood Castle, Patricia decides to strike out on her own.
Inspired by her mother’s career as an opera singer, Patricia secures a minor part in a theatre show in London. But her wages are low, and she finds herself far from the luxurious life she once led. To support herself, she starts singing in a local public house and on the streets. There she learns about London’s poor, and tries her best to help them.
But a dangerous figure from her family’s past is lurking in the shadows, and before long she finds herself fleeing London.
Without her family around her, will Patricia lose her way?
Book Three of The Rockwood Chronicles
512 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 17, 2022
242 people are currently reading
223 people want to read
About the author
Dilly Court
87 books425 followersDilly 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 14, 2022
Just had this on audio, easier to get through before book 4 comes out next week,
December 28, 2023
Dilly Court reunites us once again with the Careys and Blanchards of Rockwood Castle on the windswept Devonshire moors. However, this time the focus is on the youngest Carey child, who married towards the end of the previous book to a man old enough to be her father.
Patricia Carey is now Lady Greystone and married to one of the most prominent members of society. After marrying her childhood friends' father Sir Michael Greystone after setting her cap at him to secure her wealth and position, Patricia and Sir Michael relocated to London to be closer to the House of Commons in his position as a member of parliament. Their London house is as salubrious and illustrious as Patricia could want. Sir Michael gives her a generous dress allowance at her disposal and their lives are made up of a continual round of parties, soirees and dinners for which Patricia was born.
On the eve of yet another party which had to be cancelled due to the thick peasouper fog, Sir Michael returns home with the news that he has to go abroad for secret diplomatic business to which she is not privy. Patricia is at something of a loss and decides to resurrect her career on the stage. However, first she must undertake singing lessons with one Signora Valentina Galfondi to bring her up to speed for the role ahead of her. She takes herself back to Greystone Park where she endeavours to strengthen her voice under Valentina's guiding hand.
And then a messenger arrives with an official document. Sir Michael has been involved in a fatal train accident in France. But Patricia refuses to believe it, as does Sir Michael's youngest daughter still in residence, Sylvia. Upon her return to London, Patricia discovers that not all is as it seems. Sir Michael had neglected to update his will therefore leaving everything - Greystone Park and his debts - to his daughters Christina and Sylvia. Patricia is left with nothing. Barely even the clothes on her back.
And so she returns to Rockwood with her tail between her legs. But not for long. She hatches a ridiculous plan in which young Nancy decides to play a part and the pair hightail it back to London for the bright lights, fame and fortune. Unfortunately, brains were never part of Patricia's attributes and so her decision making was dubious to say the least. The speed with which she changed her mind was dizzying, each time declaring she means what she says. Only for her to change her mind just as swiftly again.
Her choices were stupidly naive and ridiculous, seeing her off to France and Italy in search of her mother in the hope that she will share her insights and wisdom. Seriously? Has she learnt nothing in the past two decades? Felicia de Mauney, nee Carey, thinks of no one but herself. And Patricia is so very like her fickle mother and just as flighty. So I was not surprised that she came unstuck on foreign shores...for she has no one to blame but herself. But her bad choices didn't end there. She returned to Greystone Park with the promise of contesting the will and taking up her rightful place as Lady Greystone...yet what became of that? She scarpered at the first threat and nothing came of it. So why introduce that plotline if it was not going to be followed through. All it did was confirm that Patricia was a fickle flighty piece who cannot make up her mind. Her to-ing and fro-ing was enough to make one's head spin and I was dizzy trying to keep up with her constant changes of mind.
I love Dilly's books and I love this series but I do not like Patricia. I didn't like her last book and I didn't much warm to her in this one. In fact, it only served to remind me how entitled she really believed she was. And her back and forth mind changes made me dizzy. I wasn't fond of the France side of the story and preferred it firmly back in Rockwood.
While I love this series and am thoroughly enjoying it, I didn't enjoy this one quite so much and wish I could give it 5 stars but Patricia Greystone isn't worth that rating. Besides which, the story wasn't as enjoyable as other tales by the author and those in this series. But I do look forward to the next one "Sunday's Child" when Nancy takes centre stage...
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
Patricia Carey is now Lady Greystone and married to one of the most prominent members of society. After marrying her childhood friends' father Sir Michael Greystone after setting her cap at him to secure her wealth and position, Patricia and Sir Michael relocated to London to be closer to the House of Commons in his position as a member of parliament. Their London house is as salubrious and illustrious as Patricia could want. Sir Michael gives her a generous dress allowance at her disposal and their lives are made up of a continual round of parties, soirees and dinners for which Patricia was born.
On the eve of yet another party which had to be cancelled due to the thick peasouper fog, Sir Michael returns home with the news that he has to go abroad for secret diplomatic business to which she is not privy. Patricia is at something of a loss and decides to resurrect her career on the stage. However, first she must undertake singing lessons with one Signora Valentina Galfondi to bring her up to speed for the role ahead of her. She takes herself back to Greystone Park where she endeavours to strengthen her voice under Valentina's guiding hand.
And then a messenger arrives with an official document. Sir Michael has been involved in a fatal train accident in France. But Patricia refuses to believe it, as does Sir Michael's youngest daughter still in residence, Sylvia. Upon her return to London, Patricia discovers that not all is as it seems. Sir Michael had neglected to update his will therefore leaving everything - Greystone Park and his debts - to his daughters Christina and Sylvia. Patricia is left with nothing. Barely even the clothes on her back.
And so she returns to Rockwood with her tail between her legs. But not for long. She hatches a ridiculous plan in which young Nancy decides to play a part and the pair hightail it back to London for the bright lights, fame and fortune. Unfortunately, brains were never part of Patricia's attributes and so her decision making was dubious to say the least. The speed with which she changed her mind was dizzying, each time declaring she means what she says. Only for her to change her mind just as swiftly again.
Her choices were stupidly naive and ridiculous, seeing her off to France and Italy in search of her mother in the hope that she will share her insights and wisdom. Seriously? Has she learnt nothing in the past two decades? Felicia de Mauney, nee Carey, thinks of no one but herself. And Patricia is so very like her fickle mother and just as flighty. So I was not surprised that she came unstuck on foreign shores...for she has no one to blame but herself. But her bad choices didn't end there. She returned to Greystone Park with the promise of contesting the will and taking up her rightful place as Lady Greystone...yet what became of that? She scarpered at the first threat and nothing came of it. So why introduce that plotline if it was not going to be followed through. All it did was confirm that Patricia was a fickle flighty piece who cannot make up her mind. Her to-ing and fro-ing was enough to make one's head spin and I was dizzy trying to keep up with her constant changes of mind.
I love Dilly's books and I love this series but I do not like Patricia. I didn't like her last book and I didn't much warm to her in this one. In fact, it only served to remind me how entitled she really believed she was. And her back and forth mind changes made me dizzy. I wasn't fond of the France side of the story and preferred it firmly back in Rockwood.
While I love this series and am thoroughly enjoying it, I didn't enjoy this one quite so much and wish I could give it 5 stars but Patricia Greystone isn't worth that rating. Besides which, the story wasn't as enjoyable as other tales by the author and those in this series. But I do look forward to the next one "Sunday's Child" when Nancy takes centre stage...
This review appears on my blog at https://stinathebookaholic.blogspot.com/.
December 15, 2024
Key take-aways
- Everybody has different personalities and temperaments. Dilly Court has portrayed Patricia's temperament really well: she acts before she thinks, strong-minded, is perseverant, stubborn and selfish at times.
- Sometimes people choose to take the difficult route because they're on a quest to find their purpose in life. Patricia left her family comforts because she wanted to prove her worth in the world. She didn't want to be defined by her past and took it upon herself to find the means to her happiness. One could also call this foolishness as Patricia ignored all sound advice but she would never have changed and become a better person otherwise.
- Healthy love starts with being true to yourself. If you can give yourself what you need, then you can give someone else what they need. Leo promised himself he wouldn't "work for others". He wasn't going to manage Patricia's brother's business just so he could move to the countryside to be with Patricia. He was being true to himself because he knew what he needed for the success and contentment of his own life.
- True love means to nourish the other. One may give up the chance to be with the person they love if they know it would cause the person more harm than good. Leo knew that Patricia wouldn't be happy to live "a hand-to-mouth existence in London" having been brought up as a Lady with servants and maids waiting upon her, for most of her life. However, Leo advised Patricia well when she was at a disadvantage in her life when he could have easily persuaded her to stay with him and she would have. Leo also did everything in his power to save Patricia from all harm as well as those she loved.
- Everybody has different personalities and temperaments. Dilly Court has portrayed Patricia's temperament really well: she acts before she thinks, strong-minded, is perseverant, stubborn and selfish at times.
- Sometimes people choose to take the difficult route because they're on a quest to find their purpose in life. Patricia left her family comforts because she wanted to prove her worth in the world. She didn't want to be defined by her past and took it upon herself to find the means to her happiness. One could also call this foolishness as Patricia ignored all sound advice but she would never have changed and become a better person otherwise.
- Healthy love starts with being true to yourself. If you can give yourself what you need, then you can give someone else what they need. Leo promised himself he wouldn't "work for others". He wasn't going to manage Patricia's brother's business just so he could move to the countryside to be with Patricia. He was being true to himself because he knew what he needed for the success and contentment of his own life.
- True love means to nourish the other. One may give up the chance to be with the person they love if they know it would cause the person more harm than good. Leo knew that Patricia wouldn't be happy to live "a hand-to-mouth existence in London" having been brought up as a Lady with servants and maids waiting upon her, for most of her life. However, Leo advised Patricia well when she was at a disadvantage in her life when he could have easily persuaded her to stay with him and she would have. Leo also did everything in his power to save Patricia from all harm as well as those she loved.
April 14, 2022
Another brilliant story
I really enjoyed this story the women of Rockwood have a lot of feistyness about them they never seem to worry to seriously about any problems, they handle these together as a family and always come up with a solution,they are in their own way different but come together as one to solve problems.Ewart finally got his cumupence let's hope he's never seen again,Leo was lovely and quite the hero I'm glad Patricia wed him can't wait for the next book I'm going to order it today.Well done Dilly again.
I really enjoyed this story the women of Rockwood have a lot of feistyness about them they never seem to worry to seriously about any problems, they handle these together as a family and always come up with a solution,they are in their own way different but come together as one to solve problems.Ewart finally got his cumupence let's hope he's never seen again,Leo was lovely and quite the hero I'm glad Patricia wed him can't wait for the next book I'm going to order it today.Well done Dilly again.
December 1, 2023
Audiobook.
Lady Patricia Greystone is left unprovided for when Lord Greystone dies unexpectedly - he didn’t change his will following their marriage 4 years previously, leaving her a poor widow at 24 years of age.
What should she do? Should she return to Rockwood Castle or find her own way. We follow her adventures.
Really enjoyed the story, a little far fetched at times but a great tale all the same.
Highly recommended.
Lady Patricia Greystone is left unprovided for when Lord Greystone dies unexpectedly - he didn’t change his will following their marriage 4 years previously, leaving her a poor widow at 24 years of age.
What should she do? Should she return to Rockwood Castle or find her own way. We follow her adventures.
Really enjoyed the story, a little far fetched at times but a great tale all the same.
Highly recommended.
April 17, 2022
Wasn't sure if I would enjoy this one as much as I really disliked Patricia Carey in the previous two books in this series. However, she eventually grew on me, when she began to lose her airs and graces and was more respectful to people, she was a lot more likeable.
It didn't have the excitement of the previous books, though it gradually picked up the pace and I did enjoy it.
It didn't have the excitement of the previous books, though it gradually picked up the pace and I did enjoy it.
May 18, 2022
I love Dilly Court books and this is the third in the current series.
After prematurely losing her husband Patricia wants to support herself. She sings in London but that is beset with issues for a lady of her standing.
A lovely book full of dreams, family relationahips, friedships and romance. I can't wait to read the next one
After prematurely losing her husband Patricia wants to support herself. She sings in London but that is beset with issues for a lady of her standing.
A lovely book full of dreams, family relationahips, friedships and romance. I can't wait to read the next one
November 6, 2023
As much as I love Dilly Court, this was a little bit of a struggle. I found the main character, Patsy, to be really annoying and all the back-and-forth she did drove me insane. Beautifully written, I wish I could give it 5 stars but the plot for me just didn’t feel as enjoyable as other Dilly Court books, but that is possibly due to personal preference.
August 28, 2025
A long interesting story typical of Dilly Court's work. I enjoyed it but thought it a little bit amazing and unbelievable that someone who is confined to a wheelchair suddenly gets up and walk. However, I liked the gutsy Patricia whose life suddenly turned upside down on the death of her husband. A decent read.
February 23, 2022
Another wonderful story by Dilly Court. This one continues the saga at Rockwood Castle. There is always so much goodwill around these stories ang an entertaining cast of characters. Another success for Dilly Court?
May 1, 2022
As good as always
Slightly different story line but equally as good. Really enjoyed it as with every book of Dilly Courts I have read and so far that is almost all of them. GREAT read
Slightly different story line but equally as good. Really enjoyed it as with every book of Dilly Courts I have read and so far that is almost all of them. GREAT read
May 10, 2022
Book 4 in the Rockwood Chronicles was very good. Dilly Court knows how to write a good story. This one follows Patricia and what happens to her after the sudden death of her husband. From the streets of London to France then back to Devon this story takes her on an adventure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 9, 2023
I enjoyed it and has a main character from GRT community where this aspect is not the main focus. 2 stars because it was a let down by stereotype fortune tellers early on in the book otherwise would be 4 stars.
January 26, 2024
Enjoyed the book and the life story of Patricia, with all the twists and turns she has . I so wanted her to be successful in her career and find love . Can't wait to see what happens in the next book
October 22, 2024
I'm loving this series. I didn't think I was going to enjoy this as much as the first two books as this story is about the youngest Carey sister, Patricia, who got on my nerves with her own self importance. However, her character really grew in this book and I've warmed to her a lot. On to book 4.
March 4, 2026
A wonderful and engaging historical saga with rich characters and plenty of drama. Dilly Court paints a vivid picture of life and family secrets around the Rockwood estate. I really enjoyed the story and found it hard to put down. A fantastic read for saga lovers. 📚✨
February 11, 2022
Excellent reading, as always.
February 21, 2022
Excellent book as always can’t wait for the next book to be released
March 21, 2022
Another good read cant wait for next one..
March 27, 2022
Brilliant read, if you like dilly court u will love this book. Only started reading 5-6 yrs ago and every day I read now, but all dilly. Thank you
March 31, 2022
Totally loved this book as I did the rest of the series, didn't think I was going to enjoy this as much but once I got into it thought it was fantastic.
April 3, 2022
Brilliant book.cant wait for book 4 to come out in June .
April 23, 2022
Really good read didn’t disappoint now waiting for next one to arrive x
September 7, 2022
A light hearted story which got better towards the end. Good to compare way of life of the rich and poor
March 20, 2023
Ready for the next book in this saga
March 23, 2023
Brilliant
August 23, 2023
It's a wonderful book. I love the history and characters. I am really enjoying Dilly Court books.
December 13, 2023
I enjoyed listening to this book, and look forward to listening to the next in the series. I’m getting hooked to this family saga.
May 27, 2024
Love always wins
November 19, 2025
This is my favourite out of the series so far. On one hand I wanted to keep reading, and on the other hand, I was frustrated by so much repetition and errors. Overall, good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews