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Dorothy Hood: A British family saga
Tom, a man on the verge of a nervous breakdown.
Fred is often confused and losing his memory.
Yorky, a heavy-drinking, aggressive womaniser.
Not forgetting Kevin, an unexpected, mysterious rookie.
These are the crew of the Scarborough fishing trawler, Dorothy Hood, as she prepares to set sail on her final fishing trip of 1973.
Owner and Skipper, Tom, is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. After a year of poor catches and expensive engine repair bills, he is deeply in debt. So much so, that he has had to remortgage his house.
Recently separated from his wife, Debbie, his sadness was magnified tenfold by the death of his beloved mother, Dorothy, four months previously. His main concern now is for his father, and fellow crewman, Fred. Fred`s memory lapses and episodes of confusion are now growing with increased regularity; just like the breakdowns of the Dorothy Hood`s ageing diesel engine.
Dorothy Hood isn`t just a story about four men on a sixty-foot trawler in the depths of a North Sea winter, battling against all the elements nature can throw at them. It's also a story about true friendship, jealousy, revenge and forgiveness. But more than that, it`s a story about the unbreakable bond between a father and his son.
Fred is often confused and losing his memory.
Yorky, a heavy-drinking, aggressive womaniser.
Not forgetting Kevin, an unexpected, mysterious rookie.
These are the crew of the Scarborough fishing trawler, Dorothy Hood, as she prepares to set sail on her final fishing trip of 1973.
Owner and Skipper, Tom, is carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. After a year of poor catches and expensive engine repair bills, he is deeply in debt. So much so, that he has had to remortgage his house.
Recently separated from his wife, Debbie, his sadness was magnified tenfold by the death of his beloved mother, Dorothy, four months previously. His main concern now is for his father, and fellow crewman, Fred. Fred`s memory lapses and episodes of confusion are now growing with increased regularity; just like the breakdowns of the Dorothy Hood`s ageing diesel engine.
Dorothy Hood isn`t just a story about four men on a sixty-foot trawler in the depths of a North Sea winter, battling against all the elements nature can throw at them. It's also a story about true friendship, jealousy, revenge and forgiveness. But more than that, it`s a story about the unbreakable bond between a father and his son.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 10, 2022
48 people are currently reading
28 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
May 30, 2022
Dorothy Hood (Book One in the Series) By Colin Scales Copyright © 2021 by Colin Scales
If you enjoy books by Herman Melville or if you enjoy books about fishing and trawling on the salty seas, you will like this novel. But it’s not just a sea saga.
The writer weaves the lives of the characters on the fishing trawler, called, aptly, The Dorothy Hood, into vivid colorful life. There is Tom, who owns the ship. There is Fred, Tom’s father, an old fisherman with an aging mind. There is Yorky Tom‘s good friend, rather outspoken, wild and unpredictable with a pension for beer and sarcasm. Finally there’s Kevin who is really us because he’s the newcomer. It’s through his eyes that we see the rest of the crew set out on an odyssey to find the best cod in the seas of Scarborough.
On the journey we are taken through many episodes common to most fishermen, but we also see the camaraderie formed by the dangerous sea. The author’s images are crystal and thoughtful. They are detailed and give us a clear characterization of each one of these seafarers. The author tells us the backgrounds of the characters and through their dialogue we learn to like them. The author’s style puts us right on board the ship with all its challenges with all its dangers, laced with teamwork. I highly recommend this book and I’m anxious to read the other two books the author published afterwards. Five stars--
If you enjoy books by Herman Melville or if you enjoy books about fishing and trawling on the salty seas, you will like this novel. But it’s not just a sea saga.
The writer weaves the lives of the characters on the fishing trawler, called, aptly, The Dorothy Hood, into vivid colorful life. There is Tom, who owns the ship. There is Fred, Tom’s father, an old fisherman with an aging mind. There is Yorky Tom‘s good friend, rather outspoken, wild and unpredictable with a pension for beer and sarcasm. Finally there’s Kevin who is really us because he’s the newcomer. It’s through his eyes that we see the rest of the crew set out on an odyssey to find the best cod in the seas of Scarborough.
On the journey we are taken through many episodes common to most fishermen, but we also see the camaraderie formed by the dangerous sea. The author’s images are crystal and thoughtful. They are detailed and give us a clear characterization of each one of these seafarers. The author tells us the backgrounds of the characters and through their dialogue we learn to like them. The author’s style puts us right on board the ship with all its challenges with all its dangers, laced with teamwork. I highly recommend this book and I’m anxious to read the other two books the author published afterwards. Five stars--
July 5, 2023
Great read.
I love harbours and fishing boats and this book was made great reading. I have a romanticised picture in my head even though I live surrounded by harbours and fishing but it is still a hard life counting every penny but I still have the bubble.
I love harbours and fishing boats and this book was made great reading. I have a romanticised picture in my head even though I live surrounded by harbours and fishing but it is still a hard life counting every penny but I still have the bubble.
February 1, 2023
Want your next job to surround you within crashing waves, numbing temperatures, and gusting winds?
Author of numerous plays, short stories, songs and novels, Colin Scales lets us partake on a wintery, rousing journey on the North Sea, in his latest novel, Dorothy Hood. Having all the ingredients for an engaging series, Book One finds the diverse crew on a Scarborough fishing trawler in 1973, as the men begin to reveal their personalities, relationships, dreams, and fears.
The way that a story is told makes all the difference. Colin Scales proves his writing style is skillful and praiseworthy as he demonstrates strong imagery and effective literary devices throughout the novel. The plot has the reader rocking and swaying in the salty air, with every movement on deck. Included are pinnacles of tension jeopardizing the lives of the crew, as Mother Nature has her own way,
The author displays a vivid richness in his tone, as a North Yorkshire accent generates an appealing cadence to the dialogue. Included throughout passages are vibrant images of gray, heavy skies, darting seagulls and daunting fog, as well as heavy odors of sweat, fish, and diesel fuel.
As Book One comes to a close, the reader sails onward with more compassion for all its realistic characters, and through presented dilemmas, is left with layers of curiosity, eager to dig into Book Two. Since, in all probability, you won’t select this job next winter, why not read Dorothy Hood and vicariously enjoy an effervescent ride!
Thanks is extended to the author, Colin Scales, for this Advance Review Copy.
Author of numerous plays, short stories, songs and novels, Colin Scales lets us partake on a wintery, rousing journey on the North Sea, in his latest novel, Dorothy Hood. Having all the ingredients for an engaging series, Book One finds the diverse crew on a Scarborough fishing trawler in 1973, as the men begin to reveal their personalities, relationships, dreams, and fears.
The way that a story is told makes all the difference. Colin Scales proves his writing style is skillful and praiseworthy as he demonstrates strong imagery and effective literary devices throughout the novel. The plot has the reader rocking and swaying in the salty air, with every movement on deck. Included are pinnacles of tension jeopardizing the lives of the crew, as Mother Nature has her own way,
The author displays a vivid richness in his tone, as a North Yorkshire accent generates an appealing cadence to the dialogue. Included throughout passages are vibrant images of gray, heavy skies, darting seagulls and daunting fog, as well as heavy odors of sweat, fish, and diesel fuel.
As Book One comes to a close, the reader sails onward with more compassion for all its realistic characters, and through presented dilemmas, is left with layers of curiosity, eager to dig into Book Two. Since, in all probability, you won’t select this job next winter, why not read Dorothy Hood and vicariously enjoy an effervescent ride!
Thanks is extended to the author, Colin Scales, for this Advance Review Copy.
May 15, 2023
This book was a refreshing read for me, as I love stories about the sea and the people who live on it.
The author did a great job of creating realistic and diverse characters and weaving a plot full of twists and turns.
I was hooked from the first page to the last, as I wanted to find out the truth behind the mystery.
This is not your typical murder mystery book, but something more original and captivating.
I got this book for free and I'm glad I did, because now I'm a fan of Colin Scales and his books.
I wanted to leave this honest review.
The author did a great job of creating realistic and diverse characters and weaving a plot full of twists and turns.
I was hooked from the first page to the last, as I wanted to find out the truth behind the mystery.
This is not your typical murder mystery book, but something more original and captivating.
I got this book for free and I'm glad I did, because now I'm a fan of Colin Scales and his books.
I wanted to leave this honest review.
December 6, 2022
Interesting story and interaction between characters. Full of information about large-scale fishing on turbulent waters.
February 28, 2023
Four English Fishermen in December 1973 come through trials and land a big catch - 4.5 stars
This is a story about fishermen and their boat, the Dorothy Hood. The Dorothy Hood is a trawler that needs a lot of work -- a new engine and major refurbishing. Her crew is pretty shaky too with relationship problems, money problems, and health being the top contenders.
Because Tom and his crew were from seafaring families, they are aware that the sea can and will provide formidable challenges. When the crew members pick on each other, tempers flare and punches are doled out. The personal problems seem even more problematic especially when the fish aren't biting; paychecks are dependent on the catch as no one gets paid until the expenses of fuel and ice are covered.
There were only four people on the boat. Captain Tom, his father Fred, Kevin who is new to the Dorothy Hood, and Yorky who brags a lot and swills beer. Fred's problem with his declining cognitive functions endanger his coworkers. They expect a three-day trip with little sleep. They get more adventure and less sleep than expected.
An example of the crew's idea of humor was to hide the captain's wet clothes forcing him to use cast-off clothes -- a woman's dress. The dress was enough to set off initial gales of laughter. When the weather got worse, the inappropriate clothing got in the way of working on the engine. The dress presented more opportunities for hijinx on their return to their dock.
This is a story about fishermen and their boat, the Dorothy Hood. The Dorothy Hood is a trawler that needs a lot of work -- a new engine and major refurbishing. Her crew is pretty shaky too with relationship problems, money problems, and health being the top contenders.
Because Tom and his crew were from seafaring families, they are aware that the sea can and will provide formidable challenges. When the crew members pick on each other, tempers flare and punches are doled out. The personal problems seem even more problematic especially when the fish aren't biting; paychecks are dependent on the catch as no one gets paid until the expenses of fuel and ice are covered.
There were only four people on the boat. Captain Tom, his father Fred, Kevin who is new to the Dorothy Hood, and Yorky who brags a lot and swills beer. Fred's problem with his declining cognitive functions endanger his coworkers. They expect a three-day trip with little sleep. They get more adventure and less sleep than expected.
An example of the crew's idea of humor was to hide the captain's wet clothes forcing him to use cast-off clothes -- a woman's dress. The dress was enough to set off initial gales of laughter. When the weather got worse, the inappropriate clothing got in the way of working on the engine. The dress presented more opportunities for hijinx on their return to their dock.
May 8, 2025
explanations
The explanations took away from what was otherwise a well written story. Perhaps they could all have been put in the back.
The explanations took away from what was otherwise a well written story. Perhaps they could all have been put in the back.
August 6, 2023
This was a most enjoyable book. The characters were well written, and believable. Although one part of the story, I successfully guessed the outcome, the end of the book could have gone in several directions for me. My only grumble is it’s left me wanting more. ;-)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews