The Cockney Angel

by Dilly Court

Eighteen-year-old Irene Angel lives with her parents in a tiny room above the shop where her crippled mother ekes out a living selling pickles and sauces, whilst her charming but feckless father Billy gambles away what little money they do manage to earn. And it is all Irene can do to keep the family together.

Billy's addiction soon leads him into trouble. Despite having been brought up by her father to fear and distrust the police, Irene finds herself forced to collaborate with them to save her father from ruin. But Billy's errant ways finally catch up with him and he is imprisoned in Newgate jail. With her mother away from home, a desperate Irene has little choice but to seek help from Inspector Edward Kent - her sworn enemy. For only she can clear her father's name and unite the family once more ...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Audiobook, Historical Romance

576 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

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

[Shirley Revill]

I really enjoyed reading this book by Dilly Court. Storytelling at it's best. Recommended.

[Eileen]

A typically endearing story of rags to riches, by Dilly but as always a delight to read.

[Molly Guy]

Loved, loved, loved, loved, loved.
I hope somewhere there was a girl in London who was exactly the same as this one.

[Tracey- Jo]

i quite enioyed this book. Irene was a great character .

[gill]

A page turner

Enjoyed this so much, I wanted the story to go on forever, it was all so real and of course, I loved the ending!

[Daniel Lee]

Irene Angel is a girl who is selling pickles and sauces in the streets of London. The general plot is: Dad gets in trouble, Irene gets Dad. Dad gets in trouble, but get money with gambling. Dad gets trouble BIG time, Irene STILL gets dad while loving a "copper" who put dad in jail and facing the mean Sykes gang.

I was almost resady to quit this, but for the sake of book reports, I continued. Somethings are weird about this book.
1. It's corny
2. There is no proper romance.
3. Its too long to bother finishing up.

The plot is basically the girl trying to save the father and there is too little detail in the important parts. The ironic thing is that it has somewhat too much pages. Or its probably because the letters are really big and its double spaced. Nevertheless, it has a lot of corny conversation. It's like as if the author didn't get out as much as he should.
"Miss Angel?"
"Yes, it's me, Constable. It's very shocking, isn't it?"
... What?, I mean, there are tons of other options more catchy than that.
Why not, " Yes, Constable, Miss Angel. Surprised?" Or something like that, I suppose.

Also, the romance part of this book is very weird and abrupt. About the end of the story, Irene Angel abruptly starts liking Edward Dent, who is the Inspector of the London Police. At first, she hates him for trying to stop her from being affiliated in the gang and later because her dad got incarcerated. In fact, she was hating him when she argued about the gaming house her brother was going to open. Then suddenly, she starts do develop a major crush. That is SO cheesy. I mean, the author can't just push all the romance at the end! I mean, what made her suddenly like his Edward character? He isn't Edward Cullen, he's Edward Kent! Besides, she also has this fear and hate for coppers developed by hear ever-gambling father. It's as if we skipped a timeline.

So don't read it, it's not worth the trouble.

[Andrea]

Brilliant love dilly court books loved this story Irene father is a gambler spends all his money and gets involved in the Sykes who are dangerous put this book as another favorite's love a good story read this book.

[Sarah]

cockney saga brill loved it couldnt put down

[♡Joan Vegas♡]

Here is a historical fiction book set in the 18th century in London
‎We meet our female main character, Irene Angel 👼🏽 an Eighteen years old girl trying to juggle the responsibility of her family by providing for them and looking out for her family. She puts others' B4 her needs. She is the last child of her parents Clara and Billy Angel, her elder siblings Jim and Emily Angel. Irene's mom Clara suffers from arthritis but she's of good spirits whilst her father is a drunkard and gambler who fell victim to Vic and Wally the skyes brother's, known for causing problems in the town.
‎Her big brother Jim ran away from home about 10 years ago when she was 8 years old, and her arrogant sister is married to Josiah, the best fabric maker in town.
‎
‎This book shows the challenges Irene had to face in order to bring peace to her family. The decisions she made were not easy.

[Christina Rochester]

The Cockney Angel focuses on Irene Angel, a young girl who is being forced to make her own way in the east end of London. With a brother away at sea, a sister who has married above their station, and her father locked up in jail for a crime he hasn't committed Irene is left bereft. Alone she must make sure that she stays afloat, and that she doesn't run afoul of the Sykes gang.

This was a quick and easy read, but what always grates on me with Dilly Court novels is that despite the poverty, everyone gets their happy ending. Its nice to occasionally but when you're going on a bit of a spree it can feel almost formulaic.

[Shirley Dawson]

A good read although I must admit I felt it could have been rounded up much earlier. The second half seemed to drag on a bit and because of this, I don't think this is her best. It just seemed to go on and on, backwards and forwards and not getting very far. I found I lost a bit of interest mid way and left the book for a few days, a most unusual occurrence for me. The romance also seemed a little weird, one minute Irene hated him, the next she was head over heels in love although it was a foregone conclusion how it would end.

So, after all that, would I recommend it? Yes, of course, especially to all Dilly Court lovers.

[Judith Ring]

If you like a historical saga Dilly Court is one of the best authors I’ve found. The format is pretty much the same for all her books, as it is with most authors; and she produces easy to read, enjoyable stories. Dilly Court always produces great characterisation, so you feel you really know them, and to my knowledge they appear well researched for the historical period. Unfortunately the outcome is usually predictable and sometimes I find I skim read towards the end. But that’s just me, I’d recommend Dilly Court for a stress free, no tension read. If you want something gripping this author isn’t for you.

[Nightwitch]

Trapped on a cross-Atlantic Aer Lingus flight with no inflight entertainment system, this was about the right book to read. The heroine is a plucky Cockney with unusually modern attitudes, who is assailed by terrible people right and left but is determined to rescue her gambling-addicted father from the consequences of his own stupidity. In the meantime she meets an entertaining assortment of friends and foes, and finds, just at the end, True Love.

[Patricia]

An amazing story and a fantastic read, I really loved it from the beginning, it was not what I expected it was better, a young woman with so much love for her family,but her father gambling the small fortune that Irene tried to stop him from ruining the lives of her family, and the gangsters who owned the streets, please read this book so many twists and turns!

[Sarah]

Not my usual kind of read got given it as a christmas present.
Throughly enjoyed it and found it very well written.
How everything got connected up was reallly good and it alll flowed effortlessly.
Will def find other books by this author

[Apoorva]

I loved the book. The female character (Irene) was definitely strong and not shown as someone who needed saving. I wanted the ending to be a little bit longer and thrilling but overall the book had my heart. ❤️

[Kiri Martin-Smith]

The first book by Dilly Court I ever read. Could not put it down - read it in 2 weeks.

[J.J. JOHNSTONE]

Excellent read

Another of Dilly Courts great reads. It is a gripping story and once you start you can hardly put it down.

[Sheila Simmons]

Great read

Lovely story 'Dilly Court stories always a very good read .Highly recommend.Can't wait for her next novel.which is out later this yesr

[Christina Tookey]

Enjoyed very much.

I have read a lot of Dilly Court and this one didn't disappoint. If you enjoy period dramas like me then this is a must.

[Ashley dewell]

Great read

Loved this book a nice light and easy read i havnt found a dily court book that i havnt enjoyed yet

[Sandra]

As with other Dilly Court books, I enjoy them for the good read that they are, and its a nice piece of escapism with a bit of romance usually. They are fast paced and well written.

[Justyna]

-Poor Angel
-I love the sub-plot of romance
-Great idea & I love the commoner’s POV
-Amazing characters

[Sandra Preston]

Easy read

[Lorraine]

Absolutely loved this book another great read from Dilly Court one of my favourite authors.

[June Jackman]

Brilliant as you would expect from Dilly Court, couldn't put it down.

[Bernie Morris]

Very good

[Victoire Caiomveh]

Something different, interesting and enjoyable. Super exciting! Definitely enjoyed the setting and the concept.

[Mariab]

The first Dilly Court book I ever read, i really enjoyed this lovely story

[Eileen Stubbert]

Enjoyed this book,but a bit far fetched with what goes on
A nice ending and that’s what I like