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The Poacher's Daughter

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‘I’m going to live in that house, Dad. One day I’ll be mistress of Thornsby Manor . . .’

It is 1910 in the Lincolnshire Wolds. Young Rosie Waterhouse lives with her father, Sam, well known as the local poacher, in a cottage on the Thornsby estate. The land is owned by William Ramsey, a harsh and heartless man who is determined his only son, Byron, should marry well and produce an heir.

Rosie is quick to learn the tricks of her father’s trade and it’s when she’s poaching fish from the estate’s stream that she meets Byron. They continue to meet in secret over the coming months and, as their friendship blossoms, they recognize that, despite their vastly different backgrounds, they are destined to be together. When William learns of their bond, he stops at nothing to ensure that they never meet again.

As the years pass and the threat of war becomes a reality, Sam is involved in a tragic incident that will affect both his and Rosie’s lives more than they could ever have imagined. Life will never be the same in Thornsby, but will Rosie find the happiness she yearns for?

418 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 11, 2023

24 people are currently reading
51 people want to read

About the author

Margaret Dickinson

95 books178 followers
Born in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, Margaret Dickinson moved to the coast at the age of seven and so began her love for the sea and the Lincolnshire landscape. Her ambition to be a writer began early and she had her first novel published at the age of twenty-five. This was followed by many further titles including Plough the Furrow, Sow the Seed and Reap the Harvest, which make up her Lincolnshire Fleethaven Trilogy. She is also the author of Fairfield Hall, Jenny's War and The Clippie Girls. Margaret is a Sunday Times Top Ten bestseller.

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5 stars
251 (69%)
4 stars
85 (23%)
3 stars
19 (5%)
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5 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Janice.
258 reviews5 followers
July 29, 2023
A good old fashioned easy to read story with few surprises or mysteries. The plot is simple,an evil squire with a handsome son who falls in love with a girl from the village. Of course not all goes well with the background of the first World War and the Lincolnshire countryside.
3 reviews
June 14, 2023
Heart racing

Absolutely fabulous reading as always well done margaret, had me on the edge of my seat more than once, couldn't put the book down, 4 lots of tears, a must for any reader
2 reviews
June 11, 2023
Enjoyed the book, especially coming from that area. It took me back home!
Profile Image for Suzanne.
1,243 reviews19 followers
May 2, 2024
This was a great book. A good story and I loved all the characters. They were made for this book. I love reading books in this era.
59 reviews
May 17, 2023
A great new story!

A wonderful tale of one young woman's battles against adversity. Another great story from my favourite author! Great characters and twists and turns that will keep you guessing.
Profile Image for Shirley Dawson.
Author 10 books35 followers
December 31, 2024
This is a book I highly recommend to all readers who enjoy good stories set during WW1. This is definitely one of those page-turners which portrays life in a small village amid the conflict and harsh realities of wartime. All the characters were believable and the storyline was realistic - no ridiculous coincidences here! A great one from Margaret Dickinson.
34 reviews
August 12, 2024
It's a lovely story!!

I totally enjoyed reading The Poacher's daughter it is yet another of Margaret's lovely stories!! Thank you, Margaret. Since my mum brought me your trilogy of Plough the furrow, Sow the seed and Reap the harvest I have been hooked.
198 reviews
September 17, 2024
what a brilliant read I couldn't put this book down to find out if Bryon and Rosie get together as they have obvious attraction as far back as really young even though Bryon's Father disapproves and forces a loveless marriage upon him
Profile Image for Sue Sykes.
180 reviews4 followers
July 9, 2023
What a lovely book and so well written. Really enjoyed it
4 reviews
August 12, 2023
Good read

The author is so good couldn't put book down
Enjoying all her books and will try to read them all
2 reviews
November 6, 2023
Brilliant

Yet another great story . Will be reading yet more of her books. Ive read about 20 of them so far
Profile Image for gill.
36 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2024
Page turner!

Loved this book so much I could not put it down. Excellent storyline, the characters really came to life. Highly recommend!
Profile Image for Trudie.
744 reviews2 followers
January 25, 2024
Loved this about Rosie, the local poachers daughter. It starts just before ww1 and also includes life during ww1 and after too.
Profile Image for Justine Hodgson.
164 reviews1 follower
May 1, 2024
I love Margaret Dickinson books and this one was written like you were watching a film. They are just lovely feel good books.
Profile Image for Rachael Early.
6 reviews
September 22, 2024
A lovely book, easy to read classic story with a few surprises along the way. A story of a young girls struggles in a bygone time with some great characters and a good plot.
Profile Image for Heather.
86 reviews
September 25, 2024
Enjoyable and a typical story telling from MD. Have read them all now, what will I do?
Profile Image for Pat Fairbairn.
47 reviews
January 16, 2025
gripping

I loved this story about Rosie and the hardship that she suffered but all ended well for her and she was able to find true happiness
111 reviews2 followers
July 25, 2025
a very good story.

A story that held my interest from the start. It is nice when a story has a good ending and satisfying ending.
Profile Image for Mary Brewer.
33 reviews1 follower
August 5, 2025
A love story with heartache and tragedy what a book enjoyed it immensely
Profile Image for Sandra.
277 reviews7 followers
May 22, 2024
This book had strong and resourceful characters, especially Rose, Nell & Grace. Although sad at times, it's a really wonderful story.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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