Fenwick Houses

'The Queen of raw family romances' Telegraph 
'Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals' Mail on Sunday 
'Her characters have the grit of real life' Sunday Times 
 
In Christine Winter's youth, her family home was always full of love and laughter. Along with her brother Ronnie and their neighbours, Don and Sam Dowling, Chrissie passed a happy, untroubled childhood, even when the strains of the outside world darkened her family's doorstep. 
 
As she grew up, though, Chrissie quickly realised that she’d have to leave her carefree youth behind. As a young woman, she found that she was seemingly cursed with an indefinable charm that drew men to her, and in some cases led them to the brink of obsession. 
 
Chrissie was used to refusing men's advances, preferring to keep to herself even in the face of their passion. Until one day, Chrissie met a stranger on the river bank near her home and found her life irreversibly changed. 
 
 
Readers love Cookson's gripping historical sagas: 
 
'Storytelling at its best' 
'Cookson's stories are timeless' 
'A great choice for a summer read' 
'Always a joy to read' 
 
 
Catherine Cookson, UK's top 100 bestselling authors of all time, Nielsen BookScan, July 2024

Catherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, whom she believed to be her older sister. She began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married Tom Cookson, a local grammar-school master. Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular of contemporary women novelists. After receiving an OBE in 1985, Catherine Cookson was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993. She was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997. For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne. She died shortly before her ninety-second birthday, in June 1998.

In Christine Winter's youth, her family home was always full of love and laughter. Along with her brother Ronnie and their neighbours, Don and Sam Dowling, Chrissie passed a happy, untroubled childhood, even when the strains of the outside world darkened her family's doorstep. 
 
As she grew up, though, Chrissie quickly realised that she’d have to leave her carefree youth behind. As a young woman, she found that she was seemingly cursed with an indefinable charm that drew men to her, and in some cases led them to the brink of obsession. 
 
Chrissie was used to refusing men's advances, preferring to keep to herself even in the face of their passion. Until one day, Chrissie met a stranger on the river bank near her home and found her life irreversibly changed.

A Scandal at Christmas

'Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals' Mail on Sunday 
'Her characters have the grit of real life' Sunday Times 
'Queen of raw family romances' Telegraph 
 
_____________________________ 
 
At fifteen years old, Gail Blenheim is the truly the apple of her father, Harry's, eye. Sweet, mild-mannered, with the promise to grow into a true beauty, she'll always bring her father joy, which is something he'll never take for granted. 
 
But Gail knows that her father is unhappy. Stuck under his odious father-in-law's thumb and resigned to a near-loveless marriage, Gail can see that he feels trapped. 
 
But when Harry lets his loneliness get the better of him at a Christmas party, he sparks a scandal with such far-reaching repercussions that he may lose everything, including his own daughter. But Gail's devotion for her father is stronger than he realises and she refuses to give up on the man she's looked up to for her whole life. 
 
Can a daughter's love save her father from ruin? 
 
_____________________________ 
 
Readers love Cookson's gripping historical sagas: 
 
'Storytelling at its best' 
'Cookson's stories are timeless' 
'A great choice for a summer read' 
'Always a joy to read' 
 
 
Catherine Cookson, UK's top 100 bestselling authors of all time, Nielsen BookScan, July 2024

At fifteen years old, Gail Blenheim is the truly the apple of her father, Harry's, eye. Sweet, mild-mannered, with the promise to grow into a true beauty, she'll always bring her father joy, which is something he'll never take for granted. 
 
But Gail knows that her father is unhappy. Stuck under his odious father-in-law's thumb and resigned to a near-loveless marriage, Gail can see that he feels trapped. 
 
But when Harry lets his loneliness get the better of him at a Christmas party, he sparks a scandal with such far-reaching repercussions that he may lose everything, including his own daughter. But Gail's devotion for her father is stronger than he realises and she refuses to give up on the man she's looked up to for her whole life. 
 
Can a daughter's love save her father from ruin?

A Wife's Devotion

'Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals' Mail on Sunday 
'Her characters have the grit of real life' Sunday Times 
'Queen of raw family romances' Telegraph 
 
_____________________________ 
 
In a house of secrets, can good prevail? 
 
Though Sarah comes from the wrong end of the Fifteen Streets, she's always been determined to make the best of her life. And when she attracts the attention of the young David Heatherington, with his kind eyes and gentle voice, it seems her luck is finally on the up. 
 
That is, until she meets David's mother, the indominable Mary Heatherington. A fierce woman who runs a spotless house, Mary's authority over the men of her family has never been challenged. So when Sarah arrives and brings with her a liveliness and laughter that has long been absent from the Heatherington household, Mary quickly takes against her. 
 
As Sarah struggles to find her place in her new family, she soon discovers that even the people she trusts the most have secrets they're anxious to hide . . . but how far will they go to keep them? 
 
_____________________________ 
 
Readers love Cookson's gripping historical sagas: 
 
'Storytelling at its best' 
'Cookson's stories are timeless' 
'A great choice for a summer read' 
'Always a joy to read' 
 
 
Catherine Cookson, UK's top 100 bestselling authors of all time, Nielsen BookScan, July 2024

In a house of secrets, can good prevail? 
 
Though Sarah comes from the wrong end of the Fifteen Streets, she's always been determined to make the best of her life. And when she attracts the attention of the young David Heatherington, with his kind eyes and gentle voice, it seems her luck is finally on the up. 
 
That is, until she meets David's mother, the indominable Mary Heatherington. A fierce woman who runs a spotless house, Mary's authority over the men of her family has never been challenged. So when Sarah arrives and brings with her a liveliness and laughter that has long been absent from the Heatherington household, Mary quickly takes against her. 
 
As Sarah struggles to find her place in her new family, she soon discovers that even the people she trusts the most have secrets they're anxious to hide . . . but how far will they go to keep them?

A gripping and moving historical fiction book from the bestselling author

A Marriage of Scandal

Catherine Cookson was born in Tyne Dock, the illegitimate daughter of a poverty-stricken woman, Kate, whom she believed to be her older sister. She began work in service but eventually moved south to Hastings, where she met and married Tom Cookson, a local grammar-school master. Although she was originally acclaimed as a regional writer - her novel The Round Tower won the Winifred Holtby Award for the best regional novel of 1968 - her readership quickly spread throughout the world, and her many best-selling novels established her as one of the most popular of contemporary women novelists. After receiving an OBE in 1985, Catherine Cookson was created a Dame of the British Empire in 1993. She was appointed an Honorary Fellow of St Hilda's College, Oxford, in 1997. For many years she lived near Newcastle upon Tyne. She died shortly before her ninety-second birthday, in June 1998.

Even the approach to Christmas fails to excite restless Agnes Conway, the twenty-two-year-old manager of the sweet and tobacconist shops owned by her feckless father. There are dark secrets in Arthur Conway's past, and these come tragically to light when Agnes's younger sister falls pregnant by one of the notorious Felton brothers. And Agnes herself has a secret, which she knows she must keep from her father: her relationship with Charles Farrier, son of a local landowner, who outrages his own wealthy, pious family by proposing marriage. 
 
However Charles is not the only man who could shape Agnes's furture, as his brother Reginald makes no secret of his admiration for her. But she could not have foreseen how significant a part he is to play in her destiny... 
 
The Wingless Bird is an absorbing story of love and the harsh realities of Britain's class system.

A heart-warming and gripping historical fiction book from the bestselling author

The Wayward Daughter

Unwanted and unloved, fourteen-year-old Marie Anne Lawson is everything her mother doesn't want her to be - adventurous, outspoken and unusual. As soon as she's old enough, Marie Anne is dispatched from Northumberland to London to live with her Aunt Martha to learn to be a lady and perfect her musical talent. 
 
Life in London proves to be more difficult than she could ever have imagined. Only the friendship of her Aunt's companion and the praise of her music tutor prevents her from falling into despair. 
 
When Anne Marie is suddenly sent back to the Manor, will she find the strength to be who she really is

The Fifteen Streets

A gripping story of forbidden love, perfect for fans of Rosie Goodwin, Dilly Court and Katie Flynn 
 
--------------- 
 
Life on the Fifteen Streets is tough - a continual struggle for survival. Born into an ever-expanding family, John O'Brien grew up with nothing to call his own. Now, he works on the city's docks while trying to keep his loved ones safe from the drunken wrath of his father and brother. 
 
But everything changes when John meets Mary Llewellyn, a beautiful young woman who belongs to a world of wealth and privilege. What starts off as casual friendship soon blossoms into a rare love, but when John is embroiled in scandal Mary's parents forbid them from seeing each other. 
 
It seems the Fifteen Streets has succeeded in keeping them apart, but can their love conquer all? 
 
--------------- 
 
Praise for Catherine Cookson: 
 
'Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals' Mail on Sunday 
'Her characters have the grit of real life' Sunday Times 
'Queen of raw family romances' Telelgraph

The Hatmaker’s Gift

Willington Place, London, 1879. 
 
In London's bustling streets, business is booming for Mabel Arkwright's hat shop. But as her health declines, she must entrust Emily Pearson, her capable and beloved employee, with more responsibility. 
 
After Mabel's death, Emily is stunned not only to inherit a completely unique broad-brimmed straw hat, but also the shop. But it isn't long before the extra work leaves Emily on the brink of exhaustion. Resolving to get some rest, she takes a trip to the south of France. 
 
There, she meets the stylish and enigmatic Paul Anderson Steerman who is instantly captivated by Emily's beautiful straw hat and sweeps her off her feet. But when they return to England to start their life together, it soon becomes clear that Paul isn't the man he claims to be. Can Emily free herself from his clutches or is it too late...? 
 
---------------- 
 
From bestselling saga author Catherine Cookson, this forgotten classic is an epic tale of friendship, love and betrayal. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you'll love Catherine Cookson. 
 
Previously published as The Golden Straw

Daughter of Scandal

Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals

Her characters have the grit of real lif

'Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals' Mail on Sunday 
'Her characters have the grit of real life' Sunday Times 
'Queen of raw family romances' Telegraph 
 
A rags-to-riches story of a young woman who must overcome the scandal of her past to forge a new life. 
 
 
In Heap Hollow cottage in County Durham live what appears to be a close and loving family. But across the happy façade lies a shadow that has lengthened and darkened with the passing years. Their narrow-minded neighbours disapprove of the family's choices because of their illegitimacy, their mother and father never having married. 
 
Anna, the eldest daughter, is determined to face the challenging legacy of her birth and prove herself to those in the community who look down on her. Will her strength of character and zest for life be enough to put the scandal of her past behind her and forge a new life? 
 
 
Previously published as The Gillyvors

Her Secret Son

Humour, toughness, resolution and generosity are Cookson virtues . . . In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory

CATHERINE COOKSON'S NOVELS HAVE SOLD OVER 100 MILLION COPIES 
-------- 
 
Cock Shield Farm, 1881 
 
After Molly Geary finds herself pregnant with landowner Angus McBain's child, she is left distraught and ruined. Dishonoured by being the secret mistress of McBain, she must find an alternative suitor to save her reputation, or else the threat of being discarded looms. 
 
McBain devises a plan to claim his employee, Davie Armstrong, as the father to Molly's child. Leaving the pair forced to marry, the issue appears resolved. But with secrecy comes consequences, and young Molly realises she is tied in a web of lies beyond what she could imagine... 
 
A dark and gritty saga from bestselling author Catherine Cookson about love, loss, and redemption, for fans of Dilly Court and Katie Flynn. 
 
Originally published as FEATHERS IN THE FIRE.

The Cobbler's Daughter

'Catherine Cookson soars above her rivals' Mail on Sunday 
'Her characters have the grit of real life' Sunday Times 
'Queen of raw family romances' Telegraph 
 
 
After making his money as a respected manufacturer of an array of shoes, Samuel Fairbrother decides to find a new home for his business and family. When a grand mansion becomes available Samuel buys it - and with it, inherits the servants. 
 
But when his butler, Maitland, makes it clear he prefers Samuel's predecessor, a conflict between the classes begins to emerge. Maitland, believes Samuel is nothing more than an upstart and because Samuel knows his well-educated but troublesome butler is indispensable - they reach a stalemate. Until Samuel's eldest daughter, Janet, tries to reconcile the impossible; but can she bring the uneasy truce to an end? 
 
From bestselling saga author Catherine Cookson, this forgotten classic captures the conflicts of class in the society of the late nineteenth century. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you'll love Catherine Cookson. 
 
Previously published as The Upstart.

An Unsuitable Match

'Humour, toughness, resolution and generosity are Cookson virtues . . . In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory.' - Helen Dunmore, The Times 
 
Just two years after the death of their mother, Hector Stewart tells his children he plans to remarry and has chosen a distant relative from Ireland to be his bride. Money is tight and the only thing the children remember about Moira Connelly is that she lives in a castle; they suspect that her apparent wealth is the reason their father is so keen to remarry. 
 
But Moira has also been far from forthcoming about her own circumstances – thinking she’s about to marry into landed gentry, she expects a lifestyle to match this title. So when she arrives in rural Fellburn she is surprised to find a rundown farm as her new home… 
 
Can a marriage based on deception survive? 
 
Catherine Cookson was the original and bestselling saga writer, selling over 100 million copies of her novels. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you'll love Catherine Cookson. 
 
Previously published as The Desert Crop

The Voice of an Angel

A woman's fight for happiness by the 100-million copy bestselling Catherine Cookson - the queen of saga.

'Humour, toughness, resolution and generosity are Cookson virtues . . . In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory.' - Helen Dunmore, The Times 
 
Everyone, including her family, thought Ward Gibson would marry Daisy Mason. So, when a music hall singer captures his heart instead there's hell to pay... 
 
Because of his betrayal, his family must face a series of reprisals... one so terrible it cannot go unanswered. A dark and twisting novel that follows Ward's journey and the succeeding generations. 
 
Catherine Cookson was the original and bestselling saga writer, selling over 100 million copies of her novels. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you'll love Catherine Cookson.

Katie Mulholland's Journey

Born into poverty, Katie Mulholland is forced to find work as a maid in the house of a wealthy family. But the beautiful young girl captures the eye of her employer’s evil son, who rapes her and leaves her pregnant. 
 
 Out for themselves, the family forces her to marry the cruel manager of their mines. But Katie’s fate changes course when one man offers her the opportunity to make her own fortune, and to discover real love . . . 
 
 Spanning Katie’s life from 1860 to the height of the Second World War, this is a timeless tale of one woman's fight for the happy ending she deserves. 
 
Catherine Cookson was the original and bestselling saga writer, selling over 100 million copies of her novels. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you'll love Catherine Cookson.

A Sister's Obsession

A battle for control between two sisters by the 100-million copy bestselling Catherine Cookson - the queen of saga.

Rosie finds it hard to cope with her eldest sister's over-possessive nature. Since the death of their mother Beatrice has been insufferably dominating, taking over the running of the house and ruling their father and servants with an iron hand. She glories in being the mistress at Pine Hurst and never dreams of leaving. 
 
 But when their father dies unexpectedly their security is threatened, and Beatrice must lay plans to protect this most prized possession. 
 
How will the sister's survive now their father is gone? 
 
Catherine Cookson was the original and bestselling saga writer, selling over 100 million copies of her novels. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you'll love Catherine Cookson.

The Glassmaker’s Daughter

A classic story of a bitter struggle against hardship by the 100-million copy bestselling Catherine Cookson - the queen of saga - reissued in a fresh, gorgeous new package for today's readers.

Catherine Cookson is an icon; without her influence, I and many other authors would not have followed in her footsteps.

_______________________ 
"Humour, toughness, resolution and generosity are Cookson virtues . . . In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory." (Helen Dunmore, The Times) 
 
County Durham, 1860s. 
 
Born to a family of wealthy glassmakers, Annabella Legrange leads a charmed life, shielded from the struggles of the lower classes. But when she is eighteen she learns the truth of her birth and her whole world is shattered… 
 
Forced to flee and leave behind everything she has ever known, she seeks to find a new life among the working classes where she hopes to forget the troubles of her past. She soon finds that moving on is harder than it looks and that there doesn’t seem to be place for her in either society. 
 
Catherine Cookson was the original and bestselling saga writer, selling over 100 million copies of her novels. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you'll love Catherine Cookson. 
 
Originally published as THE GLASS VIRGIN

Bill Bailey Omnibus

Bill Bailey 
Bill Bailey's Lot 
Bill Bailey's Daughter 
 
Bill Bailey came into the life of young widow Fiona Nelson and her three children as a lodger. He appeared to be ordinary enough but behind his rough charm lay some remarkable qualities, which were to have a great and lasting effect on the future lives of Fiona and the children. 
 
Before long Fiona and Bill are married and they embark on a life together. They adopt a child and have one of their own. But their path is never smooth, and fluctuating fortunes take them from success to failure and back again... 
 
Collected together in one volume for the first time, Catherine Cookson's first three Bill Bailey novels are richly entertaining tales of family life and relationships which touch the heart and offer much shrewd observation of the human condition.

The Smuggler’s Secret

A classic story of a bitter struggle against hardship by the 100-million copy bestselling Catherine Cookson - the queen of saga.

Born into grinding poverty, young Freddie Musgrave relies on his wits to survive and help feed his family. He earns a few shillings by navigating his little boat across the swift-flowing waters of the Tyne, running messages and smuggling goods between the busy seaports on either side of the river and evading the customs agents. 
 
Luck is on his side . . . until the night he witnesses something truly horrific. In a supremely brave act he saves a life – and changes his own forever. 
 
Gaining the patronage of Maggie Hewitt, a sea captain’s daughter, Freddie is able to shape a future he can be proud of. But the threats of the past won’t stay buried and the dark events of that distant night have cast a long and dangerous shadow… 
 
Catherine Cookson was the original and bestselling saga writer, selling over 100 million copies of her novels. If you like Dilly Court, Katie Flynn or Donna Douglas, you'll love Catherine Cookson.

The Wingless Bird

A shopkeeper's daughter has a dangerous secret...

Humour, toughness, resolution and generosity are Cookson virtues...In the specialised world of women's popular fiction, Cookson has created her own territory

Hannah Massey / The Fifteen Streets

HANNAH MASSEY 
Proud and canny, ignorant and intensely ambitious, Hannah Massey is a born ruler. Her kingdom may be only a working-class household in County Durham, but within its walls her iron will governs a predominantly male family and her word is unchallengeable law. Now, in late middle age, her ambition is still not satisfied. She wants to see her brood living in the house where she was in service as a young girl. 
 
The apple of Hannah's eye is her pretty younger daughter, Rosie, who has just returned home after a spell in London. Rosie had gone south, so Hannah thought, to escape the passionate pursuit of a young man she had known for most of her life. Her return is shrouded in mystery and evasions, and when the truth does come out, Hannah's world is torn apart. 
 
THE FIFTEEN STREETS 
Life in the Fifteen Streets was tough - a continual struggle for survival. Some families gave up and descended into a dismal state of grinding poverty. Others, like the O'Briens - and especially John O'Brien - fought grimly for a world they were only rarely allowed to glimpse. 
 
John O'Brien caught his 'glimpse' on the day he met Mary Llewellyn. Mary, with her slim body and soft brown hair; Mary, who lived well, had beautiful clothes - who worked because she wanted to, not because she had to... 
 
When John O'Brien fell in love with Mary Llewellyn, he knew there was a gulf between them that nothing could bridge - it was the gulf of the Fifteen Streets.

The Harrogate Secret

A powerful novel imbued with the very spirit of nineteenth-century Tyneside.

Young Frederick Musgrave was never more agile than when navigating his sculler across the waters of the Tyne between the busy seaports of North and South Shields in 1843. Already his services were in demand as a carrier of messages and certain small packages for those whose activities made them the target of the Customs and Excise men. 
 
As well as agile, Freddie was also reckoned to be lucky, but on such a night as brought him to The Towers, the home of Mr Roderick Gallagher, both luck and courage were to be tested to the limit. 
 
From that night on, things really began to happen to Freddie, and the best of them came when he gained the friendship and patronage of Miss Maggie Hewitt, who was to play a major role in shaping his life and fortunes. But he would still need all his luck and resourcefulness to escape the long shadow cast by Roderick Gallagher, whose power and influence threatened all who crossed his path . . .

Catherine Cookson

At the end of the Second World War, Matthew Wallingham returns to his family home, blinded by his injuries and uncertain about his future. There he finds his father ill, his mother obviously unhappy, and his brother, who has made a success of running the farm on the family's estate during the war years, resentful that Matthew should think he can now offer help. 
 
Forced to realise that his plans for the future are not going to work, Matthew starts to look for a new career. He finds himself becoming dependent on Liz - his nurse and, increasingly, the focus of all his thoughts and hopes. But Liz herself has a shadow hanging over her that will bring a terrifying violence into the Wallingham's family life... 
 
Set in the aftermath of the Second World War, A House Divided encompasses the social change taking place and the pains and pleasures of the brave new world of peace.

Catherine Cookson

Books by Catherine Cookson

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