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The Four Streets Saga #2
Hide Her Name
The gripping sequel to bestselling THE FOUR STREETS. Shot through with darkness, but also humour, warmth and charm. In the Four Streets in Liverpool, a dreadful murder has been committed, and 14-year-old Kitty Doherty is pregnant with the dead man's child. This secret is so dangerous that her mother, Maura, and the redoubtable Kathleen, her best friend Nellie's grandmother, decide the girls must be spirited away quietly to Ireland to await the birth of the baby. But back in Liverpool, the police are not giving up their search for the truth. Somewhere, in this tight-knit Irish Catholic community, someone must know something. Someone surely will talk one day. The streets are alive with gossip and rumour and it isn't easy to keep a secret that big. Can't wait for the next one? THE BALLYMARA ROAD is out now! What people are saying about HIDE HER 'The events of the book are still with me days after finishing it, such a compelling read I cannot recommend it enough' 'This book is just as strong as Four Streets and had me hooked straight away' 'This is a powerful novel which challenges the emotions of its reader; feelings of anger, sadness, joy' 'I also liked the gentle humour that emerged - very much a feature of the gallows humour of that time'
432 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2014
706 people are currently reading
1045 people want to read
About the author
Nadine Dorries
43 books270 followersNadine Dorries was born in Liverpool in the 1950s and raised on a council estate, the daughter of a bus driver. Her first novel, THE FOUR STREETS, was inspired by memories of her childhood, particularly her Irish grandmother who she was very close to.
Nadine trained as a nurse, then followed with a successful career in which she established and then sold her own business. She has been the MP for Mid-Befordshire since 2005 and has three daughters.
Nadine is currently working on her second novel, a sequel to THE FOUR STREETS.
Nadine trained as a nurse, then followed with a successful career in which she established and then sold her own business. She has been the MP for Mid-Befordshire since 2005 and has three daughters.
Nadine is currently working on her second novel, a sequel to THE FOUR STREETS.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
December 28, 2014
It's difficult to know where to start when trying to review such a bad book. Do you start with the story? The characters? The language? The evoking (or not) of the times? It's borderline racism. It's anachronisms? Or, even why such a novel was attempted by such a writer at all?
Taking that last question. Dorries is a Tory MP. She might have grown up in a working class background in Liverpool but far from the area and the people she attempts to depict in this novel. And the fact that she makes a big deal of how she has 'escaped' from the working class is probably why the novel doesn't work. She looks at the people she writes about from the outside and doesn't share any empathy with them. If she learnt anything as a young child growing up in a working class environment she's definitely forgotten it all now.
Everything feels wrong with the story. Her characters are all stereotypes, from the almost saint like parents of one family to the slattern and wasteful ne'er-do-well of the lazy and wasteful neighbours, with their dirty, often beaten and neglected children; from the kindly, honest if frightened of the Catholic Church hierarchy nun to those nuns in Ireland who are evil incarnate; from the 'simple minded' servant girl to the nosey neighbours; etc., etc.
Dorries decided on a mish mash of current (2010s), hot political and social issues and placed them into a Liverpool of the 1960s. The problem is that such abuse certainly existed at that time but the incompetence that Dorries employs in her story does a dis-service to those who suffered from religious and institutional corruption and exercise of power in the past – and, unfortunately, in the present.
Nothing is convincing. That virtually all the people in this small group of four streets in the South end of Liverpool are all recent immigrants from Ireland just after the Second World War just isn't credible. Even in the mass migrations from Ireland in the 19th century Liverpool was only a stepping stone to America. Why stay in a country that was attempting to starve to death whole swathes of the Irish population ('ethnic cleansing' was something indulged in by the British long before the term came into common usage following another example of imperialist interference in the Balkans)? Those who stayed close to the Mersey were either the victims of thieves or bad luck.
The language is all wrong. It sounds like the language of the god-awful TV series Mrs Brown's Boys more than anything you would hear in mid-20th century Liverpool and doesn't contain any of the humour that differentiates Scouse from other British dialects. A dialect that took from all those who passed through the city and created something unique. But that's far above Dorries expertise.
Those victims of abuse and paedophilia at the hands of the Catholic Church deserve redress and proper recognition but this novel insults their suffering rather than presenting their case in a sympathetic manner.
One critic stated that her first novel was 'vacuous'. I would have wished that this second in the trilogy was the same. Rather it took content which she didn't have the skill to use properly.
A Goodreads First Reads winner.
Taking that last question. Dorries is a Tory MP. She might have grown up in a working class background in Liverpool but far from the area and the people she attempts to depict in this novel. And the fact that she makes a big deal of how she has 'escaped' from the working class is probably why the novel doesn't work. She looks at the people she writes about from the outside and doesn't share any empathy with them. If she learnt anything as a young child growing up in a working class environment she's definitely forgotten it all now.
Everything feels wrong with the story. Her characters are all stereotypes, from the almost saint like parents of one family to the slattern and wasteful ne'er-do-well of the lazy and wasteful neighbours, with their dirty, often beaten and neglected children; from the kindly, honest if frightened of the Catholic Church hierarchy nun to those nuns in Ireland who are evil incarnate; from the 'simple minded' servant girl to the nosey neighbours; etc., etc.
Dorries decided on a mish mash of current (2010s), hot political and social issues and placed them into a Liverpool of the 1960s. The problem is that such abuse certainly existed at that time but the incompetence that Dorries employs in her story does a dis-service to those who suffered from religious and institutional corruption and exercise of power in the past – and, unfortunately, in the present.
Nothing is convincing. That virtually all the people in this small group of four streets in the South end of Liverpool are all recent immigrants from Ireland just after the Second World War just isn't credible. Even in the mass migrations from Ireland in the 19th century Liverpool was only a stepping stone to America. Why stay in a country that was attempting to starve to death whole swathes of the Irish population ('ethnic cleansing' was something indulged in by the British long before the term came into common usage following another example of imperialist interference in the Balkans)? Those who stayed close to the Mersey were either the victims of thieves or bad luck.
The language is all wrong. It sounds like the language of the god-awful TV series Mrs Brown's Boys more than anything you would hear in mid-20th century Liverpool and doesn't contain any of the humour that differentiates Scouse from other British dialects. A dialect that took from all those who passed through the city and created something unique. But that's far above Dorries expertise.
Those victims of abuse and paedophilia at the hands of the Catholic Church deserve redress and proper recognition but this novel insults their suffering rather than presenting their case in a sympathetic manner.
One critic stated that her first novel was 'vacuous'. I would have wished that this second in the trilogy was the same. Rather it took content which she didn't have the skill to use properly.
A Goodreads First Reads winner.
February 24, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. This is the 2nd in The Four Streets Trilogy and it's essential to read them all and in order as each one carries on where the former left off. Hide Her Name continues the story of the residents of The Four Streets, poor Irish immigrants living in Liverpool in the 1960s
The main focus is Kitty the young girl pregnant (by which means you are told in book one). For hers and her familys protection Kitty (who becomes Cissy) is sent to Ireland to have her baby in one of Ireland's infamous laundrys. These true life laundrys have been well publicised wirh many books, movies and true life accounts. Horrifying places where unmarried pregnant girls were treated cruelly, working long hours in harsh conditions before their babies were forcibly taken from them for adoption in America often having been with their mother up to the age of three. In the meantime back in Liverpool Kittys family, friends and neighbours are dealing with the fallout of two murder investigations, affairs of the heart and the general day to day struggle of a life of poverty.
For me one of the most tragic characters is Daisy who sees all, suffers and understands very little and Brigid who is on baby no 10 (I think). I'm still not sure about the slightly supernatural element to the whole story as it doesn't add anything for me. It doesn't help or change anything, it's just there. There is a slight twist at the end of Hide Her Name that I feel I should have realised but didn't. All in all light reading!! Onwards now to book 3 The Ballymara Road to see how it all pans out.
The main focus is Kitty the young girl pregnant (by which means you are told in book one). For hers and her familys protection Kitty (who becomes Cissy) is sent to Ireland to have her baby in one of Ireland's infamous laundrys. These true life laundrys have been well publicised wirh many books, movies and true life accounts. Horrifying places where unmarried pregnant girls were treated cruelly, working long hours in harsh conditions before their babies were forcibly taken from them for adoption in America often having been with their mother up to the age of three. In the meantime back in Liverpool Kittys family, friends and neighbours are dealing with the fallout of two murder investigations, affairs of the heart and the general day to day struggle of a life of poverty.
For me one of the most tragic characters is Daisy who sees all, suffers and understands very little and Brigid who is on baby no 10 (I think). I'm still not sure about the slightly supernatural element to the whole story as it doesn't add anything for me. It doesn't help or change anything, it's just there. There is a slight twist at the end of Hide Her Name that I feel I should have realised but didn't. All in all light reading!! Onwards now to book 3 The Ballymara Road to see how it all pans out.
March 8, 2018
Beautiful story
A continuation of the Four streets. A story of the families that live on the street, an Irish community that stick together through thick and thin. Of the love portrayed for each other and the lengths they go to, to hide a who was guilty of murder of a priest who was guilty of the most terrible crime that he could commit against a child, the outcome of his actions has serious problems. Looking forward to the last book in the series
A continuation of the Four streets. A story of the families that live on the street, an Irish community that stick together through thick and thin. Of the love portrayed for each other and the lengths they go to, to hide a who was guilty of murder of a priest who was guilty of the most terrible crime that he could commit against a child, the outcome of his actions has serious problems. Looking forward to the last book in the series
April 1, 2015
Having read the 4 streets previously I have been waiting to read 'Hide her name', I have really enjoyed this equally as much as The Four Streets, staying awake until 3am in the morning because I cannot stop reading, because I have to find out what happens next, I even got anxious with this one when the ebook got to 92% Because I wanted to jump onto the next book, sadly I will have to wait until June this year for that one.
If you do wish to read this, then you must read the 4 streets first and then this, in succession, fabulous stories based on the old streets of Liverpool, irish families, poor families, those whom strive for a better life, emotions, marriages, births, deaths, murders, betrayal. There are things that are told in the two books I didn't realise were so true about the convents in Ireland, it is shocking on that score yet equally makes again for good reading. Hurry up Nadine, I want to read the third book in this series.
If you do wish to read this, then you must read the 4 streets first and then this, in succession, fabulous stories based on the old streets of Liverpool, irish families, poor families, those whom strive for a better life, emotions, marriages, births, deaths, murders, betrayal. There are things that are told in the two books I didn't realise were so true about the convents in Ireland, it is shocking on that score yet equally makes again for good reading. Hurry up Nadine, I want to read the third book in this series.
December 4, 2014
I received this book via goodreads first reads.
Now I really enjoyed this book found it slightly better then the first in the series "Four streets", and I will be reading the third in the series. I felt so sorry for Daisy and I prey that the next book that all goes well for her. I also love Kitty and really wanted to cry for her with what she goes through. This book kept me turning the pages to see what will happen next, can't wait for next in the series. I give 4.5 *
Now I really enjoyed this book found it slightly better then the first in the series "Four streets", and I will be reading the third in the series. I felt so sorry for Daisy and I prey that the next book that all goes well for her. I also love Kitty and really wanted to cry for her with what she goes through. This book kept me turning the pages to see what will happen next, can't wait for next in the series. I give 4.5 *
March 1, 2016
After reading this, I was a bit let down at the end cos I was hoping for a happier ending for Kitty.It was actually in my mind, the ending I'd hoped for Although, maybe it'll happen in the next book.
I really don't want to say a lot, but it deals with the pregnancy after sexual abuse by a paedophile priest.
Just waiting for the outcome in Nadine's next book.
You should give 'The Four street's', and 'Hide her name a read.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
I really don't want to say a lot, but it deals with the pregnancy after sexual abuse by a paedophile priest.
Just waiting for the outcome in Nadine's next book.
You should give 'The Four street's', and 'Hide her name a read.
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
May 9, 2015
Really enjoyed Hide Her Name the sequel to the Four Streets carrying on the story of all the Irish families living on a street in Liverpool. Very good story line continued from the last book, looking forward to reading the next instalment!
April 23, 2022
4.5 stars. Loving this series.
I really shouldn't judge a book by its cover...these look tame and sweet but this series is real gritty and keeps you reading. There's everything in these pages, murder, gossip, crime...and so much more. Off to read the next one.
I really shouldn't judge a book by its cover...these look tame and sweet but this series is real gritty and keeps you reading. There's everything in these pages, murder, gossip, crime...and so much more. Off to read the next one.
February 17, 2015
Second in the trilogy...I loved it as much as the first and can't wait for the next one. Unputdownable (if that's a word!).
February 25, 2016
Another good story from Nadine Dorries.
September 3, 2017
This book did not disappoint me, a fantastic read, it was funny, and sad and kept me turning the pages to see what was going to happen . I cannot wait to read the 3rd book, The Ballymara Road, in this trilogy.
November 19, 2016
This book was passed on to me to read, when I started I realized that it's the second book of a series of three. If I had read the previous book (The Four Streets) then I assume this book would have made much more sense.
The characters are not introduced, it is assumed that the reader has already got to know them and the area where they all live. The characters are plentiful and the story constantly jumps from one family to another.
The story starts following a murder in a small Irish community in Liverpool, it is hard hitting, difficult to read in places, full of scandal and doesn't hold back with the language. It's definitely isn't a cosy read but if you want a book to get your teeth into then this maybe for you. I found the story quite shocking, and it left me with many unanswered questions, saying that, I would like to read the next book, The Ballymara Road, to find out if there are any happy endings and if justice finds a way.
The characters are not introduced, it is assumed that the reader has already got to know them and the area where they all live. The characters are plentiful and the story constantly jumps from one family to another.
The story starts following a murder in a small Irish community in Liverpool, it is hard hitting, difficult to read in places, full of scandal and doesn't hold back with the language. It's definitely isn't a cosy read but if you want a book to get your teeth into then this maybe for you. I found the story quite shocking, and it left me with many unanswered questions, saying that, I would like to read the next book, The Ballymara Road, to find out if there are any happy endings and if justice finds a way.
February 28, 2019
Really enjoyed the second book of the series. The book certainly draws you in so much that I found it hard to put it down. I started the next in the series immediately.
The stigma of young pregnant girls, often through no fault of their own and how they were frowned upon and treated by society back in time was dreadful, especially in Ireland.
Sadly these Atrocity's happened and young girls and women were placed in the care of priests and nuns, who were in my opinion meant to be in positions of care and trust and hel these so called fallen women. All be it Nuns led very simple lives, but they certainly profited greatly from the so called sins of these women.
The stigma of young pregnant girls, often through no fault of their own and how they were frowned upon and treated by society back in time was dreadful, especially in Ireland.
Sadly these Atrocity's happened and young girls and women were placed in the care of priests and nuns, who were in my opinion meant to be in positions of care and trust and hel these so called fallen women. All be it Nuns led very simple lives, but they certainly profited greatly from the so called sins of these women.
August 19, 2016
This is such a tough book to review because anything I say about the story will be a spoiler. Suffice it to say it was a page-turner and a tear-jerker.
Dorries effortlessly picks up where she left off at "The Four Streets," and our familiarity makes the characters even more colourful. This book will be great reading regardless of whether you're reading at the beach or snuggled up by a fireplace in winter.
Dorries effortlessly picks up where she left off at "The Four Streets," and our familiarity makes the characters even more colourful. This book will be great reading regardless of whether you're reading at the beach or snuggled up by a fireplace in winter.
April 11, 2015
Read this book from a friend who won it on first reads.its a must to read the first book to get a t
grip of the story brilliant can't wait to read the next book.great story in Liverpool and Ireland its like neighbours who are always in and out there houses to get he gossip.great read loved the story.worth more than 5* rating.
grip of the story brilliant can't wait to read the next book.great story in Liverpool and Ireland its like neighbours who are always in and out there houses to get he gossip.great read loved the story.worth more than 5* rating.
July 16, 2015
I found the Irish accent used very annoying and stereo typical. The story of slow moving and not very engaging. I read on hoping that the story would come together, unfortunately it didn't.
March 11, 2015
An excellent continuation of the story of the various families which began in book one - The Four Streets. Awaiting the final book in the trilogy which is due to be published soon.
August 28, 2015
This is the second book in the four streets trilogy. I read this book in a day and absolutely loved it.
Now starting the final book in the series
Now starting the final book in the series
January 5, 2024
Having devoured the first book of ‘The Four Streets’ trilogy, along with me having an elephant sized knee come from nowhere, thereby giving me permission and the time to read, I set about reading this. It’s harrowing & a painful read of what life was like for so many Irish Catholic girls. Part of me desperately wanted to stop reading but somehow, I had to keep going. As you may have noticed, it took less than two days….I couldn’t put it down. I have decided that I quite like Nadine Dorries, author & politician. She clearly has a wealth of experience of horrendous hardship if a dark world which so often gets swept under the carpet, too painful & embarrassing to look strong the face. I am now going to dive into the final book….will let you know how it goes
December 17, 2017
I have read these three books and my housework was left undone for a few days. I grew up in a working class area of Belfast and can totally relate to these stories. My dad worked at the shipyard like all the other men in our street. I can remember my mother, when I reached my teens, threatening to send me to the nuns if I ever came home and told her that I was pregnant.
I'm nearly 70 now and can still remember the fear we had of the church and especially the nuns who ran the homes for unmarried mothers.
I'm nearly 70 now and can still remember the fear we had of the church and especially the nuns who ran the homes for unmarried mothers.
May 2, 2018
I really enjoyed the first book but did find the story had a few too many characters in for my liking. The next book has even more new personalities that unfortunately do not get referred to enough with many chapters in between and no recap of that person when their name pops up again. This left me frustrated because I couldn’t remember who some of the new characters were and had to go back through the book. I gave up in the end but I do know that many people have loved these books. Not for me.
October 20, 2017
Powerful book!!
I have one more of the trilogy to read. The books have, transported me back home. Reminded me of my darling daddy who saved a cousin from a mother and baby home and assured me being an Irish Catholic is about good not evil. Beautifully written. Hard to read but shows the strength of women and men everywhere when times are hard
I have one more of the trilogy to read. The books have, transported me back home. Reminded me of my darling daddy who saved a cousin from a mother and baby home and assured me being an Irish Catholic is about good not evil. Beautifully written. Hard to read but shows the strength of women and men everywhere when times are hard
October 30, 2018
Fantastic story. I hadn’t wanted to read about the social issues of the time, but my goodness, how they wove powerfully into the lives of all the characters in the books, I couldn’t help but be moved. The author is a story teller as good as Peter May who can weave a yarn and yet explore all the foibles of human nature while they tell it. Best series I’ve read in a long time.
April 10, 2020
An excellent second instalment I really enjoyed this follow up and the story flowed seamlessly on.
Historical facts mixed in with fiction surrounding the Catholic Church and those of that faith tell the story of the diabolical going ons.
The characters all have their own voices which is down to the narrators skill.
Well written and well read. Recommend.
Historical facts mixed in with fiction surrounding the Catholic Church and those of that faith tell the story of the diabolical going ons.
The characters all have their own voices which is down to the narrators skill.
Well written and well read. Recommend.
August 14, 2020
Stumbled across this from the occasional free credits I get from Audiobooks. Decided I'd give it a try. Couldn't stop listening to it and finished it quickly. Moved on to the third book in the trilogy which is just as good. I'm not sure if I will go back and pick up the first one or not, but I definitely will read other Nadine Dorries books.
July 7, 2017
Easy reading
September 5, 2017
Loved this book, I so felt for Kitty. The characters are wonderfully written and the story flows so well you feel part of the community.
September 21, 2017
loved this book, its the 2nd book in the trilogy, the four streets is the first book, you really get close to the characters, you feel like you know them personally.
October 14, 2017
Really enjoyed the whole set. Well worth a read.
February 20, 2018
loved the trilogy
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews