TW: Mild descriptions of body horror and forced marriage.

This book was interesting, and much better than I was expecting. It was my first book from Morgan Shamy and I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style and the story. With this genre it can be really hit or miss, but I was pleasantly surprised, and should have expected better from CamCat given the other books I've read from their publishing house.

This story follows a young woman trying to be a doctor in a time and place where she can be called a witch for healing someone. Her best friend is a ballerina who is looking at losing her career to marriage. There is a serial killer on the loose in town, and two mysterious and slightly arrogant men show up in her life around the time the killer does.

A mild love triangle is involved, though it resolves maybe a little too quickly with a marriage to a man she barely knows, even though it's been established he will literally own her under the law. It is explained through story, but it still felt a little out of character given previous statements/actions. Probably my only critique that I would consider negative.

This book was a great read, I didn't want to put it down because I had so many questions and wanted to keep going till they were answered. A great little book, I'd highly recommend to anyone looking for a more dark mystery that is reminiscent of Jack the Ripper style murderers.

The Dollmaker by Morgan Shamy was narrated by Kate Rudd who I honestly did not like very much. She was clear, but seemed a little void of emotion in her reading. The novel had a great premise and a chilling crime story. But when it came to a convincing story of closeness I didn’t feel it. The mystery was good but the authentic feelings weren’t there. Something felt off for me so I’m giving this 3⭐️.
Thanks CamCat Publishing via NetGalley.

Easy listen, cozy-ish / not horror

25% I am I doctor.
25% I don’t need a man. Women are just as good as men. I am a doctor.
25% What man will I be forced to marry. Will he buy me my own clinic? I am a doctor.
25% My friend is missing. I am a doctor.


Narrator: 3.5⭐
Personal preference. I had listened to this narrator previously for a different book and the same voices were used for the males etc, so that threw me off.

Characters: 4⭐
Pretty diverse & there are quite a few of them. Our MC is palatable. Girl Power 👊♀️

Pacing: Slow - medium.
An easy pace with enough going on to keep you engaged.

Story: 4⭐ 2 major storylines.
First being status and becoming a submissive woman of society.
Second being The Dollmaker.

Whodunit: 3.5⭐ or 5⭐
It obvious from the moment you meet the character, which isn’t a problem, I was just really hoping this book was going to really go for it and.. MAJOR SPOILERS..(view spoiler) That would have really SHOCKED ME!

(view spoiler) If that was the intention then it’s rather fabulous.

Amazing book. If it doesn't make it to my top 3 list for 2024 I will be shocked. I didn't read the back of the book, so I went into it without any knowledge of what I was going to be reading. I was pleasantly surprised. The mixture of romance, suspense and horror was so perfectly mixed. And the Ending!!!!! read it! I plan to read it again!

This novel kept me on my toes the entire time. I enjoyed every moment and finished the entire book in one day. Absolutely could not put it down! Every time I thought I figured out who the doll makers was, there was a new piece of information that would sway me to think again. The big reveal caught me by surprise! 10/10 would recommend for anyone who loves a good murder mystery that keeps you on your toes the entire time.

Over all the book was good. Better than expected. However the ending was really bad in my option.
A strong independent woman the does not want to get tided down to fake marriages so she can continue to practice medicine and be a doctor. But because her parents are money hungry they try to marry her off to a creepy old man. But one of the old man’s nephews rescues her and marrys her blindly so she can still have her freedom to help solve these murders by the doll maker. The whole book keeps you guessing who the killer is. And makes you question if she married him. All to know the killer never went though anyone’s mind mights be the killer. Other than that this book has potential to be a romantic book but died with the poor ending of this.

Received this ARC and was blown away by how captivating this book was. The twist at the end though??? Blew. Me. Away. A beautifully written and executed book that left me wanting more. Dawn and the Hemsworth brothers had such a great dynamic throughout and the mystery of who was "the Dollmaker" progressively transitioning from person to person had me hooked. Absolutely looking forward to whatever this author comes up with next and needing the physical copy to add to my shelf instantaneously.

The Dollmaker
Morgan Shamy
The setting for this book is the 1920s. A time when society expected women to stay in their place. Dawn was a healer; she worked under Dr. Miller. Her dream was to open her own practice. She puts her dreams on hold when her friend Rose goes missing. Rose is a ballerina, but her career will end as soon as she marries, and her wedding day is coming up soon. Dawn is determined to fine her friend.
While this is a real thriller it is much more. It demonstrates how society held women back in the early 1900s. Women were thought of as second-class citizens, unable or unworthy of serving in a position of authority. The mystery/thriller kept me on the edge of my seat. There are twists and turns that make this the book to read!
Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book for review.

I was very much anticipating this book! The premise seemed just up my alley. I love historical horror. This book was pretty creepy and had me on my seat from the very beginning. Dark and thrilling, just how I like my horror.

The main character was a strong female lead. She was independent and knew she needed no one to help her get through life. Of course all this can change with just one romantic feeling, but for now she is happy being just herself. Which I personally love in books. She is smart and capable. When her best friends becomes the next victim, she needs to pair up with a couple of men who are more than what they seem.

The story for sure had a lot of things I could figure out but the who done it had me baffled and I was quite surprised at the end. I think my only complaint is the who done it felt a little out in left field, but it did not take a way from the journey to get there.

The narration was spot on but I figured it would be. Kate Rudd is my favorite narrator and I can't give her enough praise. I get books based purely on this narrator. Being a good read on top of a fantastic narrator was just icing on the cake.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher.
This was a great audiobook. Fast paced and hard to stop listening.
I love the murder mystery, horror and historical aspect all perfectly put into one book.
Great narration.

Good story, I thought it more murder mystery than horror. Throughout the book it seemed more Downton Abbey with the emphasis on marriage and position in society, most of the men are not nice at all. The narration was good and didn't distract from the story. I received this audiobook from Cam at and Netgalley for a review.

I thought The Dollmaker, by Morgan Shamy, was a pleasant surprise. It went a bit deeper than I was expecting it to in that not only was it a fast paced suspense, it also delved into the history of being a woman doctor in the early 1900s. I also appreciated that the romance didn't feel over done and it was definitely clean.
The book was narrated by Kate Rudd and I thought that she did a great job. Her tempo and tone, throughout the book, was pleasant and kept me engaged.
Dawn Hildegard has witnessed her best friend, Rose, a recently engaged ballerina, being kidnapped but no one will listen to her. It's not until the next day that anyone even realizes that she's missing. Dawn is sure that the perpetrator is a serial killer who's been dubbed “The Dollmaker".
This killer seems obsessed with creating macabre art by using their victims bodies. Now Dawn will rush against time to figure out who the perpetrator is so that she can find her friend, alive. She must do so before she's either arrested or becomes the next victim, herself.

This book was not really what I was looking for. First off, I feel a little bit like this book was originally set in the 1840s and then updated to the 1920s. There was quite a lot of talk of 'society' and 'status' and pearl clutching propriety. Also, women were doctors at this time, not many, but still it was not out of the realm of possibility. Dawn's reactions to things fluctuate wildly - first she wants to buck tradition and society and then in the next scene she literally runs away from a patient and then needs constant rescuing by the men. I wanted more of a thriller and this was definitely more romance (I guess) with a killer running around. There wasn't much investigation or anything just wild assumptions that Dawn chased down. The book moved quickly but in a manic squirrel crossing the road sort of way. Kate Rudd was a good narrator with nice pacing but the story was just too all over the place. Thank you NetGalley and CamCat Publishing for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Goodness! This one tested the ol’ ticker!

Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Camcat Books for the Audio ARC! Thanks to you all and this book my once gorgeous nails are bloody nubs. ;-)

This was a great change up from my usual and a great addition to YA mystery/thriller seasoned with a dash of gore/horror. Not for the faint hearted. This one is for the reader who bites the end of pencils and gleefully reads faster because they know the gory bits are about to happen. This is for the reader that likes to watch the serial killer mystery shows with popcorn and the lights out. This is for the Jack the Ripper fans, and my fellow gothic tale junkies who have been caught 🫣 peeking through fingers through high adrenaline movie scenes.
Can’t caution the timid reader, who spends their time in happily ever after, enough…this isn’t for you. Although, I also like to encourage a trip down the forked side of the road less traveled, so…go ahead and read. Devour! I double dog dare you!!! ;-)

This was excellent!
No regrets!!!
4 out of 5 stars ⭐️

In a world where pursuing dreams and aspirations can be shattered by unforeseen circumstances, Dawn Hildegard's journey stands out as a testament to the strength of love and friendship. When her dreams of becoming a doctor clash with the urgent need to rescue her best friend, Rose, from the clutches of The Dollmaker, she willingly embraces the harrowing path ahead. With the help of two enigmatic brothers, who may harbor secrets of their own, Dawn's determination to save Rose deepens the cracks in her trust, forcing her to question everyone's motives.

As the bodies accumulate and a sinister mastermind lurks in the shadows, Dawn must harness her wits and navigate the ambiguities to save both herself and her dear friend. In this unforgiving battle against time, Dawn exemplifies the power of human courage, resilience, and the unyielding pursuit of justice. While her initial dream of becoming a doctor may seem distant, her unwavering pursuit of Rose's safety and the truth encompasses a different kind of healing.

In the end, as Dawn's saga reaches its climax, we are left to question the lengths to which we would go for those we love, and the sacrifices we are capable of making when faced with unimaginable darkness. The arduous journey in search of Rose, against all odds, demonstrates that even in the face of evil, one can prevail with the strength of love and determination as their guiding lights.

A fantastic read.

I read Flyboys today and wasn’t going to read another book then this happened & I couldn’t put it down!

UNPUTDOWNABLE

It’s a quick read. Early 1900’s. Dawn is a young woman currently a doctor’s helper but wants to be a doctor herself … for reasons. But it’s not a time for female doctors, she’s strong willed and independent. Her parents are greedy losers & want to marry her off to a decrepit mean old rich man.

There’s a serial killer, a dead fiancé, old creepy man has 2 great nephews that could be love interests but have a dark history, and now a missing friend. Dawn wants to be a doctor & sees something in the murders so you know the game’s afoot!

Good narration!

I’m thrilled to have found this on NetGalley! Thank you CamCat Publishing! I also review on Amazon as Twainy.

I will preface this by saying I listened to the audiobook of this. I don't typically listen to audiobooks so it threw me off a little in the beginning that it was all narrated by the same person.

With all that said, the story was really good and compelling. It kept me at the edge of my seat wondering who the dollmaker was. I love Morgan Shamys writing and how she draws you into the story and the world she is writing about. Strong FMC in this story especially in the era it was set in was great! I was expecting it to be more horror based but I think Mystery/Thriller would be more fitting. But loved this story! It's been a long time since I read a thriller that kept me guessing and if you're into that, do read this!

I definitely must get a copy of this book and re-read it because I think that would make a difference for me, but that is just my personal preference and doesn't take away from the author in any way.

Great story, not horror.
Historical fiction/murder mystery
Will definitely read more by this author.

3.75 stars rounded up.
Was pleasantly surprised at the minimal gore - the books is categorized as horror so was hesitant to listen to this, as I was expecting (dreading) more grisly descriptions.
Seemed to drag a bit after the climax of the story was reached.
Something was missing with the characters - their relationships seemed rushed & not fully flushed out.
Really enjoyed the narrator’s voice and added inflections & differences for various characters & situations.
Adding the author’s other novels to my TBR list!

This book was an amazing read. It was very much a Jack the Ripper retelling and I am all about it. This is one of Morgan Shamy's greatest novels. I have read it twice and listened to it once because it is that good.