Morgan Shamy

The Dollmaker is a thrilling historical murder mystery set in the early twentieth century.

Dawn is a young woman who dreams of setting up her own medical practice but has to make do with assisting Dr. Miller for the time being. Her parents are unloving and are forcing her into a marriage with a rich old man. There is a lot of drama in Dawn's personal life.

Against this background are the gruesome acts of the Dollmaker who has been on a killing spree through various cities and has set his sights on the ballerinas in the town where Dawn lives. When her friend is kidnapped Dawn becomes embroiled in solving the Dollmaker case along with her new friend Gideon and his brother who have ties to a previous victim.

Dawn is a wonderful character. She is brave and clever. She doesn't want to get involved with the Dollmaker in the beginning but with Rose's disappearance, her loyalty and caring nature won't allow her to abandon her friend to her fate.

There were very few possible suspects and Gideon and his brother were such intense individuals with their own secrets that I frequently wavered between wondering which brother Dawn would end up with and whether either of them was the murderer. I was completely shocked when the big reveal finally happened during a nail-biting and suspenseful showdown between Dawn and the Dollmaker.

I started this book at breakfast time on a Sunday and ended up doing nothing else for the entire day. Nothing would do but finish in one go as this book had me hooked!

A fantastic read, thrilling, suspenseful, and dark with a bit of romance. It ticks all the boxes.… (más)

"Enchanting Ambitions: A Tale of Murder, Ballet, and Contradictions"


I wanted to love this book, as it began with all the elements I enjoy in a compelling story. Set in the early twentieth century, it revolves around a strong, intelligent, and determined woman who refuses to conform to society's expectations for women. The ballet plays a significant role in the story, for me it adds a bit of beauty between all the bits of darkness. Moreover, the inclusion of a murder mystery element adds an exciting layer to the narrative.

I must commend the author, who is a long-time writer but had taken on their first novel with this effort. Bravo for crafting an entertaining story! Completing a novel is a remarkable achievement that not many accomplish.

However, I must admit that certain aspects of the book didn't quite work for me. One notable issue is the reliance on unlikely coincidences throughout the plot, which I find somewhat unrealistic. I won't delve into specific examples to avoid spoilers, but they did affect my enjoyment of the story.

Furthermore, there are some contradictions in the main character's thoughts and actions. While she appears to be a strong, independent woman breaking societal norms, she occasionally shows excessive concern about how society perceives her. Additionally, there are instances of unrealistic access to crime scenes, two-dimensional characterizations (such as her parents), and reliance on scientifically implausible reactions to certain substances.

The pacing of the plot can be a bit fast and unbelievable at times. For instance, the main character is approached by a wealthy bachelor, still mourning his lost lover, and asked to marry him and assist in solving a serial murder mystery, despite having no experience in crime-solving. This development felt rushed and lacked believability.

In all honesty, this book could be enjoyed as an adult fairytale, considering the presence of typical fairytale elements despite its novel framework. Some settings, especially those beneath the theater, align well with an adult fairytale ambiance. Considering it from both perspectives, as a novel and a fairytale, I would rate it three stars and five stars, respectively.… (más)

This story was fantastic. I really felt connected to November, especially during her struggles in mental health. I enjoyed the complex and crazy plot twisted relationships between the main character and others and I never saw some of the plot twists coming until afterwards. It starts off a little odd, but as soon as you get into it, it all makes much more sense. The magic in the world is not something I've read in other stories, love the references of life and death and darkness and light.

The main character is a climber and is competative and at times I got lost on what some of the terms meant, but it didn't subtract from the story.
I am ready to see how the story will progress in the future! I recieved this as an ARC and I am so greatful. It wasn't a usual read, but I am glad I did and will be ready to read more from this author in the future!… (más)

I was given this to read and review to be transparent. (Also, this cover is so pretty!)

This book....is amazing. I couldn't put it down. I re-read it 2 or 3 times. It starts in the 1920s with a girl named Dawn and her best friend Rose. Rose is a prima ballerina and Dawn is a doctor's assistant in an era where men didn't do "womenly things". There is a serial killer out there and it has its own little twists!

Not wanting to really spoil the book, but if you don't mind the time-setting and mystery....I couldn't recommend this more. I loved watching Dawn's determination and fight.

10/10.… (más)