The Dolan Girls

By: S. R. Mallery

Narrated by: Nancy Peterson

The Dolan Girls by S. R. Mallery has it all. Set in Nebraska during the 1800s, whorehouse madams, ladies of the night, a schoolmarm, a Pinkerton detective, a Shakespeare-quoting old coot, brutal outlaws, and a horse-wrangler fill out the cast of characters. Added to the mix are colorful descriptions of an 1856 land rush, Buffalo Bill and his Wild West Show, Annie Oakley, bank/train robberies, small town local politics, and, of course, romance. Two, in fact!

©2015 Sarah Mallery (P)2017 Sarah Mallery

Swept back in time to the old West

In THE DOLAN GIRLS, S. R.Mallery brings us into the old west, using a unique perspective: that of young women with a secret to keep. Coming from a potato farm in famine-stricken Ireland, Cora (who refuses to talk about what happened six years ago) and her sister Minnie (who has been with her there the whole time) and Ellie (an endearingly lovely ten-years-old girl) must find ways to survive in a harsh new world where “no Irish need apply.”

Set in Nebraska, this is their story. The Dolan girls must make a Red-curtained Madam Ana brothel—“a place for pleasuring most any man”—their new home. Defending themselves against unruly customers would not come easy and it would take quick wit and quick action. “He took one hand off her neck to stroke her virgin cheek, and she seized the moment. Reaching to the right, she grabbed a large knife, the one she had used just the other day to help Mrs. Ana chop up some turnips.” And when the Madam falls ill, she tells Cora, “If I don’t make it, I give you my business, free and clear.”

It is in the parlor that we see their resilience playing out, while they (and we, through their eyes) get to meet iconic characters such as Annie Oakly. “Next, she positioned the mirror in front of her with one hand, and with the other, adjusted the rifle backwards on her shoulder… Crack-crack-crack-crack! went the rifle, shattering each target into bits and pieces.” The language is authentic, and the details capture the historical setting with not only precision but picturesque fun as well. “Ruffled shirts, petticoats more colorful than a rainbow, and boots covered in tassels were as common as toys on a Christmas morn.”

The narrator, Nancy Peterson, has a warm, intimate voice that goes straight to the heart. Immersing herself—and you—in the story, she varies her rhythm and expression, mining each word for its fullest impact. She’s great with accents and can change her age effortlessly, which gives presence to the characters and a great contrast between them.

Enjoyed it

Took me a bit to get into this one but I'm glad I stuck with it. It ended up being a really good book and quite entertaining. Lovable characters and good wild west flavor.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Dolan Girls

Some very heartbreaking moments in this book, and it really takes a women with certain strength to ensure and move on. They don’t make women like the Dolan girls anymore.
Enjoyed the narrative very much, great variety of voices by this very talented narrator.

Excellent historical

Loved listening to this! Excellent story and characters, I loved Ellie and Brett. There’s action, romance, and learning to cope with life’s events. This story does deal with some tough subjects, but they shape who the characters are. The narrator’s performance was excellent, each character had a unique voice. I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

A Tear Jerker, But FABULOUS

The narrator was fabulous At first, I didn't like the jumps in time, but midway through, I believed having the jumps made the story even better. I fell in love with so many of the characters. and I cried on several occasions.