Genre Fiction
![Meredith Jaeger - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B01MRD7DC5.jpg)
The Dressmaker's Dowry: A Novel
For readers of Lucinda Riley, Sarah Jio, or Susan Meissner, this gripping historical debut novel tells the story of two women: one, an immigrant seamstress who disappears from San Francisco's gritty streets in 1876, and the other, a young woman in present day who must delve into the secrets of her husband's wealthy family only to discover that she and the missing dressmaker might be connected in unexpected ways.
An exquisite ring, passed down through generations, connects two women who learn that love is a choice, and forgiveness is the key to freedom...
San Francisco: 1876
Immigrant dressmakers Hannelore Schaeffer and Margaret O'Brien struggle to provide food for their siblings, while mending delicate clothing for the city's most affluent ladies. When wealthy Lucas Havensworth enters the shop, Hanna's future is altered forever. With Margaret's encouragement and the power of a borrowed green dress, Hanna dares to see herself as worthy of him. Then Margaret disappears, and Hanna turns to Lucas. Braving the gritty streets of the Barbary Coast and daring to enter the mansions of Nob Hill, Hanna stumbles upon Margaret's fate, forcing her to make a devastating decision...one that will echo through the generations.
San Francisco: Present Day
In her elegant Marina apartment overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, Sarah Havensworth struggles to complete the novel she quit her job for. Afraid to tell her husband of her writer's block, Sarah is also hiding a darker secret-one that has haunted her for 14 years. Then a news headline from 1876 sparks inspiration: Missing Dressmakers Believed to be Murdered. Compelled to discover what happened to Hannelore and Margaret, Sarah returns to her roots as a journalist. Will her beautiful heirloom engagement ring uncover a connection to Hanna Schaeffer?
An exquisite ring, passed down through generations, connects two women who learn that love is a choice, and forgiveness is the key to freedom...
San Francisco: 1876
Immigrant dressmakers Hannelore Schaeffer and Margaret O'Brien struggle to provide food for their siblings, while mending delicate clothing for the city's most affluent ladies. When wealthy Lucas Havensworth enters the shop, Hanna's future is altered forever. With Margaret's encouragement and the power of a borrowed green dress, Hanna dares to see herself as worthy of him. Then Margaret disappears, and Hanna turns to Lucas. Braving the gritty streets of the Barbary Coast and daring to enter the mansions of Nob Hill, Hanna stumbles upon Margaret's fate, forcing her to make a devastating decision...one that will echo through the generations.
San Francisco: Present Day
In her elegant Marina apartment overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge, Sarah Havensworth struggles to complete the novel she quit her job for. Afraid to tell her husband of her writer's block, Sarah is also hiding a darker secret-one that has haunted her for 14 years. Then a news headline from 1876 sparks inspiration: Missing Dressmakers Believed to be Murdered. Compelled to discover what happened to Hannelore and Margaret, Sarah returns to her roots as a journalist. Will her beautiful heirloom engagement ring uncover a connection to Hanna Schaeffer?
Editorial Reviews
"In this deliciously satisfying tale of love and resilience, Meredith Jaeger sweeps us into nineteenth century San Francisco, painting harrowing images of poverty alongside excesses of wealth, weaving a multi-generational novel impossible to put down." - Lori Nelson Spielman, New York Times bestselling author of The Life List and Sweet Forgiveness
"Meredith Jaeger deftly intertwines two tales of love and loyalty and the vast lengths to which some will go to protect those they hold dear. A compelling debut novel that sent me racing to its final, revealing pages." - Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge of Lost
"Jaeger's debut sends readers quickly and completely into San Francisco's history. Hanna, Margaret, and Sarah are the perfect storytellers, young women determined to find their place in the world. This gripping read is a satisfying exploration of the timeless nature of love and resilience." - Booklist (starred review)
"Jaeger weaves her mystery over two timelines, luring the reader into a riveting tale of intrigue and suspense. Blending the past and present together through strong descriptions and colorful, exciting characters, Jaeger creates an engrossing novel. Readers will be captivated by her voice, that of a good old-fashioned storyteller." - RT Book Reviews
"Meredith Jaeger deftly intertwines two tales of love and loyalty and the vast lengths to which some will go to protect those they hold dear. A compelling debut novel that sent me racing to its final, revealing pages." - Kristina McMorris, New York Times bestselling author of The Edge of Lost
"Jaeger's debut sends readers quickly and completely into San Francisco's history. Hanna, Margaret, and Sarah are the perfect storytellers, young women determined to find their place in the world. This gripping read is a satisfying exploration of the timeless nature of love and resilience." - Booklist (starred review)
"Jaeger weaves her mystery over two timelines, luring the reader into a riveting tale of intrigue and suspense. Blending the past and present together through strong descriptions and colorful, exciting characters, Jaeger creates an engrossing novel. Readers will be captivated by her voice, that of a good old-fashioned storyteller." - RT Book Reviews
Readers Top Reviews
A.KSJCJohn Fulham
This book did make me turn the pages to see what happens, but I had a few issues with the realism. For example, the author made a two-year-old speak in full sentences much like a six-year-old, which really kills it for me. Also no one in my book group could figure out what the Dowery actually was. The ending wasn’t that logical or believable, though it was very dramatic. I will try another novel by this author because I did like her writing style and they were parts that were very well written, but I think it’s the overall plot that didn’t hold together for me.
Meredith SchorrA.
I am so impressed this is Meredith Jaeger's debut novel. It was part historical fiction, part mystery, and one hundred percent captivating. I enjoyed both POV's (Hannah's in the past and Sarah's in the present) equally and although it was very sad in parts, the tone overall was not depressing at all. I've now read both of the author's books and look forward to when a third comes out!
LisaLaura Critchf
It must be a new trend to blend writing styles within a book: one part is written in first person, the other in third person, but I find it very annoying. This is the second book I've read recently in which the author chose to write this way. It used to be an indication of poor writing; I still think it is. The book also needed better editing: Sarah describes her in-laws' house as Queen Anne style on one page, the next page she states it's Victorian; every man in both eras always smells of pine, or has a "piney scent"; Sarah experiences "shivers" too many times, she's self-conscious of the scar on her forehead, yet doesn't mention what excuse she gave her husband for it since it's a secret (gah!); in general Sarah whines, and both she and Hanna make foolish decisions, and there are too many coincidences. Plus, the title is misleading. The only reference to Hanna being a dressmaker is in a census Sarah found. I still don't know what her dowry was supposed to be. It's too bad there were so many problems (all fixable) with the book, because the story held promise and was interesting. I just couldn't get past wondering how something so incomplete and in such a "rough draft stage" could get published.
LisaLaura Crit
Meredith Jaeger’s debut novel is a great read for anyone who likes sympathetic, resourceful women characters, historical mysteries that connect past and present, well-paced plotting, some unexpected twists, a strong sense of place, and just plain good writing. The dual POV fist-person present-day and third-person 1876 narrative are smoothly intertwined, a difficult trick even for more experienced writers. Jaeger’s meticulous historical research is seamlessly integrated, and Hanna and 1870’s San Francisco totally come alive. Without a hint of preachiness, she shows the difficult lives of the Victorian working class , paralleled in contemporary San Francisco, where gentrification is squeezing the middle and working classes. The epilogue ties the story together nicely and the photos showing many of the book’s locations make the story even more realistic. I’m eagerly awaiting Jaeger’s next book!
maryann LisaLau
Mary Ann's review Apr 17, 2018 · edit it was amazing ** spoiler alert ** This is one novel that I really enjoyed and thought the author did a splendid job of keeping the reading engrossed in the story. It is about two dressmakers that are immigrants and work to help feed their siblings. As the novel is written, you can tell that the author did research about the goings on in and around the area where these two young ladies worked. They both took care of their siblings besides working and putting long hours for little pay. There is a love story involved along with disappearance and murder of the young Irish dressmaker. However, the Bavarian dressmaker wouldn't leave it alone til she found out what happened to her and then left San Francisco giving up the love of her life for safety of her siblings and self. the plot has many twists and turns and you can almost feel like you are part of the plot while it is happening and it could almost be a real true story. I am sure back at the time of the gold rush, many people were killed and disappeared. I look forward to reading more novels from Meredith Jaeger. Thank you for a great read!
