The story itself is a 3 star story - mid with a predictable twist, blatantly obvious red herrings, and an odd sense of time to it where it was supposed to be set in the 1920s and there were cars, but everything felt more Edwardian era. The romance made no sense - why a smart woman insistent on being a doctor and terrified of being tied down and being forced into the role of a house wife would fall so instantly in love with a bizarre toxic man with childish outbursts is beyond me. Overall...this was just okay. Not very horror in my opinion. This book wrote a check it couldn't cash.

As for the narrator - took away another star because the narrator kept pronouncing the 'T' in the word 'valet'.

Iwant to thank Netgalley for an advanced ARC of this novel as a audiobook

The story was fast Paced and fun to listen to but I did find it predictable, the main character I enjoyed how she was written and her want and need for independence to be the kind of woman she wants to be as a healer... which for the time she lived was a rare career for a woman and made her stand out and seem to be an u desirable to many, but she was determined to be what she wanted to be and also how she wanted to be. The other characters in the background to me seemed to not have much character development (I know as background povs they are not as important as the main character but for me i like to have more development). The story was interesting and easy to become addictive to read in one seating like I have.

This book was so good! You are hooked from chapter 1 and the book never lets go of the grip it gets on you. The book is fast paced and the writing is very immersive. It gives Jack the ripper - vibes and you will keep on guessing who the dollmaker is up until the very end.

The premise of this mystery/horror was so good. I love a strong FMC with a passion for STEM ready to fight off society for thinking she is weird or can’t do it. This was giving me Stalking Jack the Ripper Vibes. I also love a bit of an unhinged Criminal Minds type serial killer and we definitely get that with the Dollmaker. I was eager to keep going and find out what happened!

With that being said I did find the characters a bit flat, and what (I think?) was supposed to be some romantic elements/tension non existent. The book is set in the 1920s but at times felt like we were doing murder mystery Bridgerton? It was a bit jarring.

I’d definitely give this author another read/listen! The audiobook itself was good, nothing overly amazing but also not a bad narrator to listen too. This was a thoroughly enjoyable and fast read to scratch that mystery thriller need!

Dawn is a woman who desires to become a doctor but is an apprentice and a healer to women. Yet, the killer notices her, and the killer collects trophies from the kills. His trophies are compilations of dead girls into a "masterpiece." The killer's connected to one of the dead girls. Dawn becomes engrossed with finding the Dollmaker. The Dollmaker kidnaps Rose, her best friend, at Rose's engagement party. The historical setting showed how great the divide was between men and women, yet beautiful how people are as strong now as they were back then. I enjoyed the banter between Gideon and Sebastian. Even though they are brothers, they are different and treat Dawn very differently. The Dollmaker is not a true horror or romance story for me, and the story has a little bit of those elements, but more thriller and historical mystery. I could go on, but I prefer spoiler-free reviews, and help you pick your next source of enjoyment!

I really enjoyed the way it was written and how Dawn became wrapped in the dollmakers sites. I liked Dawn took to investigating the disappearance of Rose herself and the unlikely partner she had. The narration was really good, and I feel like I liked it more than I would have if I was reading it myself. I loved the twists and the eerie feelings. I did not see the reason behind the killings coming at all. Anyone Dawn suspected I was fully on board and would change my allegiance as she did. It fit the time period well and I found the murder signature interesting (which is always weird to say).

Thank you @camcat_books and @netgalley for the gifted audio.

So for this I did definitely enjoy the story but I don’t think I connected with it they way I would have liked to. I’m not sure if that’s just a simple fact of the audio version just wasn’t for me I’m not sure. I will definitely be adding this book to my home library where I have every intention of reading it for myself. I have found when I just can’t connect with the audio version I need to read instead. Unfortunately I was unable to purchase the book before this review so I have every intention of coming back to amend should my opinion change. I will definitely still recommend this book to all my thriller loving friends. Thank you for the opportunity to enjoy this book.

The Dollmaker by Morgan Shamy is a suspenseful story following a young woman, Dawn, as she tries to weave her way through the mystery of her friend’s disappearance at the hands of a serial killer known as “The Dollmaker.”

This story is very well done. There are several layers that go beyond the theme of suspense and horror that deal with very real and relevant circumstances. Morgan Shamy writes horror in a way that the reader can relate to, especially if that reader is a woman. The themes explored in this novel go beyond traditional tropes to include subject matter that can be horrific in a way other than the obvious. Dawn is a very strong female character in a time when showing independence, education, and stubbornness could be sorely looked down upon. Watching her traverse through the maze that is societal norms at the time is almost as scary as The Dollmaker, a killer who takes pleasure in creating human dolls by assembling parts from various victims into a single body. The theme of the book, in my opinion, is what it is to be perfect. The Dollmaker is trying to create a “perfect” woman, as is the world around Dawn trying to force her into what is considered a “perfect” role in the eyes of society. The story contains several instances that make the reader feel anxious due to the situations Dawn finds herself in during day-to-day life, and not just the fear of a serial killer on the loose.

I really enjoyed this book. I listened to the audio version and loved the flow and the narration. Kate Rudd did an amazing job translating the drama and suspense. If you enjoy audio, this is a great story to listen to. Overall, this was a great story! I do wish there had been more appearances by The Dollmaker and their “works of art,” but it was refreshing to read a story that dove into several layers of what can be considered “horror.” Morgan Shamy does great job in crafting a mystery that is full of deceit, betrayal, love, and murder. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fresh take on what it means to be afraid.

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!
The narrator did a good job and I enjoyed the performance at 2x speed.

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

THE DOLLMAKER is an engaging read. I listened to the audio version and really enjoyed the narration, visual descriptions, and twists of the story! I love a little bit of romance in my books, and this timepiece did not disappoint. Dawn is a believable character with realistic ambitions, internal dialogue, and subtle shifts in her thought processes. I would recommend this book to those seeking mystery, historical fiction, and a brush of romance!

This was twisted and kept me interested. I've had this book for a while and am glad I finally read it!

A very dark story. But I found my mind wondering and hard to get onto the story. I was hoping I would but this story didn’t hit the mark for me.

2.5 rounded up.

This book wasn't bad by any means but I also didn't love it. I felt like I was running around in circles in pure chaos for about 70% of this book. The narrator, Kate Rudd did a fabulous job narrating this one. I felt like her narration was fantastic and drew me in from start to finish. However, the story itself felt a little confusing for me. I felt like one minute it was a mystery and the next it was kind of a strange romantic vibe? I don't really know how to describe it. The twist in this one did fall a little flat for me. I don't know if it was because I didn't really care for the characters in this one or if the story itself didn't work for me. I felt like Morgan Shamy's writing was fantastic but I just felt like something was missing for me.

PLEASE NOTE: While this story was not necessarily for me, I can see why so many would enjoy it. It is a very intriguing concept. I would recommend giving it a chance if the synopsis intrigues you. It was still a captivating read for me.

Huge thank you to Netgalley and Camcat publishing for the gifted audiobook of The Dollmaker by Morgan Shamy!

*I received this book as an ARC in exchange for an honest review
I wanted to like this book, I truly did. The concept was great: killer stalking young girls, killing and dismembering them in order to make a piece of art. It's a natural hook, but it absolutely fails to hold on.
The narrator is doing good job for representing Dawn and her story. The changing intonation for the different characters is helpful. I would love more emotions into the characters and suspens atmosphere.

The Dollmaker by Morgan Shamy

“The Dollmaker” by Morgan Shamy follows Dawn, a woman who dreams of becoming a doctor in a time when women were not allowed to do so. She assists Dr. Miller in his practice until her friend Rose disappears. Then, Dawn turns her focus on chasing the serial killer known as “The Dollmaker.” Can she save her friend before her friend ends up as one of The Dollmaker’s victims?

I enjoyed this audiobook. The story was engaging. The female empowerment was awesome. I enjoyed that women were standing up for themselves and trying to break social norms for their benefit. The twists were well done. Kate Rudd did a great job narrating. Her voice was dynamic, and each character had a different voice. It was a pleasure to listen.

Thank you to Morgan Shamy and CamCat Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

"The Dollmaker" by Morgan Shamy, narrated by Kate Rudd, delivers a gripping and chilling tale of suspense that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats.

From the moment Dawn Hildegard's best friend is kidnapped by the sinister "Dollmaker," the story plunges into a heart-pounding race against time. Shamy masterfully crafts a narrative that is equal parts haunting and thrilling, drawing readers into a world of darkness and danger.

The twists and turns of the plot are expertly woven together, creating a sense of tension and anticipation that builds with each chapter. While some may find the dialogue a bit stilted at times, the overall mystery and suspense make up for any minor flaws.

Kate Rudd's narration enhances the atmospheric tone of the story, bringing the characters to life with depth and emotion. Her skillful delivery captures the fear and uncertainty that permeate the narrative, making it a truly immersive listening experience.

"The Dollmaker" is not just a mystery, but a psychological thriller that delves into the darkest depths of the human psyche. As Dawn races to save her friend and stop the killer, listeners will find themselves holding their breath until the end. Overall, "The Dollmaker" is a fun listen for fans of the genre, offering a thrilling ride that will leave them craving more from Morgan Shamy.

Thanks to CamCat Publishing, Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks for the advanced audiobook copy to review via NetGalley.

This book was set after the war where women were still regarded as of lower social standing than men. For me, it felt like this book was more about feminism than it was about the mystery-thriller as advertised. There's nothing wrong with that. It's just that there were times the story would get side-tracked and the essence of the mystery itself would be overpowered by Dawn's fight for gender equality and her impending marriage. I did enjoy the tiny bit of romance although there wasn't much build-up of their chemistry so it felt like it came out of nowhere. I also liked how the plot twist was done even though I guessed it and was about 50% sure.
Trigger warning: gore, graphic description of mutilation and body parts

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book.

3.5/5 stars

This was a very interesting take on serial killers. I figured out who it was a bit early on, but the classic “villain’s monologue” was very fun. Dawn was a good character, however she is a bit whiny. There’s a lot of whiplash with “is he the killer? No he can’t be, but is he?” Lots of repetition that dragged the story. Overall, I would recommend this as a good spooky/horror novel.

I was excited about receiving this book after reading the description - When Dawn Hildegard’s best friend Rose is kidnapped by “The Dollmaker,” a crazed serial killer who creates “art” from women’s bodies, she drops everything to find her... Only, after "reading" 22% of the book, this still hadn't happened yet.
I felt like I was listening to an 8th grade essay where there was a requirement to have a certain amount of words and the author was just adding unnecessary information to meet that quota. I didn't like the main character and at some point began to not care if she was kidnapped and killed by the Dollmaker.
I listened to the audiobook version of this and just could not connect with the narrator. The reading felt very stiff and the characters did not seem real. I ended up speeding up the narration to 150% because the pace was so slow. I could not wait to get to the end of this and just be finished.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the audio version. I was really excited about this book. I loved the cover, synopsis etc. The book all though promising after first just started to go very slow and down hill. I don't really like any of the characters, it is very predictable who the killer is and I just feel like honestly the story could have been cut in half with what little goes on in the story plot. I am not really a fan of the main female character. After a while you get tired of hearing the feminist liberal female complaints on how terrible men are and poor me blah blah blah. It was just okay.