The Edge by Jessie Keane

The Edge: An Electrifying Gangland Thriller From the Top Ten Bestseller by Jessie Keane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 461

Publisher - Macmillan

Source - Gift

Blurb from Goodreads

The unstoppable Ruby Darke returns as old enemies threaten her family in The Edge, a gripping gangland thriller from top ten bestselling author Jessie Keane.

With a mind sharper than a razor blade it was only a matter of time before Ruby Darke fought her way to the top. From humble beginnings she became the queen of London’s retail, but she didn’t get there by obeying the law.

Now with her son Kit and daughter Daisy finally by her side she’s ready to start a new chapter in her life, but, unknown to all of them, enemies are circling.

There aren’t many who threaten Ruby Darke and live to tell the tale. But this time, she may just have met her match.

If you live on the edge, you may just die on it . . .


My Review

Ruby Darke and her son Kit have their finger in many pies, on the wrong side of the law, protection money, folk running for them, business is good. When someone targets their patch, their business and then takes a shot at them the family have to pull together to figure out who is after them. In between that the police are breathing down their necks, they want to solve the crimes too and if they can take down the family whilst at it, all the better.

So this is book three in a trilogy and I would advice reading the previous however I read book two five years ago, don't remember too much at all and got on fine with this. The action kicks off quickly and goes from there. Ruby has an old flame who is being fingered for the trouble and could there be a spark still there? Juggling her business and family life Ruby is being pulled in all directions and the threat of harm is hanging over them. It is, as is Keane's usual, pacey, gritty, crime/gangland style although a big focus on the family side of it. We also have a hired gun on the loose so jump between the family and the killer.

If you like Keane's previous books you will enjoy this. Questionable behaviour, death, murder, family, love, lies and deceit. 3.5/5 for me this time, read Keane before and will read her again.

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Fearless by Jessie Keane - Blog Tour

Eeeek today is my turn on the blog tour for the newest offering from Jessie Keane, if you haven't seen it already, check out this book cover.





Fearless is a standalone, Keane has a few standalones as well as her two series, check them out HERE at Fantastic Fiction. That is my go to site, if you haven't used it, favourite it. It gives you the authors chronological works, years released and a bit about the author, I always check it when book buying. If you are an author and not familiar with the site or listed on it, seriously message them, I always advise any authors to get on there.





Please check out the other stops on the blog tour, the bloggers all host different content.





Fearless by Jessie Keane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - < 1 day

Pages - 574

Publisher - Pan Macmillan

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Amazon

Play dirty, play to win.

Josh Flynn is the king of the bare-knuckle gypsy fighters. His reputation is un-blemished; his fist a deadly weapon.

Claire Milo has always loved Josh, they were destined to be together from the day they met. Two gypsy lovers with their whole lives ahead of them. If only Josh would find a different way of earning a living instead of knocking the living daylights out of another man in the boxing ring. One day, she knew something really bad was going to happen. She could feel it . . .

Shauna Everett always wanted what she couldn’t have, and nobody, especially Claire Milo was going to stand in her way. She’s had her eye on Josh Flynn for years and she knew just how to get him. If it meant playing dirty, then so be it. What had she got to lose?

In a world ruled by violence, crime and backstreet brawls, only one woman will win in Jessie Keane's Fearless, but how low is she prepared to go to achieve that goal?


My Review


Josh Flynn and Claire Milo have been together since they were kids, now they are going to get married. On the night of Josh's big fight Claire realises this isn't for her and her old adversary Shauna spots her moment. She hates Claire with a passion because Claire has what she wants, Josh, and when Shauna wants something she will stop at nothing to get it.

Oooft sometimes you read a book and find a character you hate and no one will surpass it, then you meet Shauna Everett. Absolute evil and zero morals, we are very quickly introduced to the darker side that resides in Shauna. The story spans over years, from the night everything goes wrong for Claire, the immediate aftermath and then follows them into adulthood, they are teenagers when the story kicks off.

The story is really brutal at times and not for the faint hearted, crude sexual scenes, depravity, violence, abuse, murder and that is just for starters. Gritty crime at its best, I was reading one chapter before bed and ended up still awake at 4am, 400 pages in. Keane creates a dark world you can't help but be pulled into and wanting to see what happens next. The kids are from the gypsy world, Josh is a fighter, no rules just brutality. Shauna has always had higher aspirations that what the gypsy world can offer and really has no qualms doing what it takes and stepping on whoever to make it happen. Claire, well all she ever wanted was a quiet life with the man she loved, she embraced the life she grew up with but with one night changing everything she does what she needs to to survive. Shauna is one of those characters who will stay with you long after you put the book down, an absolute horror of a woman!

Fearless is a story that will make your skin crawl in places, wince, boak, enthral, enrage, cheer, captivate and keep you turning page after page. I have read Keane before and will absolutely read her again, I need to check her back catalogue and see what ones I have missed, 4/5 for me this time.

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ARC - Lawless by Jessie Keane

Lawless by Jessie Keane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Publisher - Pan

Pages - 493

Blurb from back cover


It is 1975 and Ruby Darke is struggling to deal with the brutal murder of her lover, Michael Ward. As her children, Daisy and Kit, battle their own demons, her retail empire starts to crumble.

Meanwhile, after the revenge killing of Tito Danieri, Kit is the lowest he's ever been. But soon doubt is thrown over whether Kit killed the right person, and now the Danieris are out for his blood and the blood of the entire Darke family.

As the bodies pile up, the chase is on - can the Darkes resolve their own family conflicts and find Michael Ward's true killer before the vengeful Danieris kill them? Or will they take the law into their own hands . . .


My Review

Ruby Darke is still reeling from the murder of her partner, Michael Ward. Kit, her son, is also taking it hard and hell bent on revenge which will put all their lives at risk. Retribution will be swift but who will pay for Kits actions?

The story opens up and flings us right into the mix immediately, Ruby is accosted on her way home and the story throws back a bit to give us the know of why we got to this point. The book is set in 1975, in England and crime was established and growing even then. People are hard to forgive or forget any indiscretions made against their family and soon the body count is rising. Ruby's daughter Daisy has some issues going on in her life too although nothing in comparison to Kit. Ruby's son has never forgiven her and never will, he is angry about Michael's death which he blames upon the Danieri family, especially Tito. An eye for an eye sees tension rising between him and the surviving brothers, Vittore & Fabio. Can the families work out their differences or will it be bloodshed all the way?

I do enjoy Jessie Keane, it is gritty crime, fairly fast paced and if you have read her before you know what your getting. Murder, bad language, sex, crime, betrayal and that is usually just scratching the surface. I have read a few of her books and the last one wasn't, I felt, as good as the others. This one sees her back on top, writing with an ease and drawing you into a fast paced dangerous way of life. The women characters in this tale are as strong or dominant as the main male characters, I felt, which is a nice change. There are a few shocks along the way and I could have read this in one sitting had time permitted. Overall 4/5 for me, thank you to Anne for passing this ARC along in exchange for an honest review. You can get your hands on a copy from the 17th of July, 2014 so not long to wait.

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Review - Scarlet Women by Jessie Keane

Scarlet Women by Jessie Keane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Blurb from Goodreads

She was a madam in a brothel, then a gangster’s moll. Now Annie Carter owns the East End of London, and God help anybody that crosses her.…

It’s 1970 and there’s a killer on the loose in London.

When gang boss Annie Carter gets a call, suddenly it’s personal. A close friend of hers is the latest victim, and another is in the frame for the murder.

With the hated Delaney gang still causing trouble, and NY mob boss Don Constantine Barolli’s family making no secret of the fact that they hate her, she senses a feud blowing up in all their faces very soon.

To save her old friend, Annie has to try to find out who’s been targeting the girls. Before long she’s diving head-first into the seedy underbelly of the streets.

How long before the killer strikes again? And who will the next victim be?


My Review

Annie is back home in London and ready to establish her businesses and as head of the Carter cartel. Before she can cut her teeth into all that needs done she gets a call that her friend has been killed and her associate is the prime suspect. Annie is torn between fixing her business, finding out who killed her friend, keeping the Delaney's at bay and keeping her mind off Constantine Barolli. Before too long Annie is in the deep of it and could lose everything she has worked so hard for and her life is in danger. You can't tread on so many toes without making enemies and Annie has many, could this be the end for Annie Carter?

The book starts on a cliff hanger, Annie is in a life threatening situation, death is imminent and she goes over the recent past to how she got here. She has a blast from the past she needs to try and protect which brings her to the wrong side of the Delaney twins. The police aren't looking for anyone else for her friends murder but Annie knows they have the wrong guy and that is just scratching the surface. There is lots going on in this book and a lot of action to keep your interest however this book feel a bit short for me compared to others in the series. For example in the last book Annie went through hell with her little girl yet in this book she is passed off to others whilst she deals with business. I just felt that whilst she wouldn't want her in the path of what was going on, you wouldn't just put her to the side to deal with all the dangerous stuff she does throughout this book.

The issues with the silver fox Don from America also annoyed me a little, it was very, I felt, almost teen angst. Not how an established woman like Annie would react really and especially, how it transpires much later in the book. I just felt Annie's character flipped around a bit which annoyed me a bit, otherwise though the story was quite good and does draw you in. I sincerely hope in the next installment we see some faces that have seemingly left the story reappear, one can only hope. Still a good read and it does cover a bit of history of the previous books so you could pick this up and read as a stand alone but I would suggest going back and reading the others in order, 3/5 for me this time though.

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Review - The Make by Jessie Keane

The Make by Jessie Keane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Publisher - Harper

blurb from Goodreads

Murder, loyalty and vengeance collide in Jessie Keane's gritty fourth novel.


Life is good for Gracie Doyle – running her Manchester casino keeps her busy. Until the police turn up at her door one day and her world is turned upside down. She is given news that her two estranged brothers have been viciously attacked. George is in hospital on a ventilator and worringly, Harry is missing.


Gracie has no option but to leave the good life and dip her toe into the murky waters of her East End past. She leaves for London in an attempt to avenge her brothers and in doing so uncovers some unsavoury secrets about the lifestyle they've been leading. Their little games have got them into big trouble with the wrong people…


She must keep her wits about her and try to find Harry, or it could prove fatal…



My Review

Gracie Doyle is our main character and where the story starts off. She runs her own Casino in Manchester and life is good. The police inform her that her estranged brother is on a ventilator and may not survive after a vicious attack whilst her other brother is missing. Gracie receives her own threats and heads to London to see what her brothers have been up to and dragged her into. Soon she realizes that this is serious and begins to do some digging before she becomes the next target.

I have to be honest, I have enjoyed Jessie Keane's last two books I read but this one was quite a struggle. It starts off fairly quickly with enough to grab your attention but I just felt it was slow going in a lot of places. It starts present day in December with Gracie, then skips into the recent past to cover Harry and George, her brothers, and what happens with them to lead up to recent events.

When things kick off it does hold your attention but really that is all, I struggled between giving this a 3 or 2 star rating. I finally went with a 3 star as it is a decent read but I feel it does pale in comparison to her other work I have read and enjoyed. I will read her other work as I do enjoy her writing style but if your just about to try this author I would start with another book, 3/5 for me this time.

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Review - The Black Widow by Jessie Keane

Black Widow by Jessie Keane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Publisher - Harper

Blurb from Goodreads

In Dirty Game, Annie Bailey was an East End Madam. In Black Widow she’s queen of the gangs and trying to save her daughter’s life…

Annie Bailey had done it all; Madam, mistress and Gangster's moll. Now she's Annie Carter, and she taking over the East End.

Annie knew that it wouldn't last. Everything was going so well; she was living in Majorca, had Max Carter - the head of the Carter firm by her side, and had given him a beautiful daughter, Layla. But if there was one thing life had taught her, it was that everything could change in the blink of an eye. One minute she's lying by the pool, the next she's out cold. When she comes round Max and Layla are gone.

It's not long before she gets the demands. They want money or she'll be getting her little girl back in pieces…

There's only one thing Annie can do, she heads back to the East End of London and gathers the Carter firm together. Someone has snatched her husband and child. Now there's a score to settle, and it's being settled Annie Carter style…



My Review


The book starts off about 4 years after the first book. Annie is happy married to Max and they have a beautiful wee girl Layla. Living in Majorca and not having to think about anything Annie has gotten comfortable and let her guard down and she will pay for it. She is lying in the sun enjoying her family one minute and the next she wakes up to a blood bath and Max and Layla are gone. She soon discovers that if she wants her family she better pay up. Annie finds herself going through a horrific journey, trying to jump through hoops to meet the demands, keep her family safe and maintain her sanity but the clock is ticking!

I have to say, the book starts quite quick and then slows down a bit but keeps you engrossed. Annie's character, albeit she has had a shock, seemed a light version of her previous hard as nails character. I didn't like it and it seemed to take forever for Annie to get with it and come into her character. For that reason the book almost got a 3 star rating, however, over half way through it starts to pick up and I couldn't put it down. Annie becomes the Annie we know of old and tackles things head on and does what she has to to try and get her family back.

I also wasn't overly impressed with the massacres in this book, not in how they are done as the writing is fine but it just seemed overkill and not required. I am going to get into the third book soon and hoping things are evened out a bit. We see the characters of the past back in this tale and it is nice to read about people we have met in the previous book. There are a few new faces in this one, some to love and some to hate. I would recommend reading the first in this series as it helps build up your picture of what Annie is really like and a love for the other characters. This one I was on the fence with for quite a bit but the latter half of the book really saved it so 4/5 for me this time.

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Review - Jail Bird by Jessie Keane

Jail Bird by Jessie Keane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Publisher - Harper (Harper Collins Publishers)

Blurb from Goodreads

Murder, loyalty and vengeance collide in Jessie Keane’s gritty fourth novel.


Lily King has spent years behind bars


Convicted of murdering her husband, London villain Leo King, she hasn’t been missed. Everyone believes she got what she deserved, but Lily knows she was fitted up.


Now she’s out, and she doesn’t do forgiveness. In her absence, things have moved on and the old order has changed. But now she’s ready to reclaim her position as head of the King family.


Fuelled by vengeance, Lily King is back, and some people aren’t going to know what’s hit them.



My review


We start off in 1996, introduced to Leo King, a man whose reputation proceeds him both with the ladies and in the criminal world. We then jump to Lily, Leo's wife and the night her life was turned upside down, still in 1996. Chapter 3 takes us to 2009 and sees Lily released from prison, jailed for the murder of her husband. Lily is ready to do some digging and set the record set, not every one is happy to see her and less believe she is innocent. What follows will stir up a lot of emotions, secrets and violence.

This is a great story and you get pulled into the drama straight away, I was up to 4am as I wanted to find out what happened. There is a few red herrings along the way or maybe I just watched too much murder she wrote as a child as I thought I knew who the killer was a few time, I was wrong every time.

The characters are quite well done, I have to say though Lily really annoyed me quite a lot by her stupid rash actions as sometimes she seemed quite with it and level headed then she would do something idiotic. Some of her responses irked me too as you know reading it if someone challenged you in the way she was you would react very differently. The brothers Si and Freddy, well more Si actually as Freddy is a hot head grated me as you would imagine he would approach Lily when he knew she was digging around. Small things like that is why the book lost a star however overall it was really good and by the end you have an answer for all your questions. I have enjoyed this author so much I bought all the rest in the series, 4/5 for me this time.

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Review - Dirty Game by Jessie Keane

Dirty Game by Jessie Keane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Publisher - Harper Collins

Blurb from Goodreads

Adultery, murder and dangerous love collide in Jessie Keane’s gritty debut thriller set in the London’s East End. Perfect for fans of Martina Cole and Lynda La Plante.

For longer than she cares to remember Annie Bailey has lived in the shadow of her older sister Ruthie. Now Ruthie has her hands on Max Carter, the much feared head of the Carter family and a top class villain.

Seducing Max wasn't a problem, but the guilt, shame and anger of rejection afterwards was.

Thrown onto the streets Annie finds herself living with Celia, a wayward aunt with a shocking secret. As the months pass Annie's resourceful nature sees her mature and carve out a life for herself, albeit not legal. But if you play with fire, you can expect to get burned and her lavish new lifestyle and connections may be about to come crashing down around her.

Annie has unwittingly placed herself between two rival gangs and upset too many people, and these kind of people don't forget. But as everyone knows, Annie Bailey is no ordinary woman.


My Review

This book starts straight from the first few pages, hell even from the first sentence "Annie Bailey knew she was dying." The book opens with Annie Bailey, our main character who has been shot and is recapping her life as it flashes before her eyes. We go back to before her sisters wedding and Annie seduces the bridegroom, spurned she can't help but keep her mouth shut. She finds herself thrown out of the family home and caught up in a new life style, surrounded by her sisters husbands rivals. Soon she becomes trapped between the Carters & the Delaney's and when rivals both want something people always get hurt!

Oooh this is a great read, crime, gritty, murder, sex, betrayal & lies. If you like Martina Cole and Mandasue Heller, Kimberley Chambers etc you will like this. The only thing that I would say is there are a few terms that may offend some people. For example the characters are rough around the edges and derogatory towards one of the gay characters, terms like shirt lifter etc.

There are a few elements to this story, of course the big one is Annie going through the transformation of girl into woman. Learning to stand on her own two feet and learn the ropes of a "knocking shop" and initiating her own ideas for it. The issue of Max Carter, the man she loves who is now married to her sister and furious with her for her indiscretion. As she is shunned from her family and Max she moves further into Delaney territory and soon finding herself in deep water!

I really liked the pace of this book, like I said it pulls you in from the start. I felt a mix of emotions towards Annie but by the end I actually started to like her. 4/5 for me and I will be reading this author again.

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