Close - Martina Cole

I am a very recent convert to the draw of Martina Cole novels. I think I read my first of her novels sometime last year, and since then I've worked my way through all her books from the earliest to the latest. "Close" is her thirteenth novel and most recent blockbuster, hitting the shelves sometime in mid October. The sort of genre she writes under could be loosely described as crime/thriller fiction, with a hard, gruesome edge. She tends to mainly write about East End villains, their wives and families. There is no exception to this pattern with "Close". Again, it's set in the East end of ... more

Martina Cole - Close I couldn't wait to buy the new book from Martina Cole, Close and even though I cant stand to read hardback books, when I saw it in Tesco's for a discounted price I snapped it up and rushed home with a big bar of chocolate to begin the read. Unlike most Cole books this particular one seemed to take me a little while to get into the plot. For those who have yet the pleasure of read a Cole classic I will tell you that all her books are about the crime and gangster world of the London streets. The books are often filled with plenty of violence and skulduggery. The main two ... more

I enjoy the crime-thriller genre and always thoroughly enjoy Martina Cole's books. Close did not disappoint. The story begins with a young lady (Lil) struggling with life in general - home and work both burdening her life she seems to have no prospects or future until she meets Patrick Brodie. This man changes her life forever and it is definitly worth finding out how, why, what and when. The unimagineable happens to the love of Lil Brodies' husband and she is once again left to fend for herself, only now with several children in-tow. After helping her husband and due to his un-timely demise ... more

I am a big fan of Martina Cole and a owner of all her books, I found Close very good and looked forward to reading the book each night, I wouldn't say its the best book Martina has written, but it's not the worse. The story as always is based around a strong female character and once again its based around london gangland, with the family owning nightclub and hostess clubs,and money lending. The story starts with main character Lil Brodie top of the world with money, love and with her first love, husband gangstar Patrick senior, when Patrick is brutal murdered, Lil loses everything and ... more

Have read all of Martina Cole's previous books and could not wait to get my hands on her latest one "Close" - however I have found it very hard to get into and no where near as good as her previous books. It was very slow to start and much has been repeated throughout the different chapters. Again very much in the hard, criminal element of the East End and very much a Martina Cole read, but must say that I have been a little disappointed. Will continue to read her books and hopefully the next one will return to her normal mode of writing. She has a strong grip on the East End of London and has ... more

I was so looking forward to reading this book, it appeared on best seller listings and the author recommended by friends. I am sorry to say the book did not live up to my expectations. I was frankly taken aback by the foul language, I found myself trying to read the book by missing out the swear words which was not easy as every other word was a swear word. I am not a prude, nearly all the books I read have an element of bad language but htis one has surpassed any I have ever read before. However, I persevered, the plot was very thin and not particulary interesting, I would not recommend this ... more