Runaway - Martina cole

Advantages: A page-turning, well written, multi-layered story.
Disadvantages: Swearing and gory violence might not be to your taste.

...I approached The Runaway with a mixture of excitement and a feeling of facing the inevitable. I didn’t want her to disappoint or to be too predictable. It is wonderful to discover a new author and have her entire collection of novels to read for the first time, knowing she still produces new ones regularly. When I started reading, it was obvious the magic was still there. I was hooked within a few pages and once again, I was faced with the ...
...her life there as a runaway without friends to help her. Eamonn takes his criminal acts too far several times, his acts of brutality and ruthlessness making him both respected and despised simultaneously. He has to leave London with his father and ends up living the high life in New York. The characters are brilliantly described, so that even those who make brief appearances have a background and are easy to picture. This is especially effective ... Read review

Advantages: Well written, great story
Disadvantages: none

I am not quite sure what category this book would come under but i'd say its a thriller. As most people, I have my favourite authors (Patricia Cornwell, Val McDermid) but when you've read all their books what do you do? Well you either read reviews like this or ask friends. Martina Cole was recommended to me by a friend who like me enjoys a good thriller or murder story. Although I do trust my friend's judgement rather than buying a book I went to ...
...I thought i'd give it a go. When you read a book you can generally tell in the first couple of chapters whether you are going to enjoy it or not and after the first few pages I was hooked. The first chapter sees Cathy (the main character) lying in a hospital bed near death with various friends watching over her and one making a call to a Eammon Docherty who was in New York. The second chapter then goes back to the 60s with Cathy Connor and Eammon ... Read review

Advantages: gripping, attention keeper
Disadvantages: The severe content of some subjects may not be everybodys taste

In the first instance I found the book very challenging and hard to keep a hold of where I was upto as the setting and story changed so often.However the way that Miss Cole makes a stronger person out of the young lady who comes from a hugely disfunctional family is admireable. The book is a huge must for all gangland loving thrillers and even those witha slight taste for a mystery as this book has twists and turns and unimaginable crimes that will ... Read review

Advantages: excellent for a first read
Disadvantages: could not put it down so the social life was out of the picture!

this was the first martina cole book i read after hearing only good things about her, i have to now agree and become a follower of her work, I have just finshed reading dangerous lady and have 2 more of hers to read. one of the main reasons i find that i like her books is because she is from my way and talks abouts local things which is always good to see. the characters were extremley strong, and the storyline was excellent, i could not put the ... Read review

Advantages: the book captures the reader within the first few pages
Disadvantages: i could only get the book in large size - i quite prefer smaller size paperbacks

...buy her full collection. Runaway was not disappointing. It's the type of read that you can't put down. The "Goings' On" in the story are very down to earth - stuff that you know actually happens in certain parts of the country. (or anywhere in the world for that matter) You can relate to the characters and after a few chapters you seem to know the characters and what they're about. This makes the read more interesting in my opinion. I also like ... Read review

Advantages: Compelling, well constructed tale
Disadvantages: You have to put your life on hold

...; The Jump  The Runaway  The Graft  Faceless  The Take  The Know  Broken  Maura's Game ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PRAISE FOR THE AUTHOR~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 'A powerful novel' Daily Express 'You won't be able to put this one down' Company magazine 'Graphic realism combined with a dramatic flair make this one a winner' Annabel 'A cracking yarn, Cole writes with real authority' Ms London 'Martina Cole again explores the shady criminal underworld, a setting she is fast making her own' Sunday Express 'Move over Jackie (Collins)!' Daily Mail Thanks for reading! Kes :-) x... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Enjoyable read
Disadvantages: keep you up all night reading it

...I hadn't ever read any of Martina Cole's books, but while browsing round a carboot one day i cam across Two Women, i read the back cover and thought i would give it a go. I am a great reader, but i need a book to be well written, interesting and hard to put down, i wondered if Two Women would do this. That night i snuggled down as usual and picked it up, from then on i was hooked, i really enjoyed the read and finished it within a few days as i found it hard to put down. Its about a woman called Sue Dalston, it starts off when she is thirteen years old. Sue lives in the East End of London in the early sixties with her mother June, father Joey and sister Debbie. The story is about Sue's life, how she is treated by her mother who doesn't love her and prefers the men she has affairs with, her sister Debbie who mocks her and her... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Brilliant suspence read
Disadvantages: Hard to put down

...be found in most good book stores like W H Smith. Martina Cole also has many great titles including Dangerous Lady, Two Woman, Goodnight Lady, The Jump and The Runaway. All published by Headline.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful