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 the library and this was the only one there so 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 Docherty as young brother and sister (through married parents only) who love each other dearly struggling to get through life with Cathy's mother (Madge) as a prostitute and Eammon's dad (Eammon snr) drinking away all the money). Young Eammon wants something better out of life (including a future with Cathy) and eventually sets up his own gang with a few other youngsters trying to battle other youngsters for power over the East End of London. One day he gets carried away trying to make a name for himself and kills someone. Back at home Madge has bought her drunken boss home with her who tries it on with young Cathy (aged 12). Madge and her boss then get into a fight and Cathy trying to save her mom kills the man. The policeman who arrives at the Scene (Richard Gates) feels sorry for Cathy and decides to help her out by making Madge confess.
Cathy gets passed onto a social worker who being jelous of her youth and beuty put her into a school for young problem girls and Eammon who thinks Cathy has left him ends of shacking up with a girl who in a rage eventually ends of killing. This girl was the only daugher of a major crime lord so both Eammon's end up fleeing to New York.
Phew, a bit long winded for an introduction but that gives you the basic beginning. The rest of the book shows the struggles they both have through life diffent sides of the Atlantic both trying to make something better for themselves although for Eammon he thinks thats become the most terrifying gangster ever will give him all the respect and money to make him happy. Cathy and Eammon are both in love with other (so thats the romance bit) but something always comes in the way of them being together. Their lives continue right up until 1995 (the start of the book) where by then you are desperate to find out whether Cathy lives or dies.
This is a brilliant book and I totally couldnt put it down. I was that engrossed in the book I could imagine knowing the characters and feeling sad with them when another tragic incident occured. In summary, I think the book and the author are excellent and I cant wait to read the next Martina Cole book.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
When Cathy Connor and Eamonn Docherty are thrown together as children in the East End ... more
their fate is sealed. Cathy's miserable life as a prostitute's child changes forever when she's forced into care. The ordeal that follows leaves her with no choice bu...
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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
Faultfinder 02.06.2006 (02.06.2006)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Runaway - Martina cole
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
Faultfinder 02.06.2006 (02.06.2006)
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Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Runaway - Martina cole
Sep 10th, 2002
very helpful by (79%):
helpful by (21%):
