Martina tells it like it really is, and her unique, honest and compassionate style shines through in her latest novel. Jackie Jackson is preparing a party to welcome home her... more
through in her latest novel. Jackie Jackson is preparing a party to welcome home her husband Freddie. Everyone is gathered at the party, including her sister Maggie. But after six years in prison, Freddie thinks he is the Essex equivalent to the Godfather. And he’s going to make sure everyone knows it.
A review by brittle1906 on The Take - Martina Cole July 30th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Would you read it again?
Absolutely
Story
Outstanding
Characters
Good
Readability
Good
How does it compare to other works by the same author?
Excellent
Advantages:
A compelling tale of a criminally inclined family
Disadvantages:
Strong language and violent scenes may cause offence .
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Review of “The Take” a novel by Martina Cole
I am reviewing the hardback version of the book, ISBN 978-0747269717 , 512 pages, published by Headline Book Publishing, in 2005. Jacket price £17.99. Also available used from www.amazon.co.uk .
**The Novel**
This novel is from the pen of Martina Cole, a British author who has made the London criminal underworld come alive for the readers of her work.
The Take follows the fortunes and lives of the Jackson family from the early 1980's to the early '00s.
The plot begins with the release from prison of Freddie Jackson. Freddie has done his time, made some useful contacts in prison and is back on the streets accompanied by his young cousin, Jimmy.
As Freddie celebrates his freedom with booze, women and drugs, he conveniently forgets his wife Jackie waiting at home with the family to welcome her husband.
When Freddie finally goes home, the first of many rows blows up. As time goes on, his wife is unable to cope with the mood swings that make Freddie unpredictably violent and extremely dangerous to be around.
Jackie takes to drink and resentment soon builds up, as she realises that her husband will not give up his womanising ways or settle down to family life.
Jackie's younger sister Maggie, is engaged to Jimmy Jackson, a situation which pleases Jackie, yet irritates her too. She is jealous of Maggie who is younger, prettier, slimmer and seemingly the family favourite as Jackie's mother and family become increasingly exasperated with her drinking and neglect of her children.
Freddie has been recruited by a prison inmate called Ozzy who runs the criminals of London from his cell. Freddie's cousin Jimmy is selected to be the go between who visits Ozzy in jail to receive orders and supply information. Jimmy is intelligent, worldly wise and happy to oblige.
Between Freddie and Jimmy Jackson, Ozzy has just the people he needs to keep his business interests on the boil.
As the story unfolds, Freddie Jackson becomes more and more unstable and events take a turn for the worse.
More I will not reveal here for fear of spoiling the book for others!
**The Author**
Martina Cole was born in 1958, she was brought up in Essex. Her first novel, DANGEROUS LADY, was an instant best-seller and became a highly successful TV drama series. Since then Martina Cole has written fourteen more best selling novels, all set in the criminal underworld of London.
Martina Cole is no stranger to hardship and has taken many knocks in life herself. Her parents both died when she was young and by 18 years of age she was living alone in a Tilbury council flat with her baby son. She began writing as a way of escaping her own problems.
She has in her own words 'always been a grafter' and has built a comfortable life on the strength of her books. She has divorced twice and has a son, a daughter and a grandchild. Martina Cole teaches creative writing to inmates at Wandsworth and Belmarsh prisons and a patron of Chelmsford Women's Aid, which she says is her way of putting something back into society.
For further information about the author and her books, visit Headline and Martina's own website www.headline.co.uk www.martinacole.co.uk
**My Thoughts and Conclusion**
The Take is a gutsy, compelling read. The characters are very well drawn, believable and definitely not the sort of people you'd ask round for Sunday Lunch!
Those who are unfamiliar with this author's work should be warned that the language used throughout this novel may be offensive to some as it is strong and at times bordering on obscene, however it is totally in keeping with the nature of the characters. The same warning should be applied to the scenes of violence Ms Cole describes so realistically.
If you enjoy a family saga, with a strong crime theme, The Take is worth reading.
Advantages: Addictive Disadvantages: Violent in places
The Take by Martina Cole
As I am normally the chick lit Queen, I was surprised that I even gave this one a second glance. A friend lent it to me and told me that it was a good read. I was doubtful, but I thought I'd read the first few pages anyway - expecting to have put it down after a few pages. Instead I was hooked.
This book is about the criminal underworld, gangsters and a lot of wheeling and dealing. I don't normally read or watch this type ... ...writing. She brings the characters to life, makes them real, and she really draws you in.
The main story revolves around the Jacksons - Freddie and his younger cousin Jimmy. Jimmy looks up to Freddie at the beginning of the story but the tables turn throughout it.
Freddie is married to Jackie, a raging alcoholic whose first love is drink, second love is Freddie and third love is her children. She is not in any competitions for mother of the year!
...
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very helpful
26.07.2007
Take that! Review ofThe Take - Martina Coleby
lisa8871
Advantages: Good plot, belivable characters Disadvantages: Violent
...of books to read on the way. The first book i bought was Two women and could not put it down, I started it when we left home and was nearly finished by the time we stopped for the night at a travel inn. I ended up sitting in the loo until 4am finishing it while the boys were snoring!
I have read every book since and loved them all except the last one The graft, i felt she had lost her way a bit. So i wasn't expecting much from this one. but i was ... ...it to an agent and the rest is history.
All her novels are based around the east end of London and are written about gangland activity.
This is her 12th book, with most of them going straight to number 1.
The Jump & Dangerous lady have both been made into TV series.
THE CHARACTERS
--------------------------
Freddie Jackson---- Just came out of prison. He has made some good connections in prison and wants to make a name for himself and become ...
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very helpful
04.12.2006
Quick review of The Take - Martina Cole Review ofThe Take - Martina Coleby
xmorningxgloryx
The Take was my first Martina Cole book. I was surprised at the violence in this book but it made it realistic and entertaining. I would definantly recommend this book to a friend. It's a gripping page turner as i've now discovered are all of her books. The Take started me off as a true Martina Cole fan.
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helpful
18.08.2008
Brilliant Review ofThe Take - Martina Coleby
Na7aliek
Advantages: Gripping from Start to finish Disadvantages: none
...is no exception and possibly the best one I have read so far! She has a real way of describing the down and dirty happenings in the gangster world.
The characters are brilliant and the twist turns and plot is even better. Martina really takes it to another level and gets into the minds of the charectors. The main charetor "Freddie" is a ruthless evil gangster who is fresh out of prison, with the promise to his family that he has turned over a new ... ...get what you want in the ganster world. Freddie sees no reason and takes the gangster life style to a whole new level. Slowley and surely Freddie infects and destroys the lifes of people around him with lies betrayel and dam right evilness!
I personally find it very difficult to get into books, they really do have to grip me and well I read this book within a week! Would recommend to anyone thats likes gripping books that keep you mesmarised from ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
...eager to read this one. The book starts in 1984 and goes well into the year 2000 with all the plots and twists. As with all Martina's books you finish one chapter and must start the next chapter as the book is gripping with drama, thriller, violence and language. The story unfolds around Freddie & Jackie Jackson. Freddie has been in prison and now he's out he's out for revenge. Watch out for Roxanna & Kimberbly too, there's lots of twists there too ... ...I will spoil the story. As usual everyone near enough is on the take. I read this book in a few days and like her others I feel this would be a good one to do a follow up or better still make a TV drama. Long live the Jacksons! ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: lots of books available Disadvantages: none
...based around a female who is just trying to survive like we all do, many of her books are based on the irish community living in london and as an irish girl myself i can relate to the fact that alot of the characters family values are shockingly true.
very real yet very gritty.
if you do choose to take on martinacole then i would highly reccomend starting with two women it got me hooked and made choosing to stick with her a real easy choice...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
Advantages: Well written. Disadvantages: Sensitive issues tackled badly. Shocking.
...child and at 18 is already a big player in the sleazy underworld and knee deep in crime but on the other hand a family man who is utterly devoted to his mother and younger sister Kira. Jeanette Brewer is a bit of a family misfit, a loser really drifting from one problem to the next, at 14 the future for Jeanette looks bleak.
Joanie Brewer has worked the streets for years, she’s an old time hooker with old time values with her loyalties and devotions lying with her three children, especially her youngest, Kira. The plot to the novel aims to unravel the mystery surrounding Kira’s disappearance and how such a family tackles the issue, their relationship with the police and their belief that people from their walk of life must take the law in to their own hands.
As ever MartinaCole delivers a powerful story, introducing us to a world...
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Advantages: Just as good as Dangerous Lady Disadvantages: It ends
....
You would never be able to guess the ending, when the family is minus a few of its numbers, but with more added to take its place.
I would definitely say this is one of MartinaCole's best offerings to date.
GIVE US MORE MAURA RYAN...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Martina tells it like it really is, and her unique, honest and compassionate style shines through in her latest novel. Jackie Jackson is preparing a party to welcome home her husband Freddie. Everyone is gathered at the party, including her sister Maggie. But after six years in prison, Freddie thinks he is the Essex equivalent to the Godfather. And he's going to make sure everyone knows it. See all Product Description
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