Guilty

by Martina Cole

'The stuff of legend' Mirror'The queen of crime' Woman & Home'One of the best fiction authors around . . . spectacular' Closer*Pre-order the heart-stopping new novel from queen of crime Martina Cole*

All families have their secrets . . . 'Martina Cole is back and back with an unapologetic bang' 5* reader review'Well worth the wait!' 5* reader review'Phenomenal' 5* reader reviewDue to health reasons, Martina Cole has chosen to continue her collaboration with writer Jacqui Rose for her upcoming novel Guilty.

Genres: Crime

407 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2024

About the author

Martina Cole was born and brought up in Essex. She is the bestselling author of fourteen novels set in London's gangland, and her most recent three paperbacks have gone straight to No. 1 in the Sunday Times on first publication. Total sales of Martina's novels stand at over eight million copies.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

And Martina’s back

The 27th book and have bought, read and loved them all

Tbh the book needs little review as if you enjoy MC’s books then you will have bought this or have it on your list to get

This is the 2nd book co written with Jaqui Rose and I think whoever does whichever parts to make it one book it works, and works really well

It is if course pure Martina Cole and so as such if you have a trigger point in books it is worth saying the trigger point will be in the book, words are not minced, descriptions not flossed over and life is portrayed as it is for these characters, often grim, ugly and unpleasant

As addictive as Book 1, there is a reason the author has sold multi millions, she is a brilliant writer and her stories just keep you going back for more

[Valli Reece · Rating 2 out of 5]

Martina not at her best, too many characters, which dragged and dragged on, then at the end in a very few pages everything is resolved apparently. Then wallaaa 10 weeks later everyone is happy and ready to move on.
Nothing about all the nefarious acts and how people moved on, or how many were killed etc. Sloopy at and not a lot of her usual fantastic resolutions and care to the story line.

[Carrie ✨️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. The only negative I have is that you get really close to the end and realise so much has to happen in such a short period of time (the pages are dwindling) and it's wrapped up in a few pages, I feel the story deserved a little longer ending and to not be wrapped up so quickly.

[The Book Review Café · Rating 5 out of 5]

If like me you’re a big fan of gangland thrillers then you are going to love this one. It’s gritty, brutal and a real page turner. Not for the feint hearted Guilty delves into the seedy life of prostitution where violence and abuse are a daily occurrence for the woman who find themselves working the streets. Martina Cole has created a mixed bag of credible characters, the good, the bad and the ugly but each one adds to the story. There is one character Joseph who will make your blood run cold, and if I had one small niggle I would have liked more of a backstory to his character. Martina Cole has written a cracker of a book that I raced through

[Jane Bridger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story centres on Steph Barker who can't forget her past. A single mother, Steph runs a women's shelter for local prostitutes while coming to terms with a tragic loss. And it's people like Joseph Potter, battling with his own grief, who keep her going. One by one the prostitutes start to go missing and Steph is determined to find out who is responsible.

I have been a fan of Martina’s books since the very beginning and I’m enjoying the collaboration with Jacqui Rose.

The themes of revenge, loyalty, guilt and survival are intense as you come to expect from Martina and Jacqui. Whilst the characters by their very nature have tough exteriors they face more that their fair share of emotional turmoil.

[Kate · Rating 2 out of 5]

First time reading a book by Martina Cole and it was veryyyy gritty and dark - don’t think I’ll be reading more of her books 😬 there was a lot of characters and did take me a while to get into the style of writing but was still gripping and hard to put down.

[Julie Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great read from Martina Cole and Jacqui Rose.
This is a gritty gangland thriller that centres around Steph and the women she tries to help.
It was a bit confusing at first with new characters being introduced in every new chapter, but it soon all clicked together.
Someone is murdering women out on the streets and whilst we know who the killer is, he’s hiding in plain sight of Steph and the other women.
Artie and Fletch are causing panic with their heavy handed techniques in getting money from the women as well as others who owe them money.
This is a great book.

[Mariaan Belinfante · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life on the estates are harsh, brutal and poverty reigns. The thugs rule and women are just worth the money they can earn on the game. Violence is a way of life and lives are not worth a penny. Most of Old Bill are on the payroll and look the other way. Once again Martina portrays the life here to the T and I was thrilled to read a book of hers again. Not for the faint hearted, but absolutely brilliant writing (even with a co writer her style and touch is undeniably there)

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

UNPUTDOWNABLE!!! Excellent! This is the Martina Cole I know and love!! Gritty, twist, and turns with a great cast of characters!
Story has a cozy vibe that makes you want to pull your blanket up to your throat with your teeth! Intense!!

Definitely going my list as a favorite MC books!!!

[Pol · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a book by Martina Cole and Jacqui Rose
Kept me wanting to find out what was going to happen and how it was all going to end. Brilliant
Love the Gangland genre looking forward to the next book 📕 by them both

[Gail Mead · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was Martina Cole’s best her books are always spectacular but this was well worth the wait . It was hard to put down as you needed to know what would happen next . Lots of amazing characters in the story hope she does a sequel to this book you just have to know what happens to them all .

[Ginny Mullins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Martina Cole is one of my favourite authors.

I enjoyed reading this, very violent, a real page turner.

I did find there were too many characters at times and similar names. As others have said, the ending felt a bit rushed, but would recommend.

[Anna-Marie Corcoran · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5🌟

Book 37/52

Been a while since I’ve read a Martina Cole book and it didn’t disappoint.

My only criticism would be that when there were a 100 pages left things didn’t seem to be getting wrapped up and then it seemed a bit of a rush at the end.

[Patsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy gangland crime this is the one for you.

Unputdownable, dark, gritty and compulsive reading.

[Evelyn Hicks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in a day - very much a page turner.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book read fast

[Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy read that’s hard to put down

[Rhianah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25* This was fucking sick

[Mick Grimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martina Cole delivers again Annie Adlington brings the characters to life really gripping from start to finish

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant read! Martina never disappoints. Can’t wait until her new one comes out

[jkw · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only rushed to the end so I could write this review. SO MANY characters (result of a co-write?) , mindless violence that had little to do with the plot. Rushed ending and predictable twists

[Evelyne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Truly one of a kind , brilliant read ❤️

[Sammy Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always know what you are getting with a Martina Cole

[Caitriona Maher · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good but the end seemed rushed!

[Emily Day · Rating 1 out of 5]

What Annabel said….

My main thoughts after reading this was WHERE TF are social services, police (not every copper is bent?!) or literally ANY other professionals?! Why is Steph, the ex-sex worker, responsible for literally everything going on? Like I know she now has a women’s refuge but How? because that’s a lot of back ground not explained. I don’t really feel like there is really enough information about her character to fit with the level of responsibility she is given. Is she living off the hooker/loan shark businesses? And how did she get out the sex worker business? And on the lack of background info… Joe’s wife?! Who was she? How did no one know about the abuse or murder and HOW has no one other than big crim and wannabe pimp Danny the only one who has noticed some possible safeguarding concerns about his kids. Bel’s hand had burns?! But as Toni would say, maybe I should just not deep it out and accept it as the wild but flawed story it is.
I did initially find it a bit hard to follow as they introduced sooo many characters I couldn’t keep up with who was who and had to keep flipping back. Also I kept getting confused about whose POV it was as it kept flipping even within chapters. Maybe it’s because I am use to books that are written from the POV of one main character. I got to grips with it from around chapter 14. Another point of contention for me was how much was happening… I mean Steph really has a hell of a lot going on (AND SERIOUSLY NO PROFESSIONALS 🤯). Anyway, I was actually really looking forward to finding out who she had killed and what would happen to the big creep. And although I had already guessed some of the surprises I didn’t guess who was dead on her floor. So that was good. But overall I did actually think the ending was too rushed and I think because there were soooo many things happening none of them really had the big hitter moment in the end and I thought it fell a bit flat. Sorry it’s not a raving review from me, but I did think it was a nice easy read and entertaining because it was totally mad! I am looking forward to hearing everyone else thoughts!

[Jill Kirk · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book on holiday because it was given to me and my kindle was flat. I wouldn’t have chosen it myself. To me Martina Cole wrote this to pay the mortgage.

It was gratuitously violent and over use of foul language actually put me off. I don’t care if bad language appears in a book but not just to increase the word count!! Sentences littered with f**k and other words unnecessarily!!

Also considering this was published in 2024 it did not reflect certain aspects of modern day living. I understand this is a work of fiction but modern day Policing does not turn a blind eye to horrific violence against women and reports of missing women will be investigated.

I would not recommend this book and would not choose another Martina Cole any time soon.

[Demi Dickson · Rating 2 out of 5]

My first Martina Cole book - I was absolutely shook by the language 😂. Was so much swearing, I didn't even know what the story line was.

Too many characters, and not enough depth into them. At one point I didn't have a clue who was who. Midway through I started to get into it and could overlook the bad points but then the ending was predictable, boring and too gritty for me. Personal preference, but I couldn't take to the vulgar. I've read true crime, thrillers, horrors but the language was just too much for me

[Rosie Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many characters and the storyline was predictable. I am so loyal to Martina Cole that my lot will always buy her books for me. She has been able to write in detail how so many women are abused due to domestic violence. She poignantly was able to capture how it affects children who witness the abuse too.

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid reader of Martina Cole's novels over the years, I eagerly anticipated her latest book's release. Having thoroughly enjoyed her previous collaborations with Jacqui Rose, my expectations were high; I assumed this new instalment would be a five-star experience. To my delight, the book exceeded my expectations, captivating me from the very first page.

In classic Cole fashion, this novel is a gripping, gritty, and intense crime thriller, steeped in dramatic tension and punctuated by bursts of violence, characteristic of her storytelling style. The characters are crafted with impressive depth and complexity, embodying the archetypes we often expect in this genre while allowing for a distinctive and engaging narrative. Both Cole and Rose demonstrate their exceptional ability to create vivid imagery, with their prose transporting readers into the heart of each scene as if we were watching a powerful film unfold before our eyes.

As a resident of Kent, I was especially thrilled to discover that the story is set against the backdrop of familiar locations—Chatham, Gillingham, and Rainham, all of which hold personal significance for me. It’s a rare treat to see the Medway towns represented in literature, and it added a unique layer of enjoyment to my reading experience, allowing me to envision the landscapes and communities described in the text.

The novel delves into several heavy and sensitive themes, a hallmark of both authors' work. Therefore, I would advise readers new to Martina Cole or Jacqui Rose to approach them cautiously; their narratives are certainly not for the faint-hearted or those who may be easily offended. The exploration of such profound subjects adds to the book's authenticity, and it forces readers to confront uncomfortable truths about society.

I am left hopeful for future collaborations between Cole and Rose, as their combined talents create a compelling narrative dynamic. I find myself particularly invested in the futures of the characters Steph and Danny, and I would be eager to see how their stories unfold in any potential sequels.

In summary, this novel is a fast-paced, must-read for anyone who appreciates the gritty realism of crime thrillers, especially fans of these two talented authors. The book effortlessly draws you in and keeps you on the edge of your seat, making it impossible to put down.

[Sue - Recos and Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you're looking for a cozy, light read, this is not your book. But if you're ready to dive deep into the dark, complex world of pimps and the women that work for them then Martina Cole's "Guilty" is calling your name.


The Plot
The heroine of the book Steph has a complicated past that sees her now as a single mom running a Womens shelter for local prostitutes. Artie and Fletch are the two violent and increasingly volatile pimps that terrorize anyone that comes into contact with them. When one of the prostitutes seemingly disappears, Steph knows something has gone wrong and her natural suspicion turns to Artie or Fletch. But there is a far worse scenario playing out right in front of her that she needs to uncover.

What I loved (The Pros!):
* Gritty Realism: Martina Cole doesn't sugarcoat anything. Her portrayal of the criminal world feels incredibly authentic and raw. You're right there in the thick of it.
* Complex Characters: You might not always like her main characters, but you'll definitely be fascinated by them. Cole excels at creating flawed, compelling characters whose motivations you slowly begin to understand.
* Deep Dive into Loyalty & Betrayal: The themes of family loyalty, honor among thieves, and shocking betrayals are front and center, making for some seriously compelling drama.

Things to keep in mind (The Cons!):
* It's Dark: This isn't for the faint of heart. At time Is found it difficult to read knowing what was about to happen. There's violence, betrayal, and a generally bleak outlook on human nature, which is typical for Cole's style.
* Slow Burn for Some: The intricate plotting and character development means it's more of a slow burn than an instant, breakneck thriller. If you prefer super-fast action from page one, just know this one builds.
* Quick wrap up: A great deal is wrapped up in the last few pages and felt a little rushed.

Overall, "Guilty" is a powerful, absorbing read that gives you a true taste of life in this world. If you're a fan of authors like Lynda La Plante or Mandasue Heller, or just love a crime saga with depth and edge, definitely pick this up!