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Frances: The Tragic Bride
The first full account of the beautiful, innocent young woman who married Reggie Kray - and became trapped in the violent and terrifying world of the Kray Twins.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published September 4, 2014
66 people are currently reading
519 people want to read
About the author
Jacky Hyams
28 books39 followersHistory, especially the 20th Century, is a real passion for me. Yet I didn't start writing about it until quite recently because my career as a journalist and editor took up all my waking hours! I started out as a feature writer, in Sydney Australia, on magazines like Woman's Day, Cosmopolitan and Rolling Stone and my career as a columnist and movie writer took me all over the world for many years until I arrived back where I started, in London, England and various editing jobs on mass market magagines like Bella and Me. Then I freelanced for many years for many major newspapers and magazines. In 2005, I decided there was a real need for an informative self help book for families with older parents and my first book, Time to Help Your Parents was published by Piatkus. At that point, I realised that non fiction writing was even more enjoyable than I'd imagined and since then, I've written six more titles, including The Real Life Downton Abbey and Bombsites & Lollipops -- which some Goodreaders seem to be enjoying!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
September 26, 2014
Having read many of the books written about the Kray twins over the years (some terrible) there's not been all that many actually worth reading or that tell us any new information. When I heard about this book then, focusing on Reggie's wife Frances my interest was piqued as there has not been all that much written about her in the books I've read, not in the detail that this book goes into anyway. The book was offered to me for review by the lovely Lorna at John Blake who was extremely enthusiastic about it, which to me is always a good sign and I was very excited to actually read the book. Having finished it I can say it's one of the most original books focusing on the Krays and is absolutely worth your time and money if you are interested in the Krays and thought that there was nothing new to discover, believe me there is and it is all in this book.
Jacky Hyams has carried out meticulous research and put it into a very readable book, even offering up her own opinion in places. Reading books like this, that is what I want, not just newspaper articles rewritten. Also I want the author to actually have a personal interest in the subject they are writing about, that way their passion and enthusiasm comes across and it definitely does here. Jacky was intrigued by the story of Frances and why her story had never been told in depth. Using her knowledge of the era and area, and also her loose connection to the Krays through her father the book succeeds in what it sets out to do where it otherwise might not have done in the hands of other authors.
Jacky talks about the old East End with less fondness than a lot of people seem to do today, remembering the years after the war as a dark and dangerous place. Ripe pickings then for two men who wanted to conquer the world and who had no qualms about how they achieved it. There can't be many people who don't know just what the Krays got up to and there is an element of repetition in the book if you've read their story before, but for the basis of setting the scene and leading up to Reggie meeting Frances it serves as a good introduction. Jacky talks about Frances from birth, telling us about her family life up until she leaves school at fifteen and finds a job in the West End. Her mother had the typical dream for her daughter, to find a nice man, settle down, get married and have kids and indeed Frances had caught the eye of a man that would want to give her those things but given the world he lived in and the warped relationship he had with his brother, would never be able to.
The world of the Krays has always been a fascination to many people, and to those on the outside looking in perhaps a glamorous one. Living the high life and mingling with celebrities. However we now know that it was anything but glamorous and for those that found themselves caught up in the world, they soon found that it was difficult, or almost impossible to escape. Jacky doesn't sugar coat anything here, never glamourising the world, she shows it for what it actually was, a dangerous and terrifying place as Frances herself realised when she witnessed a particularly brutal argument between the brothers one night. With Reggie on one side telling her he loved her yet behaving otherwise and with extreme hatred from a jealous Ronnie on the other, the world became a scary and uncomfortable place for Frances.
With the story of Frances having never been told in as much detail as it is here it would certainly ruin the reading experience to talk further about what Jacky has uncovered, safe to say that this is a very shocking and revealing read and one that is very gripping. Perhaps a bit uncomfortable in places for some but ultimately a story that I think needed to be told and needs to be read. It is also quite emotional in places as Jacky sets out to discover the truth surrounding Frances's overdose and also offers up theories about many aspects of the Kray's world and the relationship between Frances and Reggie, not least about how it originated after a bombshell revelation from Frankie Shea, Frances's brother. Unfortunately there's some stories we will never know the full truth about, and the relationship between Frankie Shea and Reggie is one of them, yet the book is a massive eye opener and a very thought provoking read. Witnessing the breakdown of Frances and reading the almost indecipherable suicide letters that she left to her family is a tragedy. Here was a young woman that could have had it all. She wasn't one of those girls that courted gangsters and wanted to live in that life yet she found herself in it anyway.
As said in the opening a book about the Krays which is both original and insightful doesn't come along often anymore yet with the upcoming film about the twins starring Tom Hardy (which I cannot wait for) I'm sure there will be more books and newspaper articles to come but I don't think there will be many that come along better than this one. An absolute eye opener for me, and a book that is definitely not to be missed. This book comes highly recommended by me.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
Jacky Hyams has carried out meticulous research and put it into a very readable book, even offering up her own opinion in places. Reading books like this, that is what I want, not just newspaper articles rewritten. Also I want the author to actually have a personal interest in the subject they are writing about, that way their passion and enthusiasm comes across and it definitely does here. Jacky was intrigued by the story of Frances and why her story had never been told in depth. Using her knowledge of the era and area, and also her loose connection to the Krays through her father the book succeeds in what it sets out to do where it otherwise might not have done in the hands of other authors.
"In writing this story, I wanted to bring her a little bit closer into the light. She merits that. Not just because she's part of the Kray history. But because, as I hoped when I started to look at her story, underneath the smoke and mirrors of the Kray facade, there was a thoughtful, aware young woman, someone who looked as good as a sixties movie star but was, in fact, an ordinary girl."
Jacky talks about the old East End with less fondness than a lot of people seem to do today, remembering the years after the war as a dark and dangerous place. Ripe pickings then for two men who wanted to conquer the world and who had no qualms about how they achieved it. There can't be many people who don't know just what the Krays got up to and there is an element of repetition in the book if you've read their story before, but for the basis of setting the scene and leading up to Reggie meeting Frances it serves as a good introduction. Jacky talks about Frances from birth, telling us about her family life up until she leaves school at fifteen and finds a job in the West End. Her mother had the typical dream for her daughter, to find a nice man, settle down, get married and have kids and indeed Frances had caught the eye of a man that would want to give her those things but given the world he lived in and the warped relationship he had with his brother, would never be able to.
"And so began Reggie Kray's obsession with a beautiful, innocent young teenage girl. In the wake of this intense, unrelenting obsession lay emotional turmoil, fear - and destruction. There would be no escape for the heart-rending emotional turbulence that lay ahead for the Shea family."
The world of the Krays has always been a fascination to many people, and to those on the outside looking in perhaps a glamorous one. Living the high life and mingling with celebrities. However we now know that it was anything but glamorous and for those that found themselves caught up in the world, they soon found that it was difficult, or almost impossible to escape. Jacky doesn't sugar coat anything here, never glamourising the world, she shows it for what it actually was, a dangerous and terrifying place as Frances herself realised when she witnessed a particularly brutal argument between the brothers one night. With Reggie on one side telling her he loved her yet behaving otherwise and with extreme hatred from a jealous Ronnie on the other, the world became a scary and uncomfortable place for Frances.
"All the smart clothes in the world, all the beautiful trinkets or the trips to glamorous places couldn't hide the fact that she had unwittingly become a part of the underworld, a hidden realm where violent men schemed, fought, swore vengeance, drew blood and where fear, that sickening terror she felt inside every time she saw Ronnie's face, was running the show."
With the story of Frances having never been told in as much detail as it is here it would certainly ruin the reading experience to talk further about what Jacky has uncovered, safe to say that this is a very shocking and revealing read and one that is very gripping. Perhaps a bit uncomfortable in places for some but ultimately a story that I think needed to be told and needs to be read. It is also quite emotional in places as Jacky sets out to discover the truth surrounding Frances's overdose and also offers up theories about many aspects of the Kray's world and the relationship between Frances and Reggie, not least about how it originated after a bombshell revelation from Frankie Shea, Frances's brother. Unfortunately there's some stories we will never know the full truth about, and the relationship between Frankie Shea and Reggie is one of them, yet the book is a massive eye opener and a very thought provoking read. Witnessing the breakdown of Frances and reading the almost indecipherable suicide letters that she left to her family is a tragedy. Here was a young woman that could have had it all. She wasn't one of those girls that courted gangsters and wanted to live in that life yet she found herself in it anyway.
"She was trapped. She wasn't capable of moving on, going to live in another part of the city, picking up the pieces of her life. And, of course, if she did attempt to 'escape' there was always the threat - that Frances believed - that the Kray network could seek anyone out, no matter where they went. Let alone what they could do to their family."
As said in the opening a book about the Krays which is both original and insightful doesn't come along often anymore yet with the upcoming film about the twins starring Tom Hardy (which I cannot wait for) I'm sure there will be more books and newspaper articles to come but I don't think there will be many that come along better than this one. An absolute eye opener for me, and a book that is definitely not to be missed. This book comes highly recommended by me.
Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.
August 24, 2016
I love this book.
I read it after watching the recent film starring Tom hardy which glamorises the Krays. This book gives it from Francis' perspective. Couldn't put it down. Well laid out story, showing another side of the Kray story.
I read it after watching the recent film starring Tom hardy which glamorises the Krays. This book gives it from Francis' perspective. Couldn't put it down. Well laid out story, showing another side of the Kray story.
February 22, 2021
In 1960s East End London, teenager Frances Shea was courted by the violent gangster Reggie Kray. Introduced into a lifestyle of glamour, travel and possessions, Frances's head was turned by Reggie's attentions - a man 10 years old than her. Against the wishes of her family and Reggie's twin brother Ronnie, Frances and Reggie marry - and Frances begins a short but steep decline that would eventually lead to her taking her own life. But if the events leading up to her marriage are shocking enough, what Reggie Kray does to her family afterwards is brutal and heartless... Very interesting reading from an author who lived nearby and in the same era as the events being described - 8/10.
October 2, 2015
With the resurgence of interest in The Kray Twins and more specifically Reggies wife Frances, hot on the heels of the movie Legend, comes the reissue of Jackie Hyams book detailing the relationship between Reg and his beautiful wife and her sad, untimely end by suicide.
This being the only book on Frances and therefore having the opportunity to reveal the woman behind the myth, I found myself strangely dissapointed.
Hyams paints a vivid picture of an post war east end childhood , similar to her own , that she believes Frances would have experienced. She rather vocally writes of Frances mothers dreams and aspirations for herself, her children and her family yet is rather bizarrely, for one writing such personal details, is sadly lacking in evidence to support her claims in this respect.
It is worth noting at this point that no members of the Shea family were contacted in research of this book apart from Frances brother, who had sadly passed away at this point and his former wife , who declined to comment on the past. However, they aren’t the only members of the Shea family who could and would provide details in the respect of Frances, what she was exactly like, and what truly happened.
Instead, Hyams relies on some fantastic resources research wise such as diary entries , birth records , school records , Home office notes, personal letters and a number of suicide notes in order to piece together a portrait of Frances.
Some are used successfully , through Frances school records we are told she was very intelligent, her diaries quoting Tennyson - a complete contrast to the gangsters moll portayed in other books, good looking arm candy with little brains.
Records such as birth and the home office ones tell us actual factual evidence of specifics at the time - where the family were living, the fact that Frances mother applied to have either Frances body moved from the infamous Kray Corner or at least Frances headstone changed to Frances Shea not Kray as expressly wished by Frances herself.
All good stuff. However, the rest of the resources she uses to try and prove what feels like an already established belief on her part.
In the introduction alone , she expressly states that through her research she has found out that Reggie was an obsessive, possessive , abuser and Frances was a tragic bride , an abused wife who took her own life in order to escape him.
She uses prison letters written to Frances to collaborate her statement but not fully transcribed and what is given is basically Reggie worrying she isnt taking slimming pills or going dancing with other men whilst he s in prison , showing concern for her well being and praising her for advice previously given. Hyams has taken this and described it as Reggie going insane whilst inside unable to control her rather than the more obvious a man worrying he may lose his girl to another.
Other examples of his control extend to statements from various sources of the Kray s - their cousin , their mothers hairdresser to various gangster associates who all turned against the Krays and gave evidence against them at their trial. But even those are contadictory.
Statements such as “ he wouldn’t allow her to have any friends” are followed in the same breath as “he paid for her and her friends to go to spain on holiday”
Confusing. As well as one minute a source claiming she couldn’t have an opinion on anything until Reggie did to if she liked something, reggie would like it to please her.
But the “evidence” that really is bizarre is that of Kray associate that claims Frances was a virgin bride based on her telling someone he didn’t lay a finger on her on honeymoon. Despite the fact that the source previously states that Frances never really spoke to Reggies men other than hello as it wasnt the done thing.
But for some reason Hyams runs with it , despite it being rather a disrespectful subject. Even using the phrase in Frances diary “ honeymoon sex 3 ” ( again quite a breach) and twisting it to her interpretation as honeymoon sex attempts. Even later when another diary entry detailing some abuses in regards to s (sex?) , she still runs with the Virgin Bride theory.
In fact she looks very closely into Frances lovelife , tracking down a former boyfriend who rather disrepectfully gives some colourful information and a inpatient at a special hospital for people with mental health issues speaks of innocent kisses and cuddles. Again, not really appropriate.
Frances struggle with mental health is brushed aside and not really considered despite interviews with a Psychiatrist on the krays payroll who conviently didnt have records going that far back …and opinions from modern day experts , Hyams didnt acknowledge the effect her medication let alone her illness would have had on her and her actions instead preferring to use sources “evidence” of a nervous shaky girl as being a result of Reggies treatment of her.
Instead of creating a book which gives a full insight into a beautiful woman who suffered a sad end, Frances isnt portrayed as a full person- just fragments of other peoples opinions.
What Hyams had missed is that Frances was a person - a daughter, a sister, an aunt not just the sensational tragic bride.
And that was the Frances I wanted to read about.>
January 31, 2025
Tragic story but a good read
April 25, 2021
This book annoyed me to no end!! To me, it read as a very biased account of Frances and Reggies relationship. There were several parts which made me question the authors motive for this book:
1) The author continually blames Reg for making fake promises and telling lies to Frances.. now this may well have been the case at some stages, but what if Reg really did want to get married, have kids and live a normal life? We know from various accounts of people who knew the twins that Ron was the more dominant force and how he felt about Frances. Reg was a product of his environment and who's to say that he couldn't leave the notoriety they had made? Was it as impossible for him to escape as it was for Frances?
2) The author repeatedly mentions the issue of drug abuse, particularly blaming Reg for Frances becoming an addict.. but again who is to say that Frances wasn't using drugs before? The author states in a letter Reg wrote to Frances whilst in prison, that he hoped she wasn't taking slimming tablets AGAIN. The fact that he says this shows that Frances was not against illegal drugs and had taken them before. What if she hadn't ever stopped?
3) The author repeatedly states that Frances was terrified of Reg, Ron, their lifestyle and the things that they did but then contradicts this supposed fear by saying Frances challenged Reg on numerous occasions also. It can't be both.
4) Frances was known to have "bad nerves" for a number of years previous to getting into a relationship with Reg. We later find out she had previously also tried to commit suicide and Reg had no knowledge of this. Additionally, the author states that a man who had been in a relationship with Frances during a break from Reg, that Frances did not want nor intend to grow old. Was this a sign of things to come? Had she already decided what she would do? Dr Clein also stated she was a "severe depressive" and that those in that frame of mind usually will commit suicide from treatments being unsuccessful. Could the tragic ending of Frances' life have been looming anyway?
5) Lastly, Reg stated numerous times that he wanted marriage and kids. He idolised Frances and this is apparent from various different accounts.. that isn't to say that some of the ways he went about things were a little weird or over the top. I think he did genuinely love Frances in his own way but I also feel that he was a very confused man, trying to hide his sexuality, trying to make something of himself and have the perfect untouchable influence. Did he marry Frances to hide he was gay? Did he really try it on with her brother Frank after a drinker night?
There are so many unanswered questions and speculation inside this book. I feel some of the speculation was disrespectful to Frances and her family as she was clearly mentally ill before she met Reg and the seriousness of this should have been acknowledged. The only people who know the truth are sadly no longer here.
1) The author continually blames Reg for making fake promises and telling lies to Frances.. now this may well have been the case at some stages, but what if Reg really did want to get married, have kids and live a normal life? We know from various accounts of people who knew the twins that Ron was the more dominant force and how he felt about Frances. Reg was a product of his environment and who's to say that he couldn't leave the notoriety they had made? Was it as impossible for him to escape as it was for Frances?
2) The author repeatedly mentions the issue of drug abuse, particularly blaming Reg for Frances becoming an addict.. but again who is to say that Frances wasn't using drugs before? The author states in a letter Reg wrote to Frances whilst in prison, that he hoped she wasn't taking slimming tablets AGAIN. The fact that he says this shows that Frances was not against illegal drugs and had taken them before. What if she hadn't ever stopped?
3) The author repeatedly states that Frances was terrified of Reg, Ron, their lifestyle and the things that they did but then contradicts this supposed fear by saying Frances challenged Reg on numerous occasions also. It can't be both.
4) Frances was known to have "bad nerves" for a number of years previous to getting into a relationship with Reg. We later find out she had previously also tried to commit suicide and Reg had no knowledge of this. Additionally, the author states that a man who had been in a relationship with Frances during a break from Reg, that Frances did not want nor intend to grow old. Was this a sign of things to come? Had she already decided what she would do? Dr Clein also stated she was a "severe depressive" and that those in that frame of mind usually will commit suicide from treatments being unsuccessful. Could the tragic ending of Frances' life have been looming anyway?
5) Lastly, Reg stated numerous times that he wanted marriage and kids. He idolised Frances and this is apparent from various different accounts.. that isn't to say that some of the ways he went about things were a little weird or over the top. I think he did genuinely love Frances in his own way but I also feel that he was a very confused man, trying to hide his sexuality, trying to make something of himself and have the perfect untouchable influence. Did he marry Frances to hide he was gay? Did he really try it on with her brother Frank after a drinker night?
There are so many unanswered questions and speculation inside this book. I feel some of the speculation was disrespectful to Frances and her family as she was clearly mentally ill before she met Reg and the seriousness of this should have been acknowledged. The only people who know the truth are sadly no longer here.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2021
Very tragic story, such a shame.
January 6, 2016
I really enjoyed this book & found myself reading most of it to my husband because even though he's not a book fan he did want an insight into Fran & Reggie's twisted marriage.
I have to admit, I've always been a little awed by the glamour of the Kray twins and never really got a full handle on just how evil they were. I also never thought about the impact the Shea family would have felt in the aftermath of Fran's suicide, or how the media obsession with the Kray twins would have been a constant reminder.
I felt this was my first novel to ever bring me closer to Fran & the Shea family, even though I've read a lot of books on the twins I never felt Fran got the mention she deserved as a suffering wife of a monster.
The revelation of Frankie's interview & his confession at the end of this book blew me away. So much coverage on the twins on so many media platforms and yet it revelation was thrown out with the bath water. That in itself is tragic.
The lack of marriage consummation does not surprise me. I think, on some levels, Reg was as demented as Ronnie! He didn't want Fran as a wife in the normal sense, the traditional sense; he wanted ownership. That is not marriage. Only in his warped mind would that be normal.
I felt this novel was well researched and painted an unbiased but honest perspective on their 'marriage' (I use that term loosely & only because it was, legally).
As a reader my world fell apart for Fran, but it truly broke for her mother, Elsie. As a mum myself I could really relate to her desperation, frustration and heartbreak. I truly hoped for a victory with her home office application. Seems the bastard always won. I was left disappointed by this author though, on finishing the novel I was recommended other publications by her & found an eBook written with Maureen Flanagan & I almost bought it to start immediately after finishing this eBook. Then I saw the price; £9.49!! For an eBook?! I wanted to read it, but not that much! Even Colleen Hoover, EL James & Cecilia Ahern aren't charging THAT for an eBook. Gutted.
I have to admit, I've always been a little awed by the glamour of the Kray twins and never really got a full handle on just how evil they were. I also never thought about the impact the Shea family would have felt in the aftermath of Fran's suicide, or how the media obsession with the Kray twins would have been a constant reminder.
I felt this was my first novel to ever bring me closer to Fran & the Shea family, even though I've read a lot of books on the twins I never felt Fran got the mention she deserved as a suffering wife of a monster.
The revelation of Frankie's interview & his confession at the end of this book blew me away. So much coverage on the twins on so many media platforms and yet it revelation was thrown out with the bath water. That in itself is tragic.
The lack of marriage consummation does not surprise me. I think, on some levels, Reg was as demented as Ronnie! He didn't want Fran as a wife in the normal sense, the traditional sense; he wanted ownership. That is not marriage. Only in his warped mind would that be normal.
I felt this novel was well researched and painted an unbiased but honest perspective on their 'marriage' (I use that term loosely & only because it was, legally).
As a reader my world fell apart for Fran, but it truly broke for her mother, Elsie. As a mum myself I could really relate to her desperation, frustration and heartbreak. I truly hoped for a victory with her home office application. Seems the bastard always won. I was left disappointed by this author though, on finishing the novel I was recommended other publications by her & found an eBook written with Maureen Flanagan & I almost bought it to start immediately after finishing this eBook. Then I saw the price; £9.49!! For an eBook?! I wanted to read it, but not that much! Even Colleen Hoover, EL James & Cecilia Ahern aren't charging THAT for an eBook. Gutted.
April 7, 2021
For all of the glamour the Krays bring to history, the way they are portrayed as these heroes of the underworld, there is little written about Reggie's first wife, Frances.
This book does more than lift the lid of the relationship she had with Reggie, this book is ALL you need to know!
As I said, for all that is written about the Krays, the praise and respect they get this book shows what Reggie was really like. A man with no respect who treated him girlfriend and then wife with utter contempt, Reggie destroyed her life and even after her death he clung on to her everything to make her parents suffer.
I've read so many books about the Krays but this one really puts into perspective just what an absolute arsehole of a man Reggie was (Ronnie was worse!)
This book does more than lift the lid of the relationship she had with Reggie, this book is ALL you need to know!
As I said, for all that is written about the Krays, the praise and respect they get this book shows what Reggie was really like. A man with no respect who treated him girlfriend and then wife with utter contempt, Reggie destroyed her life and even after her death he clung on to her everything to make her parents suffer.
I've read so many books about the Krays but this one really puts into perspective just what an absolute arsehole of a man Reggie was (Ronnie was worse!)
January 12, 2024
I loved the fact that there was a book that was more focused on Frances, and how the twins impacted on others closer to them, rather than focusing on portraying Ronnie and Reggie in a romanticised East End legendary status. A very sad, and tragic story, however, of a bright, intelligent young woman who seemed grounded, from a working class background, but after being swept of her feet by Reggie Kray was catapulted into a world of materialism, wealth and media, struggled and was overwhelmed. Coupled with that, and a well-documented controlling, violent, and jealousy fuelled sham marriage, she appeared to feel trapped with no hope of escape. I found it to be an interesting, but a heartbreaking, read of a young woman who felt there was no other way out, but to take her own life. A sad reminder of the damage that abusive relationships, addiction and poor mental health can cause, and just how fragile human life can sometimes be.
October 2, 2018
An interesting read about Frances's short life.
I'm quite shocked at just how bad Reggie treated poor Frances. I knew Ronnie was the strange more evil twin.
How was a 16 year old girl allowed on holiday with her boyfriend in the late 50's??
I'm lead to believe that Jacky Hyams didn't like the Kray twins as she doesn't seem to have a good word to write about them!
Jacky fails to mention the real reason why Ronnie killed George Cornell. It was more than just Cornell calling Ron a 'fat poof'
My grandad knew the twins personally and he never had a bad word to say about them.
I'm still so shocked at how horrid Reggie was to poor Francis.
I'm quite shocked at just how bad Reggie treated poor Frances. I knew Ronnie was the strange more evil twin.
How was a 16 year old girl allowed on holiday with her boyfriend in the late 50's??
I'm lead to believe that Jacky Hyams didn't like the Kray twins as she doesn't seem to have a good word to write about them!
Jacky fails to mention the real reason why Ronnie killed George Cornell. It was more than just Cornell calling Ron a 'fat poof'
My grandad knew the twins personally and he never had a bad word to say about them.
I'm still so shocked at how horrid Reggie was to poor Francis.
May 22, 2020
Based on the true life story of Francis Kray this book has a very sad feel to it as we all know how tragically Francis life ended. It’s difficult reading someone’s story when it’s not possible to include input from the actual person, sadly we’ll never know the truth from Francis but I hope she has found peace.
Francis is a huge and haunting part of Reggie Krays story and I wonder how differently their lives may of been had Reggie made different choices? Who knows reading this account of Francis I felt very sad for them both and for Francis’s family it’s a very sorry tale.
Francis is a huge and haunting part of Reggie Krays story and I wonder how differently their lives may of been had Reggie made different choices? Who knows reading this account of Francis I felt very sad for them both and for Francis’s family it’s a very sorry tale.
January 2, 2016
Good info but badly written
To me, this book felt like an initial draft - a stream of thoughts piled onto the page with no real structure or craft. More work on the book may have resulted in less of the repetition that made it a frustrating read. I also personally dislike the obvious attempt by the author to make her readers believe everything she believed without providing any alternative viewpoints.
To me, this book felt like an initial draft - a stream of thoughts piled onto the page with no real structure or craft. More work on the book may have resulted in less of the repetition that made it a frustrating read. I also personally dislike the obvious attempt by the author to make her readers believe everything she believed without providing any alternative viewpoints.
October 1, 2015
Didn't enjoy this book.
October 14, 2016
This Book Made Me Feel So Sorry For Mrs Kray; Trapped In A World She Tried But Failed To Escape From. An Interesting Perspective To Read About *X*
November 16, 2018
I knew this book would be one sided, but wasn't expecting what I read. The author has tunnel vision.
July 18, 2021
An incredibly well written and fascinating story. This book is well researched and the author stays solely focused on Frances and didn’t veer of topic. This is read-able book and kept my attention through out. We get to see the dark moments of the East End and this time period is not glamorised like we have seen some do. She shows the deeper truths behind the suits and cigars.
This book focuses on Frances and tells her true story and goes into incredible detail from the moment she was born all the way through.
She was an extremely intelligent young woman completely different to how she was branded, as “arm candy” when with Reggie and on his arm. Only seen for her looks and not her intelligences. Reggie controlled her just like he did everything. She had to fit the image The Krays portrayed and because of this she lost her individually, and was only ever seen as Reggie’s girlfriend/ wife.
This also adding the time era (50s/ 60s), meant that Frances never stood a chance to be seen as anything more. To the day she died and even after Reggie had full control over her.
Being a beautiful girl she was noticed by the opposite sex a lot. A lot of people remember seeing Frances and the first thing that they remember is how beautiful she was. Her beauty would become a curse while she was with Reggie Kray.
It was love at first sight and a whirlwind romance that on Reggies side became a obsession. He would write love letters and tell her that, “ falling in love with her was the best thing that ever happened to him”, but his love came with extreme jealousy and possessiveness.
Was it really love or was it the desire for him to have the most beautiful woman on this arm as a trophy? These are the questions brought up and discussed through the book.
We get to see how the way woman were seen in the 50s and 60s, and what they could and couldn’t do would affect Frances and the choices she made. How her social class affected her and made the allure of Reggie Kray more attractive . She was a teenager when she meet Reggie and still had an innocence to her. Her youth made her easy prey.
The mental abuse that Frances went through was heart wrenching and truly broke your heart as a reader. What at first could have been a lovely relationship turned quickly and became a living hell.
Reggie Kray didn’t know how to love but wanted too, and because of that he put a woman through hell
Ultimately this is a dark tale and though the story we see different events that lead up to her tragic death, and how if certain small moments went differently and if certain people spoke out instead of staying silent, it would have had a massive impact on her life and how it unfolded.
If Reggie had meet Frances when she was older, if he didn’t live the life he did and if he wasn’t so tied to his brother, their relationship may have worked.
The big question at the end is, did Reggie ever truly love or care for Frances? Or did he just use her as a tool for success and for his image.
This book focuses on Frances and tells her true story and goes into incredible detail from the moment she was born all the way through.
She was an extremely intelligent young woman completely different to how she was branded, as “arm candy” when with Reggie and on his arm. Only seen for her looks and not her intelligences. Reggie controlled her just like he did everything. She had to fit the image The Krays portrayed and because of this she lost her individually, and was only ever seen as Reggie’s girlfriend/ wife.
This also adding the time era (50s/ 60s), meant that Frances never stood a chance to be seen as anything more. To the day she died and even after Reggie had full control over her.
Being a beautiful girl she was noticed by the opposite sex a lot. A lot of people remember seeing Frances and the first thing that they remember is how beautiful she was. Her beauty would become a curse while she was with Reggie Kray.
It was love at first sight and a whirlwind romance that on Reggies side became a obsession. He would write love letters and tell her that, “ falling in love with her was the best thing that ever happened to him”, but his love came with extreme jealousy and possessiveness.
Was it really love or was it the desire for him to have the most beautiful woman on this arm as a trophy? These are the questions brought up and discussed through the book.
We get to see how the way woman were seen in the 50s and 60s, and what they could and couldn’t do would affect Frances and the choices she made. How her social class affected her and made the allure of Reggie Kray more attractive . She was a teenager when she meet Reggie and still had an innocence to her. Her youth made her easy prey.
The mental abuse that Frances went through was heart wrenching and truly broke your heart as a reader. What at first could have been a lovely relationship turned quickly and became a living hell.
Reggie Kray didn’t know how to love but wanted too, and because of that he put a woman through hell
Ultimately this is a dark tale and though the story we see different events that lead up to her tragic death, and how if certain small moments went differently and if certain people spoke out instead of staying silent, it would have had a massive impact on her life and how it unfolded.
If Reggie had meet Frances when she was older, if he didn’t live the life he did and if he wasn’t so tied to his brother, their relationship may have worked.
The big question at the end is, did Reggie ever truly love or care for Frances? Or did he just use her as a tool for success and for his image.
January 11, 2022
This book is the first (and, to date, only) book that comprehensively covers the short, ill-fated marriage between Reggie Kray and Frances Shea. They married in 1965, but by 1967 the marriage was over and Frances committed suicide shortly after.
I found this book fascinating. The author, Jacky Hyams, has clearly researched the subject very extensively. She goes into great detail about Reggie and Frances' marriage and leaves very little out. I learned lots of things that I didn't already know and it certainly shows Reggie Kray in a very different light. It is hard to defend him as some kind of hero once you have read this book and once you learn how badly he treated Frances. The book certainly opened my eyes.
To sum up, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to know all there is to know about Reg and Frances' marriage, and why they broke up and what drove Frances to take her own life. I felt a lot of sympathy for Frances and her family after I had read the book. The poor girl must have gone through sheer hell. Still, I guess that such a young girl to get married to a gangster would never have been easy. This book proves that.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Jacky Hyam's book and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read about a different side to Reggie Kray. I found it gripping and hard to put down.
Five stars. A superb and very different book.
I found this book fascinating. The author, Jacky Hyams, has clearly researched the subject very extensively. She goes into great detail about Reggie and Frances' marriage and leaves very little out. I learned lots of things that I didn't already know and it certainly shows Reggie Kray in a very different light. It is hard to defend him as some kind of hero once you have read this book and once you learn how badly he treated Frances. The book certainly opened my eyes.
To sum up, this is a must-read for anyone who wants to know all there is to know about Reg and Frances' marriage, and why they broke up and what drove Frances to take her own life. I felt a lot of sympathy for Frances and her family after I had read the book. The poor girl must have gone through sheer hell. Still, I guess that such a young girl to get married to a gangster would never have been easy. This book proves that.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Jacky Hyam's book and I recommend it to anyone who wants to read about a different side to Reggie Kray. I found it gripping and hard to put down.
Five stars. A superb and very different book.
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February 23, 2020"Frances broke away and briefly enjoyed other relationships, struggling to maintain her freedom. Yet Reggie would never let her go. Paranoid and obsessive, he monitored her every move, stalking her night and day."
"Trapped, desperate and unable to cope, just two years later Frances died from a drug overdose."
God, i wish my next life story not like this story, cause, there is a man who still loved me like Reggie.
I don't want to die like Frances.
"Trapped, desperate and unable to cope, just two years later Frances died from a drug overdose."
God, i wish my next life story not like this story, cause, there is a man who still loved me like Reggie.
I don't want to die like Frances.
March 29, 2025
Such a good read.
This didn't dwell to much on the criminal characters apart from Ronnie and Reggie, however it gave a fair description of the aura of violence that surrounded the Krays.
What it did do extremely well was reveal the personal relationships of Frances Shea and her husband Reggie Kray and their families, many details I had not heard before.... One revelation which makes a specific personal happening probably ... true.
This didn't dwell to much on the criminal characters apart from Ronnie and Reggie, however it gave a fair description of the aura of violence that surrounded the Krays.
What it did do extremely well was reveal the personal relationships of Frances Shea and her husband Reggie Kray and their families, many details I had not heard before.... One revelation which makes a specific personal happening probably ... true.
April 3, 2025
One of the best books I have read in a long time, and it's true!
I usually read thriller fiction so this was a change for me and I was shocked with what this poor woman went through and how the story was told. Yes I've watched the krays movies in the past and like others thought of them more as bad boys & local heroes looking after their own BUT this book shows a different side to the normal Kray stories you read about. Definitely worth a read.
I usually read thriller fiction so this was a change for me and I was shocked with what this poor woman went through and how the story was told. Yes I've watched the krays movies in the past and like others thought of them more as bad boys & local heroes looking after their own BUT this book shows a different side to the normal Kray stories you read about. Definitely worth a read.
September 14, 2024
I loved this book. It was great to finally hear more about Frances Shea she is always greater overlooked when the history of the Krays is mentioned, and she deserved to have her own story told. Extremely insightful and, at times, thoroughly heartbreaking, this is a great book for anyone who wants to delve deeper into Frances' short life.
December 20, 2020
I really like that someone looked into the demise of this woman who was unfortunate enough to get that man's attention. I wish there has been a better ending and Frances deserved better. Plenty of information.
April 22, 2021
I really enjoyed this book,but it was so sad.
I had never really thought about Frances before even though I have read a few books about the twins.
Would recommend this book but it's sad in places.😥
I had never really thought about Frances before even though I have read a few books about the twins.
Would recommend this book but it's sad in places.😥
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February 3, 2022Now this was a sad read to be fair
August 12, 2022
A very sad story that sadly did not end with her death, a point off for the author embellishing a little at times. Rest in peace, Frances.
January 14, 2024
This book was such a interesting read. I felt like I was on a journey learning all about Frances and what she endured being married to Reggie Kray.
April 24, 2024
I loved this. It was very informative and a side to the krays i hadn't known
July 1, 2024
Very interesting read. I didn't realise their burial is situated at Chingford Mount.
January 31, 2025
Brilliant
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