Queenie's Castle

by Lena Kennedy

Book by Lena Kennedy

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 6, 1994

About the author

Lena Kennedy (June 15, 1914 - August 1 1986), was an English author. Her books were mostly historic romantic fiction set in and around the East End of London where she lived for all her life. Some of her books, including her autobiography, were published posthumously.

She appeared, as a subject, on the television programme This Is Your Life shortly before her death in 1986.

Reviews

[Cameron Trost · Rating 3 out of 5]

Queenie's Castle is somewhere between noir and romance, and the atmosphere is quintessentially cockney. That's it in a nutshell. I grabbed this book thinking it was a mystery, but it's not. In fact, it's the story of a mild-mannered school teacher who gets caught up in London's criminal underbelly. The story is more engaging in some parts than others, and perhaps a little flat in the middle, but the scenario and characters are interesting and the tone is a mix of nasty and cute. If you like gritty noir, this may not be for you, and if you like cheesy romance, probably not either. If you're fond of a touch of both, you'll probably enjoy Queenie's Castle.

[c m bolton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different story

This book was a page turner and gave us good and bad on every page. Joe tried to help everyone and where else would he do that but the pub that loves you and with every breath drags you further in to crime.
Well if you want something a bit different here's the one for you enjoy..l

[Tricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joe, who is a teacher, is framed for manslaughter. When he gets out of prison he finds himself working in the bar that was central to him being framed. The bar owner is the formidable Queenie who has secrets of her own.

The book is good but it is not outstanding. I didn't have to think too much. It is a short read and good if you want something quick and easy.

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this author, probably my favourite of all the saga writers. This was a relatively short story compared to her others, and with a male lead character. I really liked it, I always pick up a Lena Kennedy when I have too much else on my mind to read a more intricate book.

[John Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the mid sixties, in an East London that was already disappearing fast, Kennedy's story sets up a Polish-American teacher to take the fall for a murder early on. After the protagonist, Joe Walowski, is released from prison, he heads back to the East End to find out who framed him for the murder. He falls under the spell of Queenie, the landlady of a pub where a particular criminal gang hangs out. Joe works his way into the gang, discovering how they operate, before finally discovering the truth behind his framing. A short book, quickly read, with excellent characters.

[Sarah Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read

Lena really knows her stuff when it comes to spinning a yarn about the old East End. I can never put her books down.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read book about east end villains and Queenie who runs the pub they operate from . A good read

[Andrée · Rating 2 out of 5]

Lightweight and horribly reminiscent of Bab's in East Enders but all ends well as 'Art' yet again saves the day