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The Twins: Men of Violence
Nobody knew the twins like Kate Kray. Married to Ron, she was granted unique access into the shadowy world they inhabited, and was entrusted with some of the darkest secrets they possessed—secrets that could never be revealed until they were both dead. Now with the help of thoughts and anecdotes from the people who knew the twins best, Kate has documented once and for all the life of the world's most famous gangsters, and filled in the gaps with the facts that could not be revealed until now. Gangsters, actors, East End faces—everyone who is anyone in the Firm is here, thanks to Kate's unique access and influence. And in this remarkable book, the Krays' chief torturer, the man who was with them on the night they were arrested, has broken his silence for the very first time.
239 pages, Paperback
First published November 6, 2000
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 23, 2013
I read this in less than a day. Not because it is short but because it is written in an easy to read style and the content is actually novel and gripping (due to it being written by someone with personable inside knowledge).
January 27, 2023
‘Look out heaven - the Kray twins are on their way…’
I’ve always had an interests in the Kray twins, so when I saw this book written by Ron’s wife Kate I just had to buy it. It was an easy read, and interesting however I found it quite repetitive in parts and didn’t really read anything I didn’t already know or hadn’t already heard.
I’ve always had an interests in the Kray twins, so when I saw this book written by Ron’s wife Kate I just had to buy it. It was an easy read, and interesting however I found it quite repetitive in parts and didn’t really read anything I didn’t already know or hadn’t already heard.
July 23, 2020
Good read!
July 21, 2021
Having read several books on the Krays from the perspective of being an identical twin - this book just rehashes what's already known. There is diddly squat that's new. In fact as it was first published in 2002 - my copy was 2018, it was published long after 1988 - after 'Our Story', the Twins own accounts. And long after John Pearson's 1985 book. When she includes an uncovered topic away from anything in the other books (including the twins own accounts) it just becomes a 'mention'. For example, she narrates the case of Freddie Mills and reports the known facts of how he was found next to a shotgun with a bullet through his eye. Well we all know that - but 'She looked him in the eye and said "Did you kill Freddie Mills?" "No I didn't kill him, I'm afraid, it's just a myth." Well she does add 'He looked me in the eye and said..." it. Wow what a non revelation. If you followed the documentaries and reports of Freddie Mills, the Krays never even come under suspicion. Certainly not by anyone outside the Krays' circle. But it did add a few pages if non-revelation. The Krays' own story doesn't even mention it. Nothing is added about Frank Mitchell which the Krays deny killing in their version even though it was widely 'known' that their firm did it. It's obvious that the 'twins' couldn't add anything because they were still hopeful of release; any mention of the other murders they were believed to be involved in would have scuppered any hope completely. Their (Reg's) pathetic plea that they should be released 10 years before time is testament to their hubris.
One of the reasons that 'The Twins' wrote their account was to try and stop the so-called myths written about them. Kate 'Kray's' book is jump-on-the-bandwagon central - and does precisely the thing the Twins were trying to counter. I would even add there's a suspicion she used the other books to pad out her pathetically thin volume; her accounts suspiciously follow the same order sometimes. It's a John and Mary book with big writing and double spacing! And lotsalotsa blank pages and space to pad it out to use your crayons on! At £8.99 it's a pathetic read. In Ron's account he says 'Kate has asked me for a divorce'. She adds in her own book that she continued to stay with her ex-husband and children.
However as an identical twin myself there were some frightening recognition episodes of the 'Twins' behaviour and it was illuminating from that - very narrow - perspective for me.
But I'd never pay £8.99 for a copy of so much blank paper - mine was a charity-shop copy.
For a proper account read the other books about the pathetic Kray twins. You will get a better understanding of their weird attitudes and thoughts. Their blindness to their own misplaced pride and arrogance - their amazing belief that so-called 'B' rate celebrities were their best friends; their self delusion that they were 'top-dog' wallowing in their own cesspool of myth takes some believing. And even if nothing else, their pathetic John and Mary book poetry is laughable!
So keep up with the 'reissues', Kate. The myth will peter out eventually. I'm going into hiding now.
One of the reasons that 'The Twins' wrote their account was to try and stop the so-called myths written about them. Kate 'Kray's' book is jump-on-the-bandwagon central - and does precisely the thing the Twins were trying to counter. I would even add there's a suspicion she used the other books to pad out her pathetically thin volume; her accounts suspiciously follow the same order sometimes. It's a John and Mary book with big writing and double spacing! And lotsalotsa blank pages and space to pad it out to use your crayons on! At £8.99 it's a pathetic read. In Ron's account he says 'Kate has asked me for a divorce'. She adds in her own book that she continued to stay with her ex-husband and children.
However as an identical twin myself there were some frightening recognition episodes of the 'Twins' behaviour and it was illuminating from that - very narrow - perspective for me.
But I'd never pay £8.99 for a copy of so much blank paper - mine was a charity-shop copy.
For a proper account read the other books about the pathetic Kray twins. You will get a better understanding of their weird attitudes and thoughts. Their blindness to their own misplaced pride and arrogance - their amazing belief that so-called 'B' rate celebrities were their best friends; their self delusion that they were 'top-dog' wallowing in their own cesspool of myth takes some believing. And even if nothing else, their pathetic John and Mary book poetry is laughable!
So keep up with the 'reissues', Kate. The myth will peter out eventually. I'm going into hiding now.
March 20, 2019
I loved this book. I've always been taken with tales of the UK's most infamous gangsters. My mum was just a year older than Ronnie and Reggie, she lived in London through their haydays and never had a bad word to say about them. In fact I do believe she once referred to them as modern-day Robin Hoods, righting wrongs and making sure those in need were looked after.
This book, written by Ronnie Kray's widow, Kate Kray, provides a unique and enthralling insight into their lives. And while she makes no bones of them being violent and dangerous men, you have to look at the facts as they're presented- as she does in the book - The Krays only visited violence on violence. They were also loving sons and nephews and souses; caring, respectful, generous and loyal to a fault (as it was trusting the wrong people which ended up with their imprisonment), they didn't tolerate the mistreatment of women or children, they stood against racism; and stories of Ronnie's homosexuality - or bisexuality as implied by this book and his marriage - are well-known.
Perhaps I am guilty of romanticising their memory, but in some ways The Krays were the antithesis of everything that is wrong in our society today. I have often wondered if the establishment was so keen to make an example of them and put them away for such a long time, because The Firm were so much better at keeping law and order in the East End than the police themselves (at that time). What would the UK be like today if Ronnie and Reggie had been allowed to leave a legacy ...
No one really knows what went on in their world, but the people who were a part of it; and obviously we're all free to believe what we want. But when the funeral of a gangster attracts over 50,000 people - putting it on par with that of Sir Winston Churchill, there must be some truth in the tales of the twins' goodness, and with both of them long passed, their last judgement was that of their maker.
I finished reading the book in a couple of sittings as it was so interesting, and when I finished it was as if I was in mourning for the twins myself.
This book, written by Ronnie Kray's widow, Kate Kray, provides a unique and enthralling insight into their lives. And while she makes no bones of them being violent and dangerous men, you have to look at the facts as they're presented- as she does in the book - The Krays only visited violence on violence. They were also loving sons and nephews and souses; caring, respectful, generous and loyal to a fault (as it was trusting the wrong people which ended up with their imprisonment), they didn't tolerate the mistreatment of women or children, they stood against racism; and stories of Ronnie's homosexuality - or bisexuality as implied by this book and his marriage - are well-known.
Perhaps I am guilty of romanticising their memory, but in some ways The Krays were the antithesis of everything that is wrong in our society today. I have often wondered if the establishment was so keen to make an example of them and put them away for such a long time, because The Firm were so much better at keeping law and order in the East End than the police themselves (at that time). What would the UK be like today if Ronnie and Reggie had been allowed to leave a legacy ...
No one really knows what went on in their world, but the people who were a part of it; and obviously we're all free to believe what we want. But when the funeral of a gangster attracts over 50,000 people - putting it on par with that of Sir Winston Churchill, there must be some truth in the tales of the twins' goodness, and with both of them long passed, their last judgement was that of their maker.
I finished reading the book in a couple of sittings as it was so interesting, and when I finished it was as if I was in mourning for the twins myself.
July 30, 2023
For anyone interested in The Krays this is a great book written by Ron's wife Kate.
Well written and easy to read.
Quick read and lovely photos accompany this fab book.
Honest and Insightful.
Would recommend 💕
Well written and easy to read.
Quick read and lovely photos accompany this fab book.
Honest and Insightful.
Would recommend 💕
March 23, 2012
Interesting read
January 8, 2021
Quick read but one sided
December 22, 2022
I enjoyed this book and it was written in an easy to read style.
It’s the first book I have read about the Krays.
Well worth a read
It’s the first book I have read about the Krays.
Well worth a read
December 4, 2020
Another very interesting book on the Krays, told by someone who was married to one of the twins, Ron.
Kate describes, mainly through her visits with Ron in Broadmoor, and Ron is the main subject in the book, although Reg is mentioned in parts. Kate describes the Twins' last night of freedom, how they could run things despite being inside. There is a chapter on Broadmoor itself, a chapter on the truth about the peer Lord Boothby who was in an affair with Ron, despite Boothby vigorously denying it at the time, even winning £40,000 in a libel lawsuit against the Mirror. There is a chapter with tributes paid to Ron from such people as Charles Bronson, Tony Lambrianou, the guvnor Lenny McLean and the actor Billy Murray. In the end of an era chapter, Kate describes how she was out shopping for Ron when she overhears on the radio that he has died, she also tells of how Reg had made an application to visit his brother in hospital, it was refused as he is deemed 'not ill enough' and he is walking back to his cell with the application in his hand and he learns of his brother's death from a fellow prisoner. The final chapter is letters from both twins, one side has the original handwriting, the other side has a printed transcript.
This book's only real problem is that the proofreader has gone AWOL. To a far lesser extent this time, the punctuation and grammar are better than in the book The 20 Worst Crimes which is simply atrocious with its punctuation and grammar. The other minor problem is the book is titled The Twins, but the Twins themselves are only really covered fully in two maybe three chapters, the main subject is Ron, and as the author was Ron's wife in a marriage known as The Bizarre Marriage by the British tabloids, Kate has every right to keep the subject to one of the twins. Kate is a great author and she should write more books, like her sister in law and fellow author Roberta Kray, I think Kate would be great in the fictional genre.
Kate describes, mainly through her visits with Ron in Broadmoor, and Ron is the main subject in the book, although Reg is mentioned in parts. Kate describes the Twins' last night of freedom, how they could run things despite being inside. There is a chapter on Broadmoor itself, a chapter on the truth about the peer Lord Boothby who was in an affair with Ron, despite Boothby vigorously denying it at the time, even winning £40,000 in a libel lawsuit against the Mirror. There is a chapter with tributes paid to Ron from such people as Charles Bronson, Tony Lambrianou, the guvnor Lenny McLean and the actor Billy Murray. In the end of an era chapter, Kate describes how she was out shopping for Ron when she overhears on the radio that he has died, she also tells of how Reg had made an application to visit his brother in hospital, it was refused as he is deemed 'not ill enough' and he is walking back to his cell with the application in his hand and he learns of his brother's death from a fellow prisoner. The final chapter is letters from both twins, one side has the original handwriting, the other side has a printed transcript.
This book's only real problem is that the proofreader has gone AWOL. To a far lesser extent this time, the punctuation and grammar are better than in the book The 20 Worst Crimes which is simply atrocious with its punctuation and grammar. The other minor problem is the book is titled The Twins, but the Twins themselves are only really covered fully in two maybe three chapters, the main subject is Ron, and as the author was Ron's wife in a marriage known as The Bizarre Marriage by the British tabloids, Kate has every right to keep the subject to one of the twins. Kate is a great author and she should write more books, like her sister in law and fellow author Roberta Kray, I think Kate would be great in the fictional genre.
July 19, 2020
I really enjoyed this book. I've had a fascination with the Kray twins for many years. I was a child of three or four when they were sent down for the final time. I know they committed many crimes over the years, including murder, but they seemed to have had honest values too.
These values are often mentioned in Kate Kray's book. The respect the twins had for their mother, the fact they disliked bullies, child molesters, crimes against women and sex crimes. If the said 'jump' you did so. They respected others and wanted respect in return.
Kate Kray doesn't try and gloss over the fact that Ron and Reg were on the wrong side of the law most of their lives, but she also shows Ron's quieter, more honourable side. Kate Kray also shares her husband's own views on his paranois schizophrenia. There were several times whilst reading this book when I felt that the Krays had been hard done by when they received a thirty year stretch.
Ron's poems in this book, whilst not in the same league as Shaekspeare and Wordsworth, are from the heart. They gave me an insight to how Ron Kray was feeling in some of his quieter moments.
I know I will never have the opportunity to know the twins. Maybe it's better that I could never have met them, who knows? But through books like Kate Kray's, I feel I know a little bit more about the legend that is The Krays.
These values are often mentioned in Kate Kray's book. The respect the twins had for their mother, the fact they disliked bullies, child molesters, crimes against women and sex crimes. If the said 'jump' you did so. They respected others and wanted respect in return.
Kate Kray doesn't try and gloss over the fact that Ron and Reg were on the wrong side of the law most of their lives, but she also shows Ron's quieter, more honourable side. Kate Kray also shares her husband's own views on his paranois schizophrenia. There were several times whilst reading this book when I felt that the Krays had been hard done by when they received a thirty year stretch.
Ron's poems in this book, whilst not in the same league as Shaekspeare and Wordsworth, are from the heart. They gave me an insight to how Ron Kray was feeling in some of his quieter moments.
I know I will never have the opportunity to know the twins. Maybe it's better that I could never have met them, who knows? But through books like Kate Kray's, I feel I know a little bit more about the legend that is The Krays.
May 3, 2021
The author, Kate Kray, was married to Ron Kray from 1989 until 1994. She has previously written several books about her marriage to Ron. This book is one of the best of them. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and i found it very easy to get into, due to Kate's very chatty writing style. The book focuses mainly on Ron, though his brother Reg is mentioned several times. I would have liked to know a bit more about why Ron divorced her, but this is never talked about in the book. Maybe this would have re-opened too many old wounds for Kate, so she doesn't mention it.
It's obvious from reading the book that Kate and Ron were both extremely fond of each other. I have read in other books that their marriage ended with a certain degree of animosity and bad feeling, which is a shame. I do know that Ron had previously married another lady while he was in Broadmoor, before he met Kate, but this sadly also ended in divorce. This is mentioned in Ron and Reg's book, Our Story. I guess that it would take a very special kind of lady to cope with such a marriage to a man like Ron.
The book also had copious typing and grammatical errors, which suggests that very little proof-reading was done on this book (if any was done at all). This did not ruin my enjoyment of the book, though. I heartily recommend it to anyone who wants to read a "different" Krays book.
It's obvious from reading the book that Kate and Ron were both extremely fond of each other. I have read in other books that their marriage ended with a certain degree of animosity and bad feeling, which is a shame. I do know that Ron had previously married another lady while he was in Broadmoor, before he met Kate, but this sadly also ended in divorce. This is mentioned in Ron and Reg's book, Our Story. I guess that it would take a very special kind of lady to cope with such a marriage to a man like Ron.
The book also had copious typing and grammatical errors, which suggests that very little proof-reading was done on this book (if any was done at all). This did not ruin my enjoyment of the book, though. I heartily recommend it to anyone who wants to read a "different" Krays book.
August 27, 2019
So, I'm kinda going through a phase at the moment where I want to know more about gangsters and the underworld - the Peaky Blinders TV drama started it off! Of course, I'd heard of the Krays, but didn't actually know much about them, so I decided to do a bit of reading... I have to say, I probably didn't pick the best book to kick off my research. Since it was written my Ronnie Kray's wife, I knew it would be very one sided, but despite her saying that she didn't want to dismiss the wrongs they did, I found it all very romanticised. And I have to say, having testaments to what good men the Krays were from criminals like Charles Bronson didn't actually make me inclined to believe it...
Personally, I felt this book raised more questions than anything else. Despite what the blurb says, that she knew the Krays more than anyone, it felt like everything she had to say were just quotes from what other people had said. Then, when she raised something that interested me, like her and Ron's relationship - how them me and problems they had - it was passed over.
Still, it was interesting to see that point of view and I'm now off to read more in the hopes of getting a well rounded view of things.
Personally, I felt this book raised more questions than anything else. Despite what the blurb says, that she knew the Krays more than anyone, it felt like everything she had to say were just quotes from what other people had said. Then, when she raised something that interested me, like her and Ron's relationship - how them me and problems they had - it was passed over.
Still, it was interesting to see that point of view and I'm now off to read more in the hopes of getting a well rounded view of things.
May 23, 2019
only going in knowing the bare minimum about the kray twins, i didn't know what i would be getting myself into. however, growing up near the east end myself in early 2000s i found that knowing/been to some of the places mentioned gave me chills, knowing two famous twins have walked those streets to. this book has had me laughing and crying, but most importantly, wanting to find out more about the twins lives. would recommend to anyone who only knows that basics of the Kray Twins
November 20, 2019
I absolutely loved this! So much so I read it in 3 days. I spent every spare minute i had reading this. I loved the insight kate gives you into the twins lifestyle and how prison was for them. I didn't know much about the kray twins and the book tells you more about them and the crimes they committed and the crime they went to prison for. 100% recommended this book if your into famous prisoners.
June 19, 2021
I am in two minds over this account of the Kray twins. Kate's marriage to Ron was obviously not conventional and she came across as a PA more than a wife. I feel Kate romanicised about the Krays. Did she actually know them in their hay day? I believe not. They were by all accounts gangsters and murderers after all.
An interesting read nonetheless.
An interesting read nonetheless.
March 10, 2019
I really enjoyed this book!! It was great to read about the twins from the perspective of someone who was so close to them .. no denial for the things that they did but also acknowledgement of their good side. I particularly liked the chapter of tributes from friends
September 29, 2019
What a brilliant read from Kate Kray about her Husband the famous Ronnie Kray I just could not put it down she wrote it well & Ron would be proud of it, found it sad near the end of the book when Ron died & Reg died not long after him 😢 but a very enjoyable read 👍😊
March 1, 2021
I enjoyed this book was nice to hear the truth from someone for a change instead of made up stories to make the other person seem important and bigger than they were .I believe they should of been released soon people now get less time in prison for worse crimes
June 23, 2021
Well what can you say when the boys have been dead along time maybe oh be quiet woman
I have read lots of books seems to me this was more about nothing than something I think the Krays did more time than they should have and ppl should get off their shirt tails
I have read lots of books seems to me this was more about nothing than something I think the Krays did more time than they should have and ppl should get off their shirt tails
June 8, 2024
2.5 rating. Parts were interesting but not particularly well written. The fact she has had so many books published, is, no doubt, down to who she is.
As most reference the Krays, she is certainly milking every drop from her cash cow.
As most reference the Krays, she is certainly milking every drop from her cash cow.
May 13, 2025
For my true crime girls
This is an account of what the infamous Kray twins were like from someone with personal experience with the twins.
The author Kate Kray was married to Ronnie Kray from 1989-1994 and is a true crime writer
This is an account of what the infamous Kray twins were like from someone with personal experience with the twins.
The author Kate Kray was married to Ronnie Kray from 1989-1994 and is a true crime writer
May 3, 2019
A very easy read. I enjoyed this book and has made me interested in the story of the krays.
July 5, 2019
Nothing here that isn't really already known. A couple of facts that raises my eyebrows but not any revelations.
August 2, 2019
Very good and interesting account of one of the kray twins.
Excellent read of one of the kray twins,good to know the truth about reg kray yeah yeah yeah yeah ye
Excellent read of one of the kray twins,good to know the truth about reg kray yeah yeah yeah yeah ye
February 18, 2021
Read it in 24 hours couldn’t put it down,the only fault I found is because it’s written by Rons wife it’s very Ron centred and not much about Reg but a very good read nonetheless
November 8, 2021
Read within about 4 hours, drew nothing from it, seemed to be more about nothing than something
August 31, 2022
Very interesting and a good read 👍
February 6, 2023
Fantastic read ... Couldn't put it down ........ 2 powerful but kind hearted men ♥️♥️♥️
December 28, 2024
uneducated and poorly written with no new info
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews