The Women

by Jacqui Rose

Welcome to HMP Ashcroft. An institution run by a corrupt governor whose determination to impose his will at any cost will have far-reaching consequences on all the inmates.

Within these walls, friendships are forged that will last beyond a sentence, but some inmates can turn in the blink of an eye, because that’s all part of being locked up. In here you are kept from your loved ones and forced into a surrogate family with women you wouldn’t even look at on the outside, let alone call friends. But at Ashcroft, Alliances can mean everything.

Each one of these women has their own story to tell and their own penance to deal with. But whilst they fight for their rights on the inside, who is looking after their family, their friends and children on the outside. Whilst they battle to survive in a closed off world what’s happening in the real world.

At Ashcroft there’s always a price to be paid, and for some it’s high, but these women are prepared to pay anyway they can . . .

Jacqui Rose is back with another hard-hitting gangland thriller. Now collaborating with Martina Cole on her new novel Loyalty .

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 30, 2023

About the author

Jacqui Rose is a novelist who hails from Manchester and South Yorkshire, though she now lives in the South East in the countryside, surrounded by her horses and lots of animals. Jacqui first came to appreciate the power of the written word when as a child she charged her classmates a packet of sherbet dips to write their essays for them. Adopted at a young age and always a daydreamer, she felt isolated growing up in a small mining village in South Yorkshire and it was her writing which kept her company.
Jacqui has written a variety of things including
stand-up comedy, radio drams and screenplays.
She is published by HarperCollins and Pan Macmillan and has written over 16 bestselling novels. She is also collaborating with Martina Cole on Martina's new novel, Loyalty.

Jacqui Rose also writes under the name of
J P Rose (not to be confused with the American author!) and has written, The Haunting of Tyrese Walker her first teen/YA novel.

Reviews

[Sophie]

I always loved crime novels as a teenager and would devour them. My taste in books is pretty broad but it has since grown apart from my gangland drama days.

I find all of the characters in this type of book pretty much the same, the plotlines are far fetched and the writing poor. Hey I still enjoy them.

[Racheal Pedder]

Just could not get into this book, do not k ow why as usually love her books.

[Nancy A]

Audiobook. Great characters. Some uncomfortable descriptions which added to the tension.

[Pol]

Love reading Jacqui Rose books and this one didn’t disappoint
What a page turner

[Moona]

The Women by Jacqui Rose is a gritty, intense thriller set within the walls of HMP Ashcroft, a prison controlled by a corrupt governor who imposes his will with brutal consequences. The story delves into the harsh realities of life behind bars, where survival means forming alliances with unlikely companions. Friendships are forged, but betrayal is always a looming possibility.

Rose masterfully portrays the complexity of the inmates' lives, highlighting their individual struggles and the tough decisions they must make to protect themselves and those they care about, both inside and outside of prison. The novel explores the impact of incarceration on families and communities, creating a tension-filled narrative that keeps readers on edge.

For fans of gangland thrillers, Rose delivers a hard-hitting tale full of drama, suspense, and unflinching realism, proving her collaboration with Martina Cole is well-deserved.

[Chromatic Cat]

HMP Ashcroft is a women’s prison run by a corrupt twisted governor, the prison guards aren’t much better…

The prison is a hot house of hard faced bitches fighting amongst themselves for the position of top dog, drugs are rife, life isn’t worth a great deal inside…rape and beatings are common place, so, how can they protect their children on the outside from predators when they are banged up?

Jacqueline Rose has written a real blinder this time, if you like a good crime thriller, fast paced where the men are are hard and the women are even harder, it has drugs sex and more twists and turns than a bowl of spag boll! Enjoy!

[Emziethebookworm]

First book by Jacqui rose and I got to say I did struggle to fully get into this one from the start, I don't know why I struggled but I did do my very best to continue listening on audio.
I did like the theme of the book on how it was based on woman as inmates throughout but I just couldn't full adjust to it for it being my first one based on this.
The woman throughout the book were notorious I honestly never met any woman like this in the books I've read and listened to, but I did enjoy that about them.
Even though this was my first book by this author I will do my best to find more of her works and get right into them.

[Khurshid Ali]

As an avid reader of Jacqui Rose Novels I was highly waiting for this book to be released. Jacqui Rose creates strong female characters in a world of crime where every small mistake is unforgivable.

“Welcome to HMP Ashcroft” A female prison controlled by a governor who is corrupt.

This book is centred around 6 points of view, the prisoners with there pasts and presents merging together and creating a brilliant plot.

I loved this book.

[Maria Hubble]

It was ok :/

Usually Jacqui’s books have me on the edge of my seat but this one, although a decent enough plot, lacked suspense.

I felt like it could have gone way more into the characters stories and back stories of how they ended up in prison and developed a more in depth plot.

I’m sad to say that for the first time I am disappointed by this latest offering by Jacqui. Hoping the next one will be better.

[Patsy]

Wow it's a must buy

If anyone deserves a 5 star then it's Jacqui
Rose 🌹 well done you have so much talent for a writer.From start to finish I couldn't put this book down.And what a story I would recommend this book and you will not be disappointed.I don't won't to say to much of I will give the game away .well done to Jacqui Rose and hope there will be a sequel .

[judy]

The Women

First book by Jacqui Rose that didn’t capture my interest and found it a bore to read. Soo many characters and names was a struggle to keep up with especially if they are uninteresting. The plot was not exciting and I lost interest and gave up half way. Hope the next book is a lot better.

[Valerie Watts]

Wattsy

Wow what a page turner,would give it more than 5 stars if I could,edge of your seat with all the ups and downs of all the characters,shall definitely recommend this book to friends and family.

[Tracy ann Robinson]

I loved it very gripping very much recommend

[Jeanette Dahl]

I like Jacqui's books/storylines and they are getting better with time 👍

[Gail]

Great book. Gripping and easy to read. Loved it.

[Francesca]

DNF’ed at 40%.

[Sue Barlow]

I do love a good crime book this book was no exception, this was a good character formed book. Story had a few twists which was not expected. Hope there will be a follow up book .

[Miss Dizzy Read]

One of those books you're trying not to give up on but one that you just want to finish

[Samantha]

A cracking page tuner that takes place in a women's prison!
If you're a fan of Prison Break or Time, you need to read this!
Multi POV from the eyes of several bad ass woman and men!
High adrenaline from page one to the end! Excellent!!!

[Denise]

3.5/5