Inside the Firm: The Fully Updated Story of the Krays' Reign of Terror

by Tony Lambrianou, Carol Clerk

Throughout the 1960s, Tony Lambrianou was a trusted member of the Kray Gang. He had a unique insight into the workings of a criminal organization whose reputation in the underworld remains to this day. But he was not just an observer and his role in the Kray story ultimately led to him serving 15 years in prison. Inside the Firm tells, with searing honesty, his violent history with the Krays, and the horrors of his subsequent imprisonment in top security institutions. In exorcising his ghosts, he reveals an account that is more impartial and more terrifying than Ronnie and Reggie ever could have written. From the murder of Jack "The Hat" McVitie—and the mystery of his undiscovered body—to the role of the Kray legacy in Britain’s prisons today, here is the last confession of a gangster determined to turn his back on his brutal past.

Genres: Nonfiction, Crime, True Crime, Biography

Paperback

First published April 15, 1991

About the author

Gangster associate of the Kray Twins. He served 15 years in prison for his part in the murder of Jack "The Hat" McVitie in 1967.

Reviews

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author was an associate of the Krays, sent down with them at their famous trial for the murders of Jack McVitie and George Cornell (Lambrianou was found guilty of helping to dispose of McVitie's body). The book is a good read, written in a down-to-earth, conversational style which (presumably) brings across the author's own speaking voice. Though sold as a book about the Kray Firm, the book is more accurarely a memoir of the author's life before and after meeting the Twins. Lambrianou's criminal career (mostly extorting money through violence) is detailed frankly and, despite the author's clear intention to make a lot of excuses for himself, it does him little credit: his was the life of a brutal, unthinking thug pure and simple. The most interesting parts of the book detail his life in gaol, and the book is a good source of information on life in high security prisons in England in the 1970s.

Lambrianou, despite being often disarmingly likeable as a narrator, can get rather self-pitying and whiney at times; the story of his release and (reading between the lines) rather violent break-up with his wife is very one-sided (her side of the story would make illuminating reading).

For Kray afficianados, the murder of Jack the Hat is described in lurid detail in a strongly written section which does bring home the awesome nature of being present at the violent death of another human being.

[James Tidd · Rating 4 out of 5]

With searing honesty, this book tells the story of Tony Lambrianou's violent history with Ron and Reg Kray, and the horrors and trials about his subsequent imprisonment in some of the top security institutions in England.

In exorcising his Ghosts, he reveals an impartial account that is more terrifying than either of the Krays could have ever written. From the murder of Jack the hat McVitie and the mystery of what happened to his body, to the role that the Krays legacy has left in Britain's prisons today.

[Michael Coleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb , I really enjoyed it and was well written and gave a lot of information about the writers life and also with the twins and was well paced and very interesting and highly recommend

[Michelle Hannell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this. It was extremely interesting and eye-opening to find out what actually happened back then and to have an understanding from someone who was once a key member of the Kray Firm.

[KHLOARIS · Rating 2 out of 5]

Autobiography of a small time crook who eventually joined the Firm as added muscle. Tony is the dictionary definition of a sycophant. After bumbling around the suburbs bashing random people over the head to collect a protection fee.

[Kristopher Cyrus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was a good book seeing others points of view from insthe gang

[Tracey Terrington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth a read. Seeing the Kray Twins in a totally different light. Seeing life inside a prison and the difficulties of adapting to outside life after a long stretch

[lisa parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting insight to sixties crime and prison life.

[Mark Cunningham · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who is very interested in reading about the Kray twins, I first read this book around 7 years ago. I am now reading it again in Kindle format, and unlike many other books on my Kindle which get deleted after reading, this one will stay on there so I can read it again and again.

From what I have read, it seems that despite the Kray twins being violent and murdering a man each; the City of London was safer in the 60's with the Twins to keep order. We could do with having something similar now in London and other parts of Britain.

[Hssauthor · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was an interesting read and gave insight into the workings of the Kray brothers and their gang. It does get graphic and goes through what happened with Jack the Hat e.t.c The most famous gangland killing in the UK, and has been ever since. There are many accounts and books on the Kray brothers, but it was interesting to get an account from someone who was apparently so close with them. An interesting read.

[Trevor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Tony Lambrianou and his time with the Kray twins and their associates.

This is very much his story rather than it being Kray-centric although of course it has to talk about the twins in order to truly tell the story.

One thing I never knew (and I don't believe this is a spoiler!) is that Leslie Granthan (he of Denn Watt's fame in Eastenders) was in prison in the 60's for murder!

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very easy to read book which kept me interested throughout. Full of details of the writer's life before and after the Krays. However I do get the impression that he never feels he is in the wrong and he has a high opinion of himself. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the book but it just proves yet again that anyone doing a crime will be caught and quite rightly punished.

[Jake · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another easy to read book, full of violence, history, and legends in the crime world. Thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Jevron McCrory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad! Not bad at all!