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The Con
A mother will do anything to protect her child… Love and hate are no match for a prison’s walls What would you do if your son was sent down? Any parent would want justice – but justice takes many forms. Would you take on his enemies, protect his reputation, fight his battles? What if you had no choice? Zara Makin tried to give her three boys everything – but they wanted more than any mother could give. They’ve been running their patch of the city on fear and ruthlessness but now the law has caught up with the eldest of the Makin boys. With Tyler, the eldest, banged up in Strangeways, can he hold onto his empire from the inside, keep the family afloat and protect his nearest and dearest? Or will Zara have to fight tougher and dirtier to save her family than ever before?
318 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 28, 2026
This was a good read for me. I have known about her books for years. But never got around to reading one. Will definitely be reading some more from Karen.
September 3, 2023
Took a couple of chapters to get into but I stuck with it and really enjoyed this book
Be good if was a 2nd book to follow on, see how zara, and her Boys move forward
Worth reading The Con.
Be good if was a 2nd book to follow on, see how zara, and her Boys move forward
Worth reading The Con.
October 19, 2023
Brilliant book! I loved every page! Karen has done a great job with this and done her research. Tyler and his crew are brilliant! Brian the quiet one yet one of the most intelligent! I of course highly recommend this book.
August 1, 2024
Brilliant
Definitely worth five stars.A good read nothing boring kept interested all the way through. An ending worth another book with same characters. Nothing to dislike just a great read
Definitely worth five stars.A good read nothing boring kept interested all the way through. An ending worth another book with same characters. Nothing to dislike just a great read
January 16, 2025
The Con
Almost gave up reading as it was a very slow start. I’m glad I kept going as it soon picked up pace. It’s’ not one of her best but disappointed with the ending as I was expecting something a bit more gripping and interesting.
Almost gave up reading as it was a very slow start. I’m glad I kept going as it soon picked up pace. It’s’ not one of her best but disappointed with the ending as I was expecting something a bit more gripping and interesting.
March 2, 2025
Excellent
I really did like reading this book. It's definitely worth a read if you like books like Martina Cole, etc. I'm definitely going to read more by this author. 10 out of 10.
Thank you 😊
I really did like reading this book. It's definitely worth a read if you like books like Martina Cole, etc. I'm definitely going to read more by this author. 10 out of 10.
Thank you 😊
August 13, 2023
Enjoyable
A bit hard to get into but picks up and turns out to be a good read. Stick with it 🙂
A bit hard to get into but picks up and turns out to be a good read. Stick with it 🙂
September 1, 2023
A brilliant book that had me hooked from the first chapter
I enjoyed reading this book I couldn't wait to read the next chapter Karen woods is a brilliant author topmarks
I enjoyed reading this book I couldn't wait to read the next chapter Karen woods is a brilliant author topmarks
September 3, 2024
An ok gangland read. Would be interested to read some more by this author.
October 27, 2024
The Con
Love Karen's style of writing. Her characters are so easy to get into - be them good or bad. No onto the next book!
Love Karen's style of writing. Her characters are so easy to get into - be them good or bad. No onto the next book!
December 2, 2024
Thrilling, didn't want it to end 📖
December 12, 2024
Loved it!
Riveting - real rollercoaster of a read. A real contender for Martina Coles crown.
Great read - looking forward to reading more.
Riveting - real rollercoaster of a read. A real contender for Martina Coles crown.
Great read - looking forward to reading more.
January 11, 2025
fantastic
Wow what a book ,Brilliant from start to finish, couldn’t put it down the best I’ve read in a long time,definitely 5 stars xx
Wow what a book ,Brilliant from start to finish, couldn’t put it down the best I’ve read in a long time,definitely 5 stars xx
June 15, 2025
Gripping!
Loved every second of this book , the love of a mother and survival. Zara is a strong, loving mother ,like the Manchester link .
Loved every second of this book , the love of a mother and survival. Zara is a strong, loving mother ,like the Manchester link .
July 26, 2025
Gripping
Read this over 2 days. Didn't expect the ending t all quite a twist.
Will be reading more from this author.
Read this over 2 days. Didn't expect the ending t all quite a twist.
Will be reading more from this author.
August 12, 2024
Brilliant
I could not put it down it didn't read as you would expect can't wait for the next book I really enjoyed. It .
I could not put it down it didn't read as you would expect can't wait for the next book I really enjoyed. It .
May 4, 2026
This was an enjoyable read - it had suspense, had a good narrative structure, characters with backgrounds and motivations that made you understand them and care about them.
The let down is the last few chapters where it felt like random events kept being thrown in out of the blue for no other purpose than shock value or to have a "twist" to the point that it became comical for me.
Overall, a solid read.
The let down is the last few chapters where it felt like random events kept being thrown in out of the blue for no other purpose than shock value or to have a "twist" to the point that it became comical for me.
Overall, a solid read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews







