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Annie Carter #4
Playing Dead
Annie Carter is back…
She was a madam in a brothel and a gangster’s moll, but now her protection is gone and her enemies are closing in.
1971, London gang boss Annie Carter Barolli is living the New York high life with the feared mafia godfather Constantine Barolli. Then family tragedy strikes, leaving only Annie, Constantine’s sister Gina and his three children alive, and now they’re in terrible danger. And what’s worse – it signals a major shift in mafia power.
Annie returns to London with her daughter Layla, pursued by a hit man. Someone wants her dead and the only way she can stay alive is to find out who’s paying for the contract and to strike first.
Then, the reappearance of an old East End face sparks a shocking suspicion – the possibility that Max Carter, Annie’s first and greatest love, didn’t die two years ago, as she had been led to believe.
Has he truly just been playing dead?
She was a madam in a brothel and a gangster’s moll, but now her protection is gone and her enemies are closing in.
1971, London gang boss Annie Carter Barolli is living the New York high life with the feared mafia godfather Constantine Barolli. Then family tragedy strikes, leaving only Annie, Constantine’s sister Gina and his three children alive, and now they’re in terrible danger. And what’s worse – it signals a major shift in mafia power.
Annie returns to London with her daughter Layla, pursued by a hit man. Someone wants her dead and the only way she can stay alive is to find out who’s paying for the contract and to strike first.
Then, the reappearance of an old East End face sparks a shocking suspicion – the possibility that Max Carter, Annie’s first and greatest love, didn’t die two years ago, as she had been led to believe.
Has he truly just been playing dead?
515 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 21, 2011
131 people are currently reading
406 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Keane
45 books388 followersNow what about me? I’ve done a lot of writing, but way back before I even dreamed I could be a professional writer I was just the youngest in a big family. My Dad was a surveyor with an edge of brilliance. My Mum was from gipsy roots and used to drive around in a goat-cart (yes, really!) when she was little. Once we were rich (although I didn’t know it then, and it was all thanks to my Dad’s ingenuity) and then suddenly – pretty shockingly, really – we were poor (thanks to greedy people who exploited his kindness). I have to tell you, rich is better. But the great thing about life is, even painful events pass, and if you make bad choices, hopefully you learn from them.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
June 13, 2012
“As good as Martina Cole” says the advert on the front cover of this book, I would say better than Martine Cole. This book should be made into a TV series with Jessie Wallis playing the part of Annie.
Once again another gritting,action packed outstanding novel from Jessie.
Having read the other three books, Dirty Game, Black Widow and Scarlet Women, I could not wait to get my teeth into this fourth book where Annie’s Life was in turmoil yet again. It was good to have the old faithful characters back, Dolly running the London Clubs along with Chris and Ellie managing the brothels. Once again in typical Jessie fashion raw in places and such an easy book to read that just flows from page to page, nice short chapters making the read even easier. Would so love a fifth novel, but not sure where Annie can go from here?
Once again another gritting,action packed outstanding novel from Jessie.
Having read the other three books, Dirty Game, Black Widow and Scarlet Women, I could not wait to get my teeth into this fourth book where Annie’s Life was in turmoil yet again. It was good to have the old faithful characters back, Dolly running the London Clubs along with Chris and Ellie managing the brothels. Once again in typical Jessie fashion raw in places and such an easy book to read that just flows from page to page, nice short chapters making the read even easier. Would so love a fifth novel, but not sure where Annie can go from here?
August 24, 2020
Book 4. I finished this one way too quickly! Fast-paced, gritty, real characters that get you involved in the story, and a great plot. Annie Carter is back with a vengeance! Great suspense, excellent action, and I can't wait for the next book in this series.
October 4, 2025
Another great book from the Annie Carter series. Gripping from the start with short chapters.
June 19, 2012
**NOTE**SPOILERS**
If you haven't read the previous Annie Carter books, you should read them and not read this review as it will inevitably contain spoilers!
I (for some reason) was under the impression that Annie Carter was part of a trilogy only and that after the third book that was the end. How wrong (and secretly delighted) was I when I realised her new book was featuring the one and only Annie Carter.
As those who have read her previous books will know she is now married to Mafia Mob boss Constantine Barolli. The book takes us straight into the action of Annie in New York with her husband before tragedy strikes. I must admit that it only took me a matter of two or three chapters before I was drawn into Annie's world again hook line and sinker!
Annie's life is once again in turmoil and as she heads back to London she has no idea what is in store for her. We once again see the old faithful characters re-appear that have featured in her previous books such as her friend Dolly who now runs the clubs in London for Annie, as well as Ellie and Chris who run the brothels.
In addition to the older friends we meet the newer members of Annie's family in the form of her stepchildren, and what a bunch they are. Constantine's three children were fabulous characters and I absolutely hated two of them from the very beginning.
Added to Annie's pressures of her extended family is the re-appearance of her supposedly dead ex-husband Max which puts a completely different spin on what has happened in the series so far.
The story has incredible pace from the very beginning and we see a slightly more timid Annie try to get her life back together in London. In the beginning I was wondering what had happened to the feisty woman we met in the last three books but thankfully as she fights back to get her life together we once again see her character come back to life.
The book picks up pace nicely and the ending was brilliant (although I figured who the bad guy was around the halfway stage). Jessie Keane has yet again produced an outstanding book, and one that I think Annie Carter fans are going to love. Lots of twists and surprises all the way through, combined with brilliant writing made for a top notch read in my opinion. I suppose now all that's left to do is count the days until the next Jessie Keane release.
Highly recommended, although I would suggest starting at the first book in the series to gain the background of Annie Carter!
If you haven't read the previous Annie Carter books, you should read them and not read this review as it will inevitably contain spoilers!
I (for some reason) was under the impression that Annie Carter was part of a trilogy only and that after the third book that was the end. How wrong (and secretly delighted) was I when I realised her new book was featuring the one and only Annie Carter.
As those who have read her previous books will know she is now married to Mafia Mob boss Constantine Barolli. The book takes us straight into the action of Annie in New York with her husband before tragedy strikes. I must admit that it only took me a matter of two or three chapters before I was drawn into Annie's world again hook line and sinker!
Annie's life is once again in turmoil and as she heads back to London she has no idea what is in store for her. We once again see the old faithful characters re-appear that have featured in her previous books such as her friend Dolly who now runs the clubs in London for Annie, as well as Ellie and Chris who run the brothels.
In addition to the older friends we meet the newer members of Annie's family in the form of her stepchildren, and what a bunch they are. Constantine's three children were fabulous characters and I absolutely hated two of them from the very beginning.
Added to Annie's pressures of her extended family is the re-appearance of her supposedly dead ex-husband Max which puts a completely different spin on what has happened in the series so far.
The story has incredible pace from the very beginning and we see a slightly more timid Annie try to get her life back together in London. In the beginning I was wondering what had happened to the feisty woman we met in the last three books but thankfully as she fights back to get her life together we once again see her character come back to life.
The book picks up pace nicely and the ending was brilliant (although I figured who the bad guy was around the halfway stage). Jessie Keane has yet again produced an outstanding book, and one that I think Annie Carter fans are going to love. Lots of twists and surprises all the way through, combined with brilliant writing made for a top notch read in my opinion. I suppose now all that's left to do is count the days until the next Jessie Keane release.
Highly recommended, although I would suggest starting at the first book in the series to gain the background of Annie Carter!
July 21, 2013
A real punch in the face for me,this trashy but not completely meretricious crime caper.I've never even heard of Keane before,and I can truthfully say this was something of a revelation.The plotting is routine enough,the chauvinistic milieu of Cockney crooks & Mafioso is graphically delineated & the language is suitably earthy.But I was glad to get out of this c**t of a book alive! The writer should get out more in a non-violent environment,& read some Jane Austen for light relief!(& that doesn't involve any fingers in any holes!).
February 14, 2016
This is the last of the Annie Carter series. A quartet of books that have gripped my attention throughout. If you enjoy reading about London gangs in the '60's & '70's and you enjoy a love story with lots of twists, then this is ideal for you.
I highly recommend this & the other books in the series, but would suggest reading them in order as follows:
Dirty Game (1)
Black Widow (2)
Scarlet Women (3)
Playing Dead (4)
Enjoy!!
I highly recommend this & the other books in the series, but would suggest reading them in order as follows:
Dirty Game (1)
Black Widow (2)
Scarlet Women (3)
Playing Dead (4)
Enjoy!!
January 15, 2015
4.5 stars
I discovered Jessie Keane accidentally. I picked up one of her books from my e-library and haven't looked back. She is similar to Martina Cole in style but different.
This is the 4th book in the Annie Carter series and was every bit as entertaining as the others. I found out this week that there was a 5th book in the series released last year and I look forward to reading that too.
If you are a fan of Martina Cole then I think you'll enjoy the books by Jessie Keane.
I discovered Jessie Keane accidentally. I picked up one of her books from my e-library and haven't looked back. She is similar to Martina Cole in style but different.
This is the 4th book in the Annie Carter series and was every bit as entertaining as the others. I found out this week that there was a 5th book in the series released last year and I look forward to reading that too.
If you are a fan of Martina Cole then I think you'll enjoy the books by Jessie Keane.
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December 20, 2015
Unintentionally hilarious. It's got pseudo-mafia people with a Vito and a Fredo. And probably all the others.
August 26, 2024
I listened to this on audiobook.
Book 4 of a 6 book series.
This was absolutely brilliant, loved reading every page, so much gritty drama addictive stuff, could not put the book down. The story was excellent, very well written. Jessie sure does know how to write a story and to keep the readers engaged. I swear this series just gets better and better.
I think this book 4 has become my favourite of the series to date, even though it was shocking in that one of the characters died but then another character (one that we thought had gone for good) from a past book came back, and getting to hear his story and what he’d been through and the interaction between him and Annie was explosive in more ways than one. I’ll say no more as I don’t want to let any spoilers out.
What I also enjoyed about this story, is that we got to know the Barolli siblings a lot more, seeing what made Lucca, Alberto and Cara tick and what each of their end games were. So suffice to say there was a lot going on in this story, so much drama and action, all of which was sooo good.
Jessie Keane is definitely on par with author Martina Cole that’s for sure. Right without further ado, as I am still very much hooked, I’m heading straight into book 5 to this series.
Book 4 of a 6 book series.
This was absolutely brilliant, loved reading every page, so much gritty drama addictive stuff, could not put the book down. The story was excellent, very well written. Jessie sure does know how to write a story and to keep the readers engaged. I swear this series just gets better and better.
I think this book 4 has become my favourite of the series to date, even though it was shocking in that one of the characters died but then another character (one that we thought had gone for good) from a past book came back, and getting to hear his story and what he’d been through and the interaction between him and Annie was explosive in more ways than one. I’ll say no more as I don’t want to let any spoilers out.
What I also enjoyed about this story, is that we got to know the Barolli siblings a lot more, seeing what made Lucca, Alberto and Cara tick and what each of their end games were. So suffice to say there was a lot going on in this story, so much drama and action, all of which was sooo good.
Jessie Keane is definitely on par with author Martina Cole that’s for sure. Right without further ado, as I am still very much hooked, I’m heading straight into book 5 to this series.
September 8, 2018
I absolutely loved this book. I've never read Jessie Keane's work before, but can't wait to read more of it in the future.
Annie Carter, married to a Mafia Don, is happy, pregnant and attending a family wedding when her life takes a dramatic turn for the worse. Constantine is killed and Annie badly injured.
When she recovers, Annie goes back to London with her daughter Layla, her child from her first marriage to Max Carter, now long dead after a fall over a cliff when abroad.
Annie meets up with Max, who becomes her bodyguard, as they battle the Barolli survivors who are mourning the death of Don and Lucco takes his place.
Life goes from bad to worse for Annie, Layla and Mark (calling himself Max), until events take more twists and turns than a roller-coaster and life for the trio starts to become better.
Eventually, Annie's life is good again. She and Max resolve their differences and agree to look after their daughter together.
All in all, a really good book, with plenty of twists in the plot to keep the reader guessing right up to the end.
Annie Carter, married to a Mafia Don, is happy, pregnant and attending a family wedding when her life takes a dramatic turn for the worse. Constantine is killed and Annie badly injured.
When she recovers, Annie goes back to London with her daughter Layla, her child from her first marriage to Max Carter, now long dead after a fall over a cliff when abroad.
Annie meets up with Max, who becomes her bodyguard, as they battle the Barolli survivors who are mourning the death of Don and Lucco takes his place.
Life goes from bad to worse for Annie, Layla and Mark (calling himself Max), until events take more twists and turns than a roller-coaster and life for the trio starts to become better.
Eventually, Annie's life is good again. She and Max resolve their differences and agree to look after their daughter together.
All in all, a really good book, with plenty of twists in the plot to keep the reader guessing right up to the end.
June 11, 2021
I’m a new reader f Jessie Keane and while some might think I’ve missed out on so many great books, I find myself in a wonderful position because I get to enjoy Jessie’s books in all their glory. This is the fourth book on Annie Carter and I can’t actually believe that after three books, I thought I might have reached the peak, however, I was wrong. This fourth instalment had so much going on, the pace is incredible and just when you think it’s getting on track you are hit with another whammy and wondering just how the hell are these going to get through it all. So many times I wanted to book the book down to do other things and I found myself doing just one more chapter, over and over.
My only disappointment was reading the back of the book, it gives away too much information, so I was waiting for something to happen rather than be shocked by the turn of events.
My only disappointment was reading the back of the book, it gives away too much information, so I was waiting for something to happen rather than be shocked by the turn of events.
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May 8, 2017Not sure if it was because I haven't read the previous books in the series, but found it hard to understand or like any of the characters. The author repeats herself a lot which is highly frustrating. The book could be at least 100 pages shorter if she didn't keep telling us the same things over and over again! Was determined not to quit reading it though. Glad it's finished, won't read another from this author.
December 27, 2018
This story has an interesting concept but for me doesn't work. The characters are meant to be hardened gangsters, Mafia, etc but other than a Lucco and Cara, who behave like spoilt children having vicious tantrums when they don't get their own way, the others are just a mixture of various 'normal' personalities taken from all walks of life. The supposed 'baddies' are identified by their use of bad language!
An easy ready and easily forgotten.
An easy ready and easily forgotten.
February 19, 2021
Brilliant series
I can see why a lot of readers are saying read from book one , and it's worth it great story line , this series just gets better and better ,I'm up to the next book , Anne Carter is a force to be reckoned with love this series looking forward to next book thank you Jessie Keane absolutely brilliant 10/10 and 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 😊
I can see why a lot of readers are saying read from book one , and it's worth it great story line , this series just gets better and better ,I'm up to the next book , Anne Carter is a force to be reckoned with love this series looking forward to next book thank you Jessie Keane absolutely brilliant 10/10 and 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 😊
April 16, 2022
Slow at the beginning then gets good
I read 4 books in a short pace of time.
I found this one very slow at the beginning and I need gave up reading it.
A few chapters in and it got so good that I didn't want to put the book down.
Loved this series so far. On to book 5 and hope it still full of action and twists
I read 4 books in a short pace of time.
I found this one very slow at the beginning and I need gave up reading it.
A few chapters in and it got so good that I didn't want to put the book down.
Loved this series so far. On to book 5 and hope it still full of action and twists
July 16, 2022
As with all the other Annie Carter books this was a great read. In this one Annie who is now married to a Mafia boss escapes death in a bomb blast. After this her life is turned upside down when a person from her past re appears. Life is made difficult for her by a despicable stepson who hates her with a vengeance and wants her dead. As this book unravels it becomes a great read which is very difficult to put down. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
October 5, 2024
I absolutely loved this book, I loved the character Annie Carter.
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I found it introduced too many characters early in the story, and it was predictable, but in saying that, I was gripped. I love a book that you just can't wait to get home and get lost in.
This book shows female strength and resilience.
The reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because I found it introduced too many characters early in the story, and it was predictable, but in saying that, I was gripped. I love a book that you just can't wait to get home and get lost in.
This book shows female strength and resilience.
November 17, 2017
Fanfuckingtastic audiobook!!! Oh my God, I loved it.
Best gangland crime thriller of the year for me, I've been completely gripped and lost in it for days.
Passionate, gritty, shocking... Ugh just awesome.
What a terrific series, next please!
Best gangland crime thriller of the year for me, I've been completely gripped and lost in it for days.
Passionate, gritty, shocking... Ugh just awesome.
What a terrific series, next please!
May 23, 2025
Book 4 of the Annie Carter series finds Annie living with her new husband Constantine Barroli in America, living the life of a Mafia Queen
A tragic turn of events results in Annie heading back to London and trouble follows her home.
A tragic turn of events results in Annie heading back to London and trouble follows her home.
March 24, 2017
it was so captivating, I can go a thousand and one times through this fascinating and never get tired. This was awesome Jessie!
June 13, 2017
Excellnt read
A good page turner as good as one of Martin Cole novels didn't want to put it down while reading novel
A good page turner as good as one of Martin Cole novels didn't want to put it down while reading novel
May 16, 2018
Found this one a little bit harder to follow with its jumps in time and location near the start but once it all became set in one time zone it was easier and pretty hard to put down.
January 22, 2020
enjoyable book in the series
this lady is a definite good alternative
to martina cole
this lady is a definite good alternative
to martina cole
December 16, 2021
Book 4
The books in this series certainly have twists and turns that you don’t see coming and they certainly keep you gripped to keep reading.
The books in this series certainly have twists and turns that you don’t see coming and they certainly keep you gripped to keep reading.
January 19, 2023
Another brilliant book from Jessie Keane. Unputdownable.
October 1, 2023
Another good read can’t wait to read the next one in the series. A must read for fans of Martina Cole .
February 6, 2025
Great writer
November 23, 2025
Read this series in the wrong order but didn't matter as just remembered what happened after lol.
Another good book
Another good book
May 28, 2012
The fourth (and I think final) book featuring Annie Carter. Read all four books in just under a week because they were so unputdownable. How it took Jessie years to get published I don't know, Martina Cole churns out rubbish book after book and there's authors so much better than her. The only problem with this book was that it went into too much detail about secondary characters which wasn't really needed. But I enjoyed it and would welcome another book featuring Annie but not sure where the story would, could or should go.
And the only predictable thing about this series of books is that the minute I read the kidnappers saying they'd killed Max
And the only predictable thing about this series of books is that the minute I read the kidnappers saying they'd killed Max
October 21, 2019
I am so bad, this is not my first time reading this book, but I never reviewed it when I first read it.
I was pulled into this book right from the get go and that is where I stayed until I had read every single word that was written.
There are twists, turns and surprises within the pages of this book, some of the surprises you may see coming where as others you won't. Some of the surprises are large, while others are small, but each and everyone holds the same importace with regards to making this book the fantsastic read that it is.
I felt each and every emotion that the characters went through, I did find myself getting frastrate a time or two at a few of the characters, a couple I would of loved to smack, but they redeemed themselves, by the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book.
I was pulled into this book right from the get go and that is where I stayed until I had read every single word that was written.
There are twists, turns and surprises within the pages of this book, some of the surprises you may see coming where as others you won't. Some of the surprises are large, while others are small, but each and everyone holds the same importace with regards to making this book the fantsastic read that it is.
I felt each and every emotion that the characters went through, I did find myself getting frastrate a time or two at a few of the characters, a couple I would of loved to smack, but they redeemed themselves, by the end of the book.
I highly recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews