Bad Girl

by Roberta Kray

Another gripping crime story from Kray, full of fantastic, strong female characters and authentic gangland grit
 
It's 1959 and Lynsey Quinn has done the unthinkable—she's gotten pregnant by a cop. Rejected by her criminal family, she will pay the price for her betrayal, and so too will her daughter. At the age of 11, Helen is returned to the clan. Hated by her grandfather, loved only by her uncle, she struggles to fit into a world she doesn't understand. As warring factions battle for control of the East End, tragedy is about to strike again. How can she survive? And who can she trust as the murderous past comes back to haunt her?

Genres: Crime

520 pages, Paperback

First published April 25, 2013

Reviews

[Gillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

left on a cliffhanger hope there is a sequel

[Tammy Ward · Rating 3 out of 5]

Third book I've read of this author. Easy read. It was a bit slow in places, but I didn't see the twist towards the end. Ended a bit upbrupt- not quite a cliffhanger, but I don't think they didn't enough to make me want to pick up another of hers just yet.

[Nicky Mottram · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

[A E MACHIN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant read

Once again you go back in time to find out how the people in earlier books made there way through to the top man Really enjoyed this book

[sue pensom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Enjoyed the book hoping there is a follow up so we can find out what happens to Helen ....does she find her mother? Do Helen and Frank end up an item?

[Chromatic Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read, gives you a good flavour of the underworld of gangsters.

[robert Wintle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring

Started off quite well ,gradually Became unbelievable., would not,recommend it. Rate it two at most.Nothing else to say. So finished

[claremortimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book k

[Paul Adler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A excellent thriller with a surprise ending. This is a book you cannot put down. Well worth a read. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book 📖

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good gangster drame

[Lainy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 384

Publisher - Sphere

Blurb from Goodreads

The Quinns are one of the most feared criminal gangs in London's East End.

So the reaction of Joe Quinn to the news that his daughter Lynsey is involved with a policeman is predictable and swift, and a pregnant Lynsey finds herself out on the street, bruised and alone.

At the age of eleven, Lynsey's daughter Helen is returned to the clan. Hated by her grandfather, loved only by her uncle, she struggles to fit into a world she doesn't understand. As warring factions battle for control of the East End, tragedy is about to strike again.

How can Helen survive? And who can she trust when the Quin family's criminal past comes back to haunt her?




My Review

The book opens in 1959, with a young Lynsey who soon finds out love isn't always what it appears to be and sends ripples through the family. The timeline flips forward and the main focus is on her daughter Helen, events unfold and Helen finds herself living with a family she knew nothing about. A family for the most part that didn't want her, she doesn't fit in and living in a criminal gangland family presents dangers in itself. This is Helen's story of finding her identity, her place in life and an unexpected and dangerous search for the truth.

This is my first Roberta Kray book, I found it a bit of a slow burner if I am honest. There is action enough in it, betrayal, lies, realtionships, murder and a warning for the reader a sexual attack. There are a few wee surprises and a build up of relationships, the reader gets to see Helen grow and come into her own. It is a good intro to a new author, for me anyway, I think because of the name Kray I was expecting a very different read. 3/5 for me this time, I would read this author again.

[Raymond · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book does not end --> it just stops.
The author wrote five hundred pages and decided “That’s enough”; never mind that there is no conclusion.
There are six threads left unfinished (Would be spoiler to mention them)
OK so maybe there will be a sequel to tie it all up and give us some closure!!

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5*

I felt that the book had far too many sub-plots to the main plot line which did not get a proper ending, yet, and feels that this delt like a part-finalised book. The one thing that crossed my mind is possibly the book was a first of a two book story.

I liked the characters, very realistic and likeable or unlikeable, but even with all that i feel that it is incomplete.

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really did not enjoy this. I enjoyed the beginning but had lost all interest by the time Helen was 11. I persevered in the hope it would improve, but it didn't. I thought Lynsey and Alan's life together should have been explored and other parts left out.

[Julia Carton · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far Mrs Krays best book except the ending I was gripped the whole way through then let down by the ending.. Thought her next book would follow on but no

[Ana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant .. Looking forward her next book ..

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

i enjoyed reading it til the ending. i think the ending was incomplete. seemed like she just stopped in the middle of last chapter with no conclusion. i did like the characters and the storyline.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really hope we go back to these characters and find out where Lyndsey is as it ended too abruptly

[Paul Andrews · Rating 3 out of 5]

Promising plot, but a bit of a rushed endings with too many threads left unanswered. It was almost as if the author had got bored with the plot and ended the story in a hurry.

[Mike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb read. Characters you could empathise with especially Frank, Tommy and Mouse. There has to be a sequel......doesn't there.

[Lisa Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of her books that I have read and really enjoyed it. Just need to know if there will be another one.

[Pauline Chamberlain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good gangsta style book set in London and written by Reggies widow. Look forward to reading more of her books in future. On par with the likes of Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers

[Els · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book, storyline was good with an unexpected twist! Found a new author

[~ Cariad ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars - would have liked a better ending.

[Carla · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay, nothing out of this world but a good, easy read with an enjoyable storyline.