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The Butlers #1
The Trap
*If you love The Butlers, meet QUEENIE! Kimberley Chambers’ new No.1 bestseller and prequel to The Butler series is out now!*The Butlers are the kings of the East End.
Vinny and Roy Butler are the apple of their mum’s eye and although Queenie knows they can play dirty, when it comes to family they look after business and make her proud. Nothing and no one can bring the Butler’s down.
But Vinny seems to have crossed the wrong person and his cards are marked. And with the brothers joined at the hip, Roy may just be in the firing line too…
One bloody night sets Vinny on the path of desperate vengeance, but will the Butlers emerge stronger than ever, or is the East End code of honour as good as dead?
The first novel in the bestselling Butler series. Also look out for PAYBACK, THE WRONGED, TAINTED LOVE, BACKSTABBER – the epic showdown between The Mitchells & The Butlers! – and QUEENIE.
Vinny and Roy Butler are the apple of their mum’s eye and although Queenie knows they can play dirty, when it comes to family they look after business and make her proud. Nothing and no one can bring the Butler’s down.
But Vinny seems to have crossed the wrong person and his cards are marked. And with the brothers joined at the hip, Roy may just be in the firing line too…
One bloody night sets Vinny on the path of desperate vengeance, but will the Butlers emerge stronger than ever, or is the East End code of honour as good as dead?
The first novel in the bestselling Butler series. Also look out for PAYBACK, THE WRONGED, TAINTED LOVE, BACKSTABBER – the epic showdown between The Mitchells & The Butlers! – and QUEENIE.
545 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 31, 2013
319 people are currently reading
1215 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
February 16, 2016
You know when you read a book or a series and the main character is horrible but you have hopes that he will turn the tables and have some redeeming features. Honestly, I cannot see how Ms Chambers can turn the tide for Vinny Butler. He is horrible. I fucking hated him. He is manipulative, violent, out for himself ... I did not like him one little bit. As they might say in the East End, he's a proper pig's bollocks!
Queenie and Vivian are sisters. Queenie rules the Butler Empire ... well at least she thinks she does. Her four children love her and she loves them. Vinny, Roy, Michael, Brenda - some of them likeable enough characters but mostly not so much, especially Vinny and Brenda, the heifer. Albie Butler, the dad, really didn't have much say in the family.
I sort of said to myself that I would take a break when I finished this one ... but not sure that I can.
Queenie and Vivian are sisters. Queenie rules the Butler Empire ... well at least she thinks she does. Her four children love her and she loves them. Vinny, Roy, Michael, Brenda - some of them likeable enough characters but mostly not so much, especially Vinny and Brenda, the heifer. Albie Butler, the dad, really didn't have much say in the family.
His first-born was toxic.
Mother's intuition was a strong thing, and Queen had been born with a bucketful of the stuff.
What goes around comes around ...
She had such a beautiful Irish lilt that it almost brought tears to his eyes
I sort of said to myself that I would take a break when I finished this one ... but not sure that I can.
March 3, 2016
Well that was quite the ride on the Butler crazy train I’ll tell ya. And I have jumped back on for book #2!
As I was muddling through the first chapter of The Trap, I wasn’t sure how I felt about it but seeing as I was having a lot of “firsts” with this one I kept an open mind and it surely paid off.
It was set back in the 60’s & 70’s….loved the lyrical threads, the writing, the humor and the grit.
This was my first book by Kimberly Chambers, my first gangster book, my first London’s East End book and my first book where I absolutely hated one of the main characters. He may have been incredibly handsome but he was a cocky sadistic bastard if you ask me.
There wasn’t anything the least bit normal about this family. My head spins just thinking about them. At the head of the Butler family we have Queenie. She’s the mum. Where Queenie was there was Aunt Viv. They were a couple of bad ass females that had me laughing and cringing.
(They are blonde in the book but you get the idea of what they are like)!
Then you have Roy, Brenda and Michael. I wish I could say there was one good apple in the group but they were all a bit crazy. Though cousin Lenny was kind of sweet. And I can’t forget Albie. He was the dad. He wasn’t much of a man though. The poor bastard. Not much went right for this guy. And the family grows. Yes, there are marriages and little Butler’s running around.
I will say that there was never a dull moment. The shit that swirled around Vinny was endless and eventually bled back into the family. There are many moments of shock and a few moments of sadness. And when you thought Vinny would get what was coming to him, the bastard would save his own hide for the sake of another. But I am holding out hope. Karma can be a real bitch.
I’ve already started Payback and right out of the gate the shit is swirling yet again around Vinny Butler!!
March 4, 2016
5 STARS
OMFG! What rollercoaster ride that was!!! I must try to recoup my wits before I can write any kind of coherent review... I am fucking speechless. What a fantastic TV series this would make!!! There should be a warning though. Highly addictive, and prone to cause heavy substance abuse and moderate insanity... oh and definitely NOT for the weak-bladdered!
OMFG! What rollercoaster ride that was!!! I must try to recoup my wits before I can write any kind of coherent review... I am fucking speechless. What a fantastic TV series this would make!!! There should be a warning though. Highly addictive, and prone to cause heavy substance abuse and moderate insanity... oh and definitely NOT for the weak-bladdered!
February 22, 2016
5 FuCk ThE BuTLErS StArS
To say that Ms Chambers gave it to me LOCK StOcK & TwO SmOkInG BaRReLs is a understatement.......what a blinding start to this series.
ViNNy BuTLeR
What a horrible bastard, cold mean callous bastard.....but what a great character Ms Chambers created.....hated HIM....really, really HATED him.
Yep he was a real.......
The Butlers....set in the heart of London's East End.......it tells the trials and tribulations of the Butler Family.
Queenie Butler ruled the roost, and her family means the world to her.
They adored Queenie and what she said went.......the eldest Vinny would do anything for he's mother, anything!!
RoY BuTLeR
I love the atmosphere that Ms Chambers creates in her stories, they are fast paced, gritty, also very humorous.....but what I really love is that she throws you off guard....you think you know whats coming.....then BOOM.... ab-so-lutely left GOBSMACKED!!
MiCHaeL BuTLeR
So if you fancy some British East End badassary.......feast yourself on this BAD BOY!!!
You won't regret it....
Right that's it from me I'm offskie to read PAYBACK!!
To say that Ms Chambers gave it to me LOCK StOcK & TwO SmOkInG BaRReLs is a understatement.......what a blinding start to this series.
ViNNy BuTLeR
What a horrible bastard, cold mean callous bastard.....but what a great character Ms Chambers created.....hated HIM....really, really HATED him.
Yep he was a real.......
The Butlers....set in the heart of London's East End.......it tells the trials and tribulations of the Butler Family.
Queenie Butler ruled the roost, and her family means the world to her.
They adored Queenie and what she said went.......the eldest Vinny would do anything for he's mother, anything!!
Standing by your family may be a badge of honour, but sometimes loyalty can be bloody.
RoY BuTLeR
I love the atmosphere that Ms Chambers creates in her stories, they are fast paced, gritty, also very humorous.....but what I really love is that she throws you off guard....you think you know whats coming.....then BOOM.... ab-so-lutely left GOBSMACKED!!
MiCHaeL BuTLeR
So if you fancy some British East End badassary.......feast yourself on this BAD BOY!!!
You won't regret it....
Right that's it from me I'm offskie to read PAYBACK!!
April 17, 2017
****4.5 Stars****
February 13, 2016
5 crazy gripping stars
Love this series so much doing a re-read........2016
Every now and again I love going back to my roots when it comes to a good old English East End gangster story. And finding this gem by Kimberley Chambers certainly hit all the right spots...
And why?
I've just met the Butler family
The apple of his mother Queenie's eye is Vinny the oldest of the brothers, suave, good looking and loves being told he looks like he has a touch of Italian and Irish in him, he has the looks and charm that women go weak for... but underneath he is manipulative, controlling, possessive and definitely has psycho tendencies..
Ray is the second oldest, his fathers favourite. Steady, handsome and loyal.
Then we have Michael the youngest, dreams of becoming a mechanic but gets drawn into the families seedy world of crime.
Set in the 60s and 70s you get a trip down memory lane and a feel of life back when families stick together no what and we watch as Vinny becomes a face of Whitechapel in London.
I loved watching the characters grow over a period of 10 years.
Gritty..shocking and fast paced... at times I was apprehensive to turn each page.
If you a fan of British gangster crime you will love this, or if you want to read something different from this talented British writer you will not be disappointed..
Now onto the next one Payback
Love this series so much doing a re-read........2016
Every now and again I love going back to my roots when it comes to a good old English East End gangster story. And finding this gem by Kimberley Chambers certainly hit all the right spots...
And why?
I've just met the Butler family
The apple of his mother Queenie's eye is Vinny the oldest of the brothers, suave, good looking and loves being told he looks like he has a touch of Italian and Irish in him, he has the looks and charm that women go weak for... but underneath he is manipulative, controlling, possessive and definitely has psycho tendencies..
Ray is the second oldest, his fathers favourite. Steady, handsome and loyal.
Then we have Michael the youngest, dreams of becoming a mechanic but gets drawn into the families seedy world of crime.
Set in the 60s and 70s you get a trip down memory lane and a feel of life back when families stick together no what and we watch as Vinny becomes a face of Whitechapel in London.
I loved watching the characters grow over a period of 10 years.
Gritty..shocking and fast paced... at times I was apprehensive to turn each page.
If you a fan of British gangster crime you will love this, or if you want to read something different from this talented British writer you will not be disappointed..
Now onto the next one Payback
February 21, 2013
The best book I will read this year. I first discovered Kimberley Chambers last year when I read The Feud, the first in a trilogy. I then read the following two books over the course of a week finishing the last book at 6 in the morning as I couldn't go to sleep until I had reached the end. I have read her other books and I really enjoyed them however the trilogy was just fantastic. The Schemer was the next book Kimberley wrote after completing the trilogy and after the move to a new publisher and whilst that book was fantastic I thought the trilogy was still her best work. Then last week I was introduced to the Butlers, and that all changed. I could easily have read this book in one sitting however I have dragged it out over the last week and I have to say I think that made me enjoy it more because it's like when you watch a TV show which ends on a cliffhanger, if you watch all the episodes at once there's none of the excitement of waiting for the next one.
The families created in the Mitchell and O'Hara trilogy were fantastic however the Butlers were something else. Before the release of the book Kimberley's publisher created videos and teasers which were then posted on her Facebook fan page, this was actually such a great idea and really made fans want the book even more. It also meant that we felt like we knew the characters before starting the book. Kimberley has created such a fantastic cast of characters here all of whom felt incredibly realistic and believable. Queenie and Vivian were just amazing, two typical East End women, hard as nails and not a pair you would want to mess with. Vinny and Roy are the two eldest brothers running a club and dabbling in crime. Vinny was an absolutely evil character and the best character in the book. He is such a complex character who I really enjoyed reading about. Just when you think he can't get any worse something else happens in the book leaving you gobsmacked. Even though the book had so many characters they were all really easy to follow unlike with some books where you can't keep track of all the characters. However it was Donald I hated the most, no actually it was his son Christopher. An absolutely spineless moron.
Kimberley really captured the setting as well and the whole thing felt incredibly realistic. The pubs, the locations, Whitechapel, the mentions of music etc you really felt as if you were inside the story with the characters. Kimberley's books also have lots of humour in them and there were plenty of funny moments in this book. She definitely has a way with words and that really helped bring the characters to life.
The book read like a TV show or a movie and I didn't want it to end. I found myself nearing the end of the book and dreading it as I have read a few chapters each day trying to prolong my enjoyment of reading the book and I am devastated at having to wait till January 2014 to continue the story! Kimberley definitely knows how to leave readers wanting more with the endings to her books! And this one was no different. I can't wait to read about the Butlers again and for the inevitable time jump where we will be introduced to all the children that were born or conceived in this book. I honestly didn't think the Mitchell and O'Hara trilogy could be beaten but it has, and by miles. Of all the gangland novels out there by the likes of Martina, Jessie Keane etc this is one of, if not the best of the lot. Kimberley just keeps getting better with each book she writes, and she just so happens to be a lovely lady too. I bought a copy of the book for someone I knew who loves Martina as I constantly tell them to read Kimberley's books but they never get round to it. Well they read The Trap and can't wait to read the rest of Kimberley's books. Kimberley deserves to be top of the bestsellers list as this book is miles ahead in quality than some of the crap at the top of these charts. Roll on 2014 is all I can say... I just wish I lived closer so I could get my book signed, a trip to Romford in 2014 methinks.
The families created in the Mitchell and O'Hara trilogy were fantastic however the Butlers were something else. Before the release of the book Kimberley's publisher created videos and teasers which were then posted on her Facebook fan page, this was actually such a great idea and really made fans want the book even more. It also meant that we felt like we knew the characters before starting the book. Kimberley has created such a fantastic cast of characters here all of whom felt incredibly realistic and believable. Queenie and Vivian were just amazing, two typical East End women, hard as nails and not a pair you would want to mess with. Vinny and Roy are the two eldest brothers running a club and dabbling in crime. Vinny was an absolutely evil character and the best character in the book. He is such a complex character who I really enjoyed reading about. Just when you think he can't get any worse something else happens in the book leaving you gobsmacked. Even though the book had so many characters they were all really easy to follow unlike with some books where you can't keep track of all the characters. However it was Donald I hated the most, no actually it was his son Christopher. An absolutely spineless moron.
Kimberley really captured the setting as well and the whole thing felt incredibly realistic. The pubs, the locations, Whitechapel, the mentions of music etc you really felt as if you were inside the story with the characters. Kimberley's books also have lots of humour in them and there were plenty of funny moments in this book. She definitely has a way with words and that really helped bring the characters to life.
The book read like a TV show or a movie and I didn't want it to end. I found myself nearing the end of the book and dreading it as I have read a few chapters each day trying to prolong my enjoyment of reading the book and I am devastated at having to wait till January 2014 to continue the story! Kimberley definitely knows how to leave readers wanting more with the endings to her books! And this one was no different. I can't wait to read about the Butlers again and for the inevitable time jump where we will be introduced to all the children that were born or conceived in this book. I honestly didn't think the Mitchell and O'Hara trilogy could be beaten but it has, and by miles. Of all the gangland novels out there by the likes of Martina, Jessie Keane etc this is one of, if not the best of the lot. Kimberley just keeps getting better with each book she writes, and she just so happens to be a lovely lady too. I bought a copy of the book for someone I knew who loves Martina as I constantly tell them to read Kimberley's books but they never get round to it. Well they read The Trap and can't wait to read the rest of Kimberley's books. Kimberley deserves to be top of the bestsellers list as this book is miles ahead in quality than some of the crap at the top of these charts. Roll on 2014 is all I can say... I just wish I lived closer so I could get my book signed, a trip to Romford in 2014 methinks.
September 2, 2017
Seventeenth read of my holiday reads.
Omg! I can't believe I have left it so long before reading this authors books.
The Trap is a dark and tense read that was an absolute emotional roller coaster of a read. By the end I was crying bucket loads as I was so invested in the characters and what was going on in their lives. I know the Butlers are probably not a family you would ever want to get involved with but boy did I love them.
Fantastically gripping read and can't wait to read the follow up.
Omg! I can't believe I have left it so long before reading this authors books.
The Trap is a dark and tense read that was an absolute emotional roller coaster of a read. By the end I was crying bucket loads as I was so invested in the characters and what was going on in their lives. I know the Butlers are probably not a family you would ever want to get involved with but boy did I love them.
Fantastically gripping read and can't wait to read the follow up.
February 21, 2017
***** 5 "BUTLER" Stars *****
Love them, hate them, crave them, despise them.....whichever feeling you prefer, you will FEEL every emotion possible reading about the Butler's.
They will slice and dice you up. So hang on tight.....the Butler Crazy Train has taken off!
The Butler's is a family you don't want to cross so you MUST read their story to completely understand why.
My review doesn't stand a chance of making any sense since this book covers each member of the family's point of view over several years!.
Kimberley Chambers.....DAMN.....this was so good!!
Love them, hate them, crave them, despise them.....whichever feeling you prefer, you will FEEL every emotion possible reading about the Butler's.
They will slice and dice you up. So hang on tight.....the Butler Crazy Train has taken off!
The Butler's is a family you don't want to cross so you MUST read their story to completely understand why.
My review doesn't stand a chance of making any sense since this book covers each member of the family's point of view over several years!.
Kimberley Chambers.....DAMN.....this was so good!!
August 19, 2015
How can you hate a family so much in a book? Meet the Butlers oh boy what a family.
Queenie and Vivian sisters. The name says it all for Queenie she really does think she's royalty. Four children Vinny, Roy, Michael and Brenda. Vivians son Lenny not all their but a lovely character.
Vinny the eldest son is manipulative, self centred and Evil through to the bone. I can't think of enough words at the moment to describe how I feel about him I hate him that much.
Lots of great characters in this family which I did feel sorry for at times and I loved having all sides of the story told.
A thrilling and long exciting read.
Too much went on to do a big review, but I will say Mad Freda was right what she said at the beginning!!! Loved it.
Queenie and Vivian sisters. The name says it all for Queenie she really does think she's royalty. Four children Vinny, Roy, Michael and Brenda. Vivians son Lenny not all their but a lovely character.
Vinny the eldest son is manipulative, self centred and Evil through to the bone. I can't think of enough words at the moment to describe how I feel about him I hate him that much.
Lots of great characters in this family which I did feel sorry for at times and I loved having all sides of the story told.
A thrilling and long exciting read.
Too much went on to do a big review, but I will say Mad Freda was right what she said at the beginning!!! Loved it.
January 22, 2013
In KC’s latest book we get to meet the wonderfully nutty family The Butlers. Having read all of Chambers books you get to the stage where you wonder what she is going to come up with next. Thankfully she still has a head full of ideas and crazy characters that had me both laughing and gasping in shock at the same time. Vinny and Roy Butler are the apple of their Mum Queenie’s eye. They can do no wrong, even if they do operate outside the law. IN the early part of the book we get introduced to a lot of characters. At first I felt like I couldn’t keep up as there were so many, but luckily I got to grips with everybody well before the first quarter of the book. By the second half of the book I could see why Kim had created so many characters as it makes for a very interesting read!!!
There are also numerous characters that add another layer to the story which stretches over the following months and years. Vinny, Roy and their younger brother Michael are quite different. As their younger brother Michael starts to make more of an appearance as the story progresses I realised that he was one of my favourites. This book has so many plot threads going on but it’s easy to keep up as you become engrossed with the different families involved in different elements of the story. It’s actually pretty hard to review parts of the story as it could be a major plot spoiler. The main element to this story is Vinny Butlers dangerous personality. He’s a man that’s used to getting his own way, and when he starts to make bad decisions, it’s his own family that he ends up putting in danger.
By the halfway mark I knew it was pointless putting the book down, so finished the last part in one sitting. At the end of the book I was bloody fuming. Not only has Kim Chambers written another corker of a book, but she has ended on a brilliant high with the reader having more questions than answers. I had to sit back and really try and think which of my KC books my favourite was. I fell in love with the Mitchell and O’Hara’s and was sure that they would remain my favourites, but then she released The Schemer. I am still torn as to whether I prefer The Schemer, the Mitchell/O’Hara books or this newest addition The Butlers. My conclusion was that if they were all that close that I struggled to call it, then they were all bloody brilliant.
Absolutely no complaints from me as Kimberley Chambers continues to prove why she should still be sitting at the top of the pile with others crime writers such as Mandasue Heller. With this new release on 14th February 2013 and Mandasue Heller’s new book on 31st January, fans of these ladies are in for a treat. The only thing you might find is your frustration levels will increase the nearer to the end of the book you get. Knowing we have to wait another year for the next instalment is agony! Roll on the next one…
There are also numerous characters that add another layer to the story which stretches over the following months and years. Vinny, Roy and their younger brother Michael are quite different. As their younger brother Michael starts to make more of an appearance as the story progresses I realised that he was one of my favourites. This book has so many plot threads going on but it’s easy to keep up as you become engrossed with the different families involved in different elements of the story. It’s actually pretty hard to review parts of the story as it could be a major plot spoiler. The main element to this story is Vinny Butlers dangerous personality. He’s a man that’s used to getting his own way, and when he starts to make bad decisions, it’s his own family that he ends up putting in danger.
By the halfway mark I knew it was pointless putting the book down, so finished the last part in one sitting. At the end of the book I was bloody fuming. Not only has Kim Chambers written another corker of a book, but she has ended on a brilliant high with the reader having more questions than answers. I had to sit back and really try and think which of my KC books my favourite was. I fell in love with the Mitchell and O’Hara’s and was sure that they would remain my favourites, but then she released The Schemer. I am still torn as to whether I prefer The Schemer, the Mitchell/O’Hara books or this newest addition The Butlers. My conclusion was that if they were all that close that I struggled to call it, then they were all bloody brilliant.
Absolutely no complaints from me as Kimberley Chambers continues to prove why she should still be sitting at the top of the pile with others crime writers such as Mandasue Heller. With this new release on 14th February 2013 and Mandasue Heller’s new book on 31st January, fans of these ladies are in for a treat. The only thing you might find is your frustration levels will increase the nearer to the end of the book you get. Knowing we have to wait another year for the next instalment is agony! Roll on the next one…
January 23, 2013
Time Taken To Read - 3 days
Blurb From Goodreads
The heir to Martina Cole’s crown with a story of murder, the underworld, violence and treachery.
The Butlers are the kings of the East End
Vinny and Roy Butler are the apple of their mum’s eye. Queenie knows they can play dirty, but when it comes to family they look after business and make her proud. Nothing and no one can bring them down.
Brotherly love
But Vinny seems to have crossed the wrong person and his cards are marked. And with the brothers joined at the hip, Roy may just be in the firing line too…
Deadly rivals
One bloody night sets Vinny on the path of desperate vengeance, but will the Butlers emerge stronger than ever, or is the East End code of honour as good as dead?
My Review
A pair of villains that would give the Krays a run for their money. Chambers introduces Vinny and Roy Butler, tall, dark, handsome and notorious in their own right. The boys are getting everything they want and nothing or no one will stand in their way. Family means everything to the Butlers, their mum knows and to some extent encourages the boys lifestyle. Everyone knows what goes around comes around and one night when all should be filled with joy, the past catches up with the boys. Will the family stick together and come out triumphs or will retribution destroy them all?
Ah I loved this book! There is more to the family than Roy and Vinny but for a large portion of the book they are the main characters although Michael, the other brother, starts to come through strong. It is a story about strong family values amongst violence, murder, prostitution, sex, scandal and villainy. The story is split across an eleven year period and starts off in the mid 1960s. I love when a book is set in a time period and is researched well, from what they wore and drove to the music that was popular and played.
There is a mix of relationships, mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, nephews, marriages and budding romances. There is a lot of coarse language, some graphic scenes and the usual skulduggery you would expect to find in an East End gangster style book. Had work and studies not got in the way I could have easily devoured this in one sitting. My only moan is how it ended, I was left hanging thinking what the hell, this is how it is going to end? However I have since been informed the other book is in progress as I type and they say a good author should always leave the reader wanting more, which it certainly has in this case. 5/5 for me for this one and I cannot wait for this next installment to be completed and available. This book will be out on Valentines day, 2013 from any good retailer for £6.99, paperback. Thanks so much to HarperCollins for sending me an ARC, I will be making a wee stop to Waterstones to get some more of Chambers work as this is only the second book I have read.
Blurb From Goodreads
The heir to Martina Cole’s crown with a story of murder, the underworld, violence and treachery.
The Butlers are the kings of the East End
Vinny and Roy Butler are the apple of their mum’s eye. Queenie knows they can play dirty, but when it comes to family they look after business and make her proud. Nothing and no one can bring them down.
Brotherly love
But Vinny seems to have crossed the wrong person and his cards are marked. And with the brothers joined at the hip, Roy may just be in the firing line too…
Deadly rivals
One bloody night sets Vinny on the path of desperate vengeance, but will the Butlers emerge stronger than ever, or is the East End code of honour as good as dead?
My Review
A pair of villains that would give the Krays a run for their money. Chambers introduces Vinny and Roy Butler, tall, dark, handsome and notorious in their own right. The boys are getting everything they want and nothing or no one will stand in their way. Family means everything to the Butlers, their mum knows and to some extent encourages the boys lifestyle. Everyone knows what goes around comes around and one night when all should be filled with joy, the past catches up with the boys. Will the family stick together and come out triumphs or will retribution destroy them all?
Ah I loved this book! There is more to the family than Roy and Vinny but for a large portion of the book they are the main characters although Michael, the other brother, starts to come through strong. It is a story about strong family values amongst violence, murder, prostitution, sex, scandal and villainy. The story is split across an eleven year period and starts off in the mid 1960s. I love when a book is set in a time period and is researched well, from what they wore and drove to the music that was popular and played.
There is a mix of relationships, mothers and sons, fathers and daughters, nephews, marriages and budding romances. There is a lot of coarse language, some graphic scenes and the usual skulduggery you would expect to find in an East End gangster style book. Had work and studies not got in the way I could have easily devoured this in one sitting. My only moan is how it ended, I was left hanging thinking what the hell, this is how it is going to end? However I have since been informed the other book is in progress as I type and they say a good author should always leave the reader wanting more, which it certainly has in this case. 5/5 for me for this one and I cannot wait for this next installment to be completed and available. This book will be out on Valentines day, 2013 from any good retailer for £6.99, paperback. Thanks so much to HarperCollins for sending me an ARC, I will be making a wee stop to Waterstones to get some more of Chambers work as this is only the second book I have read.
July 2, 2016
DNF at 3%.
I just can't deal with slow-paced and constant switching POVs. I can't follow.
I just can't deal with slow-paced and constant switching POVs. I can't follow.
November 14, 2019
Excellent
Really well written. I couldn't put the book down.
Great story. Chambers is an exceptional storyteller.
Really enjoyed it. Hope you do as well.
Really well written. I couldn't put the book down.
Great story. Chambers is an exceptional storyteller.
Really enjoyed it. Hope you do as well.
July 21, 2013
Don't fall into The Trap
Apart from purchasing books by my favourite authors, all books by unknown authors are bought based on other readers' reviews. 95% of the time it's a good benchmark, but sadly in this instance I felt cheated. I suppose the only consolation is that I downloaded Part 1 of this book (chapters 1-11) for free off Amazon. Unfortunately, I've lost something more precious than cash, and that is my time.
Anyway, the story starts with the introduction of several characters, plots, subplots and sub-subplots, which takes some concentration to wrap your head around. The main characters include the Walker family who recently opened a café in 1960's Whitechapel and the matriarchal Butlers sisters, Queenie and Vivvy with their offspring. Queenie's gangster wannabe sons Vinny and Roy feature prominently in the start of the book and over the space of a few weeks, Vinny's crimes seem to escalate which forms the basis on the main plot.
Unfortunately I can only think of one description for this book...tedious. The characters, plot, writing style and dialogue...all tedious. It felt like I was reading the screenplay to a very boring soap written for daytime telly.
I decided to abandon the book after 11 chapters as at that stage I had given it the benefit of the doubt but found myself not bothered with how the plot or characters progressed as there was no spark. Sorry, Ms Chambers, your books are not for me.
Apart from purchasing books by my favourite authors, all books by unknown authors are bought based on other readers' reviews. 95% of the time it's a good benchmark, but sadly in this instance I felt cheated. I suppose the only consolation is that I downloaded Part 1 of this book (chapters 1-11) for free off Amazon. Unfortunately, I've lost something more precious than cash, and that is my time.
Anyway, the story starts with the introduction of several characters, plots, subplots and sub-subplots, which takes some concentration to wrap your head around. The main characters include the Walker family who recently opened a café in 1960's Whitechapel and the matriarchal Butlers sisters, Queenie and Vivvy with their offspring. Queenie's gangster wannabe sons Vinny and Roy feature prominently in the start of the book and over the space of a few weeks, Vinny's crimes seem to escalate which forms the basis on the main plot.
Unfortunately I can only think of one description for this book...tedious. The characters, plot, writing style and dialogue...all tedious. It felt like I was reading the screenplay to a very boring soap written for daytime telly.
I decided to abandon the book after 11 chapters as at that stage I had given it the benefit of the doubt but found myself not bothered with how the plot or characters progressed as there was no spark. Sorry, Ms Chambers, your books are not for me.
September 18, 2023
The family are horrors, from the domineering matriarch and her sister to the absolutely evil eldest son, the slob of a sister, and even the herbert son of the eldest son. The story is good and although I thought I might have a break before the second book in the series, I can't wait to continue the story of the Butler's.
dnf
February 25, 2018Can't do it any more. Don't trust my friends who read this tripe. Don't like it, moving on.
January 7, 2021
What a book... from page one I was mesmerised. Kimberley Chambers is an amazing author, down to earth and so descriptive. I just couldn't put this book down and am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
May 29, 2023
Great read lots twists and turns
November 2, 2017
Page turner for sure. Looking forward to the follow up, but didn't realise till I saw it on Goodreads that there are more books to this series and to be read in order, otherwise you lose the storyline. I would like to see it actually on the books themselves what number of order they are in the series. Nothing more annoying than buying a book then finding out that it is not the first one in the series, which I have done many a time, so I was lucky this time.
September 15, 2013
I received this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I do not normally read this genre and had never heard of this author before.
Vinny Butler is evil personified, he does not have one single redeeming quality, it is fascinating yet very troubling to discover how his mind works and the motivations he has. He is a total control freak, what he can't control he manipulates to suit his needs. I have never read a darker character. His family are a strange mixture of characters, each one dealing with loyalty in their own way. Thank goodness there are some normal, even likeable characters within it. There is humour in this book to counterbalance the darkness and it does it wonderfully but the gritty language and violent scenes may not be to everyone's taste.
The sequel to this is Payback, out in 2014, I am looking forward to reading it. The Trap is the first of a series and it has set the scene for it's sequel, I hope the next one meets my expectations.
Vinny Butler is evil personified, he does not have one single redeeming quality, it is fascinating yet very troubling to discover how his mind works and the motivations he has. He is a total control freak, what he can't control he manipulates to suit his needs. I have never read a darker character. His family are a strange mixture of characters, each one dealing with loyalty in their own way. Thank goodness there are some normal, even likeable characters within it. There is humour in this book to counterbalance the darkness and it does it wonderfully but the gritty language and violent scenes may not be to everyone's taste.
The sequel to this is Payback, out in 2014, I am looking forward to reading it. The Trap is the first of a series and it has set the scene for it's sequel, I hope the next one meets my expectations.
May 18, 2020
This book was labelled as crime thriller, and although it had plenty of crime, I am still looking for the thriller bit. Unfortunately it lacked the kind of suspense I was looking for after reading the short blurb on the back of the book.
Though it was well written, I personally did get slightly annoyed by the format of the book. The chopping and changing of the stories within chapters, constantly hopping from one setting to another, got really tiresome at some point.
It was still entertaining, and although it took me a while to get into it, I thoroughly enjoyed the latter part of the story and it's ending.
Though it was well written, I personally did get slightly annoyed by the format of the book. The chopping and changing of the stories within chapters, constantly hopping from one setting to another, got really tiresome at some point.
It was still entertaining, and although it took me a while to get into it, I thoroughly enjoyed the latter part of the story and it's ending.
September 27, 2013
I am so dissapointed by this ending. The story is so well written adn the story line is so strong and enthralling and then the ending frustrated me to no end! There is NO ENDING! This is the first part of a series, which sint clearly labelled on the front of the book.
I shant buy the next in the series, not because i don't think it will be any good, but because i am outraged that a thriller would be a two parter and leave the ending so open.
I shant buy the next in the series, not because i don't think it will be any good, but because i am outraged that a thriller would be a two parter and leave the ending so open.
August 1, 2017
4.5 stars
This was an excellent book that had everything from a villainous big brother and a matriarch who loved her family dearly.
The book is the first in the series of the Butlers and tells the story of a family that came from nothing and rise to prominence in London's East End. There is heartbreak along the way and some shady dealings but it is a good book and if you enjoy crime stories then this should be on your reading list.
This was an excellent book that had everything from a villainous big brother and a matriarch who loved her family dearly.
The book is the first in the series of the Butlers and tells the story of a family that came from nothing and rise to prominence in London's East End. There is heartbreak along the way and some shady dealings but it is a good book and if you enjoy crime stories then this should be on your reading list.
January 22, 2014
Two star is probably a bit harsh but although the story was OK I struggled with the style of writing.
I'm sure others will rate it higher but it wasn't for me.
I'm sure others will rate it higher but it wasn't for me.
July 27, 2014
Love love love these books and Kimberley's books always leave me needing more.
November 2, 2018
This is the first book I have read by this author and it was really good could not put the book down and read it every chance I could Will read Kimberley chambers other books
March 8, 2017
4.5 to 4.75
February 27, 2016
Good start to the series. Onto book 2.
April 18, 2018
Funny story – a year or so ago, I purchased a book called THE WRONGED. Loved the blurb for it and after my stint of reading the Kaz Phelps series by Susan Wilkins, I was ready for more gritty East End London gangland crime fiction. The horror when I went onto Goodreads to find out THE WRONGED is the THIRD book in a series featuring the Butler family.
On my shelf that booked lived until I finally pulled my finger out and purchased the first book in this series; THE TRAP. I had a sneaky suspiction that I was going to love this book from the get go. After my recent Martina Cole binge and reading about the Krays – I was ready for this book!
Vinny Butler is one of those characters we love to hate. He is Freddie Jackson. He is Aidan O’Hara and every other East End bad man that we read about in this genre. Vinny is cold, heartless, selfish, arrogant, dangerous…a real arsehole. But I couldn’t help but love his character as well! His unpredictable nature makes for an exciting read! Assuming the position as the man of the family, looking after an ever growing brood whilst becoming a force to be reckoned with, not too dissimilar with the Kray Twins (which interestingly, this book is set in the same time).
Short chapters and paragraphs and ever changing character perspectives keep the pace moving along for me that kept me engaged in all of the drama and the characters themselves. Each character for me was written perfectly. It could be easy to lose your way with how many to remember, but this is where Kim’s writing stands out.
This is my first Kimberley Chambers read and after devouring THE TRAP, I now need to get my hands on PAYBACK as soon as humanly possible!
On my shelf that booked lived until I finally pulled my finger out and purchased the first book in this series; THE TRAP. I had a sneaky suspiction that I was going to love this book from the get go. After my recent Martina Cole binge and reading about the Krays – I was ready for this book!
Vinny Butler is one of those characters we love to hate. He is Freddie Jackson. He is Aidan O’Hara and every other East End bad man that we read about in this genre. Vinny is cold, heartless, selfish, arrogant, dangerous…a real arsehole. But I couldn’t help but love his character as well! His unpredictable nature makes for an exciting read! Assuming the position as the man of the family, looking after an ever growing brood whilst becoming a force to be reckoned with, not too dissimilar with the Kray Twins (which interestingly, this book is set in the same time).
Short chapters and paragraphs and ever changing character perspectives keep the pace moving along for me that kept me engaged in all of the drama and the characters themselves. Each character for me was written perfectly. It could be easy to lose your way with how many to remember, but this is where Kim’s writing stands out.
This is my first Kimberley Chambers read and after devouring THE TRAP, I now need to get my hands on PAYBACK as soon as humanly possible!
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