What do you think?
Rate this book
Heartless
Free from prison… but still trapped in a nightmare...
Having been locked up for a murder that she didn't commit, Sophia O’Hagan is now determined to take back what’s hers.
Sophia has been robbed of eight years of her life: a life that she should have spent with her beloved Tommy.
Now, Tommy has gone and Sophia’s family has been torn apart. She knows that she will never know true freedom until she confronts the painful ghosts of her past.
'The laughter of a man is more terrible than his tears, and takes more forms hollow, heartless, mirthless and maniacal.'
~ James Thurber
Reviews
"It won't be long before Casey can join the ranks amongst some of the other legends of British crime such as Lady Heller, Kim Chambers and Martina Cole."
~ Bestcrimebooks.co.uk
"An interesting window into the scummy world of crime, the failure of the system and those who get caught in the crossfire."
~ BestChickLit.com
Having been locked up for a murder that she didn't commit, Sophia O’Hagan is now determined to take back what’s hers.
Sophia has been robbed of eight years of her life: a life that she should have spent with her beloved Tommy.
Now, Tommy has gone and Sophia’s family has been torn apart. She knows that she will never know true freedom until she confronts the painful ghosts of her past.
'The laughter of a man is more terrible than his tears, and takes more forms hollow, heartless, mirthless and maniacal.'
~ James Thurber
Reviews
"It won't be long before Casey can join the ranks amongst some of the other legends of British crime such as Lady Heller, Kim Chambers and Martina Cole."
~ Bestcrimebooks.co.uk
"An interesting window into the scummy world of crime, the failure of the system and those who get caught in the crossfire."
~ BestChickLit.com
- GenresMystery
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 13, 2013
119 people are currently reading
380 people want to read
About the author
Casey Kelleher
32 books357 followersCasey Kelleher was born in Cuckfield, West Sussex. Growing up she became an avid reader, loving in particular gritty crime thrillers and gangland books.
The Books
Standalone Psych Thrillers
The Perfect Guest
The Missing Mother
The Babysitter's Secret
MINE
I'll Never Tell
Only Child
The Babysitter's Secret
Gangland/crime thrillers
standalones
Bad Blood
The Taken
The Promise
Rotten to the Core
Rise and Fall
Heartless
Griffin Estate Trilogy
No Escape (book 1)
No Fear (book 2)
No Going Back (book 3)
The Byrne Trilogy
The Betrayed (Book 1)
The Broken (Book)
The Forgotten (Book 3)
For all offers and news on Casey's new releases, click the FOLLOW button on Casey's Amazon page, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Casey-Kelleh...
http://caseykelleher.co.uk
www.instagram.com/caseykelleher
http://facebook.com/officialcaseykell...
The Books
Standalone Psych Thrillers
The Perfect Guest
The Missing Mother
The Babysitter's Secret
MINE
I'll Never Tell
Only Child
The Babysitter's Secret
Gangland/crime thrillers
standalones
Bad Blood
The Taken
The Promise
Rotten to the Core
Rise and Fall
Heartless
Griffin Estate Trilogy
No Escape (book 1)
No Fear (book 2)
No Going Back (book 3)
The Byrne Trilogy
The Betrayed (Book 1)
The Broken (Book)
The Forgotten (Book 3)
For all offers and news on Casey's new releases, click the FOLLOW button on Casey's Amazon page, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Casey-Kelleh...
http://caseykelleher.co.uk
www.instagram.com/caseykelleher
http://facebook.com/officialcaseykell...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
December 29, 2021
I discovered Casey Kelleher’s books this year with “No Going Back” and “I’ll Never Tell”, both of which I loved. I found this book to be not as engrossing, but is fast paced and a page turner nevertheless.
The book starts with Sophia O’Hagan, 16 years old, being taken to her cell in prison, convicted for murdering her father. Her father was abusive, and just a couple of days back had badly beaten his wife and Sophia. Sophia’s prints are on the knife her father was stabbed with, and the police believe she set the house on fire to destroy evidence. She keeps protesting her innocence but has no choice but to serve her sentence. Her grandmother is her only source of support. There are not many happy memories in the recent past – she was building a relationship with Tommy, but his devious twin brother Jonathan tricks her at a party. Jonathan takes pleasure in the cruel, and while their parents sense he has a problem, there is not much they can think of doing. Jonathan is happy that Sophia is in prison, as it breaks her relation with his brother, who he is determined must not get ahead of him. As eight years pass, and Sophia is set to be released, she wonders how she can pick the pieces of her life. While in prison, Sophia forms a friendship with Dolly, a sex worker serving a short sentence and who she is to meet outside later as their stories converge.
The story maintains its pace till the end, and I could not put the book down. However, after a very promising start, the story loses substance as it moves past the half-way mark in a case of trying to do too much - sub-plots, characters & sequences. I loved some of the characters in the book, Sophia, her grandmother, Dolly, Tommy, and his dad.
My rating: 3.25 / 5.
This book is worth considering for a one-time read as to its credit it is extremely well paced.
The book starts with Sophia O’Hagan, 16 years old, being taken to her cell in prison, convicted for murdering her father. Her father was abusive, and just a couple of days back had badly beaten his wife and Sophia. Sophia’s prints are on the knife her father was stabbed with, and the police believe she set the house on fire to destroy evidence. She keeps protesting her innocence but has no choice but to serve her sentence. Her grandmother is her only source of support. There are not many happy memories in the recent past – she was building a relationship with Tommy, but his devious twin brother Jonathan tricks her at a party. Jonathan takes pleasure in the cruel, and while their parents sense he has a problem, there is not much they can think of doing. Jonathan is happy that Sophia is in prison, as it breaks her relation with his brother, who he is determined must not get ahead of him. As eight years pass, and Sophia is set to be released, she wonders how she can pick the pieces of her life. While in prison, Sophia forms a friendship with Dolly, a sex worker serving a short sentence and who she is to meet outside later as their stories converge.
The story maintains its pace till the end, and I could not put the book down. However, after a very promising start, the story loses substance as it moves past the half-way mark in a case of trying to do too much - sub-plots, characters & sequences. I loved some of the characters in the book, Sophia, her grandmother, Dolly, Tommy, and his dad.
My rating: 3.25 / 5.
This book is worth considering for a one-time read as to its credit it is extremely well paced.
April 3, 2017
Heartless is yet another story by this author that had me gripped from start to end.
Sophia who is just sixteen has her whole life ahead of her. She meets Tommy who she really likes and apart from her home life which isn’t great she is starting to really look forward to the future. That is cruelly ripped away from and she finds herself eight years later having to start over again.
Tommy is a sweet kid. Sadly his twin Jonathan is everything he isn’t. The title of the book pretty much describes Jonathan perfectly. As soon as we are introduced to him it is obvious how callous he is. I disliked him right from the off and that just grew throughout the story. Some people are just born evil and he is definitely one of them.
The story starts off with the build up of events that sees Sophia put in prison, then we catch up with her through the feisty Dolly, when Sophia is due to be released. From then on in the reader is taken on a nail biting roller coaster of a read.
Heartless is yet another gritty and gripping read. I seem to find that I always have a love hate relationship with characters in the authors novels. There are the ones I have such empathy for whilst other I absolutely loathe. She really does have you going through a whole array of emotions.
Sophia who is just sixteen has her whole life ahead of her. She meets Tommy who she really likes and apart from her home life which isn’t great she is starting to really look forward to the future. That is cruelly ripped away from and she finds herself eight years later having to start over again.
Tommy is a sweet kid. Sadly his twin Jonathan is everything he isn’t. The title of the book pretty much describes Jonathan perfectly. As soon as we are introduced to him it is obvious how callous he is. I disliked him right from the off and that just grew throughout the story. Some people are just born evil and he is definitely one of them.
The story starts off with the build up of events that sees Sophia put in prison, then we catch up with her through the feisty Dolly, when Sophia is due to be released. From then on in the reader is taken on a nail biting roller coaster of a read.
Heartless is yet another gritty and gripping read. I seem to find that I always have a love hate relationship with characters in the authors novels. There are the ones I have such empathy for whilst other I absolutely loathe. She really does have you going through a whole array of emotions.
February 24, 2015
I have become a massive fan of Casey Kelleher. I have complete writers envy anytime I read any of her books. I knew how it was going to end just not how, which is what makes Casey such a great writer. I am looking forward to her further releases.
February 20, 2018
Wow. I have just spent the past few hours absolutely consumed by this book. I said in my review of Casey Kelleher’s latest book, The Broken, that I liked the fact that she makes each of her books different than the last rather than relying on the same formula and Heartless is definitely different than all of her other stories. In fact it might just be one of my favourite books that she has written.
Heartless tells the story of Sophia who finds herself wrongly arrested for the murder of her father, her life turned upside down and losing the love of her life, Tommy. Sophia is a fantastic character and one of my favourites that Casey has ever created. The book opens with Sophia as a teenager, meeting Tommy for the first time. How Casey develops this story is just fantastic and I don’t even want to allude to how she does that because you really need to read it for yourself. I could hear my heart beating at times some of the scenes in this book were just so tense and I couldn’t take my eyes away from my Kindle. Casey creates truly believable and brilliantly evil villains and the one here in Heartless might just be one of her worst yet. I love books where we have two characters who would normally fall in love and make a life for themselves but instead are torn apart through circumstance and the dodgy dealings of jealous people who are involved with them. It’s the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet with a gangland twist here in Heartless and you can’t help but feel for Sophia but at the same time admire how headstrong she still is and share in her determination to prove her innocence.
Heartless had a bit of a Bad Girls meets Wentworth vibe about it at one point and I loved that. Women’s prisons make for some gripping fictional dramas as evidenced by the aforementioned shows and others like it and Casey takes full advantage of this setting to portray some horrendous scenes featuring Sophia and her cell mate Dolly who was another character that I truly loved. When these two characters meet I wondered what the connection would turn out to be, or what role Dolly would go on to have in Sophia’s story. Well, when the reveal came it was just brilliant. I loved the fact that whilst we had two women who’s lives had been ruined by men, they both remained very strong characters and without wanting to give too much away, I couldn’t have been happier with how their stories concluded. Casey has written a truly gripping and memorable story here and I didn’t want it to end. Sophia and Dolly are two of the best characters that Casey has written about and I am sad to be leaving them behind. As I always say about Casey’s books, I cannot recommend them enough and Heartless is without doubt one of her best.
Heartless tells the story of Sophia who finds herself wrongly arrested for the murder of her father, her life turned upside down and losing the love of her life, Tommy. Sophia is a fantastic character and one of my favourites that Casey has ever created. The book opens with Sophia as a teenager, meeting Tommy for the first time. How Casey develops this story is just fantastic and I don’t even want to allude to how she does that because you really need to read it for yourself. I could hear my heart beating at times some of the scenes in this book were just so tense and I couldn’t take my eyes away from my Kindle. Casey creates truly believable and brilliantly evil villains and the one here in Heartless might just be one of her worst yet. I love books where we have two characters who would normally fall in love and make a life for themselves but instead are torn apart through circumstance and the dodgy dealings of jealous people who are involved with them. It’s the classic tale of Romeo and Juliet with a gangland twist here in Heartless and you can’t help but feel for Sophia but at the same time admire how headstrong she still is and share in her determination to prove her innocence.
Heartless had a bit of a Bad Girls meets Wentworth vibe about it at one point and I loved that. Women’s prisons make for some gripping fictional dramas as evidenced by the aforementioned shows and others like it and Casey takes full advantage of this setting to portray some horrendous scenes featuring Sophia and her cell mate Dolly who was another character that I truly loved. When these two characters meet I wondered what the connection would turn out to be, or what role Dolly would go on to have in Sophia’s story. Well, when the reveal came it was just brilliant. I loved the fact that whilst we had two women who’s lives had been ruined by men, they both remained very strong characters and without wanting to give too much away, I couldn’t have been happier with how their stories concluded. Casey has written a truly gripping and memorable story here and I didn’t want it to end. Sophia and Dolly are two of the best characters that Casey has written about and I am sad to be leaving them behind. As I always say about Casey’s books, I cannot recommend them enough and Heartless is without doubt one of her best.
September 9, 2013
I was extremely excited to get an early copy of the new release (due out 7th September 2013) by Casey Kelleher. The synopsis was enough to whet my interest, but within a few chapters I needn't have worried as the story completely drew me in. The beginning starts us off with Tommy and his twin brother Jonathan as youngsters. At around the same time, young Sophia is battling with her current home situation. One situation is what enables the three to meet, but they have no idea how much them meeting will change all their lives.
Casey Kelleher seems to be improving her talent with each book she writes and it seems that this current book has taken her into the next league of her career. The story instantly drew me in and the one thing I really noticed was the difference in the characters. Casey has self-published up until now, but with this latest one it puts other (currently published) authors to shame. She has managed to depict the `evil' characters as just that, pure evil! There was only one thing that I think could have helped the book and that is a timeline. We see Sophia as a young girl and then many years later as a young adult. Although the timeline would have helped, this certainly didn't detract from the story. The plot kept winding up the tension and I literally didn't want to put this one down.
After reading this book, I can honestly say that Casey Kelleher has now placed herself firmly in the world of British Crime Authors; one which I think is totally deserved. The characters are brilliant and although this book does have a conclusion, I can actually see a second book coming from this (maybe that's wishful thinking). Overall, this book is everything you want from a gritty British Crime book and I don't think any of her fans will be disappointed. I for one will b crossing my fingers and excitedly waiting for the next one.
Casey Kelleher seems to be improving her talent with each book she writes and it seems that this current book has taken her into the next league of her career. The story instantly drew me in and the one thing I really noticed was the difference in the characters. Casey has self-published up until now, but with this latest one it puts other (currently published) authors to shame. She has managed to depict the `evil' characters as just that, pure evil! There was only one thing that I think could have helped the book and that is a timeline. We see Sophia as a young girl and then many years later as a young adult. Although the timeline would have helped, this certainly didn't detract from the story. The plot kept winding up the tension and I literally didn't want to put this one down.
After reading this book, I can honestly say that Casey Kelleher has now placed herself firmly in the world of British Crime Authors; one which I think is totally deserved. The characters are brilliant and although this book does have a conclusion, I can actually see a second book coming from this (maybe that's wishful thinking). Overall, this book is everything you want from a gritty British Crime book and I don't think any of her fans will be disappointed. I for one will b crossing my fingers and excitedly waiting for the next one.
September 11, 2013
The story in this book, just draw's you in right from the start. I was wondering at one point, how it was all going to come together, but it did and its was brilliantly done.
Casey Kelleher has written another superb exciting book that really is UNPUTDOWNABLE.
It's a long time since all i could think about was picking up my kindle to read just a little bit more... This is by far one the best books i've read this year.. and if i could give 6 stars i would ...A brilliant book which I would highly recommend
Free from prison… but still trapped in a nightmare...
Having been locked up for a murder that she didn't commit, Sophia O’Hagan is now determined to take back what’s hers.
Sophia has been robbed of eight years of her life: a life that she should have spent with her beloved Tommy.
Now, Tommy has gone and Sophia’s family has been torn apart. She knows that she will never know true freedom until she confronts the painful ghosts of her past.
October 9, 2013
A excellent read ..... A gripping story from the beginning with many twists and turns .... You truly won't be disappointed .... Casey's 3rd book and what a good one it was can't wait to read more from this author ..... A very talented writer
March 3, 2017
I really enjoyed this book from the start. I was so engrossed in it I couldn't put it down, but I was also trying to read it slowly as I didn't want it to end.look
Forward to reading another one of her books and Casey kelleher is now on my favourites list
Forward to reading another one of her books and Casey kelleher is now on my favourites list
December 29, 2019
Brilliant!!
Love this author, her Audibles have me on the edge of my seat for hours!!
Love this author, her Audibles have me on the edge of my seat for hours!!
February 27, 2014
A fabulous read in fact Casey's 3 novels have all been awesome. This novel just draws you in like a magnet from beginning to end. All the characters are strong and intriguing you can't help but love Tommy and Sophia and of course Sophia's grandmother but Tommy's mum Bernie annoyed me endlessly turning a blind eye to what was going on around her and continued to live in her perfect world but I absolutely despised Sophia's nasty nasty father along with the horrible Jonathan Tommy's evil twin but Dolly was a absolute joy. There are plenty of shocks and twists and turns. I can't wait for Casey's next novel hope its out soon❤❤❤
August 16, 2016
I had read two previous books and had enjoyed them this one didn't disappoint me . There wasn't anything I didn't like I got lost in the story would defiantly recommend this author
I will certainly be reading more of Casey Kelleher in the near future. She is on par with one of my favourite author Martina Cole .
I will certainly be reading more of Casey Kelleher in the near future. She is on par with one of my favourite author Martina Cole .
February 18, 2022
Wow, absolutely triple wow, another fantastic gripping read from Casey. She really does know how to keep her readers entertained.
Having read a lot of Casey’s newer books, 2017 onwards and loving them all, knew that I wanted to read her earlier books too, starting with this one Heartless which was published in 2013. Well as stated in my opening sentence of this review, I think you can tell that I loved this book.
Just like all of her later books, it was truly well written and darn brilliant characters. Absolutely gripping and fast paced, full on entertainment, action and drama, gritty going ons and plenty of intense moments. I swear if you like author Martina Cole, then this book is highly recommended.
Having read a lot of Casey’s newer books, 2017 onwards and loving them all, knew that I wanted to read her earlier books too, starting with this one Heartless which was published in 2013. Well as stated in my opening sentence of this review, I think you can tell that I loved this book.
Just like all of her later books, it was truly well written and darn brilliant characters. Absolutely gripping and fast paced, full on entertainment, action and drama, gritty going ons and plenty of intense moments. I swear if you like author Martina Cole, then this book is highly recommended.
October 24, 2022
I’m almost new to this author, this being my third book. I liked her first two books enough to carry on reading, but I wasn’t blown away by the first two like I was with this one. I felt better connected to the characters here along with the love and hate. I liked that it had me second guessing the journey and could not figure out how it was all going to come together. I also thought it was a great length, not drawn out like some books in this genre. The ending was fantastic and I’m looking forward to more books from Casey.
April 16, 2021
Again I was not disappointed and I thought the ending was excellent. A mother who did not want to believe her son was evil ending up killing him for that same reason.
Twins with totally different personalities. One with conscience one without. What length would the evil go to read and see for yourself
Twins with totally different personalities. One with conscience one without. What length would the evil go to read and see for yourself
February 14, 2018
Cracking read as always.
Love Casey's books . from the first page till the last. Everyone I've read has had me gripped. For anyone that's not read her books ,you've got some catching up . trust me you will read them all.
Love Casey's books . from the first page till the last. Everyone I've read has had me gripped. For anyone that's not read her books ,you've got some catching up . trust me you will read them all.
April 27, 2018
Very easy read, I enjoyed it
It's amazing how some twins can be so different, book was short but a very good read, it could have had a better ending, I hope she brings out another one.
It's amazing how some twins can be so different, book was short but a very good read, it could have had a better ending, I hope she brings out another one.
May 25, 2018
Book reveiw
Yet another fantastic book by a great author. Her books are brilliant to read. The story lines are full of suspense. I found it difficult to put the book down. Here's hoping I never run out of her books to read
Yet another fantastic book by a great author. Her books are brilliant to read. The story lines are full of suspense. I found it difficult to put the book down. Here's hoping I never run out of her books to read
February 28, 2021
I have to agree with others who have read this book - the story captures you from the start and holds your interest to the very last page. I have read other books by this author and have really enjoyed every one. Cant wait to start on the next book
November 29, 2021
4*
I liked the book, I kinda think it ended a little abruptly and I’d like to know if the little girl ends up like her dad as she grew up because it was hinted at that she was but then nothing was said at the end so not sure.
I liked the book, I kinda think it ended a little abruptly and I’d like to know if the little girl ends up like her dad as she grew up because it was hinted at that she was but then nothing was said at the end so not sure.
November 4, 2017
Could not put it down
Anyone who enjoys Martina Cole will love this book, I was gripped from the beginning until the very end. Can't wait to read more by casey
Anyone who enjoys Martina Cole will love this book, I was gripped from the beginning until the very end. Can't wait to read more by casey
April 28, 2018
A very good book
Good story, good characters, gripping till the end . Casey Kelleher is a good writer will read more by her.
Good story, good characters, gripping till the end . Casey Kelleher is a good writer will read more by her.
April 29, 2018
Another great read
Started a bit steady but I soon got into it.
I'll find a few twists and it keeps you reading.
Enjoy
Started a bit steady but I soon got into it.
I'll find a few twists and it keeps you reading.
Enjoy
July 18, 2018
Bloody brilliant
August 4, 2018
She has done it again.
Loved this book i have loved all of casey books. I am looking forward to reading the next one. Great
Loved this book i have loved all of casey books. I am looking forward to reading the next one. Great
September 25, 2018
Brilliant
As I've come to expect, Kelleher 's writing is flawless and completely gripping from first page to last. Now I'm off to read the next
As I've come to expect, Kelleher 's writing is flawless and completely gripping from first page to last. Now I'm off to read the next
October 14, 2018
Brilliant read
Absolutely gripped right from the start o love Casey's books and this ones no different highly recommend this fantastic book
Absolutely gripped right from the start o love Casey's books and this ones no different highly recommend this fantastic book
December 2, 2018
absolutely loved this book 📚 read it in two sittings.
casey’s books are amazing from beginning to end. can’t wait to read the next 📚
casey’s books are amazing from beginning to end. can’t wait to read the next 📚
January 2, 2019
Great read without spoiling it is all I will say
April 4, 2019
Summary
I found it slow at first and not as good as the interFace books. Not sure I would recommend it to.my friends
I found it slow at first and not as good as the interFace books. Not sure I would recommend it to.my friends
May 6, 2019
Fantastic read
Believable characters from start to finish I was totally engrossed in this book I felt I was living every minute along with them
Believable characters from start to finish I was totally engrossed in this book I felt I was living every minute along with them
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews