Secrets and Lies: A gripping thriller filled with shocking twists

by Dreda Say Mitchell

‘A great book written by a great girl.’ MARTINA COLE
⭐️ URBAN FICTION NO.1 BESTSELLER⭐️

IN A WORLD RULED BY MEN
IT’S THE WOMEN WHO HOLD THE DEADLIEST SECRETS

London 1974.

The swinging 60s are dead and buried and the darker 70s have taken their place. Britain is on its knees, crippled by strikes and blackouts, and Jimmy 'Southpaw' Steele and Brother Bertie remain enemies after five years of bitter silence.

But when corruption and vice threatens to bring down Danny Steele's gangland empire, the former blood brothers are forced back together. Fighting side by side in a city living by candlelight, they discover that enemies from the past are close by - and some are deadly women with scores to settle.

In the brutal world of East End organised crime, past sins will unleash a devastating tragedy marked by savage violence that will tear everyone apart.

The epic finale to this gritty, hard-hitting British Crime Thriller Series
Book 3 in the Love and Hate Series

WHAT AMAZON READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT THE LOVE AND HATE
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Like Early Martina Cole.'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Best Books I’ve Read This Year!'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ '5 Star Book From Start To Finish!'
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 'Epic!'

Love And Hate Series
Love and Book 1
Honour and Book 2

Big Mo
Dirty Tricks
Fight Dirty
Wicked Women
Play Dirty

534 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 2, 2025

About the author

Her Majesty, The Queen appointed Dreda an MBE in her 2020 New Year’s Honours’ List. Dreda scooped the CWA’s John Creasey Dagger in 2004, the first time a Black British author has received this honour. Dreda and Ryan write across the crime and mystery genre – psychological thrillers, gritty gangland crime and fast-paced action books Spare Room, their first psychological thriller was a #1 UK and US Amazon Bestseller. Dreda is one of twelve acclaimed and bestselling international female writers contributing to a new Miss Marple anthology. Dreda is a passionate campaigner and speaker on social issues and the arts. She has been a frequent guest on television and radio including BBC Breakfast,, Celebrity Pointless and Celebrity Eggheads, The Stephen Nolan Show, Front Row and Woman’s Hour. She has presented Radio 4’s flagship books programme, Open Book. Dreda was named one of Britain’s 50 Remarkable Women by Lady Geek in association with Nokia. She was the 2011 chair of the Theakston Harrogate Crime Fiction Festival. Dreda was born and raised in the East End of London where she continues to live. Dreda’s family are from the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada and her name is pronounced with a long ‘ee’ sound in the middle.

Reviews

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic trilogy this is!

The first book, "Love and Hate," is followed by "Honour and Vengeance," and then the third book, "Secrets and Lies." Dreda certainly knows what her readers want.

The story is filled with gripping and exciting twists and turns, featuring great characters supported by a thrilling narrative. This trilogy has it all and takes you on an emotional ride. Dreda is a remarkable author who keeps her books exciting.

The crime-related themes pull the reader into another world, described beautifully so you can easily imagine being there.

[julie radbone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love and Hate series

No spoilers, if you haven't read this series yet? Why not! If you love crime, under world, gangster books then this set of three books is for you. You will not be disappointed, twists and turns galore will keep you guessing. Fantastic series, the only disappointment is I've read them so quickly 😀.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The final book in this series although i have a feeling that we might see Bertie and Jimmy pop up even briefly in another of these books by the authors, it certainly filled in on their past background and came full circle. It was very difficult to leave this aside once started.

[Tracy Kraushaar]

Read this in under 1 day! Could not put it down! Absolutely enjoyed it!

[Julie Simon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series, sorry to see it end.