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The Life
The most authentic novel of gangster family life ever written, from the number one best-selling author Martina Cole.
The Bailey brothers are gangsters determined to make their mark in the world. Peter and Daniel are chalk and cheese in many ways - Peter's calm exterior belies his ruthless nature, while Daniel's penchant for spectacular violence is legendary - but together they are unstoppable. From the late 70s they rule London's East End, and when their sons join the business, it seems that no one can touch the powerful Baileys. Although it's never easy at the top; there is always someone waiting to take you down - sometimes even those closest to you....
Lena Bailey is determined to shield her youngest child Tania from the Life. But when a terrible tragedy occurs, Tania's eyes are opened to their world in a way that forces her to make an irrevocable choice that will determine her future.
Martina Cole's gritty and gripping new novel is an unflinching portrait of a family torn apart by violence and betrayal, but ultimately bound by loyalty, by blood, and by a burning desire for revenge.... It is a story of the Life, told as only Martina Cole can.
The Bailey brothers are gangsters determined to make their mark in the world. Peter and Daniel are chalk and cheese in many ways - Peter's calm exterior belies his ruthless nature, while Daniel's penchant for spectacular violence is legendary - but together they are unstoppable. From the late 70s they rule London's East End, and when their sons join the business, it seems that no one can touch the powerful Baileys. Although it's never easy at the top; there is always someone waiting to take you down - sometimes even those closest to you....
Lena Bailey is determined to shield her youngest child Tania from the Life. But when a terrible tragedy occurs, Tania's eyes are opened to their world in a way that forces her to make an irrevocable choice that will determine her future.
Martina Cole's gritty and gripping new novel is an unflinching portrait of a family torn apart by violence and betrayal, but ultimately bound by loyalty, by blood, and by a burning desire for revenge.... It is a story of the Life, told as only Martina Cole can.
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First published September 13, 2012
294 people are currently reading
1341 people want to read
About the author
Martina Cole
112 books1,745 followersMartina Cole was born and brought up in Essex. She is the bestselling author of fourteen novels set in London's gangland, and her most recent three paperbacks have gone straight to No. 1 in the Sunday Times on first publication. Total sales of Martina's novels stand at over eight million copies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews
January 16, 2013
Well I'm sorry to all my fellow Martina cole lovers out there but I have to agree with some of the previous reviews here. How bloody disappointing! When I first came across ms Cole's books when I was about 17 I thought they were fantastic. Thrillers that took you into a grimy underworld of gangsters, criminals and took you places no other author has dared before exploring subjects abhorrent yet intriguing I used to find I couldn't read for a few days after finishing one of her books as they disturbed me and stayed with me for a while after.
Not anymore. The life is like a replica of the business, which was like a replica of faces which was a replica of the last 5 or 6 novels she has written. No longer are her storylines disturbing and gripping instead in the life we are forced to read again about another family betrayal another 'big stocky handsome devil' with a single mother (Irish of course) with dark hair and blue eyes who is still a cracker at her age can still turn heads. We're guaranteed lots of big handsome sons and then a beautiful daughter who is of course going to have sex with either a member of the family or a family friend and get knocked up. God help us if we all had the fertility that the characters in these books seem to have!
I was overall completely disappointed there wasn't a moment where I was gripped or couldn't put it down. Maybe just maybe we could have a book where the gangster isn't Irish, or of irish heritage, doesn't have dark hair and blue eyes isn't incredibly good looking, doesn't have a soppy wife who pretends she knows nothing and doesn't have a sawn off shotgun in his back pocket or own clubs, betting houses ect. Bring back the novels like the jump and ladykiller give us some excitement and gripping suspense!
Not anymore. The life is like a replica of the business, which was like a replica of faces which was a replica of the last 5 or 6 novels she has written. No longer are her storylines disturbing and gripping instead in the life we are forced to read again about another family betrayal another 'big stocky handsome devil' with a single mother (Irish of course) with dark hair and blue eyes who is still a cracker at her age can still turn heads. We're guaranteed lots of big handsome sons and then a beautiful daughter who is of course going to have sex with either a member of the family or a family friend and get knocked up. God help us if we all had the fertility that the characters in these books seem to have!
I was overall completely disappointed there wasn't a moment where I was gripped or couldn't put it down. Maybe just maybe we could have a book where the gangster isn't Irish, or of irish heritage, doesn't have dark hair and blue eyes isn't incredibly good looking, doesn't have a soppy wife who pretends she knows nothing and doesn't have a sawn off shotgun in his back pocket or own clubs, betting houses ect. Bring back the novels like the jump and ladykiller give us some excitement and gripping suspense!
October 19, 2012
Martina Cole, a legend in her own right. However, the question of whether she still 2has what it takes" is something that's bandied around a lot recently. As much as I am loathed to admit it, I can see why the negative comments come around. The problem with us readers is that we are a finikity bunch, who expects authors to continually churn out a 5 star read every year without fail. When you actually stop to think about it Martina Cole has been writing since 1992 which is an astonishing 20 years. Martina's last two releases were middle of the road for me. If you compare her current books to her earlier work such as books like The Jump, her newer material is nowhere near as good.
I think that as such a talented author, she is going to once again create an absolute corker of a book and somehow I always end up being a little disappointed. Whether that's because I feel like the bar is set a bit higher for her, or just because the competition is just too good now, I really don't know. This latest release The Life certainly has a good synopsis that's for sure. The Bailey brothers are gangsters determined to make their mark on the world (sounding familiar), yet the two brothers are complete opposites. When their sons join the business, it seems like nothing can stop them. When Lena Bailey gives birth to a girl, she is determined to shield her from The Life. When a tragedy occurs, it changes everybody and their life as they know it.
I started reading this book with high hopes (as usual) and to be honest one thing you cannot fault is Martina's writing style. The lady has some clear cut talent and it's an unmistakable style that draws you in to the characters and their lives. This book was easy reading for me and pretty soon I felt drawn into the Bailey world and was reading chapter after chapter. On the down side, at around the halfway mark it just seemed like too much hard work. The story was okay, but sadly it was just the same old, same old. I knew where Martina was taking the story and characters and felt like this fell into the same category of been there and read it!
The book took me three days to read and to be brutally honest it was probably at least 100 pages too long. I feel a little sad to say but I wonder whether Martina should carry on with this type of book. The competition out there, especially with newer writers emerging all the time, is making Martina's work look poor in comparison. I think at this stage what I would love to see is something completely different from Martina Cole. She truly is an author with a gift for writing, but she just needs to get out of the `tried and tested' formula she keeps using. Maybe steer away from the East End Gangster type of book and try a new direction. I truly believe that with her huge following and legions of fans, that they would welcome something fresh and new from one of the ultimate British female crime writers.
I think that as such a talented author, she is going to once again create an absolute corker of a book and somehow I always end up being a little disappointed. Whether that's because I feel like the bar is set a bit higher for her, or just because the competition is just too good now, I really don't know. This latest release The Life certainly has a good synopsis that's for sure. The Bailey brothers are gangsters determined to make their mark on the world (sounding familiar), yet the two brothers are complete opposites. When their sons join the business, it seems like nothing can stop them. When Lena Bailey gives birth to a girl, she is determined to shield her from The Life. When a tragedy occurs, it changes everybody and their life as they know it.
I started reading this book with high hopes (as usual) and to be honest one thing you cannot fault is Martina's writing style. The lady has some clear cut talent and it's an unmistakable style that draws you in to the characters and their lives. This book was easy reading for me and pretty soon I felt drawn into the Bailey world and was reading chapter after chapter. On the down side, at around the halfway mark it just seemed like too much hard work. The story was okay, but sadly it was just the same old, same old. I knew where Martina was taking the story and characters and felt like this fell into the same category of been there and read it!
The book took me three days to read and to be brutally honest it was probably at least 100 pages too long. I feel a little sad to say but I wonder whether Martina should carry on with this type of book. The competition out there, especially with newer writers emerging all the time, is making Martina's work look poor in comparison. I think at this stage what I would love to see is something completely different from Martina Cole. She truly is an author with a gift for writing, but she just needs to get out of the `tried and tested' formula she keeps using. Maybe steer away from the East End Gangster type of book and try a new direction. I truly believe that with her huge following and legions of fans, that they would welcome something fresh and new from one of the ultimate British female crime writers.
November 17, 2023
Voy a confesar una cosa, me encantan los libros sobre delincuentes!
January 8, 2013
I do love Martina Cole books, but...... Are they becoming a bit "samey" now? 2 brothers end up going at each other because 1 is far more unstable than the other..... 2 wives, one who knows she is in "The Life" the other who is oblivious, and only faces reality when it goes all "Pete Tong".
Don't get me wrong, it was an enjoyable book... It just was a little too predictable to get anything more than 3 stars!
Don't get me wrong, it was an enjoyable book... It just was a little too predictable to get anything more than 3 stars!
October 21, 2019
For the...
First time I really hope for a sequel. This story although sad at times was funny and in a strange way inspiring.
It's a great read from the first word.
Trouble is its hard to put down. You want to know what happens next.
Enjoy
First time I really hope for a sequel. This story although sad at times was funny and in a strange way inspiring.
It's a great read from the first word.
Trouble is its hard to put down. You want to know what happens next.
Enjoy
December 6, 2018
DNF 34%
This was only my second Martina Cole book but even I could pick up on how she had to force this one out onto a page.
Right at the beginning, I knew she had taken the legendary Kray brothers and embellished and switched a few details to make the backbone of this plot. Right from the strong bond with their mother to their contrasting personalities that strangely strengthens their partnership in "the Life" - it was quite obviously a facsimile of a premise. This is only one thing that put me off this book but you know what? Here's a few more:
1. THE REPETITION - how in the hell did this book pass editing in this state? The iteration of certain things made reading this book like trudging through silt. In the first few chapters, the narrative switched between different characters perspectives, I'm thinking to properly convey the nature of each person. But none of them said anything new and just repeated what the other said? OH MY GOD if I had to read how Daniel and Peter how so-and-so "was meant for The Life" and they were "no nine-to-fivers" or how handsome they were or how different they were again, I was going to ask Martina Cole herself if she really thought I was that dumb not to get it the first time (not really, but c'mon). Other sayings were repeated by other characters one after the other, it just made my eyes roll so hard. Here is one example of what I'm talking about, y'know, just in case you didn't get it the first time around:
Now, imagine that but on evERY PAGE. It was so exasperating.
2. Time jumps - the year the funeral takes place is clearly stated and when the plot regresses to the 70's, there is a clear heading saying so. But this book spans more than twenty years and the first book is fast paced. Between some chapters, there is a period of months between them and it left me confused about the progression. A simple date at the beginning of the chapter would have made it easier to keep up and remain engaged.
3. The mundane tone - Cole's writing style was so wooden compared to The Runaway. Key moments integral to the story were just kind of brushed over and "The Life" kept getting mentioned but never really explained. The brothers start off with a rep as hard men and but how did they start? Maybe it is explained later in the book (but I don't think so). I don't think she cared about this book so much and was just trying to meet a quota with her publishers. She is a talented author so that is the only way I can explain this boring, circuitous writing style.
I really had to push myself to read the last fifty pages but it was just too stale. I am surprised at how high the overall rating for this book is, to be honest. I'm pretty sure if Cole cut the crap and was more snappy with her phrasing, this book would easily be four-hundred pages instead.
This was only my second Martina Cole book but even I could pick up on how she had to force this one out onto a page.
Right at the beginning, I knew she had taken the legendary Kray brothers and embellished and switched a few details to make the backbone of this plot. Right from the strong bond with their mother to their contrasting personalities that strangely strengthens their partnership in "the Life" - it was quite obviously a facsimile of a premise. This is only one thing that put me off this book but you know what? Here's a few more:
1. THE REPETITION - how in the hell did this book pass editing in this state? The iteration of certain things made reading this book like trudging through silt. In the first few chapters, the narrative switched between different characters perspectives, I'm thinking to properly convey the nature of each person. But none of them said anything new and just repeated what the other said? OH MY GOD if I had to read how Daniel and Peter how so-and-so "was meant for The Life" and they were "no nine-to-fivers" or how handsome they were or how different they were again, I was going to ask Martina Cole herself if she really thought I was that dumb not to get it the first time (not really, but c'mon). Other sayings were repeated by other characters one after the other, it just made my eyes roll so hard. Here is one example of what I'm talking about
'Whatever the reason, Davey knew that, out of the boys, he had a special bond with Tania. They all loved her, but it was a haphazard affection, just because she was there. Now she was starting to become a little person, and Davey knew he was already wrapped around her little finger. Lena watched her big, handsome son holding his sister and she smiled happily. Davey adored the child ... She liked to see them together - the other boys were not as enamoured with their little sister, they had just accepted her as part of the family ... none of them would ever really know the girl. Except Davey of course - he already knew her...'
Now, imagine that but on evERY PAGE. It was so exasperating.
2. Time jumps - the year the funeral takes place is clearly stated and when the plot regresses to the 70's, there is a clear heading saying so. But this book spans more than twenty years and the first book is fast paced. Between some chapters, there is a period of months between them and it left me confused about the progression. A simple date at the beginning of the chapter would have made it easier to keep up and remain engaged.
3. The mundane tone - Cole's writing style was so wooden compared to The Runaway. Key moments integral to the story were just kind of brushed over and "The Life" kept getting mentioned but never really explained. The brothers start off with a rep as hard men and but how did they start? Maybe it is explained later in the book (but I don't think so). I don't think she cared about this book so much and was just trying to meet a quota with her publishers. She is a talented author so that is the only way I can explain this boring, circuitous writing style.
I really had to push myself to read the last fifty pages but it was just too stale. I am surprised at how high the overall rating for this book is, to be honest. I'm pretty sure if Cole cut the crap and was more snappy with her phrasing, this book would easily be four-hundred pages instead.
June 8, 2020
Like chalk and cheese, the Bailey brothers are gangsters looking to make names for themselves, despite one of them being psychotically violent. Their empire starts from the late 1970s, and things look as good as they can be in the underworld until threats seem to be coming from within? Yes, another Martina Cole tale spread across generations of a crime family in the East End / Essex. 5 out of 12
September 30, 2012
Loved this book. Story about the biggest crime Family in London. Page turner. Highly recommended for crime lovers.
November 2, 2019
Leaving aside the bad language - presumably put in for authenticity, though it did get a bit relentless - i enjoyed this book. The characters were believable, if unpleasant, and the storyline had enough twists and turns to keep me interested. My only minor complaint was that a good number of characters came in and out of the story without much explanation of where they came from nor where they went next. But I quibble. Certainly worth a read.
December 16, 2012
I've read every Martina Cole book and was really looking forward to reading it. My only criticism is that I felt it was padded out in places unnecessarily. The characters had depth and I really cared what happened to them. The plot is excellent and this book is well worth a read.
Read
May 21, 2013After reading Two Women this book is dull, I will finish it though...
January 18, 2025
Excellent well worth a read or a listen one of her best Annie Adlington brings the characters too life great twists
November 27, 2022
If you’ve read more than two of Martina Cole’s novels, you know exactly what you’re in for. This book is no different. Easy read, pretty enjoyable…
November 29, 2012
Not sure how I ended up with this book, I'd never heard of the author and it doesn't fit my usual book genres. Nevertheless, it was a good read. In brief, this book follows the life of a family of criminals over the course of 30 years or so. A few memorable things:
* The language is very 'English'; that means the vocabulary is a bit foreign but the cool thing on my iPad was being able to instantly see the definition. Now I know what ponce, lairy, and nous all mean! Yes, it's slang, but it's real and it's unpretentious.
* The characters were 'human', ie., not caricatures or stereotypes. Tons of tragic events befall them but they seem to muddle through. At least the ones who don't get killed by their fathers or criminal gang opponents, of course. The women, in particular, seem to be well carved and often have to make tough decisions.
* The plot kind of meanders. No singular antagonist, and the rivalry between the two main brothers ended up being a bit anticlimactic. The sex was sterile, the violence was clinical, and the environments were generally grim and gritty.
I think I'll some more of Cole's works but perhaps be a bit more discerning in my selection, this was pretty much a random choice.
* The language is very 'English'; that means the vocabulary is a bit foreign but the cool thing on my iPad was being able to instantly see the definition. Now I know what ponce, lairy, and nous all mean! Yes, it's slang, but it's real and it's unpretentious.
* The characters were 'human', ie., not caricatures or stereotypes. Tons of tragic events befall them but they seem to muddle through. At least the ones who don't get killed by their fathers or criminal gang opponents, of course. The women, in particular, seem to be well carved and often have to make tough decisions.
* The plot kind of meanders. No singular antagonist, and the rivalry between the two main brothers ended up being a bit anticlimactic. The sex was sterile, the violence was clinical, and the environments were generally grim and gritty.
I think I'll some more of Cole's works but perhaps be a bit more discerning in my selection, this was pretty much a random choice.
August 26, 2013
As I'd spent my money on it - an unusual choice of book for me, expedited in my choice by a huffing, puffing husband in the shop - I stuck with it. I like crime, thrillers, whodunnits, twists and turns and a bit of gore besides, so was hoping it was for me.
Sorry, Martina.It just didn't do it for me. A lot of repetition of thoughts/scene setting, almost in case we hadn't 'got it' the first time around. A bit too clinical and lacking real 'body' (sorry!) in its telling. There were so many characters that we got to know a little about each, but not a lot about individuals with whom we just might identify or recognise.
It was ok. I wouldn't recommend it though, sorry.
Sorry, Martina.It just didn't do it for me. A lot of repetition of thoughts/scene setting, almost in case we hadn't 'got it' the first time around. A bit too clinical and lacking real 'body' (sorry!) in its telling. There were so many characters that we got to know a little about each, but not a lot about individuals with whom we just might identify or recognise.
It was ok. I wouldn't recommend it though, sorry.
May 21, 2013
This book wasn't a bad read but def not as good as her earlier stuff but better than The Business. The book started off well and typical Martina she goes into detail with her characters which I love but as the story developed the characters went off the boil and I didn't like the way that they were portrayed and there were others introduced and then not developed which I found annoying. For me the ending was disappointing and seemed rushed. Glad I didn't spend 10 quid when it was released.
January 3, 2015
A fictional UK take on a single Mum and her illegitimate sons who rise from the ranks of poverty to become one the most feared organised crime families in East London. Suspenseful and tense in parts with some violent character developments. Yet for the most part, the surprises in the plot were lacking and it was missing that page turning tension that inevitably draws comparisons to Mario Puzo's classic in this genre.
June 26, 2013
I always enjoy reading a Martin Cole but compared to her previous books this was a tad disappointing! Although the story was good it got a little bit too repetitive about "the life". We all see to get the drift that they are all born into "the life" but stop going on about it! Hopefully her next book will be better!
November 15, 2012
Very long .I found she was repeating sentences just in different ways to pad out the book .Think I have given up with Ms Cole now ,All her story lines are repetitive with just different names IMO
August 29, 2013
It's been a while since I read a Martina Cole book and I wasn't disappointed with The Life. The first half was a little slow but by half way it really took off and I couldn't put down. A welcome return to the Martina Cole that I know and love.
February 19, 2014
my first martina cole read and was very disappointed after all the good feedback ive read about this author. the text read very "samey" for want of a better word. i kept thinking "ive already read that". the last 40 pages were an improvement on the rest of the book
June 13, 2024
Read this book in 2015
Enjoyed it then and still was a page turner now
Looking forward to re- reading more of martina Cole,s books
And waiting for her new book ( Guilty) to comes out which is written with Jacqui Rose
Enjoyed it then and still was a page turner now
Looking forward to re- reading more of martina Cole,s books
And waiting for her new book ( Guilty) to comes out which is written with Jacqui Rose
February 5, 2019
Well, I got as far as page 122 and just could not finish the book. Very repetitive, too much inner dialog about the same topic. The story was predictable and some characters over the top. If book were half as many pages and skipped the repetition, it would be a good read, maybe.
February 19, 2013
I usually love Martina Cole, have read all her books and have to say this is the worst! If it was by a different author I think i would score it higher but expect so much more.
June 15, 2013
Same old, same old. I gave up on this book less than half way through, which is something I very rarely do. Boring, repetitive and unimaginative.
June 17, 2013
I'm pleasantly surprised with 'The Life'.
A refreshingly good read fast flow & interesting.
I'm a fan & just can't help awarding Martina 5 stars - deservingly I might add!
A refreshingly good read fast flow & interesting.
I'm a fan & just can't help awarding Martina 5 stars - deservingly I might add!
August 26, 2013
I enjoy the plots of her stories, but I HATE the way she writes. It's wooden. And the people speak not how an East Ender speaks.......
December 13, 2014
Omg fantastic . A bit gruesome at times but could wait to see how it ends
November 6, 2013
Not one of her better ones...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 151 reviews