What do you think?
Rate this book
Loaded
When secrets and lies run in the family, who can you trust?
Life is tough for Faith Diamond. Growing up on the wrong side of London, with a family incapable of staying on the right side of the law, her future has only ever been about survival.
But then a series of prostitutes are found strangled and stripped naked. The only thread linking the bodies is pimp Marshall Vella - a man connected in more ways than one with the Diamond family.
Now Faith is forced to consider the possibility that the people she fights to protect might be involved in something more evil than even she could have imagined....
A new gritty gangland thriller based on a true - and still unsolved - string of murders....
Life is tough for Faith Diamond. Growing up on the wrong side of London, with a family incapable of staying on the right side of the law, her future has only ever been about survival.
But then a series of prostitutes are found strangled and stripped naked. The only thread linking the bodies is pimp Marshall Vella - a man connected in more ways than one with the Diamond family.
Now Faith is forced to consider the possibility that the people she fights to protect might be involved in something more evil than even she could have imagined....
A new gritty gangland thriller based on a true - and still unsolved - string of murders....
Audible Audio
First published May 27, 2021
21 people are currently reading
46 people want to read
About the author
Niki Mackay
11 books85 followersI am a writer and a bookworm. I studied Performing Arts at the BRIT School. It turned out I wasn’t very good at acting but quite liked writing scripts. I went on to take a BA (Hons) in English Literature and Drama. I later won a full scholarship for an MA in Journalism.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
May 15, 2021
Life is tough for Faith Diamond. Growing up on the wrong side of London, with a family incapable of staying on the wrong side of the law, her future has only ever been about survival. But then a series of prostitutes are found murdered: strangles and stripped naked. The only thread linking the bodies is their pimp Marshall Vella - a man connected in more ways than one to the Diamond family.
This is a new gritty gangland thriller based on a true - and still unsolved = string of murders. Set in Acton, West London in the 1960's, the story revolves around Faith Diamond and her family. This is a gripping story that grabs you from the first page and doesn't let you go. The Diamond family consists of the mother, Shirley, Faith and her brothers Rae and Frankie. There's also Marshall Vella, a local pimp. His prostitutes are being murdered. This twist filled read held my attention throughout and i couldn't put it down. I will be looking out for more books from this author in future.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #OrionPublishingGroup and the author #NikiMackay for my ARC of #Loaded in exchange for an honest review.
This is a new gritty gangland thriller based on a true - and still unsolved = string of murders. Set in Acton, West London in the 1960's, the story revolves around Faith Diamond and her family. This is a gripping story that grabs you from the first page and doesn't let you go. The Diamond family consists of the mother, Shirley, Faith and her brothers Rae and Frankie. There's also Marshall Vella, a local pimp. His prostitutes are being murdered. This twist filled read held my attention throughout and i couldn't put it down. I will be looking out for more books from this author in future.
I would like to thank #NetGalley #OrionPublishingGroup and the author #NikiMackay for my ARC of #Loaded in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2021
Loaded is the latest gritty gangland thriller from Niki Mackay and the first instalment in a proposed new series; I found this riveting so I do hope there are more books to come featuring the dysfunctional yet interesting Diamond family. Faith Diamond, her mother Shirley, her two brothers Rae and Frankie and Marshall Vella, a local pimp live on Sunningdale Avenue in Acton, West London. 1960’s London is tough so they must do everything they can to survive even if that means sex work or crime. It isn't long before prostitutes begin disappearing off the streets with the first being Liza Plum and soon her body is discovered on the banks of the nearby river.
The police now know that someone is out murdering these ladies of the night and Detective Jimmy Rose, who once fell for Faith’s irresistible charms and discreetly spent the night with her, is put in charge of the investigation. As more bodies pile up, he realises he is looking for a dangerous serial killer. A connection becomes apparent: all of the women had been working for Marshall Vella so naturally, he becomes a person of interest. Does someone have a grudge against him or are they trying to frame him or could he have motive to bump off these girls with his own bare hands? This is a compulsive, enthralling and thoroughly gripping thriller with plenty of twists and surprises moving at a pretty pacey speed.
The dual plotlines of the serial killings of sex workers and getting to know the Diamond family are both delivered with equal grit and you find yourself flying through the pages. They aren't exactly a normal family unit and they enjoy a little trouble making and illegality but they are flawed, human and therefore relatable. It's a twisted world in which they live but it makes for brilliant, exciting and exhilarating reading, and there's never a dull moment throughout. It's well written, highly entertaining and will have your heart pounding with all of the drama. The fact that it is based on true unsolved crimes that occurred in the area at the time made it feel all the more immersive and atmospheric as well as authentic and cohesive. Highly recommended.
The police now know that someone is out murdering these ladies of the night and Detective Jimmy Rose, who once fell for Faith’s irresistible charms and discreetly spent the night with her, is put in charge of the investigation. As more bodies pile up, he realises he is looking for a dangerous serial killer. A connection becomes apparent: all of the women had been working for Marshall Vella so naturally, he becomes a person of interest. Does someone have a grudge against him or are they trying to frame him or could he have motive to bump off these girls with his own bare hands? This is a compulsive, enthralling and thoroughly gripping thriller with plenty of twists and surprises moving at a pretty pacey speed.
The dual plotlines of the serial killings of sex workers and getting to know the Diamond family are both delivered with equal grit and you find yourself flying through the pages. They aren't exactly a normal family unit and they enjoy a little trouble making and illegality but they are flawed, human and therefore relatable. It's a twisted world in which they live but it makes for brilliant, exciting and exhilarating reading, and there's never a dull moment throughout. It's well written, highly entertaining and will have your heart pounding with all of the drama. The fact that it is based on true unsolved crimes that occurred in the area at the time made it feel all the more immersive and atmospheric as well as authentic and cohesive. Highly recommended.
May 23, 2021
This book has blown me away with its brilliantly crafted writing, drawing me into the seedy, violent world of gangland violence in 1960’s London. Endless conflicts for control, treating women as worthless possessions and a serial killer. Loaded is a thriller which really did tick all the boxes for me, keeping me on the edge of my seat with its rapidly evolving plot and events. The fact that it is based on a true life series of unsolved murders makes it even more intriguing.
It really is a gripping, tense read! The Diamond and Vella families made for interesting contrasts in a world of prostitution, drugs, alcohol and abuse. So cleverly portrayed I forgot they were characters in a novel. My eyes were opened to the tragic and relentless circle some people are born into and carefully provoked the debate about nature or nurture.
I loved seeing a lead female protagonist, fighting so hard for the underdogs but never far from being pulled under herself or showing another side to her personality. Faith Diamond is such an anomaly, driven by a huge hidden strength. I found myself holding my breath watching the story unfold. And the two police officers Cal and Jimmy, and the relationships they form with the other characters , adds real depth with the way they face these crimes and apply the law within this community whilst also showing real insight and connection.
It really is a gripping, tense read! The Diamond and Vella families made for interesting contrasts in a world of prostitution, drugs, alcohol and abuse. So cleverly portrayed I forgot they were characters in a novel. My eyes were opened to the tragic and relentless circle some people are born into and carefully provoked the debate about nature or nurture.
I loved seeing a lead female protagonist, fighting so hard for the underdogs but never far from being pulled under herself or showing another side to her personality. Faith Diamond is such an anomaly, driven by a huge hidden strength. I found myself holding my breath watching the story unfold. And the two police officers Cal and Jimmy, and the relationships they form with the other characters , adds real depth with the way they face these crimes and apply the law within this community whilst also showing real insight and connection.
April 12, 2021
now this is a must read my 1st book buy this author and so enjoyed .meet the Dimond family Faith /Rae /Frankie/ and there mum Shirley life is hard when Faith was young Bass tried to rape her Rae killed him and he spent time in borstal . when he comes out .Marshall Vella takes Rae and the family under his protection but at a cost he is cruel his son Vincent hates him . Faith dreams of more and she finally gets what she wants at a cost . someone is murdering prostitutes and they work for Marshall .wont say no more but it is so so good i will be getting this author s other books very good writer so
July 12, 2021
I have become an absolute sucker for a good old gangland and this one didn't disappoint! Although this book is based on a series of murders there was SO many other plots / twists / turns. Just addictive!
Here's hoping for a second installment because I'm eager to delve further into the life of the Diamonds!
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review 📖
Here's hoping for a second installment because I'm eager to delve further into the life of the Diamonds!
Thank you to NetGalley and Orion Publishing Group for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review 📖
May 10, 2021
gripping read.
May 11, 2021
Phoar what a book.
Faith Diamond lives with her family in Acton London. It's the 1960's Her family consists of her mum Shirley, and her siblings Rae, Frankie and Faith. It's a tough life for them and they do their very best to survive.
When Rae is released from Borstal for murdering Bass, the family are taken under the wing of Marshall Vella, a local pimp, much to the disgust of his son Vincent.
Local prostitutes are turning up murdered, they work for Marshall so he is the first person of interest by the police.
This book is brilliant, with many twists and turns and at times makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. I really recommend this book and look forward to further books from this author.
Faith Diamond lives with her family in Acton London. It's the 1960's Her family consists of her mum Shirley, and her siblings Rae, Frankie and Faith. It's a tough life for them and they do their very best to survive.
When Rae is released from Borstal for murdering Bass, the family are taken under the wing of Marshall Vella, a local pimp, much to the disgust of his son Vincent.
Local prostitutes are turning up murdered, they work for Marshall so he is the first person of interest by the police.
This book is brilliant, with many twists and turns and at times makes the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. I really recommend this book and look forward to further books from this author.
April 8, 2021
Sunningdale Avenue Acton London, meet the Diamond family, Faith her mother Shirley and her brothers and Marshall Vella who used her mother's body for over a decade.
Cal Doyle comes a knocking but no one's in trouble, Liza Plum has been found dead on the banks of the river, she was one of Marshall's girl's a tom and this murder would be the first of many.
Detective Jimmy Rose was hard pushed to resist Faith Diamond, she was hot and good in bed, but it ends there for her one mistake to many.
This is one twisted book, it's full of them and makes your stomach churn over and over, and I enjoyed every single chapter of it
Cal Doyle comes a knocking but no one's in trouble, Liza Plum has been found dead on the banks of the river, she was one of Marshall's girl's a tom and this murder would be the first of many.
Detective Jimmy Rose was hard pushed to resist Faith Diamond, she was hot and good in bed, but it ends there for her one mistake to many.
This is one twisted book, it's full of them and makes your stomach churn over and over, and I enjoyed every single chapter of it
April 9, 2021
This for me was utterly brilliant!
The Diamond Family set in Acton West London, an area very close to where I live and I know so well which for me made it so more real.
After a string of brutal murders of prostitutes Jimmy is set to find the serial killer.
This certainly was Loaded with the most gripping story and just who can you trust in the Diamond family.
Loved this all the way throughout and left on a cliffhanger I hope there is a follow up and hope it's soon as I cannot wait to read more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Diamond Family set in Acton West London, an area very close to where I live and I know so well which for me made it so more real.
After a string of brutal murders of prostitutes Jimmy is set to find the serial killer.
This certainly was Loaded with the most gripping story and just who can you trust in the Diamond family.
Loved this all the way throughout and left on a cliffhanger I hope there is a follow up and hope it's soon as I cannot wait to read more.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
April 21, 2021
I liked the setting and the characterisation in this well written thriller. Set in London in the 60's it centres around Faith Diamond and her family, and a detective's hunt to find a killer. The plot was interesting, filled with twists and plenty tension. I loved the characters of Faith and Jimmy Rose, Rae not so much! It's a really good read and I would recommend it. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
May 28, 2021
A story told in the 60's on the hunt for the killer of numerous women found dead. Following the life of the Diamond and Vella's families and Detective Jimmy Rose. Loosely based on true events of that time. Overall great read, but I did struggle to get into it at times, told from more than one persons perspective which you work out as you read rather than where the chapter says you are.
I've not read any books by this author before, but definitely would again.
I've not read any books by this author before, but definitely would again.
June 22, 2021
Murder and mayhem
This book revolves around the Diamond family, mum Shirley, her 2 sons Rae and Frankie and her daughter Faith. Along side them are the murders of prostitutes in the city and a fair few bad men indeed. I enjoyed reading about them but I couldn't give it a higher rating. Sorry
This book revolves around the Diamond family, mum Shirley, her 2 sons Rae and Frankie and her daughter Faith. Along side them are the murders of prostitutes in the city and a fair few bad men indeed. I enjoyed reading about them but I couldn't give it a higher rating. Sorry
June 4, 2021
Amazing!!! Hope there is a follow up!!
June 19, 2021
Fast paced
Another suspenseful novel by niki mackay- would make a great TV drama- tough 60’s London with violence and street rules the only way to survive.
Another suspenseful novel by niki mackay- would make a great TV drama- tough 60’s London with violence and street rules the only way to survive.
January 25, 2022
Interesting and different
Read
September 7, 2025wow. what a great read. based on a true story
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews