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Ellie Reckless #6
Take the King
"I built my empire from nothing, Reckless. Now watch me tear yours down, piece by piece."
Ellie Reckless has carved out her place as London's criminal arbitrator, keeping the peace between warring factions through favours and brutal negotiation. But when a vicious Liverpool crime family launches systematic attacks on legitimate businesses, what starts as a straightforward case explodes into something far deadlier.
Someone with intimate knowledge of London's underworld is feeding intelligence to the attackers - someone who knows exactly which businesses to hit, which people to target, and how to watch Ellie's carefully maintained peace burn to the ground.
As bodies start dropping and the investigation spirals out of control, Ellie discovers she's not just fighting external enemies. Two ghosts from London's bloodiest past have crawled out of Moses Delcourt and Danny Martin, both with scores to settle and their own twisted agendas. Whether they're connected to the attacks or simply feeding off the chaos, their return threatens to ignite a war that will consume everything.
With her team under siege from personal demons and old enemies circling like wolves, Ellie faces her most dangerous challenge yet. Can she outfight forces that have had years to plan their revenge...
or will London's streets run red with the blood of a conflict she can't control?
Ellie Reckless has carved out her place as London's criminal arbitrator, keeping the peace between warring factions through favours and brutal negotiation. But when a vicious Liverpool crime family launches systematic attacks on legitimate businesses, what starts as a straightforward case explodes into something far deadlier.
Someone with intimate knowledge of London's underworld is feeding intelligence to the attackers - someone who knows exactly which businesses to hit, which people to target, and how to watch Ellie's carefully maintained peace burn to the ground.
As bodies start dropping and the investigation spirals out of control, Ellie discovers she's not just fighting external enemies. Two ghosts from London's bloodiest past have crawled out of Moses Delcourt and Danny Martin, both with scores to settle and their own twisted agendas. Whether they're connected to the attacks or simply feeding off the chaos, their return threatens to ignite a war that will consume everything.
With her team under siege from personal demons and old enemies circling like wolves, Ellie faces her most dangerous challenge yet. Can she outfight forces that have had years to plan their revenge...
or will London's streets run red with the blood of a conflict she can't control?
404 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 7, 2025
348 people are currently reading
15 people want to read
About the author
Jack Gatland
59 books235 followersJack Gatland is the pen name of #1 New York Times Bestselling Writer Tony Lee, who has been writing in all medias for over thirty years including comics, graphic novels, middle grade books, audio drama, TV and film for DC, Marvel, BBC, ITV, Random House, Penguin USA, Hachette and a ton of other publishers and broadcasters on licenses such as Doctor Who, Spider Man, X-Men, Star Trek, Battlestar Galactica, Doctors, Wallace and Gromit and Shrek. As Tony, he’s toured the country talking to reluctant readers with his ‘Change The Channel’ school tours.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
He’s currently a member of the Writer’s Guild of Great Britain, the Society of Authors, The Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers and the Crime Writer’s Association.
As Jack, he’s writing a new series of Crime Thrillers starring Detective Inspector Declan Walsh, recently seconded to the City of London Police department known as the Last Chance Saloon.
The first twelve of these, LETTER FROM THE DEAD, MURDER OF ANGELS, HUNTER HUNTED, WHISPER FOR THE REAPER, TO HUNT A MAGPIE, A RITUAL FOR THE DYING, KILLING THE MUSIC, A DINNER TO DIE FOR, BEHIND THE WIRE, HEAVY IS THE CROWN, STALKING THE RIPPER and A QUIVER OF SORROWS are available now, with book thirteen, MURDER BY MISTLETOE released in December 2022 – with further adventures continuing throughout 2023.
In addition to that, the first book in a new series of Adventure Mysteries starring Robin-Hood style con-man forger-turned treasure hunter Damian Lucas, THE LIONHEART CURSE was released in January 2022, and he has both a new series of crime procedurals, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring ‘Cop for Criminals’ Ellie Reckless including PAINT THE DEAD and STEAL THE GOLD, and a new spy series, spinning out of the DI Walsh series and featuring burned MI5 agent Tom Marlowe including SLEEPING SOLDIERS and TARGET LOCKED.
He can be found at www.tonylee.co.uk and www.jackgatland.com.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 30, 2025
Brilliant.
I came across Ellie Reckless completely by accident and have binged all 6 books in just under a week.
It’s gangland noir with a difference and what a difference it is. She knows everyone and everyone who’s anyone owes Ellie.
Each and every time someone tries to take her down learns the hard way and gets smacked on the nose by using favours.
Honestly if you’re looking for something new to read give this series a chance. I’m sure like myself you’ll be hooked.
Absolutely banging! Well done Jack Gatland!
I came across Ellie Reckless completely by accident and have binged all 6 books in just under a week.
It’s gangland noir with a difference and what a difference it is. She knows everyone and everyone who’s anyone owes Ellie.
Each and every time someone tries to take her down learns the hard way and gets smacked on the nose by using favours.
Honestly if you’re looking for something new to read give this series a chance. I’m sure like myself you’ll be hooked.
Absolutely banging! Well done Jack Gatland!
August 14, 2025
Take the King by Jack Gatland is book 6 in the Ellie Reckless series. Crime gangs and individuals are being approached by intermediaries to work for McCann Holdings, to become an employee. The approach soon turns into intimidation and coercion. They are playing by different rules, but who is being played. Then some of Ellie’s team are approached. What is going on? This is a great series, a little different, and this is a fabulous addition. I love the characters. Some of Ellie’s team have dubious pasts so they all bring something different to the team. The storyline gets quite intricate at times and certainly kept me on my toes.
September 27, 2025
This is my favorite Ellie Reckless novel so far. Ellie and her team navigate the latest London gangster power struggle when a lawyer appears to be taking over after freeing several of the younger gangsters from prison. Not only is his group taking on the gangster status quo, but they are also taking aim at Ellie and her team. The plot is intricate, the characters are well done, and Jackie makes an appearance. Very well done.
November 4, 2025
Reckless and her gang navigate a large cast of characters in a complex plot where you cannot be sure about alliances and motivations. Even characters find that what they thought was happening is not the truth.
If you like complex plots and characters, this is a recommendation. Although you do not HAVE to have read previous books, it will help you to understand the backstories that motivate the characters.
If you like complex plots and characters, this is a recommendation. Although you do not HAVE to have read previous books, it will help you to understand the backstories that motivate the characters.
December 19, 2025
Lately, I have been quite jaded with many of my reading choices. I thought may be I read too much of mystery, detective genre this past few years but when I read Take the King, well I knew I wasn't that jaded, yet. What I like about Ellis Reckless is the cast and their chemistry but most of all...the scheme they pull, so entertaining especially in this one. Can't wait to see what Ellis and team will solve next.
November 30, 2025
strong story line
I’ve read mist of the Declan Walsh and Ellie Reckless novels. Good story lines that move along. However, I’ve wondered sometimes if there was some AI help. If not, Gatland should replace his editor to catch errors like prevail where he means avail or effluent where it should be affluent.
I’ve read mist of the Declan Walsh and Ellie Reckless novels. Good story lines that move along. However, I’ve wondered sometimes if there was some AI help. If not, Gatland should replace his editor to catch errors like prevail where he means avail or effluent where it should be affluent.
December 15, 2025
Tricky plot
You need to concentrate when reading this book. It's devious in its plot and content, and leads you in all directions in order to arrive at the finale. Very believable characters who could easily exist in everyday life. Love it or hate it but don't put it down till the end.
You need to concentrate when reading this book. It's devious in its plot and content, and leads you in all directions in order to arrive at the finale. Very believable characters who could easily exist in everyday life. Love it or hate it but don't put it down till the end.
September 10, 2025
Interesting story line but too many players and sub plots,initially cracks along at a good pace then gets a bit sluggish with complex individual agendas.
Lost the plot at the convoluted end.
Lost the plot at the convoluted end.
September 15, 2025
Great Read!
Not necessarily realistic but a great book. I have enjoyed all the Ellie Reckless books. They are fun to read and I really like the characters.
Not necessarily realistic but a great book. I have enjoyed all the Ellie Reckless books. They are fun to read and I really like the characters.
September 19, 2025
Complicated. So many characters and backgrounds that it becomes too fantastical. I usually enjoy Ellie Reckless, but this one was a bit too much with all the twists of reasons and duplicity.
November 15, 2025
brilliant book
Brilliant read well worth reading
On to the next book
Brilliant writer and will recommend to my friends and family
Brilliant read well worth reading
On to the next book
Brilliant writer and will recommend to my friends and family
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews