What do you think?
Rate this book
Dangerous
WHATEVER THE COST, SHE WOULD PAY IT . . . Coronation year: 1953. Fifteen-year-old Clara Dolan's world is turned upside down following the shock death of her mother. Battling to keep what remains of her family together, Clara vows to keep her younger siblings, Bernadette and Harry, safe whatever the cost.
With the arrival of the swinging sixties, Clara finds herself swept up in London's dark underworld where the glamour of Soho's dazzling nightclubs sit in stark contrast to the terrifying gangland violence that threatens the new life she has worked so hard to build.
Sinking further into an existence defined by murder and betrayal, Clara soon realises that success often comes at a very high price . . .
With the arrival of the swinging sixties, Clara finds herself swept up in London's dark underworld where the glamour of Soho's dazzling nightclubs sit in stark contrast to the terrifying gangland violence that threatens the new life she has worked so hard to build.
Sinking further into an existence defined by murder and betrayal, Clara soon realises that success often comes at a very high price . . .
- GenresCrime
400 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 12, 2015
67 people are currently reading
351 people want to read
About the author
Jessie Keane
45 books388 followersNow what about me? I’ve done a lot of writing, but way back before I even dreamed I could be a professional writer I was just the youngest in a big family. My Dad was a surveyor with an edge of brilliance. My Mum was from gipsy roots and used to drive around in a goat-cart (yes, really!) when she was little. Once we were rich (although I didn’t know it then, and it was all thanks to my Dad’s ingenuity) and then suddenly – pretty shockingly, really – we were poor (thanks to greedy people who exploited his kindness). I have to tell you, rich is better. But the great thing about life is, even painful events pass, and if you make bad choices, hopefully you learn from them.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
February 11, 2015
How does Jessie Keane do it? When I discovered that Dangerous was a standalone I was a little apprehensive, the Annie Carter series is brilliant but perhaps complete and the same could be said for the Ruby Darke series, yet I would like to see that continued one day. That said, I wasn't that far into Dangerous when I became fully engrossed in the story and all apprehension vanished.
The opening to Dangerous reminded me a little of Kay Brellend's sagas set on Campbell Road, a notorious London slum with whole families packed into one room, sharing a stinking toilet with the residents having to almost sleep with one eye open to protect themselves. It is on a road like that where we meet fifteen-year-old Clara Dolan, who finds her world turned upside down when her mother dies because of complications during childbirth. Not wanting to be split up from her siblings, Clara must flee the house, desperately turning to somebody she hopes can help but who in turn brings about her introduction to London's underworld. We see Clara turn from a vulnerable young girl, into a woman as she is forced to make some difficult decisions in her attempts to keep her family together.
As much as I liked Clara, and rooted for her, she wasn't without her faults, but I did feel she acted in the best interests of her siblings; quiet, sensible Bernie and out of control Henry. She builds her life and future off the back of men, by using them for her own personal gain. As a genre famed for its strong, independent women, without the help (or idiocy) of men, Clara would never have made it out of the slums. As we know a little about where the story is headed from the Prologue (before going back in time), the shocks and twists don't really come into play until we reach that moment later on in the book. That said, the twists in this book are some of the best yet and there's one in Dangerous that I just didn't expect, it was brilliant but I feel I should have seen it coming.
As always we are introduced to a lot of characters, far too many to mention here and I wouldn't want to for fear of spoilers with describing who everybody is but in a book like this most people are out for what they can get, nearly all of the characters are untrustworthy, a little unsavoury and those moments where the bad guys get their comeuppance are some of the most enjoyable. As always our main character, in this case Clara, has people out for revenge because of her actions. One of the villains is, as always, ridiculously attractive, a bit of an enigma, rich and there's an instant attraction between Marcus Redmayne and Clara whereas the less attractive, poorer villain develops somewhat of an obsession with Clara, causing untold grief for all concerned. There's so much I want to say about the characters, but can't for fear of spoilers.
What I love most about these books, whether from Jessie or her contemporaries is being transported back in time to London in the 50s and 60s. Growing up I was fascinated with the likes of the Kray twins, and read and watched anything I could about that era and we are now spoilt for choice for books set around this time; Jessie, Kimberley Chambers and Jacqui Rose to name a few who are at the top of their game. Jessie in particular paints a truly realistic picture of that era, to the point where it really is like being there for yourself. She is somebody that knows what she's talking about, and isn't afraid to tell it like it is, which makes for an exciting read but at the same time a pretty bleak, yet completely believable one.
The last hundred pages in particular of this book were brilliant, I just couldn't and wouldn't stop reading until I finished the book and then I instantly regretted it because I always rush through Jessie's books, and then have a torturous wait for the next one. As I said at the start, I have no idea how Jessie does it. Writing books in the same genre, yet still managing to make each one fresh, original and different but at the same time retaining all those features that make this genre the massive success that it is. I can almost guarantee Jessie's fans will love this book, and have no hesitation in recommending it as a must buy. Not ending on a cliffhanger, I feel this book will remain as a standalone which is a shame as certain things felt a bit rushed, whereas in the past they would have been continued in a future book, so who knows what Jessie will bring us next? I cannot wait to find out.
The opening to Dangerous reminded me a little of Kay Brellend's sagas set on Campbell Road, a notorious London slum with whole families packed into one room, sharing a stinking toilet with the residents having to almost sleep with one eye open to protect themselves. It is on a road like that where we meet fifteen-year-old Clara Dolan, who finds her world turned upside down when her mother dies because of complications during childbirth. Not wanting to be split up from her siblings, Clara must flee the house, desperately turning to somebody she hopes can help but who in turn brings about her introduction to London's underworld. We see Clara turn from a vulnerable young girl, into a woman as she is forced to make some difficult decisions in her attempts to keep her family together.
As much as I liked Clara, and rooted for her, she wasn't without her faults, but I did feel she acted in the best interests of her siblings; quiet, sensible Bernie and out of control Henry. She builds her life and future off the back of men, by using them for her own personal gain. As a genre famed for its strong, independent women, without the help (or idiocy) of men, Clara would never have made it out of the slums. As we know a little about where the story is headed from the Prologue (before going back in time), the shocks and twists don't really come into play until we reach that moment later on in the book. That said, the twists in this book are some of the best yet and there's one in Dangerous that I just didn't expect, it was brilliant but I feel I should have seen it coming.
As always we are introduced to a lot of characters, far too many to mention here and I wouldn't want to for fear of spoilers with describing who everybody is but in a book like this most people are out for what they can get, nearly all of the characters are untrustworthy, a little unsavoury and those moments where the bad guys get their comeuppance are some of the most enjoyable. As always our main character, in this case Clara, has people out for revenge because of her actions. One of the villains is, as always, ridiculously attractive, a bit of an enigma, rich and there's an instant attraction between Marcus Redmayne and Clara whereas the less attractive, poorer villain develops somewhat of an obsession with Clara, causing untold grief for all concerned. There's so much I want to say about the characters, but can't for fear of spoilers.
What I love most about these books, whether from Jessie or her contemporaries is being transported back in time to London in the 50s and 60s. Growing up I was fascinated with the likes of the Kray twins, and read and watched anything I could about that era and we are now spoilt for choice for books set around this time; Jessie, Kimberley Chambers and Jacqui Rose to name a few who are at the top of their game. Jessie in particular paints a truly realistic picture of that era, to the point where it really is like being there for yourself. She is somebody that knows what she's talking about, and isn't afraid to tell it like it is, which makes for an exciting read but at the same time a pretty bleak, yet completely believable one.
The last hundred pages in particular of this book were brilliant, I just couldn't and wouldn't stop reading until I finished the book and then I instantly regretted it because I always rush through Jessie's books, and then have a torturous wait for the next one. As I said at the start, I have no idea how Jessie does it. Writing books in the same genre, yet still managing to make each one fresh, original and different but at the same time retaining all those features that make this genre the massive success that it is. I can almost guarantee Jessie's fans will love this book, and have no hesitation in recommending it as a must buy. Not ending on a cliffhanger, I feel this book will remain as a standalone which is a shame as certain things felt a bit rushed, whereas in the past they would have been continued in a future book, so who knows what Jessie will bring us next? I cannot wait to find out.
May 31, 2020
Poor Clara, the oldest sibling in her family of 3 was left destitute at only 15 years old when her mother died, soon after a harrowing childbirth, having herself been abandoned with 3 children by their heartless, selfish father.
Married young to a much elderly man (her previous rent collector - a seedy, disgusting man) she began to immediately set her boundaries n fight back against anyone who tried to steal her power or hurt her immediate fsmily.
Left a young widow, only 2 years later, she married again for money, not knowing her second husband, Toby, really did not love her or any other woman for that matter...
Despite a horrid honeymoon, marital experience, she stuck with husband number 2, Toby until he was murdered in an arson attack, on their wealthy home. Toby meant the world to her, her best friend, and so in a world of gangland culture, violence, murder n secrets, she vowed to keep his honour.
In 1960"s London Black Clara, married yet again n finally made her mark, fighting back right to the end, against thugs n gamblers n criminals, learning valuable lessons about loved ones n life as she battled onwards eventually...upwards!
Martina Cole-type read. Good for simple reading but not a masterpiece.
Married young to a much elderly man (her previous rent collector - a seedy, disgusting man) she began to immediately set her boundaries n fight back against anyone who tried to steal her power or hurt her immediate fsmily.
Left a young widow, only 2 years later, she married again for money, not knowing her second husband, Toby, really did not love her or any other woman for that matter...
Despite a horrid honeymoon, marital experience, she stuck with husband number 2, Toby until he was murdered in an arson attack, on their wealthy home. Toby meant the world to her, her best friend, and so in a world of gangland culture, violence, murder n secrets, she vowed to keep his honour.
In 1960"s London Black Clara, married yet again n finally made her mark, fighting back right to the end, against thugs n gamblers n criminals, learning valuable lessons about loved ones n life as she battled onwards eventually...upwards!
Martina Cole-type read. Good for simple reading but not a masterpiece.
September 1, 2021
Another great book by jessie keane. I thought this was really good and well worth a read
March 2, 2015
Dangerous – A Thrilling trawl of Soho
Never having read anything by Jessie Keane I approached Dangerous with some trepidation as the cover blurb says she is fans of the great Martina Cole, one hell of a reputation to live up too. Having read the book I now regret not finding her sooner, her writing is addictive reading Dangerous is like being grabbed by the throat and not being released until the end or the Epilogue in this books case. This book maybe set around the sleazy criminal underworld of Soho in the 50s and 60s but there is something special about this London Crime Thriller and you can feel the Soho of old a Soho that has almost dead today.
Clara Dolan is a fifteen year old who has seen too much for her short time on earth having to move from a golden world to the slums of London and her father has done a bunk left her mother pregnant. She is at her mother’s side when she dies in that slum flat with the world closing in on her and her little sister Bernie and brother Henry. She knows she would have to step up to the plate and take care of them all to keep them together and out of the care system. She swore she would do whatever it takes to protect her siblings and keep the family together, even if it does mean marrying Frank Hatton.
As she gets older she gets colder towards people and does not like the idea of ever being poor again, even when her sister decides to volunteer in the slums. As Frank dies and she moves on to her next husband she is clearly marrying for the money not the love, as Clara’s heart is closed to love all she wants to do is protect her family whatever the cost.
While you root for Clara she is not without faults and those faults will bring her face to face with danger throughout the book. She tries to protect Bernie as the vulnerable one and abandons Henry the violent one. She looks at the world in a very black and white way where there are no grey areas and as she makes her way in the seedy world of 60s Soho her enemies become stronger and will she be able to survive.
There are so many believable characters in this book that it would be easy to name check them but at the same time it would be giving away to much of the plot and the challenges they will put in the way of Clara. The one character that does help her marries her Marcus Redmayne and will this be a marriage made for money and clubs or will love actually make an appearance.
The closer you get to the end of the book the more the pace is picked up and the more twists and turns that appear and you just have to keep reading to find out how it all ends. Dangerous shows Jessie Keane to be at the top of her game and very comfortable writing about the London that seems so distant. Jessie Keane is a strong female writer who knows her subject well and it writes with a passion that just draws you in, that will leave you breathless and sorry that you finished the book. This is a brilliant story which at the same time is gritty and powerful and just grabs you and leaves you wanting more.
Never having read anything by Jessie Keane I approached Dangerous with some trepidation as the cover blurb says she is fans of the great Martina Cole, one hell of a reputation to live up too. Having read the book I now regret not finding her sooner, her writing is addictive reading Dangerous is like being grabbed by the throat and not being released until the end or the Epilogue in this books case. This book maybe set around the sleazy criminal underworld of Soho in the 50s and 60s but there is something special about this London Crime Thriller and you can feel the Soho of old a Soho that has almost dead today.
Clara Dolan is a fifteen year old who has seen too much for her short time on earth having to move from a golden world to the slums of London and her father has done a bunk left her mother pregnant. She is at her mother’s side when she dies in that slum flat with the world closing in on her and her little sister Bernie and brother Henry. She knows she would have to step up to the plate and take care of them all to keep them together and out of the care system. She swore she would do whatever it takes to protect her siblings and keep the family together, even if it does mean marrying Frank Hatton.
As she gets older she gets colder towards people and does not like the idea of ever being poor again, even when her sister decides to volunteer in the slums. As Frank dies and she moves on to her next husband she is clearly marrying for the money not the love, as Clara’s heart is closed to love all she wants to do is protect her family whatever the cost.
While you root for Clara she is not without faults and those faults will bring her face to face with danger throughout the book. She tries to protect Bernie as the vulnerable one and abandons Henry the violent one. She looks at the world in a very black and white way where there are no grey areas and as she makes her way in the seedy world of 60s Soho her enemies become stronger and will she be able to survive.
There are so many believable characters in this book that it would be easy to name check them but at the same time it would be giving away to much of the plot and the challenges they will put in the way of Clara. The one character that does help her marries her Marcus Redmayne and will this be a marriage made for money and clubs or will love actually make an appearance.
The closer you get to the end of the book the more the pace is picked up and the more twists and turns that appear and you just have to keep reading to find out how it all ends. Dangerous shows Jessie Keane to be at the top of her game and very comfortable writing about the London that seems so distant. Jessie Keane is a strong female writer who knows her subject well and it writes with a passion that just draws you in, that will leave you breathless and sorry that you finished the book. This is a brilliant story which at the same time is gritty and powerful and just grabs you and leaves you wanting more.
November 19, 2016
I've read a few from Jessie Keane - all follow the same 'martina cole' style. This was an okay read if a little frustrating at times due to the overload of villains being introduced. I did find it a bit tricky to keep up with who was relevant to who. It seemed to come together somewhat at the end and after a shaky couple of hundred pages, I started to enjoy this.
May 11, 2016
This was a very good book by Jessie Keane. I love the fact that she writes about strong woman taking on tough roles in a man's world. This was along the same lines and once again the author by managed to weave the story that was compelling and entertaining.
March 17, 2015
Great read! not one of a series but a standalone novel. Just as good as some of the series of books Jessie has written. Highly recommended
May 30, 2015
Loved this book!!! Another great novel from Jessie Keane
May 27, 2015
Fantastic book
Read
September 28, 2015A very apt title
Couldn't put this d own sad very violent but great reading
Twists and turns every character in the book.was brilliant
Couldn't put this d own sad very violent but great reading
Twists and turns every character in the book.was brilliant
October 22, 2015
What a brilliant book, I was hooked straight away.Another good one Jessie
November 9, 2015
A great read. J.K. never lets her readers down :-)
April 3, 2015
Thoroughly enjoy yet another of Jessie's book. Fab author
January 6, 2019
Oh my dayzzz where has my head been. I have just done a 2 book Jessie Kean binge and thinking I was up to date, double checked goodreads, to find I hadn't read this one, so off I popped to Amazon to find out I purchased this book on 28 February 2015.
Why on earth do I do it? So thinking my hat trick of Jessie Keane books could be completed by reading the new book The Edge: (Ruby Darke Book 3) I was wrong, I finished it by reading this one. So lucky me I still have another one to read, which should then take my little binge up to 4 Jessie Keane books in a row. The down side of reading such amazing books back to back is finding something to match the high standard of writing I'm getting used to.
This book was a standalone.
15 year old Clara Dolan is about to have her world blown apart when her mother dies, Clara has to take charge and take on the responsibility of her younger brother and sister.
Clara has to flee from her home before the authorities realise she is underage and to young to be looking after her siblings. In a very short space of time Clara has to grow up and grow up quickly. Thinking she is doing the right thing by her siblings Clara Has to find someone who can help and support them. This is exactly what she does. This is not without problems and as time goes by Clara is on a mission to get what she wants, Money to fund her and her siblings lives.
Packed with some brilliant and some not so brilliant characters this book takes Clara on a huge learning curve, some amazing twists and a fantastic story line this will have readers gripped from the start.
Well worth reading and I would highly recommend it.
Why on earth do I do it? So thinking my hat trick of Jessie Keane books could be completed by reading the new book The Edge: (Ruby Darke Book 3) I was wrong, I finished it by reading this one. So lucky me I still have another one to read, which should then take my little binge up to 4 Jessie Keane books in a row. The down side of reading such amazing books back to back is finding something to match the high standard of writing I'm getting used to.
This book was a standalone.
15 year old Clara Dolan is about to have her world blown apart when her mother dies, Clara has to take charge and take on the responsibility of her younger brother and sister.
Clara has to flee from her home before the authorities realise she is underage and to young to be looking after her siblings. In a very short space of time Clara has to grow up and grow up quickly. Thinking she is doing the right thing by her siblings Clara Has to find someone who can help and support them. This is exactly what she does. This is not without problems and as time goes by Clara is on a mission to get what she wants, Money to fund her and her siblings lives.
Packed with some brilliant and some not so brilliant characters this book takes Clara on a huge learning curve, some amazing twists and a fantastic story line this will have readers gripped from the start.
Well worth reading and I would highly recommend it.
September 20, 2018
I couldn't stop reading this book. I had to force myself to stop, or I wouldn't go to sleep.
Clara Dolan is a teenage girl with a younger sister, Bernie, and little brother Henry. Their father runs away and leaves the three children with his pregnant wife in penury after losing his business. Clara's mother dies in childbirth, along so Clara decides to look after her siblings in the only way she can.
An unhappy marriage to an older man ends with his death. Enter husband number two, a homosexual, who is Clara's friend and business partner. He also dies and Clara moves onwards and upwards to husband number three. Third time lucky, and after a lot of trouble, hard times, threats and killings, Clara's life, along with her siblings and third husband, alter, and not entirely for the better.
Jessie Keane is a fantastic author. I've only read two of her books so far, but I'm looking forward to reading more of them in the future.
Clara Dolan is a teenage girl with a younger sister, Bernie, and little brother Henry. Their father runs away and leaves the three children with his pregnant wife in penury after losing his business. Clara's mother dies in childbirth, along so Clara decides to look after her siblings in the only way she can.
An unhappy marriage to an older man ends with his death. Enter husband number two, a homosexual, who is Clara's friend and business partner. He also dies and Clara moves onwards and upwards to husband number three. Third time lucky, and after a lot of trouble, hard times, threats and killings, Clara's life, along with her siblings and third husband, alter, and not entirely for the better.
Jessie Keane is a fantastic author. I've only read two of her books so far, but I'm looking forward to reading more of them in the future.
May 16, 2023
Well it seems that Jessie Keane can do no wrong, this latest book of hers I have read included! 15 year old Clara is left alone in the world with her two siblings and finds herself way out her depth as a teenager. However, she is determined to make things right and ensure the safety of her brother Henry and her sister Bernie. The book is set in London in the 50's and 60's and Keane has the ability to physically transport your mind back to that time.
In all honesty I can't say I particularly liked Clara as a character but you can see her grit and determination and just kept on turning the pages to see how life pans out for all of them. The storyline is fast paced and there are. alot of things in store in Clara's life that you couldn't inamgine making the story all the more engaging. In a way I liked the slight departure from her usual character type and era and although this maybe wasn't my favourite book by this author it was certainly a very enjoyable read!
In all honesty I can't say I particularly liked Clara as a character but you can see her grit and determination and just kept on turning the pages to see how life pans out for all of them. The storyline is fast paced and there are. alot of things in store in Clara's life that you couldn't inamgine making the story all the more engaging. In a way I liked the slight departure from her usual character type and era and although this maybe wasn't my favourite book by this author it was certainly a very enjoyable read!
January 17, 2023
Life was hard for a lot of people in the late 50s, but for a young fifteen year old, Clara Dolan, her life was never going to be the same…her father ran out leaving her and her young brother and sister along with her heavily pregnant mother, leaving them destitute, then when her mother mother dies giving birth, Clara gathers her siblings up and runs away to prevent them being put into care.
In order to protect her family, Clara will do anything…if that means getting involved in SoHo’s nightclub scene and the dark belly of Londons underworld…well then so be it.
This was a great read so, if you enjoy tough women and hard men, drugs,sex and gangland stories, this would be right up your alley
In order to protect her family, Clara will do anything…if that means getting involved in SoHo’s nightclub scene and the dark belly of Londons underworld…well then so be it.
This was a great read so, if you enjoy tough women and hard men, drugs,sex and gangland stories, this would be right up your alley
March 19, 2022
I love Jessie keane books, and this one didn’t disappoint. It’s a great story, the characters are brilliant, and I’d definitely recommend it. If you’re a fan of martina Cole or Kimberly chambers, this is definitely for you!!
It’s at times sad, but gritty and fast paced. It gives you an insight into the poverty stricken times of the 60’s in London, and how it really is a fight for survival. Get yourself a copy now!!
It’s at times sad, but gritty and fast paced. It gives you an insight into the poverty stricken times of the 60’s in London, and how it really is a fight for survival. Get yourself a copy now!!
November 7, 2022
Brilliant story I love every minute of it. I just couldn't put it down. It was very exciting, thrilling and a wonderful storyline. I have had this book on my shelf for a while so when I found the audiobook I was very happy. I thought the narrator did an excellent job at creating such a fantastic sense of atmosphere and tension. This book has plenty of twists and turns that will keep you wondering.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating such an amazing story.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishers for creating such an amazing story.
June 25, 2017
I read this to see how Jessie Keane compares to Martina Cole. I'm going to stick with Martina. This was ok but I just didn't connect with any of the characters and didn't care what happened to any of them except Henry and Charlie the dog.
January 26, 2021
Brilliantly written
Loved the story line has no clue how it was going to work out for Clara , Clara did everything she could to help her family that all in saying , this book needs to be read great read Jessie Keane 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and 10 /10 💝 recommend as a must read
Loved the story line has no clue how it was going to work out for Clara , Clara did everything she could to help her family that all in saying , this book needs to be read great read Jessie Keane 5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 and 10 /10 💝 recommend as a must read
February 4, 2021
Brilliant. As usual
Really enjoyed this one, although Clara got on my tits a bit but that just means I was fully absorbed in the story and characters. Another cracking read by Jessie Keane. 5 stars
Really enjoyed this one, although Clara got on my tits a bit but that just means I was fully absorbed in the story and characters. Another cracking read by Jessie Keane. 5 stars
November 12, 2017
I COULD NOT PUT THIS BOOK DOWN
Twist at the end of every chapter
an amazing read
Twist at the end of every chapter
an amazing read
December 31, 2017
Absolutely stunning read (well, listen as I did the audiobook!)
Can't believe JK packed so much story, sex, intrigue and crime into a standalone - it was awesome.
Can't believe JK packed so much story, sex, intrigue and crime into a standalone - it was awesome.
June 5, 2018
Another cracking read from the wonderful Jessie Keane. Her books are always well plotted and a delight to read. This book certainly didn't disappoint!
January 1, 2019
First book by this author if u love Martina Cole you will love this fantastic
January 7, 2019
Gripping
Wanted to find an author to compete with the brilliant Martina Cole and here she is wish I had found Jessie Keane earlier can't wait for the next one great read
Wanted to find an author to compete with the brilliant Martina Cole and here she is wish I had found Jessie Keane earlier can't wait for the next one great read
September 26, 2019
Fast paced and better than the average.
December 21, 2019
Fantastic read
Jessie Keane never let's you down. A book to read in one sitting became e you any put it down!
Jessie Keane never let's you down. A book to read in one sitting became e you any put it down!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews