No Regret: the brand new novel from the legendary author

by Martina Cole

Pre-order the pulse-pounding new novel from queen of crime Martina Cole.

'The stuff of legend' Mirror

'The queen of crime' Woman & Home

'One of the best fiction authors around . . . spectacular' Closer

Readers love the one and only Martina
'Martina Cole is back and back with an unapologetic bang' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Well worth the wait!' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

'Phenomenal' ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

Due to health reasons, Martina Cole has chosen to continue her collaboration with writer Jacqui Rose for her latest novel.

Genres: Crime

416 pages, Hardcover

Published October 7, 2025

About the author

Martina 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.

Reviews

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

And I too have none 😃no regrets spending the day reading this book by one of my fav authors and with Jacqui Rose, am not sure who writes which bits but as the previous books they have worked on together I loved it

Fast, furious and full of emotion this story finds us in Maggies life as she goes to the Silver Jubilee in London, the first time she has stepped foot back in the capital she had to leave 14 years ago

We then find out why she had to leave and all about Maggies life…..and what a life she had had

Its as always a uncompromising, vivid, family based drama/adventure, gangland plus and also as always it feels real, raw and flinchingly honest

Am a fan, I could read MC every day and it is always a highlight of my reading year to spend the day with her new book

[The Book Review Café · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do love a gangland thriller, the more gritty the better. One of my favourite ‘go to’ author Martina Cole returns with No Regret, a powerful and uncompromising story set in the seedy underbelly of 1960s Soho. From the first page, Martina Cole’s trademark grit comes through in every page, raw and uncompromising.

The novel follows Maggie Riley, a young woman determined to survive the harsh world she’s been born into. Life has dealt her a rough hand, but Maggie’s resilience and courage make her a character you root for from the start. When she crosses paths with gangland boss Rory Sheehan, her life takes a dangerous turn. Caught between survival and desire, loyalty and revenge, Maggie finds herself navigating a world where trust is a luxury and every choice has consequences.

Maggie is a strong, believable heroine, and the setting feels authentically grim and atmospheric. The story grips from the start and doesn’t shy away from harsh realities of the crime world. That said, some side characters lack depth, and long time readers may find the plot treads familiar ground.

No Regret is exactly what I expected from Martina Cole, a fast-paced plot, unapologetically gritty, and full of tension.Fans of her previous work will feel right at home, while newcomers will find this an intense introduction to her world.

[Elsbookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading Martina Cole’s books since the early 2000s. I believe the first book I read was Maura’s Game and I was hooked!! I immediately went and read the books before that and then eagerly waited for each new one to be released.

Now, they are a highlight of my October. Always on pre-order. They remind me of my mum as she loved Martina too and some of the books you can see in the back of the picture were handed down to me.

This year’s release is No Regret and I absolutely do not regret reading this!
It contains everything I have come to expect from Martina…grit, violence, bad language, hard men and strong female characters.
The storyline gripped me from the first page and the heavy subject matters made me want to hug Maggie Riley so hard!
Heartbreaking in places and left me in tears.

Totally binge worthy!!

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

No Regret is the latest thriller from the new writing partnership of Martina Cole and Jacqui Rose, published in October 2025. This is an addictive read of a strong woman in the face of abusive men and the attitudes of the 1960s.

Maggie Riley has no future she is 16 and works a long side her mother in a laundry while running to give money to her father so he can go drinking. Her father uses Maggie and her mother as a punch bag and regularly abuses both.

The only person she has ever been close too is Thomas who happens to be black, which in the 1960s would be hard enough, but to have a white, Irish, girlfriend would have meant his death. Thomas gets beaten up in front of Maggie for being black, and this will bring him into the orbit of Rory Sheehan.

The local villain, Rory Sheehan, has decided no matter what, he is going to make Maggie Riley his wife and his property. He does not really care what anyone, including, Maggie thinks or say. Maggie tries to resist at first but then finds out she is pregnant. An old sage tells her that Rory might be her best bet for her pregnant child.

When Rose is born, Maggie realises that she is going to have to do a runner because when Rory sees her, he will kill her. Maggie goes out on the lamb, but Rory hunts her down and batters her black and blue. Maggie swears revenge and she knows what she must do, but does she have the strength to do it. Especially when Rory is using Rose to taunt Maggie.

This is an addictive read from the Queen of Crime, and a reminder of that where women are concerned, we have not really moved forward since the 60s or 70s.

[Khurshid Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always look forward to reading books by Martina Cole. All her books are based around gangland crime and I think it is nice that she does refer to real life gangsters such as The Krays.

If you love having a strong female character in books then you will enjoy reading this authors books.

There are themes of sexual abuse, domestic violence, race and drug addiction.

In the beginning Maggie’s life had been full of hardship and abuse. Her only light had been Thomas until he is snatched away from her.

But

Her life changes when she meets Rory. Her instincts tell her one thing and she ignores it until it is too late.

Rory is obsessed with her
Rory will kill for her
Rory will not let her go

Soon

Maggie is seen with bruises. She has a plan but will it work out in her favour?

Read and find out.

Highly recommend.

[Paul J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don’t see the point of the prologue - all it achieves is letting you know the central character survives, eliminating a possible thread of suspense.

And it’s unclear if the “revelation” at the halfway point is intended as a twist, given that it was entirely predictable from very early on.

But it’s well written and keeps a reasonable level of intensity up to the last few saccharine pages.

Maybe 2.5 stars really.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martina and Jacqui's past two books were as fantastic as Martina's earlier work. I did not enjoy this one and the writing was very choppy and repetitive in parts.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I do enjoy a good gangland crime.

[c a boustead · Rating 3 out of 5]

no regret

Slow going.
Doesn’t feel like I’m reading martina Cole !
It’s not her style of writing, I struggled to finish the book.

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

As good as usual

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

My two favorite gangland crime writers nail it again!
Pulse ponding, rip roaring, bad boy east end October fall vibes! Guns, sex, violence and strong women this book has it all!
Brilliant!

[Emma Brooks]

Fantastic book couldn't put it down

[sonja Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant book from Martina Cole and Jacqui Rose. I couldn't put it down.

[Lindsey Lawson]

Martina Cole back to her best! One of her better books which I thoroughly enjoyed. Fans of her earlier books will love this!

[Jane Stachini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always brilliant books by MC

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant read as always.

[sue pensom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Read in 2 nights hope there is going to be a sequel for Maggie Thomas and Rose.Thank you Martina for another page turning novel x

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't like reading about stupid people. especially stupid people who abuse women and commit crime. I regretted picking it up.