Rise and Fall: A gritty gangland crime thriller from bestselling author Dreda Say Mitchell (Rise and Fall Book 1)

by Dreda Say Mitchell

Two Gangland Families. One War. No Mercy.

1982: The East End Docklands
The abandoned docks are being reborn, suddenly a goldmine for the underworld and the rich.
Connie Clarke stepped over her husband's grave and straight onto his gangland throne. Del Clarke was one of the most feared gangsters in the East End and the old-school gangland family dynasty he built is now hers to defend. She'll die before she lets anyone take it. But a new enemy has moved onto her turf.

Ezekiel ‘Easy’ Murray has been quietly building an organised crime empire the old guard dismissed as just music and illegal parties. Their mistake. When regeneration turns the docks into the most valuable dirt in England, Easy wants his slice and Connie Clarke is standing in his way.

But the war isn't only on the streets. Inside both families, love and betrayal are already tearing each other apart.
In this ruthless gangland underworld, the higher you climb, the harder you fall, and the hand that pushes could be enemy. Or family.
Book 1 in the explosive and gritty British Gangland Crime Series, Rise and Fall.

Rise and Fall Series
Rise and Book 1
Saints and Book 2
Lies and Book 3

538 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 2026

About the author

Her Majesty, The Queen appointed Dreda an MBE in her 2020 New Year’s Honours’ List. Dreda scooped the CWA’s John Creasey Dagger in 2004, the first time a Black British author has received this honour. Dreda and Ryan write across the crime and mystery genre – psychological thrillers, gritty gangland crime and fast-paced action books Spare Room, their first psychological thriller was a #1 UK and US Amazon Bestseller. Dreda is one of twelve acclaimed and bestselling international female writers contributing to a new Miss Marple anthology. Dreda is a passionate campaigner and speaker on social issues and the arts. She has been a frequent guest on television and radio including BBC Breakfast,, Celebrity Pointless and Celebrity Eggheads, The Stephen Nolan Show, Front Row and Woman’s Hour. She has presented Radio 4’s flagship books programme, Open Book. Dreda was named one of Britain’s 50 Remarkable Women by Lady Geek in association with Nokia. She was the 2011 chair of the Theakston Harrogate Crime Fiction Festival. Dreda was born and raised in the East End of London where she continues to live. Dreda’s family are from the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada and her name is pronounced with a long ‘ee’ sound in the middle.

Reviews

[Mark]

Woahhhhhhhh this book is the best!

I cant put into a review just how good this book is, EVERYTHING you want/need in a Gangland Family Drama set in the East End is here

It felt real and alive and the word/writing was a joy, the descriptive sentences were spot on and every bit of it conjured up a scene in my mind, one of those ‘playing out in your mind as you read it’ books

Loved the characters, Jean the prim but really evil Mum in law was a favourite but even the nastiest of characters were the best love to hate figures read in a long time

Connie, the main character of course was also a favourite, what a woman and not to be messed with for sure!

The DJ and his musings were fab and the songs he played too!

There were harrowing bits, one part every man will quiver over for sure…. ( although more than deserved )

Reading is made for this book, reaffirmed my love of it in general and the genre itself

Superb in every single way

[clare sirrell]

OMG if you only read one book this year ......

THIS IS IT!!!!

Cracking book with an excellent story throughout. It just flows

And the twist ,.... its an ace one waiting for you to read

Get to know Connie and Easy .......

Cant wait for the next instalment

[Kim]

What a fantastic start to a new series! I love all of Dreda's books; she has definitely earned her place among the other Queens of Crime. 🫅

Get ready to dive into the conflict between two main families: 🥊the Clarkes and the Murrays. Both families know how to wield their power and can cause significant damage to people and property. 🏥🤒🤕

Set in the East End of London, which I love as a backdrop for stories, a war is about to erupt. It’s gritty, intense, and brutal—exactly what you want in a crime story. The characters are vividly described, making them easy to imagine, and there's a nice nod to Brother ❤️ Bertie from previous stories.

For me a fantastic start to this series. Can’t wait for dreda to wave her magic writing wand.
And we’ve got two more to come. 🥂🍾

[Andrew Bond]

Blinding read !

What can I say ? certainly not a slow burner.Rise and fall has you gripped from the get go. Brilliant characters and a cracking storyline, but is everyone who they seem from the start ? Absolutely not ! A real page turner that has it all. Roll on book two is all I can say, and thank you Dreda for an unforgettable read.

[Christine Ann]

Once again dreda say Mitchell has not disappointed I love this book as I’m an eastender but you don’t have to be to enjoy if you like martina Cole you will love this I also love the fact main character has my aunts name and my favourite Bob Marley song is mentioned I can’t say much more without spoilers and it’s too good for a spoiler looking forward to 6 November when book 2 is out

[william douglas]

Outstanding

Brilliant !!!
Lots of plot fists and just when you think you know what's going to happen !!!
Really enjoyed reading this book ,
FAmily's and enemies!!!!

[lorna fairney]

Brilliant

Wow just wow absolutely loved this book, great story, the struggles of gangland lifestyle , joey what have you done, highly recommend this book.

[Ruth Ellis]

Absolutly loved this book

[Miriam]

Another enjoyable read from an author who has become one of my go to writers and this like the others kept my attention from the first chapter so I am now looking forward to the next two.