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Manchester #2
The Cover Up
Watch your back. Everyone else will be.
How far would you go to protect your empire?
Manchester’s criminal underworld is reeling from the loss of its leader, Paddy O’Brien. In the wake of her husband’s death, Sheila O’Brien takes charge of the city, and for once, she’s doing things her way.
But she hasn’t reckoned with the fearsome Nigel Bancroft, a threat from Birmingham who is determined to conquer Manchester next.
As a power tussle begins, Sheila is determined to keep control of the empire she has won – even if it means she has to die trying…
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 11, 2018
68 people are currently reading
92 people want to read
About the author
Marnie Riches
21 books137 followersMarnie Riches grew up on a rough estate in Manchester. She learned her way out of the ghetto, all the way to Cambridge University, where she gained a Masters degree in German & Dutch. She has been a punk, a trainee rock star, a pretend artist, a property developer and professional fundraiser. Previously a children's author, now, she writes gritty, fast-paced crime fiction.
Marnie Riches is the author of the award-winning, best-selling George McKenzie series, starting with "The Girl Who Wouldn't Die", published in the UK by Avon/HarperCollins and special editions by The Word Factor-e in the US. She is also the author of best-selling, critically acclaimed Manchester gangland thrillers, "Born Bad" and "The Cover-Up" as featured in CBS documentary, "Written in Blood".
In her spare time, Marnie likes to spin, travel, drink and eat all the things (especially if combined with travel) paint portraits, sniff expensive leather shoes and renovate old houses. She also adores flowers.
Marnie Riches is the author of the award-winning, best-selling George McKenzie series, starting with "The Girl Who Wouldn't Die", published in the UK by Avon/HarperCollins and special editions by The Word Factor-e in the US. She is also the author of best-selling, critically acclaimed Manchester gangland thrillers, "Born Bad" and "The Cover-Up" as featured in CBS documentary, "Written in Blood".
In her spare time, Marnie likes to spin, travel, drink and eat all the things (especially if combined with travel) paint portraits, sniff expensive leather shoes and renovate old houses. She also adores flowers.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
January 7, 2018
How far would you go to protect your empire? Manchester's criminal world is reeling from the loss of its leader, Paddy O'Brien. Sheila O'Brien takes charge of the city, and for once, she's doing things her way. But she hasn't reckoned with the fearsome Nigel Bancroft, a threat from Birmingham who is determined to conquer Manchester next. Sheila's determined to keep control of the empire she has won.
This is the sequel to Born Bad and I do recommend that you read it before reading The Cover Up. The first half of this book is a bit of a slow burner but the second half makes up for it. Though this book is quite dark it also h as some humour in it as well. The story is told by many points of view. A story about gang life in Manchester. Once I got into this story I could not put the book down.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books and the author Marnie Riches for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the sequel to Born Bad and I do recommend that you read it before reading The Cover Up. The first half of this book is a bit of a slow burner but the second half makes up for it. Though this book is quite dark it also h as some humour in it as well. The story is told by many points of view. A story about gang life in Manchester. Once I got into this story I could not put the book down.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Avon Books and the author Marnie Riches for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2018
The Cover Up – A Manc Noir Classic
The Cover Up is my introduction to Marnie Riches, and her slant on Manc Noir and I was not disappointed. Marnie from the north of God’s fair City, to me being south of it, has brought to the fore something we Mancs have always known and recognised a strong, unapologetic and sometimes hard woman. Shelia O’Brien is that woman, a woman in 40s that has had to overcome her abusive husband, rivals and GMP. Getting one over GMP being the easier as they usually cannot find their backsides with both hands.
Manchester’s underworld is still reeling from the death of Paddy O’Brien and the attack on his business. The only one person who has the balls of steel to step in, is his wife Sheila and she with her business partner Gloria Bell, step up and take charge.
The death of Paddy O’Brien is seen as a reason for other ‘firms’ to move in on his territory and a Brummie crime boss, Nigel Bancroft decides to move on the territory. As a fight for control begins to take place, other forces are also in play that neither had expected.
Sheila not only are her businesses under attack from an outsider, PC Plod in the form of detective constable Ellis James, and the Tax Man keep attacking them too. At times they get a little too close for comfort, and Sheila is sure there is a mole in her organisation, little does she know where the leak is really coming from.
There are some wonderful twists in this cracking thriller, and it is great to see a strong Mancunian woman strutting her stuff. Manchester provides the back drop to what is a fantastic read. I am glad I have found Marnie Riches who is a fantastic author, her characters are strong, and take no rubbish, just like they should be.
The Cover Up is fantastic thriller, that people will love, and now I want to read more of Marnie Riches who is a shining light in Manc Noir and long may that continue.
The Cover Up is my introduction to Marnie Riches, and her slant on Manc Noir and I was not disappointed. Marnie from the north of God’s fair City, to me being south of it, has brought to the fore something we Mancs have always known and recognised a strong, unapologetic and sometimes hard woman. Shelia O’Brien is that woman, a woman in 40s that has had to overcome her abusive husband, rivals and GMP. Getting one over GMP being the easier as they usually cannot find their backsides with both hands.
Manchester’s underworld is still reeling from the death of Paddy O’Brien and the attack on his business. The only one person who has the balls of steel to step in, is his wife Sheila and she with her business partner Gloria Bell, step up and take charge.
The death of Paddy O’Brien is seen as a reason for other ‘firms’ to move in on his territory and a Brummie crime boss, Nigel Bancroft decides to move on the territory. As a fight for control begins to take place, other forces are also in play that neither had expected.
Sheila not only are her businesses under attack from an outsider, PC Plod in the form of detective constable Ellis James, and the Tax Man keep attacking them too. At times they get a little too close for comfort, and Sheila is sure there is a mole in her organisation, little does she know where the leak is really coming from.
There are some wonderful twists in this cracking thriller, and it is great to see a strong Mancunian woman strutting her stuff. Manchester provides the back drop to what is a fantastic read. I am glad I have found Marnie Riches who is a fantastic author, her characters are strong, and take no rubbish, just like they should be.
The Cover Up is fantastic thriller, that people will love, and now I want to read more of Marnie Riches who is a shining light in Manc Noir and long may that continue.
January 14, 2018
Gritty, raw, violent, and at times utterly hilarious, THE COVER UP by Marnie Riches is a very enjoyable novel and my first from this author. While technically a follow-up to Born Bad, this story can be read as a standalone with no problems whatsoever.
Sheila O'Brien's husband is dead and it is her turn to shine and take control of her underworld interests, but that doesn't stop her from wanting to broaden her horizons in the form of blue collar crime. But there are those who want to see Sheila fall and with outsiders making their wants known, it isn't long before a war for power ensues.
With many colourful characters, there really is something for everyone in this rough and ready tale of power, gangs, and the murky underworld of Manchester city. Naturally, in a story like this, there is plenty of violence, secrets, and lies, but I didn't expect the humour which was a pleasant surprise. The story is told from different characters points of view and it is very well-paced, never getting too slow or drawn out. All in all, I very much enjoyed THE COVER UP by Marnie Riches and it will certainly not be the last book I read by this author.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
Sheila O'Brien's husband is dead and it is her turn to shine and take control of her underworld interests, but that doesn't stop her from wanting to broaden her horizons in the form of blue collar crime. But there are those who want to see Sheila fall and with outsiders making their wants known, it isn't long before a war for power ensues.
With many colourful characters, there really is something for everyone in this rough and ready tale of power, gangs, and the murky underworld of Manchester city. Naturally, in a story like this, there is plenty of violence, secrets, and lies, but I didn't expect the humour which was a pleasant surprise. The story is told from different characters points of view and it is very well-paced, never getting too slow or drawn out. All in all, I very much enjoyed THE COVER UP by Marnie Riches and it will certainly not be the last book I read by this author.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the Publisher
December 3, 2017
Second in the “Manchester” series after Born Bad and the violence increases along with the intrigue. Grit lit and then some. Manchester has the dirtiest underbelly I’ve seen for a while in a novel and this novel doesn’t hold back on its punches. There’s violence and anger but nothing is gratuitous. The author is born and bred in Manchester and is very proud of her heritage – the reality, the real heart of the city shines through and its Northern grit does too.
Marnie recently featured in a CBS series called ‘Written in Blood’ where she showed Simon Toyne around her city, including Strangways prison and the inner city streets. Good to watch before reading this as the passion, background and Marnie’s dedication to showcasing reality in all its forms is well and truly captured here.
Born Bad was good, The Cover Up ramps up everything you read in that book and more. A unique view of Manchester with an attitude and gripping tension to match.
Marnie recently featured in a CBS series called ‘Written in Blood’ where she showed Simon Toyne around her city, including Strangways prison and the inner city streets. Good to watch before reading this as the passion, background and Marnie’s dedication to showcasing reality in all its forms is well and truly captured here.
Born Bad was good, The Cover Up ramps up everything you read in that book and more. A unique view of Manchester with an attitude and gripping tension to match.
June 5, 2018
Not for me
I found this book unbelievable, and over the top but not in a good way. The plot, characters , and book in general so far fetched was very poor indeed. Very disappointed.
I found this book unbelievable, and over the top but not in a good way. The plot, characters , and book in general so far fetched was very poor indeed. Very disappointed.
January 12, 2018
This is the second book in the series which features the O’Briens and the Boddlingtons. The first book is called ‘Born Bad’. I enjoyed reading the first book, even if it did scare me slightly and so I had high hopes for this book. I was not to be disappointed. I flipping well loved reading ‘The Cover Up’ but more about that in a bit.
I must say that there were certain characters who scared me a lot, amused me a lot and also some that I could quite cheerfully smacked around the head with a wet flip flop or better still a bag with some heavy tins in. I liked the character of Sheila a lot. Over the years she has had to put up with a hell of a lot from her supposedly dead husband Paddy. She has had to put up with heavy domestic violence and sadly she miscarried some babies because her husband beat them out of her. Sheila has also had to put up with her husband’s underworld activities, although it must be said she isn’t exactly law abiding either as she has her own little underworld activity going on with Gloria. When Paddy is apparently killed, Sheila has a lot to learn about how Paddy’s empire functions and who does what. It must be said that she copes very well and absolutely scares the crap out of me with her behaviour. Sheila has also moved on in her love life as she is now seeing one of her ‘dead’ husband’s colleagues. She is one busy lady though as she also develops another love interest but I am not going to tell you who as that would give to much away. Although Sheila copes very well after her husband’s ‘death’, I think that she is out of her depth. Gloria was a character that I could have quite cheerfully have slapped. She quotes the bible to anybody who listens and yet she engages in behaviour that is certainly not biblical and is criminal. A hypocrite. I also don’t believe how easily she falls in love with the lovely ‘Bob’ as I was suspicious of him and his motives from the start. Paddy is another character who I could quite cheerfully have smacked around the head too and given him a taste of his own medicine after he goes around bashing women, raping women and terrorising children. As for Conky, well I wouldn’t want to meet him on a dark night. To say that he engages in brutal violence has to be the understatement of the century.
I thought that ‘Born Bad’ was good but boy oh boy ‘The Cover Up’ is even better. The writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn in. I was certainly hooked from the very first word on the very first page and I simply had to continue reading because I needed to know if Sheila survived, if Gloria succeeded in her role as enforcer and if Conky ever gave up the violence. I binge read ‘The Cover Up’ over a couple of days, which is unusual for me, and the book came everywhere with me. I even begrudged having to take our two Labradors for a walk, which went down like the proverbial lead balloon. ‘The Cover Up’ has an air of authenticity about it, which isn’t surprising given that the author hails from a council estate in Manchester similar to the estates we find in ‘The Cover Up’. There was certainly a lot of violence in the book, which made me wince but at the same time there was also some humour, which made me chuckle. There were also times when I almost had to read through my fingers or had to hold my breath as I feared what was going to happen next. I became totally wrapped up in the story and it almost seemed real to me. Reading ‘The Cover Up’ made me feel glad to be a law abiding citizen, who walks along in blissful ignorance of the underworld and everything that goes with it.
In short, I absolutely loved reading ‘The Cover Up’ and I can’t wait to read further books in the series. This series just gets better and better. I would recommend this book to others but because I am a bit OCD I would advise you to read ‘Born Bad’ before ‘The Cover Up’ so you know who is who and what is what. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I must say that there were certain characters who scared me a lot, amused me a lot and also some that I could quite cheerfully smacked around the head with a wet flip flop or better still a bag with some heavy tins in. I liked the character of Sheila a lot. Over the years she has had to put up with a hell of a lot from her supposedly dead husband Paddy. She has had to put up with heavy domestic violence and sadly she miscarried some babies because her husband beat them out of her. Sheila has also had to put up with her husband’s underworld activities, although it must be said she isn’t exactly law abiding either as she has her own little underworld activity going on with Gloria. When Paddy is apparently killed, Sheila has a lot to learn about how Paddy’s empire functions and who does what. It must be said that she copes very well and absolutely scares the crap out of me with her behaviour. Sheila has also moved on in her love life as she is now seeing one of her ‘dead’ husband’s colleagues. She is one busy lady though as she also develops another love interest but I am not going to tell you who as that would give to much away. Although Sheila copes very well after her husband’s ‘death’, I think that she is out of her depth. Gloria was a character that I could have quite cheerfully have slapped. She quotes the bible to anybody who listens and yet she engages in behaviour that is certainly not biblical and is criminal. A hypocrite. I also don’t believe how easily she falls in love with the lovely ‘Bob’ as I was suspicious of him and his motives from the start. Paddy is another character who I could quite cheerfully have smacked around the head too and given him a taste of his own medicine after he goes around bashing women, raping women and terrorising children. As for Conky, well I wouldn’t want to meet him on a dark night. To say that he engages in brutal violence has to be the understatement of the century.
I thought that ‘Born Bad’ was good but boy oh boy ‘The Cover Up’ is even better. The writing style is such that you can’t fail to be drawn in. I was certainly hooked from the very first word on the very first page and I simply had to continue reading because I needed to know if Sheila survived, if Gloria succeeded in her role as enforcer and if Conky ever gave up the violence. I binge read ‘The Cover Up’ over a couple of days, which is unusual for me, and the book came everywhere with me. I even begrudged having to take our two Labradors for a walk, which went down like the proverbial lead balloon. ‘The Cover Up’ has an air of authenticity about it, which isn’t surprising given that the author hails from a council estate in Manchester similar to the estates we find in ‘The Cover Up’. There was certainly a lot of violence in the book, which made me wince but at the same time there was also some humour, which made me chuckle. There were also times when I almost had to read through my fingers or had to hold my breath as I feared what was going to happen next. I became totally wrapped up in the story and it almost seemed real to me. Reading ‘The Cover Up’ made me feel glad to be a law abiding citizen, who walks along in blissful ignorance of the underworld and everything that goes with it.
In short, I absolutely loved reading ‘The Cover Up’ and I can’t wait to read further books in the series. This series just gets better and better. I would recommend this book to others but because I am a bit OCD I would advise you to read ‘Born Bad’ before ‘The Cover Up’ so you know who is who and what is what. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a well deserved 5* out of 5*.
January 16, 2018
Months after Paddy's death, Sheila is trying hard to keep on top of the O'Brien South Manchester gangland empire but it's not easy. With a Birmingham Crime Boss keen to move into the area, an secret informant dropping Sheila and Conky in it with Detective Ellis James, a mystery figure following their every move, and the war with the Boddlingtons still simmering in the background she's done well to keep things going without issue. Until now. And wouldn't it be dull if things were just plain sailing? Just as well Marnie Riches has a wonderfully colourful imagination and more than a few tricks up her sleeve as this book is anything but dull.
Oh it was so much fun being back in Manchester with this lot. I really love the characters that have developed in the two books of this series. From Sheila, a wife beaten but not broken, Conky, once her husbands trusted right hand man and now all that and more to Sheila, and even Gloria, Sheila's 'legitimate' partner in the cleaning business, they are such a wonderfully funny and yet strong group that its very hard not to love them. When Sheila pulls Gloria into the less legitimate side of the O'Brien empire it is with hilarious results. Can you imagine Gloria demanding protection money armed with a shotgun and a shopping trolley? Well imagine no longer. This leads to one of the funniest comparisons in the whole book and it probably shouldn't work and yet it just does.
As always, this is a gangland novel so it is not without its darker side. There is violence, although none of it gratuitous or over the top. In fact some of the scenes are quite funny, the darker moments more quickly dealt with and in much less detail. And there are moments of intrigue and tension, when Boddlington boss Tariq's father, Youssuf, is first nearly abducted and then goes missing. I have to admit I developed quite a soft spot for old Youssuf. He didn't stand for his son's nonsense, bitterly disappointed by his career path and determined to find his own kind of justice, if only for his missing pharmacist. That man has quite the determination.
There is so much going on in this book that the pages literally fly by. And it's not only the action that you do see, the things which we know about, it is the unknown threat which keeps you on the hook as much as the obvious onset of the Brummie invasion. You certainly know that Sheila has her hands full and scenes towards the end of the book will make your eyebrows raise, in both surprise and intrigue as I know I am desperate to know now hat happens next. Sheila takes some very unusual steps to protect her kingdom and is left in a very difficult position to say the least. So much so that it is time to draft in the next generation of strong O'Brien women. I'm not sure Manchester is going to know what has hit it.
I will admit, I was left a little bottom lip pouty sad by events towards the end of the book, conflicted between my feelings towards one character and the impact of their actions upon another. Sad times but probably ones which set us up for one heck of a ride when this crew returns in book three.
Action and laughs are guaranteed from first page to last as Sheila and Gloria kick girl power up a notch. How far the boys will let themselves be kicked ... well that remains to be seen. I cannot wait.
Oh it was so much fun being back in Manchester with this lot. I really love the characters that have developed in the two books of this series. From Sheila, a wife beaten but not broken, Conky, once her husbands trusted right hand man and now all that and more to Sheila, and even Gloria, Sheila's 'legitimate' partner in the cleaning business, they are such a wonderfully funny and yet strong group that its very hard not to love them. When Sheila pulls Gloria into the less legitimate side of the O'Brien empire it is with hilarious results. Can you imagine Gloria demanding protection money armed with a shotgun and a shopping trolley? Well imagine no longer. This leads to one of the funniest comparisons in the whole book and it probably shouldn't work and yet it just does.
As always, this is a gangland novel so it is not without its darker side. There is violence, although none of it gratuitous or over the top. In fact some of the scenes are quite funny, the darker moments more quickly dealt with and in much less detail. And there are moments of intrigue and tension, when Boddlington boss Tariq's father, Youssuf, is first nearly abducted and then goes missing. I have to admit I developed quite a soft spot for old Youssuf. He didn't stand for his son's nonsense, bitterly disappointed by his career path and determined to find his own kind of justice, if only for his missing pharmacist. That man has quite the determination.
There is so much going on in this book that the pages literally fly by. And it's not only the action that you do see, the things which we know about, it is the unknown threat which keeps you on the hook as much as the obvious onset of the Brummie invasion. You certainly know that Sheila has her hands full and scenes towards the end of the book will make your eyebrows raise, in both surprise and intrigue as I know I am desperate to know now hat happens next. Sheila takes some very unusual steps to protect her kingdom and is left in a very difficult position to say the least. So much so that it is time to draft in the next generation of strong O'Brien women. I'm not sure Manchester is going to know what has hit it.
I will admit, I was left a little bottom lip pouty sad by events towards the end of the book, conflicted between my feelings towards one character and the impact of their actions upon another. Sad times but probably ones which set us up for one heck of a ride when this crew returns in book three.
Action and laughs are guaranteed from first page to last as Sheila and Gloria kick girl power up a notch. How far the boys will let themselves be kicked ... well that remains to be seen. I cannot wait.
January 18, 2018
Marnie Riches takes us back to Manchester as we revisit Sheila O’Brien. Following events in Born Bad Sheila now heads up the criminal empire built up by her late husband. However, keeping control of the drug supply, the prostitutes and the protection money is going to prove challenging – particularly when Birmingham crime lord Nigel Bancroft is looking to expand his territory into Manchester.
The housekeeping…The Cover Up is the second book in the Manchester series – reading the first book (Born Bad) would certainly help introduce the characters and explain their background but it is not essential. I have a total goldfish-memory and I struggle to remember character names and relationships across all the books I read; but Marnie Riches deftly interweaves the backstory you need into the narrative of The Cover Up to ensure new readers will enjoy the latest events.
And what a treat lies ahead! Sheila faces constant challenges to her authority and she will need to show that she has the mettle to take her late-husband’s place. She relies heavily upon his former right-hand-man, Conky, who has also replaced his former boss in Sheila’s bed. While juggling attempts to establish a legitimate business empire and keep her criminal activities ticking over we see Sheila trying to bring friends closer to ensure she can trust those in her closest circle. What I had not been expecting was where some of her new alliances may be formed.
The Cover Up has many strong personalities all pushing for dominance and all seeking to eliminate their competition. There are are traps and dangers, subterfuge is rife and nobody can be trusted. It makes for enthralling reading and the story zips along at a cracking pace.
If you enjoy a dark thriller and like strong characters who will do whatever it takes to survive and protect those closest to them then The Cover Up is perfect reading. I loved this book and flew through it in quick time, once I started reading I did not want to stop. More of these please Marnie!
The housekeeping…The Cover Up is the second book in the Manchester series – reading the first book (Born Bad) would certainly help introduce the characters and explain their background but it is not essential. I have a total goldfish-memory and I struggle to remember character names and relationships across all the books I read; but Marnie Riches deftly interweaves the backstory you need into the narrative of The Cover Up to ensure new readers will enjoy the latest events.
And what a treat lies ahead! Sheila faces constant challenges to her authority and she will need to show that she has the mettle to take her late-husband’s place. She relies heavily upon his former right-hand-man, Conky, who has also replaced his former boss in Sheila’s bed. While juggling attempts to establish a legitimate business empire and keep her criminal activities ticking over we see Sheila trying to bring friends closer to ensure she can trust those in her closest circle. What I had not been expecting was where some of her new alliances may be formed.
The Cover Up has many strong personalities all pushing for dominance and all seeking to eliminate their competition. There are are traps and dangers, subterfuge is rife and nobody can be trusted. It makes for enthralling reading and the story zips along at a cracking pace.
If you enjoy a dark thriller and like strong characters who will do whatever it takes to survive and protect those closest to them then The Cover Up is perfect reading. I loved this book and flew through it in quick time, once I started reading I did not want to stop. More of these please Marnie!
December 15, 2017
A dark setting, but funny too.
It’s a follow-on from Born Bad, and I think you’d need to read that first to fully understand who everyone is.
A story told from many points of view.
From the North and South side gangs of Manchester, and their families and employees.
From the glitzy to the downright grubby.
This time we have a bit of Birmingham thrown into the mix, as Nigel Bancroft wants to take a slice of Manchester’s south-side.
Despite the violence I loved it, and the way they all interacted. There were some lovely parts, and some frankly disturbing parts!!
The characters had a really good depth and I got to know everyone.
I visualised the whole book really well. I felt I was there with them which wasn’t always a good thing.
There were many places I recognised. And that ride on The Wild Mouse at Blackpool Pleasure Beach had my heart racing, as I know how fast it feels when you’re on it!
The writing is excellent, well-paced and kept me hooked.
Conky McFadden is still the best name ever!
Thanks to the publishers Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s a follow-on from Born Bad, and I think you’d need to read that first to fully understand who everyone is.
A story told from many points of view.
From the North and South side gangs of Manchester, and their families and employees.
From the glitzy to the downright grubby.
This time we have a bit of Birmingham thrown into the mix, as Nigel Bancroft wants to take a slice of Manchester’s south-side.
Despite the violence I loved it, and the way they all interacted. There were some lovely parts, and some frankly disturbing parts!!
The characters had a really good depth and I got to know everyone.
I visualised the whole book really well. I felt I was there with them which wasn’t always a good thing.
There were many places I recognised. And that ride on The Wild Mouse at Blackpool Pleasure Beach had my heart racing, as I know how fast it feels when you’re on it!
The writing is excellent, well-paced and kept me hooked.
Conky McFadden is still the best name ever!
Thanks to the publishers Avon Books UK, and NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
December 11, 2017
This is the first book I have read by Marnie Riches but it became obvious quite quickly that this was a follow up novel – in fact the second in the Manchester series. In this Sheila O’Brien assumes the position as the head of the Manchester criminal fraternity following the death of her husband Paddy O’Brien. Clearly though, this cannot go unchallenged and Sheila is forced to deal with a threat from a rival Birmingham gang headed by Nigel Bancroft who wants to take over her territory. Obviously violence will ensue and some will die.
Reminiscent of Martina Cole.
Although I did enjoy some of the characters and took great pleasure from some of the comic aspects, I found it quite hard going to get into the book; all the characters just didn’t stay fixed in my mind, and I didn’t really care what happened to them. About half-way through the book this changed somewhat and I began to appreciate the book more. It was a well-thought out plot but it never reached the point where I was concerned about what might happen.
Sorry Ms Riches, but it didn’t do it for me.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
Reminiscent of Martina Cole.
Although I did enjoy some of the characters and took great pleasure from some of the comic aspects, I found it quite hard going to get into the book; all the characters just didn’t stay fixed in my mind, and I didn’t really care what happened to them. About half-way through the book this changed somewhat and I began to appreciate the book more. It was a well-thought out plot but it never reached the point where I was concerned about what might happen.
Sorry Ms Riches, but it didn’t do it for me.
Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for providing an ARC via my Kindle in return for an honest review.
February 24, 2018
This much awaited follow up to Born Bad was certainly no disappointment. This is a violent and gritty gangland novel.
With Paddy O’Brien now dead, his wife Sheila O’Brien is now Queen of the Manchester underworld and proves to be as ruthless as Paddy was.
Some great twists and a bunch of really bad, although interesting characters that I love to hate. Gloria, Sheila’s right-hand lady, a bible punching gangster and very colourful character does make me laugh out loud at times.
The Cover Up is a great read although I do recommend reading book one, Born Bad first. I hope I am correct in thinking there has to be a follow-up to tie things up and I really look forward to it.
With Paddy O’Brien now dead, his wife Sheila O’Brien is now Queen of the Manchester underworld and proves to be as ruthless as Paddy was.
Some great twists and a bunch of really bad, although interesting characters that I love to hate. Gloria, Sheila’s right-hand lady, a bible punching gangster and very colourful character does make me laugh out loud at times.
The Cover Up is a great read although I do recommend reading book one, Born Bad first. I hope I am correct in thinking there has to be a follow-up to tie things up and I really look forward to it.
March 22, 2018
Sheila is now “in charge” of Manchester after the death of her gangland husband but then along comes an upstart from Birmingham who has other ideas. We meet and laugh with some of the colourful characters from Born Bad. Although I read and enjoyed that book, this one didn’t grab me in the same way and I didn’t really care who got control. It’s gritty and comical and you definitely see the seamy underbelly of Manchester, but I wasn’t feverishly rushing through the pages this time. I loved the style of writing and am a sucker for down to earth novels in this genre! I was given this ARC by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
November 24, 2017
The Cover Up is the second book in the "Manchester" series and is absolutely brilliant .I have read Born Bad the first book in the series and this book continues the story of Manchester Gangland .The characters are beautifully written and very realistic and although at times the story is violent it had its lighter moments .I found the story very gripping and thoroughly enjoyed it .I can't wait to read the next book in the series .If I could give this book 10 stars I would .Loved it !
January 27, 2018
Another excellent read by a brilliant author. I thoroughly enjoyed the first in this series and didn't know what to expect from this book. I loved it. I picked it up at every opportunity. Gloria is coming into her own as a character and Sheila gets better and better. I really hope there's more of this series coming
March 20, 2018
Good read.
Tamer than a Martina Cole.
Interesting dynamics intermingling between race, family & adaptive religious beliefs.
The self image they want the world to see & how they are actually perceived is entertaining. Especially Gloria with continuous biblical quotes & misquotes.
Tamer than a Martina Cole.
Interesting dynamics intermingling between race, family & adaptive religious beliefs.
The self image they want the world to see & how they are actually perceived is entertaining. Especially Gloria with continuous biblical quotes & misquotes.
June 9, 2018
This a story about gangland crime in Manchester. The gang leader dies and his wife takes over. The story is about the results and implications of this. I struggled a bit with this and found it difficult to relate to the characters and get into the story. This was a follow up to a previous book and I was missing a lot of the history.
January 25, 2018
I received a free copy via Netgalley in exchange for a honest review.
I found the characters very bland and the story line struggled to hold me.
Maybe if I had read the previous book then it would have been better.
I found the characters very bland and the story line struggled to hold me.
Maybe if I had read the previous book then it would have been better.
March 20, 2018
Dreadful, not a patch on her other books
Boring, terrible “”plot” and not a single character I could’ve cared less about. Only persevered to the end as her other books had been so good. I’ll not be back for the next one.
Boring, terrible “”plot” and not a single character I could’ve cared less about. Only persevered to the end as her other books had been so good. I’ll not be back for the next one.
February 4, 2018
Fab 2nd Book
I read the first book in this Manchester series a while back and so I was glad to discover this follow up story. I hope there is a third book to this series.
I read the first book in this Manchester series a while back and so I was glad to discover this follow up story. I hope there is a third book to this series.
July 7, 2018
Brilliant
A good read can't wait for the follow up. Makes a change for a woman to be pulling the strings.
A good read can't wait for the follow up. Makes a change for a woman to be pulling the strings.
September 24, 2019
Great thriller
Really enjoyed this,could not wait to finish it. First time I have read o e of her novels very impressed
Really enjoyed this,could not wait to finish it. First time I have read o e of her novels very impressed
December 3, 2019
Another brilliant read.
I always enjoy a book that little bit more when I know the area where the story takes place.
This one really got my interest and held it.
Full review to follow.
I always enjoy a book that little bit more when I know the area where the story takes place.
This one really got my interest and held it.
Full review to follow.
August 31, 2020
The beginning of this book just didn’t grip me at all. I found it hard going until about half way through then it got better, then good and it ended poorly. Not the best read for me
July 16, 2021
Disappointed with the ending
September 24, 2021
A dark fairy tale of underworld goings on.
July 2, 2023
By the time it got going , I was over way through....then it ended with more still left to know !
August 31, 2024
Gripping, dark & draws the reader in very quickly to want to know more about the Mancunian underworld. A very interesting read.
February 5, 2018
I really enjoyed this book, even though I haven't read the first book there was enough history given in this novel so I knew what had happened.
The novel had a feel of Martina Cole, which was great for me as I am a massive fan of hers. I would definately recommend this book in future and am going to be reading more from Marnie Riches.
The novel had a feel of Martina Cole, which was great for me as I am a massive fan of hers. I would definately recommend this book in future and am going to be reading more from Marnie Riches.
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