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Faceless
Eleven years ago Marie Carter was convicted of killing her two best friends. And she's paid the price. Now she is being released from prison. It's time to go home. But life has moved on, and Marie has nowhere to go. Her parents have disowned her, her friends have abandoned her, even her kids don't want to know. But some people out there are watching her, following her every move - they know that Marie Carter wants retribution.
592 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2001
305 people are currently reading
1512 people want to read
About the author
Martina Cole
112 books1,729 followersMartina 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews
March 11, 2023
“...eventually you regretted the things you hadn’t done as much as the things you had.”
― Martina Cole, Faceless.
.
A possibly wrongly convicted murderess is released from prison after serving time - struggles to find who she is... and how to get vengeance. After awhile all the Cole books read similar, although I gotta say even for Cole standards this book is deep in the seedy underworld and is at times pretty dark. It is, unfortunately a bit too long and sags somewhat at times, but that shouldn't take away from it being a Cole rip-roaring adventure amongst the underworld and underclass rarely featured in any media! 6 out of 12, Three Stars.
2006 Read
― Martina Cole, Faceless.
.
A possibly wrongly convicted murderess is released from prison after serving time - struggles to find who she is... and how to get vengeance. After awhile all the Cole books read similar, although I gotta say even for Cole standards this book is deep in the seedy underworld and is at times pretty dark. It is, unfortunately a bit too long and sags somewhat at times, but that shouldn't take away from it being a Cole rip-roaring adventure amongst the underworld and underclass rarely featured in any media! 6 out of 12, Three Stars.
2006 Read
May 5, 2013
With all our passion and love for this author both my Croatian colleague and me pushed this author on Croatian and Serbian author, but for whatever reason without adequate results... Goo crime fiction author, you read her books in one go... Great TV adaptations upon her novels... but flop on Balkans, big fiction name in UK... But I still believe she can catch readers on Balkans one day...
March 18, 2016
Not sure how to rate this one. It was enjoyable enough but way too long. Seemed to drag in the middle for me and then the ending was all just peachy and boxed up like a pretty package.
Pat CONNOR
What a bad egg he was, the slimy bastard. Jeez. What a wanker.
He had to have a fucking Irish connection, didn't he?
Christ, it was fairly depressing what addiction can do to folks.
I didn't actually like any of the characters in the book. I didn't really connect with them. Maybe my expectations were too high. I was told that this author and Kimberley Chambers are of the same ilk, but, honestly, Chambers is by far the mater story-teller. I love the humour in her books. There wasn't a light-hearted moment in this book at all.
A good enough read ... but something was lacking. And I had sort of guessed the "twist"!
Actually, the more I think about it, this book depressed the fuck out of me.
Eleven years ago Marie Carter was convicted of killing her two best friends. And she’s paid the price. Now she is being released from prison. It’s time to go home. But life has moved on, and Marie has nowhere to go. Her parents have disowned her; her friends have abandoned her; even her kids don’t want to know. But some people out there are watching her, following her every move – they know that Marie Carter wants retribution.
Pat CONNOR
What a bad egg he was, the slimy bastard. Jeez. What a wanker.
Patrick Connor was a black. Black, handsome and rich. He was a body builder with enormous biceps, a wide grin and , strangest of all, deep blue eyes. His Irish grandfather's namesake.
He had to have a fucking Irish connection, didn't he?
Heroin was her friend, her only consolations. She didn't want people, she didn't need people,all she had needed was the skag.
Christ, it was fairly depressing what addiction can do to folks.
I didn't actually like any of the characters in the book. I didn't really connect with them. Maybe my expectations were too high. I was told that this author and Kimberley Chambers are of the same ilk, but, honestly, Chambers is by far the mater story-teller. I love the humour in her books. There wasn't a light-hearted moment in this book at all.
I am condemned to be free.
If only she had known then what she knew now, how different it would all have been. Yes, hindsight was a marvellous thing. But she had been warned, over and over, and had ignored the advice she had been given.
A good enough read ... but something was lacking. And I had sort of guessed the "twist"!
Actually, the more I think about it, this book depressed the fuck out of me.
January 16, 2023
Marie Carter is released from prison after doing a 12 stretch for killing two of her prostitute friends. Marie is on the straight and narrow and wants to make a life for herself and hopes that her two kids are doing well. ‘She hoped they were happy, living good lives surrounded by nice people. It was important to her that her children were leading happy, fulfilled lives. Clean lives where they could look others in the face and know they were good people.’ This is a Martina Cole book. What are the chances of that? A big fat zero. Marie has no idea where her children are. Let’s just say that clean lives are certainly not being led.
Revenge is the order of the day and poor Marie is one of the intended targets including from her own mother. Her father has his own revenge in mind. Revenge on those that took revenge on Marie. My word. Will others take revenge on Marie’s father for taking revenge on those that had taken revenge on Marie? Marie wants revenge on the father of her daughter. Where does it end? I guarantee some blood will be spilled. It wasn’t until 12 years later that Martina Cole brought out a book called…’Revenge’.
Blood does get spilled. A lot of blood. This was a solid Martina Cole book. Not her best but a great addition to her oeuvre.
Revenge is the order of the day and poor Marie is one of the intended targets including from her own mother. Her father has his own revenge in mind. Revenge on those that took revenge on Marie. My word. Will others take revenge on Marie’s father for taking revenge on those that had taken revenge on Marie? Marie wants revenge on the father of her daughter. Where does it end? I guarantee some blood will be spilled. It wasn’t until 12 years later that Martina Cole brought out a book called…’Revenge’.
Blood does get spilled. A lot of blood. This was a solid Martina Cole book. Not her best but a great addition to her oeuvre.
September 27, 2018
Your always going to get a well written interesting character drama with a Martina Cole book.
There’s always a sense of authenticity with her books, this is no exception - it’s a good solid gritty thriller.
There’s always a sense of authenticity with her books, this is no exception - it’s a good solid gritty thriller.
February 26, 2017
Audible audiobook -
OMG I think this has been my favorite of her books so far.
Gritty, real and made me cry as I listened to that ending.
LOL More British than a English bulldog! Brilliant!
OMG I think this has been my favorite of her books so far.
Gritty, real and made me cry as I listened to that ending.
LOL More British than a English bulldog! Brilliant!
August 30, 2020
Can I give this more stars?
Faceless is only the second Martina Cole book I've read, but I was hooked from the start, almost like some of her characters that became crack addicts (only reading is nowhere as destructive as drugs).
Marie Carter is out on license, after thirteen years behind bars for killing two friends.
Marie tentatively starts on a new life, with little or no support from her family. She gets a low paid job, a room in a halfway house and tries to get acquainted with her two children.
Events catch up with Marie, her family and associates. They conspire to almost send Marie back to prison, as she is only out on license.
However, there are a few surprises up Martina Cole's sleeve. Marie is given certain information by her sister and her life changes almost at once.
Faceless is a book well worth reading. I was sorry when I had finished it.
Faceless is only the second Martina Cole book I've read, but I was hooked from the start, almost like some of her characters that became crack addicts (only reading is nowhere as destructive as drugs).
Marie Carter is out on license, after thirteen years behind bars for killing two friends.
Marie tentatively starts on a new life, with little or no support from her family. She gets a low paid job, a room in a halfway house and tries to get acquainted with her two children.
Events catch up with Marie, her family and associates. They conspire to almost send Marie back to prison, as she is only out on license.
However, there are a few surprises up Martina Cole's sleeve. Marie is given certain information by her sister and her life changes almost at once.
Faceless is a book well worth reading. I was sorry when I had finished it.
February 23, 2022
I think I may have had this a long time, there’s a voucher inside the cover saying you can get £2 off the latest book at Woolworths. Anyway I picked this up because it fitted a reading theme. I knew want to expect, underground London and violence. And this is no exception. In fact it felt very familiar so I’m not sure if I’ve read it before, or if it’s just that it is typical Martina Cole. There are a lot of characters and I think think the fact there is a mum and daughter called Louise and Lucy juggled with my mind a little, I kept forgetting which was which. It gets quite repetitive which meant it could of been a shorter read that said I did get through it pretty quickly. There is an attempt at a bit of a twist, but I guessed that quite early on.
September 23, 2019
I read this years ago- at least a couple of times- and it used to be one of my favourite books. The picture it paints of the seedy London Underground was so real and gritty. I’m not sure how it holds up all these years later but it definitely left it’s mark on me when it first came out.
June 14, 2023
Another entertaining story from Cole, and narrator Annie was as great as always.
July 11, 2020
This is a fast moving engrossing story, which I really enjoyed. I read it again in tecent days after originally reading it in 2003. It is the second of Martina Cole’s books that I have read. This is a deeply depressing book, but it is still utterly readable. Think a Ken Loach type tale as to the characters’ debased way of living, which is situated in England.
Marie Carter is out on parole, after serving thirteen years in prison for supposedly killing two friends. She starts a new life on the outside, having been disowned by most of her family. She manages to get a badly paid menial job. She lives in a dank room in a halfway house. She attempts to rebuild her relationship with her children.
Prostitution, pimps, drugs, and the inevitable trap they can create for women from a low socio economic background feature heavily in this book. Faceless, the title, emanates from a prostitute interviewed by the author who revealed that prostitutes see their clients as faceless; men she wouldn’t recognise again if she saw them a short time later.
This tale, albeit being fiction, strikes me as a very realistic story. The malevolent ghosts of Marie’s past close in on her and try to have her breach her parole so that she will then be sent back to prison to serve the remainder of her sentence.
Marie’s sister comes to the rescue and helps her by feeding her invaluable information. The story moves quickly to a positive and satisfactory conclusion after that.
I recommend this entertaining and fast paced read.
The author is a Whiteside Girl. To the Whitesde Girls, especially Katie, a kind and lovely woman I remember from my childhood, who passed far too early. I’m sure she would have been so proud of Martina’s success as an author.
Marie Carter is out on parole, after serving thirteen years in prison for supposedly killing two friends. She starts a new life on the outside, having been disowned by most of her family. She manages to get a badly paid menial job. She lives in a dank room in a halfway house. She attempts to rebuild her relationship with her children.
Prostitution, pimps, drugs, and the inevitable trap they can create for women from a low socio economic background feature heavily in this book. Faceless, the title, emanates from a prostitute interviewed by the author who revealed that prostitutes see their clients as faceless; men she wouldn’t recognise again if she saw them a short time later.
This tale, albeit being fiction, strikes me as a very realistic story. The malevolent ghosts of Marie’s past close in on her and try to have her breach her parole so that she will then be sent back to prison to serve the remainder of her sentence.
Marie’s sister comes to the rescue and helps her by feeding her invaluable information. The story moves quickly to a positive and satisfactory conclusion after that.
I recommend this entertaining and fast paced read.
The author is a Whiteside Girl. To the Whitesde Girls, especially Katie, a kind and lovely woman I remember from my childhood, who passed far too early. I’m sure she would have been so proud of Martina’s success as an author.
April 23, 2021
Quite a realistic reading... Martina has a tendancy to touch on violence with her choice of words but never really ventures into a descriptive version of events, she tends
to leave it to the readers imagination which in some repects renders the book rather bland. I have noticed this in a number of her books which is ok if you want light reading in a crime book
to leave it to the readers imagination which in some repects renders the book rather bland. I have noticed this in a number of her books which is ok if you want light reading in a crime book
November 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this book . Love her style of writing , I felt like I knew the characters could really visualise them in my mind. Unexpected twist at the end . A lot of characters to get my head round especially Mickey and Mikey !
January 28, 2022
Struggled at first very similar to the Kate burrows series but what a twist didn’t see that coming
April 4, 2022
Gripping.. full on! Amazing!
June 16, 2024
Depressingreads
July 17, 2025
Hooked until the end. A lot of violence and a lot of characters so some confusion as lots of intertwining stories. Now want to read more Martina Cole books!
August 17, 2020
Latest read.
Read a few #martinacole books years ago and enjoyed them. However not sure if my tastes have changed or it’s was just this book but found it to be all very same old story. Found it a bit repetitive in parts, and couldn’t wait to get it finished, the book ended well but not one I’d find myself telling people to read.
Read a few #martinacole books years ago and enjoyed them. However not sure if my tastes have changed or it’s was just this book but found it to be all very same old story. Found it a bit repetitive in parts, and couldn’t wait to get it finished, the book ended well but not one I’d find myself telling people to read.
June 30, 2021
Really good book, fast paced. Although it jumped to different characters and their stories within each chapter, it was easy to follow and the characters and stories were well written. It described a part of life that you know goes on but yet don't know much about (nor want too). Will read another of her books.
December 22, 2019
So, I'm on holiday and in one of those moods where I can't seem to spot a book that I fancy reading, so I don't buy one. When it's too late and we are away from any bookshops, I have to trawl my way through the many books that my wife has around her.....and this one looks readable.
No, I didn't love it at first, to the point of not being able to put it down. In fact I started to find it depressing. Then I realised that it wasn't the style of writing that I found depressing, nor was it the story. What was depressing was the way the characters in the novel lived. It was depressing but fascinating to view from the outside - and that is what made the book impossible to put down.
I suppose my opinion was, before reading this book, that prostitution existed, so did pimps and drugs, and that it was a lifestyle somewhere else - almost on another planet. Reading this novel has taught me how the women get where they are, find it impossible to get out of the situation and how easily they can fall into the 'drugs as a means of control' trap.
There is a story line to the book. Woman comes out of prison after committing a double murder that she cannot remember (drugs again) but to be honest, I think, for me, the story was secondary to the insight into this lifestyle. I wonder if my wife has any other good books about.....?
Martina obviously enjoys her research and tells the story of a prostitute that she had interviewed who regarded her clients as faceless - hence the title. The prostitute swore that if the same client came back to her after ten minutes, she wouldn't recognise him.
http://www.StephensonHolt.com
No, I didn't love it at first, to the point of not being able to put it down. In fact I started to find it depressing. Then I realised that it wasn't the style of writing that I found depressing, nor was it the story. What was depressing was the way the characters in the novel lived. It was depressing but fascinating to view from the outside - and that is what made the book impossible to put down.
I suppose my opinion was, before reading this book, that prostitution existed, so did pimps and drugs, and that it was a lifestyle somewhere else - almost on another planet. Reading this novel has taught me how the women get where they are, find it impossible to get out of the situation and how easily they can fall into the 'drugs as a means of control' trap.
There is a story line to the book. Woman comes out of prison after committing a double murder that she cannot remember (drugs again) but to be honest, I think, for me, the story was secondary to the insight into this lifestyle. I wonder if my wife has any other good books about.....?
Martina obviously enjoys her research and tells the story of a prostitute that she had interviewed who regarded her clients as faceless - hence the title. The prostitute swore that if the same client came back to her after ten minutes, she wouldn't recognise him.
http://www.StephensonHolt.com
June 5, 2012
WOW! I read this for two reasons, 1, it was highly recommended 2, I happened to find it on my bookshelp, it was like it was meant to be. Litterally could not put it down. All the cliches apply to this book, fast page turner, gripping, emotional, could NOT put it down!!! I have been told that this is one of MC's best books, I've only read one other so I cant really judge but oh my gosh, if ever there is one MC book you have to read PLEASE make it this one.
Marie has just been released from prison. She has served 12 years for the murder of two prostitutes/friends. The story follows Marie trying to re-gather her family but a lot has happened since she was gone. Her mother has disowned her, her baby has grown up and had a baby with Patrick the father of Marie's son. Patrick also happens to be the up and coming pimp for the neighbourhood and is slowly winning the drug scene along with making all the girls "his" girls.
Every page is an eye turner right until the big twist at the end. Marie has seen a lot and done a lot is her short life but with each page you grow more and more passionate for her to "WIN".
A MUST READ!!!!
Marie has just been released from prison. She has served 12 years for the murder of two prostitutes/friends. The story follows Marie trying to re-gather her family but a lot has happened since she was gone. Her mother has disowned her, her baby has grown up and had a baby with Patrick the father of Marie's son. Patrick also happens to be the up and coming pimp for the neighbourhood and is slowly winning the drug scene along with making all the girls "his" girls.
Every page is an eye turner right until the big twist at the end. Marie has seen a lot and done a lot is her short life but with each page you grow more and more passionate for her to "WIN".
A MUST READ!!!!
January 15, 2022
This one wasn’t for me, although I’ve read others by the author and enjoyed them. Every woman in this book hated other women, was jealous of their daughters while loving their sons to a disturbing degree and was completely beholden to the man or men in her life. We’re repeatedly reminded that the main character Marie was so beautiful that it drove men mad, and really, all the bad things that happened to her were ultimately her own fault for being so beautiful. Just a very toxic representation of women. The plot wasn’t interesting enough to make me forget the problematic elements either, it really dragged and I’d guessed who was really responsible just a few chapters in.
November 17, 2008
Eleven years ago Marie Carter was convicted of killing her two best friends. And she's paid the price. Now she is being released from prison. It's time to go home. But time has stood still for Marie, and she has nowhere to go. Her parents have disowned her; her friends have abandoned her; even her kids don't want to know. But some people out there do care - particularly when they know that Marie Carter is out for revenge...
The Story gives you an insight into how drugs can affect you,your family and others around you.
The Story gives you an insight into how drugs can affect you,your family and others around you.
January 30, 2009
Wow, not typically the type of book I read, but Martina Cole writes a real page turner on a topics with which I'm not very familar. What an eye opener into a different type of culture, morals and lifestyle. Well developed characters, a plot line with twists and turns to keep you guessing. A very good read.
December 29, 2013
Pretty good story, though a tad long- could have had some extra editing.
I did find at the end of it I didn't really like any of the characters, but I could feel empathy for them.
This book reads to me like you can see a movie or TV series being made.,
I did find at the end of it I didn't really like any of the characters, but I could feel empathy for them.
This book reads to me like you can see a movie or TV series being made.,
June 22, 2024
Even though I’ve re- read Faceless 4 times since it first come out
I still enjoyed this book
In between reading other books
I am going to re read Martina Cole’s other ones until her new book comes out
I still enjoyed this book
In between reading other books
I am going to re read Martina Cole’s other ones until her new book comes out
May 20, 2008
my first martina novel to read it was realy grippin stuff
June 24, 2009
Gruesome but great as always!
January 30, 2022
This book kept me guessing throughout, who was going to be the killer and what kind of revenge was the main character going to take. Although some may say the ending was disappointing, from the revenge aspect of things, I must admit that it was one I was not expecting and I was happy to be able to see. The author, clearly knew what they were doing and is very good at keeping you at the edge of your seat throughout the whole book.
Although I do not normally read thriller books, this one stood out to me because it wasn't sugarcoating things and it was not particularly bloody as well, although things were mentioned it was inside the readers head that they had to put the words into an actual imagine and for that I do not know what it worse, especially since sometimes your head can give you worse ideas then anything that can be put on paper and this author plays with that idea beautifully.
However, it is a book that I would not recommend to younger viewers especially considering that the scenes can be very graphic in some aspects and younger viewers may find distressing. It is a book that I would however recommend for anyone especially those who are treading the fine line between good and evil in society.
Carole was mortified that her hard-earned blood money was now lost to her. She knew she was gong to robbed, raped and possibly murdered. And it rankled all the more because finally she had got herself a little stake and now it meant nothing.
Although I do not normally read thriller books, this one stood out to me because it wasn't sugarcoating things and it was not particularly bloody as well, although things were mentioned it was inside the readers head that they had to put the words into an actual imagine and for that I do not know what it worse, especially since sometimes your head can give you worse ideas then anything that can be put on paper and this author plays with that idea beautifully.
However, it is a book that I would not recommend to younger viewers especially considering that the scenes can be very graphic in some aspects and younger viewers may find distressing. It is a book that I would however recommend for anyone especially those who are treading the fine line between good and evil in society.
Carole was mortified that her hard-earned blood money was now lost to her. She knew she was gong to robbed, raped and possibly murdered. And it rankled all the more because finally she had got herself a little stake and now it meant nothing.
July 24, 2025
Martina Cole delivers another gritty, hard-hitting crime drama in Faceless. 🔥📚
- The book dives into some pretty dark territory 🌑, but rather than being off-putting, the bleakness adds depth and atmosphere to the story.
- It’s definitely on the longer side 📖, and the pacing dips in places—you might find yourself waiting for the momentum to kick back in ⏳.
- The cast is full of truly awful characters 😈, yet you’ll find yourself completely invested in them. Marie, the main character, is someone you’ll genuinely root for 💪❤️.
- Addiction is a central theme 💊, explored with raw honesty. Tiffany’s storyline, in particular, is heart breaking 💔 and one of the most compelling parts of the book.
- True to Cole’s style, it’s packed with drama, crime, and tension 🔪🎭—an entertaining read for fans of the genre.
- Some of the language might ruffle feathers 😬, especially for more sensitive readers 🧊. But keep in mind, this was written in the early 2000s, when people weren’t quite so easily offended 🙄.
- There’s a huge cast of characters 👥, and it can get a bit confusing at times trying to keep track of everyone 🤯.
Overall, Faceless is a gritty, emotional rollercoaster 🎢 with plenty of twists and tough themes. Not perfect, but definitely worth the read if you’re into Martina Cole’s signature style. ✅
- The book dives into some pretty dark territory 🌑, but rather than being off-putting, the bleakness adds depth and atmosphere to the story.
- It’s definitely on the longer side 📖, and the pacing dips in places—you might find yourself waiting for the momentum to kick back in ⏳.
- The cast is full of truly awful characters 😈, yet you’ll find yourself completely invested in them. Marie, the main character, is someone you’ll genuinely root for 💪❤️.
- Addiction is a central theme 💊, explored with raw honesty. Tiffany’s storyline, in particular, is heart breaking 💔 and one of the most compelling parts of the book.
- True to Cole’s style, it’s packed with drama, crime, and tension 🔪🎭—an entertaining read for fans of the genre.
- Some of the language might ruffle feathers 😬, especially for more sensitive readers 🧊. But keep in mind, this was written in the early 2000s, when people weren’t quite so easily offended 🙄.
- There’s a huge cast of characters 👥, and it can get a bit confusing at times trying to keep track of everyone 🤯.
Overall, Faceless is a gritty, emotional rollercoaster 🎢 with plenty of twists and tough themes. Not perfect, but definitely worth the read if you’re into Martina Cole’s signature style. ✅
Displaying 1 - 30 of 195 reviews