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No Mercy
Family always comes first. Until now.Get ready for the ultimate summer read with the explosive new novel from Sunday Times No.1 bestseller and 'undisputed queen of crime writing' (Guardian) Martina Cole. Diana Davis has been head of the family business since the death of her husband, an infamous bank robber. She's a woman in a man's world, but no one messes with her.Her only son, Angus, is a natural born villain, but he needs to earn Diana's trust before she'll allow him into the business.Once he's proved he has the brains to run their clubs in Marbella, he is given what he's always wanted. It's the beginning of a reign of terror that knows no bounds.But Angus has a blind his wife, Lorna, and their three kids, Angus Junior, Sean and Eilish. And as the next generation enters the business, Angus has a painful truth to learn. Even when it comes to family, he must show no mercy...'She's a total one-off' Guardian'The stuff of legend' Mirror'Superstar crime writer' This Morning'There really is only one Martina Cole' Closer'The undisputed Queen of crime writing' Erwin James
436 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 15, 2019
1425 people are currently reading
1697 people want to read
About the author
Martina Cole
112 books1,746 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 307 reviews
January 31, 2022
This is the story of the Davis organised crime family, set as ever in East and Central London and spanning a number of generations. The Martina Cole twists in this, as in all of her books, is having fully fleshed out myriad female characters. The downside is by the time this was first published in 2019, it offers very little new to the 25+ books she has already seen published, if anything the characterisations are even more linear and stereotypical than normal yet... Yet. Yet it is still such an interesting and accessible story, with it's central figure of a woman inheriting the organised crime family's helm when her husband died prematurely when she was still a young mother. As ever, I can't say enough about just how readable and interesting Cole's work is. Thumbs up! 7 out of 12, and this is one of her weakest works!
2021 read
2021 read
October 17, 2019
I really did not enjoy this. Yet again no story line and reads similar to her last 6 or 7 titles. I am afraid she has lost her crown as the Queen of gangland female writers. It's a shame as her old titles were fantastic reads.
October 17, 2019
Martina Cole is back and back with a bang, a loud bang!
I have read every one of her previous 24 books and this, for me, is up there as one of her best
In this book its the Davis family we are introduced to via Diane the matriarch Mum and all their wheelings and dealings in true gangland fashion, we get to meet all the family characters and what a rum lot they are! Via the authors no nonsense story telling style we learn about their good and their bad sides, what they are doing and with who and what makes them tick all alongside a really fast paced story, there is even 2 massive twists that give back the brilliance that this writer is renowned for
Yes there is repetition and yes much mention of ‘strange’ ‘having to swallow their own knob’ and sayings that ‘their old Mum said’ but its all part and parcel of what makes a great Martina Cole story so distinct
Really pleased to be able to say I loved this and the 2 year wait was well worth it
10/10
5 Stars
December 13, 2019
Dark, pacey, and exceptionally gritty!
This latest novel by Cole, No Mercy is a graphic, engrossing, gang thriller that takes you on a journey into the calculated and disturbing criminal underworld and immerses you in all the manipulation, immorality, depravity, and violence found there.
The prose is crisp and precise. The characters are hot-tempered, callous, and impulsive. And the plot is a fast-paced, riveting tale full of twists, turns, action, intrigue, power, corruption, duplicity, terror, and murder.
Overall, No Mercy is a sinister, edgy, chillingly plausible tale that highlights just how easily the line between right and wrong can become extremely blurry for those with nefarious tendencies, and reminds us that money and greed are often the root of all evil.
Thank you to HBG Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This latest novel by Cole, No Mercy is a graphic, engrossing, gang thriller that takes you on a journey into the calculated and disturbing criminal underworld and immerses you in all the manipulation, immorality, depravity, and violence found there.
The prose is crisp and precise. The characters are hot-tempered, callous, and impulsive. And the plot is a fast-paced, riveting tale full of twists, turns, action, intrigue, power, corruption, duplicity, terror, and murder.
Overall, No Mercy is a sinister, edgy, chillingly plausible tale that highlights just how easily the line between right and wrong can become extremely blurry for those with nefarious tendencies, and reminds us that money and greed are often the root of all evil.
Thank you to HBG Canada for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.
March 26, 2022
It appears my previous review for this has vanished ...
I am a huge fan of the author and loved reading her earlier works like The Take, The Runaway and The Ladykiller. For the past few years it feels like she is publishing the same book with a big dark brooding main character who has either a loud mouthed mother or a religious Irish one and a 'problematic' wife. Martina recently said she doesn't write literature which felt defensive as her previous works were
fantastic .
I did not like No Mercy as it felt no different from all the works she's published since The Good Life.
I am a huge fan of the author and loved reading her earlier works like The Take, The Runaway and The Ladykiller. For the past few years it feels like she is publishing the same book with a big dark brooding main character who has either a loud mouthed mother or a religious Irish one and a 'problematic' wife. Martina recently said she doesn't write literature which felt defensive as her previous works were
fantastic .
I did not like No Mercy as it felt no different from all the works she's published since The Good Life.
March 28, 2021
‘As her mother had said, the children in this family were cursed, brought into the world with pain and without mercy.’
Meet the Davis family. Back in 1980s the matriarch, Diana, was a feared face. She ran her gangland empire with an iron fist. ‘She would also always listen to reason – provided that reasoning was in her favour. If it went against her interests in any way, it never augured well for those on the other side of the bargaining table. If you crossed her she would hunt you down like a rabid dog.’ Jeepers.
She has a son Angus, and he is making a name for himself. Having a mother like Diana helps of course. He is a bit of a loose cannon. He has a lot to learn and learn it he must. Quickly. The main focus of the book is on the rise of Angus.
Martina Cole’s first books she wrote were so dark. Gritty does not do them justice. They were bathed in ultra-violence, abuse and most of all they were real. The middle ones were a bit jazzier and glitzier but still very good. The later ones err on the side of fantasy and caricature. The realism is gone. They are like a bad Danny Dyer film (there’s plenty to choose from) but I will still buy them maybe in the vague hope that just one will hit the mark. This is not the book that hits the mark. The characters are one-dimensional, and I did not care for them. I don’t want to keep harking back to the first books but you felt so invested in those characters. You cared for them, or at least wanted to keep reading about them, even the ones that were bad. I did not like the short chapter format. 144 chapters. It was a bit stop-start in that sense.
Having said all that the book did hit high octane at around the 70% mark and does not let-up to the end. This is what pushed the book just into the three-star rating for me from a two.
Meet the Davis family. Back in 1980s the matriarch, Diana, was a feared face. She ran her gangland empire with an iron fist. ‘She would also always listen to reason – provided that reasoning was in her favour. If it went against her interests in any way, it never augured well for those on the other side of the bargaining table. If you crossed her she would hunt you down like a rabid dog.’ Jeepers.
She has a son Angus, and he is making a name for himself. Having a mother like Diana helps of course. He is a bit of a loose cannon. He has a lot to learn and learn it he must. Quickly. The main focus of the book is on the rise of Angus.
Martina Cole’s first books she wrote were so dark. Gritty does not do them justice. They were bathed in ultra-violence, abuse and most of all they were real. The middle ones were a bit jazzier and glitzier but still very good. The later ones err on the side of fantasy and caricature. The realism is gone. They are like a bad Danny Dyer film (there’s plenty to choose from) but I will still buy them maybe in the vague hope that just one will hit the mark. This is not the book that hits the mark. The characters are one-dimensional, and I did not care for them. I don’t want to keep harking back to the first books but you felt so invested in those characters. You cared for them, or at least wanted to keep reading about them, even the ones that were bad. I did not like the short chapter format. 144 chapters. It was a bit stop-start in that sense.
Having said all that the book did hit high octane at around the 70% mark and does not let-up to the end. This is what pushed the book just into the three-star rating for me from a two.
November 17, 2019
I don’t why I do it to myself but every year, as the publisher churns out another offering from Martina Cole, I do. And it’s the same convoluted drivel that she’s now become rather famous for. No depth, no grit, no sign of her earlier gripping work. I’m convinced the author reaches her word count just from overuse of the words ‘a face’ and ‘the life’. Will I read her next book which will no doubt be published in the run up to Christmas? Most likely. Three stars simply because I love what Martina Cole used to be, not what she’s become.
December 17, 2019
Have read all of Martina Cole books. After waiting two years was disappointed, even thou I kept reading it.. You feel when reading her earlier books that you there watching it play out in front of you. Just felt that with this book that you didnot get to know the characters, more just there names. There was not a good enough build to for the book to have a good ending. Felt that she didnot know how to finish the book and the ending felt rushed.
October 19, 2022
I am so glad I read this book ! I have a few of her books but this one is special to me as it is the only book my boyfriend has read (so I figured it must be amazing if it is the one book!), and I was right to take his recommendation!
This book was great , I totally didn't guess the ending , I kept thinking I had everything solved in my head....but who was I kidding ! This book is so brilliantly written , it has so much to keep you going back , it pulled me back to it time after time. The characters were amazing, I loved Diana she is such a powerful character and Lorna is also a strong character that is very relatable at times!
Certainly not going to be my last book by this author, such a talented crime writer!
This book was great , I totally didn't guess the ending , I kept thinking I had everything solved in my head....but who was I kidding ! This book is so brilliantly written , it has so much to keep you going back , it pulled me back to it time after time. The characters were amazing, I loved Diana she is such a powerful character and Lorna is also a strong character that is very relatable at times!
Certainly not going to be my last book by this author, such a talented crime writer!
October 24, 2019
Disappointed
Having read all her books i was very disappointed i found it to be boring but kept reading in the hope it would improve sadly it didn't
Having read all her books i was very disappointed i found it to be boring but kept reading in the hope it would improve sadly it didn't
April 22, 2020
Really disappointing read, especially as I’m such a Martina Cole fan.
It was entertaining and gripping in the way Martina’s books usually are, but there seems to be a habit in No Mercy of introducing a plethora of unremarkable characters only to have them killed off a few pages later. The main characters are very two-dimensional, and the chapters are only ever two or three pages long, which leaves you jumping from one character to the next.
The MOST disappointing for sure was the ending. It feels like a poorly considered afterthought, a feeble attempt to throw in a “twist” that not only can you see coming from mid-way through the book, but has absolutely NO explanation or resolution. The whole cumulative episode happens over four pages, and honestly makes everything you just read over the previous 400 pages seem pointless and in vain.
If you want a quick entertaining read, the book does that, however don’t expect a dramatic and exciting story, and please don’t expect anything that measures up to Martina’s previous books. Sorely disappointed and the story, as a whole, feels lazy and tedious.
It was entertaining and gripping in the way Martina’s books usually are, but there seems to be a habit in No Mercy of introducing a plethora of unremarkable characters only to have them killed off a few pages later. The main characters are very two-dimensional, and the chapters are only ever two or three pages long, which leaves you jumping from one character to the next.
The MOST disappointing for sure was the ending. It feels like a poorly considered afterthought, a feeble attempt to throw in a “twist” that not only can you see coming from mid-way through the book, but has absolutely NO explanation or resolution. The whole cumulative episode happens over four pages, and honestly makes everything you just read over the previous 400 pages seem pointless and in vain.
If you want a quick entertaining read, the book does that, however don’t expect a dramatic and exciting story, and please don’t expect anything that measures up to Martina’s previous books. Sorely disappointed and the story, as a whole, feels lazy and tedious.
November 6, 2019
I’m sorry to say that this book did not have the old spark that I used to find in Martina’s books.
I got this from the library as I wasn’t sure about buying it, and I’m glad I’ve read it but can’t say I’d recommend it.
The story centres around the Davis family and basically the first three quarters of the book is the reader being introduced to someone new and then waiting for them to get killed off.
The last quarter got better as there was an actual storyline about the family but that wasn’t enough to change my opinion of the book.
I’m sorry to say I was disappointed with this one.
I got this from the library as I wasn’t sure about buying it, and I’m glad I’ve read it but can’t say I’d recommend it.
The story centres around the Davis family and basically the first three quarters of the book is the reader being introduced to someone new and then waiting for them to get killed off.
The last quarter got better as there was an actual storyline about the family but that wasn’t enough to change my opinion of the book.
I’m sorry to say I was disappointed with this one.
January 26, 2020
I like how the short chapters in Martina Coles action packed suspense books keep you wanting to read just another and another......
I always enjoy her books even if some of the stories are quite similar.
I never saw the shocking ending coming in this one and had guessed it incorrectly but I still think it was quite abrupt after a eventful build up.
Enjoyable yes, but not my favourite.
I always enjoy her books even if some of the stories are quite similar.
I never saw the shocking ending coming in this one and had guessed it incorrectly but I still think it was quite abrupt after a eventful build up.
Enjoyable yes, but not my favourite.
December 17, 2019
Very disappointed as loved Martina Cole's earlier books and haven't read a book by her in years. Just found the book lacking as no real depth and the characters were so forgettable and basically it was a bit boring.
October 26, 2019
Very disappointing
March 27, 2020
I listened to this on audiobook.
Well that was some rollercoaster ride & boy what a thrill ride it was too. This story was very fast paced, always something going down, was gripped from start to finish. Great story plot and amazing characters. Edge of seat with anticipation of what will happen next. What more could u want. It truly was a fantastic read.
There was something of a shocking relevation come the end which totally floored me. I was like omg no way, surely not, had to relisten to that chapter of the story just to be sure.
Brilliant book, but then anything by this author usually is. Was gripped from start to finish.
Well that was some rollercoaster ride & boy what a thrill ride it was too. This story was very fast paced, always something going down, was gripped from start to finish. Great story plot and amazing characters. Edge of seat with anticipation of what will happen next. What more could u want. It truly was a fantastic read.
There was something of a shocking relevation come the end which totally floored me. I was like omg no way, surely not, had to relisten to that chapter of the story just to be sure.
Brilliant book, but then anything by this author usually is. Was gripped from start to finish.
June 10, 2021
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This specific book is seen in my video: Mystery Book Box Themed Reading Vlog
3.5 stars but rounded to 4
Is there anything new and wow presented?? Na, not really. But is it fast paced? Yeeeeeaup - had me hooked from beginning to end. Look, I really enjoyed this book for no other reason than it was enjoyable. We follow a family of, what I can only call Peaky Blinders but not so British, as they dominate their...turf? We also see so many generations from this family which means time zooms ahead and things constantly change to keep you engaged. The chapters are short which also helped me stay excited for what was to come.
I just had to drop it by a star because of the lack of surprises or anything to really shock me. Also, and this is going to sound hypocritical, the change in pace was sometimes toooo much so it meant that I wasn't fully invested in any one character.
triggers (potentially spoilery): murder, violence, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, bipolar
This specific book is seen in my video: Mystery Book Box Themed Reading Vlog
3.5 stars but rounded to 4
Is there anything new and wow presented?? Na, not really. But is it fast paced? Yeeeeeaup - had me hooked from beginning to end. Look, I really enjoyed this book for no other reason than it was enjoyable. We follow a family of, what I can only call Peaky Blinders but not so British, as they dominate their...turf? We also see so many generations from this family which means time zooms ahead and things constantly change to keep you engaged. The chapters are short which also helped me stay excited for what was to come.
I just had to drop it by a star because of the lack of surprises or anything to really shock me. Also, and this is going to sound hypocritical, the change in pace was sometimes toooo much so it meant that I wasn't fully invested in any one character.
triggers (potentially spoilery): murder, violence, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, bipolar
August 18, 2020
This was a really poor book. I have always enjoyed books by Martina Cole but she appears to have changed her style so drastically that it's almost as if another author has written them.
None of the characters were likeable and there was such a dizzying array of people it spoilt the book. The plot line was also very weak. Im not sure if I'm going to attempt another book by Martina Cole as I've been so disappointed in thd last few.
None of the characters were likeable and there was such a dizzying array of people it spoilt the book. The plot line was also very weak. Im not sure if I'm going to attempt another book by Martina Cole as I've been so disappointed in thd last few.
March 29, 2020
I am a Huge Martina Cole fan and was pleased to receive this book as a Christmas present. I was very drawn in as Martina's style of writing is still just as intriguing. The gangster/gangland storyline was easy to follow and kept me eager to read on. I like how Martina always includes the female members of the family and their stories. I do have to admit that this book wasn't very much different to her other recent titles. Overall I am not disappointed and it was definitely worth a read but I personally prefer her earlier work.
October 21, 2019
Well i have to say i am so happy i bought the Hardback as it is a Brilliant book that centers around the Davis family and their businesses.Diana has run the firm since the death of her husband and she has earned the respect of the hardest men.Diana's son Angus is the Heir to it all but only if he can knuckle down and grow up.I have to say i was surprised at some parts of the book but nothing prepared me for the end well done Martina Cole a Fantastic book 5*
October 27, 2019
you need to read this for yourself some saying not good but they so wrong its brilliant from start to finish .martina has smashed it its a blinder of a read i so loved Diane she not trust her son to run the business but she changes her mind the caracters are brilliant and had tears 😢 at end i very recommended
February 3, 2024
Time taken to read - in and out over a few days
Pages - 436
Publisher - Headline
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Family always comes first. Until now.
Get ready for the ultimate summer read with the explosive new novel from Sunday Times No.1 bestseller and 'undisputed queen of crime writing' ( Guardian ) Martina Cole.
Diana Davis has been head of the family business since the death of her husband, an infamous bank robber. She's a woman in a man's world, but no one messes with her.
Her only son, Angus, is a natural born villain, but he needs to earn Diana's trust before she'll allow him into the business.
Once he's proved he has the brains to run their clubs in Marbella, he is given what he's always wanted. It's the beginning of a reign of terror that knows no bounds.
But Angus has a blind his wife, Lorna, and their three kids, Angus Junior, Sean and Eilish. And as the next generation enters the business, Angus has a painful truth to learn. Even when it comes to family, he must show no mercy...
My Review
Diana Davis is a woman to be reckoned with. In the world of drugs/crime/violence it isn't known for having women in the face leagues. Diana has proven herself time and time again and her eldest Angus is desperate to make his own mark in the game & butts heads a bit with mother dearest. We span across the years as Angus becomes a face in his own right, has his own family & faces the threats & issues that comes with the territory of drugs, violence and crime.
It has been a wee while since I read Cole & I don't know why, i do enjoy her books. For anyone not familiar with her work the characters are gritty, grim, shady, violent, some are very loyal and almost all swear like troopers. This book, like some of the others, features some dark themes that others may find triggering, SA, abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, mental health, murder, violence etc.
Short chapters which I love, characters that you love to hate, action and skulduggery costly afoot or the threat of. I will be checking to see what others I have still to read and getting them. If you want to leave behind your own world and submerge into the gritty no holds barred world of criminals then look no further, 4/5.
Pages - 436
Publisher - Headline
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Family always comes first. Until now.
Get ready for the ultimate summer read with the explosive new novel from Sunday Times No.1 bestseller and 'undisputed queen of crime writing' ( Guardian ) Martina Cole.
Diana Davis has been head of the family business since the death of her husband, an infamous bank robber. She's a woman in a man's world, but no one messes with her.
Her only son, Angus, is a natural born villain, but he needs to earn Diana's trust before she'll allow him into the business.
Once he's proved he has the brains to run their clubs in Marbella, he is given what he's always wanted. It's the beginning of a reign of terror that knows no bounds.
But Angus has a blind his wife, Lorna, and their three kids, Angus Junior, Sean and Eilish. And as the next generation enters the business, Angus has a painful truth to learn. Even when it comes to family, he must show no mercy...
My Review
Diana Davis is a woman to be reckoned with. In the world of drugs/crime/violence it isn't known for having women in the face leagues. Diana has proven herself time and time again and her eldest Angus is desperate to make his own mark in the game & butts heads a bit with mother dearest. We span across the years as Angus becomes a face in his own right, has his own family & faces the threats & issues that comes with the territory of drugs, violence and crime.
It has been a wee while since I read Cole & I don't know why, i do enjoy her books. For anyone not familiar with her work the characters are gritty, grim, shady, violent, some are very loyal and almost all swear like troopers. This book, like some of the others, features some dark themes that others may find triggering, SA, abuse, manipulation, gaslighting, mental health, murder, violence etc.
Short chapters which I love, characters that you love to hate, action and skulduggery costly afoot or the threat of. I will be checking to see what others I have still to read and getting them. If you want to leave behind your own world and submerge into the gritty no holds barred world of criminals then look no further, 4/5.
May 31, 2020
Martina Cole knows how to write a compelling crime thriller. Every chapter grips you more and more in to the world of crime. The emotions that you feel from the characters and the scenes are pure brilliance. You feel like you know them. When picking up a Martina Cole book you escape reality and you own life and fall in to a world of crime, tragedy and real life situations.
August 13, 2022
Not my favourite MC novel but enjoyable none the less.
The characters weren’t as fleshed out as they usually are by this writer which hampered my enjoyment a little. Felt like characters weren’t given enough time to develop before they disappeared in one way or another.
Still if you’re a fan of MC you will likely enjoy
The characters weren’t as fleshed out as they usually are by this writer which hampered my enjoyment a little. Felt like characters weren’t given enough time to develop before they disappeared in one way or another.
Still if you’re a fan of MC you will likely enjoy
August 9, 2020
I've read almost all of Martina Cole's books over the years and this has to be one of her best! I really struggled to put it down. It kept me in suspense all along and the end blew my mind as I didn't expect the twist. Fantastic.
December 16, 2020
I hadn't read one of Martina's Cole books for sometime and I realised how much I had missed her style and her stories. The pace of the book was good as is usual for her, and I like the end althought I had started guessing the twist by about 2/3rd of the book. I am glad I bought the book and went back to reading Martina Cole.
January 17, 2021
Whilst I enjoyed the story, found Cole’s writing style frustrating as it was stop/start and the keen scenes (death of a character, rationale for why they did it) are completely missing. Disappointing but still an ok read because of the theme.
September 26, 2025
I enjoyed the story line of this book with family ran business and the family feel to it but the twist at the end really got me! You don't expect the ending to happen , the only thing why it's not 5 is I found so many characters confusing and at first stuggle to piece together what it's about.
August 10, 2020
Love Martina Cole. Just when you think you know who's going to get it......there is a twist and you get turned on your head. Always forget how much I enjoy a good book and Martina Cole always reminds me why I love reading
February 10, 2021
I actually enjoyed this. Nice to have the story from a female perspective and a woman in charge in a man’s world.
An unexpected ending but I was gripped throughout. Great read.
An unexpected ending but I was gripped throughout. Great read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 307 reviews