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Born Evil
He's her son, but he's no good. How far will she go for him? Not all sons make their mother proud... June Dawson has come a long way from her rough East End background. She now lives in a nice little cul-de-sac in Rainham with her ultra-respectable husband and a lovely social life. But her world collapses when daughter Debbie announces that she is pregnant by her low-life drug addict boyfriend, Billy McDaid. June feels as though she is being sucked back into the world of villains and thugs she thought she had escaped forever. But worse is yet to come. The baby - doted on by his violent and feckless dad - grows into the child from hell. He is mean, sadistic and out of control. Suddenly, the family is not just in crisis. It is in meltdown.
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First published February 19, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
March 16, 2022
This is a book of two halves. A brilliant first half and a let-down of a second. The first half is true Chambers. Brutal, uncompromising, and disgustingly seedy. The second half, although not without its horrible moments, just did not live up to the first half. It just fell flat and nothing could cover up the holes in the plot.
Debbie Dawson is 18 when she gets pregnant by a 35-year-old waster from Glasgow called Billy McDaid. The offspring is the ‘Born Evil’ of the title. As can be expected Debbie and Billy’s relationship in a urine-soaked tower block in Barking is not all rainbows and unicorns. More like thunderstorms and terrifying beatings.
The book traces Debbie’s life from 1990 to present with its ups and many downs. Don’t get me wrong this is a very readable book but you can see the plot a mile-off and some of the parts are less than realistic and there are some obvious errors. Let me give you a couple of examples that will not spoil the plot. Debbie’s brother, Mickey, is making a bit of a name for himself. You wouldn’t want to mess with him in the physical stakes for sure. When he is looking for Debbie’s son’s schoolfriend he does not have his lastname. All he had to do was ask a school kid he knows what his name is. Job done. Does he? No. There is also a mix-up when his stepdaughter, Lois, is texting. That was a bit of a stretch and not believable. If you have not read the book that will not make much sense I know.
I think this was her second book (published in 2009) so you could put it down to still learning and learn she did as the future books are far better and much more rounded. If you are a Chambers fan then give it a go. If not then I recommend going with some of her later books.
Debbie Dawson is 18 when she gets pregnant by a 35-year-old waster from Glasgow called Billy McDaid. The offspring is the ‘Born Evil’ of the title. As can be expected Debbie and Billy’s relationship in a urine-soaked tower block in Barking is not all rainbows and unicorns. More like thunderstorms and terrifying beatings.
The book traces Debbie’s life from 1990 to present with its ups and many downs. Don’t get me wrong this is a very readable book but you can see the plot a mile-off and some of the parts are less than realistic and there are some obvious errors. Let me give you a couple of examples that will not spoil the plot. Debbie’s brother, Mickey, is making a bit of a name for himself. You wouldn’t want to mess with him in the physical stakes for sure. When he is looking for Debbie’s son’s schoolfriend he does not have his lastname. All he had to do was ask a school kid he knows what his name is. Job done. Does he? No. There is also a mix-up when his stepdaughter, Lois, is texting. That was a bit of a stretch and not believable. If you have not read the book that will not make much sense I know.
I think this was her second book (published in 2009) so you could put it down to still learning and learn she did as the future books are far better and much more rounded. If you are a Chambers fan then give it a go. If not then I recommend going with some of her later books.
June 19, 2012
I have only recently discovered Kimberley Chambers having read The Betrayer which was a first class read. Born Evil was the second book Kimberley Chambers wrote and although I loved it, it wasn't as good as The Betrayer. I think this is a sign that Kimberley Chambers is getting better with each book she writes.
Probably the first thing to note is that this book is gritty realism at its best and that includes swearing and violence. If this isn't something you particularly like then maybe this isn't the book for you. Having said that, it's not something that bothers me and I think it adds to the realism of the characters and setting.
This book starts by introducing us to Debbie at a young age when she first meets Billy and we get to see just how destructive he is on her life. When she falls pregnant she decides that although young she wants to make a go of it with both Billy and the baby. I admit that although Debbie is the centre of the story I didn't really warm to her that much. By the middle of the book I wanted to strangle her for her stupidity, and by the end of it I hadn't made my mind up what sort of a person she was. The fact that I got so irritate by her can in my opinion only be a sign of good writing on the author's behalf.
The book is staggered over the years and we see Debbie move on from her life with Billy to one where she spends time with her mum June and her brother Mickey. In addition to this we have Mickey's best friend Steve who I adored. The story itself was weaker than her other book but only in the sense that I could see what was coming. Although this wasn't as good as the first I read I still thought that it could walk all over the kind of books Martina Cole is producing right now.
I am pleased that I have finally found an author who seems to be gaining a massive fan base very quickly and her work seems to get better with each book she writes. This certainly wasn't the winner out of the two for me but was still a fantastic read.
Probably the first thing to note is that this book is gritty realism at its best and that includes swearing and violence. If this isn't something you particularly like then maybe this isn't the book for you. Having said that, it's not something that bothers me and I think it adds to the realism of the characters and setting.
This book starts by introducing us to Debbie at a young age when she first meets Billy and we get to see just how destructive he is on her life. When she falls pregnant she decides that although young she wants to make a go of it with both Billy and the baby. I admit that although Debbie is the centre of the story I didn't really warm to her that much. By the middle of the book I wanted to strangle her for her stupidity, and by the end of it I hadn't made my mind up what sort of a person she was. The fact that I got so irritate by her can in my opinion only be a sign of good writing on the author's behalf.
The book is staggered over the years and we see Debbie move on from her life with Billy to one where she spends time with her mum June and her brother Mickey. In addition to this we have Mickey's best friend Steve who I adored. The story itself was weaker than her other book but only in the sense that I could see what was coming. Although this wasn't as good as the first I read I still thought that it could walk all over the kind of books Martina Cole is producing right now.
I am pleased that I have finally found an author who seems to be gaining a massive fan base very quickly and her work seems to get better with each book she writes. This certainly wasn't the winner out of the two for me but was still a fantastic read.
July 4, 2012
Kimberley is a fantastic author and I always speak highly of her and recommend her books to as many people as I can. All her books have been unputdownable and this was no different, I just didn't like the ending. Everything was sort of tied up but I would've liked to see some revenge carried out on a few characters or a bigger time jump, one year wasn't enough.
As said Kimberley is a fantastic author who anyone who likes Martina Cole should check out. But for new readers I would recommend The Feud first as it is by far one of her best books and Kimberley herself has admitted than Born Evil and Billie Jo aren't her best books, they are definitely worth a read but only after reading her later books which are amazing.
As said Kimberley is a fantastic author who anyone who likes Martina Cole should check out. But for new readers I would recommend The Feud first as it is by far one of her best books and Kimberley herself has admitted than Born Evil and Billie Jo aren't her best books, they are definitely worth a read but only after reading her later books which are amazing.
June 14, 2010
Hated it. Harsh harsh language, author appears to like using swearwords, trying to shock maybe. Offensive. Very basic writing style. Unbelievable characters. Unable to finish it, just flicked through it after the first half. Dont bother with this, waste of time.
April 11, 2014
I enjoyed this book. I would have preferred for it to end differently. Kimberley Chambers is very similar to Martina Cole. The book uses loads of swear words thoughout it so don't read it if you don't like profanity. It didn't bother me but I know some people don't like gritty realism.
February 4, 2013
I have given this 5 stars and it deserves it. Well written and very descriptive. Hated Charlie, he was certainly sent from hell, as was his father. Debbie was far too light on her son and at times I wanted to take her and shake her. All characters were fab, loved Peter, who in my head I could see in a corner rolling his eyes with a, "this bloody family" look on his face. June made me laugh too with how blunt and straight to the point she was toward hell boy.
Will absolutely read more from Kimberley Chambers. I've heard that her books only get better.
November 10, 2013
Definitely 5 stars a brilliant book
February 25, 2015
A fantastic read by kimberely chambers . This book was funny and emotional and very sad at parts . I just love how Kimberely puts it all together 5 stars all the way
July 2, 2017
Stunning audiobook!! Just awesome : )
January 1, 2025
I loved this book. Yet another page turner by Kimberly Chambers. I was engrossed with the characters and the story and couldn't wait to find out the way the story was going to turn out. I don't want to say to much and spoil the story but if you love the east end you will love this book.
May 2, 2013
Time Taken to Read - 1 day
Publisher - Preface
Blurb from Goodreads
June Dawson has come a long way from the rough East End background where she met, got pregnant by and eventually married charming, reckless Johnny Fuller. Now she lives in leafy Rainham, in a nice little cul-de-sac, with her ultra-respectable second husband and a lovely social life.
Then her world collapses when daughter Debbie announces that she is pregnant by her low-life, drug addict boyfriend, Billy McDaid. June feels as though she is being physically sucked back into the world of villains and thugs she thought she had escaped for ever.
But worse is to come. Much, much worse. The baby - doted on by his violent, feckless dad - grows into the child from hell: mean, sadistic and out of control. Suddenly the family is not just in crisis. It is in meltdown.
My review
You know when you pick up a Kimberley Chambers, Mandasue Heller or Martina Cole book you know what your going to get. Crime, swearing, relationship dramas, violence and usually sex of some description and your never let down. Debbie is our main character, it starts off with her telling her mum about her unplanned pregnancy with a rather undesirable character bringing shame on the respectable household. Debbie won't listen to reason and runs off with Billy, she knows life will be perfect. The story follows her shocking reality and the harsh truth of her step fathers words about her man and now she has made her bed, she must lie in it.
I started this last night before bed and was only going to read a few chapters, 100+ pages in and after 1am I was still reading. The characters are rough, aggressive and swear like troupers, you don't have to think too hard about the plot as your sucked into their grimy world and all the drama.
Some of the story is quite shocking, these characters are for the most part undesirable and Charlie, Debbie's child, has echoes of Kevin from Lionel Shriver's book. He makes for a very unlikeable character, somewhat like his father however he has darker and viler depths. I hated most of these characters but not in the way you want to stop reading, more you would like to throttle them. I did have a soft spot for Mickey, although he is a criminal, into illegal activities, swears like a fish wife he has a heart of gold and a strong sense of family loyalty. The book ended a wee bit premature for me, I wanted it to keep going and they say an author who keeps the reader wanting more is doing their job. I just hope miss Chambers is going to do a sequel to this book sometime, 4 out of 5 for me this time.
Publisher - Preface
Blurb from Goodreads
June Dawson has come a long way from the rough East End background where she met, got pregnant by and eventually married charming, reckless Johnny Fuller. Now she lives in leafy Rainham, in a nice little cul-de-sac, with her ultra-respectable second husband and a lovely social life.
Then her world collapses when daughter Debbie announces that she is pregnant by her low-life, drug addict boyfriend, Billy McDaid. June feels as though she is being physically sucked back into the world of villains and thugs she thought she had escaped for ever.
But worse is to come. Much, much worse. The baby - doted on by his violent, feckless dad - grows into the child from hell: mean, sadistic and out of control. Suddenly the family is not just in crisis. It is in meltdown.
My review
You know when you pick up a Kimberley Chambers, Mandasue Heller or Martina Cole book you know what your going to get. Crime, swearing, relationship dramas, violence and usually sex of some description and your never let down. Debbie is our main character, it starts off with her telling her mum about her unplanned pregnancy with a rather undesirable character bringing shame on the respectable household. Debbie won't listen to reason and runs off with Billy, she knows life will be perfect. The story follows her shocking reality and the harsh truth of her step fathers words about her man and now she has made her bed, she must lie in it.
I started this last night before bed and was only going to read a few chapters, 100+ pages in and after 1am I was still reading. The characters are rough, aggressive and swear like troupers, you don't have to think too hard about the plot as your sucked into their grimy world and all the drama.
Some of the story is quite shocking, these characters are for the most part undesirable and Charlie, Debbie's child, has echoes of Kevin from Lionel Shriver's book. He makes for a very unlikeable character, somewhat like his father however he has darker and viler depths. I hated most of these characters but not in the way you want to stop reading, more you would like to throttle them. I did have a soft spot for Mickey, although he is a criminal, into illegal activities, swears like a fish wife he has a heart of gold and a strong sense of family loyalty. The book ended a wee bit premature for me, I wanted it to keep going and they say an author who keeps the reader wanting more is doing their job. I just hope miss Chambers is going to do a sequel to this book sometime, 4 out of 5 for me this time.
December 9, 2013
Is it just me who puts the people you know into the characters in the book you are reading? Of course I do have imaginary people as well just as the author describes the person, when I can't think of a person who fits to that particular character. In this case the person I had in mind for Billy turned out to be pretty disturbing. The person I had in mind? He's so not that person. But was too late to turn back around and change it so kept reading. I'm sorry love.
Anyways, Debbie was one of the main characters. And she was like "Look, Mum, there's no easy way for me to say this. You're gonna go mental, so I'm just gonna give it to you straight. I'm pregnant." That's how the story begins. So I didn't wanna put the book down.
She moves out with her Billy boy, a drug addict thinking she's gonna have the happy-go-lucky life. Nope. It all went to hell. After she gave birth to her evil son Charlie, she was living hell on earth. She ends up in hospital and yet she forgave Billy for his violent behavior. For a while I felt like I was Debbie. And I hated her so much. If it was me who got beaten up nearly to death by the person I loved so much? I'd kill him and go to jail with a grin.
Loved Mickey, Debbies' brother and his mate Big Steve who asks Debbie out, got married and had to beautiful daughters.
And so it goes on along with disturbing, wonderful, dramatic, sadistic happy lovely moments as well. Read so you'll know.
Anyways, Debbie was one of the main characters. And she was like "Look, Mum, there's no easy way for me to say this. You're gonna go mental, so I'm just gonna give it to you straight. I'm pregnant." That's how the story begins. So I didn't wanna put the book down.
She moves out with her Billy boy, a drug addict thinking she's gonna have the happy-go-lucky life. Nope. It all went to hell. After she gave birth to her evil son Charlie, she was living hell on earth. She ends up in hospital and yet she forgave Billy for his violent behavior. For a while I felt like I was Debbie. And I hated her so much. If it was me who got beaten up nearly to death by the person I loved so much? I'd kill him and go to jail with a grin.
Loved Mickey, Debbies' brother and his mate Big Steve who asks Debbie out, got married and had to beautiful daughters.
And so it goes on along with disturbing, wonderful, dramatic, sadistic happy lovely moments as well. Read so you'll know.
October 15, 2017
Dreadful book full of one dimensional characters with a weak plot. Poorly researched as well. For example, apparently Charlie was so clever that he fooled the psychiatrist who only saw the persona he presented of a well behaved and balanced child. Really? So they didn’t bother to ask for school/nursery reports, a diary of his behaviour from his Mum? Author seems to want to shock (and fails) rather than concentrate on a good plot with believable characters
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 31, 2016
Just flipping amazing!!!!!
OMFG!!!! What an amazing book just brilliant and can't wait to read more from this author,,,, I probably will be reading more from this author in a few minutes,,, I just couldn't put the book down... he was pure evil......
OMFG!!!! What an amazing book just brilliant and can't wait to read more from this author,,,, I probably will be reading more from this author in a few minutes,,, I just couldn't put the book down... he was pure evil......
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December 20, 2015
Who even talks like this? Bloody Nora.
August 10, 2020
I'm nearing to the end of finishing reading all of Kimberley Chambers books. This is the second book she had written and although I enjoyed it, I don't think it is quite worthy of 5*.
It's my least favourite book that I have read of hers that she has written, it is however still very good but the Author has definitely improved with her story telling in future books. I found this book predictable and could see where it was heading which is why it didn't wow me like the others. However if you are a Kimberley fan or just starting out with her books I feel you will probably still thoroughly enjoy it.
It's my least favourite book that I have read of hers that she has written, it is however still very good but the Author has definitely improved with her story telling in future books. I found this book predictable and could see where it was heading which is why it didn't wow me like the others. However if you are a Kimberley fan or just starting out with her books I feel you will probably still thoroughly enjoy it.
August 17, 2024
Another one that triggered conflicting views in me. I look at how highly this book is rated and despair. It's trash. Everything about it is trash. The writing, the characters, even the story. My conflict is that despite it being a shit book about shit people, I couldn't put it down so it gets a two instead of one star rating from me but quite frankly it's a piece of rubbish. It's the sort of book that Orwell describes in 1984 as being put out by the party to satisfy the proletariat. Not sure I can add anything to that other than to say that I'm not part of it's target audience so one might justly ask why I read it in the first place!
August 10, 2025
“Born Evil” isn’t the sort of book I’d normally choose, but my mum handed me a copy while I was staying with her and I had nothing else to read. The writing isn’t particularly remarkable, with certain phrases and adjectives repeated so often they start to stand out. The language can also be foul, and there are graphic scenes of sexual assault that are difficult to read. Even so, I have to admit it hooked me. It’s not mind-blowing or especially clever, but the pace was quick, the plot kept moving, and I was genuinely invested in finding out what happened next. Sometimes a book doesn’t need to be perfect to keep you turning the pages, and this one certainly did.
September 25, 2017
It took me a while to get into this story at first, I couldn't understand Debs and the decisions she was making. But once the book jumped forwards to when she was with Steve, I found the story a lot more interesting. I really sympathised for her, and I could see how she must ache for her son to just be normal and happy like other children. Some of the book was a bit graphic for me, but the story was very well told and once it picked it I couldn't stop reading.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 26, 2019
First time I have read a Kimberley Chambers book and I have to agree they are very similar to the crime stories written by Martina McCole.
Story based around one family whose son is just vile and ends up trying to tape his cousin. I understand a mother’s love but seriously I would have disowned him along time ago. Still a great story with strong characters and a good story line. I shall definitely read more by this author. Highly recommend
Story based around one family whose son is just vile and ends up trying to tape his cousin. I understand a mother’s love but seriously I would have disowned him along time ago. Still a great story with strong characters and a good story line. I shall definitely read more by this author. Highly recommend
March 27, 2024
Well it feels like I've just been lobotomized. No wonder the only reviews are from the News of the World. It would have been nice for fewer blatant stereotypes (I mean, Chas and Dave!!) and maybe even leaving the occasional thought to our own imagination rather than spelling out everything. The only thing preventing me giving one stories was the storyline.
February 14, 2018
Kimberley chambers is quickly becoming one of my favourite authors. This book was a fast paced page turner. It's been hard to put it down. I would highly recommend it. What would you do if your son was born evil? That's what Debbie has to decide.
August 21, 2018
Really well written book, it gets right into the nitty gritty of everyday life for this extended family and the horrors they have to face. I stayed up half the night and finished it as I couldn't put it down. I would recommend it to any Martina Cole fans as she is close to her style.
August 22, 2019
Brilliant read
Great story line, really did feel for debbie, strong characters that put you into the story, better than I thought , not for the faint hearted great narration by the great Annie Aldington, my favourite narrator 10/10 and 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Great story line, really did feel for debbie, strong characters that put you into the story, better than I thought , not for the faint hearted great narration by the great Annie Aldington, my favourite narrator 10/10 and 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
March 11, 2021
A good read and held my attention but a little bland up to her other books. Worth picking up and reading though... As usual a great story line that puts you in the heart of it all making you feel as though you are there with them.
January 23, 2022
A fascinating page turner about the love from a mother to her nasty toxic son. I had many reasons to despise the son and feel disappointed in the mother, but somewhere, hidden in all this was that undying love a mother has got her child.
August 8, 2022
Great book!!! Classic Kimberley Chambers in that it’s hard to put down! Full of grit, east end villains and comical characters thrown in for good measure.
My only criticism is the ending… it wasn’t the best and a poor reflection on how great an author she is.
My only criticism is the ending… it wasn’t the best and a poor reflection on how great an author she is.
December 18, 2022
Good old East End Drama
I really enjoyed reading this book. How far would a mother go with a son who is born evil, cunning and despicable. What I would say is don’t read it if you find bad language unsettling as this book contains quite a lot.
I really enjoyed reading this book. How far would a mother go with a son who is born evil, cunning and despicable. What I would say is don’t read it if you find bad language unsettling as this book contains quite a lot.
October 14, 2024
This is my first novel I read. After reading the first chapter I got interested for it. The mistakes of a young girl and her character development. Again her emotions drawbacks her. And in the end realizes her mistakes. It's a good journey. With a happy ending.
Read
December 11, 2024Another excellent book that I was immediately hooked on. Third book read by this author and I have just started my fourth.
The only criticism I can think of regarding the book is that it is too short.
Highly enjoyable keep up the good work.
The only criticism I can think of regarding the book is that it is too short.
Highly enjoyable keep up the good work.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews