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Krays: The Final Word
The definitive account of the Krays’ world, their criminal activities, and two lives spent running the Firm. Until now books on the Krays have been subjective and incomplete—memoirs by police officers and witnesses, or whitewashing accounts and affectionate recollections by friends and family. This will be the first wholly objective look at how the twins came to power, fell, and, at least in the public eye, rose again. The book will draw together the many often conflicting versions of events—at least five reasons have been offered for the death of George Cornell—and separate fact from fiction. It will include many stories never previously disclosed, such as:
• Charlie Kray’s real position with his brothers. In recent years there have been allegations that he was both a serial molester of women and a police informer, both far from the general picture of a hail-fellow-well-met man manipulated by his younger brothers.
• The Krays’ bribing and intimidation of witnesses and their use of solicitors and the clergy to set up potential defences against police action.
• Just how many people did they kill, or were killed on their behalf? The book will examine claims that they killed up to 30, including an analysis of their possible involvement in the deaths of lawyer David Jacobs and former world champion boxer Freddie Mills.
• Charlie Kray’s real position with his brothers. In recent years there have been allegations that he was both a serial molester of women and a police informer, both far from the general picture of a hail-fellow-well-met man manipulated by his younger brothers.
• The Krays’ bribing and intimidation of witnesses and their use of solicitors and the clergy to set up potential defences against police action.
• Just how many people did they kill, or were killed on their behalf? The book will examine claims that they killed up to 30, including an analysis of their possible involvement in the deaths of lawyer David Jacobs and former world champion boxer Freddie Mills.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 14, 2019
16 people are currently reading
80 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 7, 2019
Here is another book in the more than a handful now that I have read on the Krays and their cohorts as I learn more about that period of time in Britain and some of the major and minor criminals that were operating. The Krays were some of the major operators during their time, and held a bit of power for a while. Reggie and Ronnie Kray were twins, and also had an older brother Charles and they were all busy in the life of crime.
This book is a good overview of their criminal lives, detailing the places they lived, the clubs they frequented, and the ones they either fixed up and ran, or muscled into and took over, either in part or totally. It’s set in the 1950s and 1960s in East London. It also goes over the men they killed or ordered killed. I found it enjoyable as a good true crime read, and I think most who like that genre would also. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author James Morton, and the publisher.
First published on my WordPress blog, viewable here:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
This book is a good overview of their criminal lives, detailing the places they lived, the clubs they frequented, and the ones they either fixed up and ran, or muscled into and took over, either in part or totally. It’s set in the 1950s and 1960s in East London. It also goes over the men they killed or ordered killed. I found it enjoyable as a good true crime read, and I think most who like that genre would also. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author James Morton, and the publisher.
First published on my WordPress blog, viewable here:
https://wordpress.com/post/bookblog20...
December 3, 2019
To be fair, this is more of a 2.5 star read but I didn’t feel it was worthy of 3.
Although it is evidently very well researched, this information is written almost in a jam packed way, so I felt overwhelmed with information.
It doesn’t flow like a life story, more like a big information booklet.
It is well written don’t get me wrong, I just think I wanted a biography, from the day the twins were born until the days they died, with everything in between being in chronological order.
Although it is evidently very well researched, this information is written almost in a jam packed way, so I felt overwhelmed with information.
It doesn’t flow like a life story, more like a big information booklet.
It is well written don’t get me wrong, I just think I wanted a biography, from the day the twins were born until the days they died, with everything in between being in chronological order.
December 5, 2019
My brain is broken.
This book is one big never-ending flow of information.
Not that I don't expect information in a non-fiction book (I want information), it's that this book has too much of it.
So many people, events, times, I have no idea what's going on anymore.
I hoped for a book with more flow, more chronology than this.
Thank you Netgalley and Mirror Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book is one big never-ending flow of information.
Not that I don't expect information in a non-fiction book (I want information), it's that this book has too much of it.
So many people, events, times, I have no idea what's going on anymore.
I hoped for a book with more flow, more chronology than this.
Thank you Netgalley and Mirror Books for a copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 11, 2022
I normally enjoy books about the Krays, but I didn't enjoy this very much at all. I found it extremely hard to get into and heavy-going. I felt as though the author was bombarding me with information, facts, people, places, events, and trying to cram everything that he knew about the Krays into the book in the process. It actually gave me a headache several times, and in the end I had to give up on the book completely. Books don't usually make me feel ill, but this one did.
I also doubt very much that this really is "the definitive" book about the twins. The book also claims to be "all facts and no fiction", but I doubt this is the case also. The book left out a considerable portion of the Krays' private lives, Reg's marriage to Frances and her suicide, and their childhood lives. It seemed to dwell more on the criminal aspects of their lives, which has already been dealt with in numerous other books. I didn't learn anything interesting or new from reading this book. It felt more like reading an encyclopedia, or a page on Wikipedia than a proper True Crime book. If that is your bag, then this book is for you. Otherwise, stay well clear of this. I prefer something that flows better, is better-written and has a more coherent narrative.
This book, I feel, will not be the last book ever written on the Krays. I don't regard it as "the" book about them, or even one of the best ones. All I felt after reading it was disappointment and resentment at having wasted my time and my money on it. As others have said, there are much better books on the Krays than this. I wouldn't even put this one in my Top Ten.
James Morton, you disappoint me. I expected more from you than this poor effort.
I also doubt very much that this really is "the definitive" book about the twins. The book also claims to be "all facts and no fiction", but I doubt this is the case also. The book left out a considerable portion of the Krays' private lives, Reg's marriage to Frances and her suicide, and their childhood lives. It seemed to dwell more on the criminal aspects of their lives, which has already been dealt with in numerous other books. I didn't learn anything interesting or new from reading this book. It felt more like reading an encyclopedia, or a page on Wikipedia than a proper True Crime book. If that is your bag, then this book is for you. Otherwise, stay well clear of this. I prefer something that flows better, is better-written and has a more coherent narrative.
This book, I feel, will not be the last book ever written on the Krays. I don't regard it as "the" book about them, or even one of the best ones. All I felt after reading it was disappointment and resentment at having wasted my time and my money on it. As others have said, there are much better books on the Krays than this. I wouldn't even put this one in my Top Ten.
James Morton, you disappoint me. I expected more from you than this poor effort.
November 11, 2019
I have read many books on the Kary Twins over the years but here is one that is the complete works of the life and times of the Krays.
It is well written, in-depth and a true recollection of them.
Any Kray fan would need to add this book to their collection.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Mirror Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased review
It is well written, in-depth and a true recollection of them.
Any Kray fan would need to add this book to their collection.
Thank you to both NetGalley and Mirror Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased review
November 2, 2020
Is Krays The Final Word by James Morton the final word about the Kray family? Yes and no. No because there will be more books about them but yes as there is unlikely to be anything new to reveal. This book joins Profession of Violence as an authoritative and quite possibly definitive account of their life of crime and prison years. Whatever one’s views on the Krays, they are an essential part of London culture and probably the most popular and infamous British gangsters in history. James Morton is amusing in his depiction of some of the characters, especially Judge Melford Stevenson and Mad Frankie Fraser being used as a character witness. I don’t think Ronnie and Reggie would have been happy with the way they are portrayed. The truth and the myth are not easy to distinguish but what we do know is that they were involved in murder, violence, financial crimes, spent a hell of a lot of time in prison, are all dead and had fantastic funerals. They will be remembered in centuries to come when many of the respectable and good will long be forgotten. Crime doesn’t pay as they clearly suffered in prison but they will be forever immortalised.
January 7, 2020
Who doesn't Love a book about The Krays brothers. So when a book a came out to read and review I just had to request it. Krays: The Final Word by James Morton was a very good read and i enjoyed it. I found it well written and well researched on the account throughout of their lives ,their family their time running running a criminal empire known as "The Firm". etc. It has been one of the best books I have read bout them.........and I found it an enjoyable good read.
If you are a fan of The Krays.....Then I highly recommend this book.
Big Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Mirror Books and James Morton for allowing me to read the kindle version of this book for an honest review.
If you are a fan of The Krays.....Then I highly recommend this book.
Big Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Mirror Books and James Morton for allowing me to read the kindle version of this book for an honest review.
December 22, 2019
There is one thing that I can't take away from this book; and that it is detailed and well researched.
It is most definitely the guide to the life of the Krays and follows them from the beginning to the end of their reign and lives.
I struggled with the first half, which is a who's who of who were involved in the Krays lives. It is difficult to read from one name to another without getting a bit lost.
The second half is much better though and is easier to read.
Having read lots of books about the Krays I bit actually read about things I didn't know about.
It is most definitely the guide to the life of the Krays and follows them from the beginning to the end of their reign and lives.
I struggled with the first half, which is a who's who of who were involved in the Krays lives. It is difficult to read from one name to another without getting a bit lost.
The second half is much better though and is easier to read.
Having read lots of books about the Krays I bit actually read about things I didn't know about.
February 11, 2021
This book is appallingly badly written. It smacks of an author with a word limit to hit but has the vibe of a primary school project where every detail learnt about the Kray associates is crammed in regardless of whether it is relevant or not.
The first half of the book is heavy going. The second half improves marginally but concludes with a whimper as it records where all the bit part characters are now.
There are much better books about the Krays; don’t waste your money on this one.
The first half of the book is heavy going. The second half improves marginally but concludes with a whimper as it records where all the bit part characters are now.
There are much better books about the Krays; don’t waste your money on this one.
December 8, 2021
This was hideous. This was just someone's list of facts, and there were often times where the facts didn't align leaving the 'chapters' as a breather for the narrator rather than sorting everything.
If you want a list of facts about the Kray's life and associates (and bars they frequented in what years and every person they ever shared oxygen with) then this is the book for you. If you want something more cohesive with a bit of interest, look elsewhere.
If you want a list of facts about the Kray's life and associates (and bars they frequented in what years and every person they ever shared oxygen with) then this is the book for you. If you want something more cohesive with a bit of interest, look elsewhere.
February 4, 2022
If you want a biography of the Kray twins John Pearson did it a lot better. Although I did like that this author added a couple chapters at the end that explained what happened to people close to the twins after both twins deaths, and how people view the twins today (but tbf that’s only probably added because this book was published so recently and Pearson’s book is from ‘79 and had only been revised as recently as ‘95)
October 15, 2024
Audiobook
June 11, 2025
The second half was more a story. The first half was more a series of bullet points.
December 12, 2019
I grew up in London surrounded by Krays ‘mythology’ so I have to say the idea that the author has written a ‘final’ version of their story had me intrigued. The book is brilliantly researched and written clearly without some of the sensationalist tricks that often accompany such work, whether it is a definitive account I guess history will judge. I did particularly enjoy the fact that the author dealt with the changing perceptions of the Krays through time.
Well written, I’d highly recommend this to anyone interested in the krays story.
Well written, I’d highly recommend this to anyone interested in the krays story.
December 14, 2019
It’s very rare I find another book on the Krays these days and learn something new but I was surprised with this book. There is a lot of research quite evident in this book and it chronicles the life and death of the twins really well. I didn’t feel like some books that this lauded the twins but was just a factual representation of what went on which was a nice change. Well worth a read.
November 18, 2019
I’m reasonably well-read on the Krays, I’ve always been interested in ’50s/60’s culture so I was intrigued to see if I could learn anything new from this book.
The author knows his subject, and I enjoyed his writing style. It was easy reading, although at times I did get a bit bogged down in who was who, as he introduced a plethora of different characters.
The pages occasionally became somewhat overcrowded!
However, while I sadly didn’t learn anything substantially new, I did like the unbiased writing, in that many of the previous books I’ve read on the Krays was either written/ghostwritten by themselves or by associates or members of their extended family/friends.
There was little or no sentimentality in the book and no glorification – it was just what it was.
The author attempted to give closure to certain outstanding events, and it was interesting to ponder, although I felt this was far from the ‘final word.’
There were aspects of the book that did shed light on the broader circle of players, for example, it was particularly interesting to read about how the lives of some of the Kray's associates panned out – or didn’t as the case may be!
It has to be a five star from me - as I enjoy the subject and could re-read this kind of book day in and day out!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Mirror Books and James Morton for allowing me to read the kindle version of this book for an honest review.
The author knows his subject, and I enjoyed his writing style. It was easy reading, although at times I did get a bit bogged down in who was who, as he introduced a plethora of different characters.
The pages occasionally became somewhat overcrowded!
However, while I sadly didn’t learn anything substantially new, I did like the unbiased writing, in that many of the previous books I’ve read on the Krays was either written/ghostwritten by themselves or by associates or members of their extended family/friends.
There was little or no sentimentality in the book and no glorification – it was just what it was.
The author attempted to give closure to certain outstanding events, and it was interesting to ponder, although I felt this was far from the ‘final word.’
There were aspects of the book that did shed light on the broader circle of players, for example, it was particularly interesting to read about how the lives of some of the Kray's associates panned out – or didn’t as the case may be!
It has to be a five star from me - as I enjoy the subject and could re-read this kind of book day in and day out!
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Mirror Books and James Morton for allowing me to read the kindle version of this book for an honest review.
November 4, 2019
A veritable industry has long existed around all things concerning the Kray Brothers. Numerous books, films and television shows have been devoted to them over the years and their haunts are on the East End tourist trail. If nothing else their legacy has been a useful tool for the book trade and has provided an additional income for pensioned gangsters. I remember over 20 years ago being in an Essex town and wandering by chance into a small bookshop and who should be there with a large pile of books in front of him doing a book signing but none other than Mad Frankie Fraser, I of course purchased a copy. Even today while shopping in ASDA what did I see on their discounted paperback shelves, something by kate Kray.
Now adding to the genre is this well researched but always entertaining book by best-selling crime author and criminal lawyer James Morton that rather optimistically titles itself Krays: The Final World. Here we have their full biographical story, the nature of their crimes and an examination as to their enduring fascination and indeed the beatification of them. This latter aspect was personified by the funerals with the celebratory mourners and respectful street lined crowds reminiscent of a state funeral. Security courtesy of Dave Courtney.
How important the Krays really were in the heirachy of the then London underworld is another matter. Their influence was restricted to a relatively small geographical area and they were despised by the seasoned bank robbing fraternity. The Krays income being mainly derived from protection and long firm fraud. If you like true crime then you will find this I'm sure a fascinating read. Ultimately though like their fellow East End celebratory villain Jack The Ripper I expect there will be many more books on this subject.
Now adding to the genre is this well researched but always entertaining book by best-selling crime author and criminal lawyer James Morton that rather optimistically titles itself Krays: The Final World. Here we have their full biographical story, the nature of their crimes and an examination as to their enduring fascination and indeed the beatification of them. This latter aspect was personified by the funerals with the celebratory mourners and respectful street lined crowds reminiscent of a state funeral. Security courtesy of Dave Courtney.
How important the Krays really were in the heirachy of the then London underworld is another matter. Their influence was restricted to a relatively small geographical area and they were despised by the seasoned bank robbing fraternity. The Krays income being mainly derived from protection and long firm fraud. If you like true crime then you will find this I'm sure a fascinating read. Ultimately though like their fellow East End celebratory villain Jack The Ripper I expect there will be many more books on this subject.
November 23, 2019
I thought I would be blown away by this book, but I actually wasn’t. Yes, it was insightful, yes it was informative, but I just didn’t get a feel for it. I’ve read other books on The Krays which I did prefer. I’m not sure whether it was just too much cross referencing to other documents, books or information that it lost my interest a bit. There were parts also that said “it is thought” ( or words to that effect) that just didn’t flow well with me. I’m sure many others will love this book, but sadly it wasn’t for me.
August 26, 2022
The Kray Twins, Ronnie and Reggie spent their lives running the Firm. Krays: The Final Word details their involvement with the firm, crimes they’ve committed and many things in their family life. The content is very well researched and written; however, I feel like I didn’t really learn anything new. I’ve read a few books about the Kray brothers and this one is definitely one of my favourites, it flowed well and I enjoyed how it was structured.
December 2, 2019
I love everything the Krays and I’ve read everything I can on them. Not many have a completion of their life’s some focusing on more than others but this book caters to it all. Any True-crime fans will love this book.
Any Kray fans will want to add this to their collection. I have always been fascinating by them, they way they lived, he lived they lived and the people they surrounded themselves with.
Its brilliantly written, in-depth and absorbing any Kray fans will eat this book within one sitting. This is going to stay on my self and I will absolutely be re-reading this in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley/ James Morton/ mirror Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Any Kray fans will want to add this to their collection. I have always been fascinating by them, they way they lived, he lived they lived and the people they surrounded themselves with.
Its brilliantly written, in-depth and absorbing any Kray fans will eat this book within one sitting. This is going to stay on my self and I will absolutely be re-reading this in the future.
Thank you to Netgalley/ James Morton/ mirror Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 20, 2019
This was a well-researched account of the Krays' time running a criminal empire known as The Firm. This is the most extensive book that I have read on this family and it was an enjoyable read.
November 12, 2019
I didn't know a lot about the Krays, I knew the name and a bit from a movie I saw over 20 years ago. This book did a great job of filling in all the details. It was a little intimidating at times because there was so much info and it was all unfamiliar to me, as I have not read much about gangsters, that era or setting but I enjoy learning new things.
November 10, 2019
I’ve been fascinated by the Krays for most of my life. I’ve read a lot of books on them and this is the one that comes closest to answering all my questions. I’m really surprised at how good and well researched this one is. You can read this with any amount of knowledge about the brothers and not be lost or confused.
Great read! Thanks to NetGalley for the copy!
Great read! Thanks to NetGalley for the copy!
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews