What do you think?
Rate this book
Raising A Gangster
A GRIPPING STORY OF REVENGE - THE PREQUEL TO CRUEL SECRETS - FROM THE GANGLAND GOVERNOR
Bermondsey, London - With an absent father and a penniless mother, Cyril Reardon is determined to be the man of the house.
As young as eight, Cyril is a charmer, a planner, and a risk-taker.
A rare trip to the country, shows Cyril a completely different world and it opens his eyes to how the other half live. A young man wants Cyril shot dead but receives a nasty scar and a few injuries that sets him on a path of revenge.
Little does he know that all the time he was being raised a lord, Cyril Reardon was being raised a gangster.
Only one of them is a gentleman. Only one of them plays the cards they were dealt.
Bermondsey, London - With an absent father and a penniless mother, Cyril Reardon is determined to be the man of the house.
As young as eight, Cyril is a charmer, a planner, and a risk-taker.
A rare trip to the country, shows Cyril a completely different world and it opens his eyes to how the other half live. A young man wants Cyril shot dead but receives a nasty scar and a few injuries that sets him on a path of revenge.
Little does he know that all the time he was being raised a lord, Cyril Reardon was being raised a gangster.
Only one of them is a gentleman. Only one of them plays the cards they were dealt.
- GenresCrime
512 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 7, 2020
179 people are currently reading
136 people want to read
About the author
Kerry Barnes
32 books212 followersKerry Barnes: The Voice of British Gangland Fiction.
Kerry Barnes is a bestselling British gangland and crime thriller author, known for writing gritty, hard-hitting stories rooted in the darker side of organised crime. Her novels are packed with tension, betrayal, revenge, and morally complex characters — often driven by fierce, uncompromising women who refuse to back down.
Widely recognised for her raw, fast-paced style, Kerry’s books explore the realities of loyalty, power, family, and survival within the criminal underworld. Her stories pull no punches and aren’t afraid to venture into uncomfortable territory, making her a firm favourite with readers who enjoy dark, authentic British crime fiction.
With multiple chart-topping and number one bestselling titles, Kerry Barnes has built a loyal readership among fans of gangland fiction and crime thrillers. Her work is frequently compared to leading voices in the genre such as Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers, while maintaining a distinctive edge and voice of her own.
Kerry is the author of several popular series, including the Dolly Vincent Trilogy, Carrie Verne Series, Nemesis Trilogy, Harper Kane Trilogy, and The Hunted Trilogy, alongside a growing list of standalone novels and dark psychological thrillers.
Her latest work continues to push boundaries, delivering intense storytelling with sharp dialogue, emotional depth, and relentless pace — perfect for readers who like their crime fiction bold, brutal, and unforgettable.
Kerry Barnes is a bestselling British gangland and crime thriller author, known for writing gritty, hard-hitting stories rooted in the darker side of organised crime. Her novels are packed with tension, betrayal, revenge, and morally complex characters — often driven by fierce, uncompromising women who refuse to back down.
Widely recognised for her raw, fast-paced style, Kerry’s books explore the realities of loyalty, power, family, and survival within the criminal underworld. Her stories pull no punches and aren’t afraid to venture into uncomfortable territory, making her a firm favourite with readers who enjoy dark, authentic British crime fiction.
With multiple chart-topping and number one bestselling titles, Kerry Barnes has built a loyal readership among fans of gangland fiction and crime thrillers. Her work is frequently compared to leading voices in the genre such as Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers, while maintaining a distinctive edge and voice of her own.
Kerry is the author of several popular series, including the Dolly Vincent Trilogy, Carrie Verne Series, Nemesis Trilogy, Harper Kane Trilogy, and The Hunted Trilogy, alongside a growing list of standalone novels and dark psychological thrillers.
Her latest work continues to push boundaries, delivering intense storytelling with sharp dialogue, emotional depth, and relentless pace — perfect for readers who like their crime fiction bold, brutal, and unforgettable.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
March 4, 2021
I absolutely loved this book and the character of Cyril. We were first introduced to him In the blood ties series and in this novel we see how he he became the person he was.
I would love to see further books enabling him to find happiness which his character deserves.
I would love to see further books enabling him to find happiness which his character deserves.
February 19, 2024
A great book funny and gripping story I enjoyed this so much one of the best books I’ve read in a long time
November 30, 2021
Starting the next Kerry Barnes book. :)
May 11, 2020
Well i have loved reading the story of Cyril Reardon,living with his penniless mother and brother in a run down house.Cyril is a lovely cheeky little boy who works so hard to help his mom even pinching coal to warm them up.As he grows Cyril has the guidence of Mr Bates their next door neighbour who is a puzzle to Cyril until he gets to know him.One night Cyril and his mate Frank go to a posh hotel because he wants to steal a posh frock for his mom to wear to a party.Having got what he came for on the way out he sees a suitcase left outside a room so he grabs it and puts the things he's pinched inside and leaves.Unknown to Cyril the suitcase he stole will change his life and start him on a life he craves.This book was very hard to put down as it makes you want more,Kerry Barnes knows how to write a gritty,thrilling and funny story because cyrils antics will make you laugh there is more in this book and it is a BRILLIANT read.5*
January 10, 2021
Born a Gangster
Well from the get go this book spiked my intrigue. It was plain to see young Cyril Reardon was born to be a cheeky chap who would get away with more than he thought. He was raised by his Mother along with his younger brother Howie. His Mother was tough and although he was not as tall as his best friend Frank he was very useful with his fists and had a lovely confident swagger. He seemed to have no fear and his neighbour Mr Bated was a man that his mother checked on and nursed him to health. Little did they know their neighbour had a lot of connections on the wrong side of the law - this appealed to Cyril as he saw himself as the man of the house because their Dad abandoned them.
Cyril admired him and he was like a sponge and as Cyril grew into a young man he started to form a crew and this is just the start of things - it turns into a revenge story.... who will make it through....
Well from the get go this book spiked my intrigue. It was plain to see young Cyril Reardon was born to be a cheeky chap who would get away with more than he thought. He was raised by his Mother along with his younger brother Howie. His Mother was tough and although he was not as tall as his best friend Frank he was very useful with his fists and had a lovely confident swagger. He seemed to have no fear and his neighbour Mr Bated was a man that his mother checked on and nursed him to health. Little did they know their neighbour had a lot of connections on the wrong side of the law - this appealed to Cyril as he saw himself as the man of the house because their Dad abandoned them.
Cyril admired him and he was like a sponge and as Cyril grew into a young man he started to form a crew and this is just the start of things - it turns into a revenge story.... who will make it through....
January 15, 2021
I hadn't realised until I got this book that it is actually a prequel , I haven't read any other Kerry Barnes books but as this would now be classed as the 1st in a series I didn't think that mattered.
We get the background story line to Cyril, the main character, the characters were well described and felt real. The disappointing thing to me was that there was no grit, drama, twists, turns, plots, none of the usual stuff you find in this genre. Although the characters felt real I didn't connect to them as I would have liked to. The writer describes the characters as cheeky, hard, self-centred etc but there was a lack of depth and personality. This is basically a book about gangs of thugs and drug sellers but the story lacks depth, edge of the seat moments and excitement and in places the story is decidedly bland.
We get the background story line to Cyril, the main character, the characters were well described and felt real. The disappointing thing to me was that there was no grit, drama, twists, turns, plots, none of the usual stuff you find in this genre. Although the characters felt real I didn't connect to them as I would have liked to. The writer describes the characters as cheeky, hard, self-centred etc but there was a lack of depth and personality. This is basically a book about gangs of thugs and drug sellers but the story lacks depth, edge of the seat moments and excitement and in places the story is decidedly bland.
November 5, 2023
Brilliant back story to the Cruel Secrets trilogy. I was pulled in pretty quickly because the characters held my attention. I’m often fascinated by the notion that a gangster can win me over even though he commits crimes I would never condone. It’s weird to try an understand why I would route for the bad guy and the only way I can accept this is by creating characters that are even more wicked than the one I’m siding with. Kerry Barnes has once again gripped my world for the past week and I’m tempted to go back and re-read original trilogy again.
Read
May 27, 2020Bloody brilliant
I have read all of Kerry's books and was sad when I finished, I found this one by mistake and downloaded it and read and well it was brilliant. Once again it had me smiling, laughing and even cringing sometimes and then tears towards the end.
when I finished the book I smiled to myself because having read the other books I knew what was coming.
You really feel like you know these characters and I hope for more fabulous books from Kerry Barnwst
I have read all of Kerry's books and was sad when I finished, I found this one by mistake and downloaded it and read and well it was brilliant. Once again it had me smiling, laughing and even cringing sometimes and then tears towards the end.
when I finished the book I smiled to myself because having read the other books I knew what was coming.
You really feel like you know these characters and I hope for more fabulous books from Kerry Barnwst
April 18, 2021
Really enjoyed this book by Kerry Barnes. This is the prequel to the cruel secrets trilogy (which I am going to read next). Set in the late 1950s in London, it tells the story of Peggy and Cyril Readon and how he grows up to be a ‘gangster’ selling drugs and pub protection. I felt the ending was quite rushed but overall a great story with likeable characters. If you love Kimberley chambers books then you will enjoy this.
May 31, 2020
Brilliant book
I chose five stars because I couldn't put it down it is a fantastic book. It's a shame Cyril's mum Peggy didn't live long enough to see him knock the smirk off Lord Chamberlain 's mouth by beating him at poker. He won a mansion and cars off him. Cyril went off the rails when he was very young. Kerry always writes brilliant books
I chose five stars because I couldn't put it down it is a fantastic book. It's a shame Cyril's mum Peggy didn't live long enough to see him knock the smirk off Lord Chamberlain 's mouth by beating him at poker. He won a mansion and cars off him. Cyril went off the rails when he was very young. Kerry always writes brilliant books
July 26, 2020
Brilliant book from the first page I didn't want to put the book down.many nights I would be reading into the early hours..It was a very easy book to follow .
Would recommend to anyone easy book to follow but really good from page one few late nights as couldn't put book down
Would recommend to anyone easy book to follow but really good from page one few late nights as couldn't put book down
September 21, 2020
This is the prequel to cruel secrets wicked lies etc and concentrated on the character Cyril Reardon . I really enjoyed it and loved the history of Cyril growing up and his best friend Frank Marsden aka the butcher . Well written and thoroughly enjoyable I love how Kerry Barnes writes . Can’t wait to start her next series
May 6, 2021
Absolutely brilliant
This story takes you in from the first page , the characters are brilliant , this story made me giggle out loud and was sad in places but well worth a read , I have to highly recommend this story brilliantly written thank you Kerry Barnes and the amazing narration by Annie alderton 10/10 and 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
This story takes you in from the first page , the characters are brilliant , this story made me giggle out loud and was sad in places but well worth a read , I have to highly recommend this story brilliantly written thank you Kerry Barnes and the amazing narration by Annie alderton 10/10 and 5 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
June 13, 2021
Excellent
From page 1I could hardly put the book down.it is an excellent story and Continues page after page,I'm a thriller reader and found this as good as it gets.Merry is up there with the best.I can't see anyone not enjoying the book it's well written with strong character's and flows from page to page.
From page 1I could hardly put the book down.it is an excellent story and Continues page after page,I'm a thriller reader and found this as good as it gets.Merry is up there with the best.I can't see anyone not enjoying the book it's well written with strong character's and flows from page to page.
January 29, 2024
Brilliant read.
Loved to read about the young Cyril Reardon and his family. These books have had me enthralled. It is easy to love and empathize with the main characters and the plot never disappoints. I'm now an avid fan of Kerry Barnes as are my sister's who fortunately recommended her books to me. You want a great read - pick up a Kerry Barnes novel.
Loved to read about the young Cyril Reardon and his family. These books have had me enthralled. It is easy to love and empathize with the main characters and the plot never disappoints. I'm now an avid fan of Kerry Barnes as are my sister's who fortunately recommended her books to me. You want a great read - pick up a Kerry Barnes novel.
June 21, 2024
This book was so good, fast-paced, and exciting. Some was pretty unbelievable, but that didn't matter. Cyril and his mum were great characters, very likeable. I'm glad he achieved that he wanted to, but I'm intrigued as to what happened to the Lord? I'll come back to Kerry Barnes as I enjoy her writing style and the characters she produces.
June 2, 2020
Brilliant
Definitely recommend this. Love her books everyone is a page turner in its own right. Great characters that you can really get to know and feel all of their highs and lows like they were your own.
Definitely recommend this. Love her books everyone is a page turner in its own right. Great characters that you can really get to know and feel all of their highs and lows like they were your own.
June 3, 2020
Done it again
Absolutely smashed it yet again raising of ceril and Frank and there rise threw the ages has a been brilliant,Peggy was a brilliant mum to her boys and other boys as Well
Absolutely smashed it yet again raising of ceril and Frank and there rise threw the ages has a been brilliant,Peggy was a brilliant mum to her boys and other boys as Well
June 8, 2020
I am not going to lie this is not the sort of book I usually read. I read a synopsis of it somewhere and I was intrigued. Drawn to it somehow. I was hooked from the first chapter. I truly enjoyed this book and rooted for Cyril from the beginning.
June 29, 2020
Absolutely brilliant
I cant say there was anything i disliked about this book, from start to finish it was superb! It played out in my mind just like a film. Must read more of Kerry Barnes’ books, great author!
I cant say there was anything i disliked about this book, from start to finish it was superb! It played out in my mind just like a film. Must read more of Kerry Barnes’ books, great author!
July 22, 2020
I have read a few books from this author and I enjoyed this one but, I felt that the age of Cyril was too young.
How can we believe that a young lad aged around 16/18 was going up against gangsters and the mafia?
If he'd have been older then it would have been better
How can we believe that a young lad aged around 16/18 was going up against gangsters and the mafia?
If he'd have been older then it would have been better
August 6, 2020
Good story
I enjoyed this book and the characters were realistic and likeable. However, I have knocked a star off as I was surprised at several spelling mistakes and even a key character's name changed spelling.
I enjoyed this book and the characters were realistic and likeable. However, I have knocked a star off as I was surprised at several spelling mistakes and even a key character's name changed spelling.
August 20, 2020
Absolutely brilliant read
This book deserves 10 stars, it has everything, from beginning to end it makes you feel as one with the characters. You just don't want to stop reading. Well done kerry.
This book deserves 10 stars, it has everything, from beginning to end it makes you feel as one with the characters. You just don't want to stop reading. Well done kerry.
September 5, 2020
Heartwarming book
I just loved this book. Such harsh cruel beginning, poor hungry, growing up to early for the love of his family, to either scrape for a living or become a villain, a nice book, to peak at someone’s life in the rat dirty infected London, to a nice ending .
I just loved this book. Such harsh cruel beginning, poor hungry, growing up to early for the love of his family, to either scrape for a living or become a villain, a nice book, to peak at someone’s life in the rat dirty infected London, to a nice ending .
June 23, 2021
read in one sitting, a bit far fetched but liked that it moved on in time and didn't get boring
Read in one sitting, a bit far fetched but liked that it moved on in time so didn't become boring as some novels do.
Read in one sitting, a bit far fetched but liked that it moved on in time so didn't become boring as some novels do.
May 5, 2022
Raising a Gangster
What can I say, yet another brilliant book from Kerry Barns. The characters and events as they unfolded were superb.
A down to earth no nonsense thriller with exciting twists & turns.
I'm already choosing my next good read from Kerry.
What can I say, yet another brilliant book from Kerry Barns. The characters and events as they unfolded were superb.
A down to earth no nonsense thriller with exciting twists & turns.
I'm already choosing my next good read from Kerry.
February 22, 2023
Raising a gangster ?
What a story twist and turns , happiness and sadness you got it all in this book I could not put down well done Kerry now I will find your next book ? Thank you LEN EVANS 5star plus
What a story twist and turns , happiness and sadness you got it all in this book I could not put down well done Kerry now I will find your next book ? Thank you LEN EVANS 5star plus
October 11, 2025
A great read
The book has a great story line it pulls you into its gangster family . I would love to see a follow-up to this story the characters are very life like with a strong relationship. The only negative was the book had to finish.
The book has a great story line it pulls you into its gangster family . I would love to see a follow-up to this story the characters are very life like with a strong relationship. The only negative was the book had to finish.
June 2, 2020
An absolutely belter from Kerry. Don't want to give away anything. This book follows Cyril Reardon from a young boy to middle age. Brilliantly written and high recommended.
June 5, 2020
Fantastic!!! Didn't want it to end. Every single book of Kerry Barnes is brilliant and will have you hooked.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews