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The Butlers #2
Payback
The Butlers are not a family to be messed with. Top dogs in the East End, they trample on anybody who gets in their way.
Vinny Butler has upset many people on his rise up the criminal ladder. His best pal, mum, brother, dad, aunt, son and his girlfriend's father all hold grudges against him. Will it be one of those who plots Vinny's demise ? Or, will it be somebody else ?
Caught up in the crossfire are two innocent young women. Joanna and Nancy's only crime was to fall in love with the wrong men. Do they and their children escape unharmed ? Or, does getting involved with Vinny and Michael Butler prove to be the costliest decision Joanna and Nancy ever made?
Vinny Butler has upset many people on his rise up the criminal ladder. His best pal, mum, brother, dad, aunt, son and his girlfriend's father all hold grudges against him. Will it be one of those who plots Vinny's demise ? Or, will it be somebody else ?
Caught up in the crossfire are two innocent young women. Joanna and Nancy's only crime was to fall in love with the wrong men. Do they and their children escape unharmed ? Or, does getting involved with Vinny and Michael Butler prove to be the costliest decision Joanna and Nancy ever made?
514 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 18, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 192 reviews
February 18, 2016
The Butlers are not a family to be messed with.
Top dogs in the East End, they trample on anybody who gets in their way.
"trample" - that is putting it mildly. This author is fast becoming a firm favourite. The writing is brilliant, the storyline is absolutely compelling. I could not put it down. The twists and turns are bloody awesome.
We have Vinny Butler - oldest son of Queen Butler, who thinks she is Queen of the East End - Vinny is scum of the earth, and that is me being nice to him. Fucking hate the prick.
He is cold, ruthless, will do anything to save his own skin. I don't want to say too much for fear of giving anything away.
Shagging the odd prostitute to satisfy his warped sexual appetite was one thing ...
Lovely.
Little Vinny. Well, the apple don't fall far from the tree, as they say.
Michael. Not sure what to make of you. You seem like the best of a bad bunch but I just don't know.
Michael didn't exactly expect Peters and Lee to be crooning 'Welcome Home' as he strolled through the front door.
Love all the music references. Brought back the memories.
Bryan Ferry's voice always soothed him ...
Queenie and Vivvie. Two old bats to be sure but you have to laugh at them
Vinny managed a smile for the first time that day. "We're hardly that family out of Little House on the Prairie, Mum, but I do know where you're coming from."
Some of the stuff that happens in this book is quite shocking. It's not a light, easy read. Towards the end, my stomach was churning.
"What does cunt mean, Mummy?"
"You're talking absolute bollicks now .... so please fuck off before I really lose my temper."
So many characters. So many suspects.
A bleedin' fantastic book.
Off to start the next one!
March 4, 2016
5 Molly-Dolly Stars*****
What the......
Nooooo really!!!
Hells Bells...Kimberley Chambers has left me speechless again, boy she sure knows how to throw you.......just Brilliant....absolute genius!!
PAYBACK
What more can I say......except another 5 star read
September 3, 2017
Eighteenth book of my holiday reads.
This is the second book in the Butler family series and even though the author does her best to give background from the previous book I would still recommend reading in order if possible.
The Trap totally blew me away, so much so that I had to dive straight into the next one.
It was great to catch up with the Butlers again. Sadly life for the family hasn't got much better and even worse is yet to come.
Payback is another shocking and emotional read that had me on pure tender hooks. If felt that was happening to the family was fully affecting me also. Really can't recommend these books highly enough and am dying to read the next book this truly gripping series.
This is the second book in the Butler family series and even though the author does her best to give background from the previous book I would still recommend reading in order if possible.
The Trap totally blew me away, so much so that I had to dive straight into the next one.
It was great to catch up with the Butlers again. Sadly life for the family hasn't got much better and even worse is yet to come.
Payback is another shocking and emotional read that had me on pure tender hooks. If felt that was happening to the family was fully affecting me also. Really can't recommend these books highly enough and am dying to read the next book this truly gripping series.
March 30, 2016
Please see my review for Tainted Love.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 14, 2015
5 lost for words stars
Yes brilliant..
Payback is the follow up to The Trap
Vinny is the head of the family. He is cold and controlling but the birth of his daughter Molly changes him, calms him. She is the one bright and wonderful thing in his life.
But Vinny has upset too many people and his enemies want revenge.
His family want answers to his involvement in a crash that killed one of his family. But the worse is yet to come...
When his daughter Molly disappears, his world falls apart...Is this finally Payback
Kimberley Chambers is up there with the best of the crime writers.
Once again its gripping, nail biting, shocking but utterly addictive.
Its one of those stories that must be made into a TV series...
This book has left me speechless, not often I'm left with an OMG and the biggest book hangover ever...
Yes brilliant..
Payback is the follow up to The Trap
Vinny is the head of the family. He is cold and controlling but the birth of his daughter Molly changes him, calms him. She is the one bright and wonderful thing in his life.
But Vinny has upset too many people and his enemies want revenge.
His family want answers to his involvement in a crash that killed one of his family. But the worse is yet to come...
When his daughter Molly disappears, his world falls apart...Is this finally Payback
Kimberley Chambers is up there with the best of the crime writers.
Once again its gripping, nail biting, shocking but utterly addictive.
Its one of those stories that must be made into a TV series...
This book has left me speechless, not often I'm left with an OMG and the biggest book hangover ever...
April 29, 2017
***** 5 Stars *****
When I started this series, I wasn’t very sure it would hit my buttons because, let's be honest, this is not my usual. It’s not dirty, it’s not erotic and there is little to no romance.
This series starts with The Trap, where we get to know The Butlers. The Trap was a 4 Stars but I must say the end was so good that I went straight to book 2.
Who are the Butlers?
The Butlers are a dysfunctional family from the East End.
We have Albie, a cheating and drunk bastard of a father, Queenie, the head of this crazy bundle and 4 children: Vinny, Roy, Michael and Brenda.
Queenie brought up her boys with a special MOTO:
“Vinny, you do whatever it takes to make something of your life. It’s better to be a somebody than a nobody, son, and if that means stealing and stamping out people along the way, then so be it. Don’t ever knock or ill-treat your own kind though. You look after them”
Their mother's advice they followed and at 19 Vinny and Roy (17), opened their first Club with the money they made from a robbery or two.
Here is where the Butler’s saga starts. Under Vinny’s volatile, unpredictable, explosive temper, manipulative and greedy personality, the Butler’s became the kings of the East End. A family, trust me, you don’t want to mess with.
And then, when you think you’ve got ‘em and we have seen it all…
Surprise, surprise! We now have little Vinny. Who I am scared shitless of.
My thoughts:
Kimberley Chambers writes short stretches changing the focus of the story often and making this read of 400 pages dynamic and extremely compelling. Her voice is intimate, bringing us close to all characters. I could see me THERE, totally engaged in the community as a Mrs. Nosy next door neighbour. There is a fine tone in her narrative that channel an element of intimacy/privacy between the reader and all the characters, as in listening to their secretive and dirty thoughts, their sins and their crimes.
Bloody loved it!
When I started this series, I wasn’t very sure it would hit my buttons because, let's be honest, this is not my usual. It’s not dirty, it’s not erotic and there is little to no romance.
This series starts with The Trap, where we get to know The Butlers. The Trap was a 4 Stars but I must say the end was so good that I went straight to book 2.
Who are the Butlers?
The Butlers are a dysfunctional family from the East End.
We have Albie, a cheating and drunk bastard of a father, Queenie, the head of this crazy bundle and 4 children: Vinny, Roy, Michael and Brenda.
Queenie brought up her boys with a special MOTO:
“Vinny, you do whatever it takes to make something of your life. It’s better to be a somebody than a nobody, son, and if that means stealing and stamping out people along the way, then so be it. Don’t ever knock or ill-treat your own kind though. You look after them”
Their mother's advice they followed and at 19 Vinny and Roy (17), opened their first Club with the money they made from a robbery or two.
Here is where the Butler’s saga starts. Under Vinny’s volatile, unpredictable, explosive temper, manipulative and greedy personality, the Butler’s became the kings of the East End. A family, trust me, you don’t want to mess with.
And then, when you think you’ve got ‘em and we have seen it all…
Surprise, surprise! We now have little Vinny. Who I am scared shitless of.
My thoughts:
Kimberley Chambers writes short stretches changing the focus of the story often and making this read of 400 pages dynamic and extremely compelling. Her voice is intimate, bringing us close to all characters. I could see me THERE, totally engaged in the community as a Mrs. Nosy next door neighbour. There is a fine tone in her narrative that channel an element of intimacy/privacy between the reader and all the characters, as in listening to their secretive and dirty thoughts, their sins and their crimes.
Bloody loved it!
February 24, 2017
***** 5 "Princess" Stars *****
"When he's good he's very good but when he's bad, he's pure evil."
Vinny Butler's dark decisions and evil sins are coming back to haunt him and his entire family. The Butler's are about to experience hell on earth when truths and secrets crash head on into their reality.
No matter what Vinny does, the price is at an ultimate high and he is unable to seek reprieve for the past and his future will pay the ultimate price. No Butler is safe, when friend, foe and family are out to get you.
Book 2 in Kimberly Chambers series The Butler's is beyond amazing and I would never have guesses this book would rip my heart to shreds!!
Loving Molly Dolly Forever
"When he's good he's very good but when he's bad, he's pure evil."
Vinny Butler's dark decisions and evil sins are coming back to haunt him and his entire family. The Butler's are about to experience hell on earth when truths and secrets crash head on into their reality.
No matter what Vinny does, the price is at an ultimate high and he is unable to seek reprieve for the past and his future will pay the ultimate price. No Butler is safe, when friend, foe and family are out to get you.
Book 2 in Kimberly Chambers series The Butler's is beyond amazing and I would never have guesses this book would rip my heart to shreds!!
Loving Molly Dolly Forever
August 12, 2016
My review of The Trap: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Written when I bought the book:
FUCKING YES. Never been this excited to read a book in my life!!
Written after I read the book:
Okay so I decided to only rate books on Goodreads in 2014 rather than write a few words which hardly anybody would read. However after finishing Payback I cannot just rate this book five stars without listing why. This book deserves more than five stars!
I discovered Kimberley Chambers about two years ago when looking for similar books to Martina Cole. I read the synopsis for The Feud, started to read it and after a week of hardly any sleep I finished the trilogy and was telling anybody who would listen how fantastic it was. I then eagerly awaited the release of The Schemer. It was in January 2013 however when Kimberley wrote the book that would give the Mitchell/O'Hara trilogy a run for its money and that book was The Trap. I wrote a review for it where I said it would be the best book I'd read in 2013. Well I read 160+ books in 2013 and The Trap was the best one.
Luckily 2013 ended up being one of the quickest years ever and so 2014 arrived and I couldn't wait for the release of Payback. I was in London for the week and found Payback for sale in the Isle of Dogs ASDA. After practically grabbing the last copy out of some poor woman's hands I ran to the self service till, ran to the DLR and spent nearly an hour on the platform at Bank reading the book until I realised that the quicker I read it the quicker it would be over and so managed to ration my reading until tonight when I just couldn't put the book down until I finished it, and now I am devastated. It is writers like Kimberley that give people readers block! What the fuck am I meant to read after finishing a book as fantastic as this I have no idea... The whole book just feels so real, the characters, the story, the setting.. I stay in Bethnal Green Travelodge when in London and so could easily recognise some of the places this book was set.
Starting The Trap I thought it would be impossible for Kim to better 'the trilogy' but she really did with the creation of the Butlers and so when starting Payback I wondered if she could better The Trap. Well, she did, and then some. This book was just fantastic from start to finish. I forgot I was reading a book for most of it and instead it was as if I had fell into somebody else's world and was watching the horrors and drama unfold. Vinny Butler is one evil bastard and the bulk of the book revolves around the disappearance of his daughter, after all that Vinny has done literally anybody could be responsible. And that is why the ending of the book nearly made me lose my eyes they were bulging that far out of their sockets. I love a good cliffhanger and they don't come much more shocking than the one in this book.
For me Kimberley has now earned her place right at the top of the list as the best author of these types of books. The crown once belonged to Martina who apart from 2013 hasn't written a good book for about 10 years. Kimberley seems to have the rare talent of actually improving on the last book with each release and the only other authors doing that are Mandasue Heller and Jessie Keane however Jacqui Rose has written excellent books. To think that Kim might never have even put pen to paper is ridiculous. If ever an authors work deserved to be read in the millions then it is this author. I wrote in my review of The Trap how I wished I could meet Kim and get my book signed so imagine my excitement at seeing she was in Liverpool not only by herself but with another legend Mandasue Heller and then imagine my disappointment when I found out I was in work. Perhaps the release of Butler book 3 will be when I eventually get my book signed but I fear by then Kim's popularity will only have grown even more meaning there will be even more people queuing up to get theirs signed! That said it was fantastic to see Payback hit number 1 in the charts as it is thoroughly deserved. I think it will be a real struggle to find a better book than this in 2014 and I am already considering rereading her other books or rereading some of my other favourite books as any other new book is just going to be a disappointment after finishing a book this good. And it is fucking excellent.
READ IT NOW.
Written when I bought the book:
FUCKING YES. Never been this excited to read a book in my life!!
Written after I read the book:
Okay so I decided to only rate books on Goodreads in 2014 rather than write a few words which hardly anybody would read. However after finishing Payback I cannot just rate this book five stars without listing why. This book deserves more than five stars!
I discovered Kimberley Chambers about two years ago when looking for similar books to Martina Cole. I read the synopsis for The Feud, started to read it and after a week of hardly any sleep I finished the trilogy and was telling anybody who would listen how fantastic it was. I then eagerly awaited the release of The Schemer. It was in January 2013 however when Kimberley wrote the book that would give the Mitchell/O'Hara trilogy a run for its money and that book was The Trap. I wrote a review for it where I said it would be the best book I'd read in 2013. Well I read 160+ books in 2013 and The Trap was the best one.
Luckily 2013 ended up being one of the quickest years ever and so 2014 arrived and I couldn't wait for the release of Payback. I was in London for the week and found Payback for sale in the Isle of Dogs ASDA. After practically grabbing the last copy out of some poor woman's hands I ran to the self service till, ran to the DLR and spent nearly an hour on the platform at Bank reading the book until I realised that the quicker I read it the quicker it would be over and so managed to ration my reading until tonight when I just couldn't put the book down until I finished it, and now I am devastated. It is writers like Kimberley that give people readers block! What the fuck am I meant to read after finishing a book as fantastic as this I have no idea... The whole book just feels so real, the characters, the story, the setting.. I stay in Bethnal Green Travelodge when in London and so could easily recognise some of the places this book was set.
Starting The Trap I thought it would be impossible for Kim to better 'the trilogy' but she really did with the creation of the Butlers and so when starting Payback I wondered if she could better The Trap. Well, she did, and then some. This book was just fantastic from start to finish. I forgot I was reading a book for most of it and instead it was as if I had fell into somebody else's world and was watching the horrors and drama unfold. Vinny Butler is one evil bastard and the bulk of the book revolves around the disappearance of his daughter, after all that Vinny has done literally anybody could be responsible. And that is why the ending of the book nearly made me lose my eyes they were bulging that far out of their sockets. I love a good cliffhanger and they don't come much more shocking than the one in this book.
For me Kimberley has now earned her place right at the top of the list as the best author of these types of books. The crown once belonged to Martina who apart from 2013 hasn't written a good book for about 10 years. Kimberley seems to have the rare talent of actually improving on the last book with each release and the only other authors doing that are Mandasue Heller and Jessie Keane however Jacqui Rose has written excellent books. To think that Kim might never have even put pen to paper is ridiculous. If ever an authors work deserved to be read in the millions then it is this author. I wrote in my review of The Trap how I wished I could meet Kim and get my book signed so imagine my excitement at seeing she was in Liverpool not only by herself but with another legend Mandasue Heller and then imagine my disappointment when I found out I was in work. Perhaps the release of Butler book 3 will be when I eventually get my book signed but I fear by then Kim's popularity will only have grown even more meaning there will be even more people queuing up to get theirs signed! That said it was fantastic to see Payback hit number 1 in the charts as it is thoroughly deserved. I think it will be a real struggle to find a better book than this in 2014 and I am already considering rereading her other books or rereading some of my other favourite books as any other new book is just going to be a disappointment after finishing a book this good. And it is fucking excellent.
READ IT NOW.
October 22, 2013
I need to start this review by explaining the fact that this is a follow up to the first book featuring the Butlers, entitled The Trap. If you haven’t already read this book then please don’t read this reviews as there will inevitably be spoilers in it. Kimberley Chambers came onto the Crime writing scene back in 2008, and has gone on to become an author which I can confidently place in my top 5. She created the series featuring the family’s the Mitchell’s and O’Hara’s and then last year she created a new series featuring the Butler family. I always felt that the characters in the Mitchell/O’Hara series would take some beating, but the Butlers are just as good. I apologise for the length of this review, but the book warrants a long review as there is so much to say.
We return to the Butlers lives following the death of Vinny and Michael’s brother Roy Butler and their cousin Lenny. Vinny Butler is the most ferocious of the Butlers and unfortunately has made many enemies on his journey to become a feared and well known face. Unfortunately some of his enemies are closer than he thinks. Vinny’s younger brother Michael also makes a return along with his wife Nancy and their kids. Nancy hasn’t been well and life has not been straightforward for Michael either. Nancy is trying to recover both in her health, and with her relationship to Michael. She also has the added pressure of trying to bond with Michael’s son Lee. Joanna is married to Vinny and has her own troubles as she struggles to bond with Vinny’s son (aptly named Little Vinnie) from another relationship. However, when she gives birth to Molly, Vinny changes for the better and Joanna wonders if the birth of his daughter will be the making of him.
As soon as I started this book I was drawn straight back into the crazy world of the Butlers. One thing that seems to be worlds apart from the Mitchell/O’Hara books and this series is the sheer volume of characters in this book. I’m not saying that as a negative, but there are a lot of characters and lots of threads to various storylines from start to finish. As plots go, this one was very detailed as there are so many things going on with various characters. This didn’t deter me, and actually I think if you love the story and characters (which I did from book 1) then it’s easy enough to keep track.
As per usual, there isn’t a moment without drama and the characters that make this book are endless. Thankfully the Butler’s Mum Queenie is back with a vengeance and still ruling her family along with her sister. We also see Vinny and Michael’s sister, Albie, Ahmed, Nancy’s parents and brother and Joanna’s mum and Dad to name a few. As usual, violence goes hand in hand with the Butlers and this book is no different. The story continues from book 1 and many issues from the previous book are brought up, dealt with, and then turned on their head to leave you hanging again (damn you Kim)! What I really loved was the fact that the women married to the Butler’s drive a lot of the storyline in this book and it gave it a different feel to the last one. I am keeping plot details to a bare minimum as to mention any of them would be considered spoilers in my mind. However, what you will find in this book is violence, treachery, drama, and a whole lot of people fitting each other up!
What I will say is this. Kimberley Chambers has grafted her arse off on this book and it shows. Yes, it’s more detailed and longer (I think) than her other offerings, but I can understand why with so much ground and characters to cover. I picked this book up and didn’t want to put it down. I thought I had the answer to my questions about the story by around the last fifth of the book. That changed chapter by chapter until I literally got to the last few pages. Talk about a cliff hanger of an ending. This book, although different from the Mitchell/O’Hara series is absolutely brilliant and one that I think all her fans will love. Not only that, but by the last page, you become desperate for the next instalment. The last quarter of the book made me feel almost breathless with anticipation, and by the end I just felt shock! Shock that I didn’t see the ending coming, shock that I had to wait another whole year for the next part, and shock that ‘fuck it’ I’ve finished it now! The Mitchell’s and the O’Hara’s are still edging it slightly as my favourites but the Butler’s aren’t far behind.
I have a feeling I know where Kim is going with this book and the characters in the future, and whatever happens, if she carries on writing like this she will hit number one with every future book she writes. You lot have a little bit of a wait until this is published, but boy is it worth it! Make sure you get it pre-ordered now, because trust me, this book you won’t want to miss. KC, you’ve produced another amazing book, and I for on will be waiting with baited breath for the next book
We return to the Butlers lives following the death of Vinny and Michael’s brother Roy Butler and their cousin Lenny. Vinny Butler is the most ferocious of the Butlers and unfortunately has made many enemies on his journey to become a feared and well known face. Unfortunately some of his enemies are closer than he thinks. Vinny’s younger brother Michael also makes a return along with his wife Nancy and their kids. Nancy hasn’t been well and life has not been straightforward for Michael either. Nancy is trying to recover both in her health, and with her relationship to Michael. She also has the added pressure of trying to bond with Michael’s son Lee. Joanna is married to Vinny and has her own troubles as she struggles to bond with Vinny’s son (aptly named Little Vinnie) from another relationship. However, when she gives birth to Molly, Vinny changes for the better and Joanna wonders if the birth of his daughter will be the making of him.
As soon as I started this book I was drawn straight back into the crazy world of the Butlers. One thing that seems to be worlds apart from the Mitchell/O’Hara books and this series is the sheer volume of characters in this book. I’m not saying that as a negative, but there are a lot of characters and lots of threads to various storylines from start to finish. As plots go, this one was very detailed as there are so many things going on with various characters. This didn’t deter me, and actually I think if you love the story and characters (which I did from book 1) then it’s easy enough to keep track.
As per usual, there isn’t a moment without drama and the characters that make this book are endless. Thankfully the Butler’s Mum Queenie is back with a vengeance and still ruling her family along with her sister. We also see Vinny and Michael’s sister, Albie, Ahmed, Nancy’s parents and brother and Joanna’s mum and Dad to name a few. As usual, violence goes hand in hand with the Butlers and this book is no different. The story continues from book 1 and many issues from the previous book are brought up, dealt with, and then turned on their head to leave you hanging again (damn you Kim)! What I really loved was the fact that the women married to the Butler’s drive a lot of the storyline in this book and it gave it a different feel to the last one. I am keeping plot details to a bare minimum as to mention any of them would be considered spoilers in my mind. However, what you will find in this book is violence, treachery, drama, and a whole lot of people fitting each other up!
What I will say is this. Kimberley Chambers has grafted her arse off on this book and it shows. Yes, it’s more detailed and longer (I think) than her other offerings, but I can understand why with so much ground and characters to cover. I picked this book up and didn’t want to put it down. I thought I had the answer to my questions about the story by around the last fifth of the book. That changed chapter by chapter until I literally got to the last few pages. Talk about a cliff hanger of an ending. This book, although different from the Mitchell/O’Hara series is absolutely brilliant and one that I think all her fans will love. Not only that, but by the last page, you become desperate for the next instalment. The last quarter of the book made me feel almost breathless with anticipation, and by the end I just felt shock! Shock that I didn’t see the ending coming, shock that I had to wait another whole year for the next part, and shock that ‘fuck it’ I’ve finished it now! The Mitchell’s and the O’Hara’s are still edging it slightly as my favourites but the Butler’s aren’t far behind.
I have a feeling I know where Kim is going with this book and the characters in the future, and whatever happens, if she carries on writing like this she will hit number one with every future book she writes. You lot have a little bit of a wait until this is published, but boy is it worth it! Make sure you get it pre-ordered now, because trust me, this book you won’t want to miss. KC, you’ve produced another amazing book, and I for on will be waiting with baited breath for the next book
August 22, 2015
If you prick us, do we not bleed?
If you tickle us, do we not laugh?
If you poison us, do we not die?
And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
William Shakespeare.
After reading this at the beginning you can tell your in for another thrilling read.
This one had its crime, angst, mystery but also it had some sadness too.
I loved Eddie Mitchell coming in and out the story. Another great character in the gangster underworld.
My feelings have changed for some of the characters in this one, but that ending I was flabbergasted blown away with.
Can't wait to start the next one.
Another 5 star awesome performance with Vinny Butler, family, friends and enemies.
If you tickle us, do we not laugh?
If you poison us, do we not die?
And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?
William Shakespeare.
After reading this at the beginning you can tell your in for another thrilling read.
This one had its crime, angst, mystery but also it had some sadness too.
I loved Eddie Mitchell coming in and out the story. Another great character in the gangster underworld.
My feelings have changed for some of the characters in this one, but that ending I was flabbergasted blown away with.
Can't wait to start the next one.
Another 5 star awesome performance with Vinny Butler, family, friends and enemies.
January 28, 2015
bloody brilliant
This book follows on from The Trap, which I have just re-read before starting this one. The Trap was a 5star++ read and I didn't think the story could get any better.........BUT It really does.
We again return to the lives of the Butler family, a great family to read about but so glad they not my family or even my neighbours.
I wanted to sit and read this in one sitting, but I paced myself to make the book last, all the way through i wanted to carry on find out what was happening and as usual you get to the End and you just dont want it to finish..
You are just pulled right into the the lives of these crazy people right from the beginning, with twists and turns all the way through, right to the end when you think.. WELL I DIDN'T SEE TAHT COMING.......
Then you suddenly realise that you have to wait another whole year for the next one.. But if its anything like this one it will be well worth the wait..
No wonder Kimberley Chambers is at Number one with this book..
This book follows on from The Trap, which I have just re-read before starting this one. The Trap was a 5star++ read and I didn't think the story could get any better.........BUT It really does.
We again return to the lives of the Butler family, a great family to read about but so glad they not my family or even my neighbours.
I wanted to sit and read this in one sitting, but I paced myself to make the book last, all the way through i wanted to carry on find out what was happening and as usual you get to the End and you just dont want it to finish..
You are just pulled right into the the lives of these crazy people right from the beginning, with twists and turns all the way through, right to the end when you think.. WELL I DIDN'T SEE TAHT COMING.......
Then you suddenly realise that you have to wait another whole year for the next one.. But if its anything like this one it will be well worth the wait..
No wonder Kimberley Chambers is at Number one with this book..
November 7, 2015
Absolutely brilliant read, couldn't put it down. An excellent follow up to The Trap, I can't wait for the next installment.
June 23, 2016
Brilliant!
November 14, 2019
OMG!!
Ok be prepared. This book is really sad. But also in a warped way satisfying. Seeing Vinny suffer was great.
Can't wait for the sequel and hopefully witness Vinny and his son get their comeuppance.
Enjoy.
Ok be prepared. This book is really sad. But also in a warped way satisfying. Seeing Vinny suffer was great.
Can't wait for the sequel and hopefully witness Vinny and his son get their comeuppance.
Enjoy.
May 14, 2016
This book was really good! It was gritty, it was dark, and it was shocking. However, being an avid Martina Cole fan, I hated that I was comparing this book to some of Martina's. This was brilliant it really was, and I'll definitely read some more Kimberley Chambers as she's a fab writer, but, I can't help but feel that the writing was lacking something 'real', like the 'real' I get from Martina's writing. I can't put my finger on it. It wasn't quite as believable, that's what I mean! But still great!
March 27, 2016
This is a new author for me and the book was a free gift from amazon. It's quite a good crime story and I enjoyed the book but it isn't great. The characters were just okay and the plot fairly predictable. I prefer such stories to have some good twists. I hadn't realised it was the second in a series but it worked okay as a standalone read. I don't feel compelled to now read the others in the series.
October 27, 2017
4½ stars
I loved this book it had everything from a bone fide villian and so many sub plots it made your head spin. This is the 2nd book in the series and picked up where the last one left off. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series and seeing how the characters lives pan out.
I loved this book it had everything from a bone fide villian and so many sub plots it made your head spin. This is the 2nd book in the series and picked up where the last one left off. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series and seeing how the characters lives pan out.
March 21, 2016
3.5 stars
Another really good listen. You wouldn't want to know the Butler's in real life but they're entertaining to read about, and of course Annie Aldington is great at narrating as always. Onto book three!
Another really good listen. You wouldn't want to know the Butler's in real life but they're entertaining to read about, and of course Annie Aldington is great at narrating as always. Onto book three!
February 11, 2014
Brilliant !!!!
January 12, 2021
What a book!!!... this is the second in the series from Kimberley Chambers following on from the trap. Yet again I was not disappointed. The Butler family are certainly a force to be reckoned with and such evilness runs within, my emotions were high and low throughout every page such was my involvement in the lives of the family. I highly recommend this read and am already reaching for the third book in the series, Wronged.
November 7, 2017
Took me a while to get into this but after half way through the book then found I was drawn into the story. Maybe because I didn't read the first book in this series. It's like Eastenders meets the Krays!
February 22, 2020
Not really my genre and I felt it lacked depth. But hey, it was a kindle freebie. Warning, this is the 2nd in a series so if you like to read in order start with no. 1
June 6, 2018
Hard hitting and more
I really wanted to hate this book but I found it compulsive ready. The Butler family have no redeeming qualities the only one I took to is Michael but they stick together and the eldest Vinny is despicable! He seems to feel he is the big man and has no respect for women except for his Mother who is nightmare and he is cut from the same cloth. There is quite a bit of foul language but I could not stop reading. I will definitely be reading the next instalment. The saddest part of the book is what happens to Vinny's little girl and the shock is the culprit. Will they be found out???
I really wanted to hate this book but I found it compulsive ready. The Butler family have no redeeming qualities the only one I took to is Michael but they stick together and the eldest Vinny is despicable! He seems to feel he is the big man and has no respect for women except for his Mother who is nightmare and he is cut from the same cloth. There is quite a bit of foul language but I could not stop reading. I will definitely be reading the next instalment. The saddest part of the book is what happens to Vinny's little girl and the shock is the culprit. Will they be found out???
June 28, 2014
I have just discovered Kimberley Chambers books and read Payback straight after The Trap. It's a direct continuation of the Butlers' story. Reminds me of Martina Cole before her books became violence with no story. This book kept my interest to the last page- I was left open mouthed as I was NOT expecting that ending! Looking forward to the next instalment!
February 6, 2016
This was a re read for me as I'm refreshing it in my mind ready for Kimberley's new one due out soon .
A fantastic book , just how I like them full of mean characters and the twists and turns are excellent . Full of love , hate and revenge all rolled into one . Loved it . A massive 5 stars from me
A fantastic book , just how I like them full of mean characters and the twists and turns are excellent . Full of love , hate and revenge all rolled into one . Loved it . A massive 5 stars from me
October 17, 2016
A cracker of a story
Kimberley has excelled herself with the Butlers. Reminds me of Eastenders. If you enjoy Eastenders then this is a book for you. Sad ending and hopefully every dog has its day and what goes around comes around
Kimberley has excelled herself with the Butlers. Reminds me of Eastenders. If you enjoy Eastenders then this is a book for you. Sad ending and hopefully every dog has its day and what goes around comes around
July 29, 2014
Omg what an ending I'm sitting here needing more I can't believe it Kimberley just pulls shock after shock with her writing it's just brilliant.
April 22, 2019
Crime Thriller is not a genre I'm familiar with. When I agreed to review this, I figured it was on the 'police procedural' end of the 'crime' spectrum, rather than a portrait of a criminal gang family. But, I love to try new things and dived into this with an open mind.
Aaaand I think I'm going to have to call 'not my thing' on this one. It's not that it wasn't well written, plotted or researched - it certainly wasn't hard work to get through, and even though I haven't read The Trap, the first book in the series, I was able to pick things up as I went along with relative ease. But did I enjoy it? Not really.
And that's not a criticism of the author or anything that she was doing in this book. It's just not my genre.
The plot interwove a number of characters skilfully, and though I did feel it took a while to get going, when Molly was kidnapped, things really kicked up a gear and would, had I not lacked investment in the characters, have made the final few chapters real page turners.
But therein lay the problem for me - I just couldn't get behind any of the characters. At first I thought it was because the plot flitted between them a la an episode of Eastenders - staying with people for only a few paragraphs before skipping on to someone else. But even as I started to get to know them better and fill in the gaps left by not reading the previous book, I just found them pretty much all reprehensible. Everyone was doing terrible things to each other, and trying to get payback on someone through horrible means. I just couldn't see a redeeming feature in most of them. Love of their family, I suppose, but even that was a bit thin at times.
But this is a Crime Thriller, and that's sort of the point.
So, I tried something new, didn't get along with it too well. But I really think that if I was going to enjoy a Crime Thriller, Kimberley Chambers would be the one to start with. Based on the other reviews on Goodreads, she delivers what her fans are looking for. Myself, I've learned that ultimately I need a character I actually like and root for to truly enjoy a novel.
Aaaand I think I'm going to have to call 'not my thing' on this one. It's not that it wasn't well written, plotted or researched - it certainly wasn't hard work to get through, and even though I haven't read The Trap, the first book in the series, I was able to pick things up as I went along with relative ease. But did I enjoy it? Not really.
And that's not a criticism of the author or anything that she was doing in this book. It's just not my genre.
The plot interwove a number of characters skilfully, and though I did feel it took a while to get going, when Molly was kidnapped, things really kicked up a gear and would, had I not lacked investment in the characters, have made the final few chapters real page turners.
But therein lay the problem for me - I just couldn't get behind any of the characters. At first I thought it was because the plot flitted between them a la an episode of Eastenders - staying with people for only a few paragraphs before skipping on to someone else. But even as I started to get to know them better and fill in the gaps left by not reading the previous book, I just found them pretty much all reprehensible. Everyone was doing terrible things to each other, and trying to get payback on someone through horrible means. I just couldn't see a redeeming feature in most of them. Love of their family, I suppose, but even that was a bit thin at times.
But this is a Crime Thriller, and that's sort of the point.
So, I tried something new, didn't get along with it too well. But I really think that if I was going to enjoy a Crime Thriller, Kimberley Chambers would be the one to start with. Based on the other reviews on Goodreads, she delivers what her fans are looking for. Myself, I've learned that ultimately I need a character I actually like and root for to truly enjoy a novel.
August 23, 2024
Not a big fan of the well-known East End set soap opera which clearly inspired much of this, but even parking that, I found this a very unlikeable read.
If you like stories with angry and nasty characters who shout at each other a lot and commit random acts of violence (including against children) while spouting cliched Cockneyisms at each other, this might work for you. However, I don’t and am struggling to think of any redeeming qualities.
In fact, it reminded me of when TV comedy sketch shows used to do parodies of this sort of Cockney gangster style. This felt like reading an overly long version of one of those that’s been stripped of any warmth, humour or charm.
The only reason I kept going was to keep track of the many examples of bad writing practices. Lots of run-on sentences and no rhythm to the writing. Too many characters who all blend into each other. No character development. It reads like a first draft that no editor has ever seen.
It doesn’t help that the men are almost all violent, shouty thugs, and the women are all doormats or vindictive shrews.
It’s about a crime family called The Butlers. They live in the East End. Nasty stuff happens - people get beat up and murdered including a nasty child murder towards the end. However, they’re all generally such terrible people, that it’s hard to care about what happens to them.
It’ll appeal to a certain type of soap opera viewer, but definitely didn’t appeal to me. A really poor read IMO, I’m sorry to say.
If you like stories with angry and nasty characters who shout at each other a lot and commit random acts of violence (including against children) while spouting cliched Cockneyisms at each other, this might work for you. However, I don’t and am struggling to think of any redeeming qualities.
In fact, it reminded me of when TV comedy sketch shows used to do parodies of this sort of Cockney gangster style. This felt like reading an overly long version of one of those that’s been stripped of any warmth, humour or charm.
The only reason I kept going was to keep track of the many examples of bad writing practices. Lots of run-on sentences and no rhythm to the writing. Too many characters who all blend into each other. No character development. It reads like a first draft that no editor has ever seen.
It doesn’t help that the men are almost all violent, shouty thugs, and the women are all doormats or vindictive shrews.
It’s about a crime family called The Butlers. They live in the East End. Nasty stuff happens - people get beat up and murdered including a nasty child murder towards the end. However, they’re all generally such terrible people, that it’s hard to care about what happens to them.
It’ll appeal to a certain type of soap opera viewer, but definitely didn’t appeal to me. A really poor read IMO, I’m sorry to say.
August 29, 2017
The Butler family are a family to be feared. They are Top Dogs in the East End criminal world and are not to be crossed. Vinny Butler is the eldest son of Queenie Butler and is a despicable person who will trample on anyone, including family to get what he wants.
When Vinny's little daughter Molly is born, he calms down and vows he will keep her safe always. He truly loves Molly and is a different person in her company.
Vinny has been involved in many dirty deals and has upset many people along the way, even family members. He has made many enemies and many people are just waiting for the opportunity to get back at Vinny.
Vinny's world falls apart when his beloved daughter Molly, now 3 years old, goes missing. Is this Payback ?
This book follows on from The Trap, featuring the butler family and i look forward to reading the next novel.
When Vinny's little daughter Molly is born, he calms down and vows he will keep her safe always. He truly loves Molly and is a different person in her company.
Vinny has been involved in many dirty deals and has upset many people along the way, even family members. He has made many enemies and many people are just waiting for the opportunity to get back at Vinny.
Vinny's world falls apart when his beloved daughter Molly, now 3 years old, goes missing. Is this Payback ?
This book follows on from The Trap, featuring the butler family and i look forward to reading the next novel.
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