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Playing With Fire

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All debts must be paid. In blood.

When underworld loan shark Davie Saunders is gunned down at his daughter's wedding, his loved ones are sure that a rival East End crime family is responsible. Davie's widow and daughters must now step up and take control of Davie's empire, but from the beginning it's clear they're in way over their heads.

Shy bride Mia has no experience of giving orders, self-centred middle-child Kelsey is more concerned with keeping her affair with bodyguard Todd a secret, and baby of the family Scarlett is very firmly kept out of the business while she finishes her education.

But all three sisters, as well as ex-model mum Amanda, are determined to do whatever it takes to get what they're owed.

Underestimate them at your peril...

Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Martina Cole and Jacqui Rose.

374 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 3, 2022

122 people are currently reading
33 people want to read

About the author

Stephanie Harte

18 books41 followers
Stephanie Harte was born and raised in North West London.

After leaving school, she trained in Hairdressing and Beauty Therapy at London College of Fashion. Stephanie went on to teach beauty workshops at a specialist residential clinic for children with severe eating disorders for ten years. She also previously worked as a Pharmaceutical Buyer for the NHS and an international medical export company.

While taking a break to raise her two children, Stephanie began writing as a hobby. She signed a contract in March 2019 with Head of Zeus. Stephanie wrote seven crime novels for the publisher before signing a contract with Boldwood Books in June 2023. She is currently writing a new series, The Kennedy Twins. The first book, Double Trouble, will be released on 10th April 2024.

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5 stars
324 (51%)
4 stars
152 (24%)
3 stars
114 (18%)
2 stars
28 (4%)
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10 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
Profile Image for Jo Lee.
1,144 reviews22 followers
July 5, 2025
I was expecting a novel with similarities to Kimberley Chambers or Kerry Barnes but unfortunately it was a bit dumbed down, predictable and repetitive for my liking.

Didn’t entirely love the narration.

Included with audible until July 15th
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,736 reviews157 followers
January 28, 2022
Davie Saunders lives in London with his wife Amanda and his three daughters Kelsey, Mia, and Scarlett. He loves them dearly. He runs his own Debt Collection agency and part gangster but keeps most of his business details secret from his three girls. Who has never wanted for nothing, until the day of Mia’s wedding when he is shot dead at the ceremony?
When Mia and Kelsey find out the truth of their father’s business, at first their mother thinks that they will shy away from the truth, but they want to seek revenge for their father’s death. Who they think has something to do with the Colemans after the retaliation of their father killing and getting rid of one of them, they try and shield the youngest sister Scarlett and want her to carry on with her university course. But Scarlett is not happy with the situation. But is soon distracted by CJ who she meets while shopping. Who Killed Davie and why?
Thank you, Head of Zeus for a copy of Playing with Fire by Stephanie Harte. This is another addictive gripping, Gangland thriller the author she never disappoints. I loved it so much I read it in 24 hours. I really like the Saunders family. Each one of the girls are different with their strengths and weaknesses but all have the same goal. This had an ending that I wasn’t expecting. I hope that this story continues. I like to see how the story pans out. 5 stars from me.
Profile Image for Vicki - I Love Reading.
961 reviews56 followers
March 3, 2024
Playing with Fire By Stephanie Harte
East End Crime Family Series
✔︎ 1. Playing with Fire (2022)
✔︎ 2. Burning Bridges (2023)

Having read this, the first book in The East End Crime Family series I dived right into the 2nd book. This book was so good I was actually glad I was a little behind in my reading so I could read them back to back.

A superb start to a series. Superb, believable characters and a fresh storyline to keep you gripped.

When the Sunders family loose the Man of the family his daughters decide they need to step into his shoes. His business is now theirs.
Its not going to be an easy task and we know there will be obstacles and hurdles along the way.
I really can't praise this book enough and it's been added to my Best reads this year. I was glued, exceptionally good and kept me hooked throughout.
The best book yet by Stephanie and that's some going as all her books have been good.
Profile Image for Tracy ann  Robinson.
1,140 reviews26 followers
January 22, 2022
i very much enjoyed this is so so good gripping twisty and very addictive. Davie and Amanda Have 3 daughters Kelsey. Mia and Scarlett. his family is everything to him. Davie owns his own debt collection agency but he a bit of a gangster he and a loyal and very close friend Rio collect the money .Dave employs a new bodyguard for his daughters. Todd has caught the eye of Kelsey and she always get what she wants then disaster strikes the family wont say no more but so good i think this is the best yet from this author.
Profile Image for Lucy C.
366 reviews56 followers
January 19, 2022
I loved these sisters, who want to rule the family business, but ar a young age are they out of their depth, my favourite was Scarlett. Stephanie has a great style of writing and has become one of my firm favourites. Another excellent page turning gripping read these get better and better. Stephanie You smashed it as always! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Profile Image for Amanda.
2,026 reviews54 followers
June 26, 2022
I have been a fan of Stephanie’s books for a while now. I have read and loved each and every book that she has written. I read the synopsis for ‘Playing With Fire’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to expect from Stephanie- a gritty, gripping, tense and dramatic story. Well it was all that and so much more. I flipping well loved reading ‘Playing With Fire’ but more about that in a bit.
The synopsis of ‘Playing With Fire’ was enough to grab my attention and draw me in. As soon as I started reading, I knew that I was going to become seriously addicted to the story and that it would be nigh on impossible for me to put the book down for any length of time. I made the stupid mistake of starting to read this book shortly before I went to bed. Let’s just say that bedtime was rather delayed and that I had a ‘lack of sleep’ hangover the following morning but it was so worth it. This story stayed with me whether I had the book in my hand or not. If I wasn’t reading the book then I was thinking about it. If I had to put the book down for any reason, then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I loved the mix of characters and I had to keep reading to see how their particular storyline worked out. The pages turned increasingly quickly as I worked my way through the book. All too quickly I reached the end of ‘Playing With Fire’. I found ‘Playing With Fire’ to be a gripping, gritty, fast paced, tense and dramatic story which certainly kept me guessing and which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘Playing With Fire’ is superbly written but then I have come to expect nothing less from Stephanie Harte. She has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. This is going to sound silly but whilst reading the book, I didn’t feel as though I was reading a book but I did feel as though I was having a chat with a friend. Stephanie certainly knows how to catch the reader’s attention and draw them into what proves to be one hell of a compelling story. Each chapter is written from the point of view of one specific character. The chapters interlink well and the story flows seamlessly as a result. Stephanie clearly cares about her characters and this shines through in the very vivid and realistic way in which she describes them. She makes them seem just as real as you and I. I have to say that some of the characters scared the doo doo out of me. Reading ‘Playing With Fire’ felt like being on a fast and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with lots of twists and turns along the way. I love the way in which Stephanie makes the reader feel as though they are part of the story and at the heart of the action.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Playing With Fire’ and I would recommend it to other readers. I will certainly be reading more of Stephanie’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
Profile Image for Julie.
2,653 reviews42 followers
August 27, 2022
The girls are in charge in Stephanie Harte’s exciting and electrifying new gangland thriller, Playing with Fire.

Mia’s wedding day was meant to be the happiest day of her life – until her father, underworld loan shark Davie Saunders, was gunned down and murdered in cold blood. Davie’s family are sure that a rival East End family is responsible for the hit – and it is up to his wife and three daughters to take control of the reins and ensure that his empire does not fall in to the wrong hands. However, Amanda and her three daughters quickly realise that they are in way over their heads…

Mia is shy, reserved and somebody who does not like to be the centre of attention. With no experience whatsoever of giving orders, Mia is going to have to learn fast and grow a very thick skin – because if she doesn’t, the consequences could be deadly. Her sister Kelsey is more concerned about her own personal problems and about keeping her shocking affair with bodyguard Trevor a closely guarded secret. Baby of the family Scarlett’s focus is on her education and is kept firmly out of the family business, but with her whole life having imploded, she is going to have no other choice but to get stuck into the murky world her family operates in. With former model mum Amanda determined to do whatever it takes to get what they are owed, the Saunders family cannot afford to put a foot wrong because the stakes have never been higher and their enemies are watching and waiting for just the right time to strike again…

Stephanie Harte’s Playing with Fire is a fast-paced, nerve-jangling and heart-pounding thriller Martina Cole fans are going to lap up. Stephanie Harte brilliantly evokes the danger, terror and jeopardy of the criminal underworld and in Playing with Fire, she has written a dark, exciting, chilling and jaw-dropping page-turner full of strong female characters stepping up to the plate determined to prove that they are just as capable as the men at calling the shots.

Gritty, gutsy and hard to put down, gangland thriller fans will not want to miss out on Stephanie Harte’s Playing with Fire.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Vanessa.
3,185 reviews26 followers
February 28, 2022
Playing with Fire by Stephanie Harte was an enjoyable read and a great book to take on holiday. It was fast pace with lots of great twists and turns throughout. Davie Saunders is an underworld loan shark a hard man, he is married and has three beautiful daughters. Everything was perfect Mia his eldest, is getting married to a man of her dreams. Her father Davie and her mum Amanda are happy for her.
Mia's sisters Kelsey and Scarlett. are all excited for Mia's wedding in Scotland. Mia always wanted a winter wedding, what could go wrong?

Bang!!! A gun is fired and someone falls!!!

Everyone is shocked!

This day should be perfect and the best day of Mia's life! Someone has been shot!!!

Why? and who?

Mia, Kelsey and Scarlett want to step up and look after their father business, but they don't have a clue how to run it.
They have always been cared for by their father. If they wanted something their father gave it to them.

Will they succeed and carry on where he left off?

Or will they loose everything?

I highly recommend this latest book I loved it.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review
Profile Image for Booklover BEV.
1,715 reviews51 followers
January 17, 2022
London family the Saunders, dad Davie runs his debt collection agency business, his beloved wife Amanda and three darling daughters, Mia ,Kelsey and Scarlett are his world and don't want for nothing, hiring bodyguard Todd Evans who straight away starts a relationship with Kelsey, then on the eve of his daughter Mia's wedding in Scotland Davie finds out and fires him, the wedding itself will change this family as Davie is shot down nothing will ever be the same again, Davie is no longer the bread winner, and the daughters were ready to fight and carry on their dads legacy and take on the business, they had a big job and finding their dad left countless enemies in the Debt agency and also money laundering, scores needed to be settled with the Colman family.
Wow this book was very fast pace, with almighty twists that will shock you to the core, right to the end, I loved it from start to finish. A brilliant stand alone that will grip you into such a gripping read. Fantastic all the way.
573 reviews4 followers
January 26, 2022
Davie Saunders is an underworld loan shark a hard man but a loving husband and father to his wife Amanda and three daughters,Mia,Kelsey and Scarlett.
When his gunned down at Mia's wedding Amanda and the girls need to step up and take control of business.
Mia is shy and has no experience of the business but can she surprise everyone?
Kelsey is head strong and likes to get her own way,she's having a secret affair with the family bodyguard.
Scarlett is the baby and they want to keep her in the dark about what really goes on in the business.
They will stop at nothing to find out who killed Davie.
Another gripping story by the author.
Id like to read more about the Saunders women,I think there's more to tell especially about Mia's husband Jack I didn't trust him.
Thanks to Netgalley and Head of Zeus for the ARC
Profile Image for Caroline O'Neill.
258 reviews2 followers
May 20, 2022
If you're a fan of Martina Cole and Kimberley Chambers you'll love this latest book by Stephanie Harte!

This was a gripping family saga detailing the need for the Saunders girls to step into the breach when their Dad is gunned down at Mia's wedding. They do so surprisingly well despite the family business being debt recovery which involves the use of brute force and violence. Add into the mix vengeance, affairs, deceit and a stabbing and you'll be flying through this book in no time. There's definitely the potential for follow up books too so I'd love to see each of the daughters being the feature of their own novels.

Go out and buy this book, you won't regret it!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book.
Profile Image for Kim.
475 reviews4 followers
April 25, 2022
Oh my goodness what a book. I'm just getting my breath back. This kept me gripped to my seat from the first to the last page. Personally, this was Stephanie's best for me.

Davie Saunders runs a debt collection agency and is a part-time gangster, He keeps his wife and three adult girls in perfect princess mode they want for nothing.

His daughter Mia is planning her perfect wedding in a Scottish pink castle.

But on the day of her wedding tragedy strikes and the girls' lives change forever. Can they step up to the challenge?
With a lot of twists and turns, this fast pace book will definitely keep you guessing.
Profile Image for Michelle.
366 reviews2 followers
March 3, 2022
Davie saunders is a loan shark and is gunned down at his daughters wedding. Amanda ,davies widow and his 3 daughters make the decision to run the underworld business with trusted rio.Are they biting off more than they can chew? Do they get their revenge for their father?? Its cracking. Highley recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jody Wheeler.
390 reviews
September 21, 2022
Not bad

I've only gave this book 3 stars because i thought it would be a lot better. I've read quite a few books by this author which have been great. Some of this one seemed very far fetched and i just couldn't get to grips with it. But i will read the next one and just hope it gets better
Profile Image for Martha Brindley.
Author 2 books34 followers
February 1, 2022
A good twisty and quick read from Stephanie Harte. The plot centres around a gangster and his three daughters. Although it became a bit repetitive at times and unrealistic, I still enjoyed the read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.
378 reviews4 followers
February 26, 2022
The readers who might like this book are those who want fiction at its most frivolous. While frivolous fiction is useful at times, the rest of the time it is unreadable.

I received a review copy of "Playing with Fire" by Stephanie Harte from Head of Zeus press through NetGalley.com.
174 reviews2 followers
April 25, 2023
Brilliant book

Loved this book when Davie was shot dead at his daughter's wedding everyone thought it was a rival gang responsible.When a died his two eldest daughters decided to take is place as head of the Saunders gang
3 reviews
March 5, 2022
waffle

A lot of nothing then crap bla bla flick through pages for absolutely nothing could have written better on a rizla paper
Profile Image for lindsey harper.
34 reviews1 follower
August 3, 2022
Great book with an amazing storyline wont go into too much details because it will spoil it but never saw that one coming it sure does have some twists and turns defo a good book to read
10 reviews
February 12, 2023
A gripping read

I could not put this book down,so well written with so many twists and turns ,and skeletons in closets. Thank you Stephanie Harte.
2 reviews
Read
March 8, 2023
Great story and looking forward to the next exploits of the Saunders sisters
Profile Image for Victoria.
74 reviews6 followers
March 4, 2022
Let me start by saying (as my review may portray differently), I enjoyed Playing With Fire. It was an entertaining, quick read and I was constantly eager to continue reading at every given chance!

That being said, there are definitely a few things I picked up on which I wasn't particularly fond of:

Firstly, I found it was repetitive in the sense that we were constantly being fed information we already knew. Secondly, the concept of time was quite bizarre. We were skipping forward months and months over just a few pages. It left me wondering what had happened between then and now! Finally, and whilst this doesn't bother me so much, I know it will irk others: It was rather unrealistic! Given what we'd learnt about the characters, I questioned the decisions they made.

Whilst I know this will probably sound like a negative review, let me reinforce the fact that regardless of the points noted, I did enjoy the read and I'm looking forward to any future releases from Stephanie Harte.

Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review 📖
Profile Image for Michelle.
366 reviews2 followers
February 3, 2022
Davie saunders is a loan shark and is gunned down at his daughters wedding. Amanda ,davies widow and his 3 daughters make the decision to run the underworld business with trusted rio.Are they biting off more than they can chew? Do they get their revenge for their father?? Its cracking. Highley recommend
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
98 reviews4 followers
February 9, 2022
The is the second title I have read of the above author, it doesn’t disappoint, the plot was brilliant and the build up was even better, I hope this author continues writing amazing books as she could become one of my favourite ones
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews

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