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DI Kate Burrows #1
The Ladykiller
He's every woman's worst nightmare...
THE LADYKILLER is the first book in the DI Kate Burrows the only time the 'undisputed queen of crime writing' (Guardian) and Sunday Times bestseller Martina Cole has written from the perspective of the Old Bill.
A killer is on the loose. It's up to DI Kate Burrows to stop him.
But Kate has a problem. The Grantley Ripper has attacked the daughter of one of London's most infamous gangsters, Patrick Kelly, and now Kate's investigation, along with her heart, are dangerously entwined with him.
As the worlds of crime and law collide, will Kate take down the Ladykiller, or will he be her undoing?
Her unique take on London's criminal underworld will have you hooked, so don't miss the rest of the DI Kate Burrows series, BROKEN, HARDGIRLS and DAMAGED
640 pages
First published July 22, 1993
420 people are currently reading
3436 people want to read
About the author
Martina Cole
113 books1,753 followersMartina Cole was born and brought up in Essex. She is the bestselling author of fourteen novels set in London's gangland, and her most recent three paperbacks have gone straight to No. 1 in the Sunday Times on first publication. Total sales of Martina's novels stand at over eight million copies.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 413 reviews
January 15, 2023
Meet Detective Inspector Kate Burrows succeeding and excelling in being po-lice despite the intolerant and backward nature of many in the force. Meet Patrick Kelly old-school and technically legit hard-man and repo specialist. Meet George Markham a sexual deviant about to cross the line from fantasy to a savage raping and killing reality. Meet Patrick Kelly's daughter Mandy - George's first victim! What happens when a serial rapist and killer, rapes and kills a gangster's daughter?
This is DI Kate Burrows, book #1, the first, and what for me is Cole's best protagonists and series. What made this book standout against her other works is not only having the usual female centric lens, bt having it coming from the police side of matters; as well having the darkly twisted point of view of the Ladykiller throughout the book. An 8 out of 12, Four Star read :)
2022 read; 2012 read; 2005 read
This is DI Kate Burrows, book #1, the first, and what for me is Cole's best protagonists and series. What made this book standout against her other works is not only having the usual female centric lens, bt having it coming from the police side of matters; as well having the darkly twisted point of view of the Ladykiller throughout the book. An 8 out of 12, Four Star read :)
2022 read; 2012 read; 2005 read
February 12, 2017
Wow. Another new author. Thanks Elaine!!
Kate Burrows is a DI (Detective Inspector), the Filth to some. I really liked her. She was strong, independent, sassy, stood up for herself and didn't really take any shite from anyone.
Patrick Kelly, one step away from being a gangster. Tough, hard, rich, respected, feared.
Oil and vineger maybe. But there was an attraction.
Christ, the "bad guy" - what an evil, sadistic bastard he was. Yes, appearances can be deceptive.
There were quite some smexy times here which I enjoyed. Pat is quite the rogue in bed!
LOL. I kinda liked Kenny Caitlin.
More musical references, which I do enjoy.
Sure have an ould listen to "Katie" while you are at it ... Hup ya boyo!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWdNb...
Gotta love an Irish singer who thinks he is from Nashville.
Kate Burrows is a DI (Detective Inspector), the Filth to some. I really liked her. She was strong, independent, sassy, stood up for herself and didn't really take any shite from anyone.
Patrick Kelly, one step away from being a gangster. Tough, hard, rich, respected, feared.
Oil and vineger maybe. But there was an attraction.
Eventhough she was an Old Bill, a Filth, he trusted her somehow.
Christ, the "bad guy" - what an evil, sadistic bastard he was. Yes, appearances can be deceptive.
In the back of her mind she knew that the situation should never had got this far. The man was a villian. Patrick Kelly was as bad one, a robber, a violent repoman. 'The Snatchman' was his nickname. But at this moment Kate could not have cared less if he was a mass murderer.
She wanted him.
She had him.
She kissed him.
She would worry later. Much later.
There were quite some smexy times here which I enjoyed. Pat is quite the rogue in bed!
"Now, what's this I hear about this madman driving an Irish Ford?
Kate's heavy brows knitted together.
"I'm sorry? An Irish Ford?"
"An O'Ryan ... Orion."
LOL. I kinda liked Kenny Caitlin.
Fine Young Cannibals were singing "Johnny Come Home"
More musical references, which I do enjoy.
Kate took a long pull on her cigarette and sighed.
What the hell had happened to her life?
Evelyn bustled back into the room with her Irish whiskey.
"I call this my Holy Water, it's as good as a tonic. My cousin from Coleraine sends it to me, may God bless her and keep her. It's the mountain water that gives it the taste. You know her name's actually Katie Daly. It's true."
Patrick laughed.
'Katie Daly' had been one of this mother's favourite songs. It was about a girl who made poteen, an illegal Irish whiskey, and the troops who came to arrest her.
Sure have an ould listen to "Katie" while you are at it ... Hup ya boyo!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWdNb...
Gotta love an Irish singer who thinks he is from Nashville.
January 4, 2011
This is an excellent book which grabbed me from the very first chapter. The author has developed her characters so well that even the very bad ones - even the exceedingly awful George Markham, are likable. All throughout this book I wanted to give it a 5, however, without including any spoilers, I found the ending a little weak, which left me disappointed. Even so, I will definitely read more books by Martina Cole.
July 24, 2020
Martina Cole is an author whose name I’ve often seen, and I’ve constantly been curious about her work. She has a large fan base, with plenty of books on offer, and many seem like books I would love. As I’m always looking for a new crime fiction series to follow, the first DI Kate Burrows book seemed like the best place to start.
I was desperate to love this one, but the more I read, the less I enjoyed. At first, I was curious. It was repetitive, it gave the minutiae of life that did not interest me much, but the grander scheme had me curious. Unfortunately, instead of getting better, it got worse. I kept hoping we’d stop getting the tiny details, but it didn’t get better – there wasn’t enough focus on the crime, boring me with the small details.
I’m sure this will work for some, but it just didn’t work for me. I’ll probably give Martina Cole another try in the future, but after working through this one and finding it difficult I’m just not eager to do so for a while yet.
I was desperate to love this one, but the more I read, the less I enjoyed. At first, I was curious. It was repetitive, it gave the minutiae of life that did not interest me much, but the grander scheme had me curious. Unfortunately, instead of getting better, it got worse. I kept hoping we’d stop getting the tiny details, but it didn’t get better – there wasn’t enough focus on the crime, boring me with the small details.
I’m sure this will work for some, but it just didn’t work for me. I’ll probably give Martina Cole another try in the future, but after working through this one and finding it difficult I’m just not eager to do so for a while yet.
September 25, 2017
I honestly don't know why this book has so many positive reviews. I was expecting a clever detective crime thriller where the main character actually manages to solve the crime. There is no mystery here. Kate Burrows is supposed to be this great detective (Patrick Kelly keeps re-iterating this), but she's next to useless. She demonstrates no detective prowess whatsoever. They only find out who did it by sheer chance, and the killer gets wasted by someone who's got nothing to do with any of the main characters. Ok, it was poetic justice perhaps, but still a massive let down. As for the Lizzie story - why? What purpose did that serve? And don't get me started on the love aspect... "ooh, Pat.. you're so big.", "oh Kate, you're so juicy". Honestly, it's laughable. If you're expecting Patricia Cornwell, then give this a miss, because largely what you end up with is Jilly Cooper crossed with The Thin Blue Line.
January 1, 2022
Oscuro y sórdido pero también con un estilo viejuno y machista que desluce mucho una novela que, su momento, sería un bombazo.
September 24, 2012
Another mammoth read from Martina and another - in my opinion - five star book. An unputdownable read that I have just spent the last two hours finishing, and that's the thing about Martina's books. They keep you reading long into the night, 1.30am to be precise.
I was looking forward to this book because readers often name it as one of her best books, and so far it is one of the best books of hers that I've read. The story focuses on the Grantley Ripper, DI Kate Burrows and Patrick Kelly who is brought into the story when the Ripper murders his daughter Mandy.
The Grantley Ripper is George Markham and this is made known to the reader at the start of the book. I had trouble with this character, some reviews have said that even though he was a murderer he was still a likeable character but after reading the book I have no idea how anyone can say this. Readers will look at George in one of two ways; blame psychology and blame his mother for his upbringing and abuse and say that is the reason for the way he turned out as an adult or just say that he's evil and his upbringing doesn't matter. After all plenty of people are abused as children and don't turn into murderers years later. I think George was a vile character with no likeable qualities whatsoever. I've read many crime fiction books, many true crime stories but the character of George was one of the worst I've ever read. Some of the things he did were horrific and the . I thought my wide range of crime fiction reading left me immune to feeling squeamish etc but I guess I was wrong.
As for the other characters I liked Kate and Patrick and the relationship they have and know that this is carried on in other books which I will eventually read. Overall though it was an excellent read, it flowed really well and, as you expect from Martina is not just a rushed story, but one full of history and detail. Whilst what happened to George was terrible, there's no excuse for the way he acted and the murders he carried out and, forgive me for saying it but I was disappointed that George . Despite the book being set in Essex, a Google search doesn't show anywhere named Grantley so did Martina fictionalise this place because of how horrific some of the scenes were? This certainly isn't a book for the faint hearted that's for sure.
I was looking forward to this book because readers often name it as one of her best books, and so far it is one of the best books of hers that I've read. The story focuses on the Grantley Ripper, DI Kate Burrows and Patrick Kelly who is brought into the story when the Ripper murders his daughter Mandy.
The Grantley Ripper is George Markham and this is made known to the reader at the start of the book. I had trouble with this character, some reviews have said that even though he was a murderer he was still a likeable character but after reading the book I have no idea how anyone can say this. Readers will look at George in one of two ways; blame psychology and blame his mother for his upbringing and abuse and say that is the reason for the way he turned out as an adult or just say that he's evil and his upbringing doesn't matter. After all plenty of people are abused as children and don't turn into murderers years later. I think George was a vile character with no likeable qualities whatsoever. I've read many crime fiction books, many true crime stories but the character of George was one of the worst I've ever read. Some of the things he did were horrific and the . I thought my wide range of crime fiction reading left me immune to feeling squeamish etc but I guess I was wrong.
As for the other characters I liked Kate and Patrick and the relationship they have and know that this is carried on in other books which I will eventually read. Overall though it was an excellent read, it flowed really well and, as you expect from Martina is not just a rushed story, but one full of history and detail. Whilst what happened to George was terrible, there's no excuse for the way he acted and the murders he carried out and, forgive me for saying it but I was disappointed that George . Despite the book being set in Essex, a Google search doesn't show anywhere named Grantley so did Martina fictionalise this place because of how horrific some of the scenes were? This certainly isn't a book for the faint hearted that's for sure.
January 5, 2008
Unlike Two Women, this book is a disappointment. The characters are not well developed and not convincing enough. Some parts are so annoyingly repetitive, which only make the book way too thick than it should be, but do not help to improve the plot at all. And after a few chapters i felt like screaming whenever someone said, "Let me make you a cuppa" or "I'll just make another cuppa."
February 15, 2020
Loved it
I have to confess that up until now I had never read a single Martina Cole book!!
Shocking, I know!
Having seen a review for a more recent book, it occurred to me that I really should delve into the world of Martina Cole, and if I was going to do this, I was going to start from the beginning.
The Ladykiller, the first book in the DI Kate Burrows series.
And I loved it!
I love the style of Martina Cole's writing, I felt an immediate attachment to the main characters. And the gritty story had me hooked.
I honestly cannot not wait to read more in this series
I have to confess that up until now I had never read a single Martina Cole book!!
Shocking, I know!
Having seen a review for a more recent book, it occurred to me that I really should delve into the world of Martina Cole, and if I was going to do this, I was going to start from the beginning.
The Ladykiller, the first book in the DI Kate Burrows series.
And I loved it!
I love the style of Martina Cole's writing, I felt an immediate attachment to the main characters. And the gritty story had me hooked.
I honestly cannot not wait to read more in this series
August 26, 2018
This book follows George Markham, a man who has a nasty little hobby. He pursues it in secret, behind closed doors. But now George's hobby is becoming an obsession, one that erupts into an orgy of vicious sexual depravity. Patrick Kelly is a hard man - the most feared in London. His one soft spot is his daughter, Mandy. And when she falls victim to the sadistic rapist nicknamed the Grantley Ripper, Kelly wants revenge, with or without police help. The DI in charge of the case is Kate Burrows. It's a tough job and one that's already cost Kate her marriage. She feels for Kelly - she's a parent herself - but her growing involvement with a known villian is putting her career at risk. As the forces of law and order and London's underworld converge in a mammoth manhunt, Kate fears she'll lose everything she's ever cared about to... THE LADYKILLER.
I absolutely love Martina Cole's books! I read a few years ago but have been getting back into them. While this book was a re-read, I loved it so much more the second time round! The whole book is very bold, powerfully-written and incredibly compelling. Martina Cole manages to deliver a truly fantastic book that is both highly detailed and gripping on every page.
The story is told from multiple perspectives and it really gives readers a full view of every aspect of the story. Normally with multiple point of view stories, I find one a lot more interesting then the other(s). This certainly wasn't the case with this book! Every single chapter, regardless of the pov, I found that I was addicted and completely drawn into the story. This one was extremely hard to put down!
With very dominating brilliantly-written characters and an exciting riveting plot that will have hearts racing at every turn; this book is a must read for EVERYONE that loves a great crime novel. Can't wait to read more from Martina!
I absolutely love Martina Cole's books! I read a few years ago but have been getting back into them. While this book was a re-read, I loved it so much more the second time round! The whole book is very bold, powerfully-written and incredibly compelling. Martina Cole manages to deliver a truly fantastic book that is both highly detailed and gripping on every page.
The story is told from multiple perspectives and it really gives readers a full view of every aspect of the story. Normally with multiple point of view stories, I find one a lot more interesting then the other(s). This certainly wasn't the case with this book! Every single chapter, regardless of the pov, I found that I was addicted and completely drawn into the story. This one was extremely hard to put down!
With very dominating brilliantly-written characters and an exciting riveting plot that will have hearts racing at every turn; this book is a must read for EVERYONE that loves a great crime novel. Can't wait to read more from Martina!
October 19, 2019
Annoying. Badly written and annoying. This book contradicted itself constantly. Every woman was sexualised at some point. Full of fat-phobia and racist language. I could go on for a long time about all that is bad about this book but I won’t, I’m just glad it’s over.
November 13, 2014
So excited this is being made into a film...
May 12, 2023
3.5 Stars
Audiobook: A well narrated story that was both disturbing and intriguing in equal measure. My first Martina Cole book, which will definitely not be my last.
Audiobook: A well narrated story that was both disturbing and intriguing in equal measure. My first Martina Cole book, which will definitely not be my last.
October 8, 2014
"What's bred in the bone comes out in the blood."
I was 'pressed' into reading this book by my dear wife who has practically devoured it on a recent holiday and who without divulging any details has spent all holiday telling me what a great book she was reading.
Finally I gave in and read 'The Ladykiller', this being my first Martina Cole book ever. Now I know that my wife didn't exaggerate at all when she praised this book so much and I'm so glad to have read it myself. Written in the third person, this book showcases Martina's excellent writing skills. It is the first book in a series featuring DI Kate Burrows and Patrick Kelly.
Everyone knows that Martina Cole is up there at the very top with the best crime fiction authors, but seriously I didn't think this book would be this good. Written back in the 90s, the thoughts it evoked in my mind as I was reading are still valid today, more than two decades later.
The Grantley Ripper is making news by savagely raping and murdering women. He is terrorising the whole community. The ferocity of his attacks indicates that this man really Hates women with a capital H. One of these victims happens to be the young daughter of a local hard man, a repoman, a man feared by many, Patrick Kelly, known for his not so legal businesses around London and other places. Kelly vows to use all his means and connections to catch this sadistic murderer and make him suffer a very slow, agonising death. His daughter was the most important person for him.
DI Kate Burrows is assigned the Grantley Ripper case. She's an excellent, bright detective and she's determined to find the Ripper and lock him away for ever. But Kate Burrows has personal problems of her own.
Being assigned to the case, Kate meets Patrick Kelly and finds herself wanting to help this distraught man in this difficult moment. Though they come from very different backgrounds and with opposing ideas and beliefs, they are both immediately attracted to each other, however such a relationship is bound to compromise her career. Can a police DI have a relationship with a notorious ruthless villain?
From the beginning we know who the ripper is, just an ordinary-looking Englishman but with a secret nasty interest. All characters brought to life by Ms Cole in this thriller are multi-dimensional, realistic people with a background. I loved all the characters (except the Ripper and his mother of course), especially Kate Burrows and Patrick Kelly. I also liked a lot Willy, the scary-looking bald giant who's also Patrick's minder.
All circumstances and story lines in the book are also very believable. The murders are all gruesome and different.
This book is very realistic as it shows what horrible consequences sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children can bring about. The monster in this novel is the production of such abuse. It makes you shudder to think that nowadays in real life there are children suffering the same things this murderer has suffered as a boy. By the end I have to say that I even felt pity for this sadistic killer.
I would have preferred the Grantley Ripper case to be solved in a different method to the one chosen by the author, however, I then understood her reasoning behind this decision and it made sense. I would have also preferred shorter chapters as they are a bit longish.
Having said that, I highly recommend this book to everyone as it is certainly one of the best thrillers I have ever read.
I was 'pressed' into reading this book by my dear wife who has practically devoured it on a recent holiday and who without divulging any details has spent all holiday telling me what a great book she was reading.
Finally I gave in and read 'The Ladykiller', this being my first Martina Cole book ever. Now I know that my wife didn't exaggerate at all when she praised this book so much and I'm so glad to have read it myself. Written in the third person, this book showcases Martina's excellent writing skills. It is the first book in a series featuring DI Kate Burrows and Patrick Kelly.
Everyone knows that Martina Cole is up there at the very top with the best crime fiction authors, but seriously I didn't think this book would be this good. Written back in the 90s, the thoughts it evoked in my mind as I was reading are still valid today, more than two decades later.
The Grantley Ripper is making news by savagely raping and murdering women. He is terrorising the whole community. The ferocity of his attacks indicates that this man really Hates women with a capital H. One of these victims happens to be the young daughter of a local hard man, a repoman, a man feared by many, Patrick Kelly, known for his not so legal businesses around London and other places. Kelly vows to use all his means and connections to catch this sadistic murderer and make him suffer a very slow, agonising death. His daughter was the most important person for him.
DI Kate Burrows is assigned the Grantley Ripper case. She's an excellent, bright detective and she's determined to find the Ripper and lock him away for ever. But Kate Burrows has personal problems of her own.
Being assigned to the case, Kate meets Patrick Kelly and finds herself wanting to help this distraught man in this difficult moment. Though they come from very different backgrounds and with opposing ideas and beliefs, they are both immediately attracted to each other, however such a relationship is bound to compromise her career. Can a police DI have a relationship with a notorious ruthless villain?
From the beginning we know who the ripper is, just an ordinary-looking Englishman but with a secret nasty interest. All characters brought to life by Ms Cole in this thriller are multi-dimensional, realistic people with a background. I loved all the characters (except the Ripper and his mother of course), especially Kate Burrows and Patrick Kelly. I also liked a lot Willy, the scary-looking bald giant who's also Patrick's minder.
All circumstances and story lines in the book are also very believable. The murders are all gruesome and different.
This book is very realistic as it shows what horrible consequences sexual, physical and emotional abuse of children can bring about. The monster in this novel is the production of such abuse. It makes you shudder to think that nowadays in real life there are children suffering the same things this murderer has suffered as a boy. By the end I have to say that I even felt pity for this sadistic killer.
I would have preferred the Grantley Ripper case to be solved in a different method to the one chosen by the author, however, I then understood her reasoning behind this decision and it made sense. I would have also preferred shorter chapters as they are a bit longish.
Having said that, I highly recommend this book to everyone as it is certainly one of the best thrillers I have ever read.
February 11, 2010
George Markham has a nasty little hobby.
He pursues it in secret, behind closed doors.
But now George's little hobby is becoming an obsession,
one that erupts into an orgy of vicious sexual depravity.
Patrick Kelly is a hard man - the most feared in London.
His one soft spot is his daughter, Mandy.
And when she falls victim to the sadistic rapist nicknamed
the Grantley Ripper,
Kelly wants revenge - with or without police help.
The DI in charge of the case is Kate Burrows.
It's a tough job and one that's already cost Kate her marriage.
She feels for Kelly - she's a parent herself -
but her growing involvement with a known villain
is putting her career at risk...
As the forces of law and order
and London's underworld converge in a mammoth manhunt,
Kate fears she'll lose everything she's ever cared about to...
the ladykiller.
My nanny told Me before I read the book,
that I should definately read this book:
-its the best Martina Cole has ever written-
She said she cried; it was so sad.
To be honest I didn't cry,
but dont expect it to have an effect on the book:
as I never cry!
This book, is 'the' book.
He pursues it in secret, behind closed doors.
But now George's little hobby is becoming an obsession,
one that erupts into an orgy of vicious sexual depravity.
Patrick Kelly is a hard man - the most feared in London.
His one soft spot is his daughter, Mandy.
And when she falls victim to the sadistic rapist nicknamed
the Grantley Ripper,
Kelly wants revenge - with or without police help.
The DI in charge of the case is Kate Burrows.
It's a tough job and one that's already cost Kate her marriage.
She feels for Kelly - she's a parent herself -
but her growing involvement with a known villain
is putting her career at risk...
As the forces of law and order
and London's underworld converge in a mammoth manhunt,
Kate fears she'll lose everything she's ever cared about to...
the ladykiller.
My nanny told Me before I read the book,
that I should definately read this book:
-its the best Martina Cole has ever written-
She said she cried; it was so sad.
To be honest I didn't cry,
but dont expect it to have an effect on the book:
as I never cry!
This book, is 'the' book.
June 28, 2019
2.5 stars
So disappointed in this book, it was not what I was expecting at all. There’s very little emphasis on the investigation to start with and I don’t know why Kate Burrows is such a good DI because she hasn’t done much in relation to the crimes.
This book is s fiction about the life of a detective w a murder investigation in the background. It is definitely not a thriller in any shape or form. As much as I appreciate some character building and background stories, it was far too much Kate and Pat and Dan and Lilly, I really stopped caring.
I pick up a thriller for the murder mystery, investigation development, forensics, deductions and not to read about family relations, boyfriends and ex-husbands.
To me this book could be split in 2, one about Kate and the other about George who is by far the most interesting character in the novel.
So disappointed in this book, it was not what I was expecting at all. There’s very little emphasis on the investigation to start with and I don’t know why Kate Burrows is such a good DI because she hasn’t done much in relation to the crimes.
This book is s fiction about the life of a detective w a murder investigation in the background. It is definitely not a thriller in any shape or form. As much as I appreciate some character building and background stories, it was far too much Kate and Pat and Dan and Lilly, I really stopped caring.
I pick up a thriller for the murder mystery, investigation development, forensics, deductions and not to read about family relations, boyfriends and ex-husbands.
To me this book could be split in 2, one about Kate and the other about George who is by far the most interesting character in the novel.
December 23, 2014
My favourite Martina Cole book. A gripping page-turner, the story has stayed with me for 20 years as I read it when it was released in 1993.
I have recommended this book to many friends over the years who also loved it, Martina gained quite a few new fans on the strength of this book and who continue to read her books to this day. I no longer own a copy of this book, but I intend to buy another to read again.
I have recommended this book to many friends over the years who also loved it, Martina gained quite a few new fans on the strength of this book and who continue to read her books to this day. I no longer own a copy of this book, but I intend to buy another to read again.
July 20, 2016
Realmente merecería cinco estrellas, pero es una historia demasiado cruda para mí, no tanto como Secretos de una asesina, pero casi. La trama está muy bien, así como los personajes y todo lo demás, pero me resulta demasiado dramática.
October 4, 2021
This read was 727 of pure pleasure. Yes, you read right. Yes, it was scary being in the mind of a freaking serial killer (pun intended) but then again it was fascinating: again, charity begins at home and when later on in life you don't get to unpack your childhood baggage the result might be a serial killer.
Be forewarned that the book has triggers so brace yourself.
'A heroine and a villain with very diverse lives, believes and way of life have one thing in common, catching a sadistic sexual serial killer whose out to destroy a way of life. While the villain lost his child to the ladykiller Kate, our heroine, almost lost her daughter to effects of an emotional abusive father, drugs and sex.
Beyond the surface they have quite in common despite their differences and this will be the edge that'll enable them to catch the killer before he unravels.'
Thank God the tale was spun via multiple povs as this added flesh and relief to a rather dark tale. Cole aside from showing the makings of a serial killer touched on motherhood, sexism at work, violence, love, family, prostitution, organized crime, corruption, substance abuse, sex.
While British slang is in abundance its not enough to drag you or the story and the writing style is easy to digest.
Aside from that statement about rhesus D positive that Mrs. Cole made (which I believe is false but given the time the book was written, I allow room for error), this was a gripping, dark yet highly entertaining and fast pace read. Everything I want in my thriller.
Yes, to more of Martina Cole's books. If you love thriller and wanna try something from the 90s, I'd say try this first. Oaky, to be honest I'd say read Patricia Cornwell's series then Martina Cole's
Be forewarned that the book has triggers so brace yourself.
'A heroine and a villain with very diverse lives, believes and way of life have one thing in common, catching a sadistic sexual serial killer whose out to destroy a way of life. While the villain lost his child to the ladykiller Kate, our heroine, almost lost her daughter to effects of an emotional abusive father, drugs and sex.
Beyond the surface they have quite in common despite their differences and this will be the edge that'll enable them to catch the killer before he unravels.'
Thank God the tale was spun via multiple povs as this added flesh and relief to a rather dark tale. Cole aside from showing the makings of a serial killer touched on motherhood, sexism at work, violence, love, family, prostitution, organized crime, corruption, substance abuse, sex.
While British slang is in abundance its not enough to drag you or the story and the writing style is easy to digest.
Aside from that statement about rhesus D positive that Mrs. Cole made (which I believe is false but given the time the book was written, I allow room for error), this was a gripping, dark yet highly entertaining and fast pace read. Everything I want in my thriller.
Yes, to more of Martina Cole's books. If you love thriller and wanna try something from the 90s, I'd say try this first. Oaky, to be honest I'd say read Patricia Cornwell's series then Martina Cole's
April 24, 2021
Ragazzi che libro... che libro!
Intenso dalla prima all’ultima pagina, e Crudo, nel vero senso del termine.
Un killer che non guarda in faccia nessuno e che si lascia dietro una serie di brutali ed efferati omicidi.
Una squadra di polizia che cerca di scoprire l’assassino senza però riuscirsi.
Un uomo afflitto dal dolore che medita vendetta.
Una storia d’amore destinata a fallire
Questi gli ingredienti che fanno di questo libro una meraviglia.
Ne sono rimasta sconcertata, le scene che vengono descritte sono realiste, sono fredde, spietate, così come l’assassino.
Mi è piaciuto il parallelismo tra la volontà di rinchiudere l’assassino in prigione e fare in modo che la legge faccia il suo corso, e la totale volontà di vendetta.
Lo SUPER consiglio
Intenso dalla prima all’ultima pagina, e Crudo, nel vero senso del termine.
Un killer che non guarda in faccia nessuno e che si lascia dietro una serie di brutali ed efferati omicidi.
Una squadra di polizia che cerca di scoprire l’assassino senza però riuscirsi.
Un uomo afflitto dal dolore che medita vendetta.
Una storia d’amore destinata a fallire
Questi gli ingredienti che fanno di questo libro una meraviglia.
Ne sono rimasta sconcertata, le scene che vengono descritte sono realiste, sono fredde, spietate, così come l’assassino.
Mi è piaciuto il parallelismo tra la volontà di rinchiudere l’assassino in prigione e fare in modo che la legge faccia il suo corso, e la totale volontà di vendetta.
Lo SUPER consiglio
December 11, 2019
Filth.
This is the only word reverberating through my mind as I think back to what I've just read: All 727 pages of it. The only reason the book is so long, is that every aspect of every character needed to be described, leaving so little to the imagination I'm reminded of this quote: You know too much psychology when you can't get mad because you understand everyone's reasons for doing everything. The so-called Grantley Ripper, aka George Markham, seems to have grown up in traumatic circumstances in the extreme. The reader is taken back to these in order to "explain" his abhorrent behaviour - enough to cause a hardened reader of thrillers to shudder.
Near the end of the book, I even got the feeling that Cole was trying to explain to the reader why all humans "enjoy" seeing death, reading pornography, etc. She does this subtly when Kate Burrows watches a soppy movie with her friend, only to have the reason for the viewing explained. Later still Oprah Winfrey enters the pages! Winfrey interviews the "heroine" (tongue in cheek, as she's a heroin addict) who killed George Markham in self-defence.
Elaine's (George's wife) exasperated "When ... would all this end?" (page 503) was perhaps something the writer needed to utter in her labyrinth of entangled characters along with their good, bad and ugly facets. I certainly asked that question several times.
This is the only word reverberating through my mind as I think back to what I've just read: All 727 pages of it. The only reason the book is so long, is that every aspect of every character needed to be described, leaving so little to the imagination I'm reminded of this quote: You know too much psychology when you can't get mad because you understand everyone's reasons for doing everything. The so-called Grantley Ripper, aka George Markham, seems to have grown up in traumatic circumstances in the extreme. The reader is taken back to these in order to "explain" his abhorrent behaviour - enough to cause a hardened reader of thrillers to shudder.
Near the end of the book, I even got the feeling that Cole was trying to explain to the reader why all humans "enjoy" seeing death, reading pornography, etc. She does this subtly when Kate Burrows watches a soppy movie with her friend, only to have the reason for the viewing explained. Later still Oprah Winfrey enters the pages! Winfrey interviews the "heroine" (tongue in cheek, as she's a heroin addict) who killed George Markham in self-defence.
Elaine's (George's wife) exasperated "When ... would all this end?" (page 503) was perhaps something the writer needed to utter in her labyrinth of entangled characters along with their good, bad and ugly facets. I certainly asked that question several times.
December 30, 2011
Warning-You need a strong stomach for this book!.
I have read a lot of Coles latest work but have many times seen this mentioned as one of her best books and I now agree and was not disappointed.
This author has such a style of writing that keeps you wanting to read on & on and I truly could not put this book down over Christmas.
Cole is my trusted author I can always rely on for a good read. I have never found myself wanting to skip pages/chunks of her books there is just too much suspense!.
After telling my Mum how I enjoyed this book she told me she has six other Cole books she can lend me (earlier works that I have not read)So I'm looking forward to reading even more of her work now!
I have read a lot of Coles latest work but have many times seen this mentioned as one of her best books and I now agree and was not disappointed.
This author has such a style of writing that keeps you wanting to read on & on and I truly could not put this book down over Christmas.
Cole is my trusted author I can always rely on for a good read. I have never found myself wanting to skip pages/chunks of her books there is just too much suspense!.
After telling my Mum how I enjoyed this book she told me she has six other Cole books she can lend me (earlier works that I have not read)So I'm looking forward to reading even more of her work now!
February 11, 2013
So good that I was on edge walking down the street afterward... George Markham a man you'd see everyday walking down the street...
April 12, 2012
My favourite of all the Martina Cole novels grabs you from page 1.
August 15, 2012
One of Martina Cole's best reads! I couldn't put it down. Some very violent parts!
Well written!
Well written!
January 25, 2013
i really enjoyed this it was complex with out being confusing and i loved how it weaved together
December 2, 2014
Gripping read
September 2, 2020
Some of it was okay but mostly it was repetitive. Skimmed over most of the parts involving Burrows and Kelly and also she's a shit detective because she really does fuck all regarding the case
March 6, 2016
Could not put this book down I love Martina's books.
December 11, 2025
Ho comprato Ladykiller al Salone perché mi era stato consigliato. Mi sono fidato, e ho fatto male.
I personaggi sono tutti misogini dal primo all’ultimo. Qualsiasi uomo compaia nel libro pensa che le donne non valgano niente. Capisco che siamo negli anni ’90, ma mi sembra assurdo che proprio tutti abbiano la stessa testa. Uno, almeno uno, poteva essere caratterizzato in modo diverso.
La detective protagonista fatica a risultare convincente nel suo ruolo. La polizia è inutile, un gruppo di incapaci che non conclude niente. Se non fosse per Patrick Kelly, che tra l’altro è un personaggio tutt’altro che pulito, non arriverebbero da nessuna parte. E la storia d’amore tra lui e Kate è inutile e messa lì tanto per, ma almeno lui qualche passo avanti lo fa fare alle indagini, perché senza di lui George non lo avrebbero trovato mai.
George, poi, è un personaggio devastato. Ha un passato talmente brutto che definirlo orribile è riduttivo. Una madre pr0stitut4che lo fa abusar3 per soldi e che lei stessa si comporta allo stesso modo. Un quadro pesantissimo.
Nel complesso, la scrittura di Martina Cole è scorrevole, ma la storia, per me, non funziona. L’impostazione dei personaggi e lo sviluppo dell’indagine rendono il libro un’esperienza poco soddisfacente, la storia per me è un flop totale.
(Ci sarebbe molto altro ma non posso scrivere un libro ahahah)
I personaggi sono tutti misogini dal primo all’ultimo. Qualsiasi uomo compaia nel libro pensa che le donne non valgano niente. Capisco che siamo negli anni ’90, ma mi sembra assurdo che proprio tutti abbiano la stessa testa. Uno, almeno uno, poteva essere caratterizzato in modo diverso.
La detective protagonista fatica a risultare convincente nel suo ruolo. La polizia è inutile, un gruppo di incapaci che non conclude niente. Se non fosse per Patrick Kelly, che tra l’altro è un personaggio tutt’altro che pulito, non arriverebbero da nessuna parte. E la storia d’amore tra lui e Kate è inutile e messa lì tanto per, ma almeno lui qualche passo avanti lo fa fare alle indagini, perché senza di lui George non lo avrebbero trovato mai.
George, poi, è un personaggio devastato. Ha un passato talmente brutto che definirlo orribile è riduttivo. Una madre pr0stitut4che lo fa abusar3 per soldi e che lei stessa si comporta allo stesso modo. Un quadro pesantissimo.
Nel complesso, la scrittura di Martina Cole è scorrevole, ma la storia, per me, non funziona. L’impostazione dei personaggi e lo sviluppo dell’indagine rendono il libro un’esperienza poco soddisfacente, la storia per me è un flop totale.
(Ci sarebbe molto altro ma non posso scrivere un libro ahahah)
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