What do you think?
Rate this book
The Know
Joanie Brewer' s children meant the world to her. She'd do anything to protect them, even resorting to prostitution and petty crime in order to feed and clothe them. So when her beautiful teenage daughter is raped and murdered, only one thing will stop Joanie's pain - seeing her daughter's killer brought to justice. Joanie knows who he is and she'll do whatever it takes to nail him...
629 pages, Paperback
First published October 27, 2003
315 people are currently reading
1502 people want to read
About the author
Martina Cole
112 books1,728 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
June 10, 2021
An estate of social housing where decades of Government policies have left the poor, the vulnerable and the disenfranchised to live in their own micro communities riddles through with crime, drugs and violence. Joanie Brewer is a streetwalker with a heart of gold who endeavours to have her three children live better lives; dread-locked mixed-raced Caribbean 17-year old Jon Jon is looking to carve a space for himself in the black economy, 14 year old mixed-raced Turkish Jeanette is already avoiding school, shoplifting, drinking and dating the local Nazi skinhead; and the sweet 10 year old Kira, beautiful, kind and with learning difficulties. Their dysfunctional-functional lives are upturned when a child goes missing!
Despite the cliches and sweeping stereotypes (cops on the take, Rastas selling drugs, tart with a heart etc.), this was an utterly absorbing read, as Cole takes the missing child story and shows how it might work in a poorer disenfranchised community who have no trust and belief in authority. Above everything else though, Cole knows how to tell a story from the viewpoint of a part of society that is often ignored by creators. A compelling and gripping read, well worth 9 out of 12! As per, there's trigger for violence, domestic violence, sexual violence etc.
Despite the cliches and sweeping stereotypes (cops on the take, Rastas selling drugs, tart with a heart etc.), this was an utterly absorbing read, as Cole takes the missing child story and shows how it might work in a poorer disenfranchised community who have no trust and belief in authority. Above everything else though, Cole knows how to tell a story from the viewpoint of a part of society that is often ignored by creators. A compelling and gripping read, well worth 9 out of 12! As per, there's trigger for violence, domestic violence, sexual violence etc.
October 25, 2009
I read this book as I was eager to discover Martina Cole after watching The Take on TV mini series. I was not disappointed. The book is very 'London' and the characters very credible a very enjoyable read, can't wait to continue on the Cole library. Can't believe I avoided her so long.
September 17, 2013
This was my first book of Martina Cole & after looking at the cover I was not impressed & thought to not to buy it but after reading the summary on the back cover I thought lets give it a shot.
I'd never read a book written by UK author & this was my first time. I was expecting something unexpected, but no, there was nothing. This book which could have been finished within 200 or maximum 250 pages has been stretched to 600 or so pages. If you read this book, in the middle you may feel that you reading the same thing again & again.
Seriously, the writing was very bad. Sometimes, I've to read again to understand which dialogue was spoken by whom. Some words are totally out of this world. I don't know that people in UK call "myself" as "meself", "police" as "filth" & many more terms were totally naive.
The story was good which was something that hold me to read it till end. The characters were good, especially the fat guy - Tommy. I was expecting lots of sex scenes due to the profession of lead characters described by the author but very little & very quick ones were there. The climax is very pathetic. Details are not revealed to the extent & it might not give you those goosebumps.
Yes, I had rough time reading this but I wanted to finish it to give it back to my librarian. Overall, I'll think twice before purchasing another Martina Cole book.
I'd never read a book written by UK author & this was my first time. I was expecting something unexpected, but no, there was nothing. This book which could have been finished within 200 or maximum 250 pages has been stretched to 600 or so pages. If you read this book, in the middle you may feel that you reading the same thing again & again.
Seriously, the writing was very bad. Sometimes, I've to read again to understand which dialogue was spoken by whom. Some words are totally out of this world. I don't know that people in UK call "myself" as "meself", "police" as "filth" & many more terms were totally naive.
The story was good which was something that hold me to read it till end. The characters were good, especially the fat guy - Tommy. I was expecting lots of sex scenes due to the profession of lead characters described by the author but very little & very quick ones were there. The climax is very pathetic. Details are not revealed to the extent & it might not give you those goosebumps.
Yes, I had rough time reading this but I wanted to finish it to give it back to my librarian. Overall, I'll think twice before purchasing another Martina Cole book.
May 7, 2023
This was a hard book to read but I didn't want to be one of them people that avoid these topics and pretend they don't exist. The prostitution of women and children does exist and Martina Cole spares us nothing of the underworld of it.
Jonnie and her family was a tragic tale especially what happens to her youngest Kira. Honestly I felt physically ill reading some of it. Now on to something alot lighter.
Jonnie and her family was a tragic tale especially what happens to her youngest Kira. Honestly I felt physically ill reading some of it. Now on to something alot lighter.
June 8, 2025
Was hooked for the first 3/4 of this book. I struggled to put it down. The last 1/4 I felt was rushed, lacked detail and was a tad disappointing. It was close to being a 5*, but had to knock one off for this reason. Shame really.
January 30, 2024
Really enjoyed this one ✅️
September 28, 2019
WOW!!
I really have no words that would in any way portray the emotion,pain and community that this book invokes.
Cole really has taken something we wish never happens but unfortunately it does. She hasn't sensationalized it but approached it with sensitivity and I feel with common sense.
It's excellently written.
Yes, I cried but I also laughed.
Great read and deserves every star.
I really have no words that would in any way portray the emotion,pain and community that this book invokes.
Cole really has taken something we wish never happens but unfortunately it does. She hasn't sensationalized it but approached it with sensitivity and I feel with common sense.
It's excellently written.
Yes, I cried but I also laughed.
Great read and deserves every star.
October 16, 2024
Page turner, could not put this book down.
November 1, 2012
Another great read from Martina Cole, i gave it four stars because i read Faithless last week and this one didn't grab me quite so much....having said that its still a fab book, i couldn't put it down the storyline is gritty and hard hitting and the characters are (unfortunately) very real and believable.
September 19, 2010
My introduction to the amazing Ms Cole thanks to an awful pregnancy! and a kind friend, dirty, gritty and so close to the bone, you're left with no choice but to laugh or cry as if it was happening to a close friend!
July 5, 2017
3.5 stars
This was a good book by Martina Cole, not her best but good nonetheless. It had all her usual characters in, the faces, prostitutes etc and general skulduggery, however for me, it was a little predictable in parts.
This was a good book by Martina Cole, not her best but good nonetheless. It had all her usual characters in, the faces, prostitutes etc and general skulduggery, however for me, it was a little predictable in parts.
November 17, 2008
another addictive plot but quite realistic as it shows some of the decisions a mother has to make for her kids
June 17, 2018
Reread The know. Great book
January 25, 2016
A fantastic book from start to finish . A right roller coaster of emotions . Loved it a massive 5 stars from me
March 12, 2018
Another excellent gripping book from the amazing author Martina Cole. Her books never disappoint.
Thoroughly enjoyable, was gripped from start to finish.
Thoroughly enjoyable, was gripped from start to finish.
April 30, 2017
Gripping from start to finish
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2018
Far to long and repetitive. She needed a good editor!
December 15, 2020
3.5 stars
I have some mixed feelings, but overall I enjoyed this book.
The writing style was definitely not my favourite. I do like straightforward prose, but this leaned a little too far to that side for me. It was jarring at first, but I did get used to it by the 100-page mark, and I think it set the tone of the story pretty effectively. Despite my getting used to the writing style, I still think that my inability to really mesh with it prevented the story from eliciting emotion from me in some pivotal moments. Aside from that, I honestly wasn't prepared for the heavy British slang, but that was an aspect I actually liked quite a bit. It really gave character to the dialogue.
I liked the characters quite a bit. They all had a lot of depth to them, and the themes explored here are different from what I'm used to reading. I liked the emphasis on familial love, and how different groups of people will view morality very differently (although this book hits on one issue we can all agree is disgusting, criminal or not). The characters may have been rough around the edges, but they lived hard lives, and I thought it was really interesting to have a look into their world.
While I also liked the plot, I think the main focus was really on character work. Since the reader knows the outcome of Kira's disappearance from the prologue, the rest of the story was really about unravelling the 'who' and 'why', all the while unravelling the secrets of the people involved. The way Martina Cole wrote about this world didn't pull any punches; I thought it was very raw and honest, and I liked the way it was executed.
I would definitely recommend this book to any fans of crime novels!
I have some mixed feelings, but overall I enjoyed this book.
The writing style was definitely not my favourite. I do like straightforward prose, but this leaned a little too far to that side for me. It was jarring at first, but I did get used to it by the 100-page mark, and I think it set the tone of the story pretty effectively. Despite my getting used to the writing style, I still think that my inability to really mesh with it prevented the story from eliciting emotion from me in some pivotal moments. Aside from that, I honestly wasn't prepared for the heavy British slang, but that was an aspect I actually liked quite a bit. It really gave character to the dialogue.
I liked the characters quite a bit. They all had a lot of depth to them, and the themes explored here are different from what I'm used to reading. I liked the emphasis on familial love, and how different groups of people will view morality very differently (although this book hits on one issue we can all agree is disgusting, criminal or not). The characters may have been rough around the edges, but they lived hard lives, and I thought it was really interesting to have a look into their world.
While I also liked the plot, I think the main focus was really on character work. Since the reader knows the outcome of Kira's disappearance from the prologue, the rest of the story was really about unravelling the 'who' and 'why', all the while unravelling the secrets of the people involved. The way Martina Cole wrote about this world didn't pull any punches; I thought it was very raw and honest, and I liked the way it was executed.
I would definitely recommend this book to any fans of crime novels!
April 1, 2024
Time taken to read - 5 days
Pages - 629
Publisher - Headline
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Joanie Brewer' s children meant the world to her. She'd do anything to protect them, even resorting to prostitution and petty crime in order to feed and clothe them. So when her beautiful teenage daughter is raped and murdered, only one thing will stop Joanie's pain - seeing her daughter's killer brought to justice. Joanie knows who he is and she'll do whatever it takes to nail him...7
My Review
This one has some hard hitting themes, from the opening prologue you learn a child has died and been the victim of a predator. There are quite a few references to deviants so just a heads up not for the faint hearted. Joanie is working in the world's oldest profession, a lady of the night. Her oldest son is starting to make a name for himself and coming into his own with all things within the criminal world. Her eldest daughter has absolute middle child syndrome and is acting out trying to find her place and who she is. The youngest Kira is the antithesis of them all, sweet, innocent, loved and adored by them all well maybe not Jeanette so much (middle child) but even she can't keep up being mad at the wean.
The story has many dark themes, sa, murder, rape, violence, drug dependency, absolute deviants so you can imagine how seedy things get. The language can be pretty offensive and some of it not used nowadays but reflective of the characters and their time/place. Racism and white supremacy rears its ugly head in this one too so something to really grate on and hate many characters for.
When you think things couldn't get any worse, Cole keeps you on your toes and keeps shocking and bringing it. If you have read her books before you know what to expect. Short chapters and if you want a break from your own reality and sinking into shady characters and all manners of skulduggery, this is as good a place to start as any. It is a standalone too, 4/5 from us but proceed with caution, it is pretty shocking.
Pages - 629
Publisher - Headline
Source - Bought
Blurb from Goodreads
Joanie Brewer' s children meant the world to her. She'd do anything to protect them, even resorting to prostitution and petty crime in order to feed and clothe them. So when her beautiful teenage daughter is raped and murdered, only one thing will stop Joanie's pain - seeing her daughter's killer brought to justice. Joanie knows who he is and she'll do whatever it takes to nail him...7
My Review
This one has some hard hitting themes, from the opening prologue you learn a child has died and been the victim of a predator. There are quite a few references to deviants so just a heads up not for the faint hearted. Joanie is working in the world's oldest profession, a lady of the night. Her oldest son is starting to make a name for himself and coming into his own with all things within the criminal world. Her eldest daughter has absolute middle child syndrome and is acting out trying to find her place and who she is. The youngest Kira is the antithesis of them all, sweet, innocent, loved and adored by them all well maybe not Jeanette so much (middle child) but even she can't keep up being mad at the wean.
The story has many dark themes, sa, murder, rape, violence, drug dependency, absolute deviants so you can imagine how seedy things get. The language can be pretty offensive and some of it not used nowadays but reflective of the characters and their time/place. Racism and white supremacy rears its ugly head in this one too so something to really grate on and hate many characters for.
When you think things couldn't get any worse, Cole keeps you on your toes and keeps shocking and bringing it. If you have read her books before you know what to expect. Short chapters and if you want a break from your own reality and sinking into shady characters and all manners of skulduggery, this is as good a place to start as any. It is a standalone too, 4/5 from us but proceed with caution, it is pretty shocking.
March 11, 2017
Yet again a novel set in the East End of London amongst villains, gangsters and prostitutes and yet Cole has the knack of bringing the characters alive to the point where you not only sympathise with their plight, but actually relate to the characters and see yourself (if life had been different) being one of those characters and thinking - yeah, I'd have done that if in the same position. I suppose that if you are a mother, reading this book, then you will sympathise with Jeanie, the matriarch who, against all the odds, brings up a half-decent family. You will suffer with her as you live through her child going missing and eventually being found dead (we learn that her missing youngest daughter is found dead - in the prologue on the very first page of the book) and you will shed a tear for her as you sit back, thankful that you live where you live and in the manner that you live.
A teenager reading this book may well relate to Jeanette, a bloke will relate to Jon Jon. All who read this novel - possibly her best so far - will not fail to be moved.
"Paulie was clever enough to know the kind of girls who would make him money: not too good looking but not dogs either - that was alright on the kerb, but not in the comfortable surroundings of a parlour. Equally, if the girls were too good looking, they frightened the men off; he had noticed that over the years."
As usual the villains stick together under the villain's code and all the coppers are bent and this adds to the story. The paperback (2003) is 629 pages long. I am a slow reader and finished it in two days, constantly wanting to know 'what happens next?'
A teenager reading this book may well relate to Jeanette, a bloke will relate to Jon Jon. All who read this novel - possibly her best so far - will not fail to be moved.
"Paulie was clever enough to know the kind of girls who would make him money: not too good looking but not dogs either - that was alright on the kerb, but not in the comfortable surroundings of a parlour. Equally, if the girls were too good looking, they frightened the men off; he had noticed that over the years."
As usual the villains stick together under the villain's code and all the coppers are bent and this adds to the story. The paperback (2003) is 629 pages long. I am a slow reader and finished it in two days, constantly wanting to know 'what happens next?'
October 26, 2018
I've never read Martina Cole's books before, but I really enjoyed this one.
Kira is a young schoolgirl and youngest of three children of Joanie Brewer, a prostitute who has known a lot of sadness and hardship in her life. Kira is educationally challenged, blonde, very pretty and loved by everyone. Then, one day, tragedy strikes.
Jon Jon, Joanie's oldest at seventeen/eighteen, tries to find out what's going on. Jon Jon works closely with Paulie Martin, a local pimp.
Jeanette, Joanie's middle child, is the archetypal troublesome teenager, who leaves home and lives with a local no good young man called Jasper.
Jon Jon, Jeanette and Kira all have different father's, none of whom Joanie can remember, as they're three of many clients.
There are many twists and turns in this story, which is not for the prudish or faint-hearted. There's a certain amount of bad language and a lot of necessary sexual references, but these are necessary to the story.
This book is full of unforgettable characters, who seem to come alive as you read about them. This book, for me, shows how resilient people can be, especially when faced with some of life's worst situations.
Kira is a young schoolgirl and youngest of three children of Joanie Brewer, a prostitute who has known a lot of sadness and hardship in her life. Kira is educationally challenged, blonde, very pretty and loved by everyone. Then, one day, tragedy strikes.
Jon Jon, Joanie's oldest at seventeen/eighteen, tries to find out what's going on. Jon Jon works closely with Paulie Martin, a local pimp.
Jeanette, Joanie's middle child, is the archetypal troublesome teenager, who leaves home and lives with a local no good young man called Jasper.
Jon Jon, Jeanette and Kira all have different father's, none of whom Joanie can remember, as they're three of many clients.
There are many twists and turns in this story, which is not for the prudish or faint-hearted. There's a certain amount of bad language and a lot of necessary sexual references, but these are necessary to the story.
This book is full of unforgettable characters, who seem to come alive as you read about them. This book, for me, shows how resilient people can be, especially when faced with some of life's worst situations.
Read
October 16, 2019I was a bit dismissive when I started this book after not enjoying previous Cole thrillers, but I was determined to finish the collection my neighbour had given.
And I'm so glad I did. The Know was a genuinely absorbing read. The characters were multi-dimensional, even the short-used ones, and their interactions were dramatic without being forced. And the plot twist; I didn't see it coming in any way but it still made brilliant sense.
My only gripe is that the last few chapters felt a little rushed. I would have like certain characters to be introduced, or at least mentioned, earlier in the book, both to balance out the pace and to give more weight to the end of their arcs.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, possibly my favourite crime thriller read so far.
And I'm so glad I did. The Know was a genuinely absorbing read. The characters were multi-dimensional, even the short-used ones, and their interactions were dramatic without being forced. And the plot twist; I didn't see it coming in any way but it still made brilliant sense.
My only gripe is that the last few chapters felt a little rushed. I would have like certain characters to be introduced, or at least mentioned, earlier in the book, both to balance out the pace and to give more weight to the end of their arcs.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read, possibly my favourite crime thriller read so far.
November 19, 2023
Martina Cole is a bit of a publishing phenomenon in the UK with a loyal readership. This is the first of her books that I have read. It is set in a world of brasses, slags, pimps, bitches, bastards and nonces. The latter play a significant role in the later part of the book.
I quite liked the characters but found the story as a whole pretty grim going. Some of the descriptions of what they were thinking and feeling were a bit on the nail and prosaic. I also thought that rather than just being left out, some facts were changed from a previous description, which always feels like cheating to me.
Annie Aldington is a decent narrator for the subject matter but a bit out of her depth with some accents.
I quite liked the characters but found the story as a whole pretty grim going. Some of the descriptions of what they were thinking and feeling were a bit on the nail and prosaic. I also thought that rather than just being left out, some facts were changed from a previous description, which always feels like cheating to me.
Annie Aldington is a decent narrator for the subject matter but a bit out of her depth with some accents.
January 25, 2024
It's been a long time since I last read anything by Martina Cole. I'd forgotten how good she is.
This is a gritty, ugly and disturbing tale about how living the criminal life can have a devastating impact on families. It's utterly absorbing.
The characters are totally credible. The author's use of colourful slang in their dialogue makes them come alive (and justifies the use of slang and dialects, which is often a controversial issue among readers).
I'd narrowed the main baddie down to three suspects. Turns out one of my suspects was The One. I love the mental challenge of working out plot twists.
This book is not an easy read in terms of content. It draws the reader into a murky world where crime does pay for some, but not so much for others.
This is a gritty, ugly and disturbing tale about how living the criminal life can have a devastating impact on families. It's utterly absorbing.
The characters are totally credible. The author's use of colourful slang in their dialogue makes them come alive (and justifies the use of slang and dialects, which is often a controversial issue among readers).
I'd narrowed the main baddie down to three suspects. Turns out one of my suspects was The One. I love the mental challenge of working out plot twists.
This book is not an easy read in terms of content. It draws the reader into a murky world where crime does pay for some, but not so much for others.
July 21, 2024
I've read a couple of Martina Cole books and know to expect the endless bad language. Whilst its not my personal cup of tea, it makes the story more realistic as it reflects how the people in this book would most probably behave when facing the problems every day life throws at them.
This subject matter was hard hitting & was a tough read towards the end. There were no real winners and certainly no happy ending. Which is again unfortunately true to life.
Well written but lost a star for me as in places it was repetitive and went off track at points going into too much detail about characters that featured for one scene.
This subject matter was hard hitting & was a tough read towards the end. There were no real winners and certainly no happy ending. Which is again unfortunately true to life.
Well written but lost a star for me as in places it was repetitive and went off track at points going into too much detail about characters that featured for one scene.
December 5, 2023
4.5 stars
I did it. I finally finished one of my mother’s favourite reads and what a book it was. I now know why Martina Cole is as popular as she is. This book, when it got going, was addictive.
I found I couldn’t stop reading even as I was horrified at some of the characters and their choices. It’s definitely a tear-jerker and everything that happens little Kira ripped my heart in two.
My only complaint was the beginning, it sets up the story and the characters well but it took over 200 pages to truly get good.
Nonetheless I loved the middle and the ending was fantastic. Can’t wait to try more of her books.
I did it. I finally finished one of my mother’s favourite reads and what a book it was. I now know why Martina Cole is as popular as she is. This book, when it got going, was addictive.
I found I couldn’t stop reading even as I was horrified at some of the characters and their choices. It’s definitely a tear-jerker and everything that happens little Kira ripped my heart in two.
My only complaint was the beginning, it sets up the story and the characters well but it took over 200 pages to truly get good.
Nonetheless I loved the middle and the ending was fantastic. Can’t wait to try more of her books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2022
This book was given to me as a gift. Once I started it, I quickly became absorbed in the storyline. I liked the main character Joanie and her family. I found them believable characters and am sure maybe true of what went on back in the day. It was hard reading at times, especially when children were involved. I found myself wanting to turn the pages to find out the ending. It was well written. Not her best book but a very enjoyable read.
September 16, 2023
This is the first book by Martina Cole, I enjoyed her writing in the novel, it was a book that I could not put down,
Joanie… mother of 3 will do anything to protect her children. But who wouldn’t? Her daughter was raped and murdered and the family are now on the hunt to find out who did it!
There was alot of dramatic scenes, the ending was fantastic! However, I felt it was longer than it needed to be!
Joanie… mother of 3 will do anything to protect her children. But who wouldn’t? Her daughter was raped and murdered and the family are now on the hunt to find out who did it!
There was alot of dramatic scenes, the ending was fantastic! However, I felt it was longer than it needed to be!
May 13, 2024
My first dive into a Martina Cole and it didn't disappoint. My choice of crime novels has typically been from the perspective of the police/detectives so this was something different. The blurb gave no indication of the direction this was going but a few chapters in and a suggestion was evident.
Cole portrays the likeable characteristics of her characters, despite their many wrong doings and reminds us that life is full of unhappy endings ... Or in this case, beginnings.
Cole portrays the likeable characteristics of her characters, despite their many wrong doings and reminds us that life is full of unhappy endings ... Or in this case, beginnings.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews