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The Ladykiller [Paperback]

Martina Cole
4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (117 customer reviews)

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Product details

  • Paperback
  • Publisher: Headline (1993)
  • ISBN-10: 9999991203
  • ISBN-13: 978-9999991209
  • ASIN: B001MPNP86
  • Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11 x 3.8 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 2,219,255 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Another lovely book from Martina Cole

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
31 of 32 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars A real page-turner 7 Jun 2006
Format:Paperback
This is my second Martina Cole book, having read The Know. I was gripped from page one when I read The Know and was pretty sure The Ladykiller couldn't suck me in as well as The Know did. Boy was I wrong. The Ladykiller is another brilliant book from Martina Cole and it'll keep you turning pages until the early hours such is the mastery of the author at keeping you guessing what will happen next. I read it in 3 days straight and if I didn't have pesky work to distract me from my reading I would have finished it a lot sooner!

The story centers around 3 main characters; DI Kate Burrows, East-End Hardman Patrick Kelly and the Grantley Ripper himself, George Markham.

DI Kate Burrows is assigned to the case of the Grantley Ripper who has been abducting, raping and murdering young women. Kate is so thoroughly engrossed in her job that she doesn't see what's happening with her own daughter until it's almost too late. The Rippers second victim is the daughter of local hardman, Patrick Kelly. Kelly's daughter, Mandy, was his world and her death has propelled him on a quest to find her killer and exact revenge. This task becomes more complicated when he falls for DI Kate Burrows. The Grantley Ripper (aka George Markham) meanwhile is on a roll and nobody can stop him.

What I love about The Ladykiller is the down to earth realism that Martina Cole brings to the book with the characters explored in such depth that you feel you know them. It's also one of those rare books that really keeps you guessing how things will turn out right up until the last chapter.

I'm fast becoming an avid Martina Cole fan and will be snapping up a few more of her books very soon. If they're anything like my first two experiences I'll be very impressed!
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb crime novel with a love story to boot 11 Feb 2006
By Veronica VINE™ VOICE
Format:Paperback
Many years ago I listened to the audio version of Dangerous Lady and quite liked it. Since then I hadn’t touched another Martina Cole novel but after reading an interview with the author I decided to give her books another go. I’m very happy that I started with The Ladykiller, as it is one of the best crime thrillers I’ve ever read. The book is about the criminal underworld in the East End where violence, prostitution, sex shops, massage parlours, hired thugs, bent coppers and paedophiles are a part of ordinary life. I know, it all sounds pretty heavy, and believe me the book is not what you would call light-hearted, but it is written with a such a down-to-earth style and with such realism and psychological insight that it is very enjoyable and exciting to read. Martina Cole is an amazing storyteller, and knows how to keep the reader hooked all the way through.

The novel starts by focussing on George Markham, an abused boy who has turned into an abusive man. George is heavily into sadomasochism and he has started to turn his violent fantasies into real-life crimes by raping and murdering women. One of these women is Mandy Kelly, the daughter of London hard man Patrick Kelly. Patrick will stop at nothing to track down her murderer and bring him to his kind of rough justice.

At the same time, the serial rapist / murderer is being hunted by DI Kate Burrows and her police team. Kate is a woman with a wayward daughter and an ex-husband who has breezed in and out of her life too many times. The emotional heart of the novel lies with Kate and Patrick, who are on opposite sides of the legal fence but who grow to love each other. Their relationship is rocky, passionate and controversial. I absolutely adored the fact that this book included such an interesting love story....

As a female reader, I found myself absolutely falling for Patrick Kelly whilst at the same time aghast about his criminal activities and penchant for young women (but over eighteen years old!) when not in a relationship. You can see how Patrick is the result of his poverty-stricken upbringing – he did what he had to in order to survive. Everything that makes him attractive – his strength, confidence and power – is also what makes him such a successful villain. Kate is also a really strong and interesting character, and I liked the way she stood up to Patrick and didn’t give in to her principles in order to meet his, such as when she walked out of an illegal boxing match that Patrick wanted to see.

The book is also great because every scene seems so authentic. You become immersed in a world where women are ‘birds’ and ‘skirts’ (I know, I know, so chauvinistic – but it’s part of the culture) and police officers are the ‘Old Bill’ and ‘filth’. This book is certainly not politically correct, but it is better for it. Overall, I would recommend this book to people who like crime novels and aren’t offended easily by violence, bad language and sexploitation! This novel is a wonderful guilty pleasure.

JoAnne Read more ›

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars A great read 29 Jan 2006
Format:Paperback
I've read a couple of martina cole novels and none have disappointed. She uses strong characters and a great story line to keep the reader interested. In this book, George Markham is an ordinary, if not a little creepy, man, whose nasty private hobby turns in to a public nightmare a his depraved fantasties become and real and he starts to terrorise the woman of Grantley. Patrick Kelly is a hard man - the most feared man in London, and when his daughter, Mandy, is attacked by the Grantley Ripper - he wants his revenge. Through the attack on his daughter he meets Kate Burrows, the DI in charge on the case.

As the crimes continue, the reader is given insight in to George's life and he childhood he had, along with the developing relationship betweem Kate and Patrick.

There are few twists and surprises, but the story and characters are strong and keep the reader interested. I was a bit disappointed with the end - it seemed a little rushed, but overall a great read - i'll be looking out for more!

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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars The Ladykiller 31 July 2005
Format:Paperback
The first Martina Cole book that I have read, and I am now a big fan.
An excellent read, definitely a book that you can't put down.
I am now on her third book and they just get better.
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18 of 20 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars An thriller your eyes will not want to leave 20 Feb 2000
Format:Paperback
I have been reading thrillers for twenty years and this one rates amongst the best. The Ladykiller will have you hooked from page one. For story telling ability, Martina Cole rates with the finest. It is fast moving with characters that are lovable, nasty, scary and frustrating. The Markham family have a lot of problems which stem from their formidable mother. This leads to George Markham going off the rails, in order to achieve sexual gratification and murder. This quiet man with the smile that just shows his teeth, will have you shivering. D.I. Kate Burrows is on the case and when Patrick Kelly (a known but fair villain with no convictions) loses his daughter (his one weakness) to the Grantly Ripper, he wants revenge. Kate Burrows gets involved with him, against her better judgement. DI Burrows has her own problems with her daughter and her ex husband. Put this all together and you have a mix that will have you going everywhere with this book, in order to read a few more pages when you have a spare moment. I loved this book and although it is the first Martina Cole, I have read, it will not be the last!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars great
Great it does everything it says it does fast and efficient service .I would use this company again well done
Published 3 days ago by freda murphy
5.0 out of 5 stars Best book I've read in a long time!
What a fantastic book, second time reading it and it gripped me just as much as the first time round! X
Published 6 days ago by freya fletcher
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb book
I couldn't put this book down. A chilling yet well written book that had me hooked straightaway. Well done Cole.
Published 10 days ago by Sue J Potter
5.0 out of 5 stars Why can't her newer stuff be this good?
Another mammoth read from Martina and another - in my opinion - five star book. An unputdownable read. They keep you reading long into the night. Read more
Published 17 days ago by ShaunOK
4.0 out of 5 stars Martina cole
Ladykiller has a bit of everything...drama, romance, death, adventure, love, friendship!!! Fab storyline, I couldn't put the book down. Read more
Published 20 days ago by Stacey Keast
5.0 out of 5 stars THE LADYKILLER KILLER - BRILLIANT
I HAVE READ ALL OF MARTINA COLE'S BOOKS AND THIS AS WELL AS (GOODNIGHT LADY) ARE MY FAVOURITES. THIS ONE IS MORE OF A DETECTIVE NOVEL INVOLVING A SERIAL KILLER. Read more
Published 28 days ago by Helen Lancaster
5.0 out of 5 stars really good read
Brilliant book can not put it down. good from page one. I would recommend it to any one who likes a good murder novel. well written, and the storey line is imaginative. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Linda
4.0 out of 5 stars Another gripping story
I am gradually working my way through Martina Coles collection and i have to say that this one was to her usual high standard. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Merv
5.0 out of 5 stars good book
Martina Cole is a brilliant authoress - she is very insightful of the era back in the true east end
Published 1 month ago by dawn guthrie
5.0 out of 5 stars Superb
This book captures you right from the start. Once started I could not put the book down. Definately worth the read.
Published 2 months ago by Kellie Hall
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