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The Life [Hardcover]

Martina Cole
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (328 customer reviews)
RRP: £19.99
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Book Description

13 Sep 2012
The most authentic novel of gangster family life ever written, from the No. 1 bestselling author.


The Bailey brothers are gangsters determined to make their mark in the world. Peter and Daniel are chalk and cheese in many ways - Peter's calm exterior belies his ruthless nature, while Daniel's penchant for spectacular violence is legendary - but together they are unstoppable. From the late seventies they rule London's East End and, when their sons join the business, it seems that no one can touch the powerful Baileys. Although it's never easy at the top; there is always someone waiting to take you down - sometimes even those closest to you... Lena Bailey is determined to shield her youngest child Tania from the Life. But when a terrible tragedy occurs, Tania's eyes are opened to their world in a way that forces her to make an irrevocable choice that will determine her future.

Martina Cole's gritty and gripping new novel is an unflinching portrait of a family torn apart by violence and betrayal, but ultimately bound by loyalty, by blood, and by a burning desire for revenge... It is a story of the Life, told as only Martina Cole can.

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 512 pages
  • Publisher: Headline (13 Sep 2012)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0755375572
  • ISBN-13: 978-0755375578
  • Product Dimensions: 23.6 x 15.6 x 4.4 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (328 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 15,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Product Description

Review

'We always get excited when a Martina Cole novel drops on our desk, and she continues to maintain her reputation as one of the best fiction authors around with this gritty and unforgettable story of a family immersed in a world of violence and revenge. Spectacular' 5 ***** (Closer)

About the Author

Martina Cole is the No. 1 bestselling author of eighteen hugely successful novels. Her hard-hitting, uncompromising and haunting writing makes for an incredible read, and sales of her books now stand at over ten million copies. She is the person who dares to tell it like it really is.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
47 of 49 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Mixed Feeling 30 Sep 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
Martina Cole's early books were great reads, but unfortunately she doesn't seem to have had the same edge in her recent books. However The Life shows indications that early talent is still there.

The story is a saga about a criminal family with two psychopathic brothers with contrasting personalities who build up a criminal empire in London's East End. There are plenty of twists and turns in the plot as the next generation join the family business. It needs careful reading as the plot is complex in places with intrigues and betrayals. There is plenty of violence for those who like that.

Martina Cole's avid fans will love this book, but the more critical readers will find some of the repetition tiresome and although it is a fresh story, the characters seem to be stereotypes that Martina Cole has used before. Let's hope her next book will be more of an improvement and we will see Martina Cole back to her old form
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33 of 35 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars THE LIFE 7 Oct 2012
By Pat
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I have read all of MC's books and this one was terrible.
Repetative ,boring,no proper story line .
I ordered in advance and could not wait to read it .What a disappointment.
I am afraid that I got so fed up with it I deleted it from my Kindle before
the end .
I hope MC's gift for great stories returns.
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37 of 40 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars NOT the dog's Gonads at all.. 4 Oct 2012
Format:Kindle Edition
sick to death of that expression..seems to be on every second page of this book. I am afraid Cole has lost her touch, same old drivel. Looks like she has chucked bits of every book she has written together to produce this book.
Trading on her past glories...
I wont be buying any more of her books
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50 of 55 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars There's life in Martina Cole yet! 15 Sep 2012
Format:Hardcover
Most would agree that Martina's books over the last couple of years have been somewhat lacking The Life however reminds us that MC is still capable of writing a book on level with her early work!

Although The Life may not be on par with the likes of Dangerous Lady or Broken for the first time in years I was unable to put one of her books down! I never share plot lines as I hate to read reviews that give the story away but what I will say is this book focuses on one family's intimate lifestyles and the pitfalls of living the criminal lifestyle.......

It does get a tad heavy reading wise in the middle of this book and as another reviewer pointed out the inner plot lines get a little tangled and I had to go back and check a few facts but it does come together really well at the end and Martina leaves this open for a sequeal and I hope she does pen one in the future! MC does have a habit these days of repeating points which in the Business completely ruined the book and she does do it in this book but it's done in such a way that it doesn't ruin the book..........rather feels like a little extra padding out of the story though!

All in all I actually really liked this book and I would recommend that you give it a read, no its not the best but it does feel as if MC is getting her mojo back!
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13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars The life. Martina cole 27 Nov 2012
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
This is the worst MC book ever,,I have read all her books and loved the early ones, but the last four or five have been the same old rubbish,,I stopped reading it at 20percent,,,I will not be bothering again unless she writes a good book that doesn't involve an Irish mum,,two sons,,one good one bad,,one son does too much drugs and is a nutter then the good son kills the bad son and that is the end,,,bore bore bore,,,,
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars so disappointed!!! 18 May 2013
By lil
Format:Paperback
I read the take by martina cole and that led me to buy more of her books. But apart from the runaway. Every single story line is the same and every single page repeats itself!! Around pge 180 ur told the same thing for three pages its ridiculous! U dnt even have to be a critic to tell whilst reading tht its boring and not worth being printed. Martina needs to return to the drawing board and read her own books and see the difference in the runaway and the take
to realise she needs a plot and her writing needs to flow. I won't be buying anymore of her books. Jessie Keane all the way!!!
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars Bit disappointed. 9 Feb 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
As an avid martina cole reader, I was looking forward to her latest offering. However I found the book a bit predictable. Not up to the usual standard.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
1.0 out of 5 stars worst of her collection 6 Jun 2013
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
I was excited as usual to read the next gripping instalment of Martina's books, but I was sorely disappointed . I have never had to scan pages or skip any part of her usual finger bitingly edge of the seat gritty books, yet the life proved that mistakes can be made, mine was purchasing it
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book from mc
Once I started reading it I couldn't put it down, yes most of her books are about the criminal world but she writes them brilliantly, I've enjoyed all her books & will continue to... Read more
Published 1 hour ago by karen harle
5.0 out of 5 stars good read
I have always loved Martina Cole as an author. As always when I start reading one of her books I don't want to put it down. Read more
Published 21 hours ago by KAY
5.0 out of 5 stars an excellent read
Just couldn't put it down an excellent read. Twists and turns all the way through. True to her usual form
Published 22 hours ago by teach
4.0 out of 5 stars Good read
Good read. Good story. I have read several Martina Cole books and always enjoyed them. Looking forward to reading the next one
Published 1 day ago by Susan Plumbley
3.0 out of 5 stars Not her best but a decent read
I am a fan of Martina Cole, however I was a bit disappointed by The Life, not her best work in my opinion!
Published 1 day ago by izzey2
3.0 out of 5 stars Same old story
I have read a few books written by Martina Cole and have decided this is the last one. A bit like John Wayne films, you see one you have no need to see any more as they are all the... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Mr. B. W. Healy
5.0 out of 5 stars Great
Another great book from Martina cole well worth the wait,can't wait for next one there must be a 2nd to this book
Published 1 day ago by c34
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Great book, couldn't put it down, another bread read from Martina Cole. Can't wait for her next book to come out
Published 2 days ago by Mrs Denice Gray
4.0 out of 5 stars She's Back
Finally Martina Cole has reverted to the style we all love, no longer constantly repeating herself in several different ways. This book was great and I for one am very happy.
Published 3 days ago by rosiepickering
3.0 out of 5 stars Much of a muchness
very typical of her writing. read it once OK but would not particularly want to read it again. If I'd bought it as a book, I should have taken it to a charity shop.
Published 3 days ago by lizfoubister
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