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The Life [Paperback]

Martina Cole
3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (248 customer reviews)

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Paperback, 9 May 2013 --  
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Book Description

9 May 2013

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

  • Paperback: 608 pages
  • Publisher: Headline (9 May 2013)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0755399498
  • ISBN-13: 978-0755399499
  • Product Dimensions: 17.6 x 11 x 4.2 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (248 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 895,292 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
39 of 41 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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26 of 28 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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33 of 36 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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Most Recent Customer Reviews
2.0 out of 5 stars I'm disappointed..
I read all Martina Coles books but I have to say I was really disappointed,I expected something new, something explosive and surprising however I just got a predictable story... Read more
Published 1 day ago by Rita Horvath
4.0 out of 5 stars getting better
this latest offering from Martina is not as good as her early stuff, but much better than her recent rubbish! Read more
Published 1 day ago by florence nightingale
3.0 out of 5 stars The life by Martina Cole
Why so many chapters? Have read all of Martina Coles books and been slowly getting bored with them. Her early books were great didn't want to put them down! Read more
Published 2 days ago by Tracey
5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Read
Still got it Martina.......enjoyed this. still think your earlier books were better though especially Lady Killer which has been my favourite
Published 3 days ago by Cottondolly
2.0 out of 5 stars Disappointing glad I only paid reduced price
Repetitive and without any story , disappointing throughout. Repeated violence doesn't make a good read . Hoping for better things as I am a big fan of this author .
Published 4 days ago by J E WILLIAMS
1.0 out of 5 stars so disappointed!!!
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!! Read more
Published 4 days ago by lil
5.0 out of 5 stars The life
One of her best yet I couldn't put it down. old story line but very well written when is the next one 5 star
Published 5 days ago by chris rochell
1.0 out of 5 stars "Same old, same old....."
This book is awful. The only redeeming feature is that it was given to me and I did not have to pay for it! Read more
Published 5 days ago by Attila the Hen
1.0 out of 5 stars Not a hit!
*This review will contain major spoilers* Martina Cole's books are good but ever since The Family they've got kinda rubbish. Read more
Published 7 days ago by BunnyFang
4.0 out of 5 stars Good Read
So far so good. I have not finished reading the book but what I have read so far has kept me intriqued and want to read more.
Published 7 days ago by Beverley Ford
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