Martina Cole Books
DI Kate Burrows Series
The Ladykiller - 1993
The Ladykiller is a gritty crime thriller about Patrick Connor, a sadistic serial killer who preys on women, and Detective Kate Burrows, determined to stop him. As Kate faces professional and personal challenges, the novel delves into dark themes of obsession, violence, and the pursuit of justice.
Broken - 2000
Broken is a gritty crime thriller exploring the life of Detective Kate Burrows, who is tasked with solving a string of gruesome murders targeting children. As Kate balances her professional duties with personal struggles and a complicated relationship, the story delves into loyalty, justice, and revenge.
Hard Girls - 2008
Hard Girls is a gritty crime thriller following Detective Inspector Kate Burrows as she investigates a series of brutal murders targeting prostitutes. Partnered with gangster Patrick Kelly, Kate battles personal and professional challenges, unraveling a dark, dangerous underworld filled with betrayal, violence, and shocking twists.
Damaged - 2017
Damaged is a gritty crime novel following DCI Kate Burrows as she faces her toughest case yet. Tasked with investigating a series of horrific child murders, Kate battles professional challenges and personal struggles. The dark underworld of crime tests her resolve, uncovering shocking secrets and ruthless criminals.
Maura Ryan Series
Dangerous Lady – 1992
Dangerous Lady follows the life of Maura, a powerful and ruthless woman involved in the London crime scene. As she navigates betrayal, family loyalty, and her violent world, Maura rises to the top, but her ambition and actions come with devastating consequences for those around her.
Maura's Game - 2002
Maura's Game is a gripping crime thriller about Maura Ryan, a powerful London crime boss. After her family empire is threatened by betrayal and rival gangs, Maura must navigate danger and deception to protect her loved ones and maintain control in a treacherous underworld.
Standalone Novels
Goodnight Lady - 1994
Goodnight Lady is a gripping crime drama centered on Briony Cavanagh, a powerful and ruthless woman who rises from a traumatic childhood to control an empire of illicit businesses in London. Balancing loyalty and vengeance, Briony navigates betrayal and danger in this gritty tale of survival and ambition.
The Jump - 1995
The Jump follows Donna, whose husband, George, is imprisoned for armed robbery. Desperate to reunite with him, Donna devises a bold prison escape plan with the help of an ex-con, Alan. The story explores loyalty, betrayal, and survival in London's gritty underworld, unraveling dark secrets and dangerous consequences.
The Runaway - 1997
The Runaway follows Cathy Connor and Eamonn Docherty, childhood friends from London's East End, whose lives take dark, separate paths after a traumatic event. Cathy escapes to Soho, navigating its criminal underworld, while Eamonn becomes an enforcer. Their fates intertwine in a gritty tale of loyalty and survival.
Two Women - 1999
Two Women is a gripping crime novel about Susan Dalston, a woman who endures years of abuse from her husband until she kills him in a moment of rage. Imprisoned, Susan forms unexpected alliances and discovers resilience while confronting her past in a brutal, unforgiving environment.
Faceless - 2001
Faceless is a gripping crime novel about Marie Carter, a woman released from prison after serving time for a brutal double murder. As she tries to rebuild her life, secrets from her past resurface, forcing her to confront betrayal, guilt, and danger in a ruthless underworld.
The Know - 2003
The Know follows Joanie Brewer, a mother drawn into London’s criminal underworld when her daughter is exploited by dangerous men. As Joanie navigates betrayal, poverty, and violence, she fights to protect her family, confronting dark secrets and the brutal cost of survival in a gritty, unforgiving world.
The Graft - 2004
The Graft follows Nick Leary, a ruthless East End gangster navigating betrayal and power struggles in London’s criminal underworld. As his empire faces threats from rivals and personal demons, Nick confronts loyalty, ambition, and the devastating consequences of his violent choices in this gritty tale of crime.
The Take - 2005
The Take follows Freddie Jackson, a volatile gangster rising in London’s criminal underworld. His ruthless ambition and violent choices lead to betrayal, power struggles, and family conflict. As his world unravels, Freddie’s dangerous decisions threaten everyone around him in this gritty tale of crime and loyalty.
Close - 2006
Close follows Lily Diamond, a woman entangled in London’s criminal underworld through her husband’s gang ties. As she protects her family from betrayal and violence, Lily navigates loyalty, love, and survival. Her choices lead to devastating consequences in this gritty, suspenseful tale of crime and power.
Faces - 2007
Faces follows Danny Cadogan, a feared gangster, and Michael Miles, navigating London’s criminal underworld. As betrayal, power struggles, and family loyalties collide, their lives intertwine with strong women like Mary Cadogan. This gritty crime novel explores ambition, violence, and the devastating consequences of a brutal world.
Business - 2008
Business follows Jordanna and her mother Imelda in London’s criminal underworld. As they navigate power, betrayal, and ambition, their ruthless choices lead to conflict and tragedy. This gritty crime novel explores family loyalty, the cost of success, and the dangerous consequences of life in a brutal world.
The Family - 2010
The Family follows the story of the powerful and dangerous Jordan family. Set in London's gritty underworld, it explores themes of crime, loyalty, and betrayal. The family’s ruthless ambition leads to conflict and tragedy, as secrets and violent choices shape their fates in a brutal world.
The Faithless - 2011
The Faithless follows Cynthia Tailor, a woman escaping her dark past in London’s criminal underworld. As betrayal, family secrets, and violence resurface, Cynthia navigates love, revenge, and survival. Her ruthless choices test loyalties, unraveling a gritty, suspenseful tale of power and deception in a dangerous world.
The Life - 2012
The Life follows brothers Peter and Daniel Bailey, running a criminal empire in London’s East End. As betrayal, rival gangs, and family loyalties collide, their ruthless ambition leads to violence and tragedy. This gritty crime drama explores power, survival, and the devastating cost of life in the underworld.
Revenge - 2013
Revenge follows Michael Flynn, a man seeking vengeance for his family’s destruction in London’s criminal underworld. Rising through power and violence, he faces betrayal and ruthless enemies. This gritty novel explores loyalty, deceit, and the devastating consequences of revenge in a brutal, unforgiving world of crime.
The Good Life - 2014
The Good Life follows Cain Moran, a charismatic criminal building a better life in East London. His ambition draws him into a dangerous underworld of crime and betrayal. This gritty novel explores loyalty, love, and the harsh realities behind success, with devastating consequences for those around him.
Get Even - 2015
Get Even follows Sharon Conway, a woman seeking revenge after betrayal shatters her life. Building a ruthless empire in London’s criminal underworld, she pursues justice against dangerous foes. This gritty novel explores power, loyalty, and the devastating consequences of vengeance in a brutal, unforgiving world.
Betrayal - 2016
Betrayal is a gripping crime thriller set in London's criminal underworld. The story follows the lives of a family torn apart by betrayal, deceit, and violence. As dark secrets unfold, loyalty is tested, and revenge becomes inevitable, leaving lives shattered in the pursuit of power.
No Mercy - 2019
No Mercy follows Diana Davis, a resilient woman ruling London’s criminal underworld. Facing betrayal, dangerous enemies, and personal demons, she fights to protect her family. This gritty crime novel explores loyalty, power, and survival, with Diana’s ruthless choices leading to violent consequences in a brutal, unforgiving world.
Loyalty - 2023
In Loyalty, two young girls, Dara Tailor and Grace Perry, form an unbreakable bond while enduring abuse at Holly Brookes Children's Home. As they grow older, their loyalty to each other is tested in dangerous circumstances.
Guilty - 2024
Guilty is a gripping crime thriller centered around Steph Barker, a single mother running a women’s shelter for prostitutes. After one of her friends, Hennie, disappears, Steph suspects Hennie’s violent pimp, Artie Rogers. As more women vanish, Steph uncovers dark secrets that lead to a shocking revelation. Everyone has their past, but one person is getting away with murder
No Regret - 2025
In 1962 Soho, ruthless gangster Rory Sheehan claims innocent Maggie Riley, sparking brutal gang wars with rival Luca Romano. Thomas Johnson, secretly loving Maggie, hides his feelings to protect her. Enduring Rory’s cruelty, fierce survivor Maggie harbors a secret, unleashing devastating revenge in this gripping crime saga of loyalty, violence, and retribution.