Martina Cole Books
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.
DI Kate Burrows Series
The Ladykiller - 1993
The Ladykiller is a gritty crime thriller about George Markham, 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 - 2001
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.
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 the story of Marie, a strong-willed woman navigating the dangerous world of organized crime. As she becomes more involved in her brother's criminal activities, she faces betrayal, loyalty tests, and the complexities of power, leading to intense personal and family struggles.
The Graft - 2004
The Graft follows the story of a ruthless East End gangster, Jimmy "The Saint" Saviour. As he navigates betrayal, power struggles, and the dangerous criminal underworld, he must confront the consequences of his actions, loyalty, and the cost of ambition within his violent world.
The Take - 2005
The Take follows the intense, gritty story of gangster Harry Starks and his rise to power in London's criminal underworld. The novel explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival as Harry's violent world unravels due to his dangerous choices and complex relationships.
Close - 2006
Close follows the story of a woman, Patricia, who is deeply involved in the criminal underworld. As she tries to protect her family from the dangers around them, betrayal and violence lurk at every turn. The novel explores loyalty, power, and survival in a harsh world.
Faces - 2007
Faces is a gritty crime novel following the lives of two women, Kate and her daughter, as they navigate the dangerous world of organized crime. As they struggle with betrayal, power, and survival, their paths intertwine with dangerous men, leading to tragic consequences.
Business - 2008
Business follows the story of businessman and gangster, Maurice "Moss" Morgan. Set in London's criminal underworld, Moss navigates power struggles, loyalty, and betrayal as he builds his empire. The novel explores themes of ambition, crime, and the high cost of success in a dangerous world.
The Family - 2008
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 the story of Maura, a woman who tries to escape her violent past in the criminal underworld. As she navigates betrayal, love, and revenge, her life becomes entangled with dangerous individuals, testing her loyalty and survival instincts in a gritty, suspenseful narrative.
The Life - 2012
The Life is a gritty, compelling crime drama set in London's East End. It follows the lives of two women, Maura and her daughter, as they navigate the dangerous world of organized crime, betrayal, and survival. The novel explores themes of loyalty, family, and power.
Revenge - 2013
Revenge follows the story of Eamonn, who seeks vengeance against those responsible for destroying his family. As he rises through the criminal world, he confronts betrayal, deceit, and ruthless enemies. The novel explores themes of loyalty, power, and the consequences of revenge in a gritty, violent world.
The Good Life - 2014
The Good Life follows the story of Linda, a woman determined to build a better life for herself and her family. Set in the gritty world of East London, the novel explores themes of loyalty, crime, and ambition, revealing the harsh realities behind the pursuit of success.
Get Even - 2015
Get Even follows the story of a strong-willed woman, Michelle, who seeks revenge after her life is shattered by betrayal. Navigating the criminal underworld, Michelle builds a ruthless empire while seeking justice. The novel explores power, loyalty, and the consequences of vengeance.
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 the intense life of Martina, a tough and resilient woman navigating the gritty underworld of London. As she battles betrayal, dangerous enemies, and her own inner demons, she seeks to protect her family while facing violent consequences in her criminal 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