Product Description

HARD LIVES. HARD LESSONS. IT’S MURDER ON THE STREETS.

Danielle Crosby had a body to die for. A body she sold to the highest bidder. But she ended up paying for it with her life.  

When a prostitute’s body is found lifeless, mutilated and brutally raped, DCI Annie Carr has never seen anything like it and never wants to again. Kate Burrows, retired DCI now consultant, has plenty of experience when it comes to murder – after all she caught the Grantley Ripper and broke the biggest paedophile ring in the South East. She is determined to help put the killer behind bars. But whoever it is won’t be easily caught. And when another girl’s body is found, even more horrifically disfigured than the last, it’s clear the killer is just warming up...

In a ruthless world where everyone’s out for themselves, Annie and Kate must dig deep if they hope to catch a callous serial killer who knows no limits and makes no mistakes. For some, prostitution is seriously big business. But how many people will pay the ultimate price?

Utterly compelling, HARD GIRLS is a gripping and disturbing thriller that will have you hooked until the very last page.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #140 in Books
• Published on: 2009-10-29
• Released on: 2009-10-29
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 448 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Martina Cole is not so much a publishing phenomenon (although she is certainly that) as a something of a force of nature. Though the sales of her tough East End-set novels are the envy of many a writer, and despite her punishing work regime (from the regularity of her publication schedule, it doesn't appear that she ever takes a holiday), the standard of her writing is always consistent: direct and no-nonsense. She writes about men and women who are prepared to bend the rules in the most uncompromising fashion, and it's clear that this technique strikes a chord in many a reader; we may lead law-abiding lives, but we can't deny that those who step outside the strictures of society hold a grim fascination. She has an unerring ear for dialogue and everyday speech, and it is this (as much of her in-your-face storytelling) that gives her books such an impact. Since her debut novel Dangerous Lady in 1992, there has been a steady stream of equally forceful books, of which the latest is Hard Girls

The murdered body of a prostitute is discovered, grotesquely mutilated and sexually assaulted. The condition of the body is a shock even to DCI Annie Carr -- a woman who has no illusions about life. Kate Burrows once held down the same job as Annie, but is now retired and acting as consultant. Kate is a woman who has plenty of experience when it comes to capturing murderers (the Grantley Ripper was one of those she tracked down), and took on a paedophile ring in the southeast. Kate takes on the task of helping to catch a sadistic killer, and working with Annie Carr, the two women realise that they will have to move into different territory -- territory that will be a challenge even to these two experienced police women.

Fans of Martina Cole (and they are legion) know exactly what to expect from her, and she delivers here as unswervingly as ever. And if you’re the kind of reader who is made uncomfortable by being forced to sympathise (or at least understand) protagonists who are on the wrong side of the law, Hard Girls is a book for you, with its two powerfully realised female copper heroines. Don't be surprised if (as in the recent TV adaptation of The Take) filmmakers come calling at Ms. Cole’s door over this one: this is a book which is simply crying out to be filmed. --Barry Forshaw

Review
Packed full of suspense and twists, HARD GIRLS keeps you questioning whodunnit right to the end... Impossible to put down.
--London Lite, 29th October, 2009

'Just when you think you've got the measure of Martina Cole, currently the nation's most popular adult fiction writer, she ups the tempo, changes tack and thumps your lights out once again...compelling'
--MIRROR

About the Author
Martina Cole was born and brought up in Essex. She is the bestselling author of fifteen novels set in London's gangland, and her most recent three paperbacks have gone straight to No. 1 in the Sunday Times on first publication. Total sales of Martina's novels stand at nearly ten million copies.

Customer Reviews

Gritty crime novel, minus the grit
As an amazon `vine voice` reviewer I read a lot of thriller novels. This one was a huge let down, and as the previous reviewers have mentioned, it is tepid, watered down, and has no teeth. The harsh reallity of the subject matter does not cut through the plot, and as such is very weak, and unbelievable. Martina Cole is a writing machine, and as such every story will not please everyone. If real life crime thrillers are your bag, try The Child Taker (Soft Target Series). I have recently read the proof copy of this for a review, and this is incredible, heart stopping and brutally real. Michael Connelley`s new one is well worth a read too, but `Hard Girls` didnt do it for me.

Hard girls
I will never again waste my money on a martina cole book maybe she should give up writing now the book was a load of dribble what more can i say change to mandasue heller or jessie keane but please dont waste your time or money on this book

Don't bother!
Like a fool, I purchased this book despite thinking Martina Cole had been lacking her usual style in her last 2 novels, but as a fan of her earlier books, I succumbed to the glossy hardback and bought it. What dross! I had guessed the "surprise" killer very early on (mostly due to HUGE clues), I lost track of the amount of times Patrick "thought about Kate's age and lack of looks" (it doesn't make for an attractive character). Kate herself seemed to have undergone a total personality transfer and had become a deeply unpleasant person and most certainly the last person you'd wish to know, let alone work or live with. Her attitude to her lodger was appalling. Martina also seems to lack imagination with her character names, just how many more "Danny Boy's" can she squeeze in?

A slight change of style for Martina, but sadly no improvement. It would appear that she can keep churning novels out relentlessly, as her name now seems to sell, as opposed to any talent. A great shame. She used to be fantastic.