"Full on gangster with knobs on… yet there is also wit and tenderness to discover between the pages."
A hammer-hard blast of a novel set in the underworld of Essex. Alfie and Vaughn return from Spain looking to become kingpins in the world of crime, however the local criminals are already forming a queue ready to take them down.
Jacqui Rose immediately sets the action loose in a fast-paced wild ride and I just leapt straight in. There are characters full of bravado and swagger who set the pages on fire. The chapters are short, snappy, and full of menace. I raised my eyebrows and smirked at the brilliantly snarky quips and retorts. A mystery of whispers from the past gather to meet the present setting up a tidal wave, ready to crash into the ending. ‘Toxic' comes with shocks a plenty and a tommy gun of wise-cracking comebacks, plus there is a particular storyline ready to melt hearts, all resulting in a captivating, absolutely cracking read.
| Primary Genre | Thriller and Suspense |
| Other Genres: | |
| Recommendations: |
Jacqui kept me hooked from the very first page.
Jacqui kept me hooked from the very first page.You really get to feel for the characters, especially Bree, who simply wants to escape her abusive partner. But even the reader knows Johnny is not to be messed with. All she wants is to protect her children, will anyone come along to save her? Its gritty and dangerous throughout and I thoroughly enjoyed it.... Read Full Review
Gripping, action-packed thriller that is absolutely loaded with violence, crime, drama and suspense. Save this book for the weekend because you won’t want to put it down!
Toxic is a truly gripping, action-packed thriller full of drama and suspense. The story of Bree, her abusive husband and her overbearing mother-in-law provides an emotional rollercoaster of violence and crime with genuinely believable characters. For those readers who haven’t read the previous book, it is a little hard to pick up the thread of the story initially because it tends to jump back in time but it is well worth the effort. Once I got into this book, I could hardly put it down and I was pleased that the open ending offered the promise of more to come.... Read Full Review
Gangland deals, violent betrayal and loyalty tested in this fast paced and violent thriller.
The most recent in a series of linked but standalone novels about Essex gangland, this one finds returning gangsters Alfie and Vaughn having to fight to rebuild their position in Essex after Alfie’s girlfriend runs off with their stake in a multimillion pound criminal organisation. Coupled to that is Alfie’s first love Bree, desperate to escape her abusive and violent gangster husband and things become more complicated.
I think if you enjoy authors such as Martina Cole, Mandasue Heller and Roberta Kray you will probably really enjoy this one. It didn’t quite work for me but it was certainly well paced and violent but perfectly in keeping with the world Jacqui Rose is writing about. While there were obviously back stories for several characters in previous novels, this in no way detracted from following what was happening in this one.... Read Full Review
