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Hard Girls
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Released: 2009-10-29 Rating:  More Details: Hard Girls Hard Girls @Amazon Hard Girls @aStore |
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
Customer Reviews:
Terrible!!
What an awful book! I've read all of Martina Cole's books but didn't enjoy the last 2 at all. This one is just as bad and I won't be buying any more of her books. It's repetitive and boring. I got to the stage where I was missing out large chunks just to get to the end. I don't know why I bothered to buy it!
So disappointed!
I had to force myself to finish this book. It was really boring and so unlike her older books. I have just started reading Kimberley Chambers and she is brilliant! Read her book "Born Evil" in a couple of days and I highly recommend her. Sorry Martina but you are getting very dull!
BORING BORING BORING
Please do not buy this book it is the worst book i have read in a long time.
Very disappointed....
I have just finished reading this book and was really keen to see if Martina had recaptured some of her old magic sadly lost in The Take, the abismal Faces and The Business, which I didn't even read the reviews were so bad.
Unfortunately either Martina doesn't pay any attention to the opinions of her loyal fans of she has just become complacent and believes she can sell us any old rubbish.
The plot was very weak with a very obvious "twist" at the end that any idiot could see coming from page one. There was no pace and very little depth of character. Like other readers I was disappointed that the language had been cleaned up - Martina even felt the need to explain a lot of her underworld terminology which was very frustrating as anyone who reads a Martina Cole novel doesn't need it explaining and it really slowed the already very minimal action down. Like Faces and The Take, Hard Girls was very repetitive, with sentences being repeated only with a few words presumably "thesaurus"-ed and changed around. The worst thing for me though apart from the weak storyline, unsympathetic characters and lack of real grittiness was the unbelievable dialogue. It didn't sound like the kind of language you would expect between east end gangsters and prostitutes, especially not when you compare it to her earlier books and lacked any real punch. I couldn't believe in what the characters were saying and therefore I couldn't really believe in them and I wasn't actually that bothered what happened to them. Not one of them was particularly likeable and she seemed to change major aspects of a characters personality whenever it suited her.
Overall I was really disappointed; it's as if she has become lazy and can rest on her laurels knowing that stores will still stock her new books based on her earlier bestsellers. I hoped that she would be making more effort now that she had written a few stinkers but it looks like her TV committments have taken over and she doesn't have the time or the inclination to write with the same passion and realism that she used to.
A real shame actually.
Disappointing 
What has happened to Martina? I am so very disappointed to read her latest book - it was repetative and boring. I never felt any connection to any of the characters and it was hard work to finish it! I don't think I will be buying any more of her books. If you want to read something edgy and similar to Cole try 'De Marco Empire' by new British author 'J Lou McCartney'.De Marco Empire
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All of MARTINA COLE's Novels : IN ORDER
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Hard girls
075532868X (hbk.), 9780755328697, 0755328698 Year: 2009 Subjects: Prostitutes, Murder investigation, England, East End (London, England), Fiction, Crimes against, Detective and mystery stories "Danielle Crosby had a body to die for. ...
http://search.aucklandcitylibraries.com/?hreciid=%7Clibrary%2Fmarc%2FACL-iii%7Cb2386051
Hard Girls
By: Martina Cole - ISBN-13 978-0-7553-2868-0 (ISBN-10 0-7553-2868-X)
http://www.books-by-isbn.com/0-7553/075532868X-Hard-Girls-Martina-Cole-0-7553-2868-X.html
Book in the Media - Hard Girls
ISBN-10: 075532868X ISBN-13: 978-0755328680 Product Dimensions: 22.8 x 16 x 4 cm 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. ...
http://annettedunlea.blogspot.com/2009/10/book-in-media-hard-girls.html
