Hard Girls Book

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

An utterly compelling gripping and disturbing thriller from the No. 1 bestselling author Martina Cole that will have you hooked until the very last page. HARD LIVES. HARD LESSONS. IT'S MURDER ON THE STREETS. 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?

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 and 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, it's clear the killer is just warming up. Martina Cole's Hard Girls is a compelling, gripping and disturbing thriller that will have you hooked until the very last page.

Hard Girls : Paperback : Headline Publishing Group : 9780755328703 : 0755328701 : 19 Apr 2010 : HARD GIRLS: the third novel in the DI Kate Burrows series - the only time Martina Cole has written from the perspective of the Old Bill.