Customer Reviews

Hard Girls

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I was very disappointed in this book, having been totally enthralled in the TV adaptation of The Take, which was brilliantly cast, brilliantly scripted, brilliantly acted, brilliantly directed, and, I thought, based on a presumably brilliant novel.

Hard Girls was boring, predictable, badly written, tedious and I knew who the perpetrator was after their first scene in the book. The author has adopted a short-chapter format - most chapters are two pages or less - and coupled this with an effort to provide a cliffhanger for each chapter. This broke the rhythm of the story and brought an artificiality to the reading that I can only liken to the "fourth wall" in TV: I saw the construction of the story and this stopped me believing in it. In trying to create an atmosphere of hard, callous characters she gives her people words to say that sound mealymouthed and clumsy. I couldn't believe the solution would be so obvious, I also couldn't believe Martina Coles would continue to write so badly throughout. So I kept going and unfortunately it was, and she did.

I will try others of her work, The Take cannot be an accident, but I advise you not to bother with this.

It was exciting to read once again about DCI Kate Burrows and Patrick Kelly her gangster boyfriend. Could not put the book down until I read it all in one sitting, keep them coming Martina - Great Read!! Looking forward to the next Martina Cole novel "The Family".

On a vacation trip, I noted that many Europeans were reading this book. I had to find out why. It was a very good mystery. Reminded me of TEA ROSE by Jennifer Donnelly.

Enjoyed this book very much, looking forward to reading more from this author. Saw The Take, on TV which got me introduced to Martina Cole. Would recommend this book.

What a joy to read a third installment of my favorite characters, Detective Inspector Kate Burrows and her gangster (gone straight) boyfriend Patrick Kelly. Once again, Patrick is up to no good and Kate as usual has her hands full helping the police with the crimes being committed against prostitutes. Very enjoyable read! Martina Cole just gets better and better with her stories and I looked forward eagerly each year to read the next novel.

The book is a bit boring. But the main reason I am writing a review is because when I ordered the book I mistakenly clicked on my address when I meant to send it to a friend. It wouldn't let me into the option to correct the mailing address or to cancel the order.Wether I wanted yhe book or not I had no other choice but to receive it. Wasn't very pleased with this service at all.

Barb

i am still waiting to receive my book it was paid for a month ago,was supposed to have been delivered by dec 20th. I am still waiting on a response from the sender.