This is a big long book.
Starting in 1979 this follows the progress of the Bailey crime family.
Two Brothers Daniel and Peter they rule the Eastend of London.
Peter is mixed race and the more sensible brother
Daniel is the White brother and a bit of a nutter, both men never knew their Fathers. They both really care for their Mother Theresa.

Daniel and Peter have children of their own who enter the family firm.
Some more successful than others.
Daniel and Peter fall out big time.

Book jumps to 1987 Brothers slowly become friends again. Their children are older now more involved in the firm. One of Peters sons has to be dealt a series lesson.
The Baileys empire grows and grows. Lots of other rivals are dealt with.

The book jumps to 1997, Disaster strikes Daniels loving wife is killed in a Car bomb meant for Peter. Peter's own son was behind this crime and is executed.

Bailys are still a big firm making loads of money.
Tania who is Daniel's daughter was meant to be shielded from all of this underworld activity but she eventually finds her way into this world and does ok at it.

The final part of the book is set in 2004 with a short update on Tania's life.

Good book this some very likable characters and others who you wouldnt want to mess with. An enjoyable epic book. ( )

In The Life, we meet Peter and Daniel. Two brothers born to an Irish unmarried woman by different fathers. She's brought them up on her own and they are now Faces. Peter and Daniel are a team, Peter is very rational and level headed and Daniel is a nut job. They run things. They both have adoring wives and several children between them, boys who will eventually take over the business.

This started off very good, some crime, drugs, murders etc, all the things I like in a book. But then things started getting a little more complex in the family business and all of a sudden took a different turn which I wasn't really expecting. And then I couldn't stop reading.

I've been a Martina Cole fan for a long time and had read several of her books before picking up this one. And I wonder why I've been away from her books for so long! I like the language, the character development, the whole thing works for me and it won't be long before I pick up another. ( )

This book is empty.
Doctors and authors should give guarantees with their treatment/books. If that was so, I would claim back my loss of time and the money I paid for this book.

That's harsh! I read half the book. My compassion for the authors hard work suggests I should finish the last 200+ pages. But irritation prevents me from picking the book up.

Don't buy or read it. ( )

Above-average page-turner, I'd read other books by this author. But if you want realism in your crime fiction this aint it! ( )