De la noche a la mañana, Danny Cadogan, a sus catorce años, tiene que abrirse camino en un mundo violento y peligroso. Debe proteger a su madre y a sus hermanos, después de que los haya abandonado su padre a las iras de los acreedores. Danny, en compañía de su inteligente amigo de infancia Michael Miles, se va a convertir con los años en uno de los más temidos capos del Smoke que llegará a extender sus negocios de tráfico de drogas y de armas hasta España. Sin embargo, el carácter despiadado de Danny no sólo se impone en las calles londinenses, sino también en el hogar familiar, condenando a una vida torturada a su mujer, Mary, y a sus hijas.

Review: The Runaway by Martina Cole.

This is such a powerful novel with so much diversity to read on for eternity. The story explores the shady criminal acts of the street gangs and drugs addicts, thieves, prostitution, the lives of Drag queens and the gay community. Plus, the author didn’t forget the shifty underworld of the Mafia leaders, their money laundering, drug smuggling and the shifty ruthless villains who work for underworld killing and maiming people for greed.

There are short sexual contents but the author doesn’t draw them out to stand viciously overdone. She writes with strong intent, no different then everyday life we hear about. There are two incidents involving child sexual contact (mild) but its there. I don’t usually read the intense versions of a story like this but it’s written to flow along rapidly that you’re unable to put the book down. It has a great story. Well written, keeping you on the edge of your seat. Always something happening around the corner…..Otherwise I wouldn’t recommend the novel.

It’s a mesmerizing story of a young boy and girl growing up in an environment that sets them up to take different paths in their lives. The novel is about their lives and environment as they grew older. Their paths were different but they still held on to a bond that stated as children…..
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Danny Boy Cadogan era ese tipo de persona que hacía que hasta el más duro de los delincuentes se pusiera nervioso y paranoico, especialmente si le decía que quería hablar con él de algún asunto. Danny tenía la habilidad de convertir el más inocente comentario en una declaración de guerra y la frase más inocua en una amenaza real y terrorífica. De la noche a la mañana, Danny Cadogan, a sus catorce años, tiene que abrirse camino en un mundo violento y peligroso. Debe proteger a su madre y a sus hermanos, después de que los haya abandonado su padre a las iras de los acreedores. Danny, en compañía de su inteligente amigo de infancia Michael Miles, se va a convertir con los años en uno de los más temidos capos del Smoke que llegará a extender sus negocios de tráfico de drogas y de armas hasta España. Sin embargo, el carácter despiadado de Danny no sólo se impone en las calles londinenses, sino también en el hogar familiar, condenando a una vida torturada a su mujer, Mary, y a sus hijas. fija la atención en la mujer inmersa en esos medios sórdidos, maltratada tanto en el marco familiarcomo en el entorno agresivo.

When Cathy Connor and Eamonn Docherty are thrown together as children in the East End their fate is sealed. Cathy’s miserable life as a prostitute’s child changes forever when she’s forced into care. The ordeal that follows leaves her with no choice but to run away to Soho, and she learns to survive in the violent heart of London’s underworld. Meanwhile, Eamonn, who fled to New York, has gained a reputation as a ruthless villain. But when their paths cross again, Cathy’s an equal match for Eamonn - and nothing's going to make her run away this time ...

As always with Martina Cole you know what you are going to get. Her books are very gritty, and show the underworld of East End London.

This book however has all of that plus a strong romantic connection between Cathy and Eamonn. This relationship to me was very much like Cathy and Heathcliffe in Wuthering Hieghts. It may sound strange to compare Martian Cole with Emliy Bronte, but take away the setting and time period and the characters are very much a like. Both Cathy and Eamonn love each other and have been raised together just like Cathy and Heathcliffe. As time goes on they are apart but always ineach others minds, hearts and souls. Thrown together again in the future is it going to work out ?

A very gritty, violent book, maybe a little over long but an Ok read. Not one of Martina Cole’s best but if you are a fan you won’t be disappointed.

Looking forward to the tv adaptation next week. ( )

This is the fifth book by this author that I have read and I have enjoyed everyone of them. Her books are probably for the English audience unless you know a lot of English slang expressions but if you can get by these then they are a good, fast read. They can be quite graphic and the language is very raw. I enjoy them as they remind me of my childhood as I grew up in the areas described in the books.

Back Cover Blurb:
When Cathy Connor and Eamonn Docherty are thrown together as children in the sleazy streets of London's East End their fate is sealed.
Cathy's miserable life as a prostitute's child changes forever when she is forced into care. The terrifying ordeal that follows leaves her with no choice....Entering the twilight world of London's Soho as a runaway, she is rescued by Desrae, who teaches her how to survive in the violent heart of London's criminal underworld. Meanwhile, Eamonn, who fled to America with his father, has gained a reputation as one of the most ruthless villains in New York.
It's only a matter of time before their paths cross and, when they do, Cathy's an equal match for Eamonn. She's beautiful, clever and tough. And nothing's going to make her run away again.... ( )