Close Hardcover – July 1, 2008

Here is what you will find if you read MARTINA COLE's novels (up to this one):They all have a very similar plot/theme.They all have 3 generations of a family.All the main characters (and their families) have blue eyesAll the males are bigger, stronger and more bad tempered than anyone elseAll the females are more beautiful than anyone else on earth.All the females have bigger tits than any else in the story.All father's have sons with the same first name. Confuses the issue.Secondary characters either have 2 names used interchangeably or 2 characters have similar names or both. More confusion.Children of 2 years or less are given insights into their circumstances and personalities that not even a 50 year old would have.Feelings, facts and circumstances are repeated ad nauseam throughout the books. Possibly as much as 50% of the books are filled with repetitive bunkum. For every 2 lines of action or speaking, you are subjected to 2 pages of feelings, thoughts, considerations etc which are repetitive to say the least. Without this, the books would be far better reads.Her later books are at least split into chapters whereas up to now we are sharing (say) Pat's deepest thoughts and the next line changes to someone else. Leaving to the reader having to go back and establish that there should be a break at that point. (Possibly a Kindle fault) Before the characters are established this leads to more confusion.

i HAVE not finished it so I don't know if I will continue to like it. I don't like unrealistic or incomplete endings. One thing I did not like was all of the characters that were introduced. I had to start over and write them down. So far she has mentioned 31 characters.

Another fantastic book from Martina. I'm running out of superlatives for her work, she out-writes every writer I have ever read apart from John Grisham , I can't wait to get started on the next book of hers I have not read, but I have nearly read them all now, so I am going to be pretty fed up then

I would give all of Martina Cole's books 5 stars, because I love them. This title had me confused. I wondered was it 'close' as in 'shut' or 'close' as in 'near'.Having just re-read the book, I found it was 'close' as in 'near'.but what a great story.

I love Martina Cole's style of writing but found that this book did not hold my attention almost up to the middle of the story. After that i enjoyed it.

Good characters good storyPat Brodie the usual Martina cole character is sexy and charming as is his eldest sonPlenty of twists but the book is long and does go on at times

I did enjoy this book. A good read. I like Martina Cole as an author and she didn't disappoint with this book

did not want it to finish,a great read

I'm sitting here writing this review and crying my eyes out. Just a few minutes ago I was saying to myself you go girl, her mother deserved everything she said. But that is Cole for you. One minute you're laughing, next you're spitting feathers because you're so angry and next you're breaking down in tears.If that doesn't make you read this book nothing will.Enjoy!

Don't read this book if you don't like foul language, foul play or being foul of the law. However, if you like a family saga with skull duggerry in abundance along with gratuitous violence and nefarious activities then this is the book for you. As usual Martina Cole writes with empathy for each character in an extravagant yet believable plot. Fantastic.

How does this woman get away with it,same old story just change the names. All Miss Coles stories are the same mother on the game,sons selling drugs and bullying people and kids bought up to do the same.

This has got to be one of the worst audio books I have ever listened to. Although the storyline is good, whoever abriged it for an audio book should have listened to how it comes accross. It's as though someone said ok, abridge this book for me, but you can only have one line from each page, or if vital, a paragraph. So Lily works in a factory, bad life at home, meets Patrick, gets married, has baby, and that's in the first chapter. When you listen to a Martina Cole audio book, it's nice to know what makes the characters tick, how they've come to be who and what they are. The Take abridged works ok, but not this book. I tried to sell it on eBay and nobody wanted it, even at a bargain price! That says it all!

Wow I have just read this book for the second time and it made me laugh and cry. Now I am going to read all Martinas books for the second time, I have missed them.

I always enjoy Martina's books but she has one fault she tends to repeat herself she must describe the characters in every chapter stories good though

I bought this book by mistake having rejected it before. I was right first time. Not MC usual.

Brilliant just finished it for the second time and I'm crying writing this review Martine cole is brilliant at what she does !!!!It's the best

Nothing to dislike about this bookWas a good readValue for money

Good condition. Bought to add to collection, cannot wait to read this one.

Another excellent read from this author

The more I read Martina Cole I have now come to the conclusion that her books would not be half as long if she did not keep repeating the description of the various characters in the book. Patrick Jr. a lovely boy, like his father. Lance a vicious bully, her mother a vicious conniving woman. I have read the review of The Business and all say the same thing drawn out and repetitive. I know the background to all the stories is London Underworld in the 60s, 70s & 80s. but the writing is becoming boring & repetitive and all based around the criminals side of things. I would like to get a take on the policing side of things in her next book.

Not the best from Martina, Kept skipping bits as there was too much detail during conversations. The story line was not bad but it jumped so far ahead at times that i lost it

Still reading but exciting so far

It arrived on time and as advertised in good condition