The Victim by Kimberley ChambersMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Time taken to read - 1 day
Publisher - Preface Publishing
Pages - 432
Blurb from Goodreads
Life is looking bleak for Frankie Mitchell - not only has she lost custody of her two children to their sadistic, gypsy-bred father, Jed O'Hara, she is also pregnant and banged up in Holloway awaiting trial for attempted murder.
In Frankie's absence, her father, underworld boss Eddie Mitchell, is determined to get his own back. He wants revenge not only for his daughter's imprisonment, but also for the death of his beloved wife, Jessica. Determined to get his grandchildren back home where they belong, Eddie plans the O'Haras demise slowly and precisely. But then he finds out a secret and learns the real reason why his daughter is in the slammer and all hell breaks loose.
Essex had never seen anything like the bloodbath that followed, but were either family actually capable of winning this long running feud, or would they all become the victims of their own past mistakes?
My Review
If you haven't read the previous two books, stop and go and pick them up, to really get the full story you need to go back to the beginning. So, Frankie Mitchell is in the jail, her kids are on the missing list, Eddie is out for justice and doesn't even know the full extent of Frankie's imprisonment.
Oooh, we found out the real reason Frankie attacked in the last book and Frankie isn't for telling anyone the truth, she knows the retribution that will follow if the truth is exposed. As long as her ex sticks to their deal, but Jed isn't a man to be trusted and Frankie isn't just a Mitchell in name. This book sees a lot of the past actions catching up with our characters, cause and effect and things will never be the same for the O'Hara's or the Mitchell's.
This book makes for tough reading in some parts, abuse, violence, drugs, sex, betrayal, brutality particularly in the initial scenes in the woman's prison. The tense relationship between father and daughter may also evoke strong emotions in some readers, despite it being an accident Frankie can't get over her father killing her mother. In her time of need she can't help but turn to her father, it is an emotive ride for Frankie, trying to do right by her family whilst trying to protect her kids.
Chambers weaves a web of dark characters, giving them depth and dimensions that you can't help but love some and loathe others. I have always said if you like the Kray style stories and timelines you will enjoy these books but you have to start at the beginning, 4/5 for me this time.
This one would be hard to read but it sounds like the characters are solid. Oh this makes me curious about the whole series.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds compelling, Lainy, due to the characters. Excellent review!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wild series filled with unlikable characters.
ReplyDeleteThat is not necessarily a bad thing as this sometimes reflects reality. It also can make for a change of pace when reading.
I would always read a book series in order. This is almost a compulsion with me :)
Looks like an interesting book series,wonderful review Lainy :)
ReplyDeleteOoh, whilst I'm intrigued by this I think the content might prove a bit too raw for my taste. Still, I'll mention this author to my sister-in-law who loves this kind of gritty read.
ReplyDeleteI keep looking at this author's books but I've not read one yet - will need to start at the beginning of this series I think!
ReplyDeleteI love dark and complex characters whom you either love or hate! Color me intrigued!
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