Queenie: The gripping, epic historical crime novel from the No 1 Sunday Times bestselling author

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Chambers was an extremely smart and gifted student in primary and secondary school. Her best subject was English. For reasons unknown, Chambers grades began to plummet. When she was eleven, she states that “things began to deteriorate.” After a few years, her academic life became so stark that she decided to leave her secondary school. I was born and raised in the east end of London in the 1950s and early 60s. OK, my parents worked, but we were not well off at all. Yet, there was none of the behaviour described in the book locally whatsoever. I recognised some of the descriptions and references, those which were true to the times, such as rationing, queues in the shops, helping our neighbours and the reminders of the war all around us, but not the characters portrayed. There wasn't a likeable character at all. So much violence and theft, most of it condoned by the parents. you make me happy when skies are grey, your never know dear how much I love you so don't take my sunshine away Fans of KC have been waiting for this book, in previous books Queenie is the matriarch Mum/Nan/Sister/Friend in the Butler series and this book charts her life from the beginning right up to the first Butler book With her mother dead and father in prison, Frankie Mitchell goes to live with her fiancé Jed O’Hara. When her daughter is born, her fiancé’s mother becomes domineering and overbearing. Meanwhile, Frankie ignores the rumors that her beloved fiancé is cheating on her.

Queenie: The gripping, epic historical crime novel from the

Kimberley’s books appeal to most and I frequently hear her books discussed with quotes such as “ that Queenie is tough, blimey what a character.” Tbh I always liked Queenie in the other books but at times just what she ‘overlooked’ re her boys behaviours especially Vinnie didn’t endear me to her quite so much this time My first introduction to this authors books were the ones in the incredible Butlers series. Obviously when I saw that the author had written a novel following Queenie from a young girl to the formidable woman that we know and love in the series, well of course I had to read it. All the other characters aside one of the ones who I was most intrigued to read about was a young Vinny Butler. We knew some of the reasons and events that made him the man he was in the later books but one reason why a prequel being written after a series has been completed works so well is that it makes us understand the characters more. I found myself thinking about scenes from the series after reading something in this book and thinking, 'well that’s why that happened' or 'oh that makes perfect sense now'. Vinny has always been a fascinating and enigmatic character and I have to admit I was gripped to some parts of his story here in Queenie.

Kimberley Chambers really is the East End’s version of Shakespeare. Not only is she one of the country’s top-selling crime fiction writers but she is also a real down to earth, a straight-talking lady that pulls no punches. So when Kimberley Chambers decided to give us Queenie's story I just knew it was going to be a blinder of a read. Now married to the useless Albie Butler, Queenie is raising her children to fight their own battles. If the O’Learys taught her anything, it was that surviving meant doing whatever you had to, no questions asked, and family always comes first. The Butler boys will make sure their mother’s name becomes East End legend. For fans of Kimberly Chambers Butler family, we discover how Queenie became the woman she is today - the experiences that moulded her thoughts and actions, and most importantly, how she ended up being matriarch of this much feared (though respected) gangland family. Then the unthinkable happens, Vinny’s beautiful daughter Molly disappears. The Butler brothers depart on a frantic search for the little girl. They don’t know if their enemies have taken her, or if the kidnapping is revenge for what Vinny has done.

Kimberley Chambers Books in Order (Complete Series List)

Paprastai, kai vertinimas svyruoja tarp patenkinamo ir gero, skiriu knygai 7 balus, bet pažymiu ją keturiomis žvaigždutėmis, nes: gal ko teigiamo joje nepastebėjau, nesupratau ar dėl kitų priežasčių bijau būti neobjektyvus. Šį kartą vertindamas 7 balais (t.y. 3,5 žvaigždutės) suteikiau 3 žvaigždutes, nes atotrūkis tarp patenkinamo ir gero vertinimo pernelyg didelis. Bet romanas tikrai nėra blogas; skaitytojai, kurie mėgsta ilgus tekstus, kurių nenervina paviršutiniškumas, juo turbūt nenusivils, tai rodo ir paskelbti vertinimai. Kimberly Chambers is one of those rare authors who has a gift for creating colourful characters, that are larger than life, you feel you know them inside out, and despite their flaws (they all have plenty of those), a small part of you can’t help but fall in love with everyone of the Butlers. it’s a testament to the authors writing that she is able to make you laugh and cry at their antics, love and hate them, all in the space of a few minutes!Brilliantly delivers a story of violence, treachery and family ties… Easy to read and hard to put down” - News of the World I loved getting to know and understand Queenie better. Having a fairly normal upbringing until the war happened which then turned her and her families lives upside down. More so for her and her mother. Queenie finds a friend and mother figure in their new neighbour Mary, Mrs O’Leary. I loved the bond between them both. As you would expect the dialogue between the characters is as usual spot on full of humour, sadness, and sometimes anger, it gives the reader a wonderful insight into the Butler’s life, like many families they are protective of their own (most of the time anyway!) they argue, fall out, make up and fall out again! But it’s this that makes them credible characters. Another thing that’s amazing about this authors writing is her attention to the small details, whatever era she is writing about she brings it to life with descriptions of the fashions and music trends, they transport you bang into the East End. Sadly the council stopped the parking near the market and that killed it off so I began working as a DJ in pubs and clubs and did that until I was 29 years old,” she tells us.