The
Know by Martina Cole.
Published by Headline, 2003
Joanie
Brewer is a prostitute. She has lived a hard life but above it all
she is a brilliant mother to her three kids, all of whom have different
fathers. 18 year old Jon Jon is knee-deep in crime, while 14 year
old Jeanette knows more than is good for her. 11 year old Kira is
the light of her life so when she mysteriously disappears, Joanie’s
world is turned upside down. The family know in their heart of hearts
that Kira is dead. They want revenge and God help anyone that stands
in their way.
Having read
almost all of Martina Cole’s books I was really looking forward
to getting stuck into this one. I wondered if it would be up to
her usual standard and I wasn’t disappointed. This book gripped
me from the minute I opened the front cover and I found it hard
to put down.
Her characters,
as usual, are very realistic and you find yourself drawn into their
world. Cole makes you care about them even though they are prostitutes
and hardened criminals and you don’t live their kind of lives.
The story itself is very gritty and hard-hitting but she covers
the worst of subjects – paedophilia and murder – very
delicately and shows you how a family can be torn apart and then
emerge stronger from such terrible experiences.
Reviewed
by a Clare County Library Staff member.
|