Martina Cole Books in Order (DI Kate Burrows, Maura Ryan)

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Born on 30 March 1959 in Essex, England to Irish Catholic, Martina Cole is the youngest of five children. Before becoming a writer, Cole has been a cleaner, a wine waitress, an agency nurse, and a supermarket shelf-stacker.

Her breakthrough came in 1991 with Dangerous Lady, and since then, Martina Cole has published more than twenty books, of which over a dozen have been No.1 bestsellers. Some of her works have also been adapted for the screen, including The Take and The Runaway.

How to read Martina Cole’s Books in Order?

You’ll find all of Martina Cole’s novels here, series and stand-alone.

The DI Kate Burrows Series

1. The Ladykiller – A killer is on the loose. It’s up to DI Kate Burrows to stop him. But Kate has a problem. The Grantley Ripper has attacked the daughter of one of London’s most infamous gangsters, Patrick Kelly, and now Kate’s investigation, along with her heart, are dangerously entwined with him.
2. Broken – Children in Grantley are disappearing. At first they are found unscathed, but when one meets a dark end DI Kate Burrows knows the clock is ticking. Pushed to her limits, Kate needs the support of her lover now more than ever. But ex-gangster Patrick Kelly has troubles of his own. It’s her toughest case yet, but Kate will stop at nothing to solve it. Even if it breaks her.
3. Hard Girls – Kate Burrows might be a retired DCI, but she never could stay away from the law for long. And now Grantley appears to have a new serial killer on its hands, Kate is the only one with the expertise to catch him. The case bears striking similarities to the Grantley Ripper. Kate Burrows caught the Ladykiller. She’s just the woman for this job.
4. Damaged – When the bodies of missing schoolgirls start turning up in Grantley, Kate Burrows is the first person DCI Annie Carr calls for help. Life for Kate and ex-gangster Patrick Kelly is thrown into chaos when his long lost son turns up out of the blue, bringing trouble with him. This new case could be just what Kate needs. But as the body count grows, Kate and Annie face a race against the clock.

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The Maura Ryan Series

1. Dangerous Lady – No one thinks a seventeen-year-old girl can take on the hard men of London’s gangland, but it’s a mistake to underestimate Maura Ryan. Together, she and her brother Michael are unbeatable but notoriety has its price. The police are determined to put Maura away once and for all – and not everyone in the family think that’s such a bad idea. When it comes to the crunch, Maura has to face the pain of lost love in her past – and the dangerous lady discovers her heart is not made entirely of stone.
2. Maura’s Game – Maura Ryan was the queen of the criminal underworld when she pulled off the most audacious gold bullion robbery of all time. Since then, she’s retired from a life of crime to be with the only man she’s ever loved. But enemies from her past are closing in and they’re about to learn that they should never cross Maura Ryan. The dangerous lady is back and she’s as lethal as ever…

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Stand-alone novels by Martina Cole

• Goodnight Lady – In the sixties, Briony Cavanagh ran a string of the most notorious brothels in London. From an impoverished childhood that ended with shocking betrayal, she was determined to be mistress of her own fate. But along with success came risk and danger. And the Goodnight Lady had her own secret place that was always shadowed by loss.
• The Jump – Donna Brunos will do anything for her husband. Including breaking him out of prison. She believes her beloved Georgio when he tells her he’s been framed for armed robbery. But planning the jump opens Donna’s eyes to a shocking world where the man she married is not who he seems.
• The Runaway – All that prostitute’s daughter Cathy Connor and drunkard’s son Eamonn Docherty want to do is escape their grim childhoods in London’s East End. And soon events turn so dangerous they are left with no choice but to flee. Now she’s a hardened survivor, he’s Gotham’s most ruthless villain, and their paths are about to cross once again…
• Two Women – Susan Dalston killed her husband in a final act of desperation. Banged up in Holloway, all that keeps her sane is knowing that her children are now safe from the man who terrorised them. What she can’t predict is that the bonds she forms on the inside might just make – or break – her.

• Faceless – Marie Carter lost everything the day she went to prison for a double murder she doesn’t remember committing. Her parents abandoned her, her friends disappeared. Even her children didn’t want to know. Twelve long years later, Marie is out and she’s back to settle some scores…
• The Know – Joanie Brewer’s children meant the world to her. She’d do anything to protect them, even resorting to prostitution and petty crime in order to feed and clothe them. So when her beautiful teenage daughter is raped and murdered, only one thing will stop Joanie’s pain – seeing her daughter’s killer brought to justice.
• The Graft – When Nick Leary hears the sound of an intruder’s footsteps downstairs one night, something inside him snaps. The thought of losing his beautiful wife and sons, their luxurious home and possessions, everything he’s grafted for, pushes him to attack. But this single act sets in motion something way beyond Nick’s control. He’s picked the wrong fight this time, and now it’s too late to go back…
• The Take – Fresh out of prison, Freddie Jackson wants to rule the underworld. His wife Jackie wants her husband back and in her bed only. Jackie’s sister Maggie wants to be with Jimmy, Freddie’s cousin. And Jimmy has big gangland ambitions of his own. Everyone in the Jackson family wants something. And there’s no such thing as loyalty.

• Close – Patrick Brodie knows exactly how far he’s prepared to go to get what he wants. And he wants it all. Now. Before long, Patrick has become a legend in his own lifetime. Lily Diamond is different from the kind of woman Patrick is normally attracted to. But together they are determined that their children will have everything they didn’t. Until the unthinkable happens and Lily is left on her own to look after their family in a dangerous world. The Brodies must stay close to survive. But as everyone knows, your sins will find you out.
• Faces – Danny Cadogan is the most powerful man in gangland London, but he’s also the most hated. He entered this dark world to protect his family, but the violent streak running through his veins means even those closest to him fear and despise him. Danny is at the top of his game, but there are plenty of people getting ready to bring him down…
• The Business – Imelda Dooley has made a big mistake. Pregnant, alone and scared, she starts down a trail of lies and destruction that will wreck the lives of all who try to love her. As Imelda brings her daughter Jordanna into the world, followed by her son Kenny, she takes them with her into the dark underworld of drugs, prostitution and violence.
• The Family – Family is everything for the Murphy clan. Philip runs his business empire with the help of his brother, and dotes on his two sons who will, one day, take over. His wife Christine is his perfect match. She’d always dreamed of a big happy family and, when she married into the Murphys, she thought she’d found one. But when that illusion is shattered, she’s already in too deep. The Murphys are dangerous and Christine can’t unsee the horrors she has now been forced to open her eyes to. But nor can she escape them.

• The Faithless – Cynthia Tailor is a tough woman to please. Her husband Jimmy can do no right. Her sister Celeste has something Cynthia wants. And her two children, James and Gabby, can never reach the perfection their mother demands. What Cynthia wants, Cynthia gets, even if it hurts those closest to her. But there’s a price to pay for taking what isn’t yours, and it’s Cynthia’s own flesh and blood who are ready and waiting to collect…
• The Life – The Baileys are born into the Life. Brothers Daniel and Peter rule London’s East End with threats and violence. Only a fool would cross them, but there are always those in the shadows who will try. And when their enemies strike, every Bailey pays the price. But none more so than Daniel’s only daughter, Tania. The Life is in her blood, and now it’s her weapon for revenge.
• Revenge – Michael Flynn is untouchable. He’s the boss of a dangerous empire, the biggest the criminal world has ever seen. No one crosses him, no one gets in his way, and everyone does what he says – including the law. But you don’t get to where Michael is without making enemies. Someone is out for revenge. And it’s best served when least expected.
• The Good Life – When Cain Moran is sentenced to life in prison, he rules the inside with the same determination as he did the London underworld. Jenny Riley has never wanted anyone but Cain, and she will do everything she can to keep their relationship alive. But plenty of people think Cain and Jenny have been living the good life for too long. And they’re about to make them pay…

• Get Even – Sharon Conway and Lenny Scott are childhood sweethearts. Sharon doesn’t question Lenny’s business dealings and it isn’t long before his reputation as a hard man destined for the top means they are living the good life with their sons. But one night Lenny doesn’t come home. He is found murdered. And Sharon never knows why. Now, twenty years later, Sharon is about to find out the truth. Such a crime cannot go unpunished. Revenge is long overdue. The time has come to… GET EVEN.
• Betrayal – Aiden O’Hara has been head of the family since he was a kid, and he’s going to keep it that way. Jade Dixon watches his back. Mother of his son, she’s the one who makes him invincible. But Jade’s been in the game a lot longer than Aiden. She knows no one’s indestructible. And when you’re at the top, that’s when you’ve got to watch the hardest. Especially the ones closest to you . .
• No Mercy – Diana Davis has been head of the family business since the death of her husband, an infamous bank robber. Her only son, Angus, is a natural born villain, and once he’s proved he has the brains to run their clubs in Marbella, he is given what he’s always wanted. It’s the beginning of a reign of terror that knows no bounds. But Angus has a blind spot: his wife, Lorna, and their three kids, Angus Junior, Sean and Eilish. And as the next generation enters the business, Angus has a painful truth to learn. Even when it comes to family, he must show no mercy…
• Loyalty – If you want to survive in this world there’s one thing you need to value above all else: loyalty.

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Non-fiction by Martina Cole

• The Knowledge – What makes Martina Cole tick? What are her passions? What are the essential facts behind the phenomenal bestselling author? The Knowledge is a snapshot of Martina Cole herself as well as a showcase of her short stories, and samples of all her novels.

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If you like Martina Cole, you may also want to see our Val McDermid reading order or our guide to Lynda La Plante’s Jane Tennison series. Don’t hesitate to follow us on Twitter or Facebook to discover more book series.