Last year Martina Cole in-concert with her longstanding publishers Headline, celebrated her 25 years as a published novelist. Headline issued a special anniversary addition [in hardcover] of Dangerous Lady, her debut work the thriller that introduced her unique novels that featured hard-hitting London underworld gangland sagas and would launch her to the forefront of British Crime Fiction.
We wrote about the 25th Anniversary Edition of Dangerous Lady HERE, and this linked feature contains many links to Shots coverage of Martina’s work for we have been in awe of her ability in writing tough gangster thrillers, but which are striated with social commentary, and her gallows humour – with one-liners to die for.
So it was with intense anticipation that many of us were excitedly waiting for release of DAMAGED, which features the return of her former Police Investigator Kate Burrows.
The race is on for DCI Kate Burrows in No. bestseller Martina Cole's new blockbuster. She must stop the killer before more innocent girls die.
When the bodies of missing schoolgirls start turning up, former DCI Kate Burrows is dragged out of retirement.
A new Grantley serial killer is in town and DCI Annie Carr turns to Kate for help. She welcomes the distraction from her home life with former gangster, Patrick Kelly, whose long lost son has turned up out of the blue, bringing trouble with him.
It soon becomes clear the killer is on their doorstep and as the body count grows, Kate and Annie face a race against the clock.
But they have no real leads ... and there's more to these murders than meets the eye. Can Kate take the killer down before another schoolgirl dies?
So as the launch of a Martina Cole novel is an event, invitations were excitably received from London’s literary community as Martina and her publishers had booked the launch party in the heart of London’s West End, at the Sanderson Hotel.
The guest list was as eclectic as it was lengthy and included the full Shots Editorial Team, including Mike Stotter and I, with our Blog Mistress Ayo Onatade, and of course Getting Away With Murder Columnist, The Talented Mr Mike Ripley.
Mr Ripley like many of Ali Karim’s colleagues was delighted to finally meet up with his long suffering wife, Muriel Karim, who is affectionately featured in his latest column.
The book launch many remarked was one of the most glamourous in recent memory, complete with champagne, wine, canapes and good conversation.
There was an enthusiastic welcome from Headline, followed by a singing group entitled Four Femmes on the Thames who performed Dangerous Lady; also a giant cake was presented to Martina, which contained her grand-children who popped out of the cake to a surprised Ms Cole.
Barry uploaded the film so Shots Readers can view it here
Remember Shots Magazine’s Bookstore has copies of DAMAGED available at a generous discount from this link HERE
We present photos of the event below including the surreal meeting of Bryan Cranston [aka Walter White / Heisenberg] who was staying in the same hotel as Martina Cole - which made this Industrial Chemist / Book Reviewer laugh when he saw Martina’s selfie.
More Information about the work of Martina Cole is available from this link
