Member Reviews

A gangland thriller with lots of twists. As to be expected, the characters are unlikeable. The storyline is so gritty and kept me on the edge of my seat.

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Fantastic book which follows straight on from the previous, Fletcher is now out of prison and is looking to reconnect with his son and daughter that he hasn’t seen from being children but things aren’t as simple as he has hoped and he soon gets pulled back into the toxic underworld he swore he was leaving behind forever. Real gritty scenes and unforgettable characters in this brilliant book.

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Having recently discovered this author, I was keen to start reading this book. A follow on from the Price which i recently finished. Continuing to follow these characters on a their crazy journey.
These are the sort of books i love reading, exciting, thrilling with plenty going on you are certainly able to get yourself lost in the pages. Fast paced, yet easy to follow. Gripping and Thrilling. This is certainly an author to be watching out for, now added to my list of must read authors.
Thouroghly reccommend this book.

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I absolutely devoured this in 2 days. I enjoyed the first book and couldn't wait to read this. It was fast paced straight from the beginning an absolutely addictive read. Once I started to read it I couldn't stop.
Brilliant from start to finish

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The second in the Fletcher series, The Score is a brilliant fast-paced gangland crime read with some great twists. A gripping read.

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The author grabbed my attention right from the start of the book and held it all the way through. I loved the twists, the layers of lies and deceit and when I’d got used to a twist the author threw in another one. I loved this book, just loved it. It was a fast paced and a very entertaining read and one hell of a gangland thriller. This is the 2nd book about Fletch and whilst it can be read on it’s own.

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Fletch has just been released from a 20 year prison sentence. Eager to get home to see his children, Fletch is met not only with some shocking surprises but a lot of changes too.
His daughter Kit has married a man old enough to be her father and a harden violent criminal.
And his son Austin has just stolen a van of cocaine.
Fletch needs to be careful as getting pulled back into this criminal life is not what he wants or needs. But he owes his children, not being in their life for 20 years has had a huge affect on them all.

This is the second book I've read from this exciting author. The Price follows Fletch's early life and I really enjoyed that too.
Kerry Kaya is without doubt on her way to the top of her game in this gritty gangland genre.

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Fletch is released from prison and is shocked to find the situation at home. His son is embroiled in drugs and gangs. His daughter is married to a gang boss and runs a strip club. Their mother is a drug addict and barely recognisable. Can he take control of his family again...?
The Score is a gang crime fiction novel set in London. It is the second book in the series from Kerry Kaya but I have not read the previous book which is called The Price. It is not necessary to catch up on the plot as there is enough detail, however there are spoilers about events in the past.
Austin and Kit's life choices have been affected by their father's crime and enforced absence. They have a skewed version of him so he needs to work quickly to repair his reputation and heal their emotional wounds. The main characters all have a slightly softer side when it comes to family and woebetide anyone who physically or emotionally hurts their loved ones.
Fletch's character is more relatable and likable than either of his children. He went to prison for protecting his brother but tore his family apart in the process. He has a high sense of morals despite his criminal activities and his lasting friendship with Stevie shows his gentler loyal side.
There is plenty of drama as the plot develops. A drug deal has gone wrong after the drugs were stolen. Kit's husband suspects her brother and she cannot protect him. This produces intense danger for almost every character and ramps up the tension. As you would expect from a gangland novel, there is a lot of violence and swearing right from the first page. This is relentless but in keeping with the genre so does not seem extreme.
The Score was an intense and brutal novel but I found myself immersed in the lives of the characters, and I hope there is a sequel.

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My goodness, what a thriller, Kerry Kaya sure knows how to keep her readers gripped.
This is a great gangland novel'

The main character is Fletch who has just been released from prison after serving a 20-year sentence for murdering his violent father. His children Kit and Austin are now adults who have their own lives. They don't know or want to know their father who they have been poisoned by over the years by their drug-taking mother. But he wants to win them over, he deeply loves his children and wants to win their love and trust. His only ally is his lifelong best friend Stevie.
This book is ruthless, violent, and about a broken family.
You will not be able to put it down.
Another great book from Kerry.

Thank you NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review this excellent book.

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Written as part of the blog tour -

Kerry Kaya previously offered up the awesome novel The Price which followed the life of Fletch and his brother Spencer. After some grisly events Fletch has been in prison for 22 years but is now back out as a free man.

Firstly, do you need to have read The Price to fully enjoy The Score you might ask? Not at all. The author has written the tale so well, with the little details, meaning you could pick this up and read as a standalone no problem.

Truthfully though I’m glad I had read the previous book as the author builds on the character development of Fletch and having that prior background just elevated the development and helped me understand Fletch’s motivations better.

After 22 years behind bars Fletch wants nothing more than to keep his nose clean but history has a way of repeating itself.. His children, having grown up without his influence Kit and Austin have found themselves drawn into the gangster life themselves.. and it’s not been an easy ride thanks to the despicable Rosco Taylor.

We learn more about Kit and Austin’s upbringing.. the downfall of their mother and the things they did to survive and within this the author manged to throw in some very good twists.. you know something is coming but the efforts some men will go to in the name of vengeance is unreal.

Fletch is thrown into the deep end to save his kids. With the help of old friends Fletch battles his past and does whatever he can to keep his family safe and make amends for past deeds… but can he fix things without getting blood on his hands?

What I really enjoyed about this offering was the character development. I didn’t always like Fletch in the previous tale.. his emotions didn’t scream gritty gangster to me.. but added to this offering I understand him so much better now, it’s family.. you’ll do anything for those you love.

The Score is a family orientated gangland tale that packs a punch. What gives it the 5 star is simply the character development which couldn’t have been more perfect.

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Wow Kerry has done it again another fantastic read. This book follows on from The Price. Fletch has missed his children growing up and when he’s released from prison there’s a lot of things he didn’t know had happened to get his head around. As Fletch try’s to get on with his life and make amends with his children there are a lot of surprises and obstacles for him to deal with. A well deserved five stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Kerry Kaya’s The Score is a hard-hitting gangland thriller about family strife, ruthless vengeance and dangerous ambition Kimberley Chambers fans are going to lap up.

Twenty years ago, Fletch had committed the ultimate sacrifice in order to avenge the killing of his younger brother, Spencer. Having been left with no other option but to accept the punishment meted out to him, Fletch had spent two decades paying for his crime away from his two children, Austin and Kitty. Fletch’s children mean absolutely everything to him and it broke his heart to be separated from them. Fletch thought that his precious kids had been looked after, but on his return back into their lives, he quickly realises that he was sadly mistaken.

His entire family is in total chaos. His incarceration had completely and utterly wrecked them and Fletch returns to find Kitty married to gangster Rosco Taylor and Austin hell-bent on creating a turf war. Fletch needs to get his kids back in line and he needs to do something to quell the desperate need they have to destroy their lives. It’s up to Fletch to bring his family together and to stop them from skating far too close to the edge. Fully aware that he was the one who sowed the seed for the mayhem he is surrounded by, Fletch needs to think fast and act quickly. He has a score to settle – and he refuses to back down!

Can Fletch restore order back in his family? Or is he fighting a losing battle?

A gritty gangland thriller that will leave you breathless, cancel all your plans and buckle up for a wild, intense and terrifying rollercoaster ride where the shocks come thick and fast, the pace never lets up and the twists and turns are out of this world. Kerry Kaya’s The Score is a chilling gangland thriller that will make every single hair on the back of your neck stand on end.

Scary, satisfying and addictive, Kerry Kaya’s The Score is a brilliant thriller readers will not want to miss.

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Kerry Kaya has never disappointed me yet her gritty gangland thrillers are just awesome - read this in two sittings.
Fletch is newly released from prison after serving 20+ years for murdering his father and is keen to see his mother and his two children. Meanwhile his best mate Steve, tries to hold him back a while until he gets settled as Steve knows there will undoubtedly be a ruckus once Fletch finds out all that’s happened in his absence secrets that have been kept from him in the inside.
If you enjoy the genre of gritty gangland thrillers full of gore, violence, corruption, emotions and families disturbed then this is the next book for you.
Highly recommend - guaranteed page turner

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This is a great follow up but it is exactly that – a follow up. I don’t feel that you can read this without reading The Price first, as you can with some books and series.

I loved the fact that Kerry Kaya jumped 20 years in the timeline to ensure that Fletch could still have a big role in this book as I think he is a brilliant gangland hero. I identified with his appreciation of the simple things in life after his stretch in prison.

I love the fact that this gangland thriller is full of grit and tension but is also very family based which gives it a sense of realism that really brings the story and characters to life.

This is a well-written and exciting story about lies, revenge and family loyalty. I would recommend this book and author to fans of Gemma Rogers, Emma Tallon and Heather Atkinson.

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This isn't the first book by Kerry Kaya that I have ready, and I may have liked this one even more than the previous one.
Going back to the world, going back to this gangland story... it was interesting and I was hooked yet again.
We continue following the characters lives, we get to go on a dangerous journey with them and I love the thrill and the mystery that still exists.
Fast paced, exciting and very intriguing. Although I don't have many experiences with Thrillers in a gangland genre, I was fascinated by the interactions the tone of the writing and the compelling characters.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and I'm curious about other books by the author.

[Thank you Rachel, at Rachel’s Random Resources, and Kerry Kaya and Boldwood Books for the ecopy of this book, via NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.]

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Book Review “The Score” by Kerry Kaya
NOVEMBER 3, 2021 ~ NIKIPRESTON ~ EDIT

The Score

He did the crime…

Twenty years ago, Fletch avenged the gangland killing of his younger brother, Spencer and accepted his guilt. But his actions meant he had to leave his precious children, Austin and Kitty to fend for themselves. He thought they would be looked after…

Served his time…

Now a free man, Fletch returns to find his family in chaos, devastated by his prolonged incarceration. Kit is married to notorious gangster Rosco Taylor, while Austin seems hell bent on doing everything he can to create a turf war.

Fletch knows he has to do something to get his kids under control, but he also knows that the seeds of this disaster were planted long ago by his own reckless actions.

Now Fletch is back and it’s time to settle the score.

Another gripping gangland read by Kerry Kaya. Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers, Martina Cole, Heather Atkinson and Caz Finlay.

Purchase Link – https://amzn.to/3i4AhWv

REVIEW ~ NIKI PRESTON ~ 5 STARS

First things first, do not read this book at bedtime, you will not get any sleep as you just won’t be able to put it down. A proper gangland, hard hitting, brutal and seriously unpredictable thriller.

The suspense created by Kerry Kaya is completely outstanding. The characters are written so well, especially Fletch and his daughter Kit. The broken down relationship between them is utterly heart-breaking and I found myself hoping that Fletch could get his daughter back without having to do the one thing he doesn’t want to do, return to the gangland underworld he left behind 20 years ago. Can he really just sit back and hope? not on your nelly. What follows is shockingly violent but within the context of this brilliant book the level of violence is expected and only serves to make this book all the more gripping.

The intensity that Kerry is able to create through words alone is truly mind bending. An outstanding author who deserves all the praise she gets. If you love books in the gangland genre along the lines of Martina Cole and Ian Rankin then this book and author will be right up your street. What are waiting for? Go and grab a copy. Be prepared to be scared.

Author Bio –


Kerry Kaya is the hugely popular author of Essex-based gritty gangland thrillers with strong family dynamics. She grew up on one of the largest council estates in the UK, where she sets her novels. She also works full-time in a busy maternity department for the NHS. She has signed a nine-book deal with Boldwood for both new and backlist titles. Her first book The Price will be published in July 2021.

Social Media Links

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100019323583194

Twitter https://twitter.com/KerryKayaWriter

Bookbub profile https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kerry-kaya

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Twisted and brutal are just two words I would use to describe this latest instalment from Kerry Kaya. If you are looking for a gangland crime book then look no further, this is one to add to the list of must reads.

I love a gangland book and Kaya doesn’t disappoint. It has been great to catch up with Fletch post prison sentence.

This is a book that has pulled me in quickly and been one I have been completely hooked by. I have been unwilling to put this down.

I really like the characters present within the pages of this book and the pace moves perfectly. I’ve read a number of kaya’s books and this is possibly the favourite yet.

This is a must for fans of the genre. A definite five star read from a queen of the genre.

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I have been a fan of Kerry’s work for a little while now. I haven’t quite caught up with everything that she has written but I am getting there. I read the synopsis for ‘The Score’ and it certainly sounded like the sort of book I have come to associate with Kerry- a fast paced, gritty, scary and unpredictable story. I couldn’t wait to start reading ‘The Score’ and so without further ado, I grabbed a cup of tea, grabbed my Kindle and settled down for what I hoped would be one hell of a read. I must be psychic because ‘The Score’ was one hell of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed reading but more about that in a bit.
As soon as I started reading ‘The Score’, I just instinctively knew that I wasn’t going to be able to part with this book for any length of time. The story just seemed to develop a hold over me and it was a hold that I wasn’t willing to break. The start of the book certainly made an impression on me and I had to keep reading to see if the rest of the book carried on in a similar vein or if it turned out as I expected it would. My Kindle wasn’t exactly glued to my hand but it might as well have been because it travelled everywhere with me. I just couldn’t bear to miss a single second of the at times gruesome story. This story was constantly on my mind. The more of the story that I read, the more I wanted to read. If I had to put the book down then I would immediately look forward to being able to pick the book up again. I soon got to the end of ‘The Score’ and I had to say a relieved goodbye to the various characters. To be honest the characters scared the doo doo out of me. I found ‘The Score’ to be a blooming brilliant read, which gripped me from start to finish, kept me guessing and kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.
‘The Score’ is superbly written. Kerry has one of those writing styles that is easy to get used to and easy to get along with. The story opened with one of the most gruesome openings to a story that I have ever come across. If that doesn’t grab your attention then nothing will. The story hits the ground running and maintains a fast and brutal pace throughout. Reading ‘The Score’ felt like being on one hell of a scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with several twists and turns along the way. Just when you thought that you could take a moment to reclaim your stomach, take a breather and gather your thoughts then off the action would go again. I felt as though I was part of the story and that’s thanks to Kerry’s very vivid and realistic storytelling.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed every single minute of ‘The Score’ and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. ‘The Score’ has to be one of my top reads for 2021. I will definitely be reading more of Kerry’s work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

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This is a compelling, addictive gangland thriller, that I became totally absorbed by. This was incredibly difficult to put down, and I had finished it within two days! Full of brutal, dark violence, suspense, and drama, as well as the perfect high-standard plot, Kerry has once again proven her talents in this class of writing and deserves to be up there with the best of crime writers.

Once again the reader is reunited with the fantastic Fletch, who was originally introduced in "The Price." After reading "The Score" Fletch has become my favorite character of the books I have read by Kerry Kaya. Dangerous, mysterious but also incredibly likable. I found myself questioning if I have a bit of a fictional crush on him. He defines the phrase "Bad Boy."

This is the second in a series, but it also works amazingly well as a stand-alone.

I recommend this to anyone who is a fan of this genre, and if you are new to Kerry Kaya as an author, but enjoy the likes of Martina Cole, Roberta Kray, or Karen Rose, you are in for a treat!

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I love this genre of books, they're action packed, fast paced, gritty & exciting. This is the first book I've read by Kerry & it's certainly not going to be my last.

You have elements of family drama, family loyalties & respect. And it wouldn't be a good gangland novel without a dollop of brutality & violence.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book & would highly recommend to anyone wanting a compelling thrilling read.

Many thanks to Rachel's Random Resources for my tour spot & gifted copy.

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

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