Member Reviews

"Vengeance" by Heather Burnside delivers a gripping story of loyalty and revenge, set in the gritty world of a nightclub. Through the sharp eyes of bartender Hannah Conway, readers are drawn into a realm of shady deals and personal stakes when she uncovers a corrupt businessman's plan to demolish her grandmother's home for a new development. As tension mounts and violence encroaches on her life, Hannah joins forces with charismatic regular Russ Coles to take on the mobsters threatening her community. Burnside masterfully weaves suspense with emotional depth, creating a thrilling read that showcases the power of courage in the face of adversity. A must-read for crime drama fans!

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Vengeance by Heather Burnside is a book I have been waiting to read. This author does gritty gangland so well! I have always been one of her biggest fans and knew this was going to be brilliant!

Set in and around Manchester,and the run-down council estates and areas I am familiar with. I feel so at home as soon as I open one of Heather Burnside's books. It does help. I was brought up on one of the many 'rough' estates in Oldham not far away from this authors settings.

Heather's characters are all well created. They all seem like you could walk around a corner and bump into Hannah or Russ! I absolutely felt for Hannah, a single parent who works nights at a nightclub. She reminded me of myself at her age. That's Heathers expertise. She writes what she knows. Hannah's boss, Jez, he was despicable. I hated him as soon as I read about him.

The fear from Hannah just emanates from the pages as the story unfolds. Her Nan and the predicament she found herself in were terrible. I was on pins at that point! I was reading so fast. I'm surprised the Kindle kept up!

Yet another brilliantly plotted and detailed thriller from Heather Burnside. I can't wait for her next book! Until then, I will have to read her back catalogue of books!

Thanks to NetGalley, Rachel's Random Resources and Head Of Zeus for the gifted ebook and paperback to take part in the book tour.

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I found this book hard going at times it didn't have the excitement that her other books had. It didn't grip me. I read it to the end but was left feeling very disappointed.

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Another great book from this author. Lots of dodgy dealings and drama as Hannah finds that her nightclub boss is trying to get her Gran thrown out of her house so he can build on the land. A very gripping read.

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I’m not quite sure how this is my first book by the author? I thought I had but goodreads says No 😂

I loved the authors writing style and was instantly hooked, this was binged in one sitting. The characters were all interesting, especially Pat, I loved her determination. I did have a complete soft spot for Russ and loved the interactions between him and Hannah.

This is dark, gritty, violent and full of dodgy characters!

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What a fabulous book this was. A one-sitting read that was addictive from the very first to the last page.

Hannah works in a nightclub owned by Jez. She had not realised quite who he was but soon discovered he was not the boss she thought he was. One of his employees is Russ, and he she is warned away from by an ex-girlfriend. Russ runs a shop and it sells items at very affordable prices. Hannah's grandma has been in there buying items and so there is now a link between them as the story then continues. Jez is involved in a development project, it happens to be the same area as the shop owned by Russ and includes the residential area where Haanah's gran lives.

As tensions rise and homes and businesses gradually close or are vacated for the upcoming new development things start to take a nasty turn. This is after all a gangland thriller so you know there are going to be underhand moves, dodgy deals and things that are going to leave people worried.

This is a story that takes place over a period of months, there is a spark between a couple of the characters but there are more dangerous things that gradually occur that make friendships and relationships hard to look at with what is as risk.

This is a dangerous story and one that has serious repercussions. There are many twists in it and the author has done a great job of keeping the reader on their toes. The synopsis does hint at there being trouble and that a mob boss is in the picture. But from the beginning to the end, you are never sure who is going to get the upper hand.

I adored this one and it had me hooked completely, fabulous for fans of crime, thriller and gangland genres. Brilliant story and one I would definitely recommend.

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🌟 Book Review: "Vengeance" by Heather Burnside 🌟
🔫 Genre: Ganglit
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

"Will justice be served?" With this gripping question, Heather Burnside’s "Vengeance" promises a thrilling journey of revenge, courage, and justice.

💥 Why You'll Love It:
🔥 Intense Drama: The story is packed with high-stakes tension and intense drama, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as Hannah faces off against powerful adversaries.
🧠 Strong Female Protagonist: Hannah is a compelling character, displaying courage and determination in the face of overwhelming odds. Her quest for justice is both inspiring and heart-pounding.
👥 Dynamic Relationships: The chemistry between Hannah and Russ adds an extra layer of intrigue and romance to the narrative, making their partnership a highlight of the story.
🎭 Mafia Suspense: The underworld setting and mafia elements create a dark and thrilling atmosphere, perfect for fans of crime dramas.

🎯 Perfect For:

✨Fans of intense crime dramas and thrillers.
✨Readers who love strong, determined heroines.
✨Anyone looking for a fast-paced, gripping read with elements of romance and suspense.

Dive into this gripping crime thriller and let Hannah's quest for justice captivate your heart. Happy reading! Thanks to @rachelsrandomresources and @netgalley for the #ARC #BlogTour

#BookReview #HeatherBurnside #Vengeance #SuspenseThriller #IntenseDrama #CrimeThriller #StrongHeroine #MafiaDrama #ReadersOfInstagram #IGReads #InstaBooks #Bookstagram #Bookstagrammer #BookstagramCommunity #Netgalley

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For readers who enjoy gangland thrillers but don't want it too dark, Vengeance will appeal.
The plot moves quickly and it is easy to follow and read.

We don't see a lot of the inner workings of the criminal gang as the story centres around Hannah and her family. Her grandmother's home is one of many being sought after for purchase by a development company. Refusal to sell puts people in danger as the development company turns to threats, violence and intimidation to persuade owners to sell. As threats escalate and the lives of innocent people are put in harm's way Hannah teams up with Russ to find evidence that her boss, Jez, is behind the development company and spearheading the campaign of intimidation.

I liked the main characters Russ and Hannah. Russ is a shady character but has a line he won't cross when it comes to criminality. Events run completely out of his control and he has to do whatever it takes to survive. I liked Hannah's intelligence and lack of fear when looking for evidence to tie Jez to the threats.

There is some violence in this book but it isn't graphic. I was surprised by the way Russ and Hannah handled things with Jez and subsequently the police near the end of the book but glad that everything worked out satisfactorily.

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This book is a rather new genre to me. I really liked the cover and description, and I'm pleased to say I enjoyed reading this one.

I found the authors style of writing easy to get absorbed in and the story was full of suspense and intrigue and kept me reading.

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I just love this authors book and Vengeance by Heather Burnside was no difference. Once I opened my kindle and read the first page I just knew I was going to be in for a treat! and I found it hard to put my kindle down, and ended up sitting in my chair reading my kindle all day!

Wow this book was excellent and I loved it.

I highly recommend this latest book by Heather. It was another 5 star read.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Head of Zeus for my ARC.

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Thanks to the publisher and netgalley for this ARC. As I learned this is book 4, I fear I am at a bit of a disadvantage as not having read the other 3. However it is a master class in gangland crime as you would expect from this author, it has everything its, fast paced and a recommended read

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Burnside has once again delivered an addictive and absorbing gangland thriller that I devoured within 24 hours. Packed with plot twists and dramatic revelations, this is a definite must-read for fans of this genre and author.

Hannah Conway stands out as one of Burnside's best characters, and I absolutely adored the gradual unveiling of her softer side to the readers. With my prior experience of Burnside’s protagonists, I understand that many are complex and have multiple layers. Hannah lives up to the expectations and shines as a flawless leading lady. While the additional characters may be typical of this genre, it doesn’t detract from the book's enjoyability.

If you're seeking an exhilarating, action-packed, fast-paced read that will keep you on the edge of your seat, this is a must-read and well-deserved five-star read.

Mark your calendars for the release of 'Vengeance' on 1st August 2024. Don't miss out on this thrilling read. Pre-order your copy today!

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Thank you to Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

An exception concept that twists and turns at a brisk pace. I really enjoyed this story especially the lead character Hannah. From the beginning I discovered immediately what matters to her the most and her desires. The characters are crafted to perfection. Each has a desire, a goal but also fears and this is highly apparent especially in Russ' character. The plot moved along at a perfect pace and there were surprises around very corner. I love a story like this where the future is unpredictable. The ending pulled all the remaining parts together, tying up loose ends and providing a tense climactic ending to a book that I just couldn't put down. I will definitely be recommending this book to others. Definitely a five star read. I can't wait to see what Heather Burnside writes next.

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Single Mum Hannah works behind the bar of a club at night when her young son is in bed. She hears lots of gangsters snippets of chat but tends to ignore it until she hears them talking about the street her beloved Nana lives in. Hannah had made friends with Russ a regular to the bar but is warned off him by an ex girlfriend of his. When things start to turn nasty for her Nana and her neighbours Hannah is unsure who to trust. Is there a traitor closer then she thinks. This is a gripping read as Hannah try’s to help her Nana save her home from the heavy’s that are trying to force her out.

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Despite having not read the rest of the series, I easily read this as a standalone. I was not at all disappointed with the plot it is one of the best gangland thrillers that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The characters are just like a ordinary family and I felt for them getting mixed up in vicious crime organisations not of their choosing. The gang crime got quite brutal and honest hardworking characters suffered the consequences. I enjoyed the spectacular tension that I felt while reading and the ending was so satisfying the outcome could not have been any better!

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Thanks Netgalley for allowing me to read this book. Hannah is working as a bartender. She is surprised when someone mentions an area where she has family living. She is not happy and is unsure of her next step. A Good read

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My thanks to Head of Zeus, Aries Fiction and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Vengeance’ written by Heather Burnside, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Hannah Conway works behind the bar in The Gilded Cage where she flirts with Russ Cole who works for her boss Jez Reilly. Jez is developing land and intends buying the houses where Hannah’s grandma lives. He’s instructed Russ to threaten the residents who won’t sell but Russ refuses as he draws the line at hurting defenceless people. Russ is in hiding as Jez’s thugs are after him but with Hannah’s help he hopes to get revenge.

Having read and thoroughly enjoyed all of the Working Girls series and the previous Manchester thrillers I was looking forward to reading ‘Vengeance’. It’s well-written with an absorbing plot that includes violence, bloodshed, and interesting characters, but it didn’t have the excitement I’ve come to expect from this author and wasn’t anything particularly special. It’s a good sound gangland thriller and easy to read but I didn’t find it as enjoyable as the author’s previous books.

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I like a good gangland crime story every once in a while and I am always on the lookout for new authors to add to my, up till now, rather short list of favorites in this genre. 

When the opportunity arose to read this author's new book, I jumped to the occasion. 

First of all, I want to say I love the cover. It screams gangland from miles away, as does the title. I like it when I am offered the whole package: title, cover and genre matching perfectly and this is what I got here. I was already very happy, before I even opened the book. Pretty good start, no? ;)

I like the setting of the story. Corruption, bent policeman, extortion and violence are top ingredients for a gangland thriller and this story had them all. On the other hand,  the violence was too soft for me. I like them grittier, but hat is a personal taste of course. 

After having read this book, do I want to discover more of this author's writing? I most certainly do! 4 stars

Thank you

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Vengeance is an0ther cracker of a book from Heather Burnside with gritty characters and a gripping storyline as ever.

When you work for people that have got a checkered past and have no fear in breaking the law to get what they want you're bound to see and hear things that you're not meant to. Hannah finds that her boss Jez has some dodgy dealings linked to the street where her Nan lives and when residents of that street start getting intimidated to leave their homes she gets very suspicious. Lots of drama unfolds and Hannah gets involved in ways that she would have never thought possible.

Heather Burnside has written several series of books before this book (all brilliant too) and I look forward to seeing whether Vengeance turns into a series too or remains a standalone.

A highly recommended read.

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Not too much gore and a nice easy read is how I would describe this book. It is a slower pace to some gangland fiction but the book is well written throughout.
Although this is book 4 in the series there is no need to read the previous books, although you will probably want to.
The author always shines a spotlight on the relationships and families involved in gangland crime. In this book, I feel that the spotlight has shifted even more to the relationships and families of the main characters. The gangland crime element is still there but this book looks more at those that suffer the consequences of gangland crime.
Many thanks to Head of Zeus, NetGalley, and the author for providing me with an advanced electronic copy of the book in return for an honest unbiased review.
The book will be published on 1st August 2024

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