Meh.

As excited as I was for this book [as I had no idea who this man and his wife were, what they did, and why they and their shenanigans are important to history], overall, it just didn't fully work for me. I found a lot of it just tedious to listen to [see below], with the minutiae of detail [especially about Kathryn and all that she did, bought, ate etc etc etc] overwhelmingly boring, and for me, not really adding to the story. There ARE good parts of the story [the trial and what we learned from it, and how the system chose to try them together and what happened because of it], but overall, it was not enough to fully engage me [I chose to keep reading because I just hoped that it would get better, as the good parts WERE good], and it ended up just being a meh read for me, which was disappointing.

Wendy Tremont King is a new-to-me narrator, and unfortunately, her narration did not for me. It felt and sounded like she was reading a children's-middle grade book, even when the subject matter was V E R Y adult and ultimately, it was very off-putting, and made an already disappointing read even more so for me, and because of that, I cannot recommend this audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley, Chris Enss, Wendy Tremont King - Narrator, Kensington Publishing/Citadel, and RB Media for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

A fascinating slice of true crime history, Meet the Kellys traces how Kathryn Thorne helped mold George “Machine Gun” Kelly into a household name in crime. The story is full of intrigue, ambition, and bold schemes—but the execution didn’t quite hook me. The narrative has plenty of potential, especially for fans of Depression-era crime stories, but I struggled to stay engaged. This might be a case where the audiobook didn’t do the material justice—perhaps it would land better in print.

This was an entertaining look at Machine Gun Kelly and his wife, Kathryn.that was well researched and well structured. I felt like a lot of the focus was on Kathryn, which I appreciated but it did make the narrative a little unbalanced in places. Overall, for anyone with an interest in the era, I would definitely recommend it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This book brilliantly explores the notorious crimes, complex family dynamics, and the 1933 Urschel kidnapping that made the Kellys famous. Ness does an excellent job weaving together their relationship, Kathryn’s guilt over involving her family, and how the FBI used their capture to build their reputation.

The second half dives deep into courtroom drama - perfect if that’s your thing! I learned so much about 1930s gangster culture and found the family dynamics both moving and mind-bending.

Quick note on the audiobook: the narrator’s style wasn’t quite my cup of tea, but I noticed other reviewers loved her performance - give it a listen and decide for yourself! I personally think I would have preferred reading the physical book more.

Overall, a well-researched and engaging true crime story that brought the Kellys’ world to life.

I absolutely loved listening to Meet the Kellys! This audiobook delivers a gripping and thoroughly researched account of Machine Gun Kelly and Kathryn Thorne, blending true crime intrigue with vivid storytelling that kept me hooked from start to finish. The narration is top-notch, bringing every daring heist and dramatic twist to life, and the attention to historical detail makes the story both entertaining and enlightening. True crime fans will especially appreciate the depth of background provided on the Kellys, making this a standout listen that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a thrilling and immersive audiobook experience.

I listened to 1/3 of this audiobook but just couldn’t finish it. The writing style was good but the actual story just didn’t hold my attention.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook ARC.

This was a compelling and informative listen that offered a deep and often surprising look into the lives of Machine Gun Kelly and his wife, Kathryn. The story of the kidnapping, the aftermath, and the ripple effects on those connected to them was both sobering and fascinating. It’s the kind of story that stays with you—one that invites you to reflect on history, resilience, and the complexity of the people behind the headlines.

The author approached the subject with care and insight, and the narration brought an added layer of depth that made the experience all the more engaging. I found myself thinking about the people involved long after the audiobook ended.

I’ll definitely be purchasing a copy and will be keeping an eye out for more from this author. This was more than just a true crime story—it was a powerful exploration of human experience.

This was a high quality audio that was a quick listen. This would appeal to true crime lovers as it gives so much background to the kellys that is neglected by main stream media as it is not as dramatic as you might think. it was good to listen to the whole picture for a change and there is defo a gap in the market for this alongside all the rest. For me it was fairly balanced and gave an interesting backstory which took away abit of the notoriousness of the couple. There were sections of the story that seemed too short and not as relevant. Narration was good and engaging This did not felt like a typical true crime reveal. This is a 4 star listen. Thanks to netgallery, publisher, author and narrator.

I hadn’t heard if the Kellys, but I enjoy true crime and this sounded interesting. I listened to the audio version and narration throughout us excellent. Well, these two certainly lived an extraordinary life. Kathryn Kelly was, without doubt, aspirational and prepared to use any means to secure the funds to indulge her lifestyle. She was the brains behind their outrageous schemes. It’s a fascinating of social history from an era where the first names are Bonnie and Clyde. It’s easy to forget that almost within living memory, machine gun warfare and robbery on the streets wasn’t unusual. This book explores both Kelly’s from childhood until their first footsteps into major crime. It’s a slow build and I found the latter half very well paced with involvement of the early FBI,tasked with hunting them down. Interesting and seemingly well researched with good eye witness accounts.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.

Thanks to Netgallery for this audiobook ARC

This was a informative and engaging listen about Machine Gun Kelly and his wife Kathryn. It was such a great thing to hear about the kidnapping, aftermath and about everyone connected to them. Will definitely buy this and listen to anything else from this author. The narrator was very excellent.

This is an entertaining biography, full of detail, of the life and crimes of the infamous gangster George Kelly and his wife Kathryn.
A good read for those interested in true crime and “criminal thinking”. There’s information about the early days of the FBI, and how the bureau played a part in the Kelly’s capture. A slow start, but the pace picks up and it’s an engaging read.
The narrator was easy to listen to and she read at a good pace.

Thank you, HighBridge Audio, and NetGalley for letting me review this audiobook, Meet the Kellys.

True Crime Lovers, this book is for you! These two were meant to be together, Kathryn Thorne wanted more in life but ended up also falling in love with George ‘Machine Gun’ Kelly. Kathryn made Machine Gun. She was already a criminal and taught him how to become one as well.

Their crimes would escalate after each robbery or bootlegging. However, they wanted to increase their crimes, so they tried kidnapping. Once they moved into kidnapping, that was what took them down. They should have stayed with robbing banks, and bootlegging.

This book is so well researched, documented, and written, that you felt like you were with the Kellys. I love true crime and this book is amazing. It gives you a look into the criminals’ perspective, and you actually feel for them, especially after they were caught. True Crime junkies - read this book.

Meet the Kellys - ⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

First of all, I’d like to thank @NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to listen to the audiobook. The book will be released in English this May 27th!

Before reading Meet the Kellys, I only knew Machine Gun Kelly in a very superficial way, and I had no idea that his wife and other family members were involved in the kidnapping of the man. I honestly thought he was a serial killer at first! 🙈 Thankfully, this book helped me set things straight.

This is a true crime book that reads very quickly (I listened to it, in my case) and I found it really engaging. The narrator was pleasant to listen to, with a fairly captivating tone. Since it’s in English, there were a few terms I didn’t catch right away, but I figured them out easily with a bit of context (im italian).

I really appreciated the little details — like the fact that Kathryn Thorne stopped by the hairdresser before turning herself in because, in her words, “she didn’t know she was being looked for.” Those human and almost absurd touches made the story feel more vivid and real.

If you love true crime and are looking for a quick read with just the right amount of detail, this book is definitely for you!

This was an interesting book. Didn't know very much about Machine Gun Kelly and his gang. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook

Previously knowing nothing about Machine Gun Kelly nor Kathryn Thorne, "Meet the Kellys" was a nice introduction to their lives and history. It opened the door for further research and is an enjoyable piece of historical nonfiction.

**Thank you Net Galley for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.**

This is an interesting book that goes into detail about the lives of Katherine and George Kelly (also known as Machine Gun Kelly). Packed full of information beginning in childhood, the listener is able to learn what and why this couple committed many of their crimes. The narrator is exceptional, reading with ease and keeping the attention of the listener. Although this book is lengthy, it is recommended for anyone who enjoys true crime or history.

This was an interesting throwback of the gangsters, mobsters, kidnappers, bank robbers during the bootlegging era. Interesting about Hoover and the beginning of the FBI. Thank you to Citadel Hardcover and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½ – An Informative but Uneven Glimpse into a Notorious Family

Meet the Kellys by Chris Enss offers an intriguing look into the infamous Kelly family of the American Old West, focusing on their lives, crimes, and legacy. Enss’s research is clear, and the book delivers a lot of fascinating historical detail that fans of true crime or Western history will appreciate.

The strength of the book lies in its ability to shine a light on lesser-known aspects of the Kellys’ story, including the roles of the women in the family and how their actions shaped public perception. Enss has a talent for making history accessible and occasionally even vivid.

However, the narrative sometimes feels disjointed, as if trying to cover too much ground in a short span. Some parts read more like summaries than a cohesive story, and a deeper emotional connection to the figures portrayed would have made the book more engaging.

Overall, this is a solid, informative read that history buffs will enjoy, especially those interested in the more shadowy figures of the Wild West. While it may not be a page-turner, it offers a unique perspective that makes it worth picking up.

A well-told biography of an infamous gangster. The author does a great job of weaving first-hand accounts of individuals into the story to give you a better perception of who these two individuals were, and the evil they inflicted on innocent people. I found most disturbing was how manipulative the wife was and how she attempted after capture to portray herself as an innocent victim who was forced to do what she did. The story is a fast-paced and action filled ride that provides a great amount of information to the reader. Highly recommend.

The audio book is excellent. The narrator has a great voice that captures you and draws you into the story.

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Meet the Kellys is a fairly straightforward account of George “Machine Gun”Kelly and Kathryn Kelly’s historic rise from bootlegging to infamy.

While this is written to be more informative than thrilling it was an easy audiobook to finish while doing my errands. The bulk of the book primarily focuses on the timespan of the Urschel case and serves to highlight Katheryn’s involvement + encouragement in the crimes as well as the founding of the FBI and the Lindbergh Act.