Here is another book in the more than a handful now that I have read on the Krays and their cohorts as I learn more about that period of time in Britain and some of the major and minor criminals that were operating. The Krays were some of the major operators during their time, and held a bit of power for a while. Reggie and Ronnie Kray were twins, and also had an older brother Charles and they were all busy in the life of crime.

This book is a good overview of their criminal lives, detailing the places they lived, the clubs they frequented, and the ones they either fixed up and ran, or muscled into and took over, either in part or totally. It’s set in the 1950s and 1960s in East London. It also goes over the men they killed or ordered killed. I found it enjoyable as a good true crime read, and I think most who like that genre would also. Advance electronic review copy was provided by NetGalley, author James Morton, and the publisher.

Krays: The Final Word ,by veteran True Crime writer James Morton, claims to be the definitive account of the gruesome twosome Reg and Ron ,and to a lesser degree their close family.
Having read all of Morton's previous books going back to the 1990's I was expecting this to be either another James Morton or a re-issue as it's the first book for several years to carry his name on the cover. Well it's not and the "where are they now" chapter goes right up to early 2019.
James Morton has been writing about London's gangland for a very long time and doing it very well, he was also Frankie Fraser's ghost writer , so he knows his stuff.

Calling any Kray' book, "The Final Word" is brave as there have been several over the decades ,often contradictory and with various claims made by the authors. I think I can honestly claim to have read every Kray book "out there" over the decades and I'd say it's a very good overview . Morton not only tells the Kray's story but also the tale of their public perception has changed . Ron Kray's unwise determination to manufacture a reputation as the East End's Al Capone, which worked for quite a long time via John Pearson's seminal, "The Profession Of Violence" before time and safe distance eventually saw books from the likes of Bernard O'Mahoney and former associates Micky Fawcett and Bobby Teale telling a different story of a pair of cheapskate sexual deviants with very obvious psychiatric issues.

As always Morton steers clear of sensationalism and just gives the facts, reflecting I suspect his years as a lawyer.. While there have been several books in more recent years dismantling the Kray "legend" Morton's addition to the genre is an interesting and informative one that details the Twins' criminal career while telling that far from the slick Gangster fantasy that Ron in particular went out of his way to boost they were basically a couple of dim thugs who mistook fear for respect. The rest of the "Firm" likewise were mostly inept losers and only heroes in the ghost-written books that they had published to jump on the Kray gravy train.
A great book that if it helps spread the truth about a number of pretty disgusting and loathsome people who have been misguidedly given Robin Hood status in popular folklore is doing a great public service.
With respect to Mr Morton this book is as interesting and informative as his much earlier books and is yet another great True Crime from Mirror Books,who never disappoint.

Big thanks to James Morton, Mirror Books and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A veritable industry has long existed around all things concerning the Kray Brothers. Numerous books, films and television shows have been devoted to them over the years and their haunts are on the East End tourist trail. If nothing else their legacy has been a useful tool for the book trade and has provided an additional income for pensioned gangsters. I remember over 20 years ago being in an Essex town and wandering by chance into a small bookshop and who should be there with a large pile of books in front of him doing a book signing but none other than Mad Frankie Fraser, I of course purchased a copy. Even today while shopping in ASDA what did I see on their discounted paperback shelves, something by kate Kray.

Now adding to the genre is this well researched but always entertaining book by best-selling crime author and criminal lawyer James Morton that rather optimistically titles itself Krays: The Final World. Here we have their full biographical story, the nature of their crimes and an examination as to their enduring fascination and indeed the beatification of them. This latter aspect was personified by the funerals with the celebratory mourners and respectful street lined crowds reminiscent of a state funeral. Security courtesy of Dave Courtney.

How important the Krays really were in the heirachy of the then London underworld is another matter. Their influence was restricted to a relatively small geographical area and they were despised by the seasoned bank robbing fraternity. The Krays income being mainly derived from protection and long firm fraud. If you like true crime then you will find this I'm sure a fascinating read. Ultimately though like their fellow East End celebratory villain Jack The Ripper I expect there will be many more books on this subject.