Member Reviews
Very good book very informative and quite detailed I enjoyed it The writing was very good and I kept turning the pages |
Lucy G, Reviewer
I've obviously heard of the Krays but never read about and details of them or their lives, so thought this was a great place to start! I was initially confused with all the names in the first section, but learnt so much, this was a great insight into the people behind the Kray name |
Who doesn't Love a book about The Krays brothers. So when a book a came out to read and review I just had to request it. Krays: The Final Word by James Morton was a very good read and i enjoyed it. I found it well written and well researched on the account throughout of their lives ,their family their time running running a criminal empire known as "The Firm". etc. It has been one of the best books I have read bout them.........and I found it an enjoyable good read. If you are a fan of The Krays.....Then I highly recommend this book. Big Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Mirror Books and James Morton for allowing me to read the kindle version of this book for an honest review. |
A well written and researched biography of the famous English gangsters, I recommend for any lover of true crime books |
There is one thing that I can't take away from this book; and that it is detailed and well researched. It is most definitely the guide to the life of the Krays and follows them from the beginning to the end of their reign and lives. I struggled with the first half, which is a who's who of who were involved in the Krays lives. It is difficult to read from one name to another without getting a bit lost. The second half is much better though and is easier to read. Having read lots of books about the Krays I bit actually read about things I didn't know about. Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for allowing me to read in return for review. |
Such a big insight into The Krays. I’ve always been interested in The Krays and have probably watched everything surrounding them. In fact, my grandma on my dads side was dating one of them, or so I was told. I do feel for the women involved with them, they were vulnerable. And I do feel for the victims. A really good read and something I’m glad I read. |
It’s very rare I find another book on the Krays these days and learn something new but I was surprised with this book. There is a lot of research quite evident in this book and it chronicles the life and death of the twins really well. I didn’t feel like some books that this lauded the twins but was just a factual representation of what went on which was a nice change. Well worth a read. |
I grew up in London surrounded by Krays ‘mythology’ so I have to say the idea that the author has written a ‘final’ version of their story had me intrigued. The book is brilliantly researched and written clearly without some of the sensationalist tricks that often accompany such work, whether it is a definitive account I guess history will judge. I did particularly enjoy the fact that the author dealt with the changing perceptions of the Krays through time. Well written, I’d highly recommend this to anyone interested in the krays story. |
A very well researched biography of the crazy lives of the east end legendary gangster twins, Ronnie and Reggie Kray. Contained some information I had not read about before and some very detailed and informative stories of their climb to worldwide notoriety. A well written book. |
The overflow of information was too much for me. The book didn't slow down a second. The amount of characters was so high, that I had no idea who was who anymore. I had hoped for a story instead of a bunch of information with no flow between them. |
Julie H, Reviewer
An extensively researched and well thought out book. This is the most detailed book that I have read about the Krays. I learnt a lot that I didn’t already know. Thank you to Netgalley for my copy. |
I thought I would be blown away by this book, but I actually wasn’t. Yes, it was insightful, yes it was informative, but I just didn’t get a feel for it. I’ve read other books on The Krays which I did prefer. I’m not sure whether it was just too much cross referencing to other documents, books or information that it lost my interest a bit. There were parts also that said “it is thought” ( or words to that effect) that just didn’t flow well with me. I’m sure many others will love this book, but sadly it wasn’t for me. |
This was a well-researched account of the Krays' time running a criminal empire known as The Firm. This is the most extensive book that I have read on this family and it was an enjoyable read. |
Emma V, Reviewer
This is an clear-eyed and remarkably unsentimental view of the Krays, and their impact on both the criminal world and wider society. James Morton writes in a compelling manner about the development of the Kray myth - and points out that while they were seeking out fame, other criminal organisations were more focused on succeeding in their own criminal endeavours. In many ways, the Kray twins vanity was the seed of their own destruction, they lacked the patience and forethought to understand that they could not carry on with impunity. There are a lot of books written about the Krays, some better than others. I would recommend this as definitely one of the better ones. |
I’m reasonably well-read on the Krays, I’ve always been interested in ’50s/60’s culture so I was intrigued to see if I could learn anything new from this book. The author knows his subject, and I enjoyed his writing style. It was easy reading, although at times I did get a bit bogged down in who was who, as he introduced a plethora of different characters. The pages occasionally became somewhat overcrowded! However, while I sadly didn’t learn anything substantially new, I did like the unbiased writing, in that many of the previous books I’ve read on the Krays was either written/ghostwritten by themselves or by associates or members of their extended family/friends. There was little or no sentimentality in the book and no glorification – it was just what it was. The author attempted to give closure to certain outstanding events, and it was interesting to ponder, although I felt this was far from the ‘final word.’ There were aspects of the book that did shed light on the broader circle of players, for example, it was particularly interesting to read about how the lives of some of the Kray's associates panned out – or didn’t as the case may be! It has to be a five star from me - as I enjoy the subject and could re-read this kind of book day in and day out! Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers Mirror Books and James Morton for allowing me to read the kindle version of this book for an honest review. |
When it is snowy and cold outside, superspeed readers like me can read 150 - 200+ pages/hour, so yes, I have read the book … and many more today. LOL I received a temporary digital Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley, the publisher and the author in exchange for an honest review. From the publisher, as I do not repeat the contents or story of books in reviews, I let them do it as they do it better than I do 😸. FOR THE FIRST AND FINAL TIME - THE DEFINITIVE LOWDOWN ON THE KRAYS' LIFE STORY. Britain's most notorious gangsters: the Kray twins. The extent of their criminal activities has always been uncertain. But now, it is time for the conclusive account of their story, from their East End beginnings to become the kingpins of London's underworld. This objective account, compiled by best-selling crime author and criminal lawyer James Morton, cuts through the conflicting versions of their stories and answers burning questions still being asked, 50 years after their infamous conviction. How was the clergy involved in evading police action? What was Charlie Kray's true position with his brothers? Just how many did they kill? Featuring an in-depth discussion at the supposed claims they killed up to 30, and a deep dive into the death of champion boxer Freddie Mills, The Final Word compiles all previous accounts and then some to find the truth behind their legendary status. This is the Krays - all facts, no fiction. The Krays were some majorly mean and sadistic criminals and this book is a great guide and biography to what they did during their lives. I doubt that many people outside of the UK would have heard of them, though, so the target market for this book in North America is pretty small. The book is well written but how can anyone say they have written the definitive book on them unless they speak to the dead twins themselves? (Just my opinion, I said I would be honest.) |
I love everything the Krays and I’ve read everything I can on them. Not many have a completion of their life’s some focusing on more than others but this book caters to it all. Any True-crime fans will love this book. Any Kray fans will want to add this to their collection. I have always been fascinating by them, they way they lived, he lived they lived and the people they surrounded themselves with. Its brilliantly written, in-depth and absorbing any Kray fans will eat this book within one sitting. This is going to stay on my self and I will absolutely be re-reading this in the future. Thank you to Netgalley/ James Morton/ mirror Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. |
I didn't know a lot about the Krays, I knew the name and a bit from a movie I saw over 20 years ago. This book did a great job of filling in all the details. It was a little intimidating at times because there was so much info and it was all unfamiliar to me, as I have not read much about gangsters, that era or setting but I enjoy learning new things. |
I have read many books on the Kary Twins over the years but here is one that is the complete works of the life and times of the Krays. It is well written, in-depth and a true recollection of them. Any Kray fan would need to add this book to their collection. Thank you to both NetGalley and Mirror Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased review |
I’ve been fascinated by the Krays for most of my life. I’ve read a lot of books on them and this is the one that comes closest to answering all my questions. I’m really surprised at how good and well researched this one is. You can read this with any amount of knowledge about the brothers and not be lost or confused. Great read! Thanks to NetGalley for the copy! |




