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.

I knew that the true MGK was a prohibition era criminal, but no idea of his story. I also didn’t know what a criminal and mastermind his wife was behind him.

This story was so well-researched and well-told. This book makes me want to learn more.

The audiobook was high quality and loved the voice/intonation of the storyteller..

A look into the lives of Machine Gun Kelly and his wife, Kathryn Kelly. I had never really taken the time to learn about various mobsters and bootleggers from the end of the 19th century, but it was fascinating hearing about the details of the Kellys' run. This reminded me a lot of true crime podcasts from the way the story was presented, so I think it makes a great audiobook.

Meet The Kelly’s was an excellent deep dive into the story of Machine Gun Kelly (not the tattooed pearly faced rapper) and his moll Kathryn Thorne,

Somewhere on the outskirts of my mind I knew of Machine Gun Kelly, the name that is, I couldn’t tell you for certain that I knew who he was, what he’d done and I definitely don’t think I knew anything about his wife Kathryn, so for me this biography was excellent, it’s a fairly quick read/listen but it is jam packed full of detail, it gives a brilliant account of both of their early lives and their romance, there’s more than a hint of the Bonnie and Clyde to the tale, we get great insight into how they planned the crimes they committed and the author skilfully takes us right through the court cases and beyond. Moreover there’s a great amount of information on the early days of the FBI and how the bureau played a part in taking the Kelly’s down. I was fascinated at the detail written in the press about members of high society and how they suggested driving by to look in their windows,like social media 100 years ago, they practically made these people targets for criminals.

Well worth a look if you’re interested in true crime or American history. The narration by Wendy Tremont King was great, easy to follow and balanced.

Huge thanks to Highbridge Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this ALC 🎧