Wow, what an excellent follow-up to The Betrayed.

Nancy Byrne has just buried her dad Jimmy, he was murdered and Nancy knows who did it. Daniel Byrne has always been in Nancy’s shadow, he will always come second to Nancy in their father’s eyes but now with Jimmy dead Daniel feels the time is right to take control.

A fast paced gritty thriller with plenty of twists and turns which has an excellent ending. I am really looking forward to the next one.

Oh wow this book was brilliant. Casey Kelleher is one of my favourite authors and this book did not let me down.

Nancy has just buried her gangster dad and now it is down to her to run the family business.

Nancy knows who killed her dad and she vows to get revenge for what they did.

But they know who Nancy is and will do anything they can to stop her finding out the real truth.
Nancy has to prove to herself and to others that she can stand in her dad's footsteps and prove she can get revenge.

Nancy does have a detective on her side or does she? He used to help her dad but will he help Nancy? Only time will tell.

This book is brilliant and I can not wait for the next book.

I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

This is the second instalment of the byrne gangland saga and is definitely a great read.

nancy byrne, whilst dealing with her grief over her father’s murder, takes over the reins of the family’s criminal empire much to the chargrin of her brother, Daniel. unbeknown to Nancy, Daniel decides to change a few longstanding business dealings with disastrous results which brings them dangerously to the attention of notorious gangland boss, Alfie Marsh.

the story is evenly paced with other stories running alongside keeping the reader interested in what happens next and the potential for explosions within the family at a later date. the ending suggests another instalment in the saga which is very much welcomed I will look forward to reading the continued trials and tribulations of this complex family.

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

To get the full benefit of this book I highly recommended that you read Casey's previous book before this one called The Betrayal as that's where it all began and this new book continues the story.

I absolutely loved this second instalment to the ongoing story about the Byrne family, found it to be highly intense and a real page turner right from the get go. Completely gripping and fast paced, it had me guessing throughout as to what would happen next and in some places I was very much on the edge of my seat in anticipation of how it would all end. There was a lot of wow moments.

I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Nancy develop as a character and seeing how she coped with everything that came her way and the things that she had to deal with.

There's going to be a third book, the conclusion/final story to the Byrne story, I'm already looking forward to it, so can't wait.

If you like Martina Cole then you should definitely give Casey's books ago.

I was thrilled to get my grubby little hands on an ARC of this book. Thanks go to Netgalley and the Publishers, Bookouture. I was also thrilled to be able to take part in the blog tour.

I've been a huge fan of Casey Kelleher's book for a good few years now and was looking forward to this one as it was a follow on from The Betrayed a book I loved. I think this one would be fine read as a standalone, but personally I would say read The Betrayed before The Broken. That's just my opinion though, and I much prefer reading books in order.

*Don't read on if you intend reading the books in order and have not yet read book one, as it could contain spoilers.*

Nancy Byrne is the new head of the Byrne Gang. Following her father's death, it's down to Nancy to take over, as it seems no one else is capable. Her father was one of London's most feared gangsters. Gunned down in cold blood. The book opens following Jimmy Byrne's funeral.
Nancy has the weight of the world on her shoulders now, shoulders that are going to need to take on so much for such a young woman. Her Grandfather Michael Byrne isn't really bothered that his son has died, yet Nancy's Grandmother, Joanie is in pieces and struggling to cope with the loss of her beloved one and only son.

Is Nancy going to be in way above her head, it's sink or swim in the world she's involved with. More than one person will stab you in the back at the first opportunity, you have to learn to be one step ahead. You also need a quick lesson in who can and can't be trusted.
Nancy's brother Daniel is on a mission of self destruct, who is he going to take with him to get what he wants, and is there anyone who can stop him destroying 'The family business'.
This book was friken awesome. From start to finish I could not wait to see what was going to happen.
I believe this is going to be a trilogy, I so so can't wait for the next one..

Casey Kelleher somehow seems to be able to top each book written, these books just get better and better. I don't know where the idea's come from, but please Casey, keep them coming. Casey is well up there with the best authors in this genre. This book has it all, crime, violence, death, drugs, gangs, you name it, it's in there.
Well worth more than the given 5 stars.

And Breathe...................

This book is going in my 2018 Best reads, without a doubt.

This is a sequel and book one must be read first in order to fully understand what is going on in this book. The author throws us right back into the action with a bang. This book has it all - violence, intrigue, romance and bad language. If you are easily offended this is not a book for you. But if you like your gangsters with grit, determination, and a whole lot more, then this book will provide that. The ending suggests more to come and I can’t wait.

I received a copy of this via Netgalley, many thanks to Bookouture.

Loved this book. The second book following on from the betrayed, I think it was even better than the first! Full of twist turns and suspense, couldn't put it down, read it you will not be disappointed.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the Publishers, Bookouture, for this review copy which was given in exchange for an honest review.

Nancy Byrne has just lost her dad. He wasn’t just her dad though, he was Jimmy Byrne, one of the most feared gangsters in London. He has been shot dead in cold blood and Nancy is out to find out who did it. At the age of 20, she has taken over control of the Byrne’s family business running a world of drugs, sex and violence. All around her, her family fall apart in the aftermath of Jimmy’s death and her brother Daniel is hell bent on the road to destruction. Can Nancy hold it all together and follow in her father’s footsteps?

As far as I could see before reading this book, this isn’t part of a series. I’ve seen comments which also say it isn’t part of a series! But, while reading, it’s obvious that there must have been another book before this. Looking around I can see there is a book called ‘The Betrayed’, which is about Jimmy Byrne, so I guess you could say this is book 2 in the Byrne family series!! You don’t have to have read it though, as this one gives plenty of background for the Byrne family! For information, this book is based in the UK, mainly set in the London area.

A word of warning before you start to read it – it is a gangster book, and it is full to brim with sex, drugs and violence. Parts of it can be quite gruesome and there is a lot of bad language (I really don’t like the ‘C’ word and there is lots of use of it!!). But, if you’re fine with all that then what are you waiting for, get on with it and get reading as I can guarantee you won’t be disappointed!!

I don’t tend to read a lot of books like this. I read a lot of crime, but this is completely different. This is the other side of crime – the darker, seedy, underworld, gun toting, drug riddled hardened criminal type book. It was absolutely fantastic! I really enjoyed it and finished this in less than a day. I love being took into gangland London, even if it did set my teeth on edge at times and had me gripping onto my seat. Nancy’s story was great! She was your typical ‘daddy’s girl’ and she was all set to run her dad’s empire after he’d died. She is one feisty no holds barred tough cookie, and I really wouldn’t want to get on the wrong side of her. I loved the side story of club boss, Alfie Harris, even if it did have me biting my nails down to the quick just to get through it!

This book takes you on an intense rollercoaster of a ride and leaves you with wanting so much more. After the twist ending, I’m hoping there will be another book in the ‘series’ because I really have to find out what happens next!

Really enjoyed this! Great to catch up with previous characters! Look forward to next one as it surely cannot end where it did!

This book is up there with the best. If you love Kimberley chambers and Martina Cole this is the book for you. I thought the first book was good but this is just off the scale. Roll on your next book Casey because this is the best book.

Another brilliant read from Casey Kelleher. I loved this second instalment following on from The Betrayed, fast paced storyline with plenty of twists and surprises so you don’t want to put it down. Perfect for fans of Kimberley Chambers books.

Great to read the second instalment of the Bryne family gangster saga. Loved the first book The Betrayed & thought The Broken was somewhat better maybe I knew the characters already & settled in quickly to the flow of the book. Highly recommend if you enjoy Martina Cole,Kimberly Chambers novels. Cannot wait for book 3!!!

A fantastic, gritty read following on from The Betrayed. I raced through it it a few hours, it’s fast paced, full of violence and twists and turns and keeps the reader in its grip to the very end. And Wow! What an ending! I recommend that you do read The Betrayed first before starting The Broken but you won’t be disappointed.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for my advance copy in return for an honest review.

Well after reading that I'm feeling kind of broken! In a good way of course! Casey Kelleher has just taken me on a breakneck journey where I certainly read past my bedtime and spent the whole day at work worrying about one of the characters at one point such is this woman's exceptional talent at writing realistic and totally compelling grit lit!

The Broken starts off with that killer hook that just grabs you and drags you straight into the plot. Nancy Byrne is seeking some solitude from the crowds that have gathered at her father's wake. But perhaps a walk along a deserted canal was not the best idea that she had had that day. Someone is determined to warn her off looking any further for the murderer. Her dad, Jimmy Byrne, one of the top faces in London has been murdered and Nancy is determined to bring the killer to justice but her hunt will unearth secrets and lies and a whole hornet's nest of mistrust and deceit.

The Betrayed, the first book in the series, introduced us to the Byrne family but with Jimmy's demise there have been a few changes to the pecking order; the staunch and hard faced matriarch, Joannie Byrne has fallen to pieces since the murder of her son, Michael Byrne is lording it up now that his son is not there to keep him in line and his wife Joannie is no longer her sharp tongued self and Jimmy's wife, Colleen has stepped up to the plate to care for her mother in law in her time of need. OMG, these family dynamics are dynamite!

Nancy is certainly a chip off the old block, her father's steely determination and ruthlessness are clearly in her blood as she is quick to step up to the plate and take over his business dealings now that he is gone; her brother Daniel is hellbent on self-destruct mode and the family scenes in this book just highlight what a jaw-droppingly dysfunctional lot they are! Seriously you will be reading this with your mouth hanging open...but you best watch your heart doesn't fall out of your mouth as that's where it is going to be sitting throughout this read! It soon becomes clear that nobody is to be trusted, not even your own family!

Along with the Byrne family dynamics, The Broken brings us prostitution, drug dealing,  and murder in the streets of London reminiscent of the days of the Kray twins. A whole host of seedy and downright nasty characters are introduced in this hard-hitting, gritty and realistic picture of reality for some of those who seek the streets paved with gold. At times this is not an easy read and my stomach was churning at points in the book, this was a good thing, seriously, Casey has created a cast of characters in this book that I am emotionally invested and engaged with; I care about what happens to them (to the point that I spent the whole day worrying about one of them at one point!); I understand the thirst for revenge and I found myself cheering at times when some well-deserved revenge was meted out! I cannot find the words to say how much I love this series, these characters, the storylines and the sense of realism that Casey Kelleher has created. If you like your crime brutally raw and honest, heartwarming and heartbreaking then this one is for you!

My review will be on my blog, Chapterinmylife for the blog tour

Very good mystery. My first by this Author. The father, who is involved in criminal enterprise, is murdered. His daughter Nancy vows to avenge his death, but must find the killer. Many twists and turns in this page turning story. I was not expecting the ending. Thank you NetGalley, Bookoutre and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

Another excellent, gritty tale from Ms Kelleher. The story of the twisted Byrne family continues in explosive fashion. With double crossing and back stabbing galore, I devoured this book in one session and eagerly anticipate the next helping.

4.5 stars !!

Wow ! that was intense ! It was like a spin off of The Godfather, only difference that the Byrne family was British and totally dysfunctional ! The synopsis of the book represents the gist of the story, "She could not even trust her family".

The book begins with the funeral of gangster Jimmy Byrne, murdered in cold blood, shocking the gangster community and many big-shots have joined in sharing their experiences about Jimmy. Nancy, Jimmy's daughter, who that she was the closest to, realizes she didn't really know her father at all.. Nancy, whom Jimmy had trained to keep the book from a very young age and then possibly succeed him in this business, finds herself in a very tough spot. With her father out of the scene so early, there are heavy burdens and responsibilities on her shoulders. Her family is crumbling, her leadership needs to be proved, the Legacy needs to be saved and the worst of it all is, she needs to bring her father's muderer to justice..And that is the toughest for her, since she was a witness to the murder and knows who needs to be punished for it !

She has a cop on her side or is he really ? Her father's business partner or was he more ? Her mother now takes care of her family or does she ? Her brother seems to be off a different path or is he hiding something? Her grandmother seems to be losing her mind or is someone manipulating it ??
Everyone is hiding something.. Everyone has ulterior motives..Everyone is faking..

She needs to keep her friends close and her enemies closer.. Nancy is one tough nut to crack and I loved reading about her ruthlessness..

Daniel, Nancy's brother, seems to have his own plan and even hated his father. But how deep did the hate run ? Everyone is sell-able around the Byrnes and that makes the circumstances so complicated and untrusting.Her thorough and detoured plan to bring the killer to justice was absolutely phenomenal. When the plan was set into motion, Nancy was not in the picture at all and I was actually beginning to think if she had the balls to be the leader her father had envisioned her to be.. But them WHAM !! What a twist !!

The end to the book also suggests of a sequel to this story since not all demons are dead..not all liars are exposed.. add the complications of newer twist in Nancy's life to this already riveting plot and I am sure the sequel is going to have an amazing plot as well ! I enjoyed this book a lot !

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for generously providing me this ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Just brilliant! I loved this book and raced through it in just a matter of a few hours. You really must read The Betrayed first to understand the full extent of the Byrne family’s twisted dynamics. The ending (OMG the ending!) leaves no option but for there to be another and I for one cannot wait!

Thanks to Bookouture for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review

Ever since I read The Betrayed I've been hoping and praying Casey Kelleher would write a follow up and lo and behold my book prayers were answered with The Broken, the second instalment in an explosive and gritty series. This book takes the reader into the dark belly of the criminal underworld where violence is par for the course and revenge is deadly. It's a world I want no part of but my oh my I do love reading about it! The Broken is gritty, brutal and “heart thumping” thrilling, it’s one of those books you will be hard pressed NOT to read in one sitting. I would highly recommend you read The Betrayed first if you haven't already, as the two books go hand in hand.

Full review will be published as part of the blog tour

The Broken follows on from The Betrayed. Whilst it could be read as a stand alone, I think you would enjoy it so much more if you read The Betrayed before reading this one.

Nancy is a young lady with her head screwed on the right way. She maybe a chip off the old block when it comes to her father but to a certain extent there is a much softer side. She won't be taken for a mug though and is out to prove to everyone she is someone not to be messed with. She is still very much grieving for her father, so really has her plate full with trying to run the business as well as try and keep the family together.

Daniel I so wanted to try and understand him as I know he hasn't had the happiest of upbringings due to his parents, but he is very much a cold fish and constantly at battle with his sister. If anything the death of their father seems to be pushing the wedge between them both even more.

This is such a dark and gripping read, I really couldn't get enough. It had me go through so many emotions at what I was reading and the events that were taking place in the book. 

The Broken is yet another novel by the author that grabs you right from the off and doesn't let go until the very bitter end. If you love stories set in the criminal underworld that will thrill and chill you to the core, look no further!