Read and reviewed in exchange for a free copy from NetGalley. I generally really enjoy books in this genre, and this was equally fascinating. It was interesting to see the day to day life in a prison, although her references to real, identifiable prisoners made me uncomfortable - although of course the public knows the stories of people such as Rose West, I felt that confidentiality should still be abided by by odudobsd staff. I also found the writing style quite clunky at times, with facts being repeated after only a few pages. However, it was an easy and interesting read.

This book was a totally different perspective for me. I found it informative, eye opening & highly addictive I thoroughly enjoyed it.

# The Governor # Netgalley
I wasn’t too sure about this particular book, it wasn’t this particular book on its own. It’s mainly people who have bribe certain jobs in life. Do they write a nook that’s mot just amount the prison left for yourself to inherit.
Well it was a well written book and found. It extremely interesting reading l.we have
Also. From how she described it, I don’t think. It would be safe having been left long enough. Being extra carful. Today kB . They have the most amazing customer services I have ever had the pears go



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I really enjoyed this book, I usually read books written by criminals so have only ever heard their perspective on jail. This book was funny, informative, entertaining. Vanessa is a fantastic 'guv' she runs her wing efficiently and with a different view on handling prisoners. I love that she got to know them all and the nicknames were hilarious, phones4u especially! The chapter with his budgie made me laugh. Vanessa takes no bs but she's a badass who treats the inmates fairly and with respect. I actually really really loved this book. I've already recommended it to some friends and family.

Vanessa Frake MBE worked in Britain's most notorious prisons, Holloway and Wormwood Scrubs. This is her account of her activities and massive workload she and fellow prison officers have to deal with on a daily basis. From the "celebrity " prisoners, the infamous ones and those that deserve to stay in prison for the rest of the lives. Vanessa holds nothing back in this book. A very interesting read. Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. My opinions are my own

What an interesting book.

It was a day to day life of a woman prisoner officer first in Holloway women's prison, then Wormwood scrubs.
In her working career, she has come across, Myra Hindley, and Rose West also The Krays and the Yorkshire Ripper, among many.

She worked her way up to be governor for Security and operations. Eventually being quite rightly so an MBE.

We read that the prison world is not only full of scumbags who would sell your granny for a song or stab you in the back if you look at them the wrong way but also it is rife with mental illness. At times it is quite graphic.

Vanessa writes a believable and interesting book and insight into the daily living in the prison fraternity.

There is violence around every corner and drugs riding rampant, from being thrown over the walls in the stomach of dead pigeons to officer sneaking them into visitors with them hidden up their jacksy as well as mobile phones!!!
Such a brilliant account. and very addictive.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this very interesting book.xxx

A very enjoyable book covering the authors memories of her service to the Prison service over the decades. Some funny and some sad tales, but a good book that makes you want to read cover to cover.
If you aren't familiar with what goes on inside a British prison this will give you a good idea!

As someone who works in a prison I can say that if anyone wants an insight to what it is like to work in one , they buy this book !
Vanessa Drake give a true representation of the daily goings on in a jail. Drugs, violence on fellow inmates and also staff , daily suicides, she tells all in her gritty memoir .
I would go as far as to say this is the very best and honest title of what to expect in a prison I have ever read.
Well done Vanessa.

Some of the stories were quite difficult for me to read but this book gave great insights into the prison system and I fully recommend it for all people with an interest. I loved this book from start to finish. Vanessa Frake was a prison officer whom throughout her career became a Governor at HMP Wormwood Scrubs and she truly is an inspiration, the way this book has been written is very clever and made me feel like I was living the experience too. An eye opening into the prison service.

Thank you to Netgally and the publisher for sending this to me for review.

This book is what the title suggests it's our authors experience of working at a Governor in Wormwood Scrubs prison in the UK .

I don't really have much to say about this book, although I did find it interesting especially the day to day workings of a prison I found it a bit repetitive, we had multiple chapters about the drug problem in prison and mobile phones being brought in being a huge problem, and also lots of chapters on attempted jail breaks, I know this is what it is like in a prison but I was just looking for something a bit more meaty, we had a few cases of name dropping in here, where she spoke about people she had met such as the priminster or "famous" people she "locked up" there was also a lot about our authors own life and her moving up the ranks within the prison and to me at times it felt a bit self indulgent.

I don't think this is a bad book at all but I was just looking for something with a little bit more meat on its bones I think.

When I saw this book, I knew it would be something that interested me. A great insight into life working in a prison. The things you don't see or hear about, the troubles that staff have to face almost daily.
This was a fascinating and interesting read. Written about in great detail that you really get a feel for what life would be like if you actually worked as a prison guard.
Its a huge different world from what the average person deals with daily. I enjoyed the fact sharing and the knowledge shared with us from what really goes on behind closed doors, or bars.

interesting, thought provoking read.

This has been a read filled with tension and suspense and I have been completely hooked. I have adored the way this has been written and fully engaged in this novel.

This is a great insite to see what life is like behind bars first hand from the Governor.

I loved this a real eye opener to prison life there is nothing that Vanessa hasn't seen.

Absolutely brilliant and highly recommended

An absolutely sensational depiction of a day to day life at a notorious prison and the challenges associated with the challenges of running it.

This book was unlike anything I have read before, it was incredibly gritty, and utterly fascinating.
I've read a few books that feature prison in them which is why this appealed to me, but this is the first time I've ever read in so much detail about the inner workings of a prison.
Being a prison officer/governor feels as though you are working in a completely different world and it was so intriguing to see the various differences between the male and female sides to the prison and how the officers work on both sides, with the nature of the roles.
Would definitely recommend.

I found this book so interesting I literally could not put it down, what an amazing job Vanessa did it's just truly amazing.

This has to be the best book I have read in this genre. I love the inside knowledge and the factual side of someone who does a job that I find interesting. But they are usually filled with the life of the author more than the actual day to day. Vanessa's book is sparse on her personal details and background, I get the impression of her through the book she is a private person. The book is a fascinating insight into working in a men and women prison. While she comes across some high profile killers she doesn't pad the book out with stories we have already heard about these people but a fleeting explanation of her thoughts and feelings about them. She obviously worked hard to gain the trust of her fellow prison officers and indeed the prisoners themselves. Through the book she talks about the changes she has brought to the prison service of which she is rightly proud. I loved the vulnerable side she shows in the book even though you know that is not the persona she shows others in "real" life. I wish her every happiness in her retirement

Fascinating to read an inside view of prisons from this perspective, written in a clear and engaging style. Definitely recommended.

An in depth look into what goes on in our prisons. So interesting and I loved reading how Vanessa went above and beyond to ensure the prisons she worked in were the best they could be. Brilliant.

Author, Vanessa Frake, was a prison officer at two of the UK’s most notorious prisons in her career spanning some 27 years, eventually attaining the rank of Governor.

In this, her true story, she shares some of her experiences, what it’s like being responsible for some of the country’s most notorious prisoners, taking us beyond the cell doors, and into the minds of those who commit crimes, some of them heinous crimes, and some are high profile, household names, including serial killer Rose West, infamous for her part in the torture and murders of numerous young women, in partnership with her husband Fred. The horrific murders were carried out in their own home, which eventually became known as the ‘House of Horrors’.

Frake’s telling of an incident involving a prison visitor left me stunned - I’m aware that drug mules conceal drugs inside their bodies, but what they find up one woman’s bottom beggars belief!

Frake has a way of relating her experiences in a no nonsense, down to earth manner, calls a spade a spade, nobody’s fool, but beneath that tough exterior, lies a thoughtful person, an animal lover ( bonus points for that)! However, the stress and violence she experienced over the years, were building up unseen, until it all reached a crescendo, leaving her poleaxed. A really interesting and enjoyable read.