This is a gangland crime thriller. I have read another books in this genre and this one fell a bit flat.
It was not as engaging as I had hoped. Also, some things were just so convenient.
Saying that, it is a debut novel and it has promise. I will read the next book that this author brings out.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

I love reading books written about the crime families in Britain, especially if they are like Phil Mitchell! This book features a poor girl, that turns into a crime queen. Thrilling read from beginning to end.

“Villains aren’t born, They’re made.”

Ruby and Bobby grew up with nothing. Just a regular family scraping by, living an honest life while crime ruled the East End. Until all that honesty and all that hard work left them with nothing.

Poor, hungry, orphaned and with a newborn baby brother to look after, young Ruby decides to pull them from the ashes. It starts as one job, one step outside the law. Yet that one step sets her on a path - straight to the top.

But in the East End you don't build an empire without making a few enemies . . .

What a debut novel! You can really tell the author has actually written what she lived!

The minute I started reading the prologue, I was hooked to this book.

This book covers the journey of an exceptional woman Ruby. Brought up with the phrase, “A straight pound is worth three crooked pounds”, she has been honest and straight until tragedy strikes her family, leaving them struggling.

In order to survive and take care of her siblings, she decides to take a step towards the wrong side of the law. Her decisions, choices and actions are definitely wrong, but you can’t help but cheer and root for her.

The writing is excellent and there are enough twists throughout the plot right till the end. It’s exciting and fast paced, so it’s perfect even if you are not a regular reader of this genre.

Having loved this, I hope that there is another book featuring Ruby, because I’m really looking forward to what she does next!

Thank You NetGalley and Welbeck Publishing UK for this ARC!

Brother and sister Ruby and Bobby live in a house with their parents Cathy and Louie who are straight as a dye. They don't tolerate crime and believe in working hard for a living whilst all around them are villains and thieves.

After an accident, Ruby is left to raise their baby brother and times become even harder which results in them having no choice but to turn to crime. Bobby has a talent and comes to the attention of the local crime boss.
Life becomes a lot easier with Ruby becoming a very powerful strong woman.
What a cracking book, I couldn't put down. A real crime page-turner full of action and drama.
I really recommend it and it is worth 5 stars.

Thank you so much NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this great book. xx

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A fantastic well-written gritty crime novel with a forward from Martina Cole. A powerful, straight from the heart story. A fantastic read.

This is a fantastic read, if you like the gangster genre then this is the book for you. I was gripped from page one you watch Ruby and her brother Bobby grow up and change to deal with the things that life throws at them. They have a hard life but nothing can break their bond that family gives them. I really hope that Linda is busy writing a sequel as this definitely leaves you wanting more. A well deserved five stars from me.

A superb read.
I previously read The Black Widow by this author and really did enjoy it, so I couldn't wait to get started on this one.
Ruby and Bobby were brought up on the right side of the law. Their parents didn't want anything to do with anyone or anything criminal.
When Ruby decides that her brother Bobby just needs to do one job to help them get their lives on track, it's going to be more than that one job. Soon into the world of crime Ruby and Bobby have a new life ahead of them.
Looking after their young brother George has brought them to realise that the only way they will survive is through crime.
What lies ahead will change their lives for good.

What a fantastic read this turned out to be, the rise of Ruby and Bobby was something i was backing, I really felt for these characters and the cards they had been dealt in life.
The author has managed to put this story together in such a way I didn't feel they were doing wrong.
Superb writing and a story that was gripping, thrilling and exiting.
Look forward to seeing what more this author has to to offer.

Poor, destitute and hungry, young Ruby decides to pull them from the ashes. Itstarts as one job, one steep outside the law. Yet that one step sets her on a path - straight to the top. But in the East End you don't build an empire without making a few enemies.

Ruby and Bobby had been told from an early age to steer clear of crime. But when they are left looking after baby George, crime is the only thing Ruby can do for them to survive. Before she knows it, Ruby has risen to Crime Boss. Ruby meets her saviour in Charlie, but when she meets the love of her life, she becomesa powerful woman and a force to be reckoned with. With a faast pace, the is a new gang;and crime book. Ruby is a strong character who will stop a nothing to protect her own. Bobby has become a talented locksmith and together they can get the jobs done.

I would like to thank #NetGalley, #WelbeckPublishingUK and the author #LIndaCalvey for my ARC #TheLocksmih in exchange for an honest review.

Ruby and Bobby had it drummed into them from an early age to be straight.

When things take a heartbreaking turn and left looking after baby George the only way to survive is to go rogue.

I was totally absorbed into Ruby's world and a great debut from Linda.

Linda knows gangland first hand and written fantastically.

I am looking foward to reading more from this Author.

What a great book thoroughly enjoyed throughout read it super quick didnt want to put it down....would definitely recommend this book to others

I love to read of Women who buck the trend and rise well above or on a level with male gangster bosses.Growing up with nothing Ruby and her brother Bobby at least have love and care from their parents but when they are left alone with their baby brother Ruby knows things have to change for them to survive.As Ruby takes charge and goes against everything their parents taught them they begin to become known and then the local Mr big comes calling to offer Bobby a job using his talent as a locksmith.As the years pass their lives change for the better with Ruby making the deals and Bobby doing the jobs.I have cheered for Ruby through this book with the twists and turns this book gives us and i can't wait to read Linda Calvey's next book as she is a BRILLIANT writer 5*

this book is so so good this author has a talent for such a good story .Ruby and her family have lots of love but know hardship her parent work so hard her and her brother Bobby are taught never to steal there neighbours are all living life of crime then something happens and Ruby has to be a mum to her second brother ,then Ruby and Bobby have to turn to crime then she meets her Saviour Charlie he treats them like the children he not had . and then Ruby meets the love of her life and she has become a very powerful women who wont stop at anything to protect her own if you like crime a fast paced and gritty story this for you this new author will go so far just so good there is sad parts and funny parts