I do love a new series and The Silvas are the latest family to be created by this author. She does gangland crime so well and The Street is a great introduction to this new family.

The Silvas have decided that living in barracks under witness protection is not the best thing for them. They need normality, a fresh start and a chance actually to live a life. Alex is known as a grass, he used to be an assassin for the mob, but when he killed the wrong person for the right reasons his life changed. Giving up the heads of the mob has done him no favours but he did need the protection. With a court date looming, is this the right time to step out of hiding?

Alex, Maggie, Deana and Dante have just moved into a Kent pub, a suburban village and they are nervous but excited. Their lives are a long way from their old lives with plenty of money, flash cars and status, but now they have the chance to live a legal life.

The area they have moved into is friendly, but like any area, some things go on. I think what makes this book work so well is the fact that a lot of what happens is relatable to a certain extent, drugs are everywhere and even in the smallest quaintest little village, there is going to be something somewhere. Like minds recognise each other so it does not take Alex long before he finds himself with an opportunity, and it is one he is going to use to get what he needs.

Having a new family in a new series is always exciting, the Silvas have something about them that makes them interesting and even though they are on edge they are trying to live the best life they can. The author throws various obstacles in their way and it is good to see how things change throughout the story.

This starts nicely, a reasonably nice amble into the village and the daily routines of the Silva family. But as things get sorted then the pace definitely starts to build up speed. There are some interesting characters and there are some events that bring reminders back to the family of the life they last had.

This is a great way to start a series and if you have not come across this author before then this is a good place to start. This is a gangland crime, thriller story that has family, loyalty and many other aspects that make it very addictive. It is a fabulous book and one I would definitely recommend.

A new series about the Silva family. Alex Silva worked for the mafia but after things go wrong he ends up in witness protection with his wife and two teenagers. The family decide that they’ve had enough so Alex comes out of hiding in witness protection. They try and start a new life running a pub in Sevenoaks. Always wary they soon settle in after meeting all the local regulars. Alex is pleased to see his wife smiling and happy again. Unfortunately things start to happen and Alex soon realises suburbia has people with secrets too. There’s lots going on before Alex can get to court to testify about his old boss. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to the rest of the series.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book from page 1! Some of the scrapes were a little over the top but overall was a good read and kept me reading until way passed my bedtime! Good easy read.
Many thanx to NetGalley, the author and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this book

I seem to be in the minority but I’m sorry this book was not for me. It was so far fetched and I found myself amazed at the stupidity of the characters who were supposed to be in police protection. It took me a while to get into it but the ending was good

Brilliant start to a new crime gangland series by the talented Gillian Godden
Alex Silva has turned against a high profile Portuguese family after they put a price om his head he’s concentrating on keeping his wife and kids safe. Tired of running they open a pub and try to blend into a community which turns out to have as many skeletons as the Silva’s.
This gritty story will keep you gripped to the end looking forward to joining the family again soon.

Thank you for allowing me to read this book.
I absolutely love all Gillian Godden's books. They just keep your eyes glued to the pages. They can be gritty but are definitely brilliant and The Street is no exception. Definitely worth more than 5 stars.

As the new owners of the local village pub, Alex and Maggie Silva and their two children, are the picture of respectability.... but looks can be deceptive. Because the Silva family is keeping deadly secrets. Alex Silva is a man with a dark past and a bounty on his head. - one he knows will only be paid with his life. Alex hopes that hiding in plain sight, his past demons won't return with a vengeance. But as he watches and waits, he realisies that behind closed doors, the residents of this street are keeping dark secrets of their own.

I wasn't even at the bottom of the first page, but I knew I was going to enjoy this first book in a brand-new series. Alex is trying to build himself and his family a new life away from the criminal lifestyle they were used to. They have had enough of living in witness protection. Now, they are running a pub in a street where everyone has secrets. Some of the things that took place were funny. I can't wait to see where the Silva's go from here. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Published 19th July 2024

I would like to thank #NetGalley #BoldwoodBooks and the author #GillianGodden for my ARC of #TheStreet in exchange for an honest review.

Another fantastic book by Gillian Godden. The threat of gangland payback kept the pages turning. Looking forward to her next book.

Another absolutely brilliant book from Gillian Godden. Totally hooked from the first page this had me racing through it. Gillian writes gritty and powerful gangland and this one is no exception. The Silva family have been in witness protection but hitman Alex has decided enough is enough. The family move Kent to run a pub and although they still have police protection they’re not totally safe, especially with a bounty on Alex’s head.. It soon becomes clear that the local residents have their own secrets………Brilliant characters and a storyline that just keeps giving this is a must read for those who love gangland crime. Seriously can’t wait for the next one!! Thanks to Boldwood Books and Netgalley for the ARC

What a fabulous start to a new series! I love the Silva's! All of the characters seem well developed and authentic. The book was thoroughly enjoyable and I whizzed through it. Just hope I don't have to wait too long for the next instalment.

Gillian Godden is back and with a new series about ‘The Silva’s’…..now this family have been under witness protection moving from here to there but never settled or happy…Alex has had enough and with wife Maggie and their 2 teenage children decide to leave the scheme and move to Sevenoaks and open a pub….folly it may be but Alex is resolute that his time in exile hiding has to be over one way or another
We then have a high powered gangland family drama that is full of energy and shocks as the family try not to stand out,and fail and then end up in no end of sticky situations
Some brilliant characters such as Percy the neighbour make the story very readable and very good and fast moving
Gillian Godden always writes a full exciting on story and this is no different,look forward to the others in the series

Wow what a brilliant book couldn't put this book down it was so so good . What a ending can't wait for the next instalment what a great bunch of character's this book has .

This is the first book in a new series by the author, featuring the Silva family with dad Alex as a man on the run from his past. There are some likeable, interesting characters but I failed to empathise with any of them, especially Alex. It took a while to get into the book and it just never gripped me like previous reads by the author. Perhaps the next in the series will excite me a bit more. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

I liked the book, I love Gillian Godden but I will admit I found it quite hard to read throughout, I’m not sure why but it didn’t really hold my interest but I did finish it and looking forward to the next book in the series

another amazing read from this Author, the Silva family have had enough of hiding in witness protection. Alex worked for a mafia family and giving evidence against them. Alex his wife Maggie and their son and daughter are going to run a pub. in Sevenoaks. But every place and occupants have secrets it's a very gripping read and some of the antics are so funny so can't wait for book two

The Street is fantastic If you are looking for a great gangland, family drama series. Mind-bendingly dark and deep, you know it's not for the faint hearted from page one. Intricate plotting, devious twists and excellent characterisation take this tale to a whole new level.

Alex Silva and Maggie and there two children called Deana and Dante were supposed to be in the witness protection but Alex didn’t want it
He got around as best as he could
He had to go to the courts to be a witness
It was great and wonderful
I had an ARC

This book had a interesting blurb. And my god it didn't disappoint.i loved the whole book kept me hooked. I didn't see many of the plot twists coming. I can't wait for the next one

Fabulous book loved reading it. The story and the characters are go so well together the Silva's take over the local pub and become a hit with the locals and make friends, but what of their past. I cannot wait for Gillian's next book BRILLIANT.

Sometimes you just know when you pick a new book up by a certain author that what you are about to read is going to keep you hooked from the very first page and that how I feel with a Gillian Godden book and this one was no exception.The main characters are very likable but of course have their flaws which make for great reading,their daughter and son are definitely going to be a following in their dad's footsteps I'm sure because after all the mafia underworld is in their blood.
Loved the name drop of a character from a previous series of books hopefully we're hear more from them later on in this series. I can see them fitting into this storyline nicely as it continues.
The Tony Lambrianus series was my favourite by the author, but this has the potential to be just as good, if not better.
It was a really great read that had me reading into the small hour
RECOMMENDED
Thanks to Netgalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC.