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The Business

By: Martina Cole
Narrated by: Annie Aldington
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Summary

Set in the East End of London from the tail end of the seventies up until the present day, The Business is a tale of drugs, prostitution, and a young girl's fight for survival - against all the odds.

Imelda Dooley is scared. She's played hard and fast and now she's been caught. She's pregnant and now she's on her own. Her father, not a man to mess with, will see that somebody pays for this. And it's not going to be her. So Imelda Dooley tells a lie. A lie that literally causes murders.

When Mary Dooley's husband is killed in the night's events, she knows she must graft to keep the family afloat. And graft she does, becoming a name in her own right. But she still has to watch her daughter's life spiral into a vicious, hate-fuelled cycle of drugs and prostitution.

Caught up in the carnage that is Imelda's existence are Mary's adored grandchildren, Jordanna and Kenny. Pretty little Jordanna isn't yet three and she already knows far too much. All she can do is look after her baby brother and try not to draw attention to herself.

©2008 Martina Cole (P)2012 Headline Digital
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What listeners say about The Business

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Fantastic

This book gave me goosebumps, such a powerful book that people can relate too. Narrated was excellent as always.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Too much repetition

Have to agree with some of the reviews, so many points are repeated or laboured beyond tedium, just to fill out the required word count. Lots of lectures on child abuse, drug addicted parents and Catholicism. Unfortunately not one of Martina Cole’s best.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

Shame about the repetition.

A great story spoiled by the constant repetition. Too drawn out in places but still a good listen if you stick with it.

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Powerful and emotional story that's hard to put do

Great story with Martina Coles usual flare for the darker side of London life. This story is told so well that you feel like you are transported into the story and are with the life of the family in the story as they suffer there ups and downs you. As the story progresses you can feel the tension building up and it is hard to stop listening as you become desperate to know what the ending will be. A great story not for the faint hearted but if you're brave enough to listen then you will be rewarded.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

the business

another gripping tale of harsh, gangland life of london by Martina Cole. Thoroughly enjoyed this book especially while out on one of my long walks. As ever harsh, hard hitting and exceptionally emotive. My only criticism being the narrator who at times I felt was very wishy washy and used limited expression.

Well worth a listen

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Perfection

Exceptional story & expertly read. Enjoyed every minute of this Audible book. Martina Cole is a fabulous storyteller & Annie Aldi from really brings it all to life.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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The Business

Very good, well worth a listen zzzx cccc vvvv bbbb mmm lll kkkk jjj hhjh ggg uuu great

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    4 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars

good but not the best

took me a bit to get into it as it dident seem to have the good start in power other books had but very gritty and was ok once I got half way through..not my best Cole book

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars

decent listen

some parts of the characters inner dialog go on a bit but good story

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    3 out of 5 stars

To long, should have been shorter.

This book was fairly repetitive and could have done with editing. There was a lot of repetition and the story would have been more enjoyable if this was cut.

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