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Ratings: ★★★★☆(4.2/5)
Genre: Crime Thriller, Family Saga

Book Review:
Martina Cole's ''The Take'' is a gritty and powerful saga of crime, family, and loyalty set in London's underworld. Freddie Jackson is released from prison after serving a nine-year sentence. He's done his time, made the right connections, and is ready to reclaim his place in the criminal hierarchy. But his homecoming is complicated by his wife Jackie, who has forgotten the violence and infidelity that marked their marriage, and his growing obsession with his cousin's girlfriend.

Cole's writing is raw, uncompromising, and utterly compelling. She doesn't romanticize the criminal lifestyle; instead, she shows its corrosive effects on individuals and families. Freddie is a terrifying and complex character, and Jackie's descent into bitterness and resentment is heartbreaking. The novel spans decades, charting the rise and fall of the Jackson family. ''The Take'' is a brutal and unforgettable read that confirms Cole's status as the queen of British crime fiction.