Martina Cole

[Thurlow]

Oh my god.

I wasn't expecting Pulitzer Prize winning writing. I thought it would be some decent, pacy trash to keep me going on my commute. I mean, she sells so many books. I can happily read trash. I'm not picky.

They are awful. And I mean awful. Every character is the same, no one has a distinct personality, the plot is predictable, the murders are somehow gratiutious (and this from someone who loves Mo Hayder) but worst of all, she actually can't write. I mean, she uses exclamation marks, and not in dialogue, ffs.

AIBU? Am I missing something? Honestly, I think this book (The Ladykiller) is the biggest pile of shite I've read in ages. I've read better written free Mills & Boon...

I read a few of them , but after reading one you might as well have read them all , they are all the same! bit like jodi piccoult, I started off loving hers , but after reading 3 books, I started to see what the twist was far too early, another formula writer!
there must be tons of authors out there with original stories just waiting to snapped up , its lazy publishing imo.

Glad I'm not alone. There must be something decent to read, though?

She's just one of these immensely popular, but pretty shite writers who has found a formula that works (in this Cockerney crime, innit) and stuck to it.

I found the same with Danielle Lewis when I was (much) younger and Virginia Andrews, who actually died bloody years ago but someone just keeps churning out the same old bollocks in her name.

It's just light stuff for the masses. I'm not a big classic or modern literature lover (I find Austen a real struggle and honestly can't get on with Ian McEwan et al because the writing is so complicated) and tend to stick to fantasy and the occasional 'one-off' (like 'The Night Circus'), but there's a market out there for really awful authors these days.

I mean, really, who reads Jeffrey Archer? Who is actually buying his books? Jackie Collins? I loved her when I was late teens/early 20s, but I'm 40 now and the same old stuff keeps being regurgitated. Twilight and 50 Shades? And don't even get me started on Cecilia Ahern - I managed about 30 pages of 'PS I Love You' before I wanted to hurl the book across the room. Talk about getting a publishing deal based on who you know!

I don't read heavy stuff, but I have a cut off point...

I liked Coles first few books but completely agree that she has now become predictable, boring and her recent stuff is rehashed from previous books.

there are some great writers out there, I love sophie kinsella and her madeleine wickham books, really east reading and funny, I've just done game of thrones, George r martin is so slow though that I dont know when the next installment will be ready and patrick rothfuss? my friend started me on it before I realised it was a work in progress now hooked into a trilogy thats not finished, so frustrating!

Lifeinthefastlane

George R R Martin fan here too and I know exactly what you mean about him taking ages over each book. I wouldn't mind if he wasn't off writing other stuff in between! And I've bought the first Patrick Rothfuss book too, before realising it was the first in a series - I wish they'd make it clear when the book is part of a trilogy.

If you're into fantasy and want some trilogies and series that are done and dusted, can I suggest 'The Wheel of Time' series by Robert Jordan and anything by Robin Hobb?

Wheel of Time is 14 books long and they're hefty volumes and complicated storylines, but so well worth sticking with. The first book is 'The Eye of the World'. As brilliant as Game of Thrones (perhaps even better?) in my humble opinion.

Robin Hobb. Start with The Farseer Trilogy (book 1: Assassin's Apprentice), then The Tawny Man Trilogy (sequel trilogy), The Liveship Traders trilogy (my favourite of her books) and The Rainwild Chronicles Quadilogy (last book due in paperback in March). She is an absolutely brilliant writer and completely hooks you in. Highly recommend.

Heartbrokenmum73

thanks for the info I am always after new authors to read, I didnt realise I was into fantasy until GOT, I have read the hobbit and LOTR but found them very hard work, but Patrick rothfuss, and George R R Martin are brilliant storytellers and so easy to read, although complicated the stories are so gripping that I have no problems keeping it all together IYKWIM.
I will get those others downloaded asap and give them a go.
I also quite like historical novels, and found the phillipa gregory books quite good, and also Hilary mantel.

Blimey, if you can read Hilary Mantel, I think you can read anything!

I'd start with the Robin Hobb, rather than the Robert Jordan, though, as with Robert Jordan you basically have to give up your life and commit to his books. My kids haven't eaten or been washed for weeks [grin

whats up with ole hilary? I was proper engrossed with the tudors
I gave up my life for GOT for a few weeks,I was completley obsessed DID NOT see the red wedding coming AT ALL
just got farseer trilogy downloading as we speak, will try RJ after that, 14 books is a lot for one series though

Re Martina Cole: I bought 'goodnight lady' from a church jumble sale for 10p because one of my colleagues - otherwise intelligent and sensible - told me that Cole's books were so engrossing that she even read them walking along the road from the station to the office.

I was robbed. It was crap!

I'm reading city of women by David Gillham at the moment. I'm utterley gripped! Also dipping in to Shane Mc Gowans Autobiography (he of the Pogues Fame), funny and Profound at the same time.
I always like to have a couple of books on the go.

oh good lord - you know I really really warm to her as a person - she's seems very nice, smart and funny but by god those books are so formulaic

it's just the same basic story over and over and yy to the 'belly full of arms and legs' thing

I read 3 of hers before I realised they where all the same book - sorry Martina - I think you seem lovely though

That's the point, isn't it, so many people rave about them! I'm just not getting it. She actually makes me itch to get out an editors pen

They are all the same book. You can't tell if you have read them or not. There is always a down-trodden mother in a sparkling kitchen churning out irish stew and there is always a hero called Pat.

She uses the same adjective repeatedly within a few sentences.

"Sobs" annoys me as well.

Oh, and her rough and ready characters never use contractions in speech. It's so stilted and unnatural.