The Mansfield is an estate in London’s East End that’s home to Jem who’s escaped from her violent ex-boyfriend Aiden Hague on his release from prison. She forms a friendship with private investigator Harry Lind who wants to help Jem but is busy investigating the disappearance fifty-one years ago of schoolgirl Christine Mortlake. Then there’s ten-year-old Kayleigh and her younger brother Kit who asks Harry to help find their dad. Lastly, there’s Phillip Grosvenor, a weird middle-aged crime writer who speaks to his alter ego Joe Chapel. ‘Traitor’ is an amazing thriller that effortlessly combines several threads into a story based at The Mansfield where crime is part of everyday life. From page one I’ve been gripped by the perfectly described characters brought to life by the wonderful Roberta Kray who knows how to write a story that you can’t help but get immersed in. I’ve loved Harry Lind and the way he’s helping to search for the father of Kayleigh who’s still a child but in the absence of her mother has had to grow up quickly. The unique writing style has made this an easy-to-read novel that’s a pleasure to pick up but incredibly difficult to put down again, and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed every single page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Book Group UK for this ARC. Jem Byrne has moved to the Mansfield Estate in the fictitious East London borough of Kellston where all of Roberta Kray's novels take place, in order to hide from her violent ex Aidan Hague who has just finished a ten year stretch at his Majesty's pleasure. She is convinced he is going to find and kill her to finish what he started. She asks PI Harry Lind to find out where he is because she feels observed - as if someone is stalking her. Does she need to run again? Ten year old Kayleigh and her mute younger brother Kit live alone with their mother Nola Dunn on the Mansfield Estate since their father disappeared three years ago. They want PI Harry Lind to find him because their mother has become a neglectful prostitute and alcoholic. Was Ray Dunn involved with local gangland boss Danny Street and had to hide or is he just one of those feckless Dads shirking their responsibility? Celia Montlake lost her daughter Christine 51 years ago. No one knows what happened to her, there were suspects but nothing ever came of it. She hires PI Harry Lind to dig into the cold case again. Was it really the Freer family that everyone suspected and just could not prove and who were hounded out of Kellston by Christine's father Arthur Montlake? Or is someone very different the culprit? And how is religious nutter Moses connected to it all? Then there is Phillip Grosvenor, a faded crime writer who has rented a small flat on the Estate under the name Joe Chapel. On the surface, he seems to have done this to immerse himself in the criminal culture for his next book, but is he really all he seems? When a young woman is murdered on the Estate, it is the same person that Phillip wanted to murder in his book. Is it coincidence or is something more sinister at play? Roberta Kray is such a great storyteller. You just disappear into the story as if you lived on the notorious Mansfield Estate in Kellston yourself, with the prostitutes, the drug dealers, the graffiti and the casual racism and also classism of yesteryear, plus the general atmosphere of decay and neglect. There are a lot of characters but you never feel overwhelmed because they get introduced one by one. The characterisations are spot on, especially of the less savoury characters and those who think they are respectable when they are anything but. Harry is such a great character, juggling three cases at once and trying to do them all justice, even though he only gets reimbursed for one. I also loved Jem and Kayleigh, just trying to survive in tough situations not of their own making. The writing style is tense, with the different storylines seamlessly intertwined and plenty of twists and turns. I couldn't put the book down. What a treat. This will keep you up until late at night but in a good way. Roberta Kray really is the queen of crime writing!

Roberta Kray delivers another captivating story with this gangland novel. True to her usual high standards, the book presents an intriguing mystery featuring a mix of compelling characters, some of whom may send shivers down your spine. The main characters are Jem and private investigator Harry Lind. The story is set around the Mansfield estate, a rough area filled with weapons, drugs, and shady dealings. It's a gripping tale that explores themes of violence and gangland crime.

This is a story with interwoven storylines, two main ones, and a couple of small ones. It started out fairly well but I must admit it dragged on a bit for my liking,the authors other books always managed to grip me as the whole gangland/crime aspect is one I enjoy but this one was just lacking for me,Ive preferred her other books more Thanks to Netgalley and Little Brown Books Group Uk for the ARC.