This author has some amazing abilities and one is writing the most down to earth characters that are likeable as well as able to assist in the story.

The Broken – Casey Kelleher

As always Casey Kelleher grabs you from the first page till the last with a few oooo’s and gasps. I’ll say it again but if you like Martina Cole, Kimberley Chambers and all the other that write this genre you will love Casey’s novels. Written in the London family gangster style there are love, loyalty and most of all revenge. I advise you sit comfortably buckle up and get ready for a roller coaster of a ride to the finish

To get the best out of this book I suggest that you read the first novel The Betrayal more specifically to allow you to understand what the rules are in their lifestyle. I’m certain that there will be another as this series still has plenty of scope for ‘improvement’. (Since writing this Forgotten has been released and read by me)

Nancy Byrne buries her father and the poop hits the fan in no uncertain way. A young woman taught by the master suddenly has to take the reins of the Byrne family business and the first order of business is revenge. She has big boots to fill and she knows that that she has a lot to prove. Leaving no stone unturned, no lag ignored in the hunt for her fathers killer. All the while she has to deal with the day to day running of the business, the more unsavoury side of life becomes more apparent to her, drugs, rape, prostitution not to mention sibling jealousy.

I must apologise for the late posting of my review.


Read for an honest review. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture

This was a gift from Netgalley. Really enjoyed this book. Could have been a bit grittier for me but a really good book and a solid read.

First I need to get the #fangirling out of the way – I absolutely ❤LOVE❤ Casey Kelleher and in true #fangirl style, I have followed the author right from the start! Her edgy, gritty and gangland-style reads, ALWAYS have me clearing my day to make sure I read the book from first page to last …and The Broken was no exception!

Set in London, the reader is faced with revenge, loss, anger, organised crime/violence, secrets, guilt, betrayal of the worse kind, mistrust, disloyalty, shame, relationships, greed, manipulation, control and the search for answers …whether the answers were wanted or not!

Well OMFG! What an 💥 explosive 💥 start! I knew that once I started this book, there was nothing that would stop me! The pace was perfect, a fabulous character driven read and a bloody riveting plot – what more could you friggin ask for, right!? The first in this series, The Betrayed – was a cracking read…but Casey Kelleher cranked it up for this one. #AllTheFrigginBooms! 👊🏻 Once again, the underbelly of the London gangland is brought to life with Kelleher’s descriptions, narrative and characterisations and the OMG-moments bloody FLOORED me! Un-friggin-believeable! I want to say more, but can’t in case I give away spoilers but I am thrilled to see that Casey Kelleher is still bashing out these badboys and they get better and better each time!

I do love my characters and this is another area that Casey excels in. I won’t go through them all but I will mention a few that just had me! Nancy Byrne- strong, fiesty, stubborn, as bold as brass – she makes the decision to take over her father’s “businesses” and we soon learn she is NOT a woman to be messed with. This young lady can certainly hold her own when she comes face-to-face with some of the worst in the business!

Her brother, Daniel – HUGE chip on this guys shoulder…mahoosive!! As much as I tried, I just could not find one quality I liked about this guy- but I’m pretty sure that was the plan! Despite his ‘secrets’, most people saw right through his facade and know that he is a liability that needs to be watched…

DI Jack Taylor – I really liked this character..well…most of the time! 😉 Although he works for the Met, he is not averse to a bit of extra curricular activity – and his relationship with Nancy was conflicting but I loved how it all played out – what secrets does he know and what consequences will he face? 🤔🙊

The last character I’m going to mention is Alfie Harris. Now I know I shouldn’t have liked him…he is definitely not a likeable guy..but I did! #MyBad! Fiercely protective, he has other plans which get turned head over heels and then it’s no holds barred for Mr Harris! Bloody brilliant character!

Would I recommend this book? Hmmm 🤔 let me think about that… You bet your sweet ‘ol arse I would! Edgy, gritty, dark and gripping – this book had me racing through the pages at full, bloody speed! I personally think it can easily be read as a stand alone, however to appreciate the true form of this compelling series, I would say read The Betrayed first. What can I say, Casey Kelleher you SMASHED IT again and I can’t wait to see what is next in store for the Brynes!

Nancy Byrne is just 20 years old when her father Jimmy Byrne is murdered. He was a leading light in the London criminal underworld and now Nancy steps up to the plate to continue the family business involving drugs and sex.

The Broken is a gritty tale of criminal life with a large portion of violence woven into the story. This story is told from many points of view but each character has a dodgy moral code.

I did not like any of the characters in this book. They all had a dodgy side to them, were happy to be involved with illegal activity and also to take the law into their own hands.

I did not like how very early on in this novel you were told who murdered Jimmy Byrne. So the story revolved about how Nancy dealt with the family business after her father’s death.

The violence was extreme and the treatment of Reece was very graphic indeed. I can very easily imagine the pain he went through and the poor quality of life the assault put him into.

I did not think the plot was great but more of a “bad day at the office” scenario. I found the whole story quite miserable and there seemed no hope for any of the characters as they continued to be nasty to each other.

I was really looking forward to reading The Broken because I have read Casey’s earlier novel The Promise, which I thought was brilliant and got the top score of 5 stars from me. However I was disappointed with The Broken and did not think it was a thrilling or thought provoking read. I took nothing away from this novel and had it been a television series, I would have given up within the first episode, like I have with The Split, starring Nicola Walker. I thought The Broken was a POOR 2 star read and if Casey continues with Nancy Byrne into another novel, count me out.

There was a very small bit of gay sex which was okay but Casey really fails with her tiny bit of hetrosexual sex. It was so short and brief that it will not even raise your pulse, never mind those muscles further down. I can’t see why Casey bothered to write the scene as it was such a throwaway paragraph…

It all happened so quickly, so passionately. Seconds later, they were merely two bodies writhing as one. Entwined together. Jack could feel Nancy’s nails digging into his back, tearing down his skin as she moved beneath him. An arch of her back, and then a long, trembling shudder. Jack came then too, before collapsing on top of her.

Wasn't expecting to enjoy this book so much - read it in less than a day. Nancy Byrne's father has just been buried. Jimmy Byrne was a big name in the underworld but he was gunned down and so Far no-one has been charged. Now Nancy has discovered who did it and it was someone much closer to the family than she could ever have believed. Drugs, murder and police corruption all play a part in this fast paced story. Loved it.

Jimmy Byrne was one of the most feared gangsters in London. But now hes dead and his daughter Nancy not only knows who killed him but wants revenge.
Nancy is now the head of the family but her family all have secrets of their own and with are ready to explode those secrets at anytime, Nancy feels everything is beginning to fall apart around her. She has been warned off by a mystery attacker.
In a world of drugs, sex clubs and violent gangs this 20 year old girl may have taken on where her father left off but she will not suffer the same fate as her father.
But is she strong enough to belong in this violent world?
And will she be able to avenge her fathers killer.

My thoughts,
I wasn't too sure how I was going to feel about Nancy's story. But then you get to a chapter that totally becomes a game changer.
I was totalled enthralled after that and loved the twists that appeared from nowhere.

Alfie Harris is the owner of the nightclub. He's also a face in London's criminal world. Although he's ready to put all that behind him. He's someone that you wouldn't want to mess with.
He was my favourite character, so when his daughter becomes involved with some shady characters you know its not going to end well.
Casey Kelleher never disappoints and once again she's produced another great gritty crime book.

Loved this book but also love this author. Had me on the edge of my seat throughout the whole book

Fans on Martina Cole et al will love this. London gangs. Nancy must take the reins after the death of her father, but who can help. and who will hinder. Strong woman. in a mans world.

I hadn't realised this was a sequel when I requested on NetGalley and read as this book as a standalone - it worked really well although I may have had a better connection with the characters had I read The Betrayed first.

It's a fast paced and gritty gangland novel following Nancy taking over the 'family business' (prostitution, drugs etc) of her murdered father. Determined to avenge her father's death and prove herself fit to fill his boots she faces plenty of challenges. including the dealing with complex family dynamics, drink spiking, rape and holding her own with the big players of the London crime scene.

A definite page turner and one that fans of Martina Cole will really enjoy 3.5- 4 stars

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC

Wow, what a thrilling read!!!
I suggest that you first read The Betrayed, as this story line picks up just after the ending of The Betrayed. Nancy has to take control of the family business, while planning revenge on the killer of her father. The way the killer got their just desserts was just wickedly awful, but well deserved I think! Set against the background of sex, drugs and violence, you couldn't help but feel sorry for Nancy, as she had to deal with all this by herself. Highly recommended!

This is a really good read. There is a lot of action packed into the plot. Nancy Byrnes' father has been murdered and she is determined that she will get revenge. There are a lot of twists in the plot. Can you trust anybody? There are a lot of surprises and everyone is definitely not who they first appear to be. Casey Kelleher really knows how to write this type of book.

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

This is the second in the series following the exploits of the Byrne family. Nancy was the apple of her father's eye and has been groomed by him to take over the family business. She is out for revenge after the murder of her father.

This is a violent gritty tale of gangland life. I just had trouble believing a 20 year old could gain the respect of hardened criminals. Having said that I would read the next part to see where the story heads next.

The Broken is a continuation of The Betrayed but can be read as a standalone.

Set in London's criminal underworld, the Byrne story continues, Gritty, fast paced, violent and brutal

Casey Kelleher never lets me down.

Highly recommend 5*****

Absolutely fantastic book. I have loved all of Casey kelleher’s books and I can honestly say I think this is her best one so far. It had me hooked from the first page and I read it in two sittings. It’s very gritty and not for the faint hearted but I would definitely recommend it

This is the second book in the series about the Byrne family. I think it would be better reading the first book, The Betrayed, because there are quite a few characters to get to know. Whilst I did enjoy this book. I felt that with timeline of this one only being for a few weeks after the first that this one could have been added to the it. This is a good old fashioned gangs, drugs and murder story, with plenty of action. I look forward to the next.

5☆ Another Fantastic Gritty Read By Casey Kelleher! A Must Read

The Broken is a gritty, addictive read about Revenge, Family Drama, Criminal Underworld, Secrets, Lies, Deception.
I love Casey's Books so when I see this one I just had to read it and it didn't disappoint!

Nancy's Father the Infamous Jimmy Byrne was brutally murdered. Jimmy was no Angel, he was the king pin of the London underworld. Dealing in drugs, and prostitution he was a force to be reckoned with. Alongside his partner Alex Costa.

On the day of the funeral Nancy takes off to be on her own. However someone is following her. As she tries to escape this person pays her a message!... Back off stop looking for information!
Then he beats her to make sure she's gets it loud and clear!

You see Nancy knows exactly who killed her father and we find out fairly early.  Which I kind of liked.

I adored Nancy's character. She was kick Ass, a force to be reckoned with, hard as nails but had a softer side at times.
I loved that she stepped up to the challange to run the family business. She was fearless and people were scared of her yet respected her!
But with sibling rivalery she has more than enemies to worry about.

There was alot of characters and there stories weaved together perfectly. It takes a lil while to get to grips with who everyone is, but you soon get to know them as their paths cross over.

I love reading about the criminal underworld, it's always Gripping, oozes danger, sadistic characters and seedy underworld. The Broken is no exception to this. It oozes pure danger.

If you enjoy Criminal Underworld books with a thriller twist then you will love The Broken.
Who needs enemy's when you have a twisted family.

Who really killed Jimmy Byrne?? You will just have to read The Broken to find out!

After Jimmy Byrne one of the must ruthless and feared gangsters in London is gunned down his daughter Nancy vows to avenge the death of the father she idolised. The fact that she is only 20 years old doesn't deter her at all from becoming the new leader of the Byrne gang but her father's killer is after her.

Absolutely loved The Broken it was full of suspense and twists that kept me hooked the whole way through. As a huge fan of Casey Kelleher this is her at her very best!!!

If you like Martina Cole you will love Casey Kelleher!!!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review The Broken by Casey Kelleher in return for an honest review.

Casey Kelleher is a new author for me and this book has already turned her into one of my top ten authors to read.
Nancy Byrne is the 20 year old daughter of the recently murdered Michael Byrne and revenge is top of her agenda. Gangland dealings is the family business and Nancy was groomed by her father to succeed him and that is exactly what she means to do.
This thriller has everything family deceit and grudges, shocking,gritty, gruesome, exciting, drugs gone bad, rogue cop. Move over Martina Cole you have serious competition - an easy 5 stars

This was an amazing book The Broken By Casey Kelleher. If you want a gritty, fast pace and addictive book set in the criminal world in London, full of Lies, family deception which will have you hooked from the first page. This book gets better and better and I didn't want to to end. So, put the kettle on, find a comfy chair and open this book.

Nancy Byrne was the apple of her dad Jimmy's eye. But, he was murdered. Jimmy was the most feared gangster in London but gunned down in cold blood, Nancy will stop at nothing to find her dad's killer/s. Nancy may be 20 but she is ruthless and now the head of the Byrne emperor, running a lucrative world of sex, nightclubs, drugs and violence she has to be strong especially to keep her family together as her grandma is falling apart due to the death of her only son Jimmy. Daniel, Nancy's brother is fallen off the rails and has some dark hidden secrets that Nancy will find out pretty soon. Nancy has to grow up fast and deal with what is coming events.
Nothing will stop Nancy. She needs to find out who killed her dad. But are they closer to home than she thinks?

A gritty, gripping read full of shocking thrills, the characters were believable and suspense that will have you wanting more of this book..

Thanks to Bookouture via NetGalley for a copy of this book to read in exchange for my honest opinions.

Big 5 stars *****