Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

Meet Linda Calvey, aka the Black Widow.
Growing up after the war in the East End of London, Linda falls in with local gangsters including the Krays, Freddie Foreman and Ronnie Cook. When the love of her life, Mickey Calvey, is gunned down on a job gone wrong, Linda resolves to carry on his work. But in 1990, after years of living in fear of her lover Ronnie Cook, Linda finds herself accused of his murder alongside Danny Reece, in a trial that shocks the nation. Still, Linda sticks to her code of honour, refusing to confess.
Until now...
After 18 years behind bars alongside notorious names including Rose West and Myra Hindley, she is released. This is the final truth about her life and what happened the day Ronnie Cook was murdered.
I don’t often get to read autobiographical books by mobsters so this one was and exciting get! Especially since it was a female mobster and it wasn’t the same old Italian mafia from New York. It gave me a good feel of the time periods she grew up in and how all of her associates affected her life from such a young age through the end. It was well written and a good read for any true crime fans.
**I voluntarily read and reviewed this book

2.5 "sensationalistic, schlocky, manipulative" stars !!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and Mirror books for an e-copy in exchange for my honest review. This was released July 2019.

I had not heard of Linda Calvey prior to this book. This is her true crime memoir where she comes clean about her life of crime and her unjustified murder conviction.

She is extremely self-aggrandizing telling the reader about how beautiful she is (ummm ok), how intelligent (she is both cunning and conning) and intuitive (not really). She likes to name drop and tell the reader how desirable she is to powerful and bad men. Ummmm well perhaps. She externalizes the blame of her criminal acts (primarily many many armed robberies) onto others/society and she feels entitled to a life of luxury as the poor dear was raised working class. She allegedly slapped Myra Hindley in prison for being such an evil bitch (really now Linda) She constantly preaches about how much she loved her parents, siblings and children yet constantly put them in harm's way. She not only paints excessive rouge on her cheeks but also paints herself as an every-woman anti-hero.

Was she wrongfully convicted of murder ? I have no fuckin clue.
I am just glad that she is not my neighbor.

Shame on her for her life of many crimes.
Shame on me for reading this and finding it interesting (in a small way)

She apparently now leads a quiet and peaceful life taking care of her grandchildren. Yikes !

Wow. What a book sad and gripping. A true story that read more like fiction. A lot of well-known names in there too including Myra Hindley. Not for the faint-hearted. Recommended reading.

A true crime book about the woman who served the longest sentenced in Britain. Her name is Linda Calvey. She has been married four times and all four husbands are dead hence the name black widow. She also has been associated with criminals from Britain. The Kray’s, Freddie Foreman, Ronnie Cook, and the East Enders. It has been said that she did not write this book until both Kray brothers had passed away. I had heard and read about them and I could understand why. Overall a good book.

This is the true story of Linda Calvey. A notorious East End character. What a gripping read! I’m sure all true crime fans will devour this one.

Linda’s biography - good girl, bad girl, good girl. Gritty and honest and a real eye opener, a view into the darker side of life with villains and gangsters, robberies and guns. She certainly lifts the lid of the more unsavoury underbelly of life! It was fascinating, disturbing and sad. I was riveted to this and couldn’t put it down. Well worth reading if you are interested in crime, the notorious characters from the 60’s and what it’s like to live through that era.

Incredibly riveting story of a woman gangster. Absolutely captivating story which was so very shocking. I was aghast at this woman. Couldn't put the book down.

I have to say when I first saw this book I was eager to read it. The cover caught my attention right away and once I'd read the description I knew it was something I needed to read.
I certainly wasn't wrong this was a brilliant read.
Traveling back in time and living life with Linda, this book gave a great insight into how things were done back in the day. How it was living the East End Life.
This book is honest and open and covers so many different things that you just didn't realise were going on unless you were part of the life.
A thrilling read that isn't to be missed.
​Grab yourself a copy and get lost in another world.

Loved it
What a life and exploits you’ve had
A real page turner , so interesting and so many twists and turns and back stabbing involved
Makes my busy life appear mundane
Highly recommended

This book is absolutely brilliant I couldn't put it down it's a must read book . Some off the book is a real eye opener .

This is indeed the story of Linda Calvey aka the 'Black Widow. It is a delightful read
I would recommend this book.
Thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review

I'm not one for biographies but omg...this book was a ride. The details were so descriptive it makes you wonder how anyone could do what they do. A great read.

Thank you Netgalley, the author and publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Great story about the Eastend. Linda lived through it all and has survived to tell this fascinating story. If you like crime, The Krays, and gangsters this is the book for you.
It gave a great insight into the goings-on among the people of the Eastend.
Linda is convicted of killing her lover and sentenced to prison. Again the story opens up with her life in prison where she meets Rose West and Myra Hindley.
The details are open with nothing held back. Knowing it was a true story made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up with some of the descriptions. This is a fascinating and very interesting book and thoroughly enjoyable.
Thank you, NetGalley for the opportunity x

i so enjoyed this book Linda had a very thrilling life and you can not judge her .mickey was the love of her life and he wanted the best for his family .but someone else wanted linda . and mickey was murdered and it was covered up and she tried to get justice but in the end police used it against her . she meet some famous people along the way this is the best book read in a while i so enjoyed you will laugh cry very good

Black Widow drew me in from page one.So well written so chilling I could not put this book down.Highly recommend this book and we be grabbing up other books by this author. #netgalley #mirrorbooks

Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great read! 5***** was hooked

Brilliant book. Not like I expected it to be.
I love books like that. I read it in one night.
I could feel her pain when the love of her life was shot.
Brilliant hope there's more to come xx

Really couldn't put this book down. It just got better and better . Definitely worth reading. Be prepared to get hooked. Highly recommended!

Omg I just couldn't get enough of this book from the moment I started reading until I finished it had me gripped at times my mouth was open in shock and amazement, this true crime Book goes into so much detail hardly anything is left out.. in some parts it gave me chills I would highly recommend this book to anyone who's interested in crime books because this one is sure to be a number one best seller..

I think I will read it again soon as I didn't want the book to end..

I loved it