Faces

FACES Martina Cole Grand Central Publishing ISBN: 978-0-446-54185-4 (...) - Paperback 688 pages Reviewer: Annie Slessman Like most people with a love of fiction, I try to read a mix and often in doing so, find a real gem. This is the case with FACES, by Martina Cole. An exciting story based upon the real life story of the Krays, notorious real-life British gangsters, this story opens with the awakening of a thirteen year old boy, Danny Cadogan, when his father, known as Big Dan Cadogan runs up a debt he cannot pay and leaves his family alone to face the wrath of his debtors. With the help of his best friend, Michael Miles, young Danny Boy earns his living anyway he can so his mother, sister and younger brother can survive. Gone is Danny's boyhood when he takes on a man's work and enters a life of crime which eventually earns him the reputation of a Face to be feared and respected. As he grows in years, Danny Boy loses his ability to show real emotion and takes his cue from friend, Michael, as to how he reacts to the emotional issues he faces. While Michael is the financial stability of the pair, Danny Boy is the muscle. He marries Michael's sister and their relationship as husband and wife is a story in itself. This work mimics other crime stories but cannot be tagged as just another crime saga. It is a well written story that takes readers on a roller coaster ride to be remembered.

Faces will not appeal to everyone. It is well written and action packed. However, the violence is disturbing. Without the fists and guns there would be no story. The reader is not supposed to like the lead character. He's crime lord. There are few redeeming qualities to Danny Codigan. He's the sort readers love to hate. The plot is excellent. Faces is a great read.

In London, several mob thugs arrive at the Cadogen home to collect the patriarch's gambling debt. Dan knew he could not pay so he fled leaving his wife and three children to face the wrath of the mobsters. Almost fourteen year old Danny "Big Dan" Cadogen shows no fear as he faces down the gangsters wanting blood money from his vanished drunken dad. One of the crooks Louie Stein, impressed by the teen's fortitude and size, mentors him in the life of a criminal. At fifteen, Big Dan kills a hooker with his fists and not long afterward kills someone who ratted on the mob. Over the years with his best childhood friend brainy Michael Miles at his side, Big Dan becomes the most frightening gangster in the city. He is the Face as even his wife Mary, sister of Michael, fears him. Now a notorious legend, Big Dan knows wannabes will try to knock him off his pedestal, but he welcomes all challengers wanting to die at his hands. Though extremely well written and engaging, FACES is not an easy to read character study due to the lead protagonist consistent use of his fists and other weapons even on the innocent. The interesting story line focuses on Danny whose life of crime is based on either killing or beating the sh*t out of the other guy or gal to retain their respect; he brings home his terrorist philosophy to his family too. Fans will enjoy this gloomy look at a despicable kingpin who the audience will hope gets his butt handed to him while wondering why he was not assassinated by a sniper with a semi. Harriet Klausner

I was lucky to get an advanced copy of this excellent novel from an author I did not know of. Based on this book, I will know her going forward. It is an excellent introduction into the world of the British mobster scene. In some ways it parallels "Wise Guy" (the book version of Goodfellas) however, Ms. Cole shows that these British thugs have very few rules of conduct. Danny Boy Codigan is a fearsome "Face" which means he is a mobster that everybody knows and must give respect to (like a "made man" in the US mob). Ms. Cole starts the book with a glimpse of how the tale might end. We get the sense that everybody is plotting Danny Boy's death but afraid of the consequences should the plot fail. The book then flashes back to the beginning with a gripping story of how Danny got to be so powerful yet so hated. Danny was not even a teenager when two loan sharks appear at his door demanding payment for his father's (Big Danny) gambling debt. Big Danny had abandoned his family to pursue his own interests and didn't care that those interests may be detrimental to them. Danny Boy shows no fear to the loan sharks and when Danny Boy's mother attacks them, Danny Boy joins the fray. This incident changes Danny Boy forever, changing him into the dark yet flamboyant up and coming Face that people start to talk about. Danny Boy is both charismatic and vicious at the same time. To those that don't know his vicious side, he is a "star" to be admired. However, behind closed doors he is brutal, especially to his own family. This book is an excellent read but those with a weak stomach for violence will be taken aback especially when Danny Boy deals with those that cross him or those he thinks need to be taught a lesson. I give this book five stars and my only objection is that what happens usually involves pipes, knives and weapons of that sort and very rarely guns. So I wondered throughout why his enemies never gang up on him with firearms to take him out.