I couldn’t work out what sort of chancer/wide boy Jason Rampling was going to be: a Del boy? An Arthur Daley? An Alfie? Quite possibly all of those, but with a little more grit, fewer morals and more danger. Where they are all lovable in some way, Jason isn’t exactly that. But one key aspect of his character was something that struck home: his love for his daughter and siblings and determination to protect them and give them better lives than living on a gangland council estate. An aim he can’t achieve without a Life of Crime, unfortunately.

Never having read any books by this author, I had no idea what to expect. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's gritty, doesn’t stand still for a second, compellingly written, with a cast of characters that very definitely don’t fall into any grey areas. You love ‘em or hate ‘em.

But the one to watch is very definitely, Melissa: the hapless young girl who falls for Jason hook, line and sinker, thinking he’s Mr One Hundred Percent perfect.

A dramatic story, well executed and very enjoyable, with a (perhaps slightly predictable) twist at the end. ( )

Chancer Jason meets dim but nice, single mother, Melissa and decides she would be perfect to bring up his young daughter. Her best friend Tracey who saw him first isn’t best pleased. Loved this, the cast of characters, funny dialogue, twists and turns. Gritty, edgy and comical too, you can’t help turning the pages faster and faster to see how it all plays out. Although this book was a bit on the long side, I didn’t want it to end as I immersed myself in the story - I do enjoy reading about villains and their antics - more please! ( )

Life of Crime – A Low Life Gritty Thriller

Kimberley Chambers is a bestselling crime writer, who knows how to keep her public in her grip, before pulling off an unexpected twist at the end, like death you know its coming, just not when. Life of Crime is her latest thriller that grabs you from beginning to end, this is the inglorious underbelly of crime. Showing you, it doesn’t matter how glamourous the life may look, the foundations are built on sand and do not complain when Mrs Windsor’s boys are knocking on your door with a warrant.

Jason Rampling is one of life’s chancers, a modern day Del boy wheeling and dealing living life large. Having been brought up by a mother who is nothing more than a drunken bum, two younger brothers and a sister along with his own daughter live in a flat in a high rise flat. The estate they live on is the boil on the backside of the world, to call it rough would be a compliment.

One thing he knows he needs to find a woman who has the ability to take on his daughter, Shay, be a mother to her and a wife to him. That would not be to hard with his good looks, but he has trouble keeping his pants on and other women have been known to take care of him in ways others can only dream of.

Melissa, a single mum, walks into Jason’s life, and she falls in love with Jason and is willing to take him and his daughter on. She is just happy someone is interested in her, and he has fallen on his feet when he finds out who her father is. Johnny Brookes a well known local businessman with money falling all around him. Who does give Jason a warning never to break his beloved daughters heart.

Jason is part narrator of the story and we see his viewpoint on his mother, his wife, children and family. This is a story about relationships, secrets, lies, women (lots of), a painting, planning and standing by your man.

Some may view crime thrillers as lowbrow compared to a lot of high-brow, anal retentive literature. The difference being that people actually love reading Kimberley Chambers work as she knows how to entertain, keep a reader, and not bore them to death. Chambers gives you a rollercoaster ride of a thriller that is gripping, breath-taking and a guide to the low life of Essex.

The only thing wrong about Kimberley Chambers, is she is a Spurs fan, but we all have our crosses to bare. ( )