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Jessie Keane
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Nameless (Ruby Darke Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Jessie Keane (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 4,946 ratings

Nameless is a gripping underworld thriller by bestselling author Jessie Keane.

She never forgot, and she'll never forgive . . .

In 1941, mixed race Ruby Darke is born into a family that seem to hate her, but why?

While her two brothers dive into a life of gangland violence, Ruby has to work in their family store. As she blossoms into a beautiful young woman she crosses paths with aristocrat Cornelius Bray, a chance meeting that will change her life forever. When she finds herself pregnant, and then has twins, she is forced to give her children away. At that point she vows never to trust another man again.

As the years pass, Ruby never forgets her babies, and as the family store turns into a retail empire, Ruby wants her children back. But secrets were whispered and bargains made, and if Ruby wants to stay alive she needs to forget the past, or the past will come back and kill her.

Nameless is followed by the thrilling sequel, Lawless.

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  1. Book 1 of 3
    Ruby Darke
  2. Print length
    572 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Pan
  5. Publication date
    30 Aug. 2012
  6. Reading age
    18 years and up
  7. File size
    636 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
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There are 3 books in this series.
This option includes 3 books.

Product description

Review

"Fans of Martina Cole should try Keane's tough gangster family sagas. They'll love her latest which introduces Ruby Darke" --The Local

"fast moving, intriguing and a jolly good read" --Shropshire Star

'Gripping Thriller' --Look Magazine

"This is a fast-moving story full of drama with a lot of twists and turns. If you like Martina Cole, you'll love Jessie Keane" --Bella

"THIS WEEK'S HOT READ...This book combines tales of gangster underworld with history, romance and a little bit of mystery too" --Woman

"Jessie Keane's superb thriller which grips from start to finish" --Lancashire Evening Post

"THIS WEEK'S HOT READ...This book combines tales of gangster underworld with history, romance and a little bit of mystery too" --Woman

Review

Jessie Keane gives us a fascinating insight into the rivalries and lifestyles of those who make fortunes out of a criminal way of life and of the lowlifes that carry out their orders. ― Lincolnshire Echo

I didn't want this story to end and it certainly didn't end as expected. The last sting in the tails tears it all apart and the final chapter made me want to shout out in anger and dismay. A brilliant book. I really hope a sequel is written as so many questions are left unanswered. ― jayneanderson.blogspot.co.uk

All I can say is that Jessie Keane is a force to be reckoned with in the crime genre now. Not only has she produced a great series (Annie Carter) she has also written some absolutely blinding stand alones. With this latest addition, Jessie Keane is quickly proving herself to be un-stoppable. Nameless has only made me want to read more (I sincerely hope this is going to have a follow up!) and as usual Jessie Keane does not disappoint. BLINDING!!! ― www.bestcrimebooks.co.uk

Fans of Martina Cole will enjoy Nameless ― Daily Express

The book is incredibly well written and the author allows you to develop a real empathy for the characters... The only disappointment I had was when I had finished the book, I wanted more! This is not the usual sort of material that I would read but I was gripped from the very beginning right through to the end. I would thoroughly recommend it. ― www.Mojomums.co.uk

Nameless is great at proving that a woman's strength should never be underestimated and a mothers love is eternal. I cannot wait for the next book!!!! ― nicolemcmanusreviews.wordpress.com

Fans of Martina Cole should try Keane's tough gangster family sagas. They'll love her latest which introduces Ruby Darke ― The Local (Bourne)

THIS WEEK'S HOT READ...This book combines tales of gangster underworld with history, romance and a little bit of mystery too ― Woman

Gripping Thriller ― Look Magazine

fast moving, intriguing and a jolly good read ― Shropshire Star

This is the sort of competition Martina Cole could do without and if Keane does hit the No. 1 spot it could be handbags, or more likely knuckledusters, at dawn ― The Northern Echo

This is a fast-moving story full of drama with a lot of twists and turns. If you like Martina Cole, you'll love Jessie Keane ― Bella

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00844Y410
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Pan; Main Market Ed. edition (30 Aug. 2012)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 636 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 572 pages
  • Customer reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 4,946 ratings

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Jessie Keane

Jessie Keane

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Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4,946 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers enjoyed the book's easy readability and gripping storyline. They loved the characters and felt every emotion they experienced. The emotional content made them feel sympathetic and moved them to tears in parts. The pacing was fast and the book never missed a beat, making it hard to put down. Overall, customers found the book enjoyable and difficult to put down.

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499 customers mention ‘Readability’491 positive8 negative

Customers enjoyed the book's story and writing style. They found it interesting and well-written with a good plot. The author is praised for being fantastic. Readers also mentioned that the book was worth persevering with and had a variety of genres.

"...a great series (Annie Carter) she has also written some absolutely blinding stand alones...." Read more

"Absolutely such a good read couldn’t put it down a real life down to earth book excellent read loved it" Read more

"...I enjoyed the book and although some of the plot was predictible some of it wasn't so it kept me hooked...." Read more

"...But Jessie is a fantastic author and I would say that this book is one of her best, but it's hard to say that as they are all fantastic...." Read more

147 customers mention ‘Gripping story’132 positive15 negative

Customers find the story engaging with a strong plot and interesting plot twists. They find the storyline easy to follow and can't put it down until the end. The book explores time periods in an interesting way that keeps readers hooked.

"Absolutely such a good read couldn’t put it down a real life down to earth book excellent read loved it" Read more

"...the story flowed really well but it was kind of annoying that certain characters didn't work..." Read more

"...This is a gritty and gripping story with wonderful characters that you eithwe love or hate. Or even love to hate...." Read more

"...Loved the 40's and 20's era too and the way the story went back and forward in time - this really was different from the others but just as good...." Read more

58 customers mention ‘Character development’53 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the book's character development. They find the characters engaging and well-developed. The plot twists and turns help bring the characters together seamlessly.

"...Michael Ward is a pretty central character and I really liked him from the get go, along with many other characters that just add to the..." Read more

"...she was as good a character as Annie Carter but she was a very likeable character who just couldn't overcome the problems she faced with her family..." Read more

"This was such a good book. Well written, exciting, really good characters. Highly recommend and can’t wait to read more" Read more

"...This is a gritty and gripping story with wonderful characters that you eithwe love or hate. Or even love to hate...." Read more

21 customers mention ‘Sadness’15 positive6 negative

Customers enjoyed the book's emotional content. They found it heartwarming and made them cry in parts. The book included humor, excitement, and a mix of relationships, including romance, pain, regret, and action.

"...Ruby Darke is a young girl with real spirit and you really get a feel for how she is treated in the 40's for being mixed race...." Read more

"Really enjoyed reading this book. Some sad bits , some happy bits.. Highly recommend it. Never what you expect! Give it a go." Read more

"...I really enjoyed the book even though it's very sad at times but it keeps you interested the whole time." Read more

"...It was gripping, sad and heart wrenching in places. This book has everything. I will certainly read more of Jessie Keane's work." Read more

15 customers mention ‘Pacing’15 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's fast pace and easy-to-follow storyline. They find it engaging from the start and read it quickly. The flow of the book is described as smooth and thrilling.

"...and as usual Jessie Keane does not disappoint. BLINDING!!!" Read more

"...I would definitely recommend this fast paced read, a little gory in parts but this only added to a most believable story" Read more

"...It was fast moving had element of surprise and a good meaty story...." Read more

"No slow build with this book it had me hooked from the first chapter, not that this is unusual with a Jessie Keane book, I have the same problem..." Read more

9 customers mention ‘Enjoyment’9 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They say it's a page-turner with twists and turns, violence, and pathos.

"...I particularly enjoyed Nameless, I loved the way the characters were introduced and how they evolved...." Read more

"this was my first read of this author,it won't be the last.Nameless is a page turner...." Read more

"...to the Annie Carter series, all of which I've read, but thoroughly enjoyed Nameless, different characters, a different era, must say, I wasn't too..." Read more

"I really enjoyed Nameless, lots of twists and turns, I couldn't put the book down. Similar style to Martina Cole books which I have always enjoyed...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Difficulty to put down’8 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and hard to put down. They appreciate how easy it is to slip back into the series and remember old memories.

"...So found this a surprisingly brilliant read . Easy to get into but very hard to put down ." Read more

"...n't regret my decision at all - like others have said, I found it hard to put down and raced through to the end...." Read more

"...Loved it - perfect catch-up to the Annie Carter series and easy to slip back and remember all the old characters, brought to life again...." Read more

"Loved it from the minute I picked it up so easy to read and so easy to become part of it all" Read more

Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • BCB & More
    5.0 out of 5 stars BLINDING!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 September 2012
    Verified Purchase
    <Sighs and scuffs feet> Why? Every time I buy a Jessie Keane I promise myself I will take my time. But no, who am I kidding? I do what I always do, get thoroughly engrossed and then race through the book only to feel disappointed that I have again finished a JK book and now have the long wait until the next one! When I realised that Jessie Keane was introducing a new character I was pretty excited. Having said that, I wasn't sure whether they would live up to the fantastic characters that feature in the Annie Carter series

    In this book we meet Ruby Darke who is a mixed race girl being brought up in War torn London by her abusive father and two elder brothers. While her two elder brothers get involved in the criminal underworld, Daisy works in the family shop and tries her best to keep everybody happy. When she is encouraged to lead a secret life she goes along not knowing that she will be swept off her feet by the dashing aristocrat Cornelius Bray. When she finds herself pregnant and gives birth to twins she is forced into giving them away. What happens next is that the book tells us Ruby's life story. We see her become a success in business but forgo love because of her desperate desire to never be hurt again.

    I was truly engrossed from the very first few pages. Ruby Darke is a young girl with real spirit and you really get a feel for how she is treated in the 40's for being mixed race. Her family are nothing short of awful but it made me feel like I had to keep willing her on in my mind because she was such a likeable girl. Every few chapters there would be a slight time change and the years start to progress and we see how each passing year changes things for her.

    We see some absolutely blinding characters emerge and they all form part of the story in different ways. Michael Ward is a pretty central character and I really liked him from the get go, along with many other characters that just add to the authenticity of the story. Jessie Keane has an uncanny knack of taking you back to that time and really making me feel like I could grasp a little more what the street s of London were like around the war. As the years progress I got more and more caught up in the story and as more shock twists were thrown in I wondered what on earth else could happen. One particular part of the ending shocked me (not impressed) but the other part had me shrieking towards the ending as I wanted to see what happens next.

    All I can say is that Jessie Keane is a force to be reckoned with in the crime genre now. Not only has she produced a great series (Annie Carter) she has also written some absolutely blinding stand alones. With this latest addition, Jessie Keane is quickly proving herself to be un-stoppable. Nameless has only made me want to read more (I sincerely hope this is going to have a follow up!) and as usual Jessie Keane does not disappoint. BLINDING!!!
    46 people found this helpful
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  • satch
    5.0 out of 5 stars brilliant read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 November 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely such a good read couldn’t put it down a real life down to earth book excellent read loved it
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  • Rebecca Thompson
    4.0 out of 5 stars Another Great Book By Jessie Keane
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 September 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Ruby Darke has had a hard life. Born mixed race after her white mother had an affair with a black jazz musician she is left abandoned when her mother dies giving birth to her. Her real father fled after learning of the pregnancy so she is brought home from the hospital by her mother's husband who blames Ruby for her mother's death and hates her because of her skin colour. Ruby's childhood is horrible as her brother Charlie and father never let her forget how different she really is and her other brother Joe while never being mean to her doesn't stick up for her either.
    When Ruby meets Cornelius Bray she falls happily in love with him but soon discovers he is married. He and his wife are unable to have children so when Ruby falls pregnant he offers the perfect solution. If the baby is born white he and his wife will raise the baby as their own.
    Ruby however gives birth to twins a white girl whom the Bray's name Daisy and a black boy who they don't want. Ruby plans on keeping the boy but Charlie won't hear of it and whisks him away to find him a new home.
    As the years pass Ruby never forgets her children and struggles with her choices. She longs to be a mother to them especially the baby boy whose fate she vows to discover.
    I enjoyed the book and although some of the plot was predictible some of it wasn't so it kept me hooked. I felt so sorry for Ruby and at times I wanted to cry as the early chapters which follow her childhood were upsetting at times.
    I look forward to reading more from Jessie Keane.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Book Addict Shaun
    5.0 out of 5 stars She's done it again...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 June 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Is it possible for this woman to write a bad book? I actually think this book is better than the Annie Carter books. I could easily have read this in a day but I didn't have the time unfortunately, but it is a book that you will not want to put down until you have reached the final page.

    The book tells the story of Ruby Darke who you can't help but like. I don't think she was as good a character as Annie Carter but she was a very likeable character who just couldn't overcome the problems she faced with her family at home. It's hard to talk about this book without giving spoilers away but even though certain parts of the story were obvious (and I think that was intentional because it was too obvious not to be), the story flowed really well but it was kind of annoying that certain characters didn't work certain things out earlier but then the book wouldn't have had much of a story if they did. But you'll work that gobbledegook out when you read it! It was kind of similar to Playing Dead where it was obvious what was happening. It was just mad how real this story could be.

    Jessie says she has had the idea for this book for a while and what she has ended up with is a cast of characters which could easily have their stories continued in future books, I certainly would love to read about Ruby, Daisy and Kit again and see where they go in the future. In fact I would say that certain parts of this book were possibly a bit rushed and could have actually been dragged out/carried on in future books. But Jessie is a fantastic author and I would say that this book is one of her best, but it's hard to say that as they are all fantastic. I just hope that she can continue to write these five star books and never loses her way unlike other authors of this genre.

    An absolutely fantastic book that you would be mad not to read.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • caretaker
    5.0 out of 5 stars earthy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 February 2025
    Verified Purchase
    unputdownable
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  • frances moore
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 December 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Great
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  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars fantastic read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 14 January 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This was such a good book. Well written, exciting, really good characters. Highly recommend and can’t wait to read more
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Top reviews from other countries

  • galah
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nameless
    Reviewed in the United States on 10 May 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Jessie you have done it again can't get any house work done when I start one of your books feel like you get to know all the people in your books personally never want the book to end
    Report
  • R.A. Bergenhenegouwen
    5.0 out of 5 stars First of series
    Reviewed in Germany on 21 January 2020
    Verified Purchase
    The book is an excellent read
    Report
  • John walsh
    5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely brilliant book, am on the second book now which ...
    Reviewed in the United States on 27 August 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Absolutely brilliant book,am on the second book now which is equally as good
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  • Jill
    4.0 out of 5 stars Martina Cole Fans
    Reviewed in the United States on 15 June 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Great Read

    The storyline was a little slow to establish itself but typical of this author it soon warmed up an I was unable to put down. Loved the characters but hate not having happy endings
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  • wendy
    5.0 out of 5 stars exciting
    Reviewed in the United States on 9 May 2013
    Verified Purchase
    good book good authour couldnt put it down will be reading more from this authour will say she is my 2nd favourite authour
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