Framed

Starts off gritty, as life in the mean streets of London's SOHO district bring a snooker club owner and a "Family" into tight conflict. Good descriptions, realistic vernacular (the tone of the story is exactly how Ronnie The Rocket sounds in interviews). You can believe, from the first chapter onward, that this story was written by someone who knows his way around in the dark and who has used a cue stick for something other than moving a cue ball. And it doesn't break down into a stereotype romantic comedy, which is very good.In fact, the romantic aspects are screwed up enough to be taken from real life. With that said, the book does lose focus a bit near the end. The last few chapters could almost have been written by Dick Francis: Most of the loose ends are tied up, a good person with a bad reputation is rescued, and so forth. Still, overall, a good story with a well-written narrative, driven by the plot.Given that O'Sullivan is currently the best snooker player in the world, it would be nice if the novel had more snooker content... If, perhaps, something important hinged on the hero having to make three centuries in three frames. But aside from a couple of throw-away scenes in which the hero plays a couple frames to kill some time, and a passing reference to getting "The Rocket" to play in a proposed tournament, there's virtually no snooker content at all.Still, overall, a good read, a nice plot, and some excellent descriptions.

I enjoyed this book. I've read Ronnie's other 2 books and enjoyed them. Given this was a completely different genre, I went into it with a bit of crossed fingers. The story line started right from the start and flowed throughout . There wasn't too many side stories which kept it moving. I was glad that there wasn't too much snooker in it because it made me think about the story and not the author. I'm a fan of murder mysteries and detective stories so this was right up my alley. Ending leaves the door open for a Frankie James return.

Soho in the 90th is as much a character of this as any of the people involved in the plot. The book would be a good basis for an action film. However the language - rather colourful slang - might make it difficult to read for non native English speakers, and probably impossible to translate whilst respecting the atmosphere of the original.

Where does Ronnie get the time to write.when he's busy with snooker and running to keep fit. Watching him now in the Scottish open and am thoroughly enjoying it. Have read his three books now and waiting from the next

Reads like a Mickey Spilaney novel but I expected that. Just wanted to give Ronnie a shot, I'm a big fan.

Much better than I thought it would be, would make a very exciting film.

Good story and plot. Found the use of continuous repetitive questions as a style very immature and frustrating. However best of luck for the future. Onwards and upwards

I loved it!

I was driving home from work one afternoon, listening to my favourite sports radio station and the hosts were about to interview Ronnie O'Sullivan. Not the biggest fan of snooker myself, I stayed listening cos the show is entertaining whatever they talk about. Glad I did really cos they were talking to him about his new book. Not this one, the sequel Double Kiss which is out later this month. Well, you could have knocked me down with a feather. From the admittedly little I know about this guy, one of the last things I would have thought he'd do is write a book. That thought sitting just above the one where his book is actually any good. My interest was piqued so much that as soon as I got in, I had a squiz at the reviews and, seeing them as mostly positive, duly downloaded it. I will at this point just mention that the majority of the negativity that I saw about the book was the amount of swearing. I am not adverse to a bit of bad language in context but have to agree that it was a tad over the top. Not enough to spoil my overall enjoyment, maybe enough to drop it half a star ratings wise, but not quite.So, to cut a long story short (well, I'll try) I blooming loved this book. Yes Frankie does become superman at times and I am not 100% that he would be that good at everything he does but I am willing to take one for the team and suck it up in the context of the story. And boy what a story. We have Frankie's younger brother jack racing to Frankie's snooker hall, covered in blood, tipped off that the police are after him. With an absent mother and a father in jail, it falls on Frankie to try and help prove Jack's innocence. Well, his perceived innocence, he says he is, despite the mountain of evidence stacking up to the contrary. And, if he is indeed innocent, who is framing him and why?This was one of the best gangland crime books I have read in a very long time. And I read a LOT of books. Ignoring the crime and solving thereof, it had a lot more going on around it which made it a very well balanced overall read for me. Yes, as I have already mentioned, Frankie does punch above his weight on quite a few occasions but then he also screws up a near equal amount of times so, again balanced. Yes also, there were a few cliched moments to be had but, again, mostly in context and totally forgivable.It was, for me, also a very visual book. I am not sure if it was written with screen in mind but, to be honest, it would make for a pretty good translation to that media if the author so desires.Unlike the majority of first in series, there wasn't too much evidence of scene setting to be found. Yes there are a few things that have been introduced in this book that I am sure we will be revisiting in subsequent books but this opener didn't waste time and words in over complicating things. We slammed straight into Jack's story head on, introducing the main players as they connected with the story being told. I really did like this method of introduction. You know there is more to come but it is OK to wait. You know enough for now.All in all, a cracking book which left me totally satisfied. I am so glad I kept listening!

I really enjoyed this - I thought the the colourful language was in-keeping with the scene he’s putting on the page, and the structure is like one of Ronnie’s awesome breaks - more or less in the bag, but with some unexpected twists and turns along the way. I’m a total fan anyway, so I was ready to like this book; but I really do think that it’s right up there in the genre. I’ve ordered the next one and I’m hoping it will get my dad back into reading.

Well done Ronnie. I get the feeling you know a lot about the lifestyles portrayed in this novel...and as a fan of your sporting life, I am also glad you have another string to your bow....if the follow up books in this series are as good as this, you will have a good following for any future literary efforts.An unhesitating four stars...it's good read, with an unforeseen ending.

Well this was a great surprise .. i didn't realise this was the snooker player, writing this, the name didn't register at first, just as well cos i would have passed the book over thinking there would have been too much about the sport in it .All i can say is i am glad i read this,it is a story that keeps you guessing and one that makes you want things to turn out right, brotherly love is where it's at.... good on ya Frankie.I am looking forward to reading the next book Ronnie

This was a Christmas present for my husband who is a keen snooker fan. He grew up in London's East End and said the plot was plausible. However, although he's no prude, he said the constant use of swear words distracted from the plot.