Limited Time Offer | Get 2 Months For $1 Claim Offer

The Black Widow: The true crime book of the year

Author:
Linda Calvey
Read by:
Linda Calvey
Read Read Own Own

Unabridged Audiobook

Listen Free Now
  • Listen free with a 30-day free trial
  • Choose 2 bonus VIP books
  • Enjoy 10,000 always free books
Ratings
Book
94
Narrator
39
Release Date
February 13, 2020
Duration
9 hours 18 minutes
Summary
If you think you know everything about the East End's toughest gangsters, think again. Meet Linda Calvey, aka the Black Widow.

Growing up 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, 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.

“'What a fantastic read, but not for the faint-hearted!'” - MARTINA COLE
Browse By Category
Reviews
What listeners say
The audiobook received overwhelmingly positive feedback, with many listeners praising the engaging narrative and unique perspective on true crime. Several listeners appreciated the author's personal narration, finding it added authenticity to the story. However, a minority of listeners found the narration style challenging, citing issues with pacing and inflection. Despite these criticisms, the majority were captivated by the story and found it difficult to stop listening. The audiobook's exploration of a criminal's life in the sixties was highlighted as a significant draw for many listeners.
Profile Avatar Lorraine C. Oct 2020

I seriously loved this book. Linda's accent takes a bit of getting use to but as her story develops it makes it more real to know it is her. I would recommend this book to anyone

Profile Avatar Charliesneeze Feb 2023

Thank you Linda Calvey for sharing your super interesting life with us and for narrating your own audiobook! What an interesting point of view of true crime that this book offers! I really enjoyed this book.

Profile Avatar Jill S. Dec 2021

Fun to read true crime.

Profile Avatar HMCTMS Jul 2021

An amazing story from rags to riches and the price you pay!

Profile Avatar Jayne B. Aug 2025

just brillant

Profile Avatar Karen C Nov 2023

Brilliant, I was hooked, I thought when I first started to read this, book, I wouldn’t be able to enjoy this title with the author's voice but I as I listened I was completely enthralled, I could not stop listening,

Profile Avatar Holly V. Nov 2023

Great book! Hard to put down. Read beautifully too.

Profile Avatar Kelly M. Mar 2023

I couldn't take it anymore. Her voice is so freaken annoying. I'd like my money back on this one

Profile Avatar Ritchie B. Oct 2022

Brilliantly written book. What a life she has led, really enjoyed the book

Profile Avatar Lisa H. Sep 2022

Can’t get into it. I think it’s the narrator. Stopped listening

Profile Avatar jessthemess Sep 2022

Honestly I couldn’t get 10 minutes in due to the lack of inflection by the narrator. I would consider reading it vs listening.

Profile Avatar Anne R. Sep 2022

A really good read. Great insight to the life of criminals in the sixties, also knowing it is a true story written by the actual person's life experience makes is fascinating.

Profile Avatar Michael Gallant Sep 2022

Slow start, but I’m glad I stuck with it. Narrator also takes a while to get used to yet she fits very well with the dialogue.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Feb 2022

living in the east end of london in the 60s 70s

Profile Avatar Anonymous May 2021

Good book

Profile Avatar Still L. May 2021

Really enjoyed listening to this book....the narration was a bit slow for me but i just speeded it up a bit in the app.....i was gripped from the start.....it probably wouldn't appeal to anyone who is a bit straight and obvlivious to the underworld.

Profile Avatar Anonymous May 2021

It was pretty good. Kept my interest.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Apr 2021

Loved the story and brilliant hearing Lindas voice! I was really thrown off by the lack of punctuation in the reading of the book. Really made it difficult for me to get into the story.

Profile Avatar Kimberly T. Apr 2021

Really enjoyed listening to this book. I was pulled in from the very beginning.

Profile Avatar Anonymous Apr 2021

Wow! I’m an avid reader, I read/listen to 2-3 books a week and this is one of the best I’ve heard in a long time. What an amazing story! It’s so good I couldn’t believe it was a true story. Well written and read by Linda Calvey!

Profile Avatar Stephen R. Mar 2021

I wasn't sure about this book when I started listening but I was drawn into the book. I couldn't stop listening.

Profile Avatar Lance E. Mar 2021

Fantastic book I was hooked from first page

Profile Avatar The Month Mar 2021

This was an incredibly personal view into the life of a woman who lived an unbelievable life! I enjoyed listening to the author narrate the book! I don’t think anyone else would do her justice, telling her life story.

The Black Widow: The true crime book of the year

The Black Widow: The true crime book of the year

Author: Linda Calvey
Read by: Linda Calvey
Listen Free Now Get any book plus
2 bonus VIP books
1 book added to cart
Subtotal
$16.76
View Cart