Listen free for 30 days

Listen with offer

Preview
  • The Black Widow

  • By: Linda Calvey
  • Narrated by: Linda Calvey
  • Length: 9 hrs and 17 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (261 ratings)

£0.00 for first 30 days

Pick 1 audiobook a month from our unmatched collection - including bestsellers and new releases.
Listen all you want to thousands of included audiobooks, Originals, celeb exclusives, and podcasts.
Access exclusive sales and deals.
£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

The Black Widow

By: Linda Calvey
Narrated by: Linda Calvey
Try for £0.00

£7.99/month after 30 days. Renews automatically. See here for eligibility.

Buy Now for £13.99

Buy Now for £13.99

Pay using card ending in
By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and authorise Audible to charge your designated card or any other card on file. Please see our Privacy Notice, Cookies Notice and Interest-based Ads Notice.

Summary

If you think you know everything about the East End's toughest gangsters, think again. Meet Linda Calvey, a.k.a. 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.

©2019 Melanie and Neil Calvey (P)2020 W. F. Howes Ltd
activate_Holiday_promo_in_buybox_DT_T2

Listeners also enjoyed...

Revenge cover art
Nemesis cover art
Cheated cover art
Gypsy Jane cover art
Trickster cover art
The Women cover art
Takeover cover art
Her Revenge cover art
Never Go Back cover art
Risking It All cover art
The Faithless cover art
The Deal cover art
Dangerous Games cover art
Nearly Always cover art
Her Husband's Mistake cover art
Rough Diamonds cover art

Critic reviews

“'What a fantastic read, but not for the faint-hearted!'” (Martina Cole)

What listeners say about The Black Widow

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    199
  • 4 Stars
    36
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    8
  • 1 Stars
    4
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    160
  • 4 Stars
    32
  • 3 Stars
    23
  • 2 Stars
    7
  • 1 Stars
    17
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    197
  • 4 Stars
    19
  • 3 Stars
    14
  • 2 Stars
    6
  • 1 Stars
    3

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

The narration.

I am really trying to listen to this as I’m sure it will be a great storyline. I am sorry to say that the narration of this spoils the whole experience, as the monotone of the narrator as well as the lack of any dynamic, just makes it difficult to hold my attention.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What a fantastic Story!

The Black Widow -What an amazing story! Incredible 10/10. A must listen. A truly remarkable woman.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Much better than I thought

I wasn't sure at first as I didn't know if I would enjoy the author reading it but it was actually very entertaining and I really enjoyed it.
It gives a good insight into life in the Blagger and Gangster era.
Will recommend 👌

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Linda’s honesty

I loved all of it ❤️ I had also listened to life inside
Highly recommend both

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

riveting

I enjoyed listening to this from start to finish, especially being told my the person in question, very detailed and fascinating, well done for making it out the other side to tell your story 👏

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

definitely worth a listen

I heard an interview on Radio 2 with Linda Calvey last week promoting her new book, this book was mentioned throughout and I've binged my way through it since I downloaded it. it's definitely worth listening to

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

true .interesting story

I kept returning g to this book whenever,I had chance,so very entertaining.very good read....reccomend.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

What an amazing woman !

Well Linda certainly hasn’t had a straight forward life … this book is full of twists and turns and keeps you guessing what she’ll be up to next !
Thank you Linda for having the courage to write all of this down.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

fantabulous

really good listen what a life led hope life is everything you want and need now

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Interesting

Interesting insight into the life of a gangsters moll and of Linda's time at HMS.

The part about meeting Myra Hindley & Rose West in prison is interesting too.

Linda even did Myra's hair, although not through her own choice as she hated her and on one occasion slapped her in the face.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!