Vicious, Elegant Bastards: The Truth Behind the Legend of the Krays

The notorious Ronnie and Reggie Kray, who ruled the streets of London in the 1960s, are still fascinating today. However, bestselling author Jacky Hyams has revealed a different portrait of the twins and those closest to them, challenging the police's belief that Ronnie Kray murdered one of their own.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 03 March 2022
Publisher: The History Press Ltd

The streets of London were once ruled by the notorious Ronnie and Reggie Kray, brothers who were known for their violence and murder. Over fifty years later, their story continues to captivate the public, with their portrayal as charismatic gangsters in films and books. However, the true nature of these twins has only recently begun to emerge, after years of being carefully concealed behind a façade of charitable deeds and East End loyalties.
Bestselling author Jacky Hyams has delved into the stories, lies, and myths surrounding the Kray twins to present a different portrait of them and those closest to them. She challenges the police's belief that Ronnie Kray murdered one of their own, revealing the complexity of their relationships and their closest bonds.
Ronnie Kray is often described as a vicious, elegant bastard, and this is one of the few truths ever uttered by either of them. The twins were born in London in 1933 and grew up in a poor family. They began their criminal career in the 1950s, running small-time scams and stealing from shops. However, they soon graduated to more serious crimes, including armed robbery and murder.
Their reputation as feared criminals spread throughout the East End of London, and they were eventually arrested in 1968. Ronnie Kray was sentenced to life imprisonment, while Reggie Kray was sentenced to thirty years in prison. Despite their lengthy sentences, the Kray twins remained notorious, with their story becoming a source of fascination for people around the world.
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the Kray twins, with films and books being released that explore their lives and crimes. These works often embellish the story, painting the twins as larger-than-life characters and romanticizing their actions. However, Jacky Hyams' book seeks to challenge these portrayals, presenting a more accurate and nuanced account of the twins and their crimes.
Through her research, Hyams has uncovered new information about the twins' relationships and their closest bonds. She reveals that Ronnie Kray was deeply in love with his wife, Freda, and that their relationship was a source of strength and support for him during his time in prison. She also challenges the idea that Reggie Kray was simply a follower of his brother, arguing that he was a complex and independent man who had his own ideas and motivations.
Hyams also challenges the police's belief that Ronnie Kray murdered one of their own, suggesting that there may have been more to the story than what was initially reported. She presents evidence that suggests that the murder may have been committed by someone else, and that the police may have been motivated by political or personal reasons to frame Ronnie Kray for the crime.
Overall, Jacky Hyams' book is a valuable contribution to the understanding of the Kray twins and their legacy. It presents a more accurate and nuanced portrait of these notorious criminals, challenging the myths and lies that have been perpetuated over the years. By revealing the stark, unvarnished truth about the twins, Hyams helps to shed light on the complexities of their relationships and their closest bonds, and on the broader social and political context in which they operated.

Weight: 484g
Dimension: 164 x 240 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780750992480