Tag Archive | Penguin

Streets Of Darkness by A.A. Dhand

Aug9

The Battle For Bradford

Streets Of Darkness by A.A. Dhand is an exciting contemporary crime novel that drew me in from the start. It is the first book in the D.I. Harry Virdee series which promises to be fabulous.

The reader is introduced to Harry Virdee, a no nonsense copper who does what he has to in order to fight crime and to keep his family safe. He is not afraid to dirty his hands.

Harry Virdee is working for improvement from within the law. When he sees a miscarriage of justice, he is determined to right the wrong no matter who it is being set up.

Family is important. Harry Virdee and his wife chose love over their respective religions as they entered a mixed race marriage and are now estranged from both sets of parents. They still feel love and loyalty to their elders.

The novel is set in Bradford. It is a multi-cultural city but there are those who seek to ignite tensions and fan the flames for personal gain.

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The Blood Divide by A.A. Dhand

Jul30

Kismet

The Blood Divide by A.A. Dhand is a thrilling contemporary crime suspense that will have your heart racing as the tension rises.

The novel is set in the back streets of Bradford moving to the hot, dusty, exotic Delhi. With comprehensive descriptions the reader becomes immersed in the locations. We ‘sense’ the heat and ‘see’ the vibrant colours of Delhi which is in sharp contrast to Bradford.

We are a product of our past. A rich heritage should be persevered, not wasted or squandered. The criminal underworld contrasts with a respected Khali bloodline. Preoccupation with money and crime insults a family line.

Secrets from the past need to be unearthed. The truth must be faced.

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My Name Is Leon by Kit de Waal

Mar11

Searching

My Name Is Leon by Kit de Waal is a marvellous debut novel that mesmerised me from the start.

The setting is Birmingham in 1981. I grew up near Birmingham so I know it well. Lots of memories from that time were ignited by the novel. I remember the hype around Charles and Diana’s wedding as well as the race riots. The novel had a very familiar feel to it for me.

The story is magnificently told from the point of view of nine year old Leon. We see the world through his eyes. It is a heart wrenching read as he and his baby brother end up in foster care but his brother white and is adopted. Leon is mixed race and isn’t. The reader feels his pain as his family is torn apart. We understand his anger and his fear of rejection, and his desire to find his brother.

There are kind hearts within the novel who try to bring out the best in Leon, fighting his corner and showing him kindness.

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