You Don't Know Me by Imran Mahmood

You Don’t Know Me is a sharp, enticing, and thought provoking debut novel. The book begins with the evidence in a court case against a young male from London. Reading through the individual points, the defendant’s guilt looks absolute, but when he fires his attorney and opts to deliver his own closing statement, the trial is turned on its head. His own account provides not only a set of counter evidence, but the entire counter narrative of a human life understood from a different perspective.

What follows is an enthralling journey into the life of a young black male in London. From domestic abuse and absent fathers, to the love of a mysterious grey-eyed girl who is everything he’s not, this book weaves personal tragedy, redemption, and betrayal through London’s streets.

During his career in law, criminal barrister and now author Imran Mahmood was forced to keep an open mind and this sentiment is echoed throughout You Don’t Know Me. It’s a text that reminds the reader of the importance of not just the story, but how it is told. A daring and authentic work, Mahmood grabs the reader by the tongue, silencing stereotypes and giving a deafening voice to justice. Appropriate for such a voice driven novel, an audiobook version is being released starring Kidulthood lead Adam Deacon. [Rosie Barron]