Brothers in Blood by Amer Anwar

The debut novel from Amer Anwar is a satisfying slice of action-led crime: a gripping noir tale that delivers an intriguing cast of characters, a West London setting that is vivid and suitably scuzzy, and a dark set-up that should guarantee readers are hooked from the off.

That premise is simple enough: Pakistani Zaq Khan, recently released from prison for crimes that he allows those around him to exaggerate for his own needs, is strong-armed into finding his Sikh boss’ missing daughter, Rita. How that search develops, and the trials Zaq (and appealing Sikh sidekick, Jags) has to overcome, power the momentum of this enjoyable thriller.

Anwar is good on the violence that punctuates much of his story, and his clear-sighted attentiveness to the Southall locale conjures a pleasingly vibrant sense of place. The central pairing of the charismatic 'bad boy' and his old friend is similarly effective and engaging, showcasing an acute awareness of the broader issues faced by these communities living side by side. Refreshing too for that push-and-pull to be presented from a perspective rarely seen in the genre. That the narrative hook ultimately struggles to support the central mystery, dragging the story a little, is of minor consequence. Tighter editing will serve this emerging new voice well. Until then, this is an intelligent and deftly-executed thriller.