Khurrum Rahman

East of Hounslow is not the type of book I would normally read but that proves why it is always good to expand my reading choices as this turned out to be one of my favorite books of the year. Thanks early reviewers. First it introduces a subject which I didn't know much about, i.e. how Muslims might be turned into jihadi fighters willing to rain destruction on innocent people under the teachings of an Imam who interprets the Koran as a book of revenge rather than a peaceful way of living. Next it introduces an unusual main character, Javid (Jay), once a small time drug dealer turned M15 connection (not quite an agent) who faces complex choices throughout the story as one of his best friends Parvez is drawn into the jihadi life, and Jay pretends to believe these teachings as well. Third it is a thriller when during the last part of the book we are never sure how the story will end. Perhaps the part of the story which doesn't always ring true is Jay's association with "The Teacher".… (mere)

Interesting book, and quite pacey. A Muslim man in Britain is living with his mum, dealing drugs for a nasty fella who he gets on with because he's a reliable employee who brings the cash on time, and generally having a simple and comfortable life without much bother. But then his mum moves away with a new boyfriend, he finds out a friend he has generally felt sorry for is getting caught up in meetings with extremists (also attended by a very attractive young woman) and before long he's recruited by MI5 to blend in and try to find the man behind the movement. It's funny and suspenseful and does a fair job of both illustrating how radicalization can happen and how it's completely contrary to Muslim teaching without being heavy-handed in its polemics. I'm not at all sure how this can be the start of a series, but it's quite good for a debut that takes some risks. I really enjoyed the narrative voice of the main character.… (mere)