This story is set in Bradford,a modern day Gotham city rife with racial tensions,lawlesness and a major drug problem.It starts with a Sikh detective Harry Virdee discovering the crucified body of a just elected local Asian MP.All the evidence points to Lucas Dwight, a junkie and a criminal who has just been released from jail.However,Harry,often known to take the law in his hands is suspended from the police and is awaiting to answer charges at a hearing.Given a chance to restore his reputation,by his superintendent who asks him to go undercover and authorises him to work without rules and whatever it takes to locate Lucas ,Harry cant keep himself away and takes up the case.He is soon to find out how little it takes to destroy a city,which is teetering on the verge of anarchy.The question however being- will it destroy his world and all those he holds dear as well?!
My Views:
Let me begin by saying that I pulled an all nighter for this one.Kudos to the author for a fast-paced novel which is a compelling page-turner.The characters were fresh and it was heartening to see a Sikh detective playing Batman in Bradford.All the characters were clearly etched with everyone being flawed.I liked that.Noone was larger than life not even Harry Batman Virdee.The backdrop was race,religion,politics,drugs and the power struggle.Harry and his wife Saima face their own struggles being ostracised by their respective families for an interreligious marriage.
It doesnt take Harry long to find Lucas Dwight only to learn that nothing is as it seems.Lucas has been falsely implicated and there are higher forces which want him dead.Harry and Lucas form an unlikely team to discover what exactly is going on.
The bad guys especially Bashir made my skin crawl but I was surprised at the sudden change of heart in a man with a soul so dark.That didnt seem credible.Zains character was wimpy.I loved Saimas character,she was as formidable as they can get.Heavily pregnant but with a never say die attitude.My heart was in my mouth when I was reading about what her character was fated for.
The riots,the anarchy,the characters seeking redemption,mercy,forgiveness ,its all in there.I liked that the story kept me guessing till the very end.There was a sudden twist in the tale at the end as is common in most thrillers and this one ensures that there will be a sequel.
The message that shines on is that despite a racial,cultural,religious divide there remains a spark of hope which continues to shine when all else fails.This book had its high intensity moments and thats what made it likeable.Its no wonder that the television adaptation rights have already been sold.
I rate it a 3 out of 5.
