‘The Khan’ by Saima Mir, a book that I connected with as soon as I read the synopsis and saw the cover. In fact, a book that I connected with on more than one level. It is an excellently written family underworld crime thriller and Saima Mir’s debut novel.

Jia Khan is a successful London lawyer and as far removed from her upbringing on the grubby Northern streets as she could be. Her father Akbar Khan led the Pakistani community and ran the local organised crime syndicate and still to this day does. His Jirga rule is the old way of running things, violent and brutal but as the saying goes “An eye for an eye”.

Jia goes back to her family home and memories are resurfacing. She is a Khan and her father’s daughter in more ways than she knows. A tragedy occurs that leaves Jia needing to make decisions, ones that impact on everybody and her as well. She is about to discover that justice does come at a cost.

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I almost have no words for this book. It is a deep, multi-layered story that explores every facet of being a part of the underworld. Family, betrayal, love, loss, power and money. Saima Mir has created characters that feel touchable, everything about them feels like it could be happening to you. I loved Jia, she is determined to step up, no matter what the consequences. She is such a strong woman who is one of those people who could look the devil in the eye and say “Try me”.

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This story felt like it was something that could happen in my hometown, Oldham, but a stone’s throw from the Yorkshire city that The Khan is set in. Even the fact that fireworks are set off as a new shipment of drugs arrive…I sat thinking…no wonder I always hear fireworks! We have had our problems with racism, so much we are almost famous for it. I can’t even really put it into words how this book really made me feel. Just know I understood every little thread Saima created. It is a sad, heartbreaking story from one angle but look at it another way and it is about strength, community and family.

A book that still has me thinking now…and I finished it weeks ago. A book that I say, read it, ponder it and learn from it.

Thank you so much to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours, Point Blank and Saima Mir for my gorgeous copy of The Khan…I shall treasure it!