Having really enjoyed the first book by this author I knew I was going to enjoy this the 2nd book.
Back in the lives or trouble twosome Zaq and Jags. I’m sure trouble looks for these 2.
They are really well thought out characters. Best friends who help each other and support their families.
When a family heirloom needs recovering these two set about getting it back. They won’t stop and no matter what is thrown at them they carry on.
Brilliant writing with an original and exciting storyline. Once started you will not want to put this book down.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. For the best experience read the first book before this one.

Stone Cold Trouble is a cleverly plotted, action-packed story infused with Asian culture. Often quite brutal and shocking, always incredibly tense, this is the kind of book that will keep you on the edge of your seat throughout. Absolutely recommended.

Stone Cold Trouble is the long-awaited sequel to Brothers in Blood (still called Western Fringes when I reviewed it), and continues the story of Zaq and Jags. They don’t go looking for trouble, but it always seems to find them anyway.
Initially, Jags’s uncle asks them to help him retrieve a necklace, a family heirloom, he lost in a card game. This seems straightforward enough until they meet the man responsible, and he refuses to give it back. Uncle Lucky then has to explain why he can’t go to the police for help, and things take a darker turn.
Meanwhile, Zaq’s brother, Tariq, has been subjected to a brutal beating that has left him in a coma. Not knowing if he will recover, Zaq spends the next few nights at his bedside to allow his parents to go home and rest. By doing this, he is trying to build bridges with his family and win back their trust as he knows he has been a big disappointment to them. These scenes are repetitive, and slow down the narrative, but provide a bit of respite from the tension and full-on action of the rest of the book.
Part of the attraction of Stone Cold Trouble is that it gives the reader a glimpse into a world few of us will ever experience. There are brutal fight scenes, graphic violence and strong themes of loyalty and revenge. Zaq is intelligent and resourceful, and his strong moral code stops him sinking too far into this world of gratuitous violence.
At the heart of the novel is the friendship between Zaq and Jags; they have each other’s backs and their witty banter lightens what could have been a much darker tale. Once again Amer Anwar brings this vibrant area of London to life, although at times there was a bit too much repetitive detail.
Stone Cold Trouble depicts a predominantly male world; there are very few female characters, and the ones there are are underdeveloped. It will be interesting to see if Nina and Rita have larger roles in the next book – I certainly hope so.
Thanks to Dialogue Books and NetGalley for a digital copy to review.

A tense, and gritty thriller - set in the Asian community around West London.

I gather that ‘Stone Cold Trouble’ is the second tense adventure for Zac and his best mate Jags, who live in and around the Southall area. I found it particularly interesting as I know the areas mentioned . . . Uxbridge, Hillingdon and Slough.

Even though both Zac and Jags are very street-savvy, you can’t help but love their characters and the way that they support each other through thick and thin! Zac has previously spent time in prison, so he needs to stay out of trouble!

However, trouble seems to follow Zac!! Their suspenseful journey begins when Zac wants to help Jags to recover a family heirloom, which Uncle Lucky lost in a drunken card game! Unfortunately, the recipient is a particularly obnoxious, nasty individual . . . so are all his associates.


Just to complicate things, Zac’s brother Tariq gets beaten to a pulp one night in Uxbridge. In fact the attack is so malicious that Tariq ends up in ICU at Hillingdon Hospital and his life hangs in the balance! Zac seeks retribution!

As the plot unravels, Amer Anwar cleverly weaves together certain events, which lead to a rather unexpected conclusion. I think that anyone who is really broad-minded will enjoy this gripping read with plenty of ‘street speak’ and the worst language, but I thoroughly enjoyed the ride.

Galadriel.

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of this book to review.

To say I've been ridiculously excited to read Stone Cold Trouble would be an understatement; I loved Amer Anwar's first book, Brothers in Blood and have been desperate to find out what problems would befall Zaq and Jags next. Despite their best intentions, trouble constantly seems to find them in this smart, witty, action-packed thriller.
The importance of friends and family to the pair is a particularly important theme in the book; the friendship between the two being central to proceedings, of course, but the emphasis on relations within families and the local British Asian community helps give the novel its considerable heart. A request from Jags' unfortunately named Uncle Lucky seems to be straightforward enough; he used an antique necklace - a family heirloom, no less - as a marker in a card game but although convinced of his winning hand, lost to a straight flush to the wealthy host, Mr Shergill. He thought he would have the necklace safely returned to him upon payment of the ten grand he owes but now Shergill is refusing to give it back. Lucky asks Zaq and Jags to come with him when he returns to the house to try again but they very quickly discover just how determined he is to keep hold of it - and the lengths he and his associates are prepared to go to...
Meanwhile, Zaq's brother, Tariq is in a coma after a vicious, apparently meaningless assault. Zaq is worried that his brother was targeted as a result of his actions in the first book and it's worth saying here that while it's entirely possible to enjoy Stone Cold Trouble as a standalone, I would advise you to read Brothers in Blood first if possible. This sequel is perhaps less overtly bloody than its predecessor, with some of the darkest moments alluded to rather than actually shown. There is still a real sense of danger running throughout however, and the brutal fight scenes are often wincingly graphic. Despite the violence Zaq is subjected to, it's arguably the emotional pain which exerts the greater toll on him as he spends his nights sitting in vigil at Tariq's bedside while trying to negotiate his fragile relationship with his parents, who remain disappointed that they once had a successful son they were proud of, but he now has a prison record and consequently a dead-end job. He is soon on the trail of his brother's attackers and doesn't hold back from utilising his fighting prowess when necessary - the reminders of his time in prison and the company he kept inside leaves little doubt that he risks becoming increasingly intertwined with some dangerous people. However, he also displays ingenuity, resourcefulness and a firm moral code. It's not surprising, therefore, that his friends - the remarkably patient Jags, in particular but also his housemates - are so evidently supportive, even in the face of real trouble.
Though much of the action takes place in the Southall area again, the lads venture a little further afield too and the descriptions of places like Slough and Iver are as distinctly realised as their usual stomping grounds. The frequent mentions of food and pubs helps to evoke the immersive sense of place and though I wouldn't want to visit some of the pubs, I found myself drinking copious mugs of masala chai while reading the book! Likewise, the ebullient mix of British and Punjabi slang adds real authenticity to the dialogue (and I've learned new ways to swear...)
You know a book has got under your skin when you wake up in the night worrying about the characters but Stone Cold Trouble was more than worth the disturbed sleep. The exploration of issues facing the Asian community in London, especially the precarious relations with an underfunded, rapidly changing police force is handled with great aplomb but there is a real lightness of touch here which ensures Stone Cold Trouble is a compelling read from start to finish. There appears to be some mouth-watering groundwork laid for further plotlines too, and the growing cast of supporting characters - including Nina and Rita who, despite taking more of a backseat here are clearly positioned to feature prominently in the future - are vibrantly engaging.
I absolutely loved Stone Cold Trouble; this edgy urban thriller effortlessly combines bruising action scenes with genuine warmth and humour. I'm really excited about this series - Amer Anwar has created something very special with Zaq and Jags and I can't wait for more! A must-read!

It seems like an age ago that I read and reviewed the first of Amer Anwar’s series Brothers In Blood, (originally published as Western Fringes) but it has so been worth the wait for Stone Cold Trouble. We’re back on the mean streets of Southall and stone cold trouble is indeed never far from the surface…

What I love most about Anwar’s writing is the earthiness of tone, and the vitality of description that he consistently produces. Both books to date are an assault on the senses, as he so thoroughly immerses us in the lively and vibrant, if rough and ready atmosphere of Zaq and Jag’s stomping grounds, and the short visceral bursts of violence that ensue, as they find themselves caught up in some pretty testing situations- not all of their making. As Anwar depicts the Asian community, the little nuances and oddities that form the backdrop to his characters’ lives, family connections, and the strength of friendships forged that transcend religious differences, he paints a vivid, affectionate and wonderfully edgy picture for the reader. The book is peppered with references to Asian traditions, some with a delightful self-mocking feel to them, colourful colloquialisms, and all bound up with an innate rhythm of speech so the character’s voices echo around your head. From the legacy of Partition to contemporary retribution and revenge, the overlapping of storylines and the innate connections that link them all are carefully revealed, and drawn together beautifully. All this is conveyed to the reader with dry humour and pathos, compounded with the themes of loyalty and retribution, leading to a bloody and shocking denouement.

The main protagonist, Zaq Khan is a mercurial, and consequently, unpredictable character, who Anwar portrays in an extremely empathetic way. Zaq is an intelligent, wisecracking and resourceful young man, tainted by his time in prison, but absolutely ready to defend those he is closest to, even if it does run the risk of conflict with the police. As he and his best friend Jags become embroiled in the hunt for a family heirloom, gambled away by Jags’ feckless uncle Lucky, and try to track down the perpetrators of a senseless attack on Zaq’s brother, Tariq. There is some quick thinking to be done, favours to be asked and repaid, tricky negotiations, a damsel in distress to rescue, and some serious revenge to be had, all underscored by this slowly simmering sense of Zaq being a kind of human volcano. As much as his good humour and alacrity precedes him, there is an undercurrent of violence in his character, that he seems to try and keep dampened down and controlled. Until someone needs a good kicking of course. Although he has forged strong friendships, his one with Jags is a constant delight in the book with the joshing and camaraderie, also with his feisty and hugely loyal housemates, faces from the local community, and a quite frankly scary acquaintance from his time in prison, we get the overriding impression that Zaq is a good guy to have on your side when trouble comes down.

Zaq embodies the themes of intense loyalty and revenge that loom large in the book, there is an undercurrent of uncertainty and emotional frailty to his character, so astutely drawn by the author when we observe Zaq with his parents, and his embarking on a tentative romantic relationship. His residual guilt from what he has put his parents through, and his estrangement from them and his brother is poignantly handled, So much is conveyed by Anwar in the stilting interactions, and the gaps in the conversations between Zaq and his parents, where a knowing look or a fleeting physical touch, conveys his need to build bridges with his family and win back their trust. It’s beautifully done, adding a very human touch to Zaq’s character that just emphasises the very real feel of his character, and his need to make personal connections, despite the sense of him holding himself back, unwilling to disappoint people again.

There is much to be admired about Stone Cold Trouble from the astute and visual characterisation, with a potent and lively mix of the good, the bad, the ugly, and the quite frankly stupid. The book is nicely tempered by an acknowledgement and depiction of, of an extremely distressing period of Asian history, and its reverberations into the modern day. The portrayal of Zaq’s community, and Zaq himself, with his ties of friendship and family, and the little bursts of humour that arise from this are a sheer delight, in what is overall an extremely well-plotted and meticulously planned thriller, that gathers a head of steam and ingenuity that’ll fair blow your socks off.

I loved this book.

Really loved it.

Highly recommended.

I downloaded this after listening to Amer speaking on a crime fiction group I belong to. A very well written crime thriller with lots going on to keep me turning the pages. I haven't read book 1 in this series but that didn't hamper the enjoyment.

Stone Cold Trouble is the second instalment in the Zaq & Jags series, set in the heart of the Asian community, Southall, West London and is a welcome return to the food, culture and mean streets we were treated to in Brothers in Blood. It isn't strictly necessary to have read the initial outing before diving into this one, however, we learned a lot of about the characters’ personal lives as well as their surroundings in book one so I recommend starting there. Best friends former convict Zac and Jags are back with a bang when Jags’s Uncle Lucky asks them to retrieve a family heirloom, an expensive necklace of historic significance and his wife’s favourite, he used as surety during a game of cards and which the businessman holding it refuses to return to him. Meanwhile, having served his five years in prison for manslaughter, Zaq is still employed at the builder's yard in Southall. Despite this, trouble still seems to find him with impressive regularity. There are signs that Zaq isn't the only one being ”targeted” by the trouble overlords as his brother Tariq recently ended up in hospital after being pummelled by an enigmatic gang.

The first book in this series was near the very top of my list of 2018 essential reads, but somehow this is even better. I said it before and I'll say it again: Anwar is a rare talent. The strong Asian cultural influence was as fantastic as it was before; everything is steeped in it and that is one of the things that makes this series unique. It authentically portrays the British Asian demographic, food, traditions, language, and was just a sheer joy to behold. Contrast this with the sometimes graphically violent underground street vibe and you have yourself a rousing, masterful read. The story is wonderfully intricate and Anwar certainly knows how to spin a yarn that will entice the reader to read just one more chapter. This is one of those rare books that you instantly wish you'd devoured in a more pedestrian manner in order to savour it. A fast-paced, intriguing and highly original debut, if you like your stories with a bit of substance to them, this is absolutely unmissable. The author is adept at weaving an intelligent tale with intrigue aplenty to satiate even the most demanding crime connoisseur. Many thanks to Dialogue Books for an ARC.

This is the long-awaited sequel to the author’s debut Brothers in Blood, an impressive novel that made a well-deserved impact on the crime fiction landscape. We’re back with Zaq and his best mate Jags in Southall, and once more this is a tale populated by the West London neighbourhood's less respectable inhabitants.

Stone Cold Trouble starts off with Zaq still in the employ of the timber yard owned by the Brar family, this despite the fact that in the previous novel he went toe-to-toe with the Brar sons, both local thugs. Zaq outwitted them and they now languish as guests of Her Majesty’s Pleasure, but luckily for him, their father is blissfully unaware of his role in his sons’ incarceration, and so he still has a job.

Trouble for Zaq this time occurs on two fronts. First, his brother Tariq is beaten into a coma, and second Jags uncle loses a valuable necklace in a game of poker. Zaq investigates who beat up Tariq fearing it’s any number of people he crossed in book one, while he and Jags try and recover the necklace. Needless to say, it isn’t long before they end up in all kinds of trouble. As mentioned, and being a crime thriller, the two friends soon cross a new selection of unsavoury characters and some of the bad guys in Stone Cold Trouble are truly unpleasant people who consider themselves above the law.

Stone Cold Trouble is a great novel, albeit a little slower to get going than Brothers in Blood. This reflects the storyline well though as Zaq is both worried about his brother and also has very little to go on in his investigations. The climactic last third is really very tense and by then the reader has discovered just how repellent those our heroes are up against really are.

As with the first book, this is a well-plotted crime novel with compelling characterisation, and as with book one, there are a number of hints of where things might go next. As the series progresses Zaq and Jags are building up both enemies (such as the Brar Brothers, who currently rot in the clink) and others who might become suspicious that the two could be a liability (a certain person in Stone Cold Trouble). Either could form a plotline for book three. Or the two might happen across a whole new set of villains. Either way, this is a series that is well worth a read and Stone Cold Trouble is a great sequel to the author’s debut.

<b>Brit Asian Noir Delivered with a Punch and a Samosa on the Side</b>

<b>Watching your brother lying helpless on a hospital bed takes a lot out of a man. There's anger. There's a need for revenge. There's a sense of helplessness. And there's grief that is building up, but it's tamed by hope. And the yearning for justice...</b>

Amer Anwar captures all these emotions and more.

The second novel from the Zaq and Jags series delivers everything the first instalment introduced us to. An ex-con, his best mate, a corrupted family, a number of high energy action sequences, a plethora of colorful characters, and a lot of food. But it brings in something new. Something more subtle and delicate. A warmth of extremely fragile familial relationships, mangled by the events that took place before the first novel.

Zaq is an ex-con, who is desperately trying to rebuild his life. After 5 years at spent Her Majesty Prison, Zaq's life is a far-cry of what his family always wanted for him. Working a dead-end job delivering building supplies and living in a shared house with a group of other men, it's safe to say his parents look at him through a prism of his brother Tariq, who seems to be everything going for him. When Tariq gets attacked an is being put in a hospital, Zaq's parents immediately thing this might be to do with their older son's chequered past. But it's not...

At the same time Jags' uncle, Lucky approaches our terrible duo with a task to retrieve a family heirloom that is currently in possession of Mr Shargill, a well-respected British Asian businessman. The task sounds straightforward enough, but it's just a beginning.

In his debut novel, [book:Brothers in Blood|39852541], Amer Anwar introduces us to a universe of the modern British Asian community in the heart of the modern-day West London. The insight into the dynamics of this vibrant community is incredible. Being allowed to witness certain cultural nuances of Zaq's world helps us to understand our protagonists, but also gives us an insight into a mindset of the antagonists. In the narrative of his novels, Amer Anwar frequently alludes to the structure of the Asian community. Just a quick look at Mr Brar (Zaq's boss) gives us an insight into the psyche of the Asian diaspora in the UK, especially the second-generation. And for a white, European male this was one of the most interesting parts for me to explore. Yes, the story is full of good, old, Cockney thrill (we'll focus on that in a minute), but it almost plays second fiddle to the intricacies of the relations inside the community. The world described by Amer Anwar is full of vibrancy. The way he describes Asian cuisine is as enticing as mouthwatering. The mixture of dialects and slangs sprinkles the story with much-needed authenticity. And for someone like me, it's one of the most exciting things about the book.

The story itself is written in the spirit of a good British Noir. Story-wise it's easy to draw the comparisons to Cathi Unsworth or J.J. Connely, but Amer Anwar's storytelling is both, light and dynamic. The story flows, despite little stylistic niggles. I found a few places were the author leapt from one sequence to the next, which felt a bit rushed. At the same time, certain scenes felt like a repetition of what we've already read, especially Zaq's morning routines. As much as they provide an excellent insight into the life of our protagonist, the subsequent ones felt a little bit forced. However, Amer's style is clearly developing, and his storytelling technique is becoming more and more pronounced. Especially the conclusion of the story, which is absolutely superb! Ingenious, extremely well delivered, satisfying and moreish.

This takes us to the breathtaking action sequences written into the lives of our pair of reprobates. Pace, delivery, graphic descriptions - absolutely immaculate. The timing of the novel is consistent, and we don't experience any slower moments or lulls. It simply flows.

As for the premise of the story, it's simple but not simplistic. We are introduced to the plethora of new characters and reacquainted with the ones we've met in the previous novel. The idea of tying in a fast-paced thriller with a family drama is truly splendid. It gives this action-packed gripping novel a truly traditional, Noir feel. I cannot wait for the next outing of Zaq and Jags.

Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group, NetGalley and, of course, the author, Amer Anwar, for my advanced readers' copy of Stone Cold Trouble.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of Stone Cold Trouble but that has in no way influenced my review.

I loved (LOVED!) Brothers in Blood, the first book in this series. It was really gritty but wonderfully refreshing and original too, with tons of heart. I felt a little apprehensive about starting Stone Cold Trouble based purely on how much I loved book one (Stone Cold Trouble is one of my most eagerly anticipated books of the year, no doubt about that!). But could the author do it again? You betcha. Anwar's follow-up is another brilliantly written piece of page-turning fiction and I loved it.

Zaq Khan, despite his best efforts, can't seem to avoid trouble. When his best mate's uncle, Lucky, asks for his help in returning a family heirloom, Zaq and Jags find themselves dealing with a powerful businessman whose bodyguards are always spoiling for a fight. When Zaq's brother, Tariq, is viciously attacked, all attention is moved to his own family and to Tariq's ICU bedside. Zaq can't help feeling though that someone from his own troubled past is trying to send him a clear message. Zaq is determined to make those responsible for his brother's critical condition pay, no matter what it takes. Will Zaq and Jags be able to find the person responsible and wreak revenge, before it's too late....

I am 100% invested in these characters and their very eventful lives. I love Zaq and Jags and will happily read this series for as long as the author writes it. There is so much crammed into this story that there's never a dull moment. Even when Jags is, once again, making something for Zaq to eat (it happens a fair bit) the banter between the two characters is so entertaining and the imagery is so clear, you're swept up into the story and enjoying every single moment. Although I will say this book did, at points, make me feel quite hungry!

The streets of Southall, West London, live and breathe on the pages of this book. The author whisks you away to his version of an area he obviously loves and it was an absolute joy to read. The inclusion of Punjabi words and phrases really added to the reading experience for me. I loved how the plot unfolded and how once again, Zaq and Jags find themselves knee-deep in a compelling mystery. I felt I was tagging along with the lads every step of the way as they unpicked what had happened and why. There's a wonderful sense of unease and tension throughout which kept me on the edge of my seat. Culminating in a brilliant nerve-wracking finale.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I would recommend Stone Cold Trouble and Brothers in Blood. Brilliantly written Asian noir with great, satisfying dollops of grit and a big ol' heart to boot. Refreshing, original, gutsy fiction and I bloody love it! Highly recommended.

I chose to read and review an eARC of Stone Cold Trouble. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

**4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Amazon, Goodreads and Watersones**

Best mates Zaq and Jags return in Stone Cold Trouble which is the second book in a series by Amer Anwar and like his previous novel it is a very entertaining and fun read.

Zaq and Jags have to try to recover a necklace which is a family heirloom whilst Zaq’s brother is in hospital in a coma following a vicious attack.

The author has created two very different but clearly sketched out main characters and they drive the story along at a pace which keeps the reader entertained throughout and clicking to the next page.

Like the previous book Stone Cold Trouble is definitely recommended

Stone Cold Trouble is the second book in the series by Amer Anwar starring his wise-cracking duo ‘Zaq’ and ‘Jags’.

This book follows on from the events in the excellent first book , Brothers in Blood.

The story is predominantly set in the Asian Community in London, and Anwar crafts a tale that feels authentic and full of culture, especially the food!

Zaq’s brother has been brutally attacked, whilst Jags Uncle has got himself into a bind with a ruthless business man over a gambling debt. The duo set about getting both revenge and helping out the uncle but nothing is easy with these 2...

Zaq again takes on the prominent role in this a lot Bromance Thriller of revenge and retribution. Zaq often takes centre stage but without Jags there is no Zaq.

Amer Anwar brilliantly plots a cracking thrill ride that rarely lets up, it positively sings along.

Gritty, Moody, Violent, Tense and Super Cool with a wicked humour throughout, Anwar has pulled off another tightly plotted and insanely good thriller that packs a massive punch.

🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

Thanks to Dialogue Books and Net Galley for my ARC.

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review theres a good twist halfway through this book I enjoyed the catch up from Zac and Jag and what they get up to

This is the second book in this series, Brothers in Blood being the first, and I do recommend you read that first. The stories are mostly self-contained but you'll probably enjoy this one better if you have a complete overview of the characters, backstories and development.
So Zaq and Jags are still a bit wary of the fallout from the events of their first outing but are trying to get on with things. Things are ticking over nicely for our duo until Jags' Uncle reaches out to them to help him retrieve a necklace that he put up as a marker for a hand of cards he subsequently lost. It's not just a necklace as the boys soon discover but they have, shall we just say, their work cut out for them trying to get it back. Meanwhile Tariq, Zaq's brother is on life support in the hospital after being beaten up. Estranged but still brothers, Zaq rushes to his bedside to be with him, to find out what happened, worried it could have something to do with him.
Oh My Days. This book kept me on my toes throughout. There is a bit of a swing towards Asian fiction these days and that's a great thing I think as, especially for me, I get to learn things about culture and past, community and brotherhood, as well as meeting a cracking set of characters going about trying to get out of trouble they always seem to find themselves in the middle of. It's also pretty action packed and has some amazing scenes that are so well written that I actually managed to "see" the action play out in my mind's eye. Something I very rarely do. To say it is fast paced would be an understatement, but this is well aided by the fact that there is pretty much no superfluous waffle outwith the main story. Apart from character definition and ongoing development that is.
But the book isn't without some lighter parts. The banter and interaction between the characters and some of the situations they find themselves in are quite funny in places. Necessary respite from the rest of the shenanigans going on.
All in all, a cracking follow up to what was a brilliant series opener. Hope book three is not long in coming. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Loved it !!
Just the right amount of catch up from Zaq and Jag’s previous adventure.
Great twist half way through. All in all a great plot and story - easy reading - highly recommend

If you are looking for some action filled Asian noir, with a very authentic voice and a brilliant blend of character and story, you really should be getting yourself a copy of the Zaq and Jags series by Amer Anwar. Funny, sometimes chaotic and ultimately very clever, these books will keep you entertained and right on the deg of your seat, if only to see how the heck this pair will get themself out of trouble this time. Even if they don't go looking for it, trouble seems to find them, this time in the shape of Jags Uncle, Lucky, the least appropriately named character in the whole book. Okay, maybe second least. Not entirely sure I'd be handing my kids on of these kinds of Tonka's to play with ...

This time around we can safely say that this is 100% and Zaq and Jags story as half of the action in the book is driven by a favour the pair do for Jags' Uncle, Lucky. He has made a wager he couldn't really afford and it has cost him a necklace with great value to Lucky's family, both sentimental and, it appears, monetary. With the necklace merely as bond, Lucky thought he was okay but when the man he made the bet with refuses to return the necklace, things turn dark and trying to get the necklace back could well also prove deadly. I loved the way in which Amer Anwar develops this plot, showing the arrogance of Shergill, the man holding the necklace, and the ruthless nature of him and his, how should I put this, associates, when it comes to keeping what they feel is rightfully now theirs. It leads to some real moments of threat and of intrigue, drawing Zaq and jags even further into the game and leaving them with few choices other than to play them at their own game.

The other part of the story links wholly back to Zaq as he tries to find the people who beat his brother so severely he is left in a coma. Whether this has something to do with Zaq's past, or what happened in Western Fringes remains to be seen but it is clear that Zaq is going to need his wits, and his brawn, about him if he is going to get to the bottom of who was behind the attack. I love Zaq's loyalty to his family and the way in which he pushes himself hard to find the truth, finding a kind of balance between retribution and maintaining his own freedom that really suits his character. The pair of them don't always make what you might consider the right decision, the ending to the book fitting, but perhaps a little immoral, but it is what it is and I can't help but like them regardless.

I really do love the way in which Amer Anwar manages to recreate that really authentic Asian voice. The banter between Zaq and Jags, and even between Zaq and his housemates is pitch perfect and you really do get that sense of a brotherhood, united by far more than blood. There is a real sense of menace that feeds through the book, helped ably by the fact that the aforementioned Tonka is a man of few words but undeniable presence and you can sense the deference to him from those around him. This is a guy with a reputation and, as we learn later in the book, not someone you ever want to cross. But the author keeps the darkest scenes off the page, even if the intent is abundantly clear. The book is not without its moments of jeopardy though, Zaq once again having to resort to physical defence as well as using his keen intelligence to best his opponents.

Another fun, action filled book, full of humour and brilliant characterisation that kept me glued to the page. Lord only knows what the pair might get up to next, but I have a feeling it's going to be bedlam.

This is the second in Amer Anwar's ex- con Zaq Khan and his best friend, a Sikh, since childhood, Jags, crime series. Life has not been easy for Zaq since he was released from prison, he is still working for Mr Brar and his construction supplies firm, but trouble seems to find him, despite his efforts to stay on the straight and narrow. He lives in Southhall in a shared house with Sikh male housemates, and whilst they might squabble with each other, when it comes down to it, they have formed a sort of brotherhood that means that they are there for each other when needed. Zaq gets drawn into the problems of Uncle Lucky, a relative of Jags, who has asked them to retrieve a valuable antique diamond and emerald necklace from the wealthy Mr Shergill, after a drunken night of gambling, he expected to have returned when he settled his debts.

The necklace is a heirloom which has been in the family for generations, and Shergill has decided to keep it, rebuffing Zaq and Jags, even when Uncle Lucky offers substantially more money than he owed. Zaq's life becomes more stressed and pressurised when he gets a call in the middle of the night from a mate of his brother's telling him Tariq has been so seriously beaten up that he is in intensive care in Hillingdon hospital. Zaq has been estranged from DJ Tariq for a while, but that doesn't stop him rushing to hospital, horrified and traumatised to see what has happened, his brother is in a induced coma, with no guarantees that he will ever recover. His first worry is that Tariq has been targeted because of his own past history, but as he digs deeper, it seems it may be related to events at a wedding. Spending the nights at his brother's hospital bedside, Zaq finds himself in grave danger, as he seeks revenge and engineer the return of the necklace.

Anwar writes a exciting plot driven crime story rooted in the Asian community with plenty of action, tension and suspense that keeps the readers interest throughout. Zaq makes an amiable and engaging protagonist, needing his wits, brains and brawn, not to mention the loyalties of his friends, to survive the circumstances he and Jags find themselves in. This is wonderfully entertaining crime fiction but I do have my problems with it. Firstly, I had hoped, as this has become a series that the requisite character development would be taking place, but this is lacking in this sequel, making this more of a plot driven story. Secondly, is the complete lack of female characters, the tiny background roles of Rita and Nina, don't really count, their characterisation is poor and do not feel authentic.

Anwar captures the common Asian macho male stereotypes, and the often juvenile banter between male friends, but he is shying away from depicting and developing female characters and the modern contemporary realities of Asian women that make up 50% of the community, which is a shame as there are some incredibly strong Asian women, young and old. I will read the next in the series in the hope that some of these issues get addressed. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group Ltd for an advance copy of Stone Cold Trouble, the second novel to feature Zaq and Jags, West London’s very own trouble magnets.

Zaq and his friend Jags are asked to recover a family heirloom that Jags’ uncle Lucky used as surety and that the businessman holding it is refusing to return. They get sidetracked from this when Zak’s brother, Tariq, is brutally assaulted and left in a coma. as revenge has a higher priority, until the businessman starts messing them about.

I thoroughly enjoyed Stone Cold Trouble which is a violent but highly amusing rampage through West London and its Asian community. I read the previous novel under a different title when it was first released and have been waiting patiently for its sequel ever since. It does not disappoint.

The plotting is deceptively simple, retrieve a necklace and wreak havoc on Tariq’s assailants, but things don’t go according to plan so our intrepid duo have to overcome many obstacles on their route to completing their mission. It is clever and amusing.

As I noted in my previous review I am probably not the target demographic, being, white, female and over 50, but I just love Zaq and Jags. The novel is told entirely from Zaq’s point of view so the reader can easily identify with him. He is the kind of person that things happen to, rather than the cause. He gets dismayed and angry but is hard headed enough to be able to assess his actions and resourceful enough to find a solution. Mostly though, he is incredibly relatable, be it the corny insults he and Jags trade or his reaction to everyday events, like hiding what’s up to from his mum and dad. We’ve all been there. He brings a warmth to the novel that the violence might not suggest.

Stone Cold Trouble is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

My thoughts about this brilliantly written gripping sequel, to the smash hit Brothers In Blood,was just fantastic.Amer Anwar's Stone Cold Trouble,is truly not just brilliant but beyond excellent,Amer has written, a a fast paced thirller, that packs a punch,amazing fight sequences, that will blow you away, with lots of suspense and mystery, that took my breath away. The leading characters Zaq And Jags team up once again, as they investigate who attacked Zaq's Brother was fantastic,while they are trying to find out, they get in a series trouble,they find themselves suspected of murder. Zak also agrees to help Jags,recover a family heirloom, currently in the possession of a wealthy businessman. On there way, they face some of the most deadly villains, there journey this time, takes them different locations in London unlike the first one that was set in Southall and Hounslow, Author Amer Anwar's writing style is just brilliant, he keeps the story fast paced, as he did in his first novel. A nail biting ending that I did not see coming. This gripping follow up is not just brilliant, but an outstanding masterpiece,that Amer has shown, how to write a brilliant sequel that doesn't disappoint.Highly Recommended. I would like to say thank you to author Amer Anwar,publishers dialogue books, and netgalley, for giving me a chance to read and review, this outstanding thriller.💥💥💥💥💥👊👊👊👊👊💪💪💪💪💪⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐