This is a story of the Khan family. It is a book of racism, religion and crime.
It is a thriller and a family saga.
An interesting story.

Due to a sudden, unexpected passing in the family a few years ago and another more recently and my subsequent (mental) health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for several years after the bereavements. This meant I didn't read or venture onto netgalley for years as not only did it remind me of that person as they shared my passion for reading, but I also struggled to maintain interest in anything due to overwhelming depression. I was therefore unable to download this title in time and so I couldn't give a review as it wasn't successfully acquired before it was archived. The second issue that has happened with some of my other books is that I had them downloaded to one particular device and said device is now defunct, so I have no access to those books anymore, sadly.

This means I can't leave an accurate reflection of my feelings towards the book as I am unable to read it now and so I am leaving a message of explanation instead. I am now back to reading and reviewing full time as once considerable time had passed I have found that books have been helping me significantly in terms of my mindset and mental health - this was after having no interest in anything for quite a number of years after the passings. Anything requested and approved will be read and a review written and posted to Amazon (where I am a Hall of Famer & Top Reviewer), Goodreads (where I have several thousand friends and the same amount who follow my reviews) and Waterstones (or Barnes & Noble if the publisher is American based). Thank you for the opportunity and apologies for the inconvenience.

The Khan is one of those novels that has a gem of an idea behind but is generally poorly executed. The idea of a Godfather style Mob Syndicate in Britain could have been an excellent one, but it felt lacking. It's a shame because the writing itself is lyrical and powerful. But the actual execution of the narrative and the building of characters felt disappointing.

Part of this was the lacklustre setting. The way both London and Yorkshire were described was... bland. They could have been virtually any city in any country. I often found myself confused as to where I actually was and - partially due to my lack of reading the blurb - it took me a while to realise that Jai hadn't gone back to Pakistan. I didn't get a sense of local or place at all.

The pacing was also problematic; there's too much back story and exposition for a thriller and is doesn't go anywhere fast. There are long sections dedicated to Jia's relationships with her ex-husband, her family, and to a much lesser degree her old colleagues. There's a lot of repetition and a lot of info dumping; some of it interesting info dumping, but there are better ways to do it.

The action is often seen from afar or even just as an aftermath, when you are in the centre of it then it's over quickly. This isn't helped by the fact that some of it is so unbelievable that you can't suspend your disbelief; come on, if a guy gets run over by one car there are going to be broken bones and internal injuries, but multiple cars over a prolonged period?!

This wasn't helped by the volume of characters and the character switching; you rarely stay on the same aspect long enough to become invested and there were too many characters to keep track of. Whilst some of the characters are well drawn and individualistic, others simply blur into the background and trying to remember how they slotted in when their name came back up chapters later was a problem. The antagonist was a two dimensional cut out who'd have been caught by the law long before the plot could unravel, he isn't even an intelligent criminal.

And there was a distinct lack of character development or progression. There are several sudden character switches, where a character changes direction at the speed of light with little logical progression as to how. I found myself typically peeved by the occasion at the end, which I guess counts as a twist and that's a particular pet peeve of mine; sudden shock twists just strike me as cheap. I saw at least part of it coming, but that was less due to character development and more due to the sinking feeling in my stomach, so the point stands.

At the end of this rant, it's a miracle we're still at a two star rating. And yet we are. Partially because there is real potential here and it's just a pity the execution lets it down. But it's also because I did enjoy the writing style and the exposition about Pashtun culture was often fascinating. It's a pity that a lot of this was done in info dumps, but I was still caught all the same. I can't really recommend it on that basis alone though.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.

I found it difficult to engage with this book as I found it impossible to believe any of it. The plot is both weak and far-fetched, character development is meagre and there is too much telling and not enough showing for my liking. Also the scene with the brother being run over repeatedly by several range rovers and then walking away with only a tyre print on his cheek to show for it was just so ridiculously unbelievable that it made the whole thing seem cartoon-ish. Not for me.

A really solid thriller. Loved the premise, subverting all sorts of stereotypes. Thought the pacing was sometimes off, but I enjoyed it all the same.

This is a debut novel covering the early life of Jia Khan, the successful daughter of an immigrant family. Her belief that she can succeed in Britain is gradually eroded by a casual casual racism, class privilege and elitism. Her ability doesn't open all the doors, and British justice is not blind. She understands that her role must be to help her people (as I write this I realise that I am displaying the same casual racism, her people, my people, we are all British). The book details her early story. Thoroughly enjoyed this, and was educated in many ways at the same time. Saima Mir has a bright future.

After years of denying her heritage, Jia is called back to the city that was once her childhood home. Will she embrace the family business and choose to live a life that is not always on the right side of the law?
A compelling read of heritage and family.

Set in a criminal underworld that is totally alien to me, and full of cultural references that were unfamiliar, I struggled at times to believe the storyline of this book. I didn't like or empathise with any of the characters and the book made me feel distinctly uneasy. But that is probably the point of the book; to make us question our assumptions and see things differently.
There is so much to reflect on in this book and it raises many questions, but unfortunately doesn't offer any resolution to many of them. By the end, there are still so many loose ends left untied that I'm sure a sequel will follow. It reads as though it has been written with the intention of turning it into a TV series (and a fine one it would be).

Adored this; completely flips a traditional crime thriller on its head, with some truly surprising twists and turns. Recommending to everyone I know and desperate for a sequel!!

Wow what an incredible read. I first read Saima Mir's essay in 'Its Not about the Burqa' and found her writing to be sharp and skilled and immediately became a huge fan of hers, so naturally I was so excited to read this book! I absolutely adore thriller style books, but I am very picky. The characters have to be real, fully fleshed, not a caricature of a person. Saima, of course, wrote such a powerful, emotional and thrilling book that I truly think will be loved by everyone.

It's so lovely to see representation done well. For those who are fans of thrillers, look no further than Saima Mir's stunning debut, which skilfully merges suspense and anticipation with a heartfelt story of families, love and identity.

Thank you to Netgalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

As a native of Bradford, I was eager to read this book, it was well-written with good characters and a compelling plot. Very different, but enjoyable.

Bringing a fresh perspective and edge to British contemporary crime, Mir’s debut is a gritty and gripping tale about family, community, and crime that explores the realities faced by immigrant communities in the UK, and introduces a wonderful central character, and a welcome new voice

Jai Khan, the protagonist of Saima Mir's book 'The Khan' didn't work for me as a character. She read like a woman written by a man who doesn't understand women - if you see what I mean. She's not. Saima Mir is a woman.

The Khan is set in a crime-stricken ethnically diverse northern town (was it Leeds or Bradford? Forgive me, I forget) where two groups - one Muslim, the other Easter European - are competing over the local organised crime. Jai's father, Akbar, has long been the head of the Jirga and his daughter had rejected the underworld of crime for life as a top London lawyer many years earlier. With her father's death, there's a vacancy at the head of the organised crime group and Jai wants it.

I didn't believe that a character like Jai would be acceptable to a bunch of elderly traditional Muslim men. I didn't believe the way her brother got up and walked away from being run over by multiple range rovers. I didn't believe most of her reactions to most of the things that happened in the book. And when it got to the end, I didn't believe that either.

For me, the book rambled around without that much actually happening. It just wasn't for me.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for my copy.

The Khan is a gritty and fast-paced novel full of family, secrets, love and betrayal. A fantastic debut packed with tension and explosive characters that keep you reading.

This has got to be my favourite book of the year! I love how the book starts with the narrative in the prologue as you’re hooked straight away. I was intrigued, surprised and eager to read more. I’m on a journey this year to read more South Asian authors and Saima Mir does not disappoint. I didn’t want to read about ‘traditional’ Asian women with stereotypical ‘reserved, subdued, dutiful’ attributes, but I needn’t have worried.
The story is engaging, fast paced, set in Bradford (great placing) and all about organised crime. I love crime and thrillers generally, but I have never read a book with South Asian style underworld of crime, race and gangsters. Brilliant storyline, great background on culture and fully dimensional characters, especially Jia Khan, and her father, Akbar Khan. More so I loved the scattering of non English words throughout the book. I felt so proud to read them, so unapologetically and respectfully in the story. Someone make this a film!!

A debut gangster type novel set in Bradford with Ms Jia Khan ( a lawyer) taking over her father's criminal empire after his murder by an Eastern European mob.

The author has plenty to say on white privilege, poverty, drug dealing and the British justice system. However, the cultural life of the Puhktans in Bradford is really well described with Jia in, essentially, a man's world. For me, these were the most enjoyable parts of the book.

The writing was superb, although the pace was sometimes too fast and then slowed down. My only negative was the story involving Jia's 'missing' son which I found strange to say the least.

Thanks to Net Galley and Oneworld Publications, Point Blank for the chance to read and review.

This was a good story, about a community and the family that runs it. There were shades of a modern godfather based in Bradford. I enjoyed it.

THE KHAN; SUBVERTING THE ORGANISATIONAL CRIME NOVEL

Although I hate violence and am really squeamish, I’ve always loved organised crime dramatisations such as The Sopranos, The Godfather, Peaky Blinders etc. They fascinate me. Yet these are stories where men take the lead roles. So when I heard about The Khan, a novel in which a woman is head of a Pakistani organised crime gang, I was desperate to read it. I was very intrigued, especially when I saw the book cover, which I think you will agree, is so simple, yet so striking and powerful. After finishing this novel a few weeks ago I’m still very much intrigued.

Set against a gritty backdrop of racial divides and misogyny, The Khan is the story of Jia, the daughter of Akbar Khan, a powerful crime lord in Bradford. Estranged from her father for many years, Jia has carved out a new life for herself as a successful barrister in London. Yet when her father – referred to as ‘The Khan’ as he heads up the local Pakistani community – is suddenly murdered, Jia is forced to confront her past and revaluate her life and values. Don’t worry, Jia’s father dying is not a spoiler!

In a race to save the lives of those she holds dear, Jia is forced to take her father’s place in the Bradford community. She becomes the new Khan, taking over the running of the crime empire. Yet a new organised crime gang is intent on dominating the streets of Bradford, and is happy to use brutal violence and bloodshed to do so. This new crime syndicate is led by the charming, silver haired Andrzej Nowak.

As well as having to confront her family history, a part of her self that she has spent many years running away from, Jia also has to deal with the direct misogyny from the ‘Jirga‘, her father’s close, loyal group of male associates who firmly believe in the ‘old way’. Furthermore Jia’s estranged husband enters her life again, and he not alone.

Written by award winning journalist, Saima Mir, The Khan is an gritty exploration of the underbelly of a multicultural community. It is multi-layered as Mir is not afraid to deal with dark, societal issues head on, especially deeply ingrained racial issues. For that reason it is so potent and compelling. This is a powerful, unconventional read that stands out.

The characters and the interweaving relationships between these characters are tense and complex. Yet for me Jia is a frustrating protagonist – I found her very aloof, not just with the other characters but also with me as a reader if you understand what I mean? For that reason I really struggled to empathise with Jia. I also liked the plot but at times I felt that some aspects of it were a little bit too conveniently placed. However the story does have a twist – I was sure I had worked the twist out, so much so I would have bet my life on it. I was wrong – which as a reader I loved.

I could be wrong but I feel that there will be a sequel to The Khan. I hope so as I really want to explore Jia, the supporting characters and their interweaving relationships further. My curiosity as a reader has not been satisfied yet and feel (and hope) Saima Mir has only just got started with Khan dynasty. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a full series. I hope so.

Thank you to Anne Cater from Random Things Tours for inviting me to the blog tour of this gritty, standout novel which was published in hardback on 1st April 2021. To follow the reviews from my fellow book bloggers also on the tour, please see below.

Happy reading everyone!

“Be twice as good as men and four times as good as white men.” Saima Mir
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Jia Khan is a successful criminal law barrister 👩🏽‍⚖️and the estranged daughter of a powerful crime lord, Akbar Khan. The Khan is a proud Pukhtan and Muslim and is revered by the Pakistani community of Bradford 🇵🇰 🇬🇧 , as well as being one of the main providers of 'employment' within the community. His Jirga rules through the use of traditional methods 🔪 and appealing to traditional values. But when her father is murdered, and her brother abducted, Jia returns to the family fold to help.
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The Khan is a family saga as well as a crime novel- Mir skillfully crafts a story that explores the contradictory nature of family dynamics, community, crime and religion. Within this, there is also reference to institutional racism, unemployment and poverty and how this creates conditions where crime becomes the only option. Original and thought provoking- I need a sequel!
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Thank you to @netgalley and @oneworldpublications for my copy of this book