I really enjoyed this book. It was a great storyline with excellent characters. I would highly recommend this book as it was a great read.

thank you netgalley for providing me access to this ARC.
This book was clever and enticing. The author’s idea was clear from the start and the style of writing was very good. However, near the end the book got very confusing and it felt rushed. The ending was not as satisfying as i wanted it to be and overall the book made no lasting impact. I gave this book 3 stars.

I know what I saw by Imran Mahmood 4.5 stars
I was totally loving this book from a few pages in. Then I was hooked, it was so gripping I didn't want to put it down. It is so well wrote that it flows so easy, making it a wonderfully fast paced mystery/ thriller. I read it in just over two days. I felt like I was in the book feeling the frustrations of the characters trying to work out what happens next. There are plenty of unexpected twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Without giving anything away it has a very unexpected ending. Read it yourself you will not be disappointed!

I love I know what I saw, I knew I would the minute it came in my lovemyread box last month and I read it quite quickly because it was just so good.

The book follows Xander who is a homeless man, and one day he witnesses a murder.
Right from the very beginning you sympathise with Xander for his situation but there is a sense of unease as you don't know why or how he became homeless but it is clearly relevant to his story. There is also the fact that his memories are not clear so he is not considered a reliable witness but as the reader you really feel this with his memory blanks. The London setting, and with him being homeless really sets the mood for this book and leaves you feeling in edge more and more and you get into the story.
The few side characters all feel quite set back from the main story but it all links back in the end.
The pacing of the book was really good and I felt the actual premise of the book was really unique and interesting. It's probably the best unreliable narrative I have read and I really enjoyed the details this added to the story.
It reminded me a bit of the girl from widow Hill just with the memory lapses so I think if you enjoyed that this is a good one for you to pick up. I rated this 5 🌟 on my goodreads and this will be a book I pass on or buy for friends to read in the future!

I Know What I Saw is a slow paced, original and intelligent thriller that is beautifully written with empathy for the main character , Xander and a book that highlights our own judgements and perceptions. I did find it to be an uneven read and there were times when I lost interest which detracted from my enjoyment of this otherwise clever thriller.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC

This is a psychological thriller whose protagonist and first person narrator, Xander Shute, is a homeless man with an interesting background story (middle class, Oxbridge, mathematician, finance)... and a number of traumas (familial, societal...) which have made him what he is at the start of the novel: Is he capable of violence? Is he a reliable witness? why is he so hunted by the past?
I enjoyed the mystery, especially at the beginning but found the development of the story slightly relentless and a bit repetitive at each turn of the plot screw. The narrator-protagonist felt younger than the actual age he is, and there are other verisimilitude elements regarding his past wealth and where it all went that I found slightly irritating - although I do understand the need for some gaps... The novel takes place in London and although some areas are roamed at large, I imagined more than read the locales (I happen to live in central London, which was a help). On the other hand I learned a lot about how the homeless survive, not small thing, and the legal proceedings had an authentic ring to them.
I am sure that this novel will be enjoyed by many if you are looking for an easy, entertaining read. There are longueurs, and I was not really gripped by the protagonists predicament, but that could just be me.
Many thanks to the publishers, Bloomsbury, and NetGalley for an advance copy of this decent thriller.

This is a well-written and well-constructed book and it largely deserves its many rave reviews. However, while it is gripping in parts, I found it a bit slow in others. I was very engaged for most of the book, but then started to tire of it, particularly the main character, Xander Shute. I also feel the ending lets the book down, somewhat. Still, you read a thriller for the storytelling, not the dénouement, don't you?!

,I Know What I Saw is setin London and told through the eyes of Xander Shute, a homeless man who has been living on the streets for way too many years, struggling with his personal demons and haunted memories of the past.
One night in the pouring rain, Xander finds an empty property with an open door and decides to stay there to keep out of the weather. This decision happens to turn into the biggest one in his life.
As the story unfolds, we begin to learn Xander’s back story and why a young, successful and professional young man who studied Mathematics at Cambridge, earned a fortune then experienced what appears to be the ideal life, walked away from everything and everyone he knew and lived on the streets.
The fact that Xander is truly determined to discover the truth whatever that may be is really heart wrenching, The more we read the more we think he may not be fully right in what he remembers, partucularly when others are questioning his memory of the events.
This is slow burn of a book. It builds up to a crescendo as Xander finds his way to making peace with himself.

I have read Imran Mahmood's first book and it was excellent! I was hooked and could not stop reading it.(I read it in a day), which is why I requested this book.

The book immediately grips you from the first chapter. And I was not disappointed.

I was very attached to the main character Xander and felt for him so much at times I even dropped a few tears. It is about a man and his fight for himself and justice, I felt i was on an emotional rollercoaster.

Unfortunately due to personal commitments this book took me two days to finish or this would have also been a one sit read.

Whatever Imran Mahmood brings next I am going to be the first in line to request it!
This book is a must-buy for anyone who loves a layered thriller.

It is for sure my first 5 star review of the year!!!

I Know What I saw by Imran Mahmood is his second book. I have not read his first (ok I know massive error). I have heard about it and hope to be reading it when I can. I received my book and sat down to read. My intention was a quick chapter or two, well, that never happened. Needless to say this is a gripping thriller that had me hooked immediately.
We meet Xander Shute, once a successful, clever man, with all the trappings, a beautiful girlfriend and the best friend you could have in Seb. Over thirty years Xander has been on the street, why? What would cause him to live on the streets?
Then events begin to spiral as he, through no fault of his own, finds an empty house with the door wide open. He takes the chance and goes in to sleep in the warmth. Someone arrives back at the house and Xander hides behind the settee. He witnesses something that is not easily forgotten. He goes to the police and is not believed... then is arrested for murder. How will he find a way out of this?
A story that is narrated by Xander himself and the timeline takes us right back to how he got where is is in the present day. Imran Mahmood has written this book in such a way that my heart went right out to Xander. He is such a relatable character that it made it an emotional read with his history. His character is that real and his voice so strong and unique that his confusion and hurt almost jumps out of the page at you. His determination to attempt to find the truth whatever it takes is admirable. As people begin to question and doubt his version of events the reader does start doubting Xanders' reliability as a narrator.
A psychological thriller that isn't a fast paced book. It is a multi-layered thriller about one man and his quest for the truth no matter what the consequences. I loved this truly engaging and immersive story that has given me yet another fabulous author to follow.
Thanks to Raven Books for my copy of the book and Tracy Fenton for inviting me along on the tour.

New author alert and I love finding new authors "I Know What I Saw" by Imran Mahmood. this book one of the most cleverly written books I have read in a while and especially as it was a new author to me,

So hats off to Imran your book was a 5 star hit with me. I will be looking for more books to read from you in the future.

I highly recommend this book.

BIg thank you to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC for supplying a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! Loved this book.
I really enjoy books with an unreliable narrator and Mahmood has created a fantastic unreliable narrator in homeless Xander Shute. who witnesses a crime. The trouble is, Xander has lived on the streets for three decades and his memories are not in chronological order. As he struggles to make sense of the snippets he remembers we are taken on a compelling journey through the streets of London, through the decades, and through the mind of a man with so many demons. Mahmood nails Xander's voice through attention to detail, flawless plotting and amazing empathy.
From start to finish Xander's journey throws twists and turns at you. It also keeps you guessing as you try to slot the pieces in place. This is a remarkable account of life on the streets and the vulnerability of rough sleepers. It shows how precarious life can be and is dealt with realistically, yet totally believably.

I saw it. He smothered her, pressing his hands on her face. The police don't believe me, they say it's impossible - but I know what I saw. Xander Shute - once a wealthy banker, now living on the streets - shelters for the night in an empty Mayfair flat. When he hears the occupants returning home, he scrambles to hide. Trapped in his hiding place, he hears the couple argue, and he soon finds himself witnessing a vicious murder. But who was the dead woman, who the police later tell him can't have been there? And why is the man Xander saw her with evading justice? As Xander searches for answers, his memory of the crime comes under scrutiny, forcing him to confront his long-buried past and the stories he's told about himself. How much he is willing to risk to understand the brutal truth?

Wow. What a book. The writing style on this book is phenomenal. It is written exactly like you would expect the main character on this book to sound like.
This book is not particularly fast paced, but rather a build up and character driven. It is still intriguing, addictive and brilliant! This is a great psychological thriller that just leaves you wanting more and more

I highly recommend this book. Thank you for inviting me to be part of the tour

This book was a really enjoyable Hitchcock mind game story.

At first you feel its a pretty simple straight forward, police don't believe the homeless man scenario.

Then it starts to get way more confusing than that.

Loved it

Thank you netgalley and publisher for the Arc copy

I was delighted to receive an ARC of I Know What I saw as this author's previous book, You Don't Know Me is one of my favourite audiobooks ever.

Xander, a once wealthy, highly intelligent, but now willingly homeless man wanders into an unlocked house in Mayfair and witnesses a murder. He reports it to the police who don't believe him and charge him with wasting police time. He is insistent that he knows what he saw. But with a fractured mind and misplaced memories, can he really rely on his memory to confirm what he believes he saw?

This is a clever, suspenseful thriller with great character development. Xander evoked feelings of pity and sympathy in me as he battled his way through little pieces of memory of his previous life. Amid great twists, this unreliable narrator kept me hanging on to find out the truth of what happened! My only quibble is that it was a little long drawn out but overall, an enjoyable read.

Atmospheric, Compulsive Narrative…
An impossible crime? A trick of the mind? An intriguing premise. Meticulous, intelligent and cleverly drawn suspense with deft character development, a compulsive narrative and an immersive storyline. An atmospheric slow burn packed with twists, turns and full on surprises along the way with a solid sense of place. Both a wholly absorbing and thought provoking read.

I Know What I Saw is not a title that really stands out the way it should. It is, as becomes obvious by the end of the book, perfect for what this story is about. One of the best finds the year.

The first thing that struck me is that it is a story told from the perspective of a homeless man. Mahmood brilliantly explores the feelings and beliefs of someone who lives on the streets of London, the issues he faces such as finding his pitch for the night, hygiene, violence and other people's attitude to him. He explores the notion of freedom, of preferring to sleep on the ground over sleeping in a bed in a house. All fascinating insight.

The story is simple enough: after a violent altercation a homeless man wanders into a house and wItnesses a murder. The police do not believe him but he persists until he is arrested for wasting police time. So he attempts to find out who the victim and killer are with help from his old friend from the past.

This is a book about memory - what we remember, what we choose to remember and how we recall memories. And, of course, what we don't remember.

Extremely well written, this story is full of suspense in a refreshing way with credible and sympathetic characters. A writer to watch, for sure.

ajsefton.com/book-reviews

A slow burner and not really for me. I soldiered on and could not wait to get to the end. Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC for an honest review

I had heard good things about this book so when I had the chance to bump it up my reading list, I jumped at it, and I am so glad I did as it was so different from what I had been reading recently and the story drew me in right from the beginning ensuring that I read it within 2 days.
Xander Shute is homeless and living on the street, whilst trying to find shelter after getting into a fight he witnesses a murder. When he tries to report what he witnessed to the police they do not believe him and initially arrest him for wasting police time. Despite all this Xander is determined to prove what he claims is true even if it means confronting things and people from his past.
This story is so much more than a man trying to prove that he has not imagined a crime. Throughout the book we get to witness what life for Xander was like before he became homeless. He had a good life and a good career, but he never seemed truly happy so when this life starts to fall apart, he literally walks away from everything for a life on the streets. Despite all the hardships that this presents him with he does seem at peace with himself. What follows though has him doubting his own mind and will have the reader wondering just how reliable Xander is.
Imran Mahmood has created a multi dimensional character that will evoke compassion and frustration in equal measure. Xander has shunned what is considered a normal life for so long he is often resistant to the help from those who seem to care for him and want to help him in whatever way they can. His convictions about what he saw against the evidence available will have you wondering how reliable he is especially as the story progresses. His circumstances are such that he is looked on as someone not to be trusted, a liar. At times even Xander doubts himself and his recollections. There is a kind of heart-breaking inevitability to the conclusion to the book but with many twists and turns along the way. For me this was a brilliant and compelling book that is one of my favourite reads of the year so far.

This is the second book I read by Imran Mahmood I loved the first and I loved this too.

I like his style of writing and his knowledge of the legal system really shows through in his books.

This has twists and turns and was unputdownable.