A well written narrative of its time and setting. Well rounded characters. Unfortunately not for me. A new genre for me and it didn't grab me but I appreciated the skill in the writing.

In 1998 the newly established Criminal Cases Review Commission considered its first case. This was of Mahmoud Mattan who was hanged in September 1952 for a murder committed on a woman shopkeeper in the Tiger Bay area of Cardiff in March of that year. His conviction was quashed. Mohamed has chosen in this novel to present this case and its background in all its complexities. In a bustling and detailed tale (that in many ways reflects the speed with which this murder and its aftermaths were “dealt” with) she will talk to the lives of the “victim” and her family, Mahmoud himself and the plethora of “witnesses” and police involved. Be aware that knowing the background in advance – especially when there is the sparser and harsh recounting of the trial process and exact statements - this will not be an easy read.
This tale is used to show the sheer complexity of the communities around the dock area of Tiger Bay. Mohamed seems to have an extraordinary grasp of the waves of immigrants, their areas, the particular pressures they faced and the daily animosities they lived with. The murdered victim – given here as Violet Volakis (41), a 4’10” spinster - has taken over the running of her father’s multi-purpose shop, apparently acting as a money-lender on the side. Violet was Jewish her father an immigrant from Eastern Europe and over the previous year’s increasing numbers of her family have died in the German camps. Her younger sister Diana, a war widow with a ten year old daughter, lives nearby but works out of the property as a bookies agent. On the night in question they stay for dinner, Violet goes to answer the shop bell and they see a man, possibly Somali, outside. Within about 5 minutes Violet will be discovered battered to death.
The Somali links takes the story into the nature of the mixed communities in a port area – there were a large number of Somalis and Yemenis who had worked ships around the world. Some found British wives and settled. Mahmud’s wife of five years Laura was from an Irish background and she and their three boys were subject to constant racist abuse. There was a newer influx of West Indians as well. But there was conflict between these communities, over jobs, money, scarce housing, woman and other matters. These fed into the police investigation and led to a miscarriage of justice. Mohamed clearly shows the complexity of the community life and remembers that is 1952 when the country is still recovering from all the tribulations of World War Two, with poverty and shortages still rife.
The police are under pressure to solve the murder of a “respectable white woman” and move swiftly. They appear to initially concentrate on those they had come into contact before. But ultimately they do not know the complexities of the communities - communities that do not trust them or speak to them lightly. Once pressure starts to rise (and a reward is offered) a series of witnesses came forward and pressure placed on them to identify Mahmoud. He – combative, with poor English and unable to read or understand the complexities of the process will find himself charged and in a process that will lead to his death. This in spite, it should be said, that both Diana and her daughter denied he was there. Obviously there was the lack of modern forensic supports used now, but it seems the police procedures were lax, lacking and corrupt.
The trial itself speaks very much to its time – it makes a thinking person now cringe. A leading barrister barely defended Mahmoud properly, the defence being he is a liar but that does not make him a murderer. But proceeded to describe him as “a Half Child of Nature?” and “Half Semi-civilised savage?” The jury took less than two hours to convict. The appeal and request for pardon both fail.
This novel skewers in a very painful way the post war poverty, and the racism in very diverse communities living closely together. But it shows, too, the scale of experience, travels and complexities of life of so many of the characters. The world has not been peaceful and people are trying to make do in difficult circumstances. Life was not easy and murder – and indeed injustice through the courts – was apparently just part of the price paid. Mohamed does not forget too that the impact of crime radiates from the central characters and can have a lifelong impact. So this is a very important read – not least because it pulls together so many “issues” or realities that you will have become aware of in a more scattered way. By showing the difficulties it becomes sympathetic to the people, because they are people, not issues. It is a deeply reflective take on multi racial Britain then, but also as the foundations of where we live now.

What an important story. I really enjoyed getting to know the different characters, especially the main character Mahmood and his vibrant background. I thought the first half of the book provided a brilliant foundation for the second half, especially with the courtroom chapters. At times I thought the dialogue and descriptions were a bit too drawn out but overall it was a great read and I learnt a lot.

After reading to 40% in and not really clicking with the book I put it aside to read another book. I've gone back to it but just couldn't get into it so I don't really think this is a book for me.

It's not really what I envisaged the story to be and found my mind drifting quite a lot whilst reading and then got to the stage where I just didn't have any enthusiasm to go back to it. It's so difficult giving stars especially when I haven't even reached the end. So I've given 3 stars to be fair.

My thanks to NetGalley and Penguin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Nadifa Mohamed’s novel, The Fortune Men, set in 1950’s Cardiff, Is based on the true story of Mahmood Mattan, a Somali man’s wrongful execution in Wales.

As Mattan quotes: “Fortune couldn’t be nudged or shaken awake, she had to be given her liberty to act when and where she wanted.” For Mattan there was to be no liberty. I was so incensed by this story I Googled this miscarriage of justice and found a TV newscast of September 2020. It was minor consolation that, after 34 years of the death of Mattan, the Appeal Court judges overturned his conviction and he was found to be innocent.

To be honest I found this book a bit tedious although I do appreciate that it is not meant to be enjoyable, but an informative account based on actual events. A depressing, emotionally protracted read, giving an insight into racial prejudice and a flawed British justice system.

A heart-wrenching book that ends with an emotionally draining scene, this 'novel' is more that the sum of its parts. It tells the story of a Somali man wrongfully convicted of murder, based on little evidence and seemingly motivated by the fact he was a bit of a chancer and was married to a white woman.

Though it took me a little while to get into it, once it became clear how the two strands connected, I was hooked. The later chapters in particular are extremely powerful, the characters are well-drawn and the writing sharp and unsentimental.

It wasn't until I had finished the book and read the notes at the end, however, that the full horror of the events became apparent. This is a story which is still very relevant 70 years after it happened.

The Fortune Men tells the story of a Mahmood Mattan, a Somalian, sailor, adventurer and petty crook. He is also a devoted husband and family man who is desperate to make a life for his young family. Unfortunately, he has irritated and provoked people in his community with his scams and cons and when the police are looking for someone to pin a murder in Mahmood is their main suspect. The opportunity to get their own back is just to easy as the police and authorities are more than willing to believe the lies and inconsistencies which lead to Mahmood’s eventual conviction.
This story is incredibly well crafted and I learned so much about many aspects of life in Tiger Bay in the early 1950’s - not a period or area I knew much about. The wide variety of cultures described in the book made for a fascinating read. The characters were very well developed and compelling. The attitudes and racism inherent in 50’s society were toe curling.
Not sure if this is a spoiler but .... this story is not fiction. I did not realise that till I reached to epilogue and the penny dropped that these well developed characters had in fact lived their lives.
I could not put the book down. I was so invested in Mahmood’s life and adventures from childhood till his eventual end that I was both reluctant to finish it while wanting to know the outcome. . It made for compelling reading and I cannot recommend it highly enough. It is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

What an amazing historical fiction novel, not at all what I was expecting.

The book is set in Tiger Bay, Cardiff, in 1952. Mahmood is a Somali married to Laura, a local woman. 1950’s Cardiff is a bustle of multiculturism and Mahmood works hard for his wife and three sons, his work on the ships takes him away from them often but that and his petty thievery is the only way he knows of how to support his family. During one of his spells on dry land, a local shopkeeper is murdered. Even though he protests his innocence, there are too many witnesses who saw it happen, even though most of are only there for the reward.
I won’t spoil the outcome, but does he gain redemption? Will Mahmood walk away a free man, or is he hung by prejudice and greed?

The book covers issues of prejudice with sensitivity, the hardship of life for some in this Welsh Community a reality, and perfect portrayal of the characters draw you right into the story, stirring emotions and questioning how and why this man was failed by the Justice system.

This book is based upon the real-life events of the murder of Lily Volpert on March 6th 1952.

This is a very absorbing novel that is beautifully and respectfully written whilst also being a page gripping mystery that will keep you saying ‘just one more chapter’.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you to Netgalley and Viking for an e ARC of The Fortune Men in return for an honest review.

This is a chilling tale about miscarriage of justice brought on by racial prejudice and totally inadequate police work. Set in 1950's Cardiff we meet Mahmood, a 24 year old Ethiopian seaman, who has settled in the city having married a Cardiff lass. He loves her and his children dearly but is currently living apart from them as her family's prejudice has meant he has to find his own place.
A shopkeeper is robbed and murdered one night and Mahmood finds himself in the frame. False testimony from witnesses, rumours of him having been spending money and biased policework combine to see him found guilty of this crime. Mohammed then proceeds to tell the story of how this proud man refuses to believe that the British justice system will other than correct, at appeal, what was clearly a wrongful conviction.
It is the manner in which the sensitive Mahmood and his family fight for his innocence that makes this book a truly compelling read. Seeing the whole affair through his eyes makes one's head hang in shame for where racial prejudice can lead. This book doesn't hold back from laying bare the evils of prejudice, which we all recognise, and this rightly stays with you long after you turn the last page.

I found this book difficult to read in more ways than one. It is set in Cardiff in the early 1950’s. I found it hard in the beginning as the book jumped about and I wondered if I would continue with it. I did persevere and I am so pleased I did. This area in the 1950’s was multi-cultural and I am sure this must have been very difficult. Mahmood Mattan was a sailor and he mixed with many nationalities. He met and married a Welsh girl, Laura, and they had three children. Life was tough for them especially if and when he went to sea and they often separated. He was a bit of a petty thief in as much as trying to make ends meet. When he was not on ship a Jewish lady who ran a shop was brutally murdered and Mahmood was thought to have committed this murder. Mahmood never lost faith in the legal system but to no avail and he was surprised how many witnesses there were in Court to condemn him especially one who said it was him hoping to have the reward. She later admitted she was wrong. He always protested his innocence as he felt it was in a country which would believe him and set him free. The part of the book which deals with the arrest and trial was precious to read and so so sad especially as a true story. We have not come a long way from prejudice I am sad to say.

Set in Tiger Bay in Cardiff this is a story about the difficulties of the lives of immigrants. Not an easy read and I did struggle at first to engage with the way the book is written.

This is such an interesting book about the lives of immigrants and their families in 1950's Cardiff.
Mahmoud and Laura's story is specific to the time and place, and it is hard to read about the difficulties they faced. I was so moved by their story, and shocked by the ending and afterword.

A book that will open your eyes and stay in your heart. Illustrating the harsh reality of racism and prejudice, this story really hits hard. Slightly slow to get into but then very enjoyable.

What a stunning piece of writing. Set in Tiger Bay,Cardiff, in 1952, Mahmood Mattan is a Somali married to a local woman. The murder of a local shopkeeper eventually leads to his execution by hanging for a crime he did not commit. This book is based upon the real life events of the murder of Lily Volpert on March 6th 1952.
The book covers issues of prejudice with sensitivity, the hardship of life for some in this Welsh Community a reality, and perfect portrayal of the characters draw you right into the story, stirring emotions and questioning how and why this man was failed by the Justice system.

Having seen David Olusoga's TV series "Black and British: a forgotten history", I was aware of the multi-racial community in that part of Wales. This was a story of a tragic injustice and it was quite shocking to read how an innocent man was trapped by circumstantial evidence, lying and mistaken witnesses, and his own attitude which would not allow him to believe that anyone could possibly believe he did, so he did not present himself in the best possible light. There was a mention of Tiger Bay's Shirley Bassey who rose above all the prejudice, but one success is not enough to make up for the majority of people who just wished to make a life for themselves but were prevented because of their race.

Such a good book .I am from South Wales and am familiar with the sad and unjust story .It brought the Tiger Bay of my grand parents alive .
The descriptions of Somalia were wonderful .l
I adored this well written book and recommend.

The Fortune Men’ centres around Cardiff’s Tiger Bay in 1952 where many men flock seeking their fortune including Somali and West Indian sailors. We meet Mahmood Mattan – he is gambler, pick pocket, loving father and wayward husband – but he is not a murderer. When a local, loved Jewish shopkeeper is viciously killed, everybody points the fingers at Mahmood with only the description of a ‘tall Somalian’ to go by. Mahmood has to fight prejudice, racism, injustice and judgement before his freedom can be secured.

When we are first introduced to Mahmood we cannot help but judge him for his sins, how he puts gambling before his children, how he roughly treats his friends and how he regularly misses paying the landlord his rent. However, when he is suddenly accused of murder we feel strongly against the biased judgements made against him. After all, what is a man but the sum of his deeds? He did not commit any violent crimes and therefore, is wrongly accused of this offence. Despite his flaws, he is worthy of love and to be treated fairly but we are not always given such blessings.

Nadifa’s description of Tiger Bay and its inhabitants is fascinating, the wealth of characters, the hustle and bustle, the nightlife, the dark underbelly, the surface shops and businesses. Tiger Bay is revealed to have many glorious layers of lives and lies. Mahmood drifts between the many layers, a multi-faceted man who has lived a life full of adventure, disharmony and faith. He describes how his faith his wavered since docking into Tiger Bay, as if the welsh air and fog has built a divide between him and his God, giving way to his life of sin. Despite his flaws, his is a character worthy of redemption. His wife Laura, his staunch advocate, stays by his side through thick and thin, alongside his three sons. We are drawn to wanting to support and fight for their family to be together once more.

Will Mahmood have his redemption? Will the justice system prevail in the truth? Will Mahmood walk away a free man or be hung by prejudice?

Mahmood Mattan is a fixture in Cardiff's Tiger Bay, 1952, which bustles with Somali and West Indian sailors, Maltese businessmen and Jewish families. He is a father, chancer, petty criminal. He is a smooth-talker with rakish charm and an eye for a good game. He is many things, but he is not a murderer. So when a shopkeeper is brutally killed and all eyes fall on him.

The description alone does not make you aware of the journey this book takes you on with the characters involved or just how invested you are, it brings out a level of emotion that is not expected. I'm not sure which genre this book fits in as it covers so many but is a worthy read and an enjoyable one.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you very much to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

3.5/5.