This is the first in the series that I have read. I didn't realise that it was part of a series but it didn't matter as anything that needed 'explaining' was done without too much detail but enough for understanding. I was very intrigued by the storyline and liked the writing style

After reading the blurb I expected this book to be quite gripping. I didn’t realise it was part of a series and I haven’t read the other books. It works OK as a standalone but I think it would be better if you’d read the other books.

I read just over half the book before giving up and it took me a week to do so. It wasn’t a badly written book but it didn’t hold my attention at all. Unfortunately the book just wasn’t for me. I didn’t find it gripping enough and not enough happened. At times I found it too political and I couldn’t quite follow what was going on. The characters were alright but I couldn’t really connect with any of them or get into the story. This could be because this is the first book in the series I’ve read.

I think if you’ve read the other books in the series you’ll probably like this but it wasn’t one for me.

Another gripping read and the series isn't losing any steam so far. I haven't read all of the books in the series but the backstory is present here, just enough to give context without going overboard for those who are already well versed in the series. Really enjoyed it and can't wait for more.

The Spy is Ajay Chowdhury's fourth novel featuring Kamil Rahman, a former Kolkata police officer now reinventing himself in London. While each book in the series can stand alone, readers will gain additional enjoyment from the ongoing character development.

Kamil is struggling with his role in the Metropolitan Police, particularly due to a jealous boss. When his friend and mentor, the local Imam, disappears, Kamil is thrust into a potential terrorist plot and must navigate how deeply to involve himself. Alongside the professional dangers, Kamil faces personal turmoil as he contemplates advancing his relationship with Anjoli, a character familiar to readers of earlier books.

3.5/5.

I had no idea this book was apart of a series, this didnt hinder my enjoyment of the book at all. The characters were all explained with a clear background to each other. The plot was strong and engaging. Overall a great read, I will look out for the other books.

Kamil Rahman is dissatisfied with his life, he has a mediocre position within the Met police, he has ruined his relationships with both the loves of his life, and he his haunted by his troubled past.
Kamil is experiencing Racism and Islamophobia, at work, and people from his own community are going missing...and then Kamil gets the 'tap on the shoulder' from MI5 after they have discovered a terrorist plot...is this the opportunity he needs to make amends with his past?...Read it!

I read this book not realising it was part of a series and can confirm that it works well as a stand alone story. The main character, Kamil, is a detective who has just returned to his job with the Met police after being dismissed unfairly, when he is offered an opportunity to work undercover to expose a terrorist plot linked to Kashmir. Meanwhile, his friend and former employer Anjoli gets caught up in a domestic mystery closer to home. The two storylines are interlinked and work together well, the main characters are likeable and have a “will they won’t they” chemistry about them which keeps the reader engaged and interested. I will definitely be seeking out the other books in this series.

Thank you to the author, Random House UK, Vintage | Harvill Secker and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting this review, I had a bit too much going on.

This book is the fourth in a series, and the first I have read by this author. This story of a young policeman who is unhappy with the way his career is progressing and agrees to go undercover for MI5 is a fast-moving read, coupled with unforeseeable twists and turns. Not the least of these are the romantic entanglements he is conflicted about, although I found the chemistry in those lacking. On a parallel track, we follow the efforts of an amateur sleuth (who is also one of said romantic entanglements) to find a missing teenager. The characters are well-drawn and I loved the way the author brought in aspects of the situation in Kashmir, one of the forgotten but brutal conflicts ongoing in the world. And I loved how the author integrated the torn loyalties of first and second-generation immigrants. I look forward to reading the first three books in this series, not to mention the next one to come out.

Apparently the 4th book in a series by this author, not that it mattered as the characters were introduced with enough of their backstory to be able to figure out relationships and past history.

A very enjoyable thriller which touches on issues of loyalty, deceit and moral dilemma. The characters were very well written and it's not a particularly obvious conclusion so I was kept guessing until the end. I will undoubtedly go back and read some of the previous novels now.

Thanks to netgalley, the author and publisher for my copy to review.

Excellent story on many levels. It assumes some knowledge of the first three books in the series - and the Harry Potter books! - and was well worth the time to read books 1-3 first. Interesting plot lines in unfamiliar areas played out against the realistic and gutsy professional and personal relationships between the main characters..

The fourth in what is turning into a truly excellent Kamil Rahman series this takes our hero to the Kashmir where he is working for M15. Tense exciting and politically accurate and astute this is a complex and beautifully told tale.

Kamil’s private life is as confused and uncertain as ever and there is a lot of life in this series where ch is progressing beautifully.

Another super-addictive instalment of the Kamil Rahman 'saga' - where he becomes a spy for MI5! Kamil is getting disillusioned in his police role under Protheroe who is resentful of him, and his professional relationship with DI Tahir Ismail. His Mentor, Imam Masroor comes to him with concern about a regular and trusted worshipper who is possibly being led astray; he refers to 'something suspicious' but asks Kamil to keep it quiet for 24 hours; something Kamil later regrets. The Imam goes missing, along with Akhtar (the worshipper of concern). When a burned body is found, Kamil feels guilty and gets focussed.

MI5 approach Kamil, but he feels he wants to use conventional police methods - until he finds their shortcomings and lack of resources. MI5 is the only way to help his Imam and mentor. - Cue his second firing from a police force! His ‘persona’ is set – a man with a grievance against the establishment.

Kamil is living on his own, having moved out of Tandoori Knights. He is still infuriatingly undecided about where his heart lies - with Anjoli or his ex-fiance, Maliha. Anjoli is devastated when she meets up with her Aunt who, in a state of shock explains that her 15 year old son has been kidnapped and that her husband will not go to the police. Anjoli decides to try and solve the mystery herself, not involving Kamil who she notices has inexplicably turned 'religious', has grown a beard and has taken to wearing traditional dress - quite unlike his usual self.

Mr Chowdhury's usual wit and quick mind make for an addictive, fast-moving and entertaining plot. His writing about the situation in Kashmir is both beautiful and devastating. You understand how torn Kamil is in his loyalties, and how this can be taken advantage of by unscrupulous and persuasive people in order to use him to further their ambitions. An excellent read.

I loved this book it was gripping as well as taking you to parts of London and Kashmir. Very interesting and well written.

Kamil Rahman returns in The Spy the fourth book in the series and what a read it is! On the edge of your seat stuff!
Kamil is disheartened with the police force and he’s suddenly sacked from his post.
But is all as it initially seems?
The answer to that is no , he's been recruited by MI5 to infiltrate a terrorist cell at a local mosque .
His love life is still non existent, he is living alone after Anjoli asked him to live the flat in Brick Lane .
Mahlia is also in his life and she may also be a target for the terrorists which leaves Rahman feeling compromised.
This series just gets better and better .The subjects are hard hitting at times but it kept me turning the pages late into the night .
Excellent writing , excellent characters and excellent plot lines .
If I have one small criticism it’s please let Kamil be happy in love , instead of the tortured soul that he is .
An excellent read!
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House UK.

The Spy is the fourth book by Ajay Chowdhury featuring Kamal Rahman, an ex-police officer from India now living in London. In this book, Kamal is recruited by MI5 to infiltrate a terrorist plot. I loved the familiar descriptions of East London and the contempory issues as the story moves to Kashmir. The story was well-paced and kept me enthralled until the last page.
Although not essential, it is an advantage to have read previous books in the series as the characters are developed in all the books, in particular Kamal's love interests, Anjoli and Mahila.
Kamal has been given a variety of roles throughout the series - waiter, cook, detective and now spy. One wonders what next in book 5! I can't wait to read the next instalment of this very enjoyable series.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this arc.

Kamil Rahman is frustrated at work, he feels his new boss is giving him low-level work, and his love-life is complicated, torn between former love and former boss. When the Imam from his mosque disappears after warning Kamil about a potential terrorist plot, Kamil is recruited by MI5 to help them. This leads to him going deep undercover and lying to his nearest and dearest, as well as questioing everything about his own values.
I've really enjoyed Chowdhury's series about Kamil Rahman. Firstly because of the familiar East London settings, secondly because the stories give an insight into life for first and second generation immigrants and thirdly because the plots are excellent. Here the plot is a little far-fetched but what really impresses is the story about Kashmir - an area I have heard about but not really considered the political reality. it's powerful stuff and woven into a great thriller.

Detective Kamil Rahman is about to be sacked from the police but why? His girlfriend is investigating the kidnapping of a young boy but cannot contact the police. Why do MI5 want Kamil?

This is a well paced novel with twisting plotline. Good strong characters that are being placed in danger because they want to do the right thing. One problem is that conflicting information can affect what actions one may feel is the right thing to do.

Found this book to be riveting and gave me an insight into the plight of people in other countries. A good read.

The Spy is Ajay Chowdhury's 4th book, featuring Kamil Rahman, and, not having read any of the previous ones I struggled initially.

Strangely, Kamil is working for MI5 undercover to infiltrate a suspected terrorist cell in his local mosque, and then there's a kidnapping.

All too much for me and I didn't enjoy it. Perhaps I should try an earlier book with Kamil?

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House for the chance to read and review.

This is the fourth book in the Kamil Rahman series. It was my first read from this author so lost out on a lot of the background as to what has happened in the previous three books. That said I picked up the storyline and it became a good read.
Kamil is a serving Metropolitan Police Officer although is feeling undervalued by his immediate boss. When a close friend and confidant goes missing after disclosing some worrying information to him he chooses to approach Mi5 to report his loss, believing a terrorist group to be involved. They in turn recruit Rahman to infiltrate the alleged terrorist network to find out what is going on, amid a threat of an impending terrorist attack. The investigation takes him from London to Kashmir and back again. This part of the story shows a political and religious situation that I was broadly unaware of.
Whilst this is going on Rahman is trying to work out which of two previous girlfriends he wants to be with whilst one of them is acting as an amateur detective trying to find a boy that has been kidnapped.
The book is quite fast paced with lots happening in it and has many twists and turns along the way. As previously stated I probably would have enjoyed it more had I read the previous books in the series but it still read well as a standalone without knowing the background as to what had happened with the characters before.

In his latest adventure, Kamil in The Spy by Ajay Chowdhuy finds himself required to go undercover for MI5 in a tense investigation to uncover and prevent an horrific terror attack. At the same time, Anjoli is trying to find out where her aunt's son has disappeared to.

Kamil’s relationship issues continue as he is torn between getting back together with his former fiancee or committing to a relationship with Anjoli.

The Spy is a rewarding read that I really enjoyed. The plotting was good and there was a good degree of cultural context which I found really interesting too.