An enjoyable series which entertains and educates.

"The Spy" is the fourth book featuring disgraced Detective Kamil Rahman and it finds him working for the Metropolitan Police. When he is asked by his imam to help with a suspected bomber within the mosque, things soon escalate and events (somewhat implausibly) overlap when he is asked by MI5 to infiltrate a terrorist cell.

Soon our hero is embroiled in a plot which takes him from Brick Lane in London to Kashmir and beyond, and confrontations with enemies new and old. In another sub-plot, Anjoli investigates the kidnapping of a young boy who’s sending coded video messages to his parents.

Kamil's life is a list of un-made decisions - not least, which of the two women in his life he wants the most. There's his ex-fiancée Maliha and his partner-in-crime Anjoli. Both strong women, and both pressing him to make a choice. This thread for me was the most frustrating in the book - after four books, the man just can't make up his mind!

"The Spy" continues to explore themes from the previous books - largely concerning the situation in Kamil's home country, with corruption and atrocities in India and Kashmir escalating by the day, but also the growing hatred aimed at ethnic groups in Britain. The narrative is strong and emotive, and it fairly carries you along. This isn't a "spy story" in the sense of Le Carre or Deighton, but it's a find read.

I have only read one of the previous Rahman books, and although it's not essential to have done so to enjoy "The Spy", I'd recommend reading them before opening this latest chapter. The author does a good job of filling in the characters' past exploits, but I feel there's a lot of good stuff to absorb before reading this.

Fans of the series will no doubt love this book, but newcomers might do well to catch up first.

Really effective and engaging writing of character and situation, right from the start - I found I really cared and wanted justice for the innocent man and family killed for the enforced harbouring of an enemy of the state - and I certainly found the hunt and the plot they uncover (amateur as they are),, involve high stakes in corruption in Indian government. I guess I could have done without the romance stream - it was distracting and confusing … in fact, I also learned a lot about food! The only reason I am giving this a 4-star rating is that sub stream of romance going on … and sometimes, the kind of ‘right on’ jargon and attitudes seemed cliched. But very impressive and I’m going to look for earlier books in the series.

I've really enjoyed this series as we've followed the story of Kamil, disgraced from the Indian police force and relocated to London, working first as a waiter, then as a cook and then joining the Met, only to bend the rules on his first case. In this book, rather improbably, MI5 decide they need a Muslim undercover operative and Kamil is their choice. So he is again apparently ejected from the Force in disgrace as he tries to infiltrate to find what plans terrorists are plotting.

The strands of the story were a bit implausible and it wasn't really a surprise when they began to intersect. The story further explores his relationship with the two women in his life, but it gets a bit repetitive as he angsts over who he wants to spend his life with. If the choice is that difficult, I'd say the answer is 'neither'!

So not quite as sharp and incisive as the previous books, but still a good read, very topical and relevant. The trip to Kashmir and India was particularly interesting to read. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, an action packed episode in this series. I love Ajay's writing, enough description to add interest and to educate about political and ethnic issues without too much superfluous information. As the series develops, the characters become more rounded, I love the love quadrangle and that Kamil sometimes makes hasty decisions, it makes everything realistic. I was really fascinated and horrified by the the descriptions of life and the political situation in the Indian sub-continent and the effects this had on lives of people with an Indian background in the UK
A great read and I look forward to reading the next adventures of Kamil & friends. Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC.

Another brilliant book by Chowdhury. Although it's the 4th in the series with Kamil Rahman it is probably the best. Kamil, now a policeman in East London, is recruited by MI5 to thwart a Muslim terrorist plot to free Kashmir and destroy the Indian president. Set in the Indian community around Brick Lane, it is a great read whatever the religion or ethnicity of the reader.
Although the book could be enjoyed as a stand alone, so much of the plot relates to his past and his relationship to Anjoli that a lot would be missed. All the books are very good so it is no hardship to read them in order.
Can't wait for the next one. I think I can guess the title.

Kamil Rahman is working as a Detective with the Metropolitan Police. He’s not popular with his boss and the feeling is reciprocated. However, when MI5 receive information about a terrorist plot, they decide that Rahman fits the bill, and he accepts their request to infiltrate the terrorist cell and is sent by the cell to Kashmir to make a delivery. But Rahman’s beliefs begin to change the more he learns about the cell, and he finds himself looking more sympathetically at the terrorists cause!

This is a really tense read that sees Rahman in some very difficult and dangerous situations. Alongside this, his love life isn’t faring much better as he is pushed into making a choice between very close friend Anjoli, and his ex fiancée Maliha. Fast paced with a great storyline that results in a gripping read. Humour, Politics, Action and Romance, something for everyone?

Another cracking story from Ajay Chowdhury charting the life and loves of Kamil Rhaman.
Kamil has moved out from the flat above Tandoori Knights and is still working for the Met. As the lowest DC in the office as far as his immediate boss is concerned; Kamil is becoming disenchanted with his return to police work, when after his local imam disappears he gets a call from MI5. From here Kamil enters the murky world of an undercover cop, not able to tell Anjoli, Malhia or even his parents what he is up to.
I did wonder how long the author could keep this series going, but without giving anything away, he seems to have solved Kamil's love life and given two characters a whole new boundless world to investigate in the ongoing series.
Looking forward to the next chapter in Kamil’s life, and the TV series when it comes out!

Thanks Random House Uk and NetGalley for ARC.

Detective Kamil Rahman is not enjoying his latest posting or his immediate superior in the Met, thinking that a man of his experience and skill shouldn't be reduced to effectively administrative roles to pay his dues all over again. After all, he was a detective back in Kolkata, before his spells as waiter and chef, then reentry into police work at the Met, and solving a notorious murder case just recently.
His dissatisfaction spills into his personal life - his relationships with two women, his temporary digs, his questing for meaning and developing relationship with his faith - so when his imam disappears he longs to try to find out what's going on. However, when MI5 approach him he's initially reluctant to do their bidding. Can he make a difference? Will be in time to save the imam and prevent more bloodshed?

This is the fourth in a series that I cam into a little late but have thoroughly enjoyed so far. Rahman is engagingly hopeless in love and life and plays fast and loose with the rules at work, valuing intuition over procedure. His London is well drawn and his fish out of water excursion to Kashmir was fascinating to me ( my knowledge of the situation in Kashmir is entirely drawn from a documentary about a Scottish football manager based there). The restaurant-based subplot bubbles away nicely and it all comes good in the end, mostly.

The Spy is Ajay Chowdhury's 4th book featuring Kamil Rahman, one time Kolkata police officer, now reinventing himself in London. Each of the books would work well as a standalone but, as a series, there is a lot of extra enjoyment from the character development.

Kamil is not enjoying life in the Metropolitan Police as he'd hoped, not least because his boss is jealous of him. When his friend and mentor, the local Imam, disappears Kamil finds himself in the middle of a potential terrorist plot and he has to decide how deep to throw himself into the mix. While his professional life becomes fraught with danger, Kamil is also walking an emotional tightrope as he can't decide whether to take the plunge beyond friendship with Anjoli (who readers of the earlier books will know well) or his ex-fiance who has turned up from Kolkata.

This is another rip roaring read. I really enjoyed returning to these characters and the reinvention of Kamil's role in each book keeps the plotting entirely fresh. The subtext is interesting and it kept me guessing throughout. The narrative is nicely set for the next book in the series.

There is a slightly odd sub-plot involving clues from Harry Potter books but that didn't reduce my enjoyment. Would definitely recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

I absolutely loved the first two installments of this series. And this was no different.

It has such an interesting and unique plot with excellent pacing which kept me super engaged throughout. It is incredibly emotional, raw and beautiful. I absolutely love this genre and this was no exception, i will definitely be reading more from this wonderful author

This was an interesting book that drives into the world of extremists linked to Kashmiri. The story was his. There were times I wondered how authentic the situation was. However, good writing and an enjoyable mystery with elements of a thriller.

I really enjoyed this book. It was full of intrigue and twists and turns which gave an insight into the fight against terrorism. The author also showed us that there is always more than one angle to a situation which some would regards as terrorism whereas others view it as protecting their heritage.

Far fetched to say the least but an easy read.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Ajay Chowdhury has done it again!!!

When I saw the opportunity to read the latest novel about Detective Kamil Rahman I jumped straight in

Ajay Chowdhury's writing is exceptional, the way he describes places is such that you feel you're right there with the characters. The best part in my opinion is that you can read his books independently; obviously, it's better to read them (trust me, you won't be disappointed!) but if this is you first Kamil Rahman novel, you will enjoy it!!

In a way, it does feel like The Spy departs slightly from The Cook, The Waiter and The Detective -in a good way! Not sure whether this is intentional but it's as if he's intending to create a spinoff series for one of the characters (don't worry, I won't spoil the book!!)

All in all, a perfect read.

I thought Ajay Chowdhury's first book in this series was promising with some good characters and some entertaining action in a sort of cosy crime genre. In this one our ex-waiter hero is now a DC and when his Imam is kidnapped he is co-opted into MI5 to try to stop a terrorist plot. At the same time two ex girlfriends are hoping to be recalled in a side plot one might think slightly misogynistic if it wasn't a cosy crime novel. In the same way that all men in Val McDermid books are either serial killers or stupid, in this one the white police are stupid and Hindus mostly genocidal (*apart from one of the aspirant girlfriends). Its a good plot again and not a bad read, but could have been better.

WOW! The Spy is the perfect mix of contemporary politics, humour, action and romance. It transported me from Brick Lane to Kashmir with love, empathy and a compelling narrative that explores themes around racism, prejudice, political subterfuge, terrorism and all of these are explored in a knowledgeable and accessible way.
Thought provoking and informative, The Spy is the best in a series that just keeps getting better and better with each installment.
Chowdhury is the master of combining hard hitting themes with humour (sometimes dark) and romance. In Kamal and Anjoli he has created a modern day Holmes and Watson - the main difference being that the characters shift equally well between both roles, with neither always being the foil to the other's superior wit (although IMO Anjoli perhaps carries the edge there).
I am so pleased that there is a new short story about to be released which will take me on moreadventures with this intrepid duo.

Excellent! I love following the new career ventures that Kamil Rahman has with each novel. This would make an epic TV series. I love Ajay Chowdhury’s characters and plot

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this early e arc

Kamil Rahman #4

Detective Kamil Rahman is now employed at the Met though, as per usual, he’s in a spot of bother at work and Anjoli is not happy with him. At all. When he receives a phone call from Imam Masroor expressing concern about extremism and terrorism linked to Kashmir, Kamil goes to meet him to learn more. When Kala Naag- The Black Cobra is mentioned, Kamil takes this information to his friend and boss, DI Tahir Ismael, who in turn informs SO 15 (Counter Terrorism) at New Scotland Yard. Kamil is asked to go undercover by MI5 to infiltrate a group of potential militants at a mosque in Loxford, East London. Initially Kamil refuses, but when things take a serious turn with the disappearance of the Imam, he agrees. His role is to pose as a disgraced and disaffected cop in order to infiltrate the cell. His quest takes him on a physical journey to Kashmir, but also an uncomfortable journey down memory lane as it’s clear his old nemesis in India is linked to the investigation. Meanwhile, Anjoli at the Tandoori Knights restaurant is wrestling with her feelings for Kamil and has a side investigation of her own.

This is a bit drawn out at the start with the author starting to connect the plot dots but once it gets going we’re off and a fast paced, rapidly moving storyline keeps you glued to the pages. This is a complex plot and is very believable and I find the Kashmir angle fascinating. The descriptions when Kamil is there are excellent with its beauty jumping from the pages but its difficulties are clear to see. The plot has tension in abundance with the obvious dangers of undercover work with all its attendant possibility of discovery as Kamil discovers himself at the heart of the big puzzle. Kamil has to think on his feet on more than one occasion and you wonder if he can pull it off. He’s at great risk, who can you trust and what moves should I make to get the information MI5 want without endangering himself or others? As the plot develops it’s very good on how torn Kamil becomes and you can understand why. This is a very topical plot which the author handles well as there is a balance of views. You do require a little suspension of disbelief towards the end, but it makes for very exciting reading

AJ Choudhury has created some marvellous characters here. This is a crowded genre, but Kamil and Anjoli stand out in my opinion. I love the will they/won’t they vibe between those two and the added confusion of the arrival in London of Kamil’s ex Maliha, who is also an interesting character. The scenes that take place in the restaurant always add colour and taste to the storytelling and they are excellent at relieving the tension of Kamil’s under cover task. The peppering of humour is welcome too though there’s less of Anjoli’s T- shirts this time. What a shame, I love those!

Overall, this is another good addition to the series, there’s a different tone this time but it makes for a compelling reading. I’m looking forward to the next adventure or should that be venture?

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Random House UK, Vintage for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

The Spy

I have read the previous three in this series about Kamil Rahman: The Cook, The Waiter and The Detective and enjoyed them all. The Spy continues in the same vein but you have to have your wits about you to keep up with the plot.

Kamil Rahman is working for the Met as a lowly detective when he is recruited by MI5 to go undercover to thwart a terrorist plot.
In order to do this there is quite a back story to fabricate, including throwing Kamil out of the Met police. I knew little about Kashmir or the rise of right wing Hinduism in India which are key parts of the plot; so found myself googling for more as I read this book. It was more of a challenge than the previous three.

Of course, we get also to hear about Kamil’s convoluted love life as he continues to seesaw between his ex-fiancée from India and Anjoli, the owner of the restaurant where he has been both waiter and cook. I enjoyed these bits.

Anjoli is more central in this book, with a sub plot and a new possible love interest. I find her a compelling character and more so than the ex-fiancée, Malhia. I would be happy to read a stand alone novel about Anjoli.

I dropped a star because I felt there were plot holes/directions which were not explained. I read a copy provided by NetGalley and the publishers but my views are my own. I recommend all the books in this series.

Couldn’t wait to start this book, as I have been captivated by Ajay’s series since the first book.
Excellent characters and a most enjoyable read.
The books have the makings of a tv series.
Hope it is not too long to The the next instalment.
Recommend.