What would you do if you were told your child was a terrorist?

Eight days before a finely balanced presidential election, a bomb explodes in an LA shopping mall. Thousands of miles away in London, Sajid Khan is violently accosted by police officers claiming that his eighteen-year-old daughter, Aliyah, arrived in the States in the company of the suicide bomber. Sajid is horrified but baffled too: Aliyah has never expressed strong religious conviction, so how would she have been caught up with an Islamic extremist group? Another knock on the door announces the arrival of Carrie, an American woman who informs him that she might know where Aliyah is - and that she is with her son, Greg. The two parents must put their fear and their questions aside in order to find their children - and stop them.

Back in the US, brilliant, headstrong FBI agent Shreya Mistry is also on the hunt for Aliyah - in spite of her boss' instructions to back off. With time ticking down, is there anything that can be done to prevent catastrophe?

British-Indian author Abir Mukherjee is best known for his crime fiction series set in British Raj-era India, but with Hunted he turns his hand to a cinematic blockbuster thriller and is, for the most part, very successful.

One aspect which largely worked for me was the characterisation. The framing of suicide bomber Yasmin is deeply humanising; it is a stark reminder that no one would choose to blow themselves up unless they truly believed that their cause was a just one. There are allusions to radicalising and love bombing is implied - both tactics which are instrumental to young people (especially vulnerable ones) being drawn into extremist organisations. Within a few pages, the reader can empathise with a young girl about to make a terrible, irrevocable choice. So too does Mukherjee try to show understanding for the disenfranchised of America - those whose families have been in the country for generations and who have seen their wealth and prospects diminish over time. Much of this is due to systemic failures on the part of successive governments whose legislation contrives to keep poor people poor, but, if you don't understand that, or feel powerless to do anything about it, it is so much easier to lash out at those whom you perceive (however incorrectly) to be enjoying the privileges you no longer have access to.

In the immediate aftermath of the explosion, FBI agent Shreya bursts onto the page, and we immediately get a sense of a determined, perhaps impetuous woman who is nonetheless absolutely dedicated to her work. As before, in a single chapter, Mukherjee establishes a sympathetic, multi-faceted character, implying both her strengths and deficiencies without exaggerating them.

In an interview, the author stated that his greatest fear currently is that he 'wouldn't be able to protect [his] kids in an increasingly polarised and radicalised world,' and it is this fear which compelled him to write Hunted. Our three narrators are Sajid, Shreya and Callie's son Greg, an army vet who still bears the physical and mental scars of his time in Afghanistan. I loved that Mukherjee chose to make two of the protagonists of South Asian descent, as the mere fact of their existence and their radically different perspectives on the events that transpire speaks to the fact that South Asian immigrants to the US and the UK are not one homogenous group; they share similarities, such as being othered and viewed with suspicion by their white neighbours, and the struggle of growing up suspended between two contrasting cultures, but the people of the South Asian diaspora speak a multitude of languages, have differing religion beliefs and social values, and the history and politics of each region are distinct and important.

Sajid, whose background is explored in more depth, was born in Bangladesh and settled in London after fleeing his homeland during the war of liberation, and he is clearly still haunted by his escape. He tells of how he and his wife disagreed over how to raise their two daughters: he wanted them to have what he considered a modern upbringing, with the best education and every opportunity open to them, while his wife's ideas aligned more closely with the values and prejudices handed down by their ancestors. The idea of assimilation vs preservation is one which will resonate with many readers. I was fascinated by the exploration of gender roles in Bangladeshi culture; we see Sajid both driven and crippled by his given role as the strong provider and protector, grappling with what his instincts tell him is the right thing to do and the ideas around honour and shame he has internalised. Interesting too are the politics and conflicts within the various peoples of the Indian subcontinent that are alluded to, for example, the difference and mistrust between Hindus and Muslims.

Shreya too feels conflicted, trying to balance a high stakes career with being the dutiful daughter her lonely, ailing father needs and the devoted mother her teenage daughter wants. Though the number of women navigating this specific set of circumstances may be small, the sense of being pulled in different directions, of being expected to be fully present and never make a mistake at home and at work, is eminently relatable. The fact that her character is a strong South Asian woman makes the portrayal even better, and I would certainly read more about her if Mukherjee should decide to write a follow-up or series.

The story takes place in an unspecified near future in which a pair of stand-ins for Donald Trump and Hilary Clinton duke it out in a fractured, polarised political landscape. Some of the action should feel over the top but, with all the news coming out of the US lately, it feels unsettlingly likely. Where Mukherjee's other works are often ellegories for the fears of society, here the subtext is almost obsolete; for example, when Sajid is literally terrified that his Muslim daughter could be killed for being a terrorist, there is no need for symbolism and analogies.

The plot is pacy and engaging, with short, exciting chapters and plenty of twists. The switch between the narrators is usually well-judged, and I was interested in all three narrative threads. Greg and Aliyah's relationship could have done with more development in order for it to feel more believable, the ending feels rather rushed, and the device of having a chapter end with someone losing consciousness or an explosion is way overused, but overall I found Hunted to be an entertaining, original addition to thriller canon.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House UK for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a good well paced thriller that had lots of twists and was quite unexpected. Would recommend

I hadn’t read a book with this topic (terrorism) before and wasn’t sure how I would get on with it but abir handles very sensitive topics with ease. I felt suspense, sympathy and fear. This was a thriller with a different effect especially as this is something that could happen anywhere anytime. Really enjoyed this book.

It's just a week away from the Presidential elections when an explosive device is detonated in an LA Shopping centre.

Meanwhile in London, Sajiid Khan is arrested at Heathrow and told that his daughter Aliyah entered the USA with the bomber. Now she's missing and believed to be plotting further attacks, unless the authorities can apprehend her first.

Sajiid is in a state of shock, complicated further when an unknown woman called Carrie turns up on his doorstep. She tells him that Aliyah is with her son Greg and she suspects she knows where they are.

The two set off in pursuit believing their children are being framed. At the same time and FBI agent, Shreya Misery is closing in on the suspected terrorists but the closer she gets and the more detailed her investigation, the more she comes to realise that all may not be what it seems.

Can Sajiid and Carrie get to their children in time to save them and Avery disaster? A taut and absorbing thriller.

A good twisty thriller. Fast paced and with good characters and writing, it will keep fans of the genre entertained!

How far would someone go to protect a loved one? Sajid and Carrie are different in so many ways but are united in their determination to fight for the lives of their children. They would sacrifice everything to protect their loved ones. Would you?

The world that Mukherjee lures us into is a tumultuous place with powerful parallels to the provocative current climate that assaults our senses at every turn. The web of lies & mistrust that drowns the protagonists of this story is very real. This tale is a timely novel that doesn’t shy away from the truths of not being white in a politically charged society.

A thriller with real bite that gouges out your soul as time ticks down to a fraught & fierce conclusion.

Exciting but long and detailed. A great story which kept me hooked with some great complex characters.

Well this book should come with a warning that it’s rocket fuelled!! If you pick this one up then be prepared for one hell of a ride - it’s has a fuel injected pace and is absolutely crammed with twists and turns. The writing is fabulous and gives the reader a palpable sense of being hunted and of the cat and mouse chase that ensues. The subject matter is hard hitting and really packs a punch covering themes of terrorism, religion, violence and radicalisation; but it also highlights the strength of parental love and the lengths a parent will go to to save a child.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author and certainly won’t be the last - it’s an absolute belter and I loved it!

This is an action-packed and fast-paced political thriller and I really enjoyed it! It was gripping and intense with some shocking revelations and terrifying scenes. Told from several points of view, with a large array of characters, this compelling book was a rollercoaster ride with lots of twists and turns. I had to suspend disbelief at times but it was such an entertaining read and would make a great TV series or film.

This book will leave you on the edge all the way through it. I enjoyed the twists, the storyline and the complex (and very much current) topic of the story.
It is election time in the US, a bomb has exploded in a shopping centre and the attack has been claimed by a new terrorist group. Two parents join forces to stop their kids, after finding out they are part of the group.
But everything is not as it seems.
Very clever writing.

Abir Mukerjee takes a fresh approach with this gripping and thoughtful thriller, departing from his acclaimed historical series to tackle contemporary issues. The story kicks off in the US just before a critical presidential election, with a devastating bombing at a Los Angeles mall that sets the stage for the unfolding drama. Across the Atlantic in the UK, Sajid Khan, who works at Heathrow Airport, faces a nightmare when his daughter Aliyah becomes entangled in the chaos. She’s missing, presumed to be involved in another potential attack.

Carrie, an American woman, arrives at Sajid’s home with news that Aliyah is with her son, Greg. Carrie believes they might have crucial information, but needs Sajid’s help to find them. Meanwhile, FBI agent Shreya Mistry is on the case of the Los Angeles bombing, finding inconsistencies that put her at odds with her superiors. As Carrie and Sajid race against the clock to prevent further disaster, their search intertwines with Shreya's investigation.

Mukerjee delivers a complex and riveting narrative that delves into themes of race, religion, and terrorism, exploring the human and political dimensions behind the headlines. With its well-crafted characters and a plot full of twists, this thriller keeps readers engaged and provokes thought on significant issues. A compelling read for fans of contemporary thrillers and those interested in nuanced explorations of current global challenges. Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. A great thriller that was fast paced with lots of interesting characters. Recommended

Reading this at the moment and it is wonderfully written

I love the setting and the characters and cannot wait to finish to see where it ends why they did it and I’m sure some plenty more twists and turns

What a fantastic thriller this was, fast paced, full of twists & suspense with brilliant Characters.

A rollercoaster of a read.

A gripping thriller from an acclaimed and award-winning author, The Lost Children follows two parents desperate to save their children before disaster strikes.

In London, police swoop in at Heathrow Airport to question a father about his missing daughter. Meanwhile, in Florida, a mother uncovers a chilling connection between her son and a suspected bomber, fearing he has been radicalized. In Oregon, an enigmatic organization is plotting a catastrophic conspiracy designed to cripple America.

As the authorities close in, the two desperate parents find themselves united in a high-stakes race against time. Together, they must unravel a web of intrigue and prevent a disaster that could alter the nation’s future. But with the clock ticking, will they find their children in time to avert a tragedy?

3.5/5.

Thank you for this offer of a free copy of Hunted to review.

This book was not really what I was expecting. It is a political and complex novel about the motivations of some particularly evil individuals. It’s also a novel about love and families and what parents will do for their children.

Although at times it felt a little slow, perhaps this was necessary to show the complex motivations behind the characters.

A rollercoaster ride from the very first page. Great characters, story line full of twists and turns until the very last page. An excellent read.

I enjoyed this thriller a lot, and I could see it being a successful television series. It was fast paced with lots of interesting characters, and I liked how it flowed. Recommended

A modern day political thriller featuring both the FBI and an investigation in the UK. It’s pacy, with multiple changing perspectives and the action and plot just doesn’t let up! When Sajid Khan flies to the US to search for his child who was last seen with a suicide bomber, he meets Carrie who is also trying to find her son Greg, who is apparently fleeing the FBI. But nothing is what it seems. It being written by British Asian writer Abir Mukherjee, it of course tackles issues of ingrained racism (as his books always do) but this time in a very different kind of book.
I absolutely loved the plot, the twists and the way he tackles topics of racism and radicalisation set amongst the backdrop of a US Election (very 24!). 4.5/5

The second novel I have read by this author with this one set in a completely different and more contemporary time and place.
The action follows the investigation by a female Hindu FBI agent, following a seemingly suicide attack in an LA shopping mall, into the actions of a seemingly Muslim terror organisation in the USA. At the same time a British Bangladeshi father and American mother join forces to try and save their own children who have been drawn for various reasons into the organisations web. The story is very topical and the author shows the different ways racism and racial stereotypes can be ascribed incorrectly in modern society. This is both a very good thriller and a view of modern day society, its politics and prejudices
A good well told story which I enjoyed reading