Stone Cold Trouble

Trouble seems to find Zaq and this time it’s in the form of a necklace – hence Stone Cold Trouble. Jags’ Uncle Lucky (or not so lucky) has lost his wife’s favourite necklace in a gambling bet. He needs the two young men to get it back for him. But before he can get too involved, Zaq finds out his brother’s been beaten up and left for dead. Somehow Zaq has to juggle the two situations.

The pace is relentless as Zaq and Jags do their best to keep up with the ever evolving problems they find themselves in. Just as they manage to deal with one thing, another pops up taking them by surprise. As Zaq is spending his nights at the hospital with his brother, he’s sleeping during the day and often wakes up to unexpected and unwelcome news.

When Zaq stormed into my life in Brothers in Blood, I knew he was a pretty special character. Pair him with Jags and we have a double act better than Ant and Dec. One of the things I loved about Brothers in Blood was the location of Southall and Hounslow as I know these areas quite well. This time Amer Anwar has headed down the other way on the Uxbridge Road out to Hillingdon, Slough and Iver. I don’t know these places as much but I love how Amer puts in the little details to show he’s done his research. This usually means pubs. I’m not entirely sure I want to frequent these places but it adds authenticity to the story.

Amer Anwar has created some great villains but I don’t want to give the game away by telling you their names! Of course this leads to some pretty big fights. I don’t think I’ve read anyone better for fight scenes and I often wonder how Zaq is still standing by the end of the book!

The only thing I would have liked to have seen more of are the two young women, Rita and Nina. They had crucial roles in Brothers in Blood but as Zaq and Jags don’t want to involve them, they’re side-lined a bit. If there’s a third Zaq and Jags (fingers crossed) then I’d like to them to be a bit more present.

Overall I loved this fast-paced thriller where friendship and family are key. I can’t wait for another Zaq and Jags adventure.

NB. I don’t normally put trigger warnings in reviews but if you’ve already read Brothers in Blood then I must warn you that lemon and chilli appear again. Perhaps not as you expect but there all the same!

My thoughts about this brilliantly written gripping sequel, to the smash hit Brothers In Blood,was just fantastic.Amer Anwar's Stone Cold Trouble,is truly not just brilliant but beyond excellent,Amer has written, a a fast paced thirller, that packs a punch,amazing fight sequences, that will blow you away, with lots of suspense and mystery, that took my breath away. The leading characters Zaq And Jags team up once again, as they investigate who attacked Zaq's Brother was fantastic,while they are trying to find out, they get in a series trouble,they find themselves suspected of murder. Zak also agrees to help Jags,recover a family heirloom, currently in the possession of a wealthy businessman. On there way, they face some of the most deadly villains, there journey this time, takes them different locations in London unlike the first one that was set in Southall and Hounslow, Author Amer Anwar's writing style is just brilliant, he keeps the story fast paced, as he did in his first novel. A nail biting ending that I did not see coming. This gripping follow up is not just brilliant, but an outstanding masterpiece,that Amer has shown, how to write a brilliant sequel that doesn't disappoint.Highly Recommended. I would like to say thank you to author Amer Anwar,publishers dialogue books, and netgalley, for giving me a chance to read and review, this outstanding thriller.💥💥💥💥💥👊👊👊👊👊💪💪💪💪💪⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I would like to thank Netgalley and Little, Brown Book Group Ltd for an advance copy of Stone Cold Trouble, the second novel to feature Zaq and Jags, West London’s very own trouble magnets.

Zaq and his friend Jags are asked to recover a family heirloom that Jags’ uncle Lucky used as surety and that the businessman holding it is refusing to return. They get sidetracked from this when Zak’s brother, Tariq, is brutally assaulted and left in a coma. as revenge has a higher priority, until the businessman starts messing them about.

I thoroughly enjoyed Stone Cold Trouble which is a violent but highly amusing rampage through West London and its Asian community. I read the previous novel under a different title when it was first released and have been waiting patiently for its sequel ever since. It does not disappoint.

The plotting is deceptively simple, retrieve a necklace and wreak havoc on Tariq’s assailants, but things don’t go according to plan so our intrepid duo have to overcome many obstacles on their route to completing their mission. It is clever and amusing.

As I noted in my previous review I am probably not the target demographic, being, white, female and over 50, but I just love Zaq and Jags. The novel is told entirely from Zaq’s point of view so the reader can easily identify with him. He is the kind of person that things happen to, rather than the cause. He gets dismayed and angry but is hard headed enough to be able to assess his actions and resourceful enough to find a solution. Mostly though, he is incredibly relatable, be it the corny insults he and Jags trade or his reaction to everyday events, like hiding what’s up to from his mum and dad. We’ve all been there. He brings a warmth to the novel that the violence might not suggest.

Stone Cold Trouble is a fun read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

This is the second in Amer Anwar's ex- con Zaq Khan and his best friend, a Sikh, since childhood, Jags, crime series. Life has not been easy for Zaq since he was released from prison, he is still working for Mr Brar and his construction supplies firm, but trouble seems to find him, despite his efforts to stay on the straight and narrow. He lives in Southhall in a shared house with Sikh male housemates, and whilst they might squabble with each other, when it comes down to it, they have formed a sort of brotherhood that means that they are there for each other when needed. Zaq gets drawn into the problems of Uncle Lucky, a relative of Jags, who has asked them to retrieve a valuable antique diamond and emerald necklace from the wealthy Mr Shergill, after a drunken night of gambling, he expected to have returned when he settled his debts.

The necklace is a heirloom which has been in the family for generations, and Shergill has decided to keep it, rebuffing Zaq and Jags, even when Uncle Lucky offers substantially more money than he owed. Zaq's life becomes more stressed and pressurised when he gets a call in the middle of the night from a mate of his brother's telling him Tariq has been so seriously beaten up that he is in intensive care in Hillingdon hospital. Zaq has been estranged from DJ Tariq for a while, but that doesn't stop him rushing to hospital, horrified and traumatised to see what has happened, his brother is in a induced coma, with no guarantees that he will ever recover. His first worry is that Tariq has been targeted because of his own past history, but as he digs deeper, it seems it may be related to events at a wedding. Spending the nights at his brother's hospital bedside, Zaq finds himself in grave danger, as he seeks revenge and engineer the return of the necklace.

Anwar writes a exciting plot driven crime story rooted in the Asian community with plenty of action, tension and suspense that keeps the readers interest throughout. Zaq makes an amiable and engaging protagonist, needing his wits, brains and brawn, not to mention the loyalties of his friends, to survive the circumstances he and Jags find themselves in. This is wonderfully entertaining crime fiction but I do have my problems with it. Firstly, I had hoped, as this has become a series that the requisite character development would be taking place, but this is lacking in this sequel, making this more of a plot driven story. Secondly, is the complete lack of female characters, the tiny background roles of Rita and Nina, don't really count, their characterisation is poor and do not feel authentic.

Anwar captures the common Asian macho male stereotypes, and the often juvenile banter between male friends, but he is shying away from depicting and developing female characters and the modern contemporary realities of Asian women that make up 50% of the community, which is a shame as there are some incredibly strong Asian women, young and old. I will read the next in the series in the hope that some of these issues get addressed. Many thanks to Little, Brown for an ARC.

If you are looking for some action filled Asian noir, with a very authentic voice and a brilliant blend of character and story, you really should be getting yourself a copy of the Zaq and Jags series by Amer Anwar. Funny, sometimes chaotic and ultimately very clever, these books will keep you entertained and right on the deg of your seat, if only to see how the heck this pair will get themself out of trouble this time. Even if they don't go looking for it, trouble seems to find them, this time in the shape of Jags Uncle, Lucky, the least appropriately named character in the whole book. Okay, maybe second least. Not entirely sure I'd be handing my kids on of these kinds of Tonka's to play with ...

This time around we can safely say that this is 100% and Zaq and Jags story as half of the action in the book is driven by a favour the pair do for Jags' Uncle, Lucky. He has made a wager he couldn't really afford and it has cost him a necklace with great value to Lucky's family, both sentimental and, it appears, monetary. With the necklace merely as bond, Lucky thought he was okay but when the man he made the bet with refuses to return the necklace, things turn dark and trying to get the necklace back could well also prove deadly. I loved the way in which Amer Anwar develops this plot, showing the arrogance of Shergill, the man holding the necklace, and the ruthless nature of him and his, how should I put this, associates, when it comes to keeping what they feel is rightfully now theirs. It leads to some real moments of threat and of intrigue, drawing Zaq and jags even further into the game and leaving them with few choices other than to play them at their own game.

The other part of the story links wholly back to Zaq as he tries to find the people who beat his brother so severely he is left in a coma. Whether this has something to do with Zaq's past, or what happened in Western Fringes remains to be seen but it is clear that Zaq is going to need his wits, and his brawn, about him if he is going to get to the bottom of who was behind the attack. I love Zaq's loyalty to his family and the way in which he pushes himself hard to find the truth, finding a kind of balance between retribution and maintaining his own freedom that really suits his character. The pair of them don't always make what you might consider the right decision, the ending to the book fitting, but perhaps a little immoral, but it is what it is and I can't help but like them regardless.

I really do love the way in which Amer Anwar manages to recreate that really authentic Asian voice. The banter between Zaq and Jags, and even between Zaq and his housemates is pitch perfect and you really do get that sense of a brotherhood, united by far more than blood. There is a real sense of menace that feeds through the book, helped ably by the fact that the aforementioned Tonka is a man of few words but undeniable presence and you can sense the deference to him from those around him. This is a guy with a reputation and, as we learn later in the book, not someone you ever want to cross. But the author keeps the darkest scenes off the page, even if the intent is abundantly clear. The book is not without its moments of jeopardy though, Zaq once again having to resort to physical defence as well as using his keen intelligence to best his opponents.

Another fun, action filled book, full of humour and brilliant characterisation that kept me glued to the page. Lord only knows what the pair might get up to next, but I have a feeling it's going to be bedlam.

Loved it !!
Just the right amount of catch up from Zaq and Jag’s previous adventure.
Great twist half way through. All in all a great plot and story - easy reading - highly recommend

This is the second book in this series, Brothers in Blood being the first, and I do recommend you read that first. The stories are mostly self-contained but you'll probably enjoy this one better if you have a complete overview of the characters, backstories and development.
So Zaq and Jags are still a bit wary of the fallout from the events of their first outing but are trying to get on with things. Things are ticking over nicely for our duo until Jags' Uncle reaches out to them to help him retrieve a necklace that he put up as a marker for a hand of cards he subsequently lost. It's not just a necklace as the boys soon discover but they have, shall we just say, their work cut out for them trying to get it back. Meanwhile Tariq, Zaq's brother is on life support in the hospital after being beaten up. Estranged but still brothers, Zaq rushes to his bedside to be with him, to find out what happened, worried it could have something to do with him.
Oh My Days. This book kept me on my toes throughout. There is a bit of a swing towards Asian fiction these days and that's a great thing I think as, especially for me, I get to learn things about culture and past, community and brotherhood, as well as meeting a cracking set of characters going about trying to get out of trouble they always seem to find themselves in the middle of. It's also pretty action packed and has some amazing scenes that are so well written that I actually managed to "see" the action play out in my mind's eye. Something I very rarely do. To say it is fast paced would be an understatement, but this is well aided by the fact that there is pretty much no superfluous waffle outwith the main story. Apart from character definition and ongoing development that is.
But the book isn't without some lighter parts. The banter and interaction between the characters and some of the situations they find themselves in are quite funny in places. Necessary respite from the rest of the shenanigans going on.
All in all, a cracking follow up to what was a brilliant series opener. Hope book three is not long in coming. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a honest review theres a good twist halfway through this book I enjoyed the catch up from Zac and Jag and what they get up to

Best mates Zaq and Jags return in Stone Cold Trouble which is the second book in a series by Amer Anwar and like his previous novel it is a very entertaining and fun read.

Zaq and Jags have to try to recover a necklace which is a family heirloom whilst Zaq’s brother is in hospital in a coma following a vicious attack.

The author has created two very different but clearly sketched out main characters and they drive the story along at a pace which keeps the reader entertained throughout and clicking to the next page.

Like the previous book Stone Cold Trouble is definitely recommended

Stone Cold Trouble is the second book in the series by Amer Anwar starring his wise-cracking duo ‘Zaq’ and ‘Jags’.

This book follows on from the events in the excellent first book , Brothers in Blood.

The story is predominantly set in the Asian Community in London, and Anwar crafts a tale that feels authentic and full of culture, especially the food!

Zaq’s brother has been brutally attacked, whilst Jags Uncle has got himself into a bind with a ruthless business man over a gambling debt. The duo set about getting both revenge and helping out the uncle but nothing is easy with these 2...

Zaq again takes on the prominent role in this a lot Bromance Thriller of revenge and retribution. Zaq often takes centre stage but without Jags there is no Zaq.

Amer Anwar brilliantly plots a cracking thrill ride that rarely lets up, it positively sings along.

Gritty, Moody, Violent, Tense and Super Cool with a wicked humour throughout, Anwar has pulled off another tightly plotted and insanely good thriller that packs a massive punch.

🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥

Thanks to Dialogue Books and Net Galley for my ARC.

<b>Brit Asian Noir Delivered with a Punch and a Samosa on the Side</b>

<b>Watching your brother lying helpless on a hospital bed takes a lot out of a man. There's anger. There's a need for revenge. There's a sense of helplessness. And there's grief that is building up, but it's tamed by hope. And the yearning for justice...</b>

Amer Anwar captures all these emotions and more.

The second novel from the Zaq and Jags series delivers everything the first instalment introduced us to. An ex-con, his best mate, a corrupted family, a number of high energy action sequences, a plethora of colorful characters, and a lot of food. But it brings in something new. Something more subtle and delicate. A warmth of extremely fragile familial relationships, mangled by the events that took place before the first novel.

Zaq is an ex-con, who is desperately trying to rebuild his life. After 5 years at spent Her Majesty Prison, Zaq's life is a far-cry of what his family always wanted for him. Working a dead-end job delivering building supplies and living in a shared house with a group of other men, it's safe to say his parents look at him through a prism of his brother Tariq, who seems to be everything going for him. When Tariq gets attacked an is being put in a hospital, Zaq's parents immediately thing this might be to do with their older son's chequered past. But it's not...

At the same time Jags' uncle, Lucky approaches our terrible duo with a task to retrieve a family heirloom that is currently in possession of Mr Shargill, a well-respected British Asian businessman. The task sounds straightforward enough, but it's just a beginning.

In his debut novel, [book:Brothers in Blood|39852541], Amer Anwar introduces us to a universe of the modern British Asian community in the heart of the modern-day West London. The insight into the dynamics of this vibrant community is incredible. Being allowed to witness certain cultural nuances of Zaq's world helps us to understand our protagonists, but also gives us an insight into a mindset of the antagonists. In the narrative of his novels, Amer Anwar frequently alludes to the structure of the Asian community. Just a quick look at Mr Brar (Zaq's boss) gives us an insight into the psyche of the Asian diaspora in the UK, especially the second-generation. And for a white, European male this was one of the most interesting parts for me to explore. Yes, the story is full of good, old, Cockney thrill (we'll focus on that in a minute), but it almost plays second fiddle to the intricacies of the relations inside the community. The world described by Amer Anwar is full of vibrancy. The way he describes Asian cuisine is as enticing as mouthwatering. The mixture of dialects and slangs sprinkles the story with much-needed authenticity. And for someone like me, it's one of the most exciting things about the book.

The story itself is written in the spirit of a good British Noir. Story-wise it's easy to draw the comparisons to Cathi Unsworth or J.J. Connely, but Amer Anwar's storytelling is both, light and dynamic. The story flows, despite little stylistic niggles. I found a few places were the author leapt from one sequence to the next, which felt a bit rushed. At the same time, certain scenes felt like a repetition of what we've already read, especially Zaq's morning routines. As much as they provide an excellent insight into the life of our protagonist, the subsequent ones felt a little bit forced. However, Amer's style is clearly developing, and his storytelling technique is becoming more and more pronounced. Especially the conclusion of the story, which is absolutely superb! Ingenious, extremely well delivered, satisfying and moreish.

This takes us to the breathtaking action sequences written into the lives of our pair of reprobates. Pace, delivery, graphic descriptions - absolutely immaculate. The timing of the novel is consistent, and we don't experience any slower moments or lulls. It simply flows.

As for the premise of the story, it's simple but not simplistic. We are introduced to the plethora of new characters and reacquainted with the ones we've met in the previous novel. The idea of tying in a fast-paced thriller with a family drama is truly splendid. It gives this action-packed gripping novel a truly traditional, Noir feel. I cannot wait for the next outing of Zaq and Jags.

Many thanks to Little Brown Book Group, NetGalley and, of course, the author, Amer Anwar, for my advanced readers' copy of Stone Cold Trouble.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of Stone Cold Trouble but that has in no way influenced my review.

I loved (LOVED!) Brothers in Blood, the first book in this series. It was really gritty but wonderfully refreshing and original too, with tons of heart. I felt a little apprehensive about starting Stone Cold Trouble based purely on how much I loved book one (Stone Cold Trouble is one of my most eagerly anticipated books of the year, no doubt about that!). But could the author do it again? You betcha. Anwar's follow-up is another brilliantly written piece of page-turning fiction and I loved it.

Zaq Khan, despite his best efforts, can't seem to avoid trouble. When his best mate's uncle, Lucky, asks for his help in returning a family heirloom, Zaq and Jags find themselves dealing with a powerful businessman whose bodyguards are always spoiling for a fight. When Zaq's brother, Tariq, is viciously attacked, all attention is moved to his own family and to Tariq's ICU bedside. Zaq can't help feeling though that someone from his own troubled past is trying to send him a clear message. Zaq is determined to make those responsible for his brother's critical condition pay, no matter what it takes. Will Zaq and Jags be able to find the person responsible and wreak revenge, before it's too late....

I am 100% invested in these characters and their very eventful lives. I love Zaq and Jags and will happily read this series for as long as the author writes it. There is so much crammed into this story that there's never a dull moment. Even when Jags is, once again, making something for Zaq to eat (it happens a fair bit) the banter between the two characters is so entertaining and the imagery is so clear, you're swept up into the story and enjoying every single moment. Although I will say this book did, at points, make me feel quite hungry!

The streets of Southall, West London, live and breathe on the pages of this book. The author whisks you away to his version of an area he obviously loves and it was an absolute joy to read. The inclusion of Punjabi words and phrases really added to the reading experience for me. I loved how the plot unfolded and how once again, Zaq and Jags find themselves knee-deep in a compelling mystery. I felt I was tagging along with the lads every step of the way as they unpicked what had happened and why. There's a wonderful sense of unease and tension throughout which kept me on the edge of my seat. Culminating in a brilliant nerve-wracking finale.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. I would recommend Stone Cold Trouble and Brothers in Blood. Brilliantly written Asian noir with great, satisfying dollops of grit and a big ol' heart to boot. Refreshing, original, gutsy fiction and I bloody love it! Highly recommended.

I chose to read and review an eARC of Stone Cold Trouble. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

**4.5 stars rounded up to 5 for Amazon, Goodreads and Watersones**

This is the long-awaited sequel to the author’s debut Brothers in Blood, an impressive novel that made a well-deserved impact on the crime fiction landscape. We’re back with Zaq and his best mate Jags in Southall, and once more this is a tale populated by the West London neighbourhood's less respectable inhabitants.

Stone Cold Trouble starts off with Zaq still in the employ of the timber yard owned by the Brar family, this despite the fact that in the previous novel he went toe-to-toe with the Brar sons, both local thugs. Zaq outwitted them and they now languish as guests of Her Majesty’s Pleasure, but luckily for him, their father is blissfully unaware of his role in his sons’ incarceration, and so he still has a job.

Trouble for Zaq this time occurs on two fronts. First, his brother Tariq is beaten into a coma, and second Jags uncle loses a valuable necklace in a game of poker. Zaq investigates who beat up Tariq fearing it’s any number of people he crossed in book one, while he and Jags try and recover the necklace. Needless to say, it isn’t long before they end up in all kinds of trouble. As mentioned, and being a crime thriller, the two friends soon cross a new selection of unsavoury characters and some of the bad guys in Stone Cold Trouble are truly unpleasant people who consider themselves above the law.

Stone Cold Trouble is a great novel, albeit a little slower to get going than Brothers in Blood. This reflects the storyline well though as Zaq is both worried about his brother and also has very little to go on in his investigations. The climactic last third is really very tense and by then the reader has discovered just how repellent those our heroes are up against really are.

As with the first book, this is a well-plotted crime novel with compelling characterisation, and as with book one, there are a number of hints of where things might go next. As the series progresses Zaq and Jags are building up both enemies (such as the Brar Brothers, who currently rot in the clink) and others who might become suspicious that the two could be a liability (a certain person in Stone Cold Trouble). Either could form a plotline for book three. Or the two might happen across a whole new set of villains. Either way, this is a series that is well worth a read and Stone Cold Trouble is a great sequel to the author’s debut.