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Mr Sidhu’s Post Office
Don’t miss this brand-new unforgettable and achingly beautiful novel about family, love, loss, and the power of communities coming together!* * * *
It's 2007, and Mr Sidhu is the sub-postmaster of the local post office in Richmond. He's grieving the passing of his wife and is preoccupied with honouring his final promise to to make sure his two grown-up children are settled and comfortable, which means helping Raju buy his own place and seeing to it that Meenu finally marries her long-term fiancé, Craig. But Mr Sidhu is thrown off course when be begins developing feelings for his co-worker Rose, and everything begins to change, including his relationship with his children.
And then Mr Sidhu's weekly accounts begin reporting a loss. He doesn't know what's happening or where that money has gone, but as the collective losses increases, Mr Sidhu has no way of paying it back. Will those in the community who Mr Sidhu has served so loyally rally around him before it’s too late? Or could this be the end of Mr Sidhu’s post office … ?
It's 2007, and Mr Sidhu is the sub-postmaster of the local post office in Richmond. He's grieving the passing of his wife and is preoccupied with honouring his final promise to to make sure his two grown-up children are settled and comfortable, which means helping Raju buy his own place and seeing to it that Meenu finally marries her long-term fiancé, Craig. But Mr Sidhu is thrown off course when be begins developing feelings for his co-worker Rose, and everything begins to change, including his relationship with his children.
And then Mr Sidhu's weekly accounts begin reporting a loss. He doesn't know what's happening or where that money has gone, but as the collective losses increases, Mr Sidhu has no way of paying it back. Will those in the community who Mr Sidhu has served so loyally rally around him before it’s too late? Or could this be the end of Mr Sidhu’s post office … ?
390 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 74 reviews
July 9, 2026
Absolutely loved this debut from start to finish. When I bought it, it was purely the cover and title that drew me in. I hadn’t realised there was any link to the horizon post office scandal - which I’d watched a documentary on. So I was even more interested to read this. I loved the characterisation, the cultural aspects, and the emotion it created in me. A gem of a book.
June 17, 2026
Like many who have read, watched and heard about the Horizon scandal, I was horrified by miscarriage of justice perpetrated against hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters by The Post Office. I watched the excellent dramatisation Mr Bates vs The Post Office and subsequent documentary on ITV and I was (and continue to be) utterly appalled by the whole thing.
Mr Sidhu’s Post Office tells the story of a widowed Sikh man in his 60s whose post office is a cherished hub of a community in Richmond. As well as telling the shocking story of what those sub-postmasters endured, the book also promises a sweet later-life love story, as well as an insight into the immigrant experience of a young man from rural India setting up a home and business in a very white area in the UK.
When I read the synopsis of this debut novel, I jumped at the chance to be able to read an advanced copy prior to publication. While I did enjoy it and read it cover to cover in just two days, unfortunately the book didn’t quite live up to what I was hoping it would be.
Having seen much of the coverage in recent years, I didn’t feel the book brought anything new to the Horizon scandal that hadn’t already been very well told.
To do justice to the complexities of what happened to the sub-postmasters required so much of the storyline that there wasn’t much room left for anything else. Without it being another 200-odd pages, some shortcuts and sacrifices were inevitable.
Mr Sidhu’s background, culture, and his experience as a Sikh man settling into the UK - the meat of the story that drew me to this book - felt slightly relegated to being more like a brief summary. I would have loved much more exploration of this, including more of his experience settling into both his home in Hounslow and workplace of Richmond (two quite contrasting areas culturally.)
I would have also liked more development of the love story between him and Rose. The romance is introduced very early on and I felt that much of their story is told, rather than shown.
There was great potential for a fun supporting cast, however there was so little room for their development that some of them felt a little two-dimensional and relying on stereotype - for example, the Glaswegian alcoholic.
Perhaps my expectations for this book to be more of a cultural exploration were misplaced, and that could well be my fault. Had I not already known much about the scandal, I think my experience of this book would have been quite different.
This book will undoubtedly reach many people who do know very little about it, and I suspect for them it will be a book that will stay with them for a long time. For that reason, I expect this book will be a great success and that will certainly be deserved.
Thank you to Juniper for gifting me a proof copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Mr Sidhu’s Post Office tells the story of a widowed Sikh man in his 60s whose post office is a cherished hub of a community in Richmond. As well as telling the shocking story of what those sub-postmasters endured, the book also promises a sweet later-life love story, as well as an insight into the immigrant experience of a young man from rural India setting up a home and business in a very white area in the UK.
When I read the synopsis of this debut novel, I jumped at the chance to be able to read an advanced copy prior to publication. While I did enjoy it and read it cover to cover in just two days, unfortunately the book didn’t quite live up to what I was hoping it would be.
Having seen much of the coverage in recent years, I didn’t feel the book brought anything new to the Horizon scandal that hadn’t already been very well told.
To do justice to the complexities of what happened to the sub-postmasters required so much of the storyline that there wasn’t much room left for anything else. Without it being another 200-odd pages, some shortcuts and sacrifices were inevitable.
Mr Sidhu’s background, culture, and his experience as a Sikh man settling into the UK - the meat of the story that drew me to this book - felt slightly relegated to being more like a brief summary. I would have loved much more exploration of this, including more of his experience settling into both his home in Hounslow and workplace of Richmond (two quite contrasting areas culturally.)
I would have also liked more development of the love story between him and Rose. The romance is introduced very early on and I felt that much of their story is told, rather than shown.
There was great potential for a fun supporting cast, however there was so little room for their development that some of them felt a little two-dimensional and relying on stereotype - for example, the Glaswegian alcoholic.
Perhaps my expectations for this book to be more of a cultural exploration were misplaced, and that could well be my fault. Had I not already known much about the scandal, I think my experience of this book would have been quite different.
This book will undoubtedly reach many people who do know very little about it, and I suspect for them it will be a book that will stay with them for a long time. For that reason, I expect this book will be a great success and that will certainly be deserved.
Thank you to Juniper for gifting me a proof copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
September 10, 2026
I felt like this had a compelling start with a bit of a slump in the middle section, at the end I couldn’t put it down though. How could you not love Mr Sidhu in the end? This also feels like an important piece of history. I had no idea of the scale of the scandal until I spent time googling as I read.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Mr Sidhu is caught up in the Horizon post office scandal.
I adored this narrative. I began reading Mr Sidhu’s Post Office with a slight feeling of dread as I abhor unfairness and thought I might be enraged by the plot. I was. However, I was also utterly charmed, thoroughly entertained and completely uplifted. Amman Barr’s prose is mesmerising. It’s relatively simple in style, which partly reflects Mr Sidhu’s own use of English, and has the effect of delivering incredible impact in a surprising way.
Whilst the backdrop to the story is the Post Office scandal, with which we’re all familiar, what Amman Brar does is to show at an intimate and personal level just how one person, Mr Sidhu, is affected. This helps the reader engage with the story and fully understand what a terrible scandal Horizon was and remains. It’s a story to entertain but also to leave the reader outraged.
Mr Sidhu himself is a brilliant character. He is only referred to by various first names in direct speech by others which itself illustrates the theme of identity and belonging as well as societal attitudes to our immigrant population. In general prose he is always called Mr Sidhu, giving him the status he deserves and showing his proud and formal character. Whilst he is certainly more sinned against than sinning, Mr Sidhu is no perfect individual which makes his story all the more relatable. Suffering a range of prejudices himself, even from his own family, he also has his own – not least his determination that his daughter Meenu should marry and have a family as soon as possible. His other flaws show Mr Sidhu behaving selfishly and thoughtlessly towards others so that it is all the more poignant when he has moments of self-awareness. As a result of these character traits, Mr Sidhu is absolutely real and rounded.
The relationships between Mr Sidhu, his Sikh and local community, Rose, Jay, and his children Meenu and Raji are beautifully handled with a lightness of touch that belies their intensity. At times I wanted to shake him, especially in his dealings with Rose and Meenu, but at other times I wanted to hug him tightly. All the time I cared about what happened to him because he felt so real.
I loved the theme of community in Mr Sidhu’s Post Office that reverberates throughout. The early Indian parts that give insight into Mr Sidhu’s upbringing and background enhance just how much he has achieved as he moves country and creates his own community via the post office and shop in Richmond. As a result, what happens to him is indeed enraging. Corporate cover up and corruption destroys lives like Mr Sidhu’s and those he supports. This community theme also shows that, no matter where we are in the world , or where we come from there are echoes and links between us all regardless of background. Indeed, Amman Barr’s Mr Sidhu’s Post Office is about humanity as much as anything else.
It’s quite hard to convey just what a fantastic book this is without spoilers. Yes, I was outraged and angered, feeling as impotent as Mr Sidhu in the face of the Horizon corruption, because it WAS Mr Sidhu’s post office, that he’d built into a safe environment for the vulnerable. That said, I loved everything about Mr Sidhu’s Post Office – plot, character and theme. I loved meeting those like Jay who don’t always conform. I loved being given a privileged glimpse into the life and character of Mr Sidhu. And I loved the concept that, above all else and whatever life throws at us, we always, always have our humanity.
Don’t miss this fantastic debut. It’s wonderful.
I adored this narrative. I began reading Mr Sidhu’s Post Office with a slight feeling of dread as I abhor unfairness and thought I might be enraged by the plot. I was. However, I was also utterly charmed, thoroughly entertained and completely uplifted. Amman Barr’s prose is mesmerising. It’s relatively simple in style, which partly reflects Mr Sidhu’s own use of English, and has the effect of delivering incredible impact in a surprising way.
Whilst the backdrop to the story is the Post Office scandal, with which we’re all familiar, what Amman Brar does is to show at an intimate and personal level just how one person, Mr Sidhu, is affected. This helps the reader engage with the story and fully understand what a terrible scandal Horizon was and remains. It’s a story to entertain but also to leave the reader outraged.
Mr Sidhu himself is a brilliant character. He is only referred to by various first names in direct speech by others which itself illustrates the theme of identity and belonging as well as societal attitudes to our immigrant population. In general prose he is always called Mr Sidhu, giving him the status he deserves and showing his proud and formal character. Whilst he is certainly more sinned against than sinning, Mr Sidhu is no perfect individual which makes his story all the more relatable. Suffering a range of prejudices himself, even from his own family, he also has his own – not least his determination that his daughter Meenu should marry and have a family as soon as possible. His other flaws show Mr Sidhu behaving selfishly and thoughtlessly towards others so that it is all the more poignant when he has moments of self-awareness. As a result of these character traits, Mr Sidhu is absolutely real and rounded.
The relationships between Mr Sidhu, his Sikh and local community, Rose, Jay, and his children Meenu and Raji are beautifully handled with a lightness of touch that belies their intensity. At times I wanted to shake him, especially in his dealings with Rose and Meenu, but at other times I wanted to hug him tightly. All the time I cared about what happened to him because he felt so real.
I loved the theme of community in Mr Sidhu’s Post Office that reverberates throughout. The early Indian parts that give insight into Mr Sidhu’s upbringing and background enhance just how much he has achieved as he moves country and creates his own community via the post office and shop in Richmond. As a result, what happens to him is indeed enraging. Corporate cover up and corruption destroys lives like Mr Sidhu’s and those he supports. This community theme also shows that, no matter where we are in the world , or where we come from there are echoes and links between us all regardless of background. Indeed, Amman Barr’s Mr Sidhu’s Post Office is about humanity as much as anything else.
It’s quite hard to convey just what a fantastic book this is without spoilers. Yes, I was outraged and angered, feeling as impotent as Mr Sidhu in the face of the Horizon corruption, because it WAS Mr Sidhu’s post office, that he’d built into a safe environment for the vulnerable. That said, I loved everything about Mr Sidhu’s Post Office – plot, character and theme. I loved meeting those like Jay who don’t always conform. I loved being given a privileged glimpse into the life and character of Mr Sidhu. And I loved the concept that, above all else and whatever life throws at us, we always, always have our humanity.
Don’t miss this fantastic debut. It’s wonderful.
July 6, 2026
4.5 stars rounded up.
A brilliant debut that sheds light on the miscarriage of justice subpostmasters faced during the Post Office scandal. Despite this being a work of fiction, it leaned into real life experiences and having seen the documentary on this, it felt very true to those events.
The representation was really good and a great portrayal of the Sikh immigrant experience. I loved all of the cultural stuff and challenges Mr Sidhu came up against.
I struggled a little with the sub plots and the dynamic between him and his children who came across as really selfish and unkind to their father who was going through so much. Whilst I appreciate this is part of the immigrant story generally (misunderstandings and a constant push pull) it just dragged slightly and took away from the main story.
Overall a brilliant read though and really well written.
A brilliant debut that sheds light on the miscarriage of justice subpostmasters faced during the Post Office scandal. Despite this being a work of fiction, it leaned into real life experiences and having seen the documentary on this, it felt very true to those events.
The representation was really good and a great portrayal of the Sikh immigrant experience. I loved all of the cultural stuff and challenges Mr Sidhu came up against.
I struggled a little with the sub plots and the dynamic between him and his children who came across as really selfish and unkind to their father who was going through so much. Whilst I appreciate this is part of the immigrant story generally (misunderstandings and a constant push pull) it just dragged slightly and took away from the main story.
Overall a brilliant read though and really well written.
October 6, 2026
In a Nutshell: A bittersweet fiction novel about an Indian-origin postmaster in England. Had great potential, especially as it highlights a scandal not many know about. But the plot is very diluted, the characters are mostly stereotypical, and the writing is heavily reliant on telling rather than showing. The eponymous character is like a typical traditional Indian uncle, which isn't necessarily a good thing. Disappointed, because this book could really have been impressive with better handling.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
The author's father was a post master and an immigrant to the UK from Punjab, India. This debut work incorporates some of his experiences into a fictional story and includes a factual incident as well – the Horizon IT scandal.
Bookish Yays:
💌 The depiction of a rural Punjab village in the prologue. So realistic!
💌 The portrayal of the British Post Office scandal. The book says there has been an iTV show on this issue (‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’) but as I wasn’t aware of it, I appreciated learning about this gross injustice against innocent postmasters. This is the best part of the book.
💌 The way the story shows how immigrants also contribute to community rightfully.
Bookish Okays:
📮 Mr. Sidhu. I was fully prepared to love Mr. Sidhu because Sikh uncles are usually the easiest to love – they are so jolly and generous. Though Sidhu is not unlikeable, he is very flawed. Certain qualities of his, especially in the social standing, are admirable, but his behaviour with his family is closeminded, old-fashioned, and judgemental. In public too, he is sometimes crass and racist. Technically, that's how traditional Indian men were/are, so I don’t know if this should count as a plus for authenticity or a minus for generating irritation. The double standards in his thoughts about his son and his daughter are the most annoying. I especially cannot forgive the number of times he told his daughter, “You are getting old.” – ugh!
📮 The Sikh representation is interesting but could have been so much better. It was good to see some of the rituals and traditions of the belief, but the community aspect felt very weak, unlike the Sikh community in real life. There are also a few clichés.
📮 The incorporation of many Indian (Punjabi) words. Doesn’t make much difference to me as most of the included words are similar to Hindi and hence I could guess their meanings. But those who don’t know the language might miss out on some nuances. There was no glossary in my copy – having one might help.
📮 The plot itself is very diluted. The core mystery connected to the IT system is the most intriguing. But the rest of the tracks feel stretched out. The “weekend away” scene is easily the weakest part of the book.
Bookish Nays:
📫 The basic writing style, over-reliant on telling instead of showing. At times, some random facts are included just because they are interesting, even though they have no bearing on the story. The most irksome is the repetition of thoughts and the needless explanation of decisions and actions. The story feels dragged because of this. I wish authors would trust in the intelligence of their readers.
📫 The love track. I didn’t expect to see romance in a story about a Indian senior citizen, but as it was included, I would have liked it to be portrayed with more depth and sensitivity. But the love story is very dull, with there being no progression of feelings. Everything is instant, with too much forgiving and brushing-under-the-carpet from the woman’s side. And personal preference: I don’t want to read about old Indian uncles getting erections! 🙈🙊🙉
📫 The poor character development for almost all the secondary characters. None of them have any depth, and a couple of them revolve in and out of the story as per convenience.
📫 The logical loophole about the mystery. Can't go into spoilers, but if you show one key character working in the IT field as a project manager, you cannot expect that character to be confused about the said issue. It was a basic error any good project manager would immediately have flagged. (I was one, so I would know.) The character in concern should have been given some other job profile to establish why the error could not be pinpointed immediately.
Overall, I expected this to be a wholesome and relaxing story, but it turned out to be somewhat intense and bittersweet, especially in the final quarter. I love that it sheds light on a scandal I had no inkling about. If only it hadn’t been so dependent on telling instead of showing and had offered more depth to the characters, it could have been a more impactful reading experience for me. At the same time, I know that many readers are not as fussy as me about writing styles. The plot is interesting enough to be engaging for the most part. Most of the writing issues are typical of debut works, so more writing experience and stricter editing could resolve many of the problems.
Recommended to readers who are more about plot and emotions than about writing style and character depth.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to HQ and Juniper for providing the DRC of “Mr Sidhu’s Post Office” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Plot Preview:
Sixty-something Mr. Sidhu has been the sub-postmaster of the local post office in Richmond for many years. Earlier, his wife also used to help him at the shop, and after her passing, Mr. Sidhu wants to make sure that he fulfils his last promise to her: that their two grown-up children are settled. But two things bring about a change in the status quo. One, Mr. Sidhu starts developing feelings for his co-worker Rose. And two, his weekly accounts begin showing a loss after the new IT system is installed. With the secrets and the losses multiplying every week, Mr. Sidhu has to figure out a way to sort out all his problems before he loses his post office and his loved ones.
The story comes to us in Mr. Sidhu’s third-person perspective.
The author's father was a post master and an immigrant to the UK from Punjab, India. This debut work incorporates some of his experiences into a fictional story and includes a factual incident as well – the Horizon IT scandal.
Bookish Yays:
💌 The depiction of a rural Punjab village in the prologue. So realistic!
💌 The portrayal of the British Post Office scandal. The book says there has been an iTV show on this issue (‘Mr Bates vs The Post Office’) but as I wasn’t aware of it, I appreciated learning about this gross injustice against innocent postmasters. This is the best part of the book.
💌 The way the story shows how immigrants also contribute to community rightfully.
Bookish Okays:
📮 Mr. Sidhu. I was fully prepared to love Mr. Sidhu because Sikh uncles are usually the easiest to love – they are so jolly and generous. Though Sidhu is not unlikeable, he is very flawed. Certain qualities of his, especially in the social standing, are admirable, but his behaviour with his family is closeminded, old-fashioned, and judgemental. In public too, he is sometimes crass and racist. Technically, that's how traditional Indian men were/are, so I don’t know if this should count as a plus for authenticity or a minus for generating irritation. The double standards in his thoughts about his son and his daughter are the most annoying. I especially cannot forgive the number of times he told his daughter, “You are getting old.” – ugh!
📮 The Sikh representation is interesting but could have been so much better. It was good to see some of the rituals and traditions of the belief, but the community aspect felt very weak, unlike the Sikh community in real life. There are also a few clichés.
📮 The incorporation of many Indian (Punjabi) words. Doesn’t make much difference to me as most of the included words are similar to Hindi and hence I could guess their meanings. But those who don’t know the language might miss out on some nuances. There was no glossary in my copy – having one might help.
📮 The plot itself is very diluted. The core mystery connected to the IT system is the most intriguing. But the rest of the tracks feel stretched out. The “weekend away” scene is easily the weakest part of the book.
Bookish Nays:
📫 The basic writing style, over-reliant on telling instead of showing. At times, some random facts are included just because they are interesting, even though they have no bearing on the story. The most irksome is the repetition of thoughts and the needless explanation of decisions and actions. The story feels dragged because of this. I wish authors would trust in the intelligence of their readers.
📫 The love track. I didn’t expect to see romance in a story about a Indian senior citizen, but as it was included, I would have liked it to be portrayed with more depth and sensitivity. But the love story is very dull, with there being no progression of feelings. Everything is instant, with too much forgiving and brushing-under-the-carpet from the woman’s side. And personal preference: I don’t want to read about old Indian uncles getting erections! 🙈🙊🙉
📫 The poor character development for almost all the secondary characters. None of them have any depth, and a couple of them revolve in and out of the story as per convenience.
📫 The logical loophole about the mystery. Can't go into spoilers, but if you show one key character working in the IT field as a project manager, you cannot expect that character to be confused about the said issue. It was a basic error any good project manager would immediately have flagged. (I was one, so I would know.) The character in concern should have been given some other job profile to establish why the error could not be pinpointed immediately.
Overall, I expected this to be a wholesome and relaxing story, but it turned out to be somewhat intense and bittersweet, especially in the final quarter. I love that it sheds light on a scandal I had no inkling about. If only it hadn’t been so dependent on telling instead of showing and had offered more depth to the characters, it could have been a more impactful reading experience for me. At the same time, I know that many readers are not as fussy as me about writing styles. The plot is interesting enough to be engaging for the most part. Most of the writing issues are typical of debut works, so more writing experience and stricter editing could resolve many of the problems.
Recommended to readers who are more about plot and emotions than about writing style and character depth.
2.75 stars.
My thanks to HQ and Juniper for providing the DRC of “Mr Sidhu’s Post Office” via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I follow the Goodreads rating policy:
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ - Lifelong favourite!
⭐⭐⭐⭐ - I loved the book.
⭐⭐⭐ - I liked the book.
⭐⭐ - I found the book average.
⭐ - I hated the book.
The decimals indicate the degree of the in-between feelings.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect with me through:
My Blog || The StoryGraph || Instagram || Facebook ||
September 24, 2026
Loved this but anything to do with the Horizon scandal is so heartbreaking.
September 20, 2026
I’m guilty of not really understanding the Post Office scandal before reading this.
I absolutely loved Mr Sidhu. His pride in his work and how much he cared about the people around him made what happened to him feel even more heartbreaking.
I always seem to love books about community and ordinary people’s lives. A really moving read.
I absolutely loved Mr Sidhu. His pride in his work and how much he cared about the people around him made what happened to him feel even more heartbreaking.
I always seem to love books about community and ordinary people’s lives. A really moving read.
September 22, 2026
I listened to the abridged version of this on Radio 4 - it was a touching fictional story about a man called Mr Sidhu, who was another victim of UK's Post Office Scandal - where self employed people running Post Offices had unexplained financial shortages appearing in the till due to the new Horizon IT system.
July 13, 2026
Great story, with brilliantly drawn characters and wonderful narration really brought the whole book to life.
Did Not Finish
September 13, 2026Too slow and boring. Lacked depth. Life is too short. DNF.
July 8, 2026
Den här boken växte verkligen under läsningen. Jag kände sedan tidigare till den sk Post-office skandalen i England och har sett tv-serien om den. Den här berättelsen lägger till ytterligare ett lager med den otroligt sympatiske huvudkaraktären Mr Sidhu. Hans resa som immigrant fr Punjabi till ägare av en liten butik i Richmond m ansvar för postverksamheten. Boken handlar om hur postverket ödelägger familjers liv, men är också en historia om tro, kultur, familj, traditioner, sammanhållning, godhet och kärlek på äldre dagar. En mycket fin berättelse.
October 13, 2026
Very sweet and heartbreaking portrayal of the post office scandal. Felt particularly personal due to the Punjabi / Southwold mix which I wasn’t expecting. A little drawn out in parts but overall enjoyable
July 12, 2026
Set in 2007 against the backdrop of the Post Office Horizon scandal, Mr Sidhu's Post Office follows Sukhdev Sidhu, also known as David to his regulars, a respected sub-postmaster in Richmond who has spent years at the heart of his local community. His post office is far more than somewhere to buy stamps or collect a parcel – it's a place where neighbours gather, friendships are formed and people turn to Mr Sidhu for advice, kindness and a listening ear.
Still grieving the loss of his beloved wife, Mr Sidhu is determined to honour the promises he made to her by helping his two grown-up children build secure futures. His children however, have slightly different ideas, and having a Western upbringing unlike their father, neither seem ready to settle down. Mr Sidhu also begins to develop unexpected feelings for his colleague Rose and as he navigates his changing relationship with his children and the blossoming romance with Rose he slowly starts imagining a future for himself beyond duty and responsibility.
For all the years he has run the Post Office, Mr Sidhu has always kept impeccable written accounts, however everything changes when unexplained discrepancies begin appearing after the introduction of the Horizon computer system. Despite doing everything by the book, Mr Sidhu finds himself caught up in a nightmare that threatens not only his livelihood but also the reputation he has spent decades building. As suspicion surrounding him mounts, Mr Sidhu finds himself struggling to deal with the false accusations against him, and finds it hard to let go of everything he has built.
We also get a look at Mr Sidhu's earlier life, from his childhood in Punjab to building a new life in Britain. These flashbacks provide valuable insight into the sacrifices he and his family made and why keeping his Post Office and reputation intact is so important to him.
Before we get into any sort of review of the story of this book, I’d just like to make a note of how moving the authors note at the start of this book is. Amman Brar explains that the novel was inspired by his own father, who ran a post office for many years, and that the book is both a tribute to him and to the many innocent sub-postmasters whose lives were devastated by the Horizon scandal.
The real-life Post Office Horizon scandal was one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in UK legal history. Faults in the Horizon accounting system provided by Fujitsu, wrongly made it appear that significant sums of money were missing from thousands of Post Office branches. Many innocent sub-postmasters were accused of theft or fraud, forced to repay money they hadn't taken, prosecuted, bankrupted or even imprisoned before it was eventually accepted that the software itself was responsible for the discrepancies. Many of the scandals victims are still fighting for the justice they deserve. Mr Sidhu's fictional story is set against this real historical injustice, giving a deeply personal perspective on its human cost, however the author has handled the subject with the utmost care and respect. Rather than becoming something of a voyeuristic drama, the novel focuses on the devastating human consequences of a system that failed honest, hard working people and this just makes the emotional moments even more powerful.
It is such incredibly warm, compassionate and emotional book that not only shines a light on one of the greatest injustices in modern British history, but also shows to us the importance of family and community, emphasising what a difference small, quiet acts of kindness can mean to people. Although it is set against the backdrop of the Horizon scandal, first and foremost, this is very much a story of perseverance, determination and found family.
Mr Sidhu is such a wonderful protagonist. He is thoughtful, selfless, honest and deeply devoted to both his family and his community, which makes you absolutely root for him to get the justice he so desperately deserves. Watching him try to honour his late wife's wishes while also allowing himself to imagine happiness again was so moving, and also a little heartbreaking too; the way he still speaks to his wife about the important things in his life had me a little teary eyed. His developing relationship with Rose brings a little bit of hope and lightness to what would have otherwise been a desperately sad tale. She was such a lovely addition to the story, never trying to replace Mr Sidhu's late wife, but instead gently reminding him that it's okay to embrace happiness again.
The flashbacks to Mr Sidhu's earlier life add real depth to his character. Rather than feeling like interruptions, they help explain the experiences that shaped him, and why he acts certain ways. His upbringing in Punjab, his immigration and settling in Britain, show us how Mr Sidhu grew as a husband, father and person in general.
I also loved how much heart there was in the community itself. The post office feels like the centre of everything, with customers becoming friends and neighbours looking out for one another. It captures something that's becoming increasingly rare – a local post office that is far more than a business, acting instead as the heart of a neighbourhood. In fact its rare to find any sense of community at all these days, with people having a tendency to keep to themselves.
This book well and truly got under my skin – breaking my heart, making me so incredibly angry, truly devastating me, but then piecing me back together with its quiet hopefulness. It's moving and thought provoking in such a successful way. I finished it feeling so sad at the injustice of the Horizon scandal but also uplifted by the kindness, resilience and hope at the heart of Mr Sidhu's story.
Still grieving the loss of his beloved wife, Mr Sidhu is determined to honour the promises he made to her by helping his two grown-up children build secure futures. His children however, have slightly different ideas, and having a Western upbringing unlike their father, neither seem ready to settle down. Mr Sidhu also begins to develop unexpected feelings for his colleague Rose and as he navigates his changing relationship with his children and the blossoming romance with Rose he slowly starts imagining a future for himself beyond duty and responsibility.
For all the years he has run the Post Office, Mr Sidhu has always kept impeccable written accounts, however everything changes when unexplained discrepancies begin appearing after the introduction of the Horizon computer system. Despite doing everything by the book, Mr Sidhu finds himself caught up in a nightmare that threatens not only his livelihood but also the reputation he has spent decades building. As suspicion surrounding him mounts, Mr Sidhu finds himself struggling to deal with the false accusations against him, and finds it hard to let go of everything he has built.
We also get a look at Mr Sidhu's earlier life, from his childhood in Punjab to building a new life in Britain. These flashbacks provide valuable insight into the sacrifices he and his family made and why keeping his Post Office and reputation intact is so important to him.
Before we get into any sort of review of the story of this book, I’d just like to make a note of how moving the authors note at the start of this book is. Amman Brar explains that the novel was inspired by his own father, who ran a post office for many years, and that the book is both a tribute to him and to the many innocent sub-postmasters whose lives were devastated by the Horizon scandal.
The real-life Post Office Horizon scandal was one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in UK legal history. Faults in the Horizon accounting system provided by Fujitsu, wrongly made it appear that significant sums of money were missing from thousands of Post Office branches. Many innocent sub-postmasters were accused of theft or fraud, forced to repay money they hadn't taken, prosecuted, bankrupted or even imprisoned before it was eventually accepted that the software itself was responsible for the discrepancies. Many of the scandals victims are still fighting for the justice they deserve. Mr Sidhu's fictional story is set against this real historical injustice, giving a deeply personal perspective on its human cost, however the author has handled the subject with the utmost care and respect. Rather than becoming something of a voyeuristic drama, the novel focuses on the devastating human consequences of a system that failed honest, hard working people and this just makes the emotional moments even more powerful.
It is such incredibly warm, compassionate and emotional book that not only shines a light on one of the greatest injustices in modern British history, but also shows to us the importance of family and community, emphasising what a difference small, quiet acts of kindness can mean to people. Although it is set against the backdrop of the Horizon scandal, first and foremost, this is very much a story of perseverance, determination and found family.
Mr Sidhu is such a wonderful protagonist. He is thoughtful, selfless, honest and deeply devoted to both his family and his community, which makes you absolutely root for him to get the justice he so desperately deserves. Watching him try to honour his late wife's wishes while also allowing himself to imagine happiness again was so moving, and also a little heartbreaking too; the way he still speaks to his wife about the important things in his life had me a little teary eyed. His developing relationship with Rose brings a little bit of hope and lightness to what would have otherwise been a desperately sad tale. She was such a lovely addition to the story, never trying to replace Mr Sidhu's late wife, but instead gently reminding him that it's okay to embrace happiness again.
The flashbacks to Mr Sidhu's earlier life add real depth to his character. Rather than feeling like interruptions, they help explain the experiences that shaped him, and why he acts certain ways. His upbringing in Punjab, his immigration and settling in Britain, show us how Mr Sidhu grew as a husband, father and person in general.
I also loved how much heart there was in the community itself. The post office feels like the centre of everything, with customers becoming friends and neighbours looking out for one another. It captures something that's becoming increasingly rare – a local post office that is far more than a business, acting instead as the heart of a neighbourhood. In fact its rare to find any sense of community at all these days, with people having a tendency to keep to themselves.
This book well and truly got under my skin – breaking my heart, making me so incredibly angry, truly devastating me, but then piecing me back together with its quiet hopefulness. It's moving and thought provoking in such a successful way. I finished it feeling so sad at the injustice of the Horizon scandal but also uplifted by the kindness, resilience and hope at the heart of Mr Sidhu's story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I requested this book even before reading the synopsis because the name Mr Sidhu jumped out at me. Sidhu being my mother's maiden name, and the lead that it would be a Sikh at the forefront of the story had me requesting before anything else.
I was aware of the Horizon scandal, somewhat, but not in too much detail, so I was intrigued to see how this played out in the story, too.
Mr Sidhu, Sukdev, or Dave/David to the British locals around his post office in Richmond, has worked hard his whole life, to serve the community and provide for his family. He hails from rural Punjab, and not having any interest in the usual Jatt-puna, of working the ancestral land, he concentrates on his studies and with the backing of his father, Sukhdev finally ends up in England, a place hailed as some kind of money making heaven to many back home. Along with his wife, he built up his Richmond-based business, while living in Hounslow, and when she passed, he continued at the shop, being the Postmaster, with Rose at the shop till.
Mr Sidhu becomes caught up in the PO scandal when money begins to disappear from his accounts, recently upgraded to the new Post Office software. Here we see how his family react to what is happening, as well as how they need to find someone to blame.
Rose becomes an important presence in Mr Sidhu's life, when he thought he would have been sitting back, playing with the grandchildren he and his wife always thought their children, Meenu and Raju, would have provided, with a solid business to pass on to the next generation.
I loved how the softly, softly nature of Mr Sidhu mirrors many of the elders in our community. Always present, always supportive, but not interested in causing any trouble, even if they suffer difficulties.
I found Meenu very annoying. I wanted to shake her. Questioning her gentle father, unable to stand by him when he needed her and disappearing at a time he really needed her.
Raju's character was also interesting. A product of two traditional individuals, who allowed both their children to find their own paths, Raju works as an actor, and I love he doesn't give up.
Rose is just lovely. David's (Mr Sidhu) real support through a tough time is proof that there are people out there who look beyond colour and culture and see the goodness inside.
The story is gentle, yet aggressive at the same time. A journey to satisfaction, stamped with delays and upsets, and the special delivery of minor racism. This was a brilliant read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ, Juniper for an ARC.
I was aware of the Horizon scandal, somewhat, but not in too much detail, so I was intrigued to see how this played out in the story, too.
Mr Sidhu, Sukdev, or Dave/David to the British locals around his post office in Richmond, has worked hard his whole life, to serve the community and provide for his family. He hails from rural Punjab, and not having any interest in the usual Jatt-puna, of working the ancestral land, he concentrates on his studies and with the backing of his father, Sukhdev finally ends up in England, a place hailed as some kind of money making heaven to many back home. Along with his wife, he built up his Richmond-based business, while living in Hounslow, and when she passed, he continued at the shop, being the Postmaster, with Rose at the shop till.
Mr Sidhu becomes caught up in the PO scandal when money begins to disappear from his accounts, recently upgraded to the new Post Office software. Here we see how his family react to what is happening, as well as how they need to find someone to blame.
Rose becomes an important presence in Mr Sidhu's life, when he thought he would have been sitting back, playing with the grandchildren he and his wife always thought their children, Meenu and Raju, would have provided, with a solid business to pass on to the next generation.
I loved how the softly, softly nature of Mr Sidhu mirrors many of the elders in our community. Always present, always supportive, but not interested in causing any trouble, even if they suffer difficulties.
I found Meenu very annoying. I wanted to shake her. Questioning her gentle father, unable to stand by him when he needed her and disappearing at a time he really needed her.
Raju's character was also interesting. A product of two traditional individuals, who allowed both their children to find their own paths, Raju works as an actor, and I love he doesn't give up.
Rose is just lovely. David's (Mr Sidhu) real support through a tough time is proof that there are people out there who look beyond colour and culture and see the goodness inside.
The story is gentle, yet aggressive at the same time. A journey to satisfaction, stamped with delays and upsets, and the special delivery of minor racism. This was a brilliant read.
Many thanks to NetGalley and HQ, Juniper for an ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
If you want to read a book to understand why representation matters, I would read this one. Mr Sidhu's Post Office is a very accurate portrayal of a Sikh immigrant who is born in India and moves for better opportunity to the UK in the 70s. Whilst living in Hounslow, you learn how he builds from the ground up and ultimately manages to buy a Post Office in Richmond, forming close bonds with the regular customers who visit him there. A new found family.
Told from Mr Sidhu's perspective, I have to mention the book is not politically correct, and contains misogynistic opinions and anti-feminist themes which although I found it jarring at first, I realised it was an attempt by the author to remain sincere to the perceptions and judgement of an individual of that generation. Culturally, India and the UK are very different and then there is a generation gap which comes across in the way Mr Sidhu, a widower, deals with his adult children, his backward approach to his daughter who he pushes towards marriage and the due regard he gives his son, who he expects to take on the family responsibilities after he passes. Mr Sidhu can't cope when a new love interest knocks on his door and any faults he has makes you realise just how human he is. The concluding message of the book is filled with compassion and shows the growth of our protagonist, and I really have a soft spot for each and every character (minus a few baddies) in this beautiful book.
The book drew me in the more I read and I can say its a fantastic debut by Amman Brar, and I'm glad it has been written. Not only a spotlight on the immigrant experience, but Brar is unafraid to use a lot of punjabi dialogue which encourages a conversation - non-speakers can ask their friends for the meaning (Meera Syal said this was the intention when producing the hit comedy series Goodness Gracious Me!) Although this is a work of fiction, the author included The Post Office Scandal, till date one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in the UK, as part of the plotline and then to realise the author touched on real-life experiences in his writing was shocking. My heart goes out for the victims and their families.
Thank you @Netgalley and @HQStories for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest unedited review. Mr Sidhu's Post Office is out on 2 July 2026!
Told from Mr Sidhu's perspective, I have to mention the book is not politically correct, and contains misogynistic opinions and anti-feminist themes which although I found it jarring at first, I realised it was an attempt by the author to remain sincere to the perceptions and judgement of an individual of that generation. Culturally, India and the UK are very different and then there is a generation gap which comes across in the way Mr Sidhu, a widower, deals with his adult children, his backward approach to his daughter who he pushes towards marriage and the due regard he gives his son, who he expects to take on the family responsibilities after he passes. Mr Sidhu can't cope when a new love interest knocks on his door and any faults he has makes you realise just how human he is. The concluding message of the book is filled with compassion and shows the growth of our protagonist, and I really have a soft spot for each and every character (minus a few baddies) in this beautiful book.
The book drew me in the more I read and I can say its a fantastic debut by Amman Brar, and I'm glad it has been written. Not only a spotlight on the immigrant experience, but Brar is unafraid to use a lot of punjabi dialogue which encourages a conversation - non-speakers can ask their friends for the meaning (Meera Syal said this was the intention when producing the hit comedy series Goodness Gracious Me!) Although this is a work of fiction, the author included The Post Office Scandal, till date one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in the UK, as part of the plotline and then to realise the author touched on real-life experiences in his writing was shocking. My heart goes out for the victims and their families.
Thank you @Netgalley and @HQStories for the advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest unedited review. Mr Sidhu's Post Office is out on 2 July 2026!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
As a first generation Sikh immigrant to the UK, Mr Sukhdev Sidhu has worked hard and won his place as a much respected postmaster in his local community. He's reached his golden years, and is even tentatively dipping his toes into new relationship waters. His worries are small - seeing his adult children settled, finding a new house in Richmond, mastering the Post Office's new IT system ...
Yes, we know what's coming and what a heartbreaking story it is, as Sukhdev finds himself bewildered and bemused that his accounts won't balance. As the net closes in around him, he finds himself in a horrible situation from which there seem to be no escape.
It's awful, but this is an inspiring story, too. Sukhdev is a fantastic character, though not perfect by any means. He's a man of few words, and finds it hard to express his emotions. He's sometimes conflicted trying to balance the two cultures to which he belongs - Sikh and British - and can inadvertently hurt those he loves. But he is a man of integrity who is not prepared to lie, to cheat or to sacrifice other people in an effort to save his own skin.
His customers, close friends, and Rose - the woman who has been his support in the shop since his wife died, and is now becomng more dear to him - all trust, like and respect him.
Apart from Sukhdev, the author gives us a varied, sometimes complex, sometimes easy-going set of of characters in the family, friend and customer,s who surround him, and who are the perfect foil to the main man, and help bring humour, pathos and understanding to the story.
I also enjoyed Sukhdev's background story as the youngest son of an older father, brought up on a farm in India, but aspiring to a different life elsewhere. There are fascinating descriptions of the traditional Sikh way of life, which adds colour and depth to the narrative.
This is a tear-jerker, but you'll cry happy as well as sad tears.
We all know about the Post Office IT scandal, and the human suffering left in tis wake. Mr Sidhu's story brings it into sharp focus, and makes me angry and sad. But it also reminds me that people can surmount all obstacles if they remain true to themselves and have the support of the people they love. What a great message to send out in a book.
Yes, we know what's coming and what a heartbreaking story it is, as Sukhdev finds himself bewildered and bemused that his accounts won't balance. As the net closes in around him, he finds himself in a horrible situation from which there seem to be no escape.
It's awful, but this is an inspiring story, too. Sukhdev is a fantastic character, though not perfect by any means. He's a man of few words, and finds it hard to express his emotions. He's sometimes conflicted trying to balance the two cultures to which he belongs - Sikh and British - and can inadvertently hurt those he loves. But he is a man of integrity who is not prepared to lie, to cheat or to sacrifice other people in an effort to save his own skin.
His customers, close friends, and Rose - the woman who has been his support in the shop since his wife died, and is now becomng more dear to him - all trust, like and respect him.
Apart from Sukhdev, the author gives us a varied, sometimes complex, sometimes easy-going set of of characters in the family, friend and customer,s who surround him, and who are the perfect foil to the main man, and help bring humour, pathos and understanding to the story.
I also enjoyed Sukhdev's background story as the youngest son of an older father, brought up on a farm in India, but aspiring to a different life elsewhere. There are fascinating descriptions of the traditional Sikh way of life, which adds colour and depth to the narrative.
This is a tear-jerker, but you'll cry happy as well as sad tears.
We all know about the Post Office IT scandal, and the human suffering left in tis wake. Mr Sidhu's story brings it into sharp focus, and makes me angry and sad. But it also reminds me that people can surmount all obstacles if they remain true to themselves and have the support of the people they love. What a great message to send out in a book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
3.5-4
Mr Sukhdev Sidhu (David/Dave to the English who cannot pronounce his name) has a lot to be proud of. He runs a successful post office/shop business, his children are happy in their respective jobs, he is loved by his customers and staff and he's contemplating a move to a nicer area. He has had his share of sorrow though, losing touch with his family in India and his beloved wife, Sarabjit, to cancer and now a computer system in the post office that cannot add up properly.
Of course Mr Sidhu is reassured that these are mere teething troubles and the increasing debit column will be sorted by head office. He has faith in the system. He also has other things on his mind - daughter Meena continues to show no signs of settling down and son, Raju, has an acting career that is making no money. The other biggest thing on Mr Sidhu's mind is shop assistant, Rose. Will he ever be able to pluck up the courage to do more than share a cup of tea with her?
Everyone is now aware how the Post Office scandal played out and this book might have been more relevant had it been published 2 years ago. However, it is still a very human story about a man who came to Britain to make something of himself for his family but, like thousands of other honest Sub-Postmasters, was subjected to the humiliation of being called liars and/or loss of livelihood, liberty and even life, while the Post Office tried to cover its tracks.
All stories highlighting this scandal are shocking and a fictionalised version does not make it any less appalling. You probably won't learn anything new with this novel but Mr Sidhu is sn interesting (if a little rigid) character and his journey as he navigate many new changes is illuminating.
Recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and HQ for the digital review copy.
Mr Sukhdev Sidhu (David/Dave to the English who cannot pronounce his name) has a lot to be proud of. He runs a successful post office/shop business, his children are happy in their respective jobs, he is loved by his customers and staff and he's contemplating a move to a nicer area. He has had his share of sorrow though, losing touch with his family in India and his beloved wife, Sarabjit, to cancer and now a computer system in the post office that cannot add up properly.
Of course Mr Sidhu is reassured that these are mere teething troubles and the increasing debit column will be sorted by head office. He has faith in the system. He also has other things on his mind - daughter Meena continues to show no signs of settling down and son, Raju, has an acting career that is making no money. The other biggest thing on Mr Sidhu's mind is shop assistant, Rose. Will he ever be able to pluck up the courage to do more than share a cup of tea with her?
Everyone is now aware how the Post Office scandal played out and this book might have been more relevant had it been published 2 years ago. However, it is still a very human story about a man who came to Britain to make something of himself for his family but, like thousands of other honest Sub-Postmasters, was subjected to the humiliation of being called liars and/or loss of livelihood, liberty and even life, while the Post Office tried to cover its tracks.
All stories highlighting this scandal are shocking and a fictionalised version does not make it any less appalling. You probably won't learn anything new with this novel but Mr Sidhu is sn interesting (if a little rigid) character and his journey as he navigate many new changes is illuminating.
Recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and HQ for the digital review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was an interesting story to read. I really enjoyed learning about Mr Sidhu's life and family, and all the Punjabi foods, clothing, and traditions. The story moves between Mr Sidhu's childhood in India and his current life as a sub postmaster working a post office and corner shop in Richmond. It is set, in the Richmond parts, during the post office Horizon scandal as we meet Mr Sidhu just as the computer system is about to be installed. I obviously knew what was going to happen, but still I found it so unsettling to read how nobody is believing what is happening, and things escalate so much that I found it too upsetting to read before bed, so had to save it as a daytime book in the end.
So, there were lots of aspects I liked, with Mr Sidhu's life and routines, and I also really liked his talks with Jay and walks with the dog.
But there were other things I struggled with, such as his relationship with his children. I could understand the conflicts, but they felt dragged out to me - sometimes Mr Sidhu seemed to understand his children and then other times it felt frustrating that he was being so blind. I know it all created the drama of the story but at times that felt stilted to me, and unsettling that at times I understood his character and at other times it felt like he made no sense at all.
But this was overall an engaging read, and reinforces the absolute disgrace of the Post Office and Fujitsu.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
So, there were lots of aspects I liked, with Mr Sidhu's life and routines, and I also really liked his talks with Jay and walks with the dog.
But there were other things I struggled with, such as his relationship with his children. I could understand the conflicts, but they felt dragged out to me - sometimes Mr Sidhu seemed to understand his children and then other times it felt frustrating that he was being so blind. I know it all created the drama of the story but at times that felt stilted to me, and unsettling that at times I understood his character and at other times it felt like he made no sense at all.
But this was overall an engaging read, and reinforces the absolute disgrace of the Post Office and Fujitsu.
With thanks to Net Galley for my copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is both a lovely book and a shocking one. Mr Sidhu is a Post Office sub-postmaster in Richmond. He has worked his way up from arriving in the UK from India with just £3 to his name and has a comfortable life as a valued member of the community. His beloved wife has died a few years before the story begins and he’s now developing feelings for Rose who works in the small convenience shop attached to the Post Office.
Starting a new relation your 70s is fraught with misunderstandings and Mr Sidhu does not always handle things well but behind this stress is the much bigger stress relating to the new computer at the Post Office…
In the light of the Post Office scandal this is a relatively gentle (but not totally sugarcoated) story of the effect of the Horizon/Fujitsu disaster on one man and his family and community. Alongside that, the story looks back over Mr Sidhu’s life: growing up in the Punjab, emigrating to the UK and his experiences as a Sikh man in London.
I didn’t watch the recent TV drama (too distressing), but having recently seen the play ‘Glitch’ by Zannah Kearns, I was interested to read this story and, although fiction, it again lends to the facts of the scandal a personal dimension that helps reveal the huge damage caused to individuals.
Grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in return for an unbiased review.
Starting a new relation your 70s is fraught with misunderstandings and Mr Sidhu does not always handle things well but behind this stress is the much bigger stress relating to the new computer at the Post Office…
In the light of the Post Office scandal this is a relatively gentle (but not totally sugarcoated) story of the effect of the Horizon/Fujitsu disaster on one man and his family and community. Alongside that, the story looks back over Mr Sidhu’s life: growing up in the Punjab, emigrating to the UK and his experiences as a Sikh man in London.
I didn’t watch the recent TV drama (too distressing), but having recently seen the play ‘Glitch’ by Zannah Kearns, I was interested to read this story and, although fiction, it again lends to the facts of the scandal a personal dimension that helps reveal the huge damage caused to individuals.
Grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an eARC in return for an unbiased review.
September 30, 2026
Mr Sidhu's Post Office by Amman Brar
I picked this one because the BBC named it one of its 12 Books to Read in 2026 and said, "If you don't fall in love with Mr Sidhu, as I did, then I can't help you!" I didn't always love Mr Sidhu, but Amman Brar writes him with so much compassion that it's easy to believe he was based on his own father. I loved that the narrator always called him Mr Sidhu, even though the characters call him 'Dave'. You root for his quiet, everyday joys (a new love, a peaceful retirement) even as you brace for the walls closing in around him.
It's 2007, and Mr Sidhu runs the local post office, grieving his late wife and quietly trying to hold his family together. Then Rose walks into his life, and everything he thought was settled starts to shift, right as his weekly accounts inexplicably start reporting a loss he can't explain and can't pay back.
It's got a gentle, community-hub warmth—crossed with the slow-building dread of watching someone get crushed by a system that refuses to believe them. If you love unhurried family dramas, immigrant stories told with real heart, or books that made you furious on a fictional character's behalf—this one's for you.
Thumbs up!
📖 @ammanbrar (double-check before posting!)
🎧 @harpercollinsuk
#booksdeevaareads #2026bookshelf #bookstagram #mrsidhuspostoffice #ammanbrar
I picked this one because the BBC named it one of its 12 Books to Read in 2026 and said, "If you don't fall in love with Mr Sidhu, as I did, then I can't help you!" I didn't always love Mr Sidhu, but Amman Brar writes him with so much compassion that it's easy to believe he was based on his own father. I loved that the narrator always called him Mr Sidhu, even though the characters call him 'Dave'. You root for his quiet, everyday joys (a new love, a peaceful retirement) even as you brace for the walls closing in around him.
It's 2007, and Mr Sidhu runs the local post office, grieving his late wife and quietly trying to hold his family together. Then Rose walks into his life, and everything he thought was settled starts to shift, right as his weekly accounts inexplicably start reporting a loss he can't explain and can't pay back.
It's got a gentle, community-hub warmth—crossed with the slow-building dread of watching someone get crushed by a system that refuses to believe them. If you love unhurried family dramas, immigrant stories told with real heart, or books that made you furious on a fictional character's behalf—this one's for you.
Thumbs up!
📖 @ammanbrar (double-check before posting!)
🎧 @harpercollinsuk
#booksdeevaareads #2026bookshelf #bookstagram #mrsidhuspostoffice #ammanbrar
July 31, 2026
The year is 2007 and Mr Sidhu is a pillar in his Richmond community; everyone knows Mr Sidhu who runs the post office as the sub-postmaster. He is still grieving the passing of his wife and has strained relationships with his grown kids, who have been raised very differently to how he was in Punjab. Meenu is in a long-term engagement with her fiancé Craig with no signs of actually getting married and Raju is a budding actor, but Mr Sidhu wants him to have a stable future with properties. Alongside all this, he has been slowly growing feelings for his co-worker Rose.
However, things become complicated when a new computer system the post office have set up, starts to show shocking and confusing losses. He has never had any issues balancing his books before the system, so he is baffled and asks his superiors for help but keeps getting fobbed off…just a computer error that will sort itself out. But the losses keep building and things turn sour. Mr Sidhu may now have to rely on the community he served for so long.
Wow! What a stunning, moving, emotional and heart-breaking story. And to think this is a debut still shocks me! I am so impressed by this fact, as this story seems like the author has been writing for decades! I have never felt so much emotion while reading a book about a post office. I had one idea in my head of what I thought this story was about, and boy am I glad I’m wrong. This took me on a journey I never expected. The way the author writes about grief is so accurate and breath-taking while battling the feeling of moving on and the guilt that can bring.
Mr Sidhu is a man who just wants to do the right thing, for his kids, his customers and everyone around him…he is a pure soul. So, when the Horizon scandal hit, I was mortified that something like this could happen to a fictional character, forget that it actually happened in real life. I cannot believe the injustices these hard-working people had to face and how long it took to get justice (in some cases they didn’t).
I will never stop harping on about how important representation is! As a South Asian woman, seeing characters like me, from my background and religion will always mean more to me than you will ever understand but this story felt universal, you don’t have to be Punjabi to understand these characters and their trials and tribulations, you just have to be human.
So let’s be human together <3
Favourite Quote:
“I travelled. I saw the world. Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean and Australia, the States and South America. It was wonderful. And what you realise is that people are actually nice. Most people in the world are nice and want to be happy. And for some reason I didn’t know that.”
Also
“‘Oh it’s no matter’, Bitu replied, not allowing any disappointment to bubble up, ‘that is the way. I am no longer part of your family any more.’ She half smiled but her eyes expressed the sadness she felt at being forgotten in a place where she had been loved and would never be loved again in the same way.”
However, things become complicated when a new computer system the post office have set up, starts to show shocking and confusing losses. He has never had any issues balancing his books before the system, so he is baffled and asks his superiors for help but keeps getting fobbed off…just a computer error that will sort itself out. But the losses keep building and things turn sour. Mr Sidhu may now have to rely on the community he served for so long.
Wow! What a stunning, moving, emotional and heart-breaking story. And to think this is a debut still shocks me! I am so impressed by this fact, as this story seems like the author has been writing for decades! I have never felt so much emotion while reading a book about a post office. I had one idea in my head of what I thought this story was about, and boy am I glad I’m wrong. This took me on a journey I never expected. The way the author writes about grief is so accurate and breath-taking while battling the feeling of moving on and the guilt that can bring.
Mr Sidhu is a man who just wants to do the right thing, for his kids, his customers and everyone around him…he is a pure soul. So, when the Horizon scandal hit, I was mortified that something like this could happen to a fictional character, forget that it actually happened in real life. I cannot believe the injustices these hard-working people had to face and how long it took to get justice (in some cases they didn’t).
I will never stop harping on about how important representation is! As a South Asian woman, seeing characters like me, from my background and religion will always mean more to me than you will ever understand but this story felt universal, you don’t have to be Punjabi to understand these characters and their trials and tribulations, you just have to be human.
So let’s be human together <3
Favourite Quote:
“I travelled. I saw the world. Europe, Africa, Asia and the Caribbean and Australia, the States and South America. It was wonderful. And what you realise is that people are actually nice. Most people in the world are nice and want to be happy. And for some reason I didn’t know that.”
Also
“‘Oh it’s no matter’, Bitu replied, not allowing any disappointment to bubble up, ‘that is the way. I am no longer part of your family any more.’ She half smiled but her eyes expressed the sadness she felt at being forgotten in a place where she had been loved and would never be loved again in the same way.”
Did Not Finish
September 4, 2026DNF at about halfway through. The lack of character development (Rose in particular) finally got to me. As other reviewers have noted, there is a lot of telling and not enough showing. The romance between Mr. Sidhu and Rose is supposed to be the bright spot in Mr. Sidhu’s life, particularly as the stress of his Post Office’s finances builds (due to the new computer system!) But I never felt any real sense of chemistry or believable sparks between the two of them, probably because Rose is such a bland character. And their “romantic” weekend in Southwold just seemed unpleasant. (Also, weirdly, as if they have been married for thirty years in some ways.)
I was aware of the Horizon post office scandal from listening to a podcast about it. I did care enough about Mr.Sidhu to start to feel distressed on his behalf as I read. I decided I didn’t want to keep reading, especially knowing that the post office mess was just going to get worse and worse. If there had truly been a believable, enjoyable love story to balance out the increasingly dire financial and career situation, I would have kept reading.
In spite of all of the above, I do think this debut novel shows promise. I would try a second novel by Amman Brar.
I was aware of the Horizon post office scandal from listening to a podcast about it. I did care enough about Mr.Sidhu to start to feel distressed on his behalf as I read. I decided I didn’t want to keep reading, especially knowing that the post office mess was just going to get worse and worse. If there had truly been a believable, enjoyable love story to balance out the increasingly dire financial and career situation, I would have kept reading.
In spite of all of the above, I do think this debut novel shows promise. I would try a second novel by Amman Brar.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2026
Mr Sidhu’s Post Office is a warm, engaging story about family, community and finding a new direction in life. Set in Richmond in 2007, it follows Mr Sidhu, a widowed sub-postmaster whose life revolves around his shop, his two grown-up children and the people who come through his door.
The story also brings in the Horizon scandal, showing how the introduction of the new computer system begins to affect Mr Sidhu and his previously settled life. Knowing what we now know about the scandal gives these sections an added poignancy, while the book also gives plenty of space to Mr Sidhu’s family, his memories of Punjab and his growing relationship with Rose.
I particularly enjoyed the sense of community around the post office. There is something very appealing about a place where people know one another, conversations happen almost by accident and the postmaster becomes part of the fabric of everyday life. The Punjabi family life and traditions add another interesting dimension to the story.
A thoughtful and accessible debut, with Mr Sidhu at its heart and plenty of warmth in its portrayal of family, friendship and community.
The story also brings in the Horizon scandal, showing how the introduction of the new computer system begins to affect Mr Sidhu and his previously settled life. Knowing what we now know about the scandal gives these sections an added poignancy, while the book also gives plenty of space to Mr Sidhu’s family, his memories of Punjab and his growing relationship with Rose.
I particularly enjoyed the sense of community around the post office. There is something very appealing about a place where people know one another, conversations happen almost by accident and the postmaster becomes part of the fabric of everyday life. The Punjabi family life and traditions add another interesting dimension to the story.
A thoughtful and accessible debut, with Mr Sidhu at its heart and plenty of warmth in its portrayal of family, friendship and community.
November 4, 2026
Loved this story and learning about the Indian culture and how moving to another country affects this. Great story, believable charactrers and enjoyable to read. Based on a true story, it helps us see the real impact on families of when this happened in the UK
It's 2007, and Mr Sidhu is the sub-postmaster of the local post office in Richmond. He's grieving the passing of his wife and is preoccupied with honouring his final promise to to make sure his two grown-up children are settled and comfortable, which means helping Raju buy his own place and seeing to it that Meenu finally marries her long-term fiancé, Craig. But Mr Sidhu is thrown off course when be begins developing feelings for his co-worker Rose, and everything begins to change, including his relationship with his children.
And then Mr Sidhu's weekly accounts begin reporting a loss. He doesn't know what's happening or where that money has gone, but as the collective losses increases, Mr Sidhu has no way of paying it back. Will those in the community who Mr Sidhu has served so loyally rally around him before it’s too late? Or could this be the end of Mr Sidhu’s post office … ?
It's 2007, and Mr Sidhu is the sub-postmaster of the local post office in Richmond. He's grieving the passing of his wife and is preoccupied with honouring his final promise to to make sure his two grown-up children are settled and comfortable, which means helping Raju buy his own place and seeing to it that Meenu finally marries her long-term fiancé, Craig. But Mr Sidhu is thrown off course when be begins developing feelings for his co-worker Rose, and everything begins to change, including his relationship with his children.
And then Mr Sidhu's weekly accounts begin reporting a loss. He doesn't know what's happening or where that money has gone, but as the collective losses increases, Mr Sidhu has no way of paying it back. Will those in the community who Mr Sidhu has served so loyally rally around him before it’s too late? Or could this be the end of Mr Sidhu’s post office … ?
Review of advance copy
I thought this was a heartwarming romance until I got to the court scene. The injustice that Mr Sidhu faced was crippling. My heart poured out when I read about his community defending him so beautifully. It just all felt so unfair
Aside from the unsuspecting plot, this book is the perfect bridge between England and Punjab. As the girlfriend of a Punjabi I had so much fun talking to my boyfriend and his family about the new words I learnt. We howled over my pronunciation of swear words together and drew family trees to understand what names were given to who. I could see my boyfriend’s dad in this protagonist: strong, protective and dutiful. He too is not a man of many words but these pages were like a little insight into his mind. For that I give the author huge respect
Finally, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn lore about the Post Office Scandal. I had heard it on the news but never really paid it any mind. Now I understand the heartbreak that so many people would’ve been forced into. I suppose books are good for that if anything
Aside from the unsuspecting plot, this book is the perfect bridge between England and Punjab. As the girlfriend of a Punjabi I had so much fun talking to my boyfriend and his family about the new words I learnt. We howled over my pronunciation of swear words together and drew family trees to understand what names were given to who. I could see my boyfriend’s dad in this protagonist: strong, protective and dutiful. He too is not a man of many words but these pages were like a little insight into his mind. For that I give the author huge respect
Finally, I am grateful for the opportunity to learn lore about the Post Office Scandal. I had heard it on the news but never really paid it any mind. Now I understand the heartbreak that so many people would’ve been forced into. I suppose books are good for that if anything
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy
A heart-warming and poignant story centred on a family-run post office in Richmond and the people whose lives revolve around it. At its core, the book explores the Post Office Horizon scandal, one of the UK’s greatest miscarriages of justice, through the experiences of Mr Sidhu. While highlighting the devastating impact of the scandal on hardworking postmasters, the novel also celebrates the vital role that local post offices have traditionally played as community hubs—places where neighbours meet, stories are shared, and relationships are built.
The novel is deeply rooted in Punjabi culture, portraying the values of family, resilience, duty, and community that shape the Sidhu family’s lives. Brar also examines the cultural differences between first-generation Punjabi immigrants and their children who were born and raised in the UK. Through these intergenerational tensions and connections, the story explores questions of identity, belonging, and what it means to balance heritage with modern British life.
A truly excellent book, I thoroughly enjoyed.
The novel is deeply rooted in Punjabi culture, portraying the values of family, resilience, duty, and community that shape the Sidhu family’s lives. Brar also examines the cultural differences between first-generation Punjabi immigrants and their children who were born and raised in the UK. Through these intergenerational tensions and connections, the story explores questions of identity, belonging, and what it means to balance heritage with modern British life.
A truly excellent book, I thoroughly enjoyed.
October 8, 2026
This book follows the lives of Sidhu, hi family, friends and neighbors as Sidhu gets embroiled in life love and the post office Horizon Scandal. In his author's note Brar says he started to write a book about his father's life behind the post office counter but as the Horizon Scandal exploded felt he couldn't do so without including that issue. To my mind he has simply hijacked the Horizon Scandal at the expense of the book he was initially going to write. Without all the corrupt accounting , court trial and prison sentence this book would have been extremely short. Yes there was an underlying narrative about an immigrant trying to integrate his current life and his heritage. There is a gentle romance and quite a bit if feel good neighborliness..
The Horizon scandal has been covered both in reporting and on TV I felt I wanted to know about Mr Sidhu about his relationships in more depth. This isn't a bad book but I am not convinced it is the book the author set out to write or the book i expected to read.
The Horizon scandal has been covered both in reporting and on TV I felt I wanted to know about Mr Sidhu about his relationships in more depth. This isn't a bad book but I am not convinced it is the book the author set out to write or the book i expected to read.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Mr Sidhu’s Post Office by Amman Brar is a moving story that I really enjoyed. Mr Sidhu, a Sikh sub‑postmaster who has balanced his accounts for twenty years, suddenly finds himself accused of owing tens of thousands of pounds after the introduction of the Horizon system. Drawing on the experiences of the author’s father, the story captures the disbelief, fear and quiet humiliation that follow, as Mr Sidhu struggles to defend his integrity against a system that refuses to listen.
Alongside this injustice runs a gentle love story between Mr Sidhu and Rose, a white English woman who works with him in the shop. Their relationship, and the mixed reactions of their families and community, adds warmth and humanity to the novel, showing how love persists even under pressure.
(Copilot assisted me with the writing of this review - based on very specific prompts taken from my notes of reading the book).
Alongside this injustice runs a gentle love story between Mr Sidhu and Rose, a white English woman who works with him in the shop. Their relationship, and the mixed reactions of their families and community, adds warmth and humanity to the novel, showing how love persists even under pressure.
(Copilot assisted me with the writing of this review - based on very specific prompts taken from my notes of reading the book).
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Having watched the dramatisation of the shocking Post Office one New Years Day during the long school Christmas break. and was so shocked by this.
When I had the oppertunity to read and review this story I was interested
This is a beautifully written story of a Sikh gentleman who comes from India to the UK. Sadly he becomes involved in the shocking Post Office scandal. Like the dramatisation of this subject the author explores in detail the terrible problems and such injustices those sub post masters ultimatately suffered.
There is also the experience of imigrants who came to the UK, keeping their cultures but also the sadness of leaving loved ones back in the country they came from. What expectations first genreations and later would expect from living in the UK.
This is well written, well researched with extreme under standing of the plights sub post masters went through and sadly are still going through.
When I had the oppertunity to read and review this story I was interested
This is a beautifully written story of a Sikh gentleman who comes from India to the UK. Sadly he becomes involved in the shocking Post Office scandal. Like the dramatisation of this subject the author explores in detail the terrible problems and such injustices those sub post masters ultimatately suffered.
There is also the experience of imigrants who came to the UK, keeping their cultures but also the sadness of leaving loved ones back in the country they came from. What expectations first genreations and later would expect from living in the UK.
This is well written, well researched with extreme under standing of the plights sub post masters went through and sadly are still going through.
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