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Hyder Ali #1
The Silent Reporter
A reporter investigates the suicide of his professor, only to stumble upon a conspiracy that is bigger than he had imagined.
Hyder Ali, a Muslim-American, is working as a reporter when his university professor and mentor is found hanging inside his home. What looks like an apparent suicide soon turns into something more sinister when Hyder begins searching for the truth. If you love mystery and suspense, don't miss this exciting read! "I love this writing style, which if you like James Patterson, you'll certainly love this author" (Judith A. Lentz).
Hyder Ali, a Muslim-American, is working as a reporter when his university professor and mentor is found hanging inside his home. What looks like an apparent suicide soon turns into something more sinister when Hyder begins searching for the truth. If you love mystery and suspense, don't miss this exciting read! "I love this writing style, which if you like James Patterson, you'll certainly love this author" (Judith A. Lentz).
ebook
First published January 31, 2014
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980 people want to read
About the author
Thomas Fincham
77 books153 followerspen name for Mobashar Qureshi
THOMAS FINCHAM holds a graduate degree in Economics. His travels throughout the world have given him an appreciation for other cultures and beliefs. He has lived in Africa, Asia, and North America. An avid reader of mysteries and thrillers, he decided to give writing a try. Several novels later, he can honestly say he has found his calling. He is married with two kids, and he lives in a hundred-year-old house. He is the author of LEE CALLAWAY series, the HYDER ALI series, the MARTIN RHODES series, and the ECHO ROSE series.
THOMAS FINCHAM holds a graduate degree in Economics. His travels throughout the world have given him an appreciation for other cultures and beliefs. He has lived in Africa, Asia, and North America. An avid reader of mysteries and thrillers, he decided to give writing a try. Several novels later, he can honestly say he has found his calling. He is married with two kids, and he lives in a hundred-year-old house. He is the author of LEE CALLAWAY series, the HYDER ALI series, the MARTIN RHODES series, and the ECHO ROSE series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews
September 28, 2022
The story was okay most of the time. A reporter uncovers a conspiracy and decides to investigate. He puts his life in jeopardy to uncover the truth.
Lots of times you really had to overlook the coincidences that just keep on coming!
All in all, the book gets three stars. ⭐️
Lots of times you really had to overlook the coincidences that just keep on coming!
All in all, the book gets three stars. ⭐️
April 10, 2014
I enjoyed this book very much. The plot was interesting and moved along at a good rate and the characters were all likeable.
Hyder Ali is a junior reporter at a city newspaper when he hears of the death of his favourite college Professor, a man who was a mentor and friend to him. At his funeral he is approached by the Professor's daughter, Jessica who believes her father was murdered. Nolan, the police detective assigned to the case is also not convinced that the Professor committed suicide and eventually teams up with Jessica and Hyder to investigate further.
I would have liked to have got to know the characters a little better and seen a little more character development. We are told that Nolan lost his wife in an accident and spent the last year sitting on the couch, depressed and drunk until ordered back to work by his old boss. There are hints of an interesting personality when he snipes at a few people at work but we never really find out much more about him and he remains a little cliched. It would be great to see his character develop more if he features in sequels to this. The journalist, Hyder Ali is fleshed out a little more when we meet his family and work colleagues and hear about his background however, Jessica, the Professor's daughter and the third main character in this novel is also rather bland and two dimensional.
Despite these comments, all up this was a very engaging crime-mystery story and I look forward to the next book in the series.
3.5 ★
(Q: Do adult American policeman and reporters really say 'My bad' to each other so often when they mean My mistake? As a non-American I found that really annoying.)
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Hyder Ali is a junior reporter at a city newspaper when he hears of the death of his favourite college Professor, a man who was a mentor and friend to him. At his funeral he is approached by the Professor's daughter, Jessica who believes her father was murdered. Nolan, the police detective assigned to the case is also not convinced that the Professor committed suicide and eventually teams up with Jessica and Hyder to investigate further.
I would have liked to have got to know the characters a little better and seen a little more character development. We are told that Nolan lost his wife in an accident and spent the last year sitting on the couch, depressed and drunk until ordered back to work by his old boss. There are hints of an interesting personality when he snipes at a few people at work but we never really find out much more about him and he remains a little cliched. It would be great to see his character develop more if he features in sequels to this. The journalist, Hyder Ali is fleshed out a little more when we meet his family and work colleagues and hear about his background however, Jessica, the Professor's daughter and the third main character in this novel is also rather bland and two dimensional.
Despite these comments, all up this was a very engaging crime-mystery story and I look forward to the next book in the series.
3.5 ★
(Q: Do adult American policeman and reporters really say 'My bad' to each other so often when they mean My mistake? As a non-American I found that really annoying.)
I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.
June 12, 2014
I really enjoyed this book, finding the style easy to relate to and the content to be fast moving with appropriate twists and turns to maintain interest and the desire to find out what really happened. Finding some excellent books lately and some new authors to read - excellent!
May 14, 2018
When I typed in “police procedural” in my Kindle search engine, this book popped up, and the premise of a young Muslim American reporter intrigued me, I have to say. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much procedural to this story. The detective assigned to the case of an apparent suicide didn’t come across as reliable as he was drunk most of the time. Thanks to the help of the young reporter and the victim’s daughter the web of fraud and murder was untangled, which led to the arrest of the culprits. All in all, I thought the plot itself was rather amateurish and the dialogues tended to be immature. Despite the fact that I liked the character of Hyder, I probably will not pursue this series.
January 17, 2018
You can find this review in English below.
Dnf @ 20%.
La sinopsis de esta historia parecía prometedora. La portada de este libro era interesante. La trama de esta historia estaba bastante bien.
La prosa de esta historia es desgarbada, torpe.
Son frases muy cortas. Una detrás de otra. Todas con una perfecta composición. Sujeto, verbo y predicado. Sujeto, verbo y predicado. Sujeto, adjetivo, verbo y predicado.
Pasado un tiempo se vuelve tedioso continuar con la lectura de esas frases telegráficas.
La frase más larga que leí tenía 20 palabras.
El autor no escatima en puntos y aparte.
Hay muchos párrafos que consisten en una sola frase.
Este acopio de párrafos de una sola frase hace que la lectura no sea fluida, hace que vaya a trompicones.
Se me hace imposible continuar con la lectura.
*sigh*
***
Dnf @ 20%.
The blurb of this story seemed promising. The cover of this book was interesting. The plot of this story was going well.
The prose of this story is awkward, stiff.
There are only short sentences. One short sentence after another. All sentences with the perfect structure. Subject, verb and predicate. Subject, verb and predicate. Adjective, subject, verb and predicate.
After a while it becomes tedious keep going reading those telegraphic sentences.
The longest sentence was twenty words.
The author doesn´t economize using one-sentence paragraphs.
There is a lot of one-sentence paragraphs.
This copiousness of one-sentence paragraphs makes the read wooden, stilted.
I can´t continue reading.
*sigh*
Dnf @ 20%.
La sinopsis de esta historia parecía prometedora. La portada de este libro era interesante. La trama de esta historia estaba bastante bien.
La prosa de esta historia es desgarbada, torpe.
Son frases muy cortas. Una detrás de otra. Todas con una perfecta composición. Sujeto, verbo y predicado. Sujeto, verbo y predicado. Sujeto, adjetivo, verbo y predicado.
Pasado un tiempo se vuelve tedioso continuar con la lectura de esas frases telegráficas.
La frase más larga que leí tenía 20 palabras.
El autor no escatima en puntos y aparte.
Hay muchos párrafos que consisten en una sola frase.
Este acopio de párrafos de una sola frase hace que la lectura no sea fluida, hace que vaya a trompicones.
Se me hace imposible continuar con la lectura.
*sigh*
***
Dnf @ 20%.
The blurb of this story seemed promising. The cover of this book was interesting. The plot of this story was going well.
The prose of this story is awkward, stiff.
There are only short sentences. One short sentence after another. All sentences with the perfect structure. Subject, verb and predicate. Subject, verb and predicate. Adjective, subject, verb and predicate.
After a while it becomes tedious keep going reading those telegraphic sentences.
The longest sentence was twenty words.
The author doesn´t economize using one-sentence paragraphs.
There is a lot of one-sentence paragraphs.
This copiousness of one-sentence paragraphs makes the read wooden, stilted.
I can´t continue reading.
*sigh*
August 2, 2019
3.5 ⭐️
Entertaining read. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters except Tom Nolan, an alcoholic detective. If the rest of the series featured him as the main character I'd continue reading, but as they don't, I won't.
Entertaining read. I didn't feel a connection to any of the characters except Tom Nolan, an alcoholic detective. If the rest of the series featured him as the main character I'd continue reading, but as they don't, I won't.
December 23, 2018
Five Stars!
I didn’t think that l would give this book five stars when l first started reading it, but right around the third chapter, things began to fall into place and the book just took off. This is a great beginning to a series.
I didn’t think that l would give this book five stars when l first started reading it, but right around the third chapter, things began to fall into place and the book just took off. This is a great beginning to a series.
November 12, 2015
This was loads of fun to read. Almost one of those page turners that you just can't put down. Great characters, great story line and a fairly quick read.
September 22, 2017
Enjoyable read, interesting storyline that keeps you wanting more.
March 29, 2019
Great ok!
I really liked this book! From the cop the reporter to the it guy ther was a lot of adventure. Can’t wait to read more from this authors.
I really liked this book! From the cop the reporter to the it guy ther was a lot of adventure. Can’t wait to read more from this authors.
June 30, 2017
The Reporter Series
I have read two of these books now and I found them both very readable. The level of detail is exceptional and I am very excited to find stories about a (in our white Anglo-Saxon society) character who is not the same as us. The Character of Hyder Ali is really cool. Believable and exciting. The plots are intricate and contain enough twists and turns to keep life interesting and to keep the page turning, but it is that characters and their relationships (the good and the bad) that make these books so easy to read. Many times in one of my bookclubs I find myself saying. "I really don't care a jot about this or that character. I am not interested in their lives or what they do, be it good or bad."
NOT the case with the reporter series. I felt I could relate in some way to all of the characters. And the use of a reporter rather than a lawyer or a cop or a PI is really good as well. A neat device. Nicely handled.
I want more of these books. Have just downloaded The Crystal Towers to try something different. I do not expect to be disappointed.
Colin
I have read two of these books now and I found them both very readable. The level of detail is exceptional and I am very excited to find stories about a (in our white Anglo-Saxon society) character who is not the same as us. The Character of Hyder Ali is really cool. Believable and exciting. The plots are intricate and contain enough twists and turns to keep life interesting and to keep the page turning, but it is that characters and their relationships (the good and the bad) that make these books so easy to read. Many times in one of my bookclubs I find myself saying. "I really don't care a jot about this or that character. I am not interested in their lives or what they do, be it good or bad."
NOT the case with the reporter series. I felt I could relate in some way to all of the characters. And the use of a reporter rather than a lawyer or a cop or a PI is really good as well. A neat device. Nicely handled.
I want more of these books. Have just downloaded The Crystal Towers to try something different. I do not expect to be disappointed.
Colin
June 9, 2018
I liked the premise of this book with corporate wrong doings and greed behind several murders. I also enjoyed the glimpses into Muslim culture that were introduced. Hyder Ali is a Pakistani-American young man who wants a future as a reporter. His academic advisor is found dead in a presumed suicide. Jessica Freeland is the professor's daughter who believes her father would never have committed suicide, despite the suicide note that was found. Tom Nolan is a grief stricken detective struggling with alcoholism after the accidental death of his wife. Tom is trying to get back to work and his Captain believes an obvious suicide is the perfect investigation for Tom to get back in the swing of things. There are odd clues that point to murder, however. Hyder and Jessica eventually team up with Tom to discover the truth.
Thomas Fincham has a good outline, but needs to flesh out this story. The action is fast paced, yet seems to jump haphazardly from scene to scene. There is potential in Mr. Fincham's writing and hope to continue to see his development in the rest of the series.
Thomas Fincham has a good outline, but needs to flesh out this story. The action is fast paced, yet seems to jump haphazardly from scene to scene. There is potential in Mr. Fincham's writing and hope to continue to see his development in the rest of the series.
February 18, 2018
Hyder Ali is a young Muslim man who is working for the local newspaper as a temp reporter. His old college professor is killed and Hyder disagrees with the police assumption that the man committed suicide. Professor Freeland and Hyder had many conversations about their personal philosophies and he knows how the professor was adamantly against suicide. He joins up with Jessica Freeland, the professor's daughter, to find out the truth. They also meet up with police detective Tom Nolan, a man who is being haunted by the past and is prescribing copious amounts of alcohol to hide from his grief. The three of them, as unlikely a group as can be, look for and find the truth, clear the professor's name, and free Tom Nolan from his ghosts. This was an excellent book. I will definitely read more. It is also a good peek into the teachings of the Islam religion, one I had very little idea about.
August 31, 2017
An Excellent Story ( Reads Like A Detective TV Series)
I purchased this book based on the overview of the story. It's a little different to what you normally get in a reporter and detective story. But it is well worth the read!
The plot is not long and drawn out. The writer's style of short paragraphs, dialogue and chapters makes it very reader friendly. In addition the chapters just flow into each other. You don't realise how much you read in one go until you stop!
The characters are all unforgettable, good and bad, this adds to the beauty of the story. This also makes you eager to see what comes next for the characters!
A truly enjoyable and wonderful story!!!!!!
I purchased this book based on the overview of the story. It's a little different to what you normally get in a reporter and detective story. But it is well worth the read!
The plot is not long and drawn out. The writer's style of short paragraphs, dialogue and chapters makes it very reader friendly. In addition the chapters just flow into each other. You don't realise how much you read in one go until you stop!
The characters are all unforgettable, good and bad, this adds to the beauty of the story. This also makes you eager to see what comes next for the characters!
A truly enjoyable and wonderful story!!!!!!
February 24, 2018
A no downer for sure, made me thirsty, the end made me want more.
I chose the rating because the book is completely different, no long drawn out and repetitive lines.
The writer clearly balances religion, love and duty to family with work. It allows first timers an up close look at the Muslim community . I like how you described your characters l felt as if I was seeing them, especially the man in the suit. Detective Nolan reminded my of sheriff Lobo, I hope to meet him again
Yes. I would recommend this book to readers..
Keep us reading
L. Barriteau
I chose the rating because the book is completely different, no long drawn out and repetitive lines.
The writer clearly balances religion, love and duty to family with work. It allows first timers an up close look at the Muslim community . I like how you described your characters l felt as if I was seeing them, especially the man in the suit. Detective Nolan reminded my of sheriff Lobo, I hope to meet him again
Yes. I would recommend this book to readers..
Keep us reading
L. Barriteau
February 1, 2021
Hyder Ali Ali is a junior reporter on a temporary assignment for six months. A professor and mentor of his was dead, saying it was a suicide. His daughter starts digging and with her father mentioning that Hyder was like a son to him, she came to him for help.
The detective hasn’t been able to cope and not working since losing his wife, the captain refuses to give up on him, and gives him the case. Pressure comes to mark it suicide and close the case.
With the three of them diggin it turns out a deadly conspiracy.
Good plot
The detective hasn’t been able to cope and not working since losing his wife, the captain refuses to give up on him, and gives him the case. Pressure comes to mark it suicide and close the case.
With the three of them diggin it turns out a deadly conspiracy.
Good plot
October 30, 2018
Couldn’t stop reading. Great story, interesting characters with lots of problems to solve. Privat ones and public ones .... It was pretty clear from the beginning that there was bribe and corruption involved, but couldn’t get it how far this company would go to get out of their problems. Killing the auditor might have been a bit too much, but who knows maybe she wouldn’t have taken money.
Interesting story with some twist and turns.
Interesting story with some twist and turns.
May 30, 2019
Terrific
I read the Martin Rhodes series first . I had to read another to see if I really liked this author . Yes. Hyder Ali is a young , American Muslim reporter . He is trying to find a job , and is temporarily working at a local paper . His former professor dies, supposedly by suicide . He hardly believes it. Jessica , the professor's daughter doesn't. She contacts Hyder and they work together , uncovering a conspiracy .
I read the Martin Rhodes series first . I had to read another to see if I really liked this author . Yes. Hyder Ali is a young , American Muslim reporter . He is trying to find a job , and is temporarily working at a local paper . His former professor dies, supposedly by suicide . He hardly believes it. Jessica , the professor's daughter doesn't. She contacts Hyder and they work together , uncovering a conspiracy .
February 9, 2017
I really enjoyed reading this! I even have a real life friend with the name Hyder Ali, what a hoot!!! Anyway well written a tory and no word fluff or padding... a few word typos and misspellings, I didn't care as I understood as well as it took, nothing from the story for me as I am not a word or grammar nazi....
February 26, 2018
Very good book
This was a very good book. Some seemingly random events turn out to be all related. The book read very quickly, and was very enjoyable. It is sort of a classic government and big business corruption scheme that is discovered by a journalist and rogue cop that has lost everything.
This was a very good book. Some seemingly random events turn out to be all related. The book read very quickly, and was very enjoyable. It is sort of a classic government and big business corruption scheme that is discovered by a journalist and rogue cop that has lost everything.
April 7, 2018
It's worth a read
Not the greatest mystery I've ever read, but it was a good try. Would have like to have seen some big twist or something unpredictable but there was not much there.
Did like some of the characters but don't see how making one of them a Muslim added anything to the story. struck me as more of a gimmick to say not all Muslims are terrorists.
Not the greatest mystery I've ever read, but it was a good try. Would have like to have seen some big twist or something unpredictable but there was not much there.
Did like some of the characters but don't see how making one of them a Muslim added anything to the story. struck me as more of a gimmick to say not all Muslims are terrorists.
May 19, 2018
The Silent Reporter
This is a murder mystery and book number one of a series about a Muslim Reporter who goes to great lengths to solve the murder of his one time professor.He gets talked into solving the crime with the professor's daughter a co-worker from the newspaper and a tortured police officer.
I am about to order book two.
This is a murder mystery and book number one of a series about a Muslim Reporter who goes to great lengths to solve the murder of his one time professor.He gets talked into solving the crime with the professor's daughter a co-worker from the newspaper and a tortured police officer.
I am about to order book two.
September 5, 2022
Multiple murders. Temp reporter gets involved because an old teacher was murdered. The policeman is a drunk. The characters are a bit thin. The plot is fairly simple and easy to guess. The writing is annoying: being very short, simple sentences suitable for younger readers. I found it hard to stay interested with the choppy flow.
November 22, 2017
Read like a play
I chose a four rating rather than a five due to the clipped writing. Where some writers overwrite a scene, he chose not to. Either that or he edited the book with a zealous delete button.
The story line is predictable, I did enjoy the book.
I chose a four rating rather than a five due to the clipped writing. Where some writers overwrite a scene, he chose not to. Either that or he edited the book with a zealous delete button.
The story line is predictable, I did enjoy the book.
January 14, 2018
The Silent Reporter
This is the first book in this series and I really loved it. This is the third series by writer Thomas Gingham and I must say they have all been five star books. They have great suspense. I highly recommend this book.
This is the first book in this series and I really loved it. This is the third series by writer Thomas Gingham and I must say they have all been five star books. They have great suspense. I highly recommend this book.
January 24, 2018
Excellent story
Wow what a story ! Very interesting and exciting. The characters were great and the story moved right along. The story was very suspenseful and exciting.. On to the next book in this series.. Thank you author Thomas Fincham...
Wow what a story ! Very interesting and exciting. The characters were great and the story moved right along. The story was very suspenseful and exciting.. On to the next book in this series.. Thank you author Thomas Fincham...
March 15, 2018
Enjoyable Read
I learned about other cultures by reading. I do not know any Muslim people so I find it interesting to find out few things about their customs and little about their religion. Add a murder mystery to it and now you have an enjoyable read.
I learned about other cultures by reading. I do not know any Muslim people so I find it interesting to find out few things about their customs and little about their religion. Add a murder mystery to it and now you have an enjoyable read.
July 6, 2019
Great read
I read this book to wind down & fill the time after work. It wasn't long before I wanted to finish work in order to get home and read the next bit. Thanks I'll be reading the rest.
I read this book to wind down & fill the time after work. It wasn't long before I wanted to finish work in order to get home and read the next bit. Thanks I'll be reading the rest.
December 19, 2021
simple read
kept me interested throughout
hyder ali is a reporter trying to find his feet
comes across a murder of his ex professor
how he joins hands with a cop and the daughter of the professor to unearth the mystery behind
kept me interested throughout
hyder ali is a reporter trying to find his feet
comes across a murder of his ex professor
how he joins hands with a cop and the daughter of the professor to unearth the mystery behind
April 28, 2022
Good
Good for a first in a series. Could do without the translations.hopefully hyders character grows. While I felt it was an easy read there are quite a few characters to keep track of..
Good for a first in a series. Could do without the translations.hopefully hyders character grows. While I felt it was an easy read there are quite a few characters to keep track of..
Displaying 1 - 30 of 102 reviews