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Hakim and Arnold #4
Enough Rope
Private investigator and ex-soldier Lee Arnold and superintendent Paul Venus are by no means friends, but when Venus' son Harry is kidnapped and ransom demands arrive from an address in Arnold's patch in east London, the superintendent doesn't know who else to turn to.
Arnold and his partner Mumtaz Hakim soon find themselves chasing leads into several of the East End's uneasily coexisting communities. Mumtaz uncovers a link to one of the area's powerful Bangladeshi families, whose property empire has always seemed suspicious, while Arnold suspects the involvement of more old-fashioned East End gangsters, and wonders if some of the nastier rumours about Venus himself might be true. And neither Mumtaz nor Lee like the look of the children of the super-rich, arriving in droves in the trendy parts of Hoxton and Shoreditch and living in luxury just a stone's throw from grinding urban poverty.
The truth, however, is stranger and more dangerous than either Arnold or Hakim imagine. Enough Rope is a powerful and thrilling novel of London's ever-evolving dark side.
Arnold and his partner Mumtaz Hakim soon find themselves chasing leads into several of the East End's uneasily coexisting communities. Mumtaz uncovers a link to one of the area's powerful Bangladeshi families, whose property empire has always seemed suspicious, while Arnold suspects the involvement of more old-fashioned East End gangsters, and wonders if some of the nastier rumours about Venus himself might be true. And neither Mumtaz nor Lee like the look of the children of the super-rich, arriving in droves in the trendy parts of Hoxton and Shoreditch and living in luxury just a stone's throw from grinding urban poverty.
The truth, however, is stranger and more dangerous than either Arnold or Hakim imagine. Enough Rope is a powerful and thrilling novel of London's ever-evolving dark side.
- GenresMystery
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
11 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Nadel
60 books212 followersBarbara Nadel is an English crime-writer. Many of her books are set in Turkey. Born in the East End of London, Barbara Nadel trained as an actress before becoming a writer. Now writing full-time, she has previously worked as a public relations officer for the National Schizophrenia Fellowship's Good Companion Service and as a mental health advocate for the mentally disordered in a psychiatric hospital. She has also worked with sexually abused teenagers and taught psychology in schools and colleges, and is currently the patron of a charity that cares for those in emotional and mental distress. She has been a regular visitor to Turkey for more than twenty-five years.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
May 9, 2016
This review also featured on www.crimepieces.com
Barbara Nadel is familiar to many readers as the author of the well-regarded Inspector Ikmen series set in Istanbul, however my first encounter with her work comes with the fourth outing of the London based Hakim and Arnold series. Set in the East End, the series revolves around a small private detective agency run by white ex-policeman Lee Arnold and his assistant, young Muslim widow Mumtaz Hakim. Barbara Nadel has pulled off something quite special in Mrs Mumtaz Hakim. Mumtaz adds a layer of realism which offers a fresh perspective on an area which has seen vast changes over recent years and is largely unrecognisable to half a century ago.
With a significant Bangladeshi community making up a large part of the population around Brick Lane and the East End, Mumtaz has a solid support network established in the area. Well educated with a degree in psychology she is a strong independent woman working in an occupation still predominantly seen as the preserve of white males. As a step-mother to sixteen year old Shazia she has plenty of her own problems, burdened by the debts left by husband Ahmet to Naz Sheikh and his family and with their threats increasing being levelled at Shazia, not to mention brother Asif.
Whilst Lee hails from the Forest Gate area and as a divorced, ex-cop, ex-army private investigator could be seen as largely ‘old school’, he is clearly no dinosaur and is insightful enough to know that to make inroads in a community where the demographic is rapidly changing he needs support. The established crime families of the East End no longer reign and with a growing community of Muslims and a shift towards the upwardly mobile university elite, a more diverse community are bringing a wider range of crimes and corruption to his attention.
When Superintendent Paul Venus’ son, Harry, is kidnapped and a ransom demanded from an address in Brick Lane it is not just his boy he wants back; he also wants to know who is behind the sting and employs Arnold in an attempt to achieve a discreet resolution. Although by no means friends the pair and well aware of each other and with ex-colleagues still working under the authority of Venus, Lee has heard all the rumours of corruption and backhanders coming from on-off hook-up DS Violet Collins. Yet the ransom demand address of Brick Lane cannot be dismissed outright and when Mumtaz uncovers a connection which points to a powerful Bangladeshi family things no longer seem so straightforward. With Lee being sworn to secrecy about the case he has to tread very carefully and rely on the mutual trust which the pair have fostered. Arnold has no contacts in the Muslim community, whereas Mumtaz has a family home and not only relatives but friends and connections to the community.
What Enough Rope lacked in frenetic action it more than made up for with its striking portrayal of life for the residents of a diverse East End and still delivered plenty of twists to keep me focused. Admittedly one outcome did strike me as rather contrived and a little left of centre but on the upside there was much to applaud. The supporting characters all have real depth, most noticeably Shazia, Vi Collins and father Baharat and I would be interested in seeing more of them. Well paced and a lively sense of humour in evidence throughout from both the old and new residents which I particularly liked. With Lee showing an increasing attraction to Mumtaz there may be a relationship on the cards but the bond between the pair seems genuine and adds a real plausibility which ensures that the series never feels like tokenism.
Originally hailing from the East End there is no doubt that Nadel is familiar with the cultures and communities who occupy the area. Gentrification and growing inequality fosters ill feeling, not just between the ‘haves and have nots’ but also between minority groups. The achievement which sets Enough Rope apart is in presenting individuals and a cross section of each ethnic group, not just depicting stereotypes. Most notably within Mumtaz’s family as brother Asif is increasing drawn to radicalisation it is her elderly father, Baharat, whose tolerance creates the lasting memory.
There was a sense of vibrancy throughout the novel and in the same way that Anya Lipska has brought the Polish community around Stratford alive, Barbara Nadel is doing a brilliant job for the Bangladeshi community of Brick Lane. I make no apologies for my new found enthusiasm for this series and if you enjoy a solid crime read with a little more of social context then this series is a very decent bet!
Barbara Nadel is familiar to many readers as the author of the well-regarded Inspector Ikmen series set in Istanbul, however my first encounter with her work comes with the fourth outing of the London based Hakim and Arnold series. Set in the East End, the series revolves around a small private detective agency run by white ex-policeman Lee Arnold and his assistant, young Muslim widow Mumtaz Hakim. Barbara Nadel has pulled off something quite special in Mrs Mumtaz Hakim. Mumtaz adds a layer of realism which offers a fresh perspective on an area which has seen vast changes over recent years and is largely unrecognisable to half a century ago.
With a significant Bangladeshi community making up a large part of the population around Brick Lane and the East End, Mumtaz has a solid support network established in the area. Well educated with a degree in psychology she is a strong independent woman working in an occupation still predominantly seen as the preserve of white males. As a step-mother to sixteen year old Shazia she has plenty of her own problems, burdened by the debts left by husband Ahmet to Naz Sheikh and his family and with their threats increasing being levelled at Shazia, not to mention brother Asif.
Whilst Lee hails from the Forest Gate area and as a divorced, ex-cop, ex-army private investigator could be seen as largely ‘old school’, he is clearly no dinosaur and is insightful enough to know that to make inroads in a community where the demographic is rapidly changing he needs support. The established crime families of the East End no longer reign and with a growing community of Muslims and a shift towards the upwardly mobile university elite, a more diverse community are bringing a wider range of crimes and corruption to his attention.
When Superintendent Paul Venus’ son, Harry, is kidnapped and a ransom demanded from an address in Brick Lane it is not just his boy he wants back; he also wants to know who is behind the sting and employs Arnold in an attempt to achieve a discreet resolution. Although by no means friends the pair and well aware of each other and with ex-colleagues still working under the authority of Venus, Lee has heard all the rumours of corruption and backhanders coming from on-off hook-up DS Violet Collins. Yet the ransom demand address of Brick Lane cannot be dismissed outright and when Mumtaz uncovers a connection which points to a powerful Bangladeshi family things no longer seem so straightforward. With Lee being sworn to secrecy about the case he has to tread very carefully and rely on the mutual trust which the pair have fostered. Arnold has no contacts in the Muslim community, whereas Mumtaz has a family home and not only relatives but friends and connections to the community.
What Enough Rope lacked in frenetic action it more than made up for with its striking portrayal of life for the residents of a diverse East End and still delivered plenty of twists to keep me focused. Admittedly one outcome did strike me as rather contrived and a little left of centre but on the upside there was much to applaud. The supporting characters all have real depth, most noticeably Shazia, Vi Collins and father Baharat and I would be interested in seeing more of them. Well paced and a lively sense of humour in evidence throughout from both the old and new residents which I particularly liked. With Lee showing an increasing attraction to Mumtaz there may be a relationship on the cards but the bond between the pair seems genuine and adds a real plausibility which ensures that the series never feels like tokenism.
Originally hailing from the East End there is no doubt that Nadel is familiar with the cultures and communities who occupy the area. Gentrification and growing inequality fosters ill feeling, not just between the ‘haves and have nots’ but also between minority groups. The achievement which sets Enough Rope apart is in presenting individuals and a cross section of each ethnic group, not just depicting stereotypes. Most notably within Mumtaz’s family as brother Asif is increasing drawn to radicalisation it is her elderly father, Baharat, whose tolerance creates the lasting memory.
There was a sense of vibrancy throughout the novel and in the same way that Anya Lipska has brought the Polish community around Stratford alive, Barbara Nadel is doing a brilliant job for the Bangladeshi community of Brick Lane. I make no apologies for my new found enthusiasm for this series and if you enjoy a solid crime read with a little more of social context then this series is a very decent bet!
September 9, 2022
First book by this author and have to say a great read, excellent depth to characters.
Modern gritty and realistic approach to difficult and different communities and cultures
Modern gritty and realistic approach to difficult and different communities and cultures
August 17, 2017
I read Enough Rope directly after finishing the previous book in the series, Poisoned Ground, because I wanted to find out what happened next to the characters. PI Mumtaz Hakim has major problems: she’s being blackmailed by a very dangerous East End gangster, but she still has to earn her living. This time her job is to try and trace the birth mother of a foundling. Meanwhile her business partner, Lee Arnold is on the trail of a kidnapped teenager. This book was even more compelling than the previous one, and therefore a quick read, and the cliff-hanger ending yet again left me eager to read the next story in the series.
December 14, 2022
I am a fan of this author and I did enjoy her previous three books in this series about a small private detective agency in London as I like the two main characters. However I found this story which mainly deals with the kidnap of a senior police officer's teenage son a bit too complicated. In fact at the end I was not entirely sure what crimes the various criminals had committed! If you have read the previous three books you probably need to read this one too just to see what is going on in the lives of the main characters.
August 14, 2019
Kept one guessing and the plot incredibly diverse into dangerous situations and other cultures, and into the dark side of the life of the youth of the rich with its expectations of I can do what I like, innocence is automatic as can pay.
Pleasing to see the truth is validated in the east end crime area and they reign supreme, inside the darkness of underworld dealings. Great clarity in this book that takes one in all areas and makes on believe that this is it one of them, no one of them.
Pleasing to see the truth is validated in the east end crime area and they reign supreme, inside the darkness of underworld dealings. Great clarity in this book that takes one in all areas and makes on believe that this is it one of them, no one of them.
February 22, 2024
t seems that an Asian family has taken over from the Krays as the bad guys of the East End and Mumtaz and Shazia are suffering as a result. Meanwhile Lee Arnold's former boss in the days when he was in the police seeks his help as his son has been kidnapped. From the corridors of a prestigious school to the dated flats of tower blocks and struggling corner shops, Nadel describes her characters well and the ending was brilliant. I really didn't see that coming.
November 18, 2017
Really looking forward to the next book....
April 10, 2018
Love this series featuring an unlikely pair of private investigators. Can't wait to see how Barbara Nadel helps them out of the their current situation!
October 28, 2019
Great read, gangsters, religion, twists and turns. Add revenge and an enjoyable read.
October 5, 2021
Pretty good read, engaging characters, but a personal situation that seems to threaten to take over the cause of a good mystery.
August 7, 2024
An author you can rely on, never disappoints.
June 9, 2025
Multiple storylines converge in this tale of abduction and privilege, corruption and coercion.
March 2, 2016
Police superintendent Paul Venus and his wife are separated and have tried to compensate by sending their teenage son Harry to an exclusive boy's boarding school. Now it appears that Harry has been kidnapped and the first ransom demand has arrived. The parents are told to raise the money quickly and not to involve the police. Venus does not know who to turn to and calls an old colleague, ex-policeman, private investigator Lee Arnold who runs his business in the East End.
The main story of the novel is the kidnapping and the efforts to locate Harry. Venus and his wife Tina are able to raise and deliver the ransom, but then a second demand arrives. This is money they just don't have and Venus turns to a known gangster for funds. And then comes the third demand. Days are passing and gradually Arnold develops an idea of who is behind the demands.
Meanwhile his partner Mumtaz Hakim pursues other investigations. One is the search for her mother by a middle-aged woman who has now developed Huntingdon's who was left in a local phone box as a baby. The baby was taken to a local convent but it appears that the nuns there had more idea of the child's mother than they revealed at the time.
A third plot strand explores a protection racket being run by one of the East End's powerful Bangladeshi families. Mumtaz Hakim has personal knowledge of their activities and is doing her best to protect her daughter Shazia from their reach.
This novel draws a fascinating snapshot of the mixed culture of this area of London. It was a refreshing change from police procedurals.
The main story of the novel is the kidnapping and the efforts to locate Harry. Venus and his wife Tina are able to raise and deliver the ransom, but then a second demand arrives. This is money they just don't have and Venus turns to a known gangster for funds. And then comes the third demand. Days are passing and gradually Arnold develops an idea of who is behind the demands.
Meanwhile his partner Mumtaz Hakim pursues other investigations. One is the search for her mother by a middle-aged woman who has now developed Huntingdon's who was left in a local phone box as a baby. The baby was taken to a local convent but it appears that the nuns there had more idea of the child's mother than they revealed at the time.
A third plot strand explores a protection racket being run by one of the East End's powerful Bangladeshi families. Mumtaz Hakim has personal knowledge of their activities and is doing her best to protect her daughter Shazia from their reach.
This novel draws a fascinating snapshot of the mixed culture of this area of London. It was a refreshing change from police procedurals.
July 20, 2016
I enjoyed Barbara Nadel's Istanbul series and I'm getting equal pleasure out of her East End of London series. The combination of the the two PIs with such different experiences and cultures is fascinating.
June 13, 2013
If you have the opportunity to read this series do it. It is wonderful!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews