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Harry Virdee #2
Girl Zero
'A story as fresh as today’s newspaper headlines — and all the more potent for being so' Mail on Sunday
Answering a routine call on the outskirts of the city, Detective Inspector Harry Virdee finds something he never thought he’d have to face – the cold body of his beloved niece.
He’s immediately banned from working the case, but there’s no way Harry can walk away while the monster who killed his flesh and blood is still walking the streets. But before he can find the killer, he must tell his brother, Ron, the terrible news.
Impulsive, dangerous and frighteningly well connected, Ron will act first and think later. Harry may have a murderer to find but if he isn't careful, he may also have a murder to prevent.
Answering a routine call on the outskirts of the city, Detective Inspector Harry Virdee finds something he never thought he’d have to face – the cold body of his beloved niece.
He’s immediately banned from working the case, but there’s no way Harry can walk away while the monster who killed his flesh and blood is still walking the streets. But before he can find the killer, he must tell his brother, Ron, the terrible news.
Impulsive, dangerous and frighteningly well connected, Ron will act first and think later. Harry may have a murderer to find but if he isn't careful, he may also have a murder to prevent.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published July 13, 2017
96 people are currently reading
541 people want to read
About the author
A.A. Dhand
11 books173 followersA.A. Dhand was raised in Bradford and spent his youth observing the city from behind the counter of a small convenience store. After qualifying as a pharmacist, he worked in London and travelled extensively before returning to Bradford to start his own business and begin writing. The history, diversity and darkness of the city have inspired his Harry Virdee novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 139 reviews
May 21, 2017
This is the second in the Detective Hardeep ( Harry ) Virdee series, and I loved it!
Harry is without question the best detective in the Bradford Police Force. Bradford is a city in turmoil - drugs, prostitution, racial tension, and an economy that is just a shadow of its former self. Where once wealth and prosperity reigned, it is now very much a city in decline. It also has a large Asian community who's problems/issues come very much under the spotlight.
The story begins with Harry attending the murder scene of a young Asian girl. He's devastated to discover that the girl is his niece Tara, his brother Ronnie's daughter. He's told by his superiors that he can't be a part of the investigation as he's too personally involved. Having read the prequel to Girl Zero, I knew that this small detail wouldn't stop him. The case will take him into Bradford's dark, dangerous, and seedy underworld - a world that his brother Ronnie inhabits. These brothers work on different sides of the fence, and Harry ( a Sikh ) is estranged from the rest of his family for marrying Saima, a Muslim. Ronnie is the only family member who talks to Harry, but this isn't an easy relationship, being tenuous at best. Neither brother though, is averse to using whatever methods they have to in order to get results, and when Harry has to break the news to Ronnie that his beloved daughter has been murdered, it's clear that someone is going to wish they'd never been born!
This particular case mirrors the very real life 'Rotherham child sex abuse' case which has been very prominent here in news reports in the UK in recent times. Obviously it's a distressing subject, but it's told with complete authenticity and is ultimately gripping. The ongoing cultural and religious differences between Sikhs and Muslims plays a valid and heartbreaking part again this time around.
I love this series, Harry is a great character who really hates his enforced estrangement from his family. He and Saima now have a son Aaron, but Harry's family refuse to have anything to do with the little boy which leads to some really moving scenes.
This is shaping up to be a great series, and I look forward to meeting Harry and his little family again in the not too distant future.
* Thank you to Random House UK Transworld Publishers for my ARC for which I have given an honest review*
Harry is without question the best detective in the Bradford Police Force. Bradford is a city in turmoil - drugs, prostitution, racial tension, and an economy that is just a shadow of its former self. Where once wealth and prosperity reigned, it is now very much a city in decline. It also has a large Asian community who's problems/issues come very much under the spotlight.
The story begins with Harry attending the murder scene of a young Asian girl. He's devastated to discover that the girl is his niece Tara, his brother Ronnie's daughter. He's told by his superiors that he can't be a part of the investigation as he's too personally involved. Having read the prequel to Girl Zero, I knew that this small detail wouldn't stop him. The case will take him into Bradford's dark, dangerous, and seedy underworld - a world that his brother Ronnie inhabits. These brothers work on different sides of the fence, and Harry ( a Sikh ) is estranged from the rest of his family for marrying Saima, a Muslim. Ronnie is the only family member who talks to Harry, but this isn't an easy relationship, being tenuous at best. Neither brother though, is averse to using whatever methods they have to in order to get results, and when Harry has to break the news to Ronnie that his beloved daughter has been murdered, it's clear that someone is going to wish they'd never been born!
This particular case mirrors the very real life 'Rotherham child sex abuse' case which has been very prominent here in news reports in the UK in recent times. Obviously it's a distressing subject, but it's told with complete authenticity and is ultimately gripping. The ongoing cultural and religious differences between Sikhs and Muslims plays a valid and heartbreaking part again this time around.
I love this series, Harry is a great character who really hates his enforced estrangement from his family. He and Saima now have a son Aaron, but Harry's family refuse to have anything to do with the little boy which leads to some really moving scenes.
This is shaping up to be a great series, and I look forward to meeting Harry and his little family again in the not too distant future.
* Thank you to Random House UK Transworld Publishers for my ARC for which I have given an honest review*
May 12, 2017
This is the sequel to the Streets of Darkness set in the troubled streets of Bradford which I loved. Harry now has a year old son, Aaron, and the famiy rift created with him marrying a Muslim, Saima, continues to tear him apart. The moral ambiguity of his character is increased with his actions in this novel, perhaps inevitable given that it opens with the discovery of a murder victim that turns out to be Tara, Harry's beloved niece, and Ronnie's daughter. The seeds of a brutal and violent story are set in motion as Harry tries to find out what happened and his drug lord brother, Ronnie, seeks a bloody retribution. The author has taken many of the contemporary issues that have affected the Asian community, like the need to control their sons and daughters with oft heartbreaking and tragic outcomes and gives us characters that represent them. Additionally, there is the inclusion of the sordid revelations of child abuse and paedophilia amongst some Asian men which are utilised by the author to create a dark and compelling narrative of the deadly ripples of repercussion that follow.
Harry is excluded from the police investigation led by DI Palmer, but that is not going to stop him. He delves into Tara's life, and discovers a young, feisty and independent woman who left home upon discovering the criminal nature of her father's empire. She had a close friend, Sarah Brewster, who gives Harry a good idea of what Tara had got herself involved with and attempts to save a mother and daughter. Ali, a damaged man, seeks to fulfil his personal desires, willing to go against his criminal bosses to achieve his flawed dream. In a twisted investigation, a guilt ridden Harry comes up against a dangerous and powerful criminal ring and faces the inescapable fact that he and Ronnie are destined to clash as they walk different paths. Harry and Ronnie become acquainted with the mysterious and broken Girl Zero, with horrific implications for the brothers.
This is a well written book which I enjoyed reading. However, I miss the sweet and tender relationship Harry had with Saima, his focus is now more on his son, Aaron. Additionally, whilst there is an authenticity in the characters, and a reflection of issues covered in the media, I think there is a gaping hole that needs to be filled with ongoing feisty Asian female characters that do not end up dead, like Tara. The fraught complications of religious divisions and traditions with repressive rules on sexuality and marriage, coupled with deeply ingrained sexism is well captured by the author. A gripping and relevant read. Thanks to Random House Transworld for an ARC.
Harry is excluded from the police investigation led by DI Palmer, but that is not going to stop him. He delves into Tara's life, and discovers a young, feisty and independent woman who left home upon discovering the criminal nature of her father's empire. She had a close friend, Sarah Brewster, who gives Harry a good idea of what Tara had got herself involved with and attempts to save a mother and daughter. Ali, a damaged man, seeks to fulfil his personal desires, willing to go against his criminal bosses to achieve his flawed dream. In a twisted investigation, a guilt ridden Harry comes up against a dangerous and powerful criminal ring and faces the inescapable fact that he and Ronnie are destined to clash as they walk different paths. Harry and Ronnie become acquainted with the mysterious and broken Girl Zero, with horrific implications for the brothers.
This is a well written book which I enjoyed reading. However, I miss the sweet and tender relationship Harry had with Saima, his focus is now more on his son, Aaron. Additionally, whilst there is an authenticity in the characters, and a reflection of issues covered in the media, I think there is a gaping hole that needs to be filled with ongoing feisty Asian female characters that do not end up dead, like Tara. The fraught complications of religious divisions and traditions with repressive rules on sexuality and marriage, coupled with deeply ingrained sexism is well captured by the author. A gripping and relevant read. Thanks to Random House Transworld for an ARC.
April 10, 2024
I'm reading all the Harry Virdee novels again in anticipation of the new BBC series Virdee, which will be shown later ths year. Second time around these books are still as great as ever.
A A Dhand's second novel featuring Bradford detective Harry Virdee is another superb piece of character driven crime writing.
Dhand continues to develop Virdee & the detective's relationship with his family, which is integral to the plot. While most family relationships in crime novels detract from the story in Girl Zero they added to it.
The plot is brilliantly executed, every character is fully developed & it's an all round outstanding piece of writing.
A A Dhand's second novel featuring Bradford detective Harry Virdee is another superb piece of character driven crime writing.
Dhand continues to develop Virdee & the detective's relationship with his family, which is integral to the plot. While most family relationships in crime novels detract from the story in Girl Zero they added to it.
The plot is brilliantly executed, every character is fully developed & it's an all round outstanding piece of writing.
February 26, 2025
Much better than the previous book ; Girl Zero has greater depth of characterisation and a tighter plot.
Really very good indeed.
Really very good indeed.
July 6, 2017
Detective Hardeep (Harry) Virdee is sent to investigate the murder of an Asian girl but is totally devastated to find the victim is his niece Tara. Harrynis excluded from the case on the grounds of conflict of interest. Harry takes compassionate leave and starts his own investigation. Harry is he.ped by his brother Ronnie, a drug dealer and he is also Tara's father. Harry is estranged from his family, who are Sikh, for marrying a Muslim. Ronnie is the only family member he still has contact with.
Set in Bradford, this is the second book in the series. The first is called Streets of Darkness and I do recommend that you read this one first as it gives a little more background to the family. The pace is set fast from the start. This is a no nonsense thriller that is action packed, at times violent and full of twist and turns. The storyline covers the problems the British Asian Community are facing today. This is a fantastic series and I can't wait to read what happens in the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Set in Bradford, this is the second book in the series. The first is called Streets of Darkness and I do recommend that you read this one first as it gives a little more background to the family. The pace is set fast from the start. This is a no nonsense thriller that is action packed, at times violent and full of twist and turns. The storyline covers the problems the British Asian Community are facing today. This is a fantastic series and I can't wait to read what happens in the next book in the series. I highly recommend this book.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Random House UK, Transworld Publishers for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 5, 2019
Another good Virdee story. This one touches on culture, ethnicity, religion and family while giving Harry a murder to solve. This crime hits at the heart of the Virdee family. Dark and violent at times I really enjoyed reading this book. Once again it is the darker parts of Bradford that feature. Good characters and writing which worked well for me almost all the way through. Do start with the first book but if you haven't tried A A Dhand it's definitely worth a look. Do read book one first though. I have book 3 with me so hopefully will get to that quite soon.
August 2, 2017
Girl Zero is the second book in the DI Harry Virdee series set in Bradford. There is a lot of history that you need to know about Harry and his family so would suggest reading the books in order to get full enjoyment.
When Tara, Harry’s niece is found murdered, things become very personal for Harry. Understandably he is not allowed to work the case as he is to close to the victim. Obviously we know this won’t stop Harry, he has to find out who murdered his niece and quickly.
Having a brother like Ronnie, Harry is really torn constantly with his role in the police force. His brother is someone who should be locked up with the key thrown away. Even though I wanted to feel sorry for Ronnie that he had lost his daughter, I just couldn’t. He is self obsessed and is more concerned with his power and wealth.
Harry is trying to do things by the book as much as he can even though he shouldn’t be anywhere near the case. The poor guy is constantly having to choose between his family and the job he lives for. You really can’t help but have every empathy for Harry where his family is concerned. Even though I wish he would cut all ties with them in the hope of him and his own wife and child having a less complicated family life, I could get that he wanted their approval and especially have his mother back in his life.
Girl Zero is an enthralling read that I struggled to put down. It is fast paced, gripping and full of thrills. The story line was uncomfortable to read at times due to the nature of the story line but the author handles it extremely well. If you haven’t read the books in this series yet then I highly recommend you do so now.
A gritty and compelling read that is a guaranteed page turner.
When Tara, Harry’s niece is found murdered, things become very personal for Harry. Understandably he is not allowed to work the case as he is to close to the victim. Obviously we know this won’t stop Harry, he has to find out who murdered his niece and quickly.
Having a brother like Ronnie, Harry is really torn constantly with his role in the police force. His brother is someone who should be locked up with the key thrown away. Even though I wanted to feel sorry for Ronnie that he had lost his daughter, I just couldn’t. He is self obsessed and is more concerned with his power and wealth.
Harry is trying to do things by the book as much as he can even though he shouldn’t be anywhere near the case. The poor guy is constantly having to choose between his family and the job he lives for. You really can’t help but have every empathy for Harry where his family is concerned. Even though I wish he would cut all ties with them in the hope of him and his own wife and child having a less complicated family life, I could get that he wanted their approval and especially have his mother back in his life.
Girl Zero is an enthralling read that I struggled to put down. It is fast paced, gripping and full of thrills. The story line was uncomfortable to read at times due to the nature of the story line but the author handles it extremely well. If you haven’t read the books in this series yet then I highly recommend you do so now.
A gritty and compelling read that is a guaranteed page turner.
September 19, 2017
Girl Zero – Hard not to sit in judgement
Detective Inspector Harry Virdee is a senior officer based in the city of his birth, Bradford. He believes there is nothing much that can really shock him about the City’s dark underbelly, but Girl Zero and this case will shake him to the core. When he is called out in the middle of the night, little does he know that he will be standing over the body of his murdered niece.
His boss tells him that he is far too close to work the case, and that a detective that he mentored will head up the murder inquiry. He does ask to break the news to his family, which is agreed too, little do his colleagues know that he is estranged from his Sikh family. When he tells his family, he knows that he will have to be careful how to tell his family and even more so his brother Ronnie. It does not help that Ronnie controls the drug supply for the city and could cause all sorts of problems for the investigation.
Harry must run his investigation off the books and keeps his brother informed about what he finds. What Harry had not expected was that his niece had been tracking single mothers who had gone missing with their female child, and the mother turning up dead. A victim nobody would miss, and a child nobody would give a second thought about. As he digs deep, he finds that some men of Pakistani origin are involved in trafficking children around Bradford so that they may be abused.
Harry realises that he will somehow have to not only find the murderer of his niece but he will also do as much as he can to prevent another murder. Only at the end does Harry realise what he is up against and he will fight for truth and shine a light on this dark episode.
This is a tense thriller that makes you want to question how much do you really know about the darkest part of your city. This is a frighteningly relevant city about a divided northern city, and it could be any city, not just Bradford, that makes you want to ask, are you willing to ask a sub-set of men some tough questions about their attitudes towards people of another religion, another sex. This really an exposition of people’s morals and how fear of offending has allowed some people to offend without little challenge.
AA Dhand really challenges the reader and their misconceptions of people and places, and delivers a story that terrifies while being compelling. This is not a standard police procedural thriller, this is one that asks the question what would you do? Harry Virdee is destined to come to the small screen, I just hope TV can do justice to this fabulous character, and challenge the prejudices we all hold.
This is a sombre, tense slice of the deepest darkest parts of Bradford’s underbelly, and it is one that will keep the reader hooked.
Detective Inspector Harry Virdee is a senior officer based in the city of his birth, Bradford. He believes there is nothing much that can really shock him about the City’s dark underbelly, but Girl Zero and this case will shake him to the core. When he is called out in the middle of the night, little does he know that he will be standing over the body of his murdered niece.
His boss tells him that he is far too close to work the case, and that a detective that he mentored will head up the murder inquiry. He does ask to break the news to his family, which is agreed too, little do his colleagues know that he is estranged from his Sikh family. When he tells his family, he knows that he will have to be careful how to tell his family and even more so his brother Ronnie. It does not help that Ronnie controls the drug supply for the city and could cause all sorts of problems for the investigation.
Harry must run his investigation off the books and keeps his brother informed about what he finds. What Harry had not expected was that his niece had been tracking single mothers who had gone missing with their female child, and the mother turning up dead. A victim nobody would miss, and a child nobody would give a second thought about. As he digs deep, he finds that some men of Pakistani origin are involved in trafficking children around Bradford so that they may be abused.
Harry realises that he will somehow have to not only find the murderer of his niece but he will also do as much as he can to prevent another murder. Only at the end does Harry realise what he is up against and he will fight for truth and shine a light on this dark episode.
This is a tense thriller that makes you want to question how much do you really know about the darkest part of your city. This is a frighteningly relevant city about a divided northern city, and it could be any city, not just Bradford, that makes you want to ask, are you willing to ask a sub-set of men some tough questions about their attitudes towards people of another religion, another sex. This really an exposition of people’s morals and how fear of offending has allowed some people to offend without little challenge.
AA Dhand really challenges the reader and their misconceptions of people and places, and delivers a story that terrifies while being compelling. This is not a standard police procedural thriller, this is one that asks the question what would you do? Harry Virdee is destined to come to the small screen, I just hope TV can do justice to this fabulous character, and challenge the prejudices we all hold.
This is a sombre, tense slice of the deepest darkest parts of Bradford’s underbelly, and it is one that will keep the reader hooked.
September 14, 2017
I haven’t read A.A. Dhand’s first Harry Virdee novel, Streets of Darkness, but I did read very positive reviews so I was delighted to get my hands on a copy of Girl Zero.
Harry Virdee is a Detective Inspector with the Bradford police. His brother Ronnie is a kingpin in the local drug scene. Their relationship is fraught with difficulty. Aside from the obvious differences between their chosen career paths, Harry and Ronnie have a shared history as brothers. Their future is forever tied together by an event that occurred in their past.
But as Harry is about to find out, their two lives are about to clash in the most unexpected and traumatic manner. Harry is called to a murder scene in the early hours of the morning. In a disused swimming pool of an old and now abandoned school, Harry sees the body of a young girl…
‘The victim was Harry’s niece; daughter to the city’s most dangerous man. Bradford had been in perilous situations before, but it had seen nothing like the storm that was about to hit.
The murder would unleash the wrath of two brothers.
One who enforced the rules.
And one who made his own.’
Harry is estranged from his family, as he married outside his religion. He has struggled to deal with this over the years but now with his own young son he has had to just accept that they would no longer be in his life. He has attempted to move on and with his wife Saima and young son Aaron, Harry has been happy. He has had communication with Ronnie over the years as their paths have crossed on the streets of Bradford but now he must face the family with the dreaded news that Ronnie’s daughter, Tara, has been murdered.
As expected, Ronnie’s reaction is explosive. Harry has been asked not to work the case by his boss, as he is too closely linked to the victim but Harry chooses not to listen. As the layers are peeled away, Harry soon finds himself in an extremely volatile situation. His relationship with Ronnie and his family is pushed to the brink. Will these traumatic events bring them all closer or will the divide be even bigger?
Girl Zero is a book that features some very, very creepy and odious characters. A.A. Dhand reveals an underworld of darkness, where human life is exchanged for pleasure, where very bad people do exist. A.A. Dhand was brought up in Bradford, it is his city and his knowledge of the world of organised crime is very realistically portrayed in Girl Zero.
Girl Zero is a story about a murder but it is also much more than that. It exposes the reader to the religious divide that exists in families, the hatred that can bubble up to the surface as father faces down son, as mother never feels the warmth of a grandchild’s cuddle. The personalities that are revealed in the pages of the novel are very real for the reader.
Girl Zero is a fast-paced page-turning novel. Lee Child describes A.A. Dhand’s writing as ‘Outstanding – relentless, multi-layered suspense' and I think that’s exactly what this is. From the get-go, I was drawn into the underbelly of Bradford’s dark streets and the repugnant individuals who inhabit them. I read with a furious pace as the story was unravelling throughout. I could feel the anger, the hurt, the disappointment. I could visualize the darkness, the seediness and the trauma.
Harry is tough but he has a heart. He has many demons to live with but he is dealing with them as best he can. Harry is very clear about what is right and what is wrong. There are times in Girl Zero where he struggles with his own ideology, especially as this case involves family. His principles are pushed to the limit. Can he do justice within the constraints of the law? Will he forever be an outcast with his family?
Girl Zero is a compelling and frantic read as we witness Harry Virdee courageously attempting to clean up the streets of darkness, the streets of his home town, Bradford.
Recommend!!
Harry Virdee is a Detective Inspector with the Bradford police. His brother Ronnie is a kingpin in the local drug scene. Their relationship is fraught with difficulty. Aside from the obvious differences between their chosen career paths, Harry and Ronnie have a shared history as brothers. Their future is forever tied together by an event that occurred in their past.
But as Harry is about to find out, their two lives are about to clash in the most unexpected and traumatic manner. Harry is called to a murder scene in the early hours of the morning. In a disused swimming pool of an old and now abandoned school, Harry sees the body of a young girl…
‘The victim was Harry’s niece; daughter to the city’s most dangerous man. Bradford had been in perilous situations before, but it had seen nothing like the storm that was about to hit.
The murder would unleash the wrath of two brothers.
One who enforced the rules.
And one who made his own.’
Harry is estranged from his family, as he married outside his religion. He has struggled to deal with this over the years but now with his own young son he has had to just accept that they would no longer be in his life. He has attempted to move on and with his wife Saima and young son Aaron, Harry has been happy. He has had communication with Ronnie over the years as their paths have crossed on the streets of Bradford but now he must face the family with the dreaded news that Ronnie’s daughter, Tara, has been murdered.
As expected, Ronnie’s reaction is explosive. Harry has been asked not to work the case by his boss, as he is too closely linked to the victim but Harry chooses not to listen. As the layers are peeled away, Harry soon finds himself in an extremely volatile situation. His relationship with Ronnie and his family is pushed to the brink. Will these traumatic events bring them all closer or will the divide be even bigger?
Girl Zero is a book that features some very, very creepy and odious characters. A.A. Dhand reveals an underworld of darkness, where human life is exchanged for pleasure, where very bad people do exist. A.A. Dhand was brought up in Bradford, it is his city and his knowledge of the world of organised crime is very realistically portrayed in Girl Zero.
Girl Zero is a story about a murder but it is also much more than that. It exposes the reader to the religious divide that exists in families, the hatred that can bubble up to the surface as father faces down son, as mother never feels the warmth of a grandchild’s cuddle. The personalities that are revealed in the pages of the novel are very real for the reader.
Girl Zero is a fast-paced page-turning novel. Lee Child describes A.A. Dhand’s writing as ‘Outstanding – relentless, multi-layered suspense' and I think that’s exactly what this is. From the get-go, I was drawn into the underbelly of Bradford’s dark streets and the repugnant individuals who inhabit them. I read with a furious pace as the story was unravelling throughout. I could feel the anger, the hurt, the disappointment. I could visualize the darkness, the seediness and the trauma.
Harry is tough but he has a heart. He has many demons to live with but he is dealing with them as best he can. Harry is very clear about what is right and what is wrong. There are times in Girl Zero where he struggles with his own ideology, especially as this case involves family. His principles are pushed to the limit. Can he do justice within the constraints of the law? Will he forever be an outcast with his family?
Girl Zero is a compelling and frantic read as we witness Harry Virdee courageously attempting to clean up the streets of darkness, the streets of his home town, Bradford.
Recommend!!
July 22, 2018
Book 2 in the series focusing on drug and girl trafficking. Harry is supposed to be a DI in Bradford Police but I hope other Police officers do not act as he does. There is quite a-lot of violence seems to me for the sake of it. I do not know if I will continue with the series It was entertaining in parts but did not particularly grab me.
August 31, 2018
This novel is set in the city of Bradford, Yorkshire; a former important industrial centre, now blighted by high unemployment and rampant crime. It centres around a family of Sikhs, the Virdees, particularly the two brothers Hardeep (Harry), a police detective and Ranjiv (Ronnie) a crime boss. Unsurprisingly, the brothers have little to do with each other, but not so much because of their conflicting career choices but because Harry’s wife is a Muslim.
However, when Tara (Ronnie’s daughter, Harry’s niece) is found murdered, the two form an uneasy alliance to discover the culprits. Their investigations uncover a series of abductions of young girls going back over a decade.
In many ways this was a taut and well-plotted thriller with an exciting finale. However, my lack of knowledge of Sikh religion and customs did hamper my understanding of some of the family dynamics.
However, when Tara (Ronnie’s daughter, Harry’s niece) is found murdered, the two form an uneasy alliance to discover the culprits. Their investigations uncover a series of abductions of young girls going back over a decade.
In many ways this was a taut and well-plotted thriller with an exciting finale. However, my lack of knowledge of Sikh religion and customs did hamper my understanding of some of the family dynamics.
December 8, 2017
A dark, gritty crime thriller with an unusual setting
Detective Inspector Hardeep ‘Harry’ Virdee has been estranged from his strongly religious Sikh family ever since he married his wife Saima, a Muslim. The only relative he has contact with is his brother Ronnie, who happens to be a drug lord and powerful member of Bradford’s criminal underworld. When an Asian girl is found murdered, Harry is devastated to discover that it is his beloved niece Tara, Ronnie’s daughter. Although he is excluded from working on the case, Harry is determined to find the monster who killed Tara and begins investigating in secret. When he discovers that something dark is going on in his city, something that Tara may have been murdered to keep covered up, Harry must use all his wits to figure out what is being planned before it is too late. Unfortunately, Ronnie is also determined to find whoever killed his daughter and with his brutal rage and dangerous connections, his methods may not be as in keeping with the law as Harry would like.
This was an exciting, fast-paced crime novel with a unique and likeable main character. Harry is tough, unconventional and motivated by justice but doesn’t quite fit the mould of the usual maverick police officer found in these sorts of books – something about him is unusual and really engaging to read about. Similarly, I found the setting in Bradford to be a real change from the usual trope of setting British crime novels in London and it was really interesting to have an Asian lead and host of Asian characters, as this is definitely a group that is massively underrepresented in crime fiction. The characters were all well rounded and realistic and the plot is well constructed and compelling, keeping you turning pages in an effort to find out how it will all end.
The subplot involving Harry’s father’s total rejection of his son since he ‘betrayed’ his family by marrying a Muslim was an interesting look at a contemporary issue that still affects many Asian families living in Britain, and the author manages to portray the heartbreak of the estrangement accurately and emotionally. I found the fact that Harry’s mother has never met her grandson (Harry’s young son Aaron), due to her husband’s refusal to have anything to do with him, very upsetting and something that is undoubtedly still a problem for many families living in the UK.
Girl Zero touches on some extremely dark topics such as paedophilia and child trafficking and paints a very bleak portrayal of Bradford which is unfortunately probably not too far from the truth in some cases. Some of the characters that Harry comes up against are utterly repugnant, and as a reader, you feel his anger and revulsion at the seedy underworld he uncovers in his home city. Whilst some readers may find some aspects of the novel too dark, it is ultimately gripping and a brave subject for an author to tackle.
I enjoyed Girl Zero and would be interested to read the first instalment in the series and any further books in order to return to Bradford with Harry Virdee and discover more about his city.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
Detective Inspector Hardeep ‘Harry’ Virdee has been estranged from his strongly religious Sikh family ever since he married his wife Saima, a Muslim. The only relative he has contact with is his brother Ronnie, who happens to be a drug lord and powerful member of Bradford’s criminal underworld. When an Asian girl is found murdered, Harry is devastated to discover that it is his beloved niece Tara, Ronnie’s daughter. Although he is excluded from working on the case, Harry is determined to find the monster who killed Tara and begins investigating in secret. When he discovers that something dark is going on in his city, something that Tara may have been murdered to keep covered up, Harry must use all his wits to figure out what is being planned before it is too late. Unfortunately, Ronnie is also determined to find whoever killed his daughter and with his brutal rage and dangerous connections, his methods may not be as in keeping with the law as Harry would like.
This was an exciting, fast-paced crime novel with a unique and likeable main character. Harry is tough, unconventional and motivated by justice but doesn’t quite fit the mould of the usual maverick police officer found in these sorts of books – something about him is unusual and really engaging to read about. Similarly, I found the setting in Bradford to be a real change from the usual trope of setting British crime novels in London and it was really interesting to have an Asian lead and host of Asian characters, as this is definitely a group that is massively underrepresented in crime fiction. The characters were all well rounded and realistic and the plot is well constructed and compelling, keeping you turning pages in an effort to find out how it will all end.
The subplot involving Harry’s father’s total rejection of his son since he ‘betrayed’ his family by marrying a Muslim was an interesting look at a contemporary issue that still affects many Asian families living in Britain, and the author manages to portray the heartbreak of the estrangement accurately and emotionally. I found the fact that Harry’s mother has never met her grandson (Harry’s young son Aaron), due to her husband’s refusal to have anything to do with him, very upsetting and something that is undoubtedly still a problem for many families living in the UK.
Girl Zero touches on some extremely dark topics such as paedophilia and child trafficking and paints a very bleak portrayal of Bradford which is unfortunately probably not too far from the truth in some cases. Some of the characters that Harry comes up against are utterly repugnant, and as a reader, you feel his anger and revulsion at the seedy underworld he uncovers in his home city. Whilst some readers may find some aspects of the novel too dark, it is ultimately gripping and a brave subject for an author to tackle.
I enjoyed Girl Zero and would be interested to read the first instalment in the series and any further books in order to return to Bradford with Harry Virdee and discover more about his city.
Daenerys
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review
July 15, 2017
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeek! I have been waiting AGES to post and share this review! OMFG, what a book!!!! In case you can’t guess, I bloody loved Girl Zero and once again, A.A. Dhand has completely BLOWN MY MIND! I thought Streets of Darkness was utterly superb (Read my review on my blog) so I have to admit, I was worried that A.A. Dhand could not possibly write an even better book….well, I was wrong…and he did!!!
Set in the…erm…. streets of darkness, Bradford – the reader finds themselves drawn into tough decisions, a haunting past, guilt, social deprivation, conflict, revenge, reconciliation, revelations, false hopes and justice…but at what cost?
The prologue of this book instantly set me up for the thrilling, exhilarating and emotive story before me. First words out of my mouth? Holy Sh*t!! – because once the #BOOMS started, they just did…not…stop! Told in third person POV, this fast-paced novel is dark and full of twists. I knew immediately that this was going to be an amazing read…I just had no clue how friggin AMAZING it would turn out to be!
Characters were really brought to the forefront in this novel and fleshed out beautifully, so we got to know that little bit more about them than we did in Streets of Darkness. Of course I am going to start off by talking about the main character: DI Harry Virdee – oh how I missed this guy! Twelve months I had to wait…twelve, long months – there should be a law about how long readers have to wait for their favourite characters to return! Poor Harry is still haunted by the demons from his past and I wonder whether or not he will ever escape them. Harry’s desire to be back in his family’s good books seems to cloud his judgement at times but his wife, Saima – is always the voice of reason -I adore her fierce loyalty and ability to see shades of grey rather than strictly just the black & white. Harry is determined but also quite vulnerable in this novel and I feared whether this would lead to even more recklessness in Harry’s behaviour…
I was quite surprised about the relevations relating to Ronnie Virdee (Harry’s brother) – he is the complete opposite of Harry: organised crime boss, nasty streak BUT still in his family’s good graces! I don’t really want to say anymore – but WOW….loved his character development!
Ali Karam, Tara, Mundeep and Sarah are also characters which piqued my interest. Some in good ways…some…welll ewwwww…..skin crawled…a lot…shivering as I write this ….now who am I talking about? Read the book…you’ll see!
This was a raw, intense, explosive, emotive, heart-wrenching work of crime fiction that left me aching for more! If I could literally scream BUY THIS BOOK from the rooftops….I would!! So yeah…I most definitely recommend this book and urge you to grab a copy stat!
Set in the…erm…. streets of darkness, Bradford – the reader finds themselves drawn into tough decisions, a haunting past, guilt, social deprivation, conflict, revenge, reconciliation, revelations, false hopes and justice…but at what cost?
The prologue of this book instantly set me up for the thrilling, exhilarating and emotive story before me. First words out of my mouth? Holy Sh*t!! – because once the #BOOMS started, they just did…not…stop! Told in third person POV, this fast-paced novel is dark and full of twists. I knew immediately that this was going to be an amazing read…I just had no clue how friggin AMAZING it would turn out to be!
Characters were really brought to the forefront in this novel and fleshed out beautifully, so we got to know that little bit more about them than we did in Streets of Darkness. Of course I am going to start off by talking about the main character: DI Harry Virdee – oh how I missed this guy! Twelve months I had to wait…twelve, long months – there should be a law about how long readers have to wait for their favourite characters to return! Poor Harry is still haunted by the demons from his past and I wonder whether or not he will ever escape them. Harry’s desire to be back in his family’s good books seems to cloud his judgement at times but his wife, Saima – is always the voice of reason -I adore her fierce loyalty and ability to see shades of grey rather than strictly just the black & white. Harry is determined but also quite vulnerable in this novel and I feared whether this would lead to even more recklessness in Harry’s behaviour…
I was quite surprised about the relevations relating to Ronnie Virdee (Harry’s brother) – he is the complete opposite of Harry: organised crime boss, nasty streak BUT still in his family’s good graces! I don’t really want to say anymore – but WOW….loved his character development!
Ali Karam, Tara, Mundeep and Sarah are also characters which piqued my interest. Some in good ways…some…welll ewwwww…..skin crawled…a lot…shivering as I write this ….now who am I talking about? Read the book…you’ll see!
This was a raw, intense, explosive, emotive, heart-wrenching work of crime fiction that left me aching for more! If I could literally scream BUY THIS BOOK from the rooftops….I would!! So yeah…I most definitely recommend this book and urge you to grab a copy stat!
April 26, 2021
The second book featuring Harry Virdee and it's every bit as good, if not better than the first.
A young Sikh girl is found murdered and turns out to be Harry's niece, Tara. Because of the close family connection, Harry is taken off the official investigation, but he's unable to leave it to the police to find the murderer.
Harry is now married with a young son, buthis marriage to Saima has led to him being cast out of his family, at a time when he desperately wants to be close to them. To add to his woes, the story presents some tough moral dilemmas for Harry - what part have his past actions played in Tara's death? and can his pact with brother Ronnie survive?
AA Dhand's writing is good. the story is taut, and I'm really enjoing seeing his characters develop. I'll be adding the third book to my to buy list.
Highly recommended.
A young Sikh girl is found murdered and turns out to be Harry's niece, Tara. Because of the close family connection, Harry is taken off the official investigation, but he's unable to leave it to the police to find the murderer.
Harry is now married with a young son, buthis marriage to Saima has led to him being cast out of his family, at a time when he desperately wants to be close to them. To add to his woes, the story presents some tough moral dilemmas for Harry - what part have his past actions played in Tara's death? and can his pact with brother Ronnie survive?
AA Dhand's writing is good. the story is taut, and I'm really enjoing seeing his characters develop. I'll be adding the third book to my to buy list.
Highly recommended.
May 28, 2017
This is the second in the Detective Hardeep Virdee series and I must say it was a definite 5* from me. The books are definitely best read in order because although you do get some background to book 1 It makes for a more enjoyable read when you know more about the characters and their backgrounds. The book is fast paced and quite violent in places but no more than you would expect from a gritty northern crime thriller set in Bradford. I also like the fact that the author highlights the many cultural differences that the communities face some which seem insurmountable. All in all I loved it
August 12, 2017
Wow amazing book! Review to come X
April 14, 2025
Very good, but the violence is shocking, I had to stop a couple of times to take a break, and a cup of tea, Yorkshire Tea, naturally.
May 14, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Penguin Randon House UK for an advance copy of Girl Zero, the second Bradford based novel to feature DI Harry Virdee.
Harry, the best detective on the Bradford force, is called out to the scene of a murder where a young Asian woman has been stabbed to death. To Harry's horror it is his niece Tara. Excluded from the case on the grounds of conflict of interest Harry takes compassionate leave and launches his own investigation, "helped" by Tara's father, his brother, the drug dealer, Ronnie Virdee.
I enjoyed the first novel in the series, Streets of Darkness, and Girl Zero is equally as good, if not better. First and foremost it is a hard boiled thriller with violence, action and plenty of twists and turns and on this level it is a good exciting read but it is more than that, exposing many of the problems facing the British Asian community today.
Harry is estranged from his Sikh family for marrying a Muslim, Saima and the only one he talks to is Ronnie but that is a relationship fraught with conflict as their occupations give them different perspectives on life. As a man brought up in the UK Harry doesn't do the old country values his father has, either religious or cultural, and this is another source of conflict in his life. I understand that this is a serious issue in the Asian community but I have no idea how realistically it is portrayed in the novel. In a side issue in the novel Asian taxi drivers are getting young white teenage girls drunk and abusing them. Every reader is aware of the Rotherham case and knows that this is a reality based situation. I may be squeamish and/or naive but it upset me to see such a scenario repeated in a work of fiction as did the more serious aspects of this plot strand.
If Girl Zero has a downside it is that there is a lack of positivity in its depiction of the Asian community and I can't help comparing it with Western Fringes by Amer Anwar which I read recently and has a much lighter approach to some of the same issues. Harry Virdee is a great guy with a desire to do good but the situation he lives in is so dark his light doesn't shine through.
I think Girl Zero is a good read with an interesting plot which held my interest throughout.
Harry, the best detective on the Bradford force, is called out to the scene of a murder where a young Asian woman has been stabbed to death. To Harry's horror it is his niece Tara. Excluded from the case on the grounds of conflict of interest Harry takes compassionate leave and launches his own investigation, "helped" by Tara's father, his brother, the drug dealer, Ronnie Virdee.
I enjoyed the first novel in the series, Streets of Darkness, and Girl Zero is equally as good, if not better. First and foremost it is a hard boiled thriller with violence, action and plenty of twists and turns and on this level it is a good exciting read but it is more than that, exposing many of the problems facing the British Asian community today.
Harry is estranged from his Sikh family for marrying a Muslim, Saima and the only one he talks to is Ronnie but that is a relationship fraught with conflict as their occupations give them different perspectives on life. As a man brought up in the UK Harry doesn't do the old country values his father has, either religious or cultural, and this is another source of conflict in his life. I understand that this is a serious issue in the Asian community but I have no idea how realistically it is portrayed in the novel. In a side issue in the novel Asian taxi drivers are getting young white teenage girls drunk and abusing them. Every reader is aware of the Rotherham case and knows that this is a reality based situation. I may be squeamish and/or naive but it upset me to see such a scenario repeated in a work of fiction as did the more serious aspects of this plot strand.
If Girl Zero has a downside it is that there is a lack of positivity in its depiction of the Asian community and I can't help comparing it with Western Fringes by Amer Anwar which I read recently and has a much lighter approach to some of the same issues. Harry Virdee is a great guy with a desire to do good but the situation he lives in is so dark his light doesn't shine through.
I think Girl Zero is a good read with an interesting plot which held my interest throughout.
November 20, 2018
Found this a very easy read although the subject matter was a little too realistic and unpleasant for my
liking. However this did not detract from the telling of the story and dealing with the repercussions of mixed religious and cultural marriages brought home just how prejudiced people are who believe they accept everyone for who they are as long as it doesn't happen in their family.
This was a follow on from Dhands first novel, Streets of Darkness and although the main characters remain the same the novel can be read as a 'stand alone' as Dhand recounts various pieces from his first novel.
This is a book that doesn't take a lot of thinking about, though as I have said above, the subject matter is hard to take as it is relevant in todays news in Rotherham Yorkshire.
I will definitely be reading the third novel when it comes out called City of Sinners.
liking. However this did not detract from the telling of the story and dealing with the repercussions of mixed religious and cultural marriages brought home just how prejudiced people are who believe they accept everyone for who they are as long as it doesn't happen in their family.
This was a follow on from Dhands first novel, Streets of Darkness and although the main characters remain the same the novel can be read as a 'stand alone' as Dhand recounts various pieces from his first novel.
This is a book that doesn't take a lot of thinking about, though as I have said above, the subject matter is hard to take as it is relevant in todays news in Rotherham Yorkshire.
I will definitely be reading the third novel when it comes out called City of Sinners.
August 3, 2017
Girl Zero is an echo of the recent Rotherham child sex ring scandal with the added complication of a family swept up in the controversy of opposing religions. It is the second novel featuring Harry Virdee, who finds himself torn in multiple directions on both a personal and professional level.
His family, devout Sikhs, are unwilling to acknowledge or accept his wife, a devout Muslim. His wife finds herself in the same position, which means the two of them and their young son have no immediate family to support them or be part of their lives.
The message society should be receiving loud and clear is the number of vulnerable children who are falling prey to gangs of pedophiles and ephebophiles without anyone noticing or as we saw in Rotherham, they would rather deny than accept the reality that this type of crime is on the rise. There are scores of children falling through the cracks in the system, and becoming easy targets for child trafficking rings. The truth is so uncomfortable that the majority would rather look the other way than be confronted with the facts.
Harry finds himself balancing precariously on the boundaries of crime and the rule of law when his latest case turns out to be the corpse of someone who is really close to him. He has to make sure his brother doesn’t break the rules he imposed on him, and juggle the hatred he receives from his family.
It’s really great to read a story with a set of characters that doesn’t fit into the usual and expected format. It makes for a more diverse and different set of problems or scenarios, which in turn allows readers to experience a little less white toasted bread with a bit of butter on it.
It’s a fast-paced thriller with a lot of action, well let’s say brutal beatdowns and characters with a serious lack of control instead.
*I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.*
His family, devout Sikhs, are unwilling to acknowledge or accept his wife, a devout Muslim. His wife finds herself in the same position, which means the two of them and their young son have no immediate family to support them or be part of their lives.
The message society should be receiving loud and clear is the number of vulnerable children who are falling prey to gangs of pedophiles and ephebophiles without anyone noticing or as we saw in Rotherham, they would rather deny than accept the reality that this type of crime is on the rise. There are scores of children falling through the cracks in the system, and becoming easy targets for child trafficking rings. The truth is so uncomfortable that the majority would rather look the other way than be confronted with the facts.
Harry finds himself balancing precariously on the boundaries of crime and the rule of law when his latest case turns out to be the corpse of someone who is really close to him. He has to make sure his brother doesn’t break the rules he imposed on him, and juggle the hatred he receives from his family.
It’s really great to read a story with a set of characters that doesn’t fit into the usual and expected format. It makes for a more diverse and different set of problems or scenarios, which in turn allows readers to experience a little less white toasted bread with a bit of butter on it.
It’s a fast-paced thriller with a lot of action, well let’s say brutal beatdowns and characters with a serious lack of control instead.
*I received an ARC courtesy of the publisher via NetGalley.*
October 22, 2019
There are some surprises that no-one should ever have to experience. Standing over the body of your beloved – and murdered – niece is one of them. For Detective Inspector Harry Virdee, a man perilously close to the edge, it feels like the beginning of the end.
His boss may be telling him he’s too close to work the case, but this isn’t something that Harry can just let lie. He needs to dive into the murky depths of the Bradford underworld and find the monster that lurks there who killed his flesh and blood.
But before he can, he must tell his brother, Ron, the terrible news. And there is no predicting how he will react. Impulsive, dangerous and alarmingly well connected, Ron will act first and think later. Harry may have a murderer to find but if he isn't careful, he may also have a murder to prevent.
My thoughts about this 2nd installment of the brilliant follow up to A A Dhands DI Harry Virdee Streets Of Darkness Titled Girl Zero was mindblowing this time a body has been discovered and it is DI Harry Virdee niece who has been murdered so DI Harry Virdee can not investigate as it is a member of his family he makes a promise to himself he will do whatever it takes to get the killers of his niece to justice if he has to break the law while he investigates this he also discovers a criminal activity is going on sex trafficking in the streets of Bradford he meets a girl who could give him information about his nieces killers and this girl says her niece may be a victim of sex trafficking Harry Virdee breaks every rule to bring down the killers to justice loved it a hard hitting story that gave me goosebumps writer A.A.DHAND has tackled a subject that's deals with sex trafficking in a different way loved it I also loved the ending to find out who were the real killers of DI Harry Virdees niece loved Harry and Ronnie's team up to go after the killers was fantastic also this book brings Harry Virdee and Saima Virdees relationship even stronger an out an out follow up Girl Zero is a sure to win hearts all over and my favourite thirller in the Harry Virdee series. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥
His boss may be telling him he’s too close to work the case, but this isn’t something that Harry can just let lie. He needs to dive into the murky depths of the Bradford underworld and find the monster that lurks there who killed his flesh and blood.
But before he can, he must tell his brother, Ron, the terrible news. And there is no predicting how he will react. Impulsive, dangerous and alarmingly well connected, Ron will act first and think later. Harry may have a murderer to find but if he isn't careful, he may also have a murder to prevent.
My thoughts about this 2nd installment of the brilliant follow up to A A Dhands DI Harry Virdee Streets Of Darkness Titled Girl Zero was mindblowing this time a body has been discovered and it is DI Harry Virdee niece who has been murdered so DI Harry Virdee can not investigate as it is a member of his family he makes a promise to himself he will do whatever it takes to get the killers of his niece to justice if he has to break the law while he investigates this he also discovers a criminal activity is going on sex trafficking in the streets of Bradford he meets a girl who could give him information about his nieces killers and this girl says her niece may be a victim of sex trafficking Harry Virdee breaks every rule to bring down the killers to justice loved it a hard hitting story that gave me goosebumps writer A.A.DHAND has tackled a subject that's deals with sex trafficking in a different way loved it I also loved the ending to find out who were the real killers of DI Harry Virdees niece loved Harry and Ronnie's team up to go after the killers was fantastic also this book brings Harry Virdee and Saima Virdees relationship even stronger an out an out follow up Girl Zero is a sure to win hearts all over and my favourite thirller in the Harry Virdee series. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥
October 1, 2020
Second in the series about Harry Virdee a Sikh police officer in Bradford who , having married a muslim, is estranged from his family except for a brother Ronnie who is a large criminal player in the city.
In this book the discovery of a murdered young woman has personal connections to the brothers and both go off to find the killer and extract their own form of justice.
A real page turner , which at times needed me to suspend some procedural pickiness , but left me wanting to carry on with a unique and cracking voice in the crime genre.
In this book the discovery of a murdered young woman has personal connections to the brothers and both go off to find the killer and extract their own form of justice.
A real page turner , which at times needed me to suspend some procedural pickiness , but left me wanting to carry on with a unique and cracking voice in the crime genre.
May 5, 2022
This was a book club read. It's the second one I've read in the series. I enjoy the setting of these books, but the subject matter is not really what I want to read about. As a detective story it ticks the boxes. However, I feel that the author has more to say about the subjects of the story. These themes do need to be discussed, but it's not for me to read about them in a fiction book for pleasure.
May 29, 2019
A dark, gritty crime thriller with its setting as the streets of Bradford. I enjoyed this 2nd book as much as the 1st. It touches on culture, ethnicity, religion and family - with a family members murder to solve at the heart of it.All the way through, a gripping read which leaves you guessing what the outcome will be right up to its conclusion.
September 23, 2018
Decided to get straight into the next one and glad I did. An excellent story - suspend disbelief especially if you live where this story is located, else you won’t go out at night! Ready for #3 now.
August 19, 2020
This series is different so far (2 books). The DI spends all his time on off-books things but am enjoying them.
July 20, 2024
Love love love. Immediately starting the next. So many plot twists I didn’t expect. Every single page is carefully and well written. Read in 3 days as it’s such an easy read.
November 16, 2025
The second book in this series. Action packed, pacy and tackling a sadly real and current issue I really enjoyed it and look forward to more in this series. A great read.
3 1/2 ⭐️
3 1/2 ⭐️
April 8, 2019
I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first Harry Virdee. I felt it was too far fetched and just repeating a similar formula to the first book. That said, it was an easy read and good to see Bradford having a starring role - even if it's not in the best light!
February 12, 2021
DI Harry Virdee attends the scene of a murder and walks into an absolute nightmare, it’s the body of his niece. With a clear conflict of interest he can’t manage the case, but Harry can’t leave this alone, his brother Ron wouldn’t allow it. It’s a race against time for Harry to solve the murder and prevent a more explosive situation with his family.
I’m really loving the Harry Virdee series, he’s a man with a strong sense of what’s right and his duty, but sometimes he has to live on the edge. His family situation is very complicated, ostracised but still a way in with his rogue brother. This is a quite harrowing read at time, based on the subject of child grooming etc, but a really excellent book.
I’m really loving the Harry Virdee series, he’s a man with a strong sense of what’s right and his duty, but sometimes he has to live on the edge. His family situation is very complicated, ostracised but still a way in with his rogue brother. This is a quite harrowing read at time, based on the subject of child grooming etc, but a really excellent book.
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