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Jay Qasim #2
Homegrown Hero: A gripping, funny and twisty new spy thriller
Reluctant spy.
Trained assassin.
WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?
JAY QASIM is back home in West London and in pursuit of normality. He’s swapped dope-dealing for admin, and spends his free time at the local Muslim Community Centre or cruising around Hounslow in his beloved BMW. No-one would guess that he was the MI5 spy who foiled the most devastating terrorist attack in recent history.
But Jay’s part in sabotaging Ghurfat-Al-Mudarris’ hit on London didn’t pass unnoticed.
IMRAN SIDDIQUI was trained to kill in Afghanistan by the terrorist cell who saved his life after his home was destroyed by war. The time has finally come for him to repay them – throwing him headlong into the path of Jay Qasim.
Now, they must each decide whose side they’re really on.
Trained assassin.
WHOSE SIDE ARE YOU ON?
JAY QASIM is back home in West London and in pursuit of normality. He’s swapped dope-dealing for admin, and spends his free time at the local Muslim Community Centre or cruising around Hounslow in his beloved BMW. No-one would guess that he was the MI5 spy who foiled the most devastating terrorist attack in recent history.
But Jay’s part in sabotaging Ghurfat-Al-Mudarris’ hit on London didn’t pass unnoticed.
IMRAN SIDDIQUI was trained to kill in Afghanistan by the terrorist cell who saved his life after his home was destroyed by war. The time has finally come for him to repay them – throwing him headlong into the path of Jay Qasim.
Now, they must each decide whose side they’re really on.
384 pages, Paperback
First published November 29, 2018
97 people are currently reading
357 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 8, 2021
Fighting your Destiny
A great sequel, I enjoyed this book every bit as the first book. In the last book Jay was forced into a into a world hatred. Learning family secrets playing the cards life dealt him. In this book Jay has a much smaller role, but this is an opportunity to meet new characters. All damaged from their past and either trying to escape or find their future.
This books starts a couple of days before the epilogue of the last book. Some great twistsin this story, the darkness is offset with humour (mainly from Jay).
Great book, with great characters, I know a write has done a great job when I can feel sorry for or hope for a way out for the characters no matter what the have done. I can't wait to see what happens next.
A great sequel, I enjoyed this book every bit as the first book. In the last book Jay was forced into a into a world hatred. Learning family secrets playing the cards life dealt him. In this book Jay has a much smaller role, but this is an opportunity to meet new characters. All damaged from their past and either trying to escape or find their future.
This books starts a couple of days before the epilogue of the last book. Some great twistsin this story, the darkness is offset with humour (mainly from Jay).
Great book, with great characters, I know a write has done a great job when I can feel sorry for or hope for a way out for the characters no matter what the have done. I can't wait to see what happens next.
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February 6, 2019Oh my God, I need a cup of tea and a lie down.
Second Jay Qasim thriller, set in Hounslow, west London, in a milieu of white terrorists, EDL type racists, Muslim extremists, and the poor bastards who just want a normal life but are caught in the middle of the hell we're so busily creating for one another. The tagline for this book could be "Violence begets violence", as rage and resentment lead to escalating extremism. Jay is a lovely character, a small time drug dealer with a huge heart and soul (not that he'd ever admit that) who continues to ground us with humanity amid the chaos, and who has adopted a small group of Muslims. He shares POV with Imy, a refugee child turned estate agent with a white girlfriend and a dark secret. It is not a spoiler to say everything goes extremely badly for all concerned.
It's fairly raw, brutal subject matter, not pulling punches about the culpability of everyone up and down the line, including those of us who look away because we don't want to know. But it's not didactic: I cared intensely about the fate of the characters, and the tension approaching the climax was just about as much as I could take, to the point I kept having to put the book down. An excellent read, but I really do need that cup of tea now.
Second Jay Qasim thriller, set in Hounslow, west London, in a milieu of white terrorists, EDL type racists, Muslim extremists, and the poor bastards who just want a normal life but are caught in the middle of the hell we're so busily creating for one another. The tagline for this book could be "Violence begets violence", as rage and resentment lead to escalating extremism. Jay is a lovely character, a small time drug dealer with a huge heart and soul (not that he'd ever admit that) who continues to ground us with humanity amid the chaos, and who has adopted a small group of Muslims. He shares POV with Imy, a refugee child turned estate agent with a white girlfriend and a dark secret. It is not a spoiler to say everything goes extremely badly for all concerned.
It's fairly raw, brutal subject matter, not pulling punches about the culpability of everyone up and down the line, including those of us who look away because we don't want to know. But it's not didactic: I cared intensely about the fate of the characters, and the tension approaching the climax was just about as much as I could take, to the point I kept having to put the book down. An excellent read, but I really do need that cup of tea now.
October 29, 2018
I enjoyed Rahman's first book East of Hounslow but for me this wasn't quite as strong. The good stuff is still there: energetic voices, authentic insights into the lives of young Muslims, primarily men, both recent migrants and second generationers, an up-to-the-moment contemporary plot. I liked that this book did more than the first to show at least some mixed-race relationships, both romantic, and social in the case of Imy's wonderful aunt - this is London, after all: surely we all grew up with, went to school/university with, work with, are friends with and socialise with people who happen to be Muslim?
I think the first book worked better for me because it had a single strong story-line. This one has various plot strands unweaving and that served to dilute things and make the book feel a bit fragmented: we have Jay's ongoing feud with Silas, his recovery from the events of the last book and now, unknowingly, the object of a fatwa; we have Imy struggling between his traumatic past and his possibly more hopeful future with a white-English girlfriend and her son; we have a group of disaffected young Muslims reacting to a racist attack on one of them which has horrific consequences; we have the EDL-style racist thugs planning another attack to get rid of witnesses and their reluctant new acolyte; we have terrorist politics from Jay's father and his group...
Rahman juggles all these stories with some aplomb but I felt that some emotional depth was sacrificed - a tighter, tauter palette would have allowed more of the emotional connection that I felt in the first book. Here things feel too diffuse with the constant switching between stories and some of the characterisation suffers as a result. Terrible things happen () but they happen off-stage and their consequences are never explored.
I'm being picky and this is certainly well-written with authenticity and insight, a nice line in overturning the kind of lazy, offensive, even dangerous stereotypes we see peddled in the right-wing press, without for a moment defending acts of hatred and violence - read it for sure, just make sure you also pick up the first book if you haven't already. Hopefully this is the fabled difficult second book and Rahman will be back stronger with the next.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley
I think the first book worked better for me because it had a single strong story-line. This one has various plot strands unweaving and that served to dilute things and make the book feel a bit fragmented: we have Jay's ongoing feud with Silas, his recovery from the events of the last book and now, unknowingly, the object of a fatwa; we have Imy struggling between his traumatic past and his possibly more hopeful future with a white-English girlfriend and her son; we have a group of disaffected young Muslims reacting to a racist attack on one of them which has horrific consequences; we have the EDL-style racist thugs planning another attack to get rid of witnesses and their reluctant new acolyte; we have terrorist politics from Jay's father and his group...
Rahman juggles all these stories with some aplomb but I felt that some emotional depth was sacrificed - a tighter, tauter palette would have allowed more of the emotional connection that I felt in the first book. Here things feel too diffuse with the constant switching between stories and some of the characterisation suffers as a result. Terrible things happen () but they happen off-stage and their consequences are never explored.
I'm being picky and this is certainly well-written with authenticity and insight, a nice line in overturning the kind of lazy, offensive, even dangerous stereotypes we see peddled in the right-wing press, without for a moment defending acts of hatred and violence - read it for sure, just make sure you also pick up the first book if you haven't already. Hopefully this is the fabled difficult second book and Rahman will be back stronger with the next.
Thanks to the publisher for an ARC via NetGalley
April 6, 2020
I have a new favourite author and his name is Khurrum Rahman. Homegrown Hero is one of the best thrillers I have ever read. It is one of the best stories I have ever read. I really am struggling to put my thoughts into words. I’m stunned by this book and how much it’s affected me not only upon finishing it, but during my time reading it too.
East of Hounslow was the first book in this series and introduces Javid (Jay) Qasim. Now possibly one of the most unluckiest people in the world. Instantly likeable and endearing, he is a character I have rooted for since the minute I first read about him. I won’t go into too much detail about his character or his story, as to say too much would spoil the events of East or Hounslow for those that haven’t read it yet. Safe to say however that if East of Hounslow was a starter, Homegrown Hero is one hell of a main course. You can read my review for East of Hounslow here.
Khurrum Rahman wrote an unforgettable story in East of Hounslow, and that continues here. That book really set the scene for everything that happens within the pages of this story. Khurrum’s writing, which was fantastic anyway, is even better here. What stands out for me most is the absolute realism of the characters created. These aren’t just characters created simply for a thriller. They are characters that carry a message. Characters that have feelings and thoughts that are palpable. They are believable, some scarily so. Khurrum has done a phenomenal job creating this cast of characters. I so want to go into detail about each and every one of them, but of course I can’t without giving things away. The bad guys are bad. Truly bad. Sickeningly evil. The entire story is a real rollercoaster ride of a read, emotions are played with and heads are fucked with.
Khurrum in places almost makes you root for the bad guy. There’s a character in the book called Imran (Imy). All I am going to say on this character is, aside from Jay, he was my favourite character. The life that Khurrum creates for Imy tore at my heartstrings. I was reading feeling genuine fear at what was ahead and how things would turn out not only for Jay, but Imy also. As I neared the closing pages of the story I had an actual lump in my throat. Khurrum isn’t an author who will just give every character a happy ending, and that is why I was constantly on edge of what was to come with every single chapter. I had no idea where these characters would end up by the final page.
Fiction this may be, but characters and stories like this exist in the real world. Khurrum Rahman lays bare a world that most do not see, or choose not to see. Or, a world that we do see, but shows it from different angles. He shows that everything isn’t always as clear cut as we may be led to believe. He shows how the actions of one group of people can set in motion a ripple effect with devastating consequences. The emotion I felt reading this story is something I only experience with those truly special books, ones with characters and stories that aren’t easy to forget. The tension of the last 15% or so of this book was almost unbearable, but there was no chance of anything taking me away from my Kindle until I’d read that final page. And then that final page came along and twatted me right across my face. That last 15% should come with a health warning. I can’t tell you the last time a book had this effect on me. Both of these books would be perfect for a book club as I think they would provoke a timely and important discussion, the issues raised are so important and present in our world, and unfortunately probably always will be.
When I had to put my Kindle down to continue with everyday life, I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters. I fell asleep thinking about them and I woke up and wanted to pick up my Kindle straightaway. Even now, I know I’ll be thinking about these characters until the minute I can get my hands on book three, Ride or Die. How many books do that to a reader? This series came on my radar off a Facebook ad. I was going to deactivate my Facebook only a couple of weeks ago. I am so glad I saw that advert and read East of Hounslow. I will never forget the stories contained within these two books. In a few years time I will look back on them and, unlike most other books where the stories fade from your memory, be able to remember exactly what happened. I am just in awe and I am actually quite gutted to have now read both of these books as for the past week or so I have spent all of my spare time reading them. At the end of the year I can honestly say I think my Top 3 Books of the Year will all be written by this incredible author. And that’s without having even read book three, I know for a fact it will be just as good as these two books if not better. There is honestly just not one negative thing I can say about these books. Buy them now, you will not regret it.
East of Hounslow was the first book in this series and introduces Javid (Jay) Qasim. Now possibly one of the most unluckiest people in the world. Instantly likeable and endearing, he is a character I have rooted for since the minute I first read about him. I won’t go into too much detail about his character or his story, as to say too much would spoil the events of East or Hounslow for those that haven’t read it yet. Safe to say however that if East of Hounslow was a starter, Homegrown Hero is one hell of a main course. You can read my review for East of Hounslow here.
Khurrum Rahman wrote an unforgettable story in East of Hounslow, and that continues here. That book really set the scene for everything that happens within the pages of this story. Khurrum’s writing, which was fantastic anyway, is even better here. What stands out for me most is the absolute realism of the characters created. These aren’t just characters created simply for a thriller. They are characters that carry a message. Characters that have feelings and thoughts that are palpable. They are believable, some scarily so. Khurrum has done a phenomenal job creating this cast of characters. I so want to go into detail about each and every one of them, but of course I can’t without giving things away. The bad guys are bad. Truly bad. Sickeningly evil. The entire story is a real rollercoaster ride of a read, emotions are played with and heads are fucked with.
Khurrum in places almost makes you root for the bad guy. There’s a character in the book called Imran (Imy). All I am going to say on this character is, aside from Jay, he was my favourite character. The life that Khurrum creates for Imy tore at my heartstrings. I was reading feeling genuine fear at what was ahead and how things would turn out not only for Jay, but Imy also. As I neared the closing pages of the story I had an actual lump in my throat. Khurrum isn’t an author who will just give every character a happy ending, and that is why I was constantly on edge of what was to come with every single chapter. I had no idea where these characters would end up by the final page.
Fiction this may be, but characters and stories like this exist in the real world. Khurrum Rahman lays bare a world that most do not see, or choose not to see. Or, a world that we do see, but shows it from different angles. He shows that everything isn’t always as clear cut as we may be led to believe. He shows how the actions of one group of people can set in motion a ripple effect with devastating consequences. The emotion I felt reading this story is something I only experience with those truly special books, ones with characters and stories that aren’t easy to forget. The tension of the last 15% or so of this book was almost unbearable, but there was no chance of anything taking me away from my Kindle until I’d read that final page. And then that final page came along and twatted me right across my face. That last 15% should come with a health warning. I can’t tell you the last time a book had this effect on me. Both of these books would be perfect for a book club as I think they would provoke a timely and important discussion, the issues raised are so important and present in our world, and unfortunately probably always will be.
When I had to put my Kindle down to continue with everyday life, I couldn’t stop thinking about these characters. I fell asleep thinking about them and I woke up and wanted to pick up my Kindle straightaway. Even now, I know I’ll be thinking about these characters until the minute I can get my hands on book three, Ride or Die. How many books do that to a reader? This series came on my radar off a Facebook ad. I was going to deactivate my Facebook only a couple of weeks ago. I am so glad I saw that advert and read East of Hounslow. I will never forget the stories contained within these two books. In a few years time I will look back on them and, unlike most other books where the stories fade from your memory, be able to remember exactly what happened. I am just in awe and I am actually quite gutted to have now read both of these books as for the past week or so I have spent all of my spare time reading them. At the end of the year I can honestly say I think my Top 3 Books of the Year will all be written by this incredible author. And that’s without having even read book three, I know for a fact it will be just as good as these two books if not better. There is honestly just not one negative thing I can say about these books. Buy them now, you will not regret it.
October 28, 2018
I thought that Khurrum Rahman’s first novel, East Of Hounslow, was very good. Home Grown Hero, its sequel, is even better. (Although you can read Home Grown Hero as a stand-alone novel, I would strongly recommend that you read East Of Hounslow first – things will mean far more to you.)
We don’t actually catch up with the shocking ending of East Of Hounslow until almost a third of the way through the novel, as we see Jay reorientating his life. He is a cooler, rather more mature character after the events last time, but his narrative voice is still as real and entertaining (and expletive-strewn) as before. However, the decisions he had to make are catching up with him and a thrilling, twisty plot ensues as we get more insight into the nature of international terror and of home-grown conflict and hostility. There is a rich and mature treatment of the influences, biases and characters which make these matters so complex, and it is Rahman’s remarkable human insights which make this book so good – including a heartrending picture of the pain of being on the receiving end of racist abuse and thuggery, plus some genuinely touching moments concerning family and confounded stereotypes. It is also an absolutely cracking story which is full of tension, extremely exciting and which I found difficult to put down.
This is, in short, a really good thriller which also has genuine intellectual weight and important things to say about some of the critical issues of our time, while still being a pleasure to read. I thought it was absolutely excellent and can recommend it very warmly indeed.
(My thanks to HQ for an ARC via NetGalley.)
We don’t actually catch up with the shocking ending of East Of Hounslow until almost a third of the way through the novel, as we see Jay reorientating his life. He is a cooler, rather more mature character after the events last time, but his narrative voice is still as real and entertaining (and expletive-strewn) as before. However, the decisions he had to make are catching up with him and a thrilling, twisty plot ensues as we get more insight into the nature of international terror and of home-grown conflict and hostility. There is a rich and mature treatment of the influences, biases and characters which make these matters so complex, and it is Rahman’s remarkable human insights which make this book so good – including a heartrending picture of the pain of being on the receiving end of racist abuse and thuggery, plus some genuinely touching moments concerning family and confounded stereotypes. It is also an absolutely cracking story which is full of tension, extremely exciting and which I found difficult to put down.
This is, in short, a really good thriller which also has genuine intellectual weight and important things to say about some of the critical issues of our time, while still being a pleasure to read. I thought it was absolutely excellent and can recommend it very warmly indeed.
(My thanks to HQ for an ARC via NetGalley.)
October 16, 2018
Wow. This was epic. Brilliantly epic.
So we met Jay in last year’s “East of Hounslow “ a novel I devoured with it’s heady mix of action, social issues,thrills and thought provoking realities. Jay, after reading Home Grown Hero, is now definitely one of my favourite fictional characters ever. Rightly so too I think given his ability make me giggle into my cup of tea whilst learning something very important.
In this most excellent of sequels, Jay longs for the quiet life after his previous adventures. But MI5, Jay’s terrorist Father, his friend’s and seemingly pretty much the world obviously didn’t get the memo…
This is a whole lot of fun, but equally it is a book like the last that can show you through it’s characters, their actions and their inner thoughts, the realities of being termed a minority -The devastating impact of assumption, of almost casual racism, of our current social and political situation, it is an eye opener in so many ways.
What this author does so beautifully is show us all the shades of grey, not falling into the trap of “this is good this is bad” but layering the plot with all the nuances, all the possibilities between A and B. How actions create reactions, one thing escalates, how easy it is to fall into all the dark places before you even notice. It’s extraordinarily clever and done in a hugely absorbing and entertaining way.
Then we have Immy, who just encompasses the lot – a new character who I found highly engaging and divisive, an equal and an opposite for our reluctant hero Jay, between them they’ll drive you positively crazy but you’ll love every minute.
No real plot details in this review because you should just take the journey as it comes, Home Grown Hero is a wild ride of hilarity and horror – I spent the final pages reading madly and clutching my head, it is fast, intelligent, gorgeously real and intricately woven.
That ending though…..
Highly Recommended.
So we met Jay in last year’s “East of Hounslow “ a novel I devoured with it’s heady mix of action, social issues,thrills and thought provoking realities. Jay, after reading Home Grown Hero, is now definitely one of my favourite fictional characters ever. Rightly so too I think given his ability make me giggle into my cup of tea whilst learning something very important.
In this most excellent of sequels, Jay longs for the quiet life after his previous adventures. But MI5, Jay’s terrorist Father, his friend’s and seemingly pretty much the world obviously didn’t get the memo…
This is a whole lot of fun, but equally it is a book like the last that can show you through it’s characters, their actions and their inner thoughts, the realities of being termed a minority -The devastating impact of assumption, of almost casual racism, of our current social and political situation, it is an eye opener in so many ways.
What this author does so beautifully is show us all the shades of grey, not falling into the trap of “this is good this is bad” but layering the plot with all the nuances, all the possibilities between A and B. How actions create reactions, one thing escalates, how easy it is to fall into all the dark places before you even notice. It’s extraordinarily clever and done in a hugely absorbing and entertaining way.
Then we have Immy, who just encompasses the lot – a new character who I found highly engaging and divisive, an equal and an opposite for our reluctant hero Jay, between them they’ll drive you positively crazy but you’ll love every minute.
No real plot details in this review because you should just take the journey as it comes, Home Grown Hero is a wild ride of hilarity and horror – I spent the final pages reading madly and clutching my head, it is fast, intelligent, gorgeously real and intricately woven.
That ending though…..
Highly Recommended.
November 26, 2018
I would like to thank Netgalley and HQ for an advance copy of Homegrown Hero, the second novel to feature drug dealer turned IT help desk operator Javid “Jay” Qasim.
Fresh from saving London Jay has adopted a lower profile, working for Hownslow council, socialising at a Muslim self help group and renouncing drugs and alcohol. It doesn’t stop MI5 from trying to re-recruit him but it does give the strength to say no. In the meantime Imran “Imy” Saddiqui, a sleeper doing his best to forget his childhood indoctrination is activated.
I thoroughly enjoyed Homegrown Hero which is a gripping, laugh out loud thriller with some serious points to make. It is violent and crude but the black humour makes it seem apt and entirely in keeping with events and the setting. It takes up where the first novel in the series, East of Hownslow, finishes with Jay getting his throat slashed, backtracks a few days then proceeds linearly through much action to a cliffhanger ending. The novel is narrated mostly by Jay and Imy in the first person (each chapter is helpfully titled with the narrator’s name to avoid confusion) with brief forays in the third person into peripheral events. I like the immediacy and intimacy of the first person narrative which draw the reader in and hold on. I was gripped from start to finish.
This is quite a political novel with its emphasis on radicalisation, on both sides of the divide, and the struggle to withstand it and live a moderate life. To be honest I found that part difficult to read as it is so outside my world. Can it be as bad as it is painted? I don’t know but I didn’t connect with it.
The novel, however, thrives on the characters of Jay and Imy. I love Jay, a genuine hero who shrugs off the bad experiences publicly and privately struggles with some form of PTSD. He is an everyday bloke with a nice line in humour who seems to attract trouble more than a magnet. The humour with Imy lies more in his situation as he tries to conceal his relationship with Stephanie from his over protective, doting, Muslim Khala (aunt). I’m sure there is much truth in his situation although maybe not the terrorist thing. My heart went out to him as he tries to manage his situation.
Homegrown Hero is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
Fresh from saving London Jay has adopted a lower profile, working for Hownslow council, socialising at a Muslim self help group and renouncing drugs and alcohol. It doesn’t stop MI5 from trying to re-recruit him but it does give the strength to say no. In the meantime Imran “Imy” Saddiqui, a sleeper doing his best to forget his childhood indoctrination is activated.
I thoroughly enjoyed Homegrown Hero which is a gripping, laugh out loud thriller with some serious points to make. It is violent and crude but the black humour makes it seem apt and entirely in keeping with events and the setting. It takes up where the first novel in the series, East of Hownslow, finishes with Jay getting his throat slashed, backtracks a few days then proceeds linearly through much action to a cliffhanger ending. The novel is narrated mostly by Jay and Imy in the first person (each chapter is helpfully titled with the narrator’s name to avoid confusion) with brief forays in the third person into peripheral events. I like the immediacy and intimacy of the first person narrative which draw the reader in and hold on. I was gripped from start to finish.
This is quite a political novel with its emphasis on radicalisation, on both sides of the divide, and the struggle to withstand it and live a moderate life. To be honest I found that part difficult to read as it is so outside my world. Can it be as bad as it is painted? I don’t know but I didn’t connect with it.
The novel, however, thrives on the characters of Jay and Imy. I love Jay, a genuine hero who shrugs off the bad experiences publicly and privately struggles with some form of PTSD. He is an everyday bloke with a nice line in humour who seems to attract trouble more than a magnet. The humour with Imy lies more in his situation as he tries to conceal his relationship with Stephanie from his over protective, doting, Muslim Khala (aunt). I’m sure there is much truth in his situation although maybe not the terrorist thing. My heart went out to him as he tries to manage his situation.
Homegrown Hero is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.
June 14, 2020
It's not often a sequel is better than the first book in a series, but this is one of those occasions.
The second instalment in the life of Jay, a Muslim living in Hounslow, England. A man who doesn't really want to get involved, but is sucked in on both sides of the religious divide.
With the same level of dark humour as the first book - East of Hounslow, this book tugged at the heart and opened my eyes in equal measure.
The importance of family, the importance of friendship and needing to belong to something are key to this plot, which has more unexpected twists than a hydro-slide.
I sincerely hope that the author has more books in the pipeline. You cannot leave us with that ending!
The second instalment in the life of Jay, a Muslim living in Hounslow, England. A man who doesn't really want to get involved, but is sucked in on both sides of the religious divide.
With the same level of dark humour as the first book - East of Hounslow, this book tugged at the heart and opened my eyes in equal measure.
The importance of family, the importance of friendship and needing to belong to something are key to this plot, which has more unexpected twists than a hydro-slide.
I sincerely hope that the author has more books in the pipeline. You cannot leave us with that ending!
November 23, 2018
Khurrum Rahman burst onto the crime fiction scene in 2017 with his brilliant debut East of Hounslow (which I reviewed here: https://bit.ly/2FyH7Cn). Homegrown Hero is his hotly anticipated sequel and once again we’re with Jay Qasim, a British born Muslim reluctantly recruited by MI5 as an agent (an informant in the police’s parlance). After the events of the first book he’s been dropped by MI5, much to his relief, and is trying to reestablish some sense of normality. But The Teacher, the head of the jihadi group Qasim infiltrated is still at large and some in MI5 want Jay to help them to finish what they’ve started. Meanwhile some within the jihadi group have learnt that Qasim was the one who betrayed them and set an assassin on his tail. While far right thugs and an assault on a Muslim girl leading to her suicide set in motion a powerful subplot.
All this is promising material and certainly current, but the question is, does Rahman pull it off with the aplomb of East of Hounslow? Or does Homegrown Hero suffer from the dreaded second book hurdle?
As with the first book, I firstly have to get my little bugbear out of the way and one which I alluded to at the start. An agent to the intelligence services is what an informant would be to the police, while those employed by the agencies, their staff, are intelligence officers. Many a writer gets such details wrong and the problem is exacerbated by the fact that some countries have agencies which straddle the law enforcement/intelligence divide and don’t obey this rule. A good example of this is the American FBI, both a law enforcement agency and one like MI5 that deals with domestic intelligence, which calls it’s employees agents (confusingly, the CIA which is solely engaged in intelligence, calls its staff officers and its informants agents). Rahman is to be applauded for getting such details right.
The above might appear to be a small doctrinal issue, but it speaks to a wider realism in the narrative. Post-911 Western intelligence agencies were under enormous pressure to prevent further attacks and this was exacerbated after every successive outrage. As always their response was two pronged and both were controversial. The first is electronic surveillance and the Snowden revelations amongst others have demonstrated the controversy that comes with that. The second is human intelligence, the recruitment of agents. A number of revelations have come about in recent years of how intelligence officers have gone to great lengths to recruit agents - offering inducements and where that doesn’t work, engaging in coercion and even blackmail. MI5 has been accused of such behaviour on a number of occasions and there have been reports in the press, and human rights groups have lodged complaints, alleging their officers bullied and harassed Muslims in an attempt to recruit them as agents.
Most spy novels are told from the perspective of the intelligence officer, very few are told from the perspective of the agent. This is similar to crime novels where the vast majority are told from the perspective of the police and very few are told from the perspective of the informant. Where agents or informants do feature in fiction, they’re all too often seen through the eyes of the police or intelligence officers. So they’re portrayed as perhaps shifty and untrustworthy, mercenary or licentious, certainly with motives that are questionable. This might well be understandable and certainly reflects how they’re seen. I’m lucky to know a number of police officers and once discussed the issue with an officer whose work entailed running multiple informants (for a large regional police force in England). I asked how he felt about them and he was blunt in his contempt. When meeting with them he had to pretend to be able to tolerate them, like them even, but his real feelings were clear. To be sure his informants were criminals, whereas some of the informants intelligence agencies recruit will be ordinary people with access, such as Muslim’s in the local community, but the fact remains that distrust can remain especially where the informant is coerced. Jay Qasim, the protagonist of East of Hounslow and Homegrown Hero is such a person, coerced into working for MI5 and then treated appallingly, and his story is told with real humanity and warmth.
If this wasn’t all, the second character the author introduces into Homeland Hero, the assassin, is equally well drawn. He’s a sleeper jihadi, one sent decades before to inculcate himself into British life until one day he’s activated. While this character predicament isn’t as firmly based in reality as Qasim’s treatment at the hands of MI5 (as far as I know at least) there have been sleeper agents in service to the KGB and its successors and much discussion has been had as to the psychology that must go into that. Only a few years ago a whole host of sleeper agents were discovered in the US and then deported back to Russia, some having adult children who had grown up in the America with no idea of what their parents were doing. Rahman gives his sleeper assassin real personality. He’s a man who’s fallen in love with a non-Muslim woman and her child and is reluctant to embrace his calling once he’s activated. I ended up liking this character as much as Qasim and the novel is nail biting at the finale when both characters lives are on the line
One final aspect of this book which I must not overlook, and one which might not be guessed from this review, is the humour. For despite dealing with serious and weighty issues, there are comedic elements to both Homegrown Hero and the previous title, East of Hounslow. Qasim with his quick wit and street smarts is a character with real charisma and his internal monologue can bring on more than the odd chuckle. This not only makes one warm to his predicament but also counteracts some of the darker scenes, thus bringing the narrative a little light.
So conclusions? Homegrown Hero is a worthy book 2 and one which is well worth a read. With both titles the author has managed a remarkable feat, penning popular fiction that tackles weighty topics while not being afraid to pack a punch and broach controversy. With a splash of humour, a likeable protagonist, and a sympathetic antagonist you can’t help but root for too, there really is little not to like.
All this is promising material and certainly current, but the question is, does Rahman pull it off with the aplomb of East of Hounslow? Or does Homegrown Hero suffer from the dreaded second book hurdle?
As with the first book, I firstly have to get my little bugbear out of the way and one which I alluded to at the start. An agent to the intelligence services is what an informant would be to the police, while those employed by the agencies, their staff, are intelligence officers. Many a writer gets such details wrong and the problem is exacerbated by the fact that some countries have agencies which straddle the law enforcement/intelligence divide and don’t obey this rule. A good example of this is the American FBI, both a law enforcement agency and one like MI5 that deals with domestic intelligence, which calls it’s employees agents (confusingly, the CIA which is solely engaged in intelligence, calls its staff officers and its informants agents). Rahman is to be applauded for getting such details right.
The above might appear to be a small doctrinal issue, but it speaks to a wider realism in the narrative. Post-911 Western intelligence agencies were under enormous pressure to prevent further attacks and this was exacerbated after every successive outrage. As always their response was two pronged and both were controversial. The first is electronic surveillance and the Snowden revelations amongst others have demonstrated the controversy that comes with that. The second is human intelligence, the recruitment of agents. A number of revelations have come about in recent years of how intelligence officers have gone to great lengths to recruit agents - offering inducements and where that doesn’t work, engaging in coercion and even blackmail. MI5 has been accused of such behaviour on a number of occasions and there have been reports in the press, and human rights groups have lodged complaints, alleging their officers bullied and harassed Muslims in an attempt to recruit them as agents.
Most spy novels are told from the perspective of the intelligence officer, very few are told from the perspective of the agent. This is similar to crime novels where the vast majority are told from the perspective of the police and very few are told from the perspective of the informant. Where agents or informants do feature in fiction, they’re all too often seen through the eyes of the police or intelligence officers. So they’re portrayed as perhaps shifty and untrustworthy, mercenary or licentious, certainly with motives that are questionable. This might well be understandable and certainly reflects how they’re seen. I’m lucky to know a number of police officers and once discussed the issue with an officer whose work entailed running multiple informants (for a large regional police force in England). I asked how he felt about them and he was blunt in his contempt. When meeting with them he had to pretend to be able to tolerate them, like them even, but his real feelings were clear. To be sure his informants were criminals, whereas some of the informants intelligence agencies recruit will be ordinary people with access, such as Muslim’s in the local community, but the fact remains that distrust can remain especially where the informant is coerced. Jay Qasim, the protagonist of East of Hounslow and Homegrown Hero is such a person, coerced into working for MI5 and then treated appallingly, and his story is told with real humanity and warmth.
If this wasn’t all, the second character the author introduces into Homeland Hero, the assassin, is equally well drawn. He’s a sleeper jihadi, one sent decades before to inculcate himself into British life until one day he’s activated. While this character predicament isn’t as firmly based in reality as Qasim’s treatment at the hands of MI5 (as far as I know at least) there have been sleeper agents in service to the KGB and its successors and much discussion has been had as to the psychology that must go into that. Only a few years ago a whole host of sleeper agents were discovered in the US and then deported back to Russia, some having adult children who had grown up in the America with no idea of what their parents were doing. Rahman gives his sleeper assassin real personality. He’s a man who’s fallen in love with a non-Muslim woman and her child and is reluctant to embrace his calling once he’s activated. I ended up liking this character as much as Qasim and the novel is nail biting at the finale when both characters lives are on the line
One final aspect of this book which I must not overlook, and one which might not be guessed from this review, is the humour. For despite dealing with serious and weighty issues, there are comedic elements to both Homegrown Hero and the previous title, East of Hounslow. Qasim with his quick wit and street smarts is a character with real charisma and his internal monologue can bring on more than the odd chuckle. This not only makes one warm to his predicament but also counteracts some of the darker scenes, thus bringing the narrative a little light.
So conclusions? Homegrown Hero is a worthy book 2 and one which is well worth a read. With both titles the author has managed a remarkable feat, penning popular fiction that tackles weighty topics while not being afraid to pack a punch and broach controversy. With a splash of humour, a likeable protagonist, and a sympathetic antagonist you can’t help but root for too, there really is little not to like.
February 20, 2020
It’s fantastic to read the usual thriller about sleeper agents and terror written by and from the perspective of a British Muslim. Add to that a truly chilling end and this series is one to watch. But some major kinks in the writing need to be worked out first with major parts of the prose feeling very sophomoric indeed.
February 12, 2021
This is the second book in this wonderfully funny, topical and brilliant series featuring Jay Qasim, reluctant spy, former drug dealer and accidental terrorist and whilst I know there are some people out there happy to read books in any sequence I think you really need to read book 1 East of Hounslow first as Homegrown Hero follows on picks up immediately after the cliff hanger of book 1.
After all the excitement / horror that Jay went through in book 1, he has decided to change his life style and get a proper 9-5 job, stop the drug dealing and remove himself from M15, however certain characters from book 1 won’t let him and before long there are people out there who want Jay dead.
This time the book is told from a new character’s point of view – Imran Siddiqui or Immie to his friends. He works in an estate agents, likes getting stoned and drunk with his best friend Shaz most nights and is in the midst of a “complicated” relationship with a white women. Immie is coasting through life when he gets a phone call he has been dreading and waiting for in equal measures. This call changes everything in an instant and suddenly Immie has to work out where his priorities lie.
Jay is the same mouthy, amusing, young man, still hurt and deeply affected by what happened in book 1 and determined not to repeat the same mistakes, but it isn’t long before he finds himself involved in a similar situation caught between a gang of white racists and angry young Muslims extremists determined to settle scores.
This book made me laugh, gasp and cry throughout and the authors ability to bring these two main characters, Immie and Jay to life in a way that I could hear them talking, see their inner turmoil, feel their fear and confusion proves what a talented writer Khurrum Rahman is.
Another superb 5 star book for me and I’ve downloaded book 3 to start soon.
After all the excitement / horror that Jay went through in book 1, he has decided to change his life style and get a proper 9-5 job, stop the drug dealing and remove himself from M15, however certain characters from book 1 won’t let him and before long there are people out there who want Jay dead.
This time the book is told from a new character’s point of view – Imran Siddiqui or Immie to his friends. He works in an estate agents, likes getting stoned and drunk with his best friend Shaz most nights and is in the midst of a “complicated” relationship with a white women. Immie is coasting through life when he gets a phone call he has been dreading and waiting for in equal measures. This call changes everything in an instant and suddenly Immie has to work out where his priorities lie.
Jay is the same mouthy, amusing, young man, still hurt and deeply affected by what happened in book 1 and determined not to repeat the same mistakes, but it isn’t long before he finds himself involved in a similar situation caught between a gang of white racists and angry young Muslims extremists determined to settle scores.
This book made me laugh, gasp and cry throughout and the authors ability to bring these two main characters, Immie and Jay to life in a way that I could hear them talking, see their inner turmoil, feel their fear and confusion proves what a talented writer Khurrum Rahman is.
Another superb 5 star book for me and I’ve downloaded book 3 to start soon.
April 7, 2021
You've only gone and done it again Mr R! Your second book is most definitely as superbly brilliant as East of Howslow, sorry Hounslow! 'They' whoever they are, are no doubt right in saying a second book is harder to write, but you can rest assured and sleep soundly KR because we have good taste you and I and Tracy F in that we know a good story when we write/read one. How on earth you can blend terrorism, fatwas, acid and nail bombs attacks with such humour as Khala/Aunty confusing 'swingers' with singers - Jack referring to his school 'inset' day as insect day, and a request for 'sturdier' biscuits after noting the speed at which a custard cream disintegrates in a brew? Pure genius! Also had to smile at the failure of not being able to master the art of raising one eyebrow? Goodness me, My Mum was an expert yet I've been trying for decades and can still only do it by holding the palm of my hand over one eye! So do yourselves a favour folks. Read this book. Preferably after reading East of Hounslow. You won't be sorry, and if after reading them you don't want to befriend Jay and try to keep him on the straight and narrow, well you're not who I though you were!
November 7, 2023
A solid 3.5*
November 4, 2020
4+ out of 5 stars. An exceptional sequel to an exceptional debut. Really refreshing to have such well developed characters, reacting credibly to circumstances of the plot. Very refreshing to be given an "in" to aspects of the British Muslim experience, but not in a heavy handed way that hinders a fast moving and engaging plot. Although I like to enjoy novels "in their own right," it's impossible not to want to see this series as a BBC or perhaps Sky limited series. Looking forward to starting book 3 in a day or two, after I complete my OCD fiction/non-fiction alternation. Highly recommended.
February 15, 2019
Pakistan-born, West London-raised crime writer Khurrum Rahman takes us deep into his characters’ family lives and leavens violence with humour in HOMEGROWN HERO, an action-packed tale about spies and terrorists that merges global concerns with household and everyday issues.
There's a real fizz to Rahman's storytelling that makes it a little different to much of what else is out there, and definitely well worth a read. In a way, it reminds me of films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or Layer Cake, where there is plenty of action and violence, but lots of humour too, Things are compelling and breakneck while not feeling too 'thin'; Rahman layers in some issues.
A sequel to Rahman's well-regarded debut, HOMEGROWN HERO sees the return of Jay Qasim, who is now looking for a quiet life after his hidden-from-the-headlines heroics foiling a potentially devastating terrorist plot. Jay is far from your typical crime fiction 'hero' - he's a former drug dealer turned double agent and terrorist trainee, who is now working in IT while living off a golden handshake from his MI5 paymasters. But while he’s done with that life, it’s not done with him.
A sheik issues a fatwa on Jay, activating Imy, another west London boy who’s been most concerned lately with trying to make things work with his white girlfriend and her son, while fending off his older sister’s attempts to find him a wife within the local Muslim community.
Rahman delivers a fresh and unique ‘spy thriller’ that touches on big issues like radicalisation, white nationalism, and the grooming of youngsters for violent causes, while never feeling ‘too heavy’. A propulsive page-turner that also gives readers plenty to think about.
There's a real fizz to Rahman's storytelling that makes it a little different to much of what else is out there, and definitely well worth a read. In a way, it reminds me of films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels or Layer Cake, where there is plenty of action and violence, but lots of humour too, Things are compelling and breakneck while not feeling too 'thin'; Rahman layers in some issues.
A sequel to Rahman's well-regarded debut, HOMEGROWN HERO sees the return of Jay Qasim, who is now looking for a quiet life after his hidden-from-the-headlines heroics foiling a potentially devastating terrorist plot. Jay is far from your typical crime fiction 'hero' - he's a former drug dealer turned double agent and terrorist trainee, who is now working in IT while living off a golden handshake from his MI5 paymasters. But while he’s done with that life, it’s not done with him.
A sheik issues a fatwa on Jay, activating Imy, another west London boy who’s been most concerned lately with trying to make things work with his white girlfriend and her son, while fending off his older sister’s attempts to find him a wife within the local Muslim community.
Rahman delivers a fresh and unique ‘spy thriller’ that touches on big issues like radicalisation, white nationalism, and the grooming of youngsters for violent causes, while never feeling ‘too heavy’. A propulsive page-turner that also gives readers plenty to think about.
February 28, 2021
Excellent! Can’t wait to read #3!
November 5, 2018
I really loved East of Hounslow, book one of this series, when I read it last year. The action in this book follows on from that and although there is a bit of a catch-up to be found in this book, Jay is a bit complex so to get the very best from this one, I really would recommend reading that one first. And it's great so no real reason not to!
So, Jay has returned home after saving the world. Well, preventing a major terrorist attack. He's put that side of things behind him and now works in a call centre having laid to rest his under-cover life after a nice pay off. Problem is, certain people know what he has done. People he crossed in order to help MI5. And, after all he is still his father's son and his father is still out there. So, inevitably, his past will not say in the past and his attempts to get on with his life are turned upside down and, once again, Jay finds himself in the spotlight once again.
As I devoured the previous book, I devoured this one too. In Jay we have a completely credible character who, due to circumstances, has been catapulted into a very dangerous world. Yes he has street smarts but has he bitten off more than he can chew this time?
In this book we also meet Imy who I also really loved as a characters. I can't say too much about him here due to spoilers about who he is and what he does. Suffice to say that he really does quite a bit of soul searching about some very real issues during the book and I was fascinated by him and his situation throughout.
The plot twists and turns both as you would expect and also the author throws the occasional curve ball in to mix things up a bit. The action is fast and frenetic at times and kept me on my toes throughout. Hard hitting too and a bit graphic along the way. But never to extreme, all perfectly in keeping with the subject matter and level of the story.
Along with Jay and Imy we have a host of other well crafted characters who perfectly play out their parts throughout the book. Again I can't be as specific as I would maybe like to back up my statement but spoilers prevent me so you'll just have to take my word for it. As with the first in series, I had my eyes opened to some of the things that certain members of society have to go through, mostly behind closed doors and I have no reason to think that these aren't very real struggles. My heart bled at times, yes, an emotional action packed storyline! But, as well as all this emotion and action, there are some really funny bits included, comic relief if you like which kept the book as a whole balanced. A lot of the very nasty stuff happens "off camera" and you just get the overview which I found to be a good way of doing things.
As with the ending of book one, this one left me with an "I have to know what happens next" feeling. Not quite a cliff hanger as such but more an ongoing story, or struggle if you like.
This book was a bit more convoluted than the series opener and I did have to have my wits about me as the scene changes often came thick and fast but even with my challenged attention span I managed to keep on top of things nicely.
All in all, I'm happy with my second trip on the Jay-Train - got my ticked pre-booked for his next journey. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So, Jay has returned home after saving the world. Well, preventing a major terrorist attack. He's put that side of things behind him and now works in a call centre having laid to rest his under-cover life after a nice pay off. Problem is, certain people know what he has done. People he crossed in order to help MI5. And, after all he is still his father's son and his father is still out there. So, inevitably, his past will not say in the past and his attempts to get on with his life are turned upside down and, once again, Jay finds himself in the spotlight once again.
As I devoured the previous book, I devoured this one too. In Jay we have a completely credible character who, due to circumstances, has been catapulted into a very dangerous world. Yes he has street smarts but has he bitten off more than he can chew this time?
In this book we also meet Imy who I also really loved as a characters. I can't say too much about him here due to spoilers about who he is and what he does. Suffice to say that he really does quite a bit of soul searching about some very real issues during the book and I was fascinated by him and his situation throughout.
The plot twists and turns both as you would expect and also the author throws the occasional curve ball in to mix things up a bit. The action is fast and frenetic at times and kept me on my toes throughout. Hard hitting too and a bit graphic along the way. But never to extreme, all perfectly in keeping with the subject matter and level of the story.
Along with Jay and Imy we have a host of other well crafted characters who perfectly play out their parts throughout the book. Again I can't be as specific as I would maybe like to back up my statement but spoilers prevent me so you'll just have to take my word for it. As with the first in series, I had my eyes opened to some of the things that certain members of society have to go through, mostly behind closed doors and I have no reason to think that these aren't very real struggles. My heart bled at times, yes, an emotional action packed storyline! But, as well as all this emotion and action, there are some really funny bits included, comic relief if you like which kept the book as a whole balanced. A lot of the very nasty stuff happens "off camera" and you just get the overview which I found to be a good way of doing things.
As with the ending of book one, this one left me with an "I have to know what happens next" feeling. Not quite a cliff hanger as such but more an ongoing story, or struggle if you like.
This book was a bit more convoluted than the series opener and I did have to have my wits about me as the scene changes often came thick and fast but even with my challenged attention span I managed to keep on top of things nicely.
All in all, I'm happy with my second trip on the Jay-Train - got my ticked pre-booked for his next journey. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
May 3, 2022
If you're reading a book review, chances are you're someone who is thinking "is this a book I want to read?" Well, I'm not writing this review for you. I write this review to the people who can green-light projects on Netflix, HBO Max, Amazon Prime, etc. THIS. This is your next big thing. This series as a show on your streaming service will be the hot topic everyone is talking about at the water cooler. This will be the thing that gets all kinds of new viewers to sign up. Trust me.
It's funny. It's action packed. It's violent. It is devastatingly human. It makes you feel stuff.
That's a home run for a streaming show. I am not British. I am not Muslim. I'm not a young man. But, I absolutely GET Jay Qasim. That's how well developed this character is. He is so damn LIKABLE. In this book #2 of the series, there's a 2nd character named Imy who I felt just as much empathy, compassion and understanding for. Another extremely likable guy.
So, please get this book series developed into a streaming series. It'll be huge.
If you did read this review because you're asking "is this a book I want to read?" Well, then, yeah. Read it. It's amazing. Also, when you're watching it on HBO Max, you can be that all-knowing jerk who tells everyone who will listen that the book is better. Win-win.
It's funny. It's action packed. It's violent. It is devastatingly human. It makes you feel stuff.
That's a home run for a streaming show. I am not British. I am not Muslim. I'm not a young man. But, I absolutely GET Jay Qasim. That's how well developed this character is. He is so damn LIKABLE. In this book #2 of the series, there's a 2nd character named Imy who I felt just as much empathy, compassion and understanding for. Another extremely likable guy.
So, please get this book series developed into a streaming series. It'll be huge.
If you did read this review because you're asking "is this a book I want to read?" Well, then, yeah. Read it. It's amazing. Also, when you're watching it on HBO Max, you can be that all-knowing jerk who tells everyone who will listen that the book is better. Win-win.
April 9, 2021
Superb and important.
"East Of Hounslow" was a superbly written debut from Mr Rahman and one that I thought he could not really improve on. How wrong was I. "Homegrown Hero" is not only better but in my opinion a more important book.
It's still funny, it's still intense and is still a very satisfying read but I think that it is also a window on how easy it is for older manipulative , cynical people, usually men, to influence younger people to fight their wars for them and how disposable they are.
The shocking last chapter brought to mind Wilfred Owens final line from his poem "Dulce At Decorum Est" ; "The old lie, Dulce At Decorum Est, Pro Patria Mori."
A book that pushes the Jay Qasim series high onto my all time favourites list.
"East Of Hounslow" was a superbly written debut from Mr Rahman and one that I thought he could not really improve on. How wrong was I. "Homegrown Hero" is not only better but in my opinion a more important book.
It's still funny, it's still intense and is still a very satisfying read but I think that it is also a window on how easy it is for older manipulative , cynical people, usually men, to influence younger people to fight their wars for them and how disposable they are.
The shocking last chapter brought to mind Wilfred Owens final line from his poem "Dulce At Decorum Est" ; "The old lie, Dulce At Decorum Est, Pro Patria Mori."
A book that pushes the Jay Qasim series high onto my all time favourites list.
June 26, 2020
Khurrum Rahman writes thrillers with literary ingenuity & from the very first page they exert an irresistible grip. He is the most exciting new voice in the genre since Frederick Forsyth stunned us with 'The Day of the Jackal'.
Jay Qasim is back on the mean streets of Hounslow. He may think he's broken all ties with MI5 but he is wrong. They want him back. Jay doesn't know it yet but a fatwa has been issued & he's a dead man walking.
This tense & explosive novel is written with confidence & originality. There is a profound intensity as the author throws the spotlight on the deadly clash of two cultures.
Jay Qasim is back on the mean streets of Hounslow. He may think he's broken all ties with MI5 but he is wrong. They want him back. Jay doesn't know it yet but a fatwa has been issued & he's a dead man walking.
This tense & explosive novel is written with confidence & originality. There is a profound intensity as the author throws the spotlight on the deadly clash of two cultures.
February 1, 2020
Wonderful book. I think it's even better than book one, although you'd want to read book one first. Funny, engaging, enraging and entertaining. Jay is a fantastic character with a great voice. It will be on my 'reread soon' shelf.
August 28, 2024
The sequel for East of Hounslow picks up after the cliffhanger ending and follows Jay Qasim, the most reluctant spy–because MI5 forced him into helping. If you want a character to root for and love, grab this series–it reminds me a lot in tone to a show I really enjoy, Man Like Mobeen.
February 18, 2019
A little bit more heart that than the first one but just as addictive, funny and thrilling. I hope there is another one in the works.
April 23, 2019
Back, bigger and better
The ending of East of Hounslow may have seemed conclusive but the sequel is just as convincing, terrifying and human as before.
The ending of East of Hounslow may have seemed conclusive but the sequel is just as convincing, terrifying and human as before.
August 4, 2019
As brilliant as the first. The third is in the post. Whatcha up to Jay?
January 10, 2022
Absolutely amazing! These books are crying out to be made into a TV drama
October 20, 2019
After preventing the most devastating terrorist attack in recent history, Jay Qasim is back home in West London. And, despite invitations to go back undercover, all he wants is a quiet life.
He’s got a job in a call centre, has blocked MI5’s number, and has put his brief career as an under-cover jihadist behind him.
But the game is far from over. And Jay’s about to learn that – no matter how hard he tries – it’s going to be hard to keep his head down now there’s a price on it.
My thoughts about this 2nd outing HomeGrown Hero in Khurrum Rahmans Jay Qasim powerful spy thriller is after the events of East Of Hounslow Jay Qasim is getting his life back on track when he comes a cross another threat named Imran Siddiqui this sequel tells the story of revenge love family sacrifice and honor loved it and the characters were excellent be it Imran Siddiqui or the Villain Pathan and again a shocking ending that will lead to the third book next year Ride Or Die Khurrum Rahman has delivered another blockbuster can not wait for part 3 in 2020 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
He’s got a job in a call centre, has blocked MI5’s number, and has put his brief career as an under-cover jihadist behind him.
But the game is far from over. And Jay’s about to learn that – no matter how hard he tries – it’s going to be hard to keep his head down now there’s a price on it.
My thoughts about this 2nd outing HomeGrown Hero in Khurrum Rahmans Jay Qasim powerful spy thriller is after the events of East Of Hounslow Jay Qasim is getting his life back on track when he comes a cross another threat named Imran Siddiqui this sequel tells the story of revenge love family sacrifice and honor loved it and the characters were excellent be it Imran Siddiqui or the Villain Pathan and again a shocking ending that will lead to the third book next year Ride Or Die Khurrum Rahman has delivered another blockbuster can not wait for part 3 in 2020 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
March 16, 2025
This is the sequel to the first Jay Qasim novel. I really enjoyed this, although it's not as strong as the first one , but it's still a good rollicking spy thriller! I hear good things about book #3, so I'll give that one a go as well.
October 21, 2018
Wow what a great follow up to East Of Hounslow which I read and thoroughly enjoyed last year. Homegrown Hero follows Javid Qasim’s adventures after he returns from his work with MI5. They no longer want him although he’s a trained operative, so now he’s keen to get his life back on track and has even taken a 9-5 job working in a council office in the IT department.
However, despite this peaceful existence, life has a habit of sucking him into dangerous situations and when he makes some new friends at the community centre discussion group, little does he realise where this is going to lead.
A new character Imy is also introduced and I really loved him and his difficult dilemma. He aspires to becoming a family man looking after little Jack and living with Stephanie although they are from different cultures but Imy has some dark secrets which threaten both him and those he loves.
The narrative is first person and alternates between Jay and Imy but I suspected from early on that their paths were gong to cross at some point.
The author layers this book so well and there are several strands to the plot including a chilling insight into right wing terrorism. Nothing is black and white and the main protagonists inhabit a world that is predominately grey. Jay struggles to do the right thing as far as his friends are concerned and Imy rails against his childhood upbringing and indoctrination to act in a way that is true to himself.
The ending left me desperate for the next instalment in Jay and Imy’s life- it was such a cliffhanger and I don’t know if I can wait a whole year for book three!.
A wonderful novel and fully deserving of the five star review I am giving it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest opinion.
However, despite this peaceful existence, life has a habit of sucking him into dangerous situations and when he makes some new friends at the community centre discussion group, little does he realise where this is going to lead.
A new character Imy is also introduced and I really loved him and his difficult dilemma. He aspires to becoming a family man looking after little Jack and living with Stephanie although they are from different cultures but Imy has some dark secrets which threaten both him and those he loves.
The narrative is first person and alternates between Jay and Imy but I suspected from early on that their paths were gong to cross at some point.
The author layers this book so well and there are several strands to the plot including a chilling insight into right wing terrorism. Nothing is black and white and the main protagonists inhabit a world that is predominately grey. Jay struggles to do the right thing as far as his friends are concerned and Imy rails against his childhood upbringing and indoctrination to act in a way that is true to himself.
The ending left me desperate for the next instalment in Jay and Imy’s life- it was such a cliffhanger and I don’t know if I can wait a whole year for book three!.
A wonderful novel and fully deserving of the five star review I am giving it.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest opinion.
December 6, 2018
I waited impatiently for the delivery of book two and was not disappointed.
It is quite nerve-wracking as a reader to tackle the second in a series, often to not feel the same engagement. Thankfully I can say that, z zhaving just finished the last lines, I am already sorry to have finished it.
Loved the introduction of Imran, not expecting such a great new character and plot.
‘Homegrown hero’ played some predictable tricks, but then also took me by surprise many times. On the whole I loved it. It was a good continuation from the first novel and also totally different.
In fact it was different enough for me to not know which I preferred, they stand alone and each leaves you with different emotions.
Not going to do any spoilers but I think that Khurrum Rahman’s knack of ending the novels as he does keeps me wanting more!
For me, another 5 star read. Well done!
When is the next coming out?!
It is quite nerve-wracking as a reader to tackle the second in a series, often to not feel the same engagement. Thankfully I can say that, z zhaving just finished the last lines, I am already sorry to have finished it.
Loved the introduction of Imran, not expecting such a great new character and plot.
‘Homegrown hero’ played some predictable tricks, but then also took me by surprise many times. On the whole I loved it. It was a good continuation from the first novel and also totally different.
In fact it was different enough for me to not know which I preferred, they stand alone and each leaves you with different emotions.
Not going to do any spoilers but I think that Khurrum Rahman’s knack of ending the novels as he does keeps me wanting more!
For me, another 5 star read. Well done!
When is the next coming out?!
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