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A Killing Sin
Would you surrender your secrets to save a life?
London. It could be tomorrow. Amala Hackeem, lapsed Muslim tech entrepreneur and controversial comedian, dons a burqa and heads to the women's group at the Tower Hamlets sharia community. What is she doing there?
Ella Russell, a struggling journalist leaves home in pursuit of the story of her life. Desperate for the truth, she is about to learn the true cost of the war on terror.
Millie Stephenson, a university professor and expert in radicalisation arrives at Downing Street to brief the Prime Minister and home secretary. Nervous and excited she finds herself at the centre of a nation taken hostage. And then it gets personal.
Friends since university, by the end of the day the lives of all three women are changed forever. They will discover if friendship truly can survive secrets and fear.
London. It could be tomorrow. Amala Hackeem, lapsed Muslim tech entrepreneur and controversial comedian, dons a burqa and heads to the women's group at the Tower Hamlets sharia community. What is she doing there?
Ella Russell, a struggling journalist leaves home in pursuit of the story of her life. Desperate for the truth, she is about to learn the true cost of the war on terror.
Millie Stephenson, a university professor and expert in radicalisation arrives at Downing Street to brief the Prime Minister and home secretary. Nervous and excited she finds herself at the centre of a nation taken hostage. And then it gets personal.
Friends since university, by the end of the day the lives of all three women are changed forever. They will discover if friendship truly can survive secrets and fear.
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Published July 4, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 3, 2019
Wow - well I wasn’t expecting that! I can’t say for certain, when I started reading “A Killing Sin” whether the premise was for me, as the subject of terror plots and radicalisation is perhaps a little too close to real life at the moment and is quite a sensitive matter. However, I was intrigued enough by the book’s debut author - K H Irvine and the fact that she wasn’t afraid to tackle a controversial theme, so I dived in and without a doubt, never looked back!
“A Killing Sin” focuses on three strong but flawed women who forge a lifelong relationship at university. Ella, a struggling journalist in pursuit of the story of her life. Desperate for the truth, is she about to learn the true cost of the war on terror? Millie, a university professor, expert in radicalisation and advisor to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary. Finding herself at the centre of a national hostage situation, things start to get very personal. And Amala Hackeem, lapsed Muslim tech entrepreneur and controversial comedian. Donning a burqa she heads to the women’s group at the Tower Hamlets sharia community but what is she doing there? By the end of the day all their lives will be forever changed after they become entwined with a young female jihadist who embarks on a truly horrific terror plot.
I took an instant liking to all the characters and really felt like I knew them personally. I also liked the way the story was set out, with each minute of the crucial day being important to the story which really ratcheted up the tension.
Set in post Brexit London 2023, the storyline was very appropriate and timely to today’s society and will open up many a debate in book clubs regarding Islamic extremism. I also believe that debates over security measures potentially becoming state sponsored racial profiling to be quite a powerful discussion and this book covers this quite strongly within the storyline. White, middle class female radicalisation was also a dominate theme which I found very educating if a little distressing.
This engaging story had me feeling a lot of different emotions - anger, terror, tension, sympathy, frustration and many more all in equal measures and by the end of the book, realised I’d been holding my breath, I was so engrossed!
This excellently written contemporary debut is truly astounding. Written by the author as a 50th birthday present to herself, she’s been an experienced business leader for over twenty years and as an expert on human behaviour with direct Government and Special Forces access she’s well placed to write a story that will resonate with many people in today’s climate.
Would I recommend this book. Yes! Don’t be put off by the challenging premise and themes, it’s an undeniably, fast paced, cracking page turner of book and I would happily read more by this author again.
5 stars
“A Killing Sin” focuses on three strong but flawed women who forge a lifelong relationship at university. Ella, a struggling journalist in pursuit of the story of her life. Desperate for the truth, is she about to learn the true cost of the war on terror? Millie, a university professor, expert in radicalisation and advisor to the Prime Minister and Home Secretary. Finding herself at the centre of a national hostage situation, things start to get very personal. And Amala Hackeem, lapsed Muslim tech entrepreneur and controversial comedian. Donning a burqa she heads to the women’s group at the Tower Hamlets sharia community but what is she doing there? By the end of the day all their lives will be forever changed after they become entwined with a young female jihadist who embarks on a truly horrific terror plot.
I took an instant liking to all the characters and really felt like I knew them personally. I also liked the way the story was set out, with each minute of the crucial day being important to the story which really ratcheted up the tension.
Set in post Brexit London 2023, the storyline was very appropriate and timely to today’s society and will open up many a debate in book clubs regarding Islamic extremism. I also believe that debates over security measures potentially becoming state sponsored racial profiling to be quite a powerful discussion and this book covers this quite strongly within the storyline. White, middle class female radicalisation was also a dominate theme which I found very educating if a little distressing.
This engaging story had me feeling a lot of different emotions - anger, terror, tension, sympathy, frustration and many more all in equal measures and by the end of the book, realised I’d been holding my breath, I was so engrossed!
This excellently written contemporary debut is truly astounding. Written by the author as a 50th birthday present to herself, she’s been an experienced business leader for over twenty years and as an expert on human behaviour with direct Government and Special Forces access she’s well placed to write a story that will resonate with many people in today’s climate.
Would I recommend this book. Yes! Don’t be put off by the challenging premise and themes, it’s an undeniably, fast paced, cracking page turner of book and I would happily read more by this author again.
5 stars
May 21, 2019
Set in a not so distant future post Brexit, the UK has changed ever so slightly. When friends Neil and Amala create a band that can help track missing children they become instant billionaires. But the Government may be using the bands in an unorthodox way. We also meet Millie and Ella a journalist and a University Professor and expert in radicalisation. This small group of tight friends find themselves in a dark and time sensitive situation that has extreme consequences for the whole world.
I read the book in one sitting, I was immediately taken by the pace of the writing the ease with which it flowed. It is not overfilled with unnecessary jargon, Irvine has found a way to make hard-hitting topics that often make my head spin (because I honestly don’t understand), flow from the page in such a way that I felt I was learning as I read.
The book is perfect for fans of 24 and Homeland, it reads at the same pace as those shows. It has its own beat. Matching my own racing heartbeat at times. This was a refreshing read for me, I haven’t felt such a connection to a book in a very long time. The need for me to keep reading was infectious, I knew if I went to bed I would not sleep. It would be like watching half of an amazing movie and pausing it for the next day. Not happening, as I finished the book I felt emotionally drained and thoroughly satisfied. I had shouted, cried and agonised over the pages. It had become almost part of me, I felt like I had lived this heinous situation with this group of amazing friends.
The book is a mix up of genres, political, suspense, thriller, crime fiction all in one beautifully bound publication. Irvine has created such a believable future which in itself is terrifying. Irvine handles the discussion of race and religion with complete respect. You can tell that a lot of research has gone into the book. It really makes you stop and think and just maybe change your way of thinking.
Just recently in the news here in real life, there has been much discussion about letting people back into the country who left and went to Syria. The book covers such topics and gives an insight into how people are groomed in a way to join different religious groups with the enticement of a safe happy place with people who love you.
Lots of love for the cover design too, it is the perfect fit for the book. The book as a whole package, cover, story and writing is top notch and kudos to the Urbane team for bringing it all together so beautifully.
Going by the author's notes at the end of the book, it seems K.H Irvine wrote the book as a gift to herself for her 50th Birthday. I hoping that she had written many more books as I want to emerge myself into her writing again and again and again.
Having dug a little deeper I am in shock to discover that is, in fact, a debut novel!
This is an EPIC must read, you will go on such a memorable journey with this group of friends.
I read the book in one sitting, I was immediately taken by the pace of the writing the ease with which it flowed. It is not overfilled with unnecessary jargon, Irvine has found a way to make hard-hitting topics that often make my head spin (because I honestly don’t understand), flow from the page in such a way that I felt I was learning as I read.
The book is perfect for fans of 24 and Homeland, it reads at the same pace as those shows. It has its own beat. Matching my own racing heartbeat at times. This was a refreshing read for me, I haven’t felt such a connection to a book in a very long time. The need for me to keep reading was infectious, I knew if I went to bed I would not sleep. It would be like watching half of an amazing movie and pausing it for the next day. Not happening, as I finished the book I felt emotionally drained and thoroughly satisfied. I had shouted, cried and agonised over the pages. It had become almost part of me, I felt like I had lived this heinous situation with this group of amazing friends.
The book is a mix up of genres, political, suspense, thriller, crime fiction all in one beautifully bound publication. Irvine has created such a believable future which in itself is terrifying. Irvine handles the discussion of race and religion with complete respect. You can tell that a lot of research has gone into the book. It really makes you stop and think and just maybe change your way of thinking.
Just recently in the news here in real life, there has been much discussion about letting people back into the country who left and went to Syria. The book covers such topics and gives an insight into how people are groomed in a way to join different religious groups with the enticement of a safe happy place with people who love you.
Lots of love for the cover design too, it is the perfect fit for the book. The book as a whole package, cover, story and writing is top notch and kudos to the Urbane team for bringing it all together so beautifully.
Going by the author's notes at the end of the book, it seems K.H Irvine wrote the book as a gift to herself for her 50th Birthday. I hoping that she had written many more books as I want to emerge myself into her writing again and again and again.
Having dug a little deeper I am in shock to discover that is, in fact, a debut novel!
This is an EPIC must read, you will go on such a memorable journey with this group of friends.
August 31, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. An extremely fast paced up to date thriller. An outstanding debut
It swaps and changes the perspective of three different characters, but very easy to keep up. Nice short chapters and spot on writing.
4 solid ****'s
It swaps and changes the perspective of three different characters, but very easy to keep up. Nice short chapters and spot on writing.
4 solid ****'s
July 1, 2019
A Killing Sin, by K.H. Irvine, is a tense and engaging psychological thriller, although it does take a little while to get into. The fragmented structure – short chapters that jump around in time and point of view – lead to early confusion as to who is who. The core characters are three friends who met while at university, two decades previously. Also important are their partners, both business and personal. Adding to the mix are family members – how much can those we love and believe we know, truly be trusted? Once character names are remembered and relationships understood enjoyment of the tense and timely plot becomes the key reading experience.
The story is set a few years in the future, in a post-Brexit London. Amala and Neil are tech entrepreneurs who made their fortune developing tracking software that the government now embeds in personal ID cards and payment systems. Amala is also an irreverent stand-up comic, harnessing the tropes of Islam for edgy if uncomfortable laughs. Neil advises politicians and has the ear of the Prime Minister – they went through the same public school education system.
Amala befriended Ella and Millie when they all attended Edinburgh University. Ella is a freelance journalist, currently working on what she believes will be two huge stories that should finally establish her professional credentials. Millie is a psychologist specialising in radicalisation and increasingly asked to work with government departments to profile potential terrorists and their recruitment methods. These intelligent and wealthy friends are about to have their privileged worlds turned upside down.
While Neil and Millie are in a meeting with the Prime Minister and other officials, they are informed that Neil’s partner has been taken hostage by Muslim extremists. An horrific video of her being tortured and maimed is played. Money is demanded along with the closure of controversial Prevent and Protect Centres whose staff routinely harass young men whose appearance is considered suspicious.
The Prime Minister insists that his government will not negotiate with terrorists. Neil is determined to do whatever it takes to save his partner. He harnesses the considerable talents and power of his tech company in an attempt to find where the hostage is being held. GCHQ, MI5, the police and military are called in to assist. The focus is on Tower Hamlets where radical extremists have imposed Sharia Law and where what appears to be diversionary rioting is now taking place. Then a suicide bomber walks into a building in Central London and detonates.
Complex issues are touched upon without detracting from the suspense and action: Mass surveillance or civil liberties? Freedom of speech or a crack down on offensive language when dealing with sensitive topics? The right to choose how to dress or a tool of suppression? How much leeway should venal governments be granted in order to supposedly protect citizens? Extremes on both sides are portrayed.
The author is unafraid to confront the existence of radical Muslims and their desire to force prescribed behaviour on more tolerant believers. By involving westerners whose personal wealth and professional position provides distance from the wider effects of their work, the story brings home how much it is possible to switch off from worrying actions happening elsewhere in the world. The hostage taker points out that in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan innocent lives have been lost for a cause western governments claim is worth such ‘collateral damage’. In bringing their battle to London the terrorists are unapologetic when bystanders – infidels – die.
The background to the plot may be religious and political but this remains a tense thriller with a roller coaster of events playing out as the reader tries to guess what could happen next. The writing is fluid and the structure well paced for maximum engagement after the slower beginning. It is a timely reminder of cause and effect, of the complexity of military action and resulting carnage – that we cannot predict how even those close to us will react to losses inflicted. A thought provoking and compelling read.
The story is set a few years in the future, in a post-Brexit London. Amala and Neil are tech entrepreneurs who made their fortune developing tracking software that the government now embeds in personal ID cards and payment systems. Amala is also an irreverent stand-up comic, harnessing the tropes of Islam for edgy if uncomfortable laughs. Neil advises politicians and has the ear of the Prime Minister – they went through the same public school education system.
Amala befriended Ella and Millie when they all attended Edinburgh University. Ella is a freelance journalist, currently working on what she believes will be two huge stories that should finally establish her professional credentials. Millie is a psychologist specialising in radicalisation and increasingly asked to work with government departments to profile potential terrorists and their recruitment methods. These intelligent and wealthy friends are about to have their privileged worlds turned upside down.
While Neil and Millie are in a meeting with the Prime Minister and other officials, they are informed that Neil’s partner has been taken hostage by Muslim extremists. An horrific video of her being tortured and maimed is played. Money is demanded along with the closure of controversial Prevent and Protect Centres whose staff routinely harass young men whose appearance is considered suspicious.
The Prime Minister insists that his government will not negotiate with terrorists. Neil is determined to do whatever it takes to save his partner. He harnesses the considerable talents and power of his tech company in an attempt to find where the hostage is being held. GCHQ, MI5, the police and military are called in to assist. The focus is on Tower Hamlets where radical extremists have imposed Sharia Law and where what appears to be diversionary rioting is now taking place. Then a suicide bomber walks into a building in Central London and detonates.
Complex issues are touched upon without detracting from the suspense and action: Mass surveillance or civil liberties? Freedom of speech or a crack down on offensive language when dealing with sensitive topics? The right to choose how to dress or a tool of suppression? How much leeway should venal governments be granted in order to supposedly protect citizens? Extremes on both sides are portrayed.
The author is unafraid to confront the existence of radical Muslims and their desire to force prescribed behaviour on more tolerant believers. By involving westerners whose personal wealth and professional position provides distance from the wider effects of their work, the story brings home how much it is possible to switch off from worrying actions happening elsewhere in the world. The hostage taker points out that in Iraq, Syria and Afghanistan innocent lives have been lost for a cause western governments claim is worth such ‘collateral damage’. In bringing their battle to London the terrorists are unapologetic when bystanders – infidels – die.
The background to the plot may be religious and political but this remains a tense thriller with a roller coaster of events playing out as the reader tries to guess what could happen next. The writing is fluid and the structure well paced for maximum engagement after the slower beginning. It is a timely reminder of cause and effect, of the complexity of military action and resulting carnage – that we cannot predict how even those close to us will react to losses inflicted. A thought provoking and compelling read.
April 24, 2019
Where do I start? I LOVED this book. Part of me knew I would, but I didn't expect it to be THIS GOOD.
We are about 6 years into the future, Trump's been in power for a while, and there's several nods towards Brexit.
The story itself is based around 3 best friends, who share a long history together, spanning back to university. All 3 are very different. Amala Hackeem, despite all her bravado, sarcasm and nonchalence, actually wants to do good in the world for those less fortunate and for those subject to persecution. She's set up a tech business called Rockeem with her partner, Neil. They are very wealthy off the back of a large sale. Her little brother, Aafa, has been acting a bit odd recently, preferring to spend time at a learning and cultural centre for Muslims in Tower Hamlets. More of that later.
Millie is now a Professor, specialising in radicalisation. She's married, only just, to Mark.
Ella is a journalist, on the trail about a big story about arms deals. She's married to Neil.
One day, Amala is invited by her brother to attend a ladies learning session in the Tower Hamlets community, which has become a well-known Sharia Community. Exasperated by her brother's recent behavioural changes, she agreeds to go. So she picks out her blue burqa that a friend in Afghanistan bought for her, and sets off. But she doesn't return.
In the meantime, Millie has been called along to Downing Street to give a talk on radicalisation to Thompson, the new PM, alongside Neil, who has (alongside Amala) developed new location software called Ezylocate. And then it happens.
Downing Street's computer screens are taking over by a woman calling her Nusayabah. She's the leader of an all-female jihadist terrorist cell. And she claims to have Amala, and there's a ransom on her head for her release - millions of pounds, and the closure of centres which she claims persecute innocent Muslims. She tortures Amala in front of the attendees at Downing Street, burning her finger with a blowtorch, before severing it and sending it to Downing Street. The clock is ticking and the woman means business.
What happens next, is a minute-by-minute, hour-by-hour countdown of one day -25 May. And it sucks you right in. There are only a few locations in this novel - Downing Street, the flat where Nusayabah is, and Rockeem's offices. All communication bounces between them. And it's claustrophobic. It's tense. And it's gripping. You are literally willing the team to work out where the cell is hiding out and what their next move will be.
Working with the PM and the Home Secretary to trace our hostage, Neil and Millie come up against some frustrating brick walls - is everything what it seems within Parliament?
And of course, there are twists and shocks a-plenty. But these aren't your average twists - remember when the Da Vinci Code came out and everyone went 'holy sh*t, didn't see that one' - its that level of twist. I was open-mouthed on a few occasions during this read. It's unapologetically violent in places, but it fits, it belongs there.
There might be a few people out there, who question the idea of writing a thriller about Muslim terrorists, jihad, and bomb plots, given our current climate - bit too close to the bone? Too soon? No, put that doubt aside. What Irvine has written is a cleverly researched piece of fiction - she even lists a biography of the papers she read whilst prepping this book. This book does not glamourise the terrorism, nor does it feed into any Islamophobic ideologies. What it does do, is explain, without condoning, reasons why hate has intensified - on both sides. And it's very cleverly done.
On a final note, and this hasn't happened in ages, the end blew me away. And drew actual tears. Of shock, of sadness... I'm not quite sure. I'm not going to tell you any more, because I honestly want you to buy this book and just savour it. Because it deserves every success. And I cannot believe it's Irvine's debut. It's brilliant.
July 4, 2019
This is post-Brexit London, in the very near future.
To live in Britain now means that you are profiled and your every move is tracked by the authorities.
Racial tension is at a high and parts of London have become no-go areas, where Sharia law reigns.
Amala Hackeem, lapsed Muslim, tech genius and controversial comedian finds herself reluctantly donning a burqa and heading to meet a women's group in the Sharia ruled Tower Hamlets - out of loyalty to her younger brother Aafa. She should have listened to the warnings in her head.
Millie Stephenson, university professor and expert on radicalisation, is heading to Downing Street to brief the Prime Minister and Home Secretary. Millie is about to be involved in a terrorist incident of epic proportions - one that will get personal.
Ella Russell, investigative journalist, is onto a big story about corruption at the highest levels of British politics. She is about to learn the true cost of the war on terror.
Three friends, who have been like sisters since their university days in Edinburgh, whose lives are about to change forever.
Wow, what a book! I devoured it in a single day and can honestly say it is one of the best political thrillers I have ever read.
This is set in a near-dystopian future so close to real that you can almost taste it. The current political climate is leading exactly where this book dares to go and it is terrifying.
This is a thrilling debut novel that explores some controversial issues - terrorism, radicalisation, security, religious freedom, persecution, civil liberties, isolated communities, capitalism, human rights, political corruption.... if it has been in the headlines in recent years, you will find it examined here in these pages.
I am not going to give away any spoilers about the plot - other to say that it has one of the best twists of recent times - because this is a book you simply have to read. If this is not one of the biggest books of this summer, I will be very surprised.
I love the fact that K.H. Irvine wrote this book as a 50th birthday to herself, and I am mightily grateful that she did.
This book will pick you up by the scruff of the neck, knock you about and then kick you in the gut for a final flourish!
Buy it now - you will not be sorry!
To live in Britain now means that you are profiled and your every move is tracked by the authorities.
Racial tension is at a high and parts of London have become no-go areas, where Sharia law reigns.
Amala Hackeem, lapsed Muslim, tech genius and controversial comedian finds herself reluctantly donning a burqa and heading to meet a women's group in the Sharia ruled Tower Hamlets - out of loyalty to her younger brother Aafa. She should have listened to the warnings in her head.
Millie Stephenson, university professor and expert on radicalisation, is heading to Downing Street to brief the Prime Minister and Home Secretary. Millie is about to be involved in a terrorist incident of epic proportions - one that will get personal.
Ella Russell, investigative journalist, is onto a big story about corruption at the highest levels of British politics. She is about to learn the true cost of the war on terror.
Three friends, who have been like sisters since their university days in Edinburgh, whose lives are about to change forever.
Wow, what a book! I devoured it in a single day and can honestly say it is one of the best political thrillers I have ever read.
This is set in a near-dystopian future so close to real that you can almost taste it. The current political climate is leading exactly where this book dares to go and it is terrifying.
This is a thrilling debut novel that explores some controversial issues - terrorism, radicalisation, security, religious freedom, persecution, civil liberties, isolated communities, capitalism, human rights, political corruption.... if it has been in the headlines in recent years, you will find it examined here in these pages.
I am not going to give away any spoilers about the plot - other to say that it has one of the best twists of recent times - because this is a book you simply have to read. If this is not one of the biggest books of this summer, I will be very surprised.
I love the fact that K.H. Irvine wrote this book as a 50th birthday to herself, and I am mightily grateful that she did.
This book will pick you up by the scruff of the neck, knock you about and then kick you in the gut for a final flourish!
Buy it now - you will not be sorry!
June 24, 2019
A very different read and one to educate. This is set in the future but not so far away from now. Post brexit, sharia communities and radicalised caucasian women give you a flavour of the setting. Neil and Amala have developed a tracking system Ezylocate, so successful that every person has one built in to their identity pass. Millie is a Professor of psychology specialising in radicalisation and Ella is a journalist. Amala likes doing stand up comedy and uses her religion in her gigs- a move which is not always popular. Amala goes to visit her young brother who has not been himself lately and is living in one of the sharia communities in Tower hamlets. She has a burqa that a friend sent her and she realises how restrictive this is and how others view her in an attire she is not used to. On arrival at the reception (she has to wait for her brothers permission to go in) she is captured. Millie has been called to a meeting with Simon Thompson the Prime Minister and during the meeting there is an emergency and she is asked to be a part of it. The leader of a female Jihadist cell is making demands and they have Amala captive. They live show removing one of her fingers and her life is at stake if the demands are not met. Oh my life! There are twists and turns in this and my emotions went all over the place. I felt for one person and then another. A very intense(in a good way), well researched, highly interesting read.
May 17, 2019
Overall rating: 4.25 /5
Disclaimer: I was given an early proof copy of this book but it hasn't affected my review.
I recommend it strongly.
I really liked this book. It has made me question very crucial matters in my life. The " Make this world a better place to live in" is tinkering with me for a while now. This book has affected me very much. I just don't like some plotholes which I would have lived if they were explained. Other than that it is a very good well paced , grasping book one should read.
Full review: https://booksbountyhub.home.blog/2019...
Disclaimer: I was given an early proof copy of this book but it hasn't affected my review.
I recommend it strongly.
I really liked this book. It has made me question very crucial matters in my life. The " Make this world a better place to live in" is tinkering with me for a while now. This book has affected me very much. I just don't like some plotholes which I would have lived if they were explained. Other than that it is a very good well paced , grasping book one should read.
Full review: https://booksbountyhub.home.blog/2019...
September 19, 2021
Absolutely Fantastic read. page turning , thrilling , terrifyingly real scenario . Intensity and momentum maintained throughout. Couldn’t put it down . Bravo KH Irvine for a stunningly assured debut.
July 15, 2022
Probably wouldn’t have come back to finish this if it weren’t a gift and I didn’t have covid
March 14, 2023
Great stuff
July 14, 2019
Since the first page I was totally hooked with this story, it’s not an easy read and it’s based on a (possible) future world, after the Brexit…
I’ll start saying that I don’t like religion, in one moment or another in history they all represented war and death, so no, I don’t like them. In this case the story is based on the Muslim world, the extremists and how a religion could be manipulated from the most peaceful way to the most dangerous one. But this is not only a case you could see in the Muslim religion, the Catholic is not a good referee either, it was not long ago that the “white women” were closed at home without any chance to work or have a current account without a husband, so we should look at ourselves before complaining so much against the others!
I’ve always feared any type of control and this case is an infamous “chip” that in the beginning was created to help refugees, not long after the government started using to control the Muslims and where they went… The chip was created by Amala and Neil, two of the main characters on this story who are involved in a kidnapping organized by a terrorist that doesn’t fear the death if she can succeed in her goal. The other characters are Ella, a University professor, and Millie, a journalist.
There’s a lot to talk about this book and what it says about the extremisms, I am not an expert (and I don’t plan to!) but what I read a long time ago is that if in a kidnapping a woman is the boss, it will end mostly with death. Women are the more fearless compared to men, when they have a goal is really difficult to change their minds.
This story is engaging, sad and twisted; I am sure you’ll be glued to it since the beginning. I loved the writer work and the way it presents the “world” maybe not real but what it could be…
A Killing Sin is a powerful book that it will stay in your mind for a long time.
I’ll start saying that I don’t like religion, in one moment or another in history they all represented war and death, so no, I don’t like them. In this case the story is based on the Muslim world, the extremists and how a religion could be manipulated from the most peaceful way to the most dangerous one. But this is not only a case you could see in the Muslim religion, the Catholic is not a good referee either, it was not long ago that the “white women” were closed at home without any chance to work or have a current account without a husband, so we should look at ourselves before complaining so much against the others!
I’ve always feared any type of control and this case is an infamous “chip” that in the beginning was created to help refugees, not long after the government started using to control the Muslims and where they went… The chip was created by Amala and Neil, two of the main characters on this story who are involved in a kidnapping organized by a terrorist that doesn’t fear the death if she can succeed in her goal. The other characters are Ella, a University professor, and Millie, a journalist.
There’s a lot to talk about this book and what it says about the extremisms, I am not an expert (and I don’t plan to!) but what I read a long time ago is that if in a kidnapping a woman is the boss, it will end mostly with death. Women are the more fearless compared to men, when they have a goal is really difficult to change their minds.
This story is engaging, sad and twisted; I am sure you’ll be glued to it since the beginning. I loved the writer work and the way it presents the “world” maybe not real but what it could be…
A Killing Sin is a powerful book that it will stay in your mind for a long time.
October 8, 2019
A Killing Sin is a very timely novel as it reveals a world which could so easily be our own especially in the uncertainty of our current political climate. There is much to take in and the abundance of characters and their different roles within the story take a little getting used to but once I had them placed in my imagination the story starting to move along quite quickly.
The author writes well and the plot has an modern day authenticity which helps to keep the pacing quite tight so that the twists and turns when they come feel perfectly placed to grab your attention. I liked the succinctness of the different chapters and the way we heard the different voices coming through very clearly. The three main female protagonists, whilst all friends since university now follow a very different trajectory, and it is the way that these differences coalesce which make up the crux of the novel. To say more about the plot or the outcome of the story would spoil things, but one thing I can say is that the story made me realise just how easily this complex world can spiral out of control.
It must be difficult to write a fictional story about radicalistaion and the threat of terrorism without making the plot seems over-sensational and yet the author has succeeded in creating a very believable world whilst at the same time holding together a gripping and imaginative story line.
The author writes well and the plot has an modern day authenticity which helps to keep the pacing quite tight so that the twists and turns when they come feel perfectly placed to grab your attention. I liked the succinctness of the different chapters and the way we heard the different voices coming through very clearly. The three main female protagonists, whilst all friends since university now follow a very different trajectory, and it is the way that these differences coalesce which make up the crux of the novel. To say more about the plot or the outcome of the story would spoil things, but one thing I can say is that the story made me realise just how easily this complex world can spiral out of control.
It must be difficult to write a fictional story about radicalistaion and the threat of terrorism without making the plot seems over-sensational and yet the author has succeeded in creating a very believable world whilst at the same time holding together a gripping and imaginative story line.
July 22, 2019
A convincing, speculative fear-driven peek into a not-so-distant future after Brexit.
It’s the year 2023 and the effects of intolerance VS extremism take their toll with distressing consequences. Tells a fierce and balanced story from both sides of the ‘divide’ as strong characters push the boundaries to the point of collapse.
An addictive one-sitting read: Thought-provoking. Powerful. Compelling.
(I received a copy of this title courtesy of the publisher with my thanks, which it was my pleasure to read and review.)
It’s the year 2023 and the effects of intolerance VS extremism take their toll with distressing consequences. Tells a fierce and balanced story from both sides of the ‘divide’ as strong characters push the boundaries to the point of collapse.
An addictive one-sitting read: Thought-provoking. Powerful. Compelling.
(I received a copy of this title courtesy of the publisher with my thanks, which it was my pleasure to read and review.)
July 10, 2019
OMG what an amazing book, I’m not sure how much is true but the detail and mixture of emotions that are written here are mind blowing. I loved every bit of this story. I would go so far as to say it was one of the best books I have ever read!
July 23, 2019
Brilliant
Best book I've read, maybe ever....,could not put this book down, read it in 2 days, can't wait for her next book!!!!!
Best book I've read, maybe ever....,could not put this book down, read it in 2 days, can't wait for her next book!!!!!
August 2, 2019
Good read
Well worth reading. Different angle on radicalisation and how easy to get involved. Initially slow but need to persevere and understand the underlying theme.
Well worth reading. Different angle on radicalisation and how easy to get involved. Initially slow but need to persevere and understand the underlying theme.
September 3, 2019
A brilliant read, I could not put this book down. Took a little time to sort out who was who but after the first few pages you will be engrossed.
October 29, 2019
Amazing debut novel
Exciting and thought provoking. It was very hard to put down and I was so intrigued by the thought process that brought about the happening in the story.
Exciting and thought provoking. It was very hard to put down and I was so intrigued by the thought process that brought about the happening in the story.
May 9, 2020
The best book I have read in a long time. Gripping, timely and amazing debut. Everyone I have since lent the book to, also raves about it. Can’t wait to see what this author writes next...
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