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Imran Series #1
The House of Fear
Contains: The house of fear, and Shootout at the rocks.
To the world Imran may appear to be a rich, handsome buffoon with his sports car, eccentric dress sense and bizarre sense of humour—but in reality he possesses a razor-sharp mind, and the agility, strength and quick wits of the perfect spy. His colleagues at the secret service make fun of him, but little do they know that he is their mastermind chief X2—a man who can defeat any enemy and solve all mysteries. Detective Imran is spy-novelist Ibn-e Safi’s greatest creation and the bestselling Imran series are Urdu cult classics, translated into English for the first time.
The House of Fear: Dead bodies have been found in an abandoned house, each bearing three identical dagger marks, exactly five inches apart. Who is behind these eerie murders? Only Imran can solve this mystery. The House of Fear is the first book in the Imran series.
Shootout at the Rocks: Colonel Zargham knows he is in grave danger when he receives a three-inch wooden monkey in the mail. This is no ordinary threat, but a warning from the two-hundred-yearsold Li Yu Ka, one of the world’s deadliest gangs. The monkey will be followed by a wooden snake, and then a wooden rooster, after which the colonel will be swiftly murdered. Only one man stands between Li Yu Ka and his death: genius sleuth, Ali Imran.
To the world Imran may appear to be a rich, handsome buffoon with his sports car, eccentric dress sense and bizarre sense of humour—but in reality he possesses a razor-sharp mind, and the agility, strength and quick wits of the perfect spy. His colleagues at the secret service make fun of him, but little do they know that he is their mastermind chief X2—a man who can defeat any enemy and solve all mysteries. Detective Imran is spy-novelist Ibn-e Safi’s greatest creation and the bestselling Imran series are Urdu cult classics, translated into English for the first time.
The House of Fear: Dead bodies have been found in an abandoned house, each bearing three identical dagger marks, exactly five inches apart. Who is behind these eerie murders? Only Imran can solve this mystery. The House of Fear is the first book in the Imran series.
Shootout at the Rocks: Colonel Zargham knows he is in grave danger when he receives a three-inch wooden monkey in the mail. This is no ordinary threat, but a warning from the two-hundred-yearsold Li Yu Ka, one of the world’s deadliest gangs. The monkey will be followed by a wooden snake, and then a wooden rooster, after which the colonel will be swiftly murdered. Only one man stands between Li Yu Ka and his death: genius sleuth, Ali Imran.
195 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1955
118 people are currently reading
1512 people want to read
About the author
Ibn-e-Safi
257 books191 followersIbn-e-Safi (also spelled as Ibne Safi) (Urdu: ابنِ صفی) was the pen name of Asrar Ahmad (Urdu: اسرار احمد), a best-selling and prolific fiction writer, novelist and poet of Urdu from Pakistan. The word Ibn-e-Safi is an Arabian expression which literally means Son of Safi, where the word Safi means chaste or righteous. He wrote from the 1940s in India, and later Pakistan after the partition of British India in 1947.
His main works were the 126-book series Jasoosi Dunya (The Spy World) and the 120-book Imran Series, with a small canon of satirical works and poetry. His novels were characterized by a blend of mystery, adventure, suspense, violence, romance and comedy, achieving massive popularity across a broad readership in South Asia.
More information about Ibn-e-Safi can be found on http://www.ibnesafi.info and http://www.wadi-e-urdu.com/
Most of the original first edition title images of his novels on goodreads.com were obtained from Wadi-e-Urdu.com website.
His main works were the 126-book series Jasoosi Dunya (The Spy World) and the 120-book Imran Series, with a small canon of satirical works and poetry. His novels were characterized by a blend of mystery, adventure, suspense, violence, romance and comedy, achieving massive popularity across a broad readership in South Asia.
More information about Ibn-e-Safi can be found on http://www.ibnesafi.info and http://www.wadi-e-urdu.com/
Most of the original first edition title images of his novels on goodreads.com were obtained from Wadi-e-Urdu.com website.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 2, 2021
For decades,Ibne Safi's Ali Imran, was the most popular character in Urdu fiction.Outwardly a buffoon,he was a formidable detective,who headed the Secret Service.In that avatar,he was known as X 2,and his subordinates were terrified of him.
He could also take on any number of baddies,single handedly,and had mastered the arts of dodging bullets,and changing his appearance at will,through make up.
He was fluent in innumerable languages,and held a doctorate in chemistry.At the time I read it,it was pure escapist fun.
Imran's adventures took him to several exotic locations.Looked at more critically,this wasn't particularly sophisticated story telling.It was rather simplistic.But it was fun,and Khaufnak Imarat was the book,which launched Imran.
There are other characters in Imran Series,police superintendent Fayyaz,who always gets bested by Imran.There is the eight member Secret Service,including a Swiss woman,Juliana Fitzwater.
There is Imran's father,Mr.Rehman,head of the police department.He considers his son absolutely useless.And then there are some formidable criminals,evil masterminds,who even Imran can't tame.These include Sing He and T3B.
He became so popular that dozens of writers,used the character,much to the chagrin of his creator,Ibn e Safi.But the fact that all those writers wanted to use Imran in their books was proof of his popularity.
He could also take on any number of baddies,single handedly,and had mastered the arts of dodging bullets,and changing his appearance at will,through make up.
He was fluent in innumerable languages,and held a doctorate in chemistry.At the time I read it,it was pure escapist fun.
Imran's adventures took him to several exotic locations.Looked at more critically,this wasn't particularly sophisticated story telling.It was rather simplistic.But it was fun,and Khaufnak Imarat was the book,which launched Imran.
There are other characters in Imran Series,police superintendent Fayyaz,who always gets bested by Imran.There is the eight member Secret Service,including a Swiss woman,Juliana Fitzwater.
There is Imran's father,Mr.Rehman,head of the police department.He considers his son absolutely useless.And then there are some formidable criminals,evil masterminds,who even Imran can't tame.These include Sing He and T3B.
He became so popular that dozens of writers,used the character,much to the chagrin of his creator,Ibn e Safi.But the fact that all those writers wanted to use Imran in their books was proof of his popularity.
January 15, 2018
Two fun stories in the one book. Written in the 1950s, the hero is Ali Imran who plays the fool but is intelligent and part of the intelligence service. His whimsical utterances are slap stick and corny but as he is such a fun character these become the highlight of the stories. He seems to be part James Bond, Inspector Clouseau, George Smiley and Hercule Pierrot. The stories are fairly simple but they have not aged.
October 2, 2011
It was interesting to read Agatha Christie's blurb quote on book cover - I don't know Urdu but have knowledge of detective novela in the subcontinent. There is only one original writer - Ibn-e-Safi.'
Reading the book gave me general feel of old penny dreadfuls, only more suave. Lead character Imran is shrewd, intelligent man. One who spews Urdu couplets at drop of hat. However, he always projects himself as an bumbling idiot. I thought this was bit too overdone. But, then that was the character USP - and I am led to believe that this is why Imran series by Ibn-e-Safi has done world of business.
This book has two stories - House of Fear and Shootout at Rocks. First one involves traditional secret agents, traitors and imposters. The second one predictably is related to mythical, dynastic drug mafia lord. One big plus the that it is flowing and it is fast-paced. One minor whine - I missed reading Urdu couplets in original, English translation is never the same. :(
Reading the book gave me general feel of old penny dreadfuls, only more suave. Lead character Imran is shrewd, intelligent man. One who spews Urdu couplets at drop of hat. However, he always projects himself as an bumbling idiot. I thought this was bit too overdone. But, then that was the character USP - and I am led to believe that this is why Imran series by Ibn-e-Safi has done world of business.
This book has two stories - House of Fear and Shootout at Rocks. First one involves traditional secret agents, traitors and imposters. The second one predictably is related to mythical, dynastic drug mafia lord. One big plus the that it is flowing and it is fast-paced. One minor whine - I missed reading Urdu couplets in original, English translation is never the same. :(
May 21, 2020
Just the beginning, but nice, very nice.
Detailed review on my blog: here
Irrespecive of the title, and what rating I give, I love his work.
Detailed review on my blog: here
Irrespecive of the title, and what rating I give, I love his work.
November 21, 2025
Re-read : 4.5 🌟
First read : 5 🌟
First read : 5 🌟
September 8, 2011
I quite liked Ibn-E-Safi. His stories are the kind that should be made into movies.
His protagonist Imran is portrayed as a strange funny man, foolish mostly but someone who is highly sought after by people who know him to help them solve mysteries. He is a member of the Intelligence division. Hard to believe per the initial characterisation.
I love the set-up, the characterisation ( though I'd like more explanation) and the language. It flows well. however, I'd have liked a little more explanation into why Imran behaves the way he does. His foolishness borders on being extreme. Just a simple reason why he does this apart from, to fool his opponents ( who are rather foolish to fall into this trap) would be great. Again, his parents' intolerance of this foolishness is rather confusing.
But then, that is what make these mysteries so simple and easy to read and accessible to all. I think, being accessible to all is a very important factor to consider the kind of writer Ibn-E-Safi was and the kind of India/Pakistan he wrote in.
I'd recommend it for light reading and I do think he'd qualify as a good pulp fiction author.
His protagonist Imran is portrayed as a strange funny man, foolish mostly but someone who is highly sought after by people who know him to help them solve mysteries. He is a member of the Intelligence division. Hard to believe per the initial characterisation.
I love the set-up, the characterisation ( though I'd like more explanation) and the language. It flows well. however, I'd have liked a little more explanation into why Imran behaves the way he does. His foolishness borders on being extreme. Just a simple reason why he does this apart from, to fool his opponents ( who are rather foolish to fall into this trap) would be great. Again, his parents' intolerance of this foolishness is rather confusing.
But then, that is what make these mysteries so simple and easy to read and accessible to all. I think, being accessible to all is a very important factor to consider the kind of writer Ibn-E-Safi was and the kind of India/Pakistan he wrote in.
I'd recommend it for light reading and I do think he'd qualify as a good pulp fiction author.
July 12, 2013
A story that started an entire genre!
This book marks the beginning of Ibne- Safi's brilliance as the most well-known Suspense writer of Pakistan.
Imran Series gives you everything. Thrill, Romance, Comedy and definitely some extra-ordinary not run-of-the-mill in any way Action.
I have spent countless nights reading the different books of the series and I am not even exaggerating.
Absolutely love these books.
And I recommend them to anyone who enjoys unexceptional writing.
This book marks the beginning of Ibne- Safi's brilliance as the most well-known Suspense writer of Pakistan.
Imran Series gives you everything. Thrill, Romance, Comedy and definitely some extra-ordinary not run-of-the-mill in any way Action.
I have spent countless nights reading the different books of the series and I am not even exaggerating.
Absolutely love these books.
And I recommend them to anyone who enjoys unexceptional writing.
November 25, 2015
Brilliant detective storytelling by one of the masters of subcontinent. What a revealation. And Imran as a character is so 3 dimensional, one starts rooting for him from page 1! Must read for everyone.
June 13, 2013
Be shocked, be amused , be outrageously stupid .. But be not bored. Coz here is Ali Imran.
May 18, 2020
I have never particularly enjoyed mystery stories in a written medium. I feel the genre is best represented in film. But! This wasn't a bad story. The humour did make me laugh. Though I must say, I was expecting something more memorable.
October 31, 2017
There are two stories in the book: The House of Fear and Shootout at the Rocks; I enjoyed them both; and I think the translation (from Urdu) is well done. The story--and the setting--is a refreshing change from so many mysteries; I looked forward to reading the book for that reason, though it made me realize how ignorant I am of India and the culture.
I like the hero, Imran bhai, who plays the buffoon so no one takes him seriously, reminding me of Zorro and the Scarlet Pimpernel. No one would suspect him of being alert and intelligent; he fights well also. The back cover blurb says that he is the head of the secret service, chief X2, but I saw no mention of that in the stories; it is mentioned in the introduction. Possibly it's brought out in other books in the series, which I would also enjoy reading.
The introduction, written by his son, gives the background of Ibn-e-Safi (a psuedonym), who was a prolific writer, and I learned a little bit about the literary scene in India. (I confess that I didn't know there was one!) I learned a lot from this fun read.
I like the hero, Imran bhai, who plays the buffoon so no one takes him seriously, reminding me of Zorro and the Scarlet Pimpernel. No one would suspect him of being alert and intelligent; he fights well also. The back cover blurb says that he is the head of the secret service, chief X2, but I saw no mention of that in the stories; it is mentioned in the introduction. Possibly it's brought out in other books in the series, which I would also enjoy reading.
The introduction, written by his son, gives the background of Ibn-e-Safi (a psuedonym), who was a prolific writer, and I learned a little bit about the literary scene in India. (I confess that I didn't know there was one!) I learned a lot from this fun read.
May 24, 2016
3.5/5
जहाँ उपन्यास में रहस्य और रोमांच प्रचुर मात्रा में था परंतु इमरान,जो कि उपन्यास का नायक है, के अहमकाने अंदाज से सच में मुझे चिढ़ होने लगी थी। इसलिए रेटिंग में कमी आई। इमरान की बातों का सर पैर पकड़ना ही अपने आप में एक टेढ़ी खीर है। शुरुआत में तो उसकी हरकतें हास्यास्पद लगती हैं लेकिन एक वक्त के बाद आप चिढ़ने लगते है। इस माममें फरीदी का किरदार मुझे सही लगा था। खैर, विस्तार से मैं बाद में लिखूँगा।
जहाँ उपन्यास में रहस्य और रोमांच प्रचुर मात्रा में था परंतु इमरान,जो कि उपन्यास का नायक है, के अहमकाने अंदाज से सच में मुझे चिढ़ होने लगी थी। इसलिए रेटिंग में कमी आई। इमरान की बातों का सर पैर पकड़ना ही अपने आप में एक टेढ़ी खीर है। शुरुआत में तो उसकी हरकतें हास्यास्पद लगती हैं लेकिन एक वक्त के बाद आप चिढ़ने लगते है। इस माममें फरीदी का किरदार मुझे सही लगा था। खैर, विस्तार से मैं बाद में लिखूँगा।
May 13, 2017
Where it all began... This series is the reason I started reading books in the first place.. For me it will always be no.1.......
January 1, 2024
reading this felt like sitting in mama's brain- she's read this whole series so many times she's imran's twin at this point
January 1, 2025
Before one year I searched for spy novel and got this by chance, and now it's a time that I am a fan of Imran Series.
July 15, 2016
I was expecting something high as I had read only novel of Imran series by Mazhar Kaleem in my entire life and that was end of it. Many of my pals consider it pride as comparing your taste to others but this is how may be I was. Still being a teenager I had hated his book. May be it wasn't good as it's hoped. This goes to Ishtiaq Ahmad as well. Didn't like him as well. Didn't finish his any novel. I always had curiosity to read original Imran Series and when i did. It's not pleasnat experience. I am going to write honestly what I felt about it. I was expecting a pure piece of literature combined with a thrilling detective story as it was written in 50s. That was the era of perfection whether it's prose or poetry.
I really can't understand that what does this book have that its translated in English. I see many reviews here praising this book and people who are very good critics. I can say it after watching their other reads and reviews.
Here are somethings I want to explain which can prove my disliking for the book.
I can't stand pathetic, miserable and 3rd class clown behavior of Imran. He can't even creat situational comedy. The writer wants to portray him acting lunatic but he is totally unsuccessful about it. what kind of idiocy he has? he only speaks pathetic sentences to reply the questions asked. See this example.
"They see tears in his eyes.
Fiaz asked what's the matter? You weeping?
Am I? Imran replied. Actually after seeing this Murgh e Mussalim, I just recalled my dead relative.
How? they asked
I was thinking about Hell, so I thought about Man being roasted. His name was Aslam. So imagining him like that filled my eyes with tears. "
Anyone can answer me that what kind of comedy is this? The humor which is known for Urdu Literature is far better than this. It was bad of me that I expected it from this book.
Mr. Imran didn't even detect anything in this novel. If he did then may be he was helped by supernatural elements as it's not mentioned how did he get clues? for example how did he know that Mr. Jahangeer was involved in this? how did he know that Ayyaz was in disguise? How did he know that there's hidden passage to building? I can't even write all loose ends here because this Pathetic book is full of them.
Mr. Saffi is obsessed with Pulp Fictional detective characters and old hardboiled writers. This is why unlike Pakistani culture his characters wander with overcoats and hats. Can anyone tell me that it did really happen here back then when it was written? The city he's living in has Bars and cafes like "Cafe Nebraska" inspired by western popular culture. I am not criticising him that he took the inspiration but lack of quality is my focus.
I read in Wikipedia article that Mr. Imran solves his crime and gets clues from verses by Ghalib and Meer. That was impressive for me as I never hoped anything can be written where you can find something innovative like this. Urdu Poetry with a detective novel. What a combination It didn't happen. He didn't get any clues from poetry. in fact he just used some poetry to creat his 3rd class comedy. He also used any Chinese Philosopher's name for that too.
It's mentioned that Mr. Imran is educated from England. He holds degree of MSc. & Ph.D. I really can't bond this degree to a criminal detective.
KINDLY DON'T WASTE TIME if you like quality stuff.
I really can't understand that what does this book have that its translated in English. I see many reviews here praising this book and people who are very good critics. I can say it after watching their other reads and reviews.
Here are somethings I want to explain which can prove my disliking for the book.
I can't stand pathetic, miserable and 3rd class clown behavior of Imran. He can't even creat situational comedy. The writer wants to portray him acting lunatic but he is totally unsuccessful about it. what kind of idiocy he has? he only speaks pathetic sentences to reply the questions asked. See this example.
"They see tears in his eyes.
Fiaz asked what's the matter? You weeping?
Am I? Imran replied. Actually after seeing this Murgh e Mussalim, I just recalled my dead relative.
How? they asked
I was thinking about Hell, so I thought about Man being roasted. His name was Aslam. So imagining him like that filled my eyes with tears. "
Anyone can answer me that what kind of comedy is this? The humor which is known for Urdu Literature is far better than this. It was bad of me that I expected it from this book.
Mr. Imran didn't even detect anything in this novel. If he did then may be he was helped by supernatural elements as it's not mentioned how did he get clues? for example how did he know that Mr. Jahangeer was involved in this? how did he know that Ayyaz was in disguise? How did he know that there's hidden passage to building? I can't even write all loose ends here because this Pathetic book is full of them.
Mr. Saffi is obsessed with Pulp Fictional detective characters and old hardboiled writers. This is why unlike Pakistani culture his characters wander with overcoats and hats. Can anyone tell me that it did really happen here back then when it was written? The city he's living in has Bars and cafes like "Cafe Nebraska" inspired by western popular culture. I am not criticising him that he took the inspiration but lack of quality is my focus.
I read in Wikipedia article that Mr. Imran solves his crime and gets clues from verses by Ghalib and Meer. That was impressive for me as I never hoped anything can be written where you can find something innovative like this. Urdu Poetry with a detective novel. What a combination It didn't happen. He didn't get any clues from poetry. in fact he just used some poetry to creat his 3rd class comedy. He also used any Chinese Philosopher's name for that too.
It's mentioned that Mr. Imran is educated from England. He holds degree of MSc. & Ph.D. I really can't bond this degree to a criminal detective.
KINDLY DON'T WASTE TIME if you like quality stuff.
July 25, 2025
In Ali Imran M.A., PhD, the famous crime fiction writer Ibn-e-Safi created a unique character. Idiosyncratic and buffoonish to the extreme Imran also displays great wit, observation and turn of phrase as well as mastery over Urdu poetry in his always awkward and often ridiculous social interactions. Young, handsome and well educated he appears bent upon making a fool of himself and thereby fooling others into taking him lightly even as he shrewdly measures up situations and people and helps solve complex and often heinous crime mysteries.
The crime stories themselves are not particularly well wrought or engaging and mostly rely on certain tropes and set situations and plot twists. But the real value of these stories lies in the characterisation of Imran who is charming, irritating, hilarious, bumbling and intellectually outstanding all at the same time. At times slapstick and on other occasions relying on puns, quips, wordplay, repartee and satire, Ibn-e-Safi's iconic character has captivated the imagination of many generations.
This the first novel of the hugely popular series and offers mysterious killings (with three piercings in the body at equal length) in a house that inspires horror; a grave with an enigmatic custodian; westernised clubs and their frequenters (from a Pakistan that did have such uninhibited lifestyles in the 1950s); missing papers of immense significance from the foreign office; blackmail; a high-profile traitor; and other familiar plot features that were to appear again and again in novels of the Imran series. The main charm and distinctiveness of these books however is Imran and his antics and dialogues.
Any serious readers or critics should remember that this is pulp fiction for a wider audience and has no literary merit. For its time though it was cosmopolitan in its culture approaches and imagination and the wit though not highbrow and often silly is what slapstick and buffoonery all about. A prime example in this book is his name for a one-eyed girl who appears at various points in the story and whom the calls Mehbooba e Yak Chashm.
The crime stories themselves are not particularly well wrought or engaging and mostly rely on certain tropes and set situations and plot twists. But the real value of these stories lies in the characterisation of Imran who is charming, irritating, hilarious, bumbling and intellectually outstanding all at the same time. At times slapstick and on other occasions relying on puns, quips, wordplay, repartee and satire, Ibn-e-Safi's iconic character has captivated the imagination of many generations.
This the first novel of the hugely popular series and offers mysterious killings (with three piercings in the body at equal length) in a house that inspires horror; a grave with an enigmatic custodian; westernised clubs and their frequenters (from a Pakistan that did have such uninhibited lifestyles in the 1950s); missing papers of immense significance from the foreign office; blackmail; a high-profile traitor; and other familiar plot features that were to appear again and again in novels of the Imran series. The main charm and distinctiveness of these books however is Imran and his antics and dialogues.
Any serious readers or critics should remember that this is pulp fiction for a wider audience and has no literary merit. For its time though it was cosmopolitan in its culture approaches and imagination and the wit though not highbrow and often silly is what slapstick and buffoonery all about. A prime example in this book is his name for a one-eyed girl who appears at various points in the story and whom the calls Mehbooba e Yak Chashm.
September 2, 2015
This book just wasn't structured very well. I read a lot of mystery novels and plenty of the old classics (Agatha Christie and Holmes) and I'm familiar with all sorts of "reveals" and styles. But this was just dumb. The main characters and motivations didn't even come into the story until the last 15 pages. Up until then the detective just stumbles around acting like a jackass.
And the dialogue is awful. The main character pretends to be insane, and every conversation consists of him saying non-sequiters and his friend responding by telling him to stop acting crazy or begging him to talk like a human. And let me stress that this is literally every conversation in the book.
The lack of cultural understanding certainly doesn't help, but this book was just bad.
And the dialogue is awful. The main character pretends to be insane, and every conversation consists of him saying non-sequiters and his friend responding by telling him to stop acting crazy or begging him to talk like a human. And let me stress that this is literally every conversation in the book.
The lack of cultural understanding certainly doesn't help, but this book was just bad.
July 23, 2018
This was my first experience of reading Ibn Safi. The blurb on the front cover stated a quote of Agatha Christie which read, " I don't know Urdu but have knowledge of detective novels in the subcontinent. There is only one original writer - Ibn E Safi."
Coming back to the book, this one is strictly for hardcore Imran fans. The stories are pacy but the ending of both the stories failed to awe me.
I felt that at the wee end Imran could've offered better explanations for the events that eventually helped him nab the culprit. Imran is funny. A maverick. A fool. And a genius who holds the story together.
Imran bears more resemblance to Holmes rather than Poirot.
Coming back to the book, this one is strictly for hardcore Imran fans. The stories are pacy but the ending of both the stories failed to awe me.
I felt that at the wee end Imran could've offered better explanations for the events that eventually helped him nab the culprit. Imran is funny. A maverick. A fool. And a genius who holds the story together.
Imran bears more resemblance to Holmes rather than Poirot.
September 8, 2016
This is first and not the best novel of the series. So new readers shouldn't judge the series based on the first novel. Imran does sound annoying a lot at first. New readers may wanna start first with Lashoan Ka Bazaar (Imran Series #12) since it is chronologically before #1 and then come back to #1 if they like that. #12 also introduces a major recurring villain so watch out for that.
June 1, 2012
If only the Ghalib couplets were also there in original Urdu too
Want to read
December 22, 2013wAITIG FOR DOWNLOAD
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 25, 2014
Extremely visual sensual, imaginative and original. Excellent excellent thriller writing and storytelling. Most enjoyed.
August 15, 2015
Short, and not too complex, but the fun element of the novel is what I loved the most.
February 9, 2017
So how can you not like a gloomy but witty detective, it's as if umro ayyar of tilsm-e-hoshoruba became a detective!
Maybe I'll try one of the urdu ones now.
Maybe I'll try one of the urdu ones now.
March 5, 2018
ibnesafi is great novelist
November 22, 2018
umm .. typical
August 26, 2021
Warning Spoilers ahead.
The novel khaufnak Imarat by ibn e Safi features two stories Haunted house and Firee among rocks A 27-year-old guy who has done MSc from his homeland and a PhD from England. The guy Imran is now in his home doing nothing for which his father is very mad at him and thinks that he is useless. Imran depicts himself a stupid by doing lame jokes and other stuff but he is an intelligent guy who solves many of the cases of his friend fayaz ( an officer in the crime branch), in fact, fayaz relies on Imran for solving his cases.
The novel is a spy thriller and is a part of series of books under the title of Imran series. This specific book tells us a story of an intelligence officer who is considered dead but is actually living under the identity of his own servant. He is trying to catch a group of people particularly their head who are involved in treason but Imran catches the head of the Gang before the officer does.
Second part of the novel has more thrill, suspense and drama.It depicts a Army colonel who has received threats from a drug lord lee Yuka, lee Yuka is a drug lord; doing illegal business of drugs and nobody has seen or caught him for 200 years.The novel has mystery and events occur in a very fast pace,So you will love it.
Read it in Urdu for the real charm of the story.
The novel khaufnak Imarat by ibn e Safi features two stories Haunted house and Firee among rocks A 27-year-old guy who has done MSc from his homeland and a PhD from England. The guy Imran is now in his home doing nothing for which his father is very mad at him and thinks that he is useless. Imran depicts himself a stupid by doing lame jokes and other stuff but he is an intelligent guy who solves many of the cases of his friend fayaz ( an officer in the crime branch), in fact, fayaz relies on Imran for solving his cases.
The novel is a spy thriller and is a part of series of books under the title of Imran series. This specific book tells us a story of an intelligence officer who is considered dead but is actually living under the identity of his own servant. He is trying to catch a group of people particularly their head who are involved in treason but Imran catches the head of the Gang before the officer does.
Second part of the novel has more thrill, suspense and drama.It depicts a Army colonel who has received threats from a drug lord lee Yuka, lee Yuka is a drug lord; doing illegal business of drugs and nobody has seen or caught him for 200 years.The novel has mystery and events occur in a very fast pace,So you will love it.
Read it in Urdu for the real charm of the story.
March 14, 2022
Oh boy this book was a wild ride from the start to finish. I think a bit of the charm was lost in the translation because the prose felt a bit juvenile, the sort you find in third drafts maybe? It could've been polished a bit more. It also makes me wish more than ever that I could read Urdu. Nevertheless, Ali Imran, our main guy was so freaking hilarious. He is the funny side character who finally got his own story! And also uses his foolishness and people's constant underestimation to hide a razor-sharp mind. The mysteries are pretty simple. I guessed them in my first read. But what I didn't know is that South Asia had it's own writers churning detective stories set here, with Urdu/Hindi phrases and exclamations and ethnic names. All my life has been spent reading stories set in England towns, so this was a refreshing change of setting that made this book another of my favorites! Overall, if you just want to switch off your brain, read something short and quick and a bit hilariously childish, pick this one up. The prose once again, is a bit too simple, but Ali Imran made it very enjoyable. 4.25 stars!
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