East of Hounslow: A funny and gripping spy thriller with a hilarious new hero - Softcover

‘Educated me about some of the most urgent issues of our time while making me repeatedly snort with laughter’. Telegraph

‘Combining humour and tragedy is one of the hardest literary challenges, but Khurrum Rahman succeeds.’ TLS

‘Told with striking panache. Announces the arrival of a fine, fresh new thriller writer’ Daily Mail

‘A very funny but tense thriller...Think Four Lions meets Phone Shop’ Red

‘As much a coming-of-age story as a full-on action thriller, East of Hounslow is thought-provoking and entirely gripping.’ Guardian

‘Sweary, funny and, above all, an absolutely cracking thriller that you’ll tear through, this is the anti-James Bond that the 21st century needs’ Emerald Street

'East of Hounslow, in which a young Muslim finds himself forced to become an MI5 plant in a group of jihadists, is as British as Nelson’s Colum. A superb and exciting debut novel' Telegraph

‘Clipped dialogues, staccato sentences and the hilariously brilliant prose set the pace of this excellent unputdownable crime thriller. The climax will leave you breathless.’ New Indian Express

‘A brilliant thriller. You’d be mad not to buy this.’
Ben Aaronovitch, author of Rivers of London

‘Excellent book. Phenomenal writing.’ BA Paris, author of Behind Closed Doors

‘I loved it. More please’ Mel McGrath, author of Give Me the Child

‘Builds to a heart-constricting climax’ Times Crime Club

‘The best thriller I’ve read in ages’ Stephen Leather

Longlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculiar Crime Novel of the Year Award 2019, shortlisted for the CWA John Creasey Debut Dagger Award 2018 and the CrimeFest Last Laugh Award 2018

A TELEGRAPH Book of the Year.

Meet Jay.
Small-time dealer.
Accidental jihadist.
The one man who can save us all?

Javid – call him Jay – is a dope dealer living in West London. He goes to mosque on Friday, and he’s just bought his pride and joy – a BMW. He lives with his mum, and life seems sweet.

But his world is about to turn upside-down. Because MI5 have been watching him, and they think he’s just the man they need for a delicate mission.

One thing’s for sure: now he’s a long way East of Hounslow, Jay’s life will never be the same again.

With the edgy humour of Four Lions and the pulse-racing tension of Nomad, East of Hounslow is the first in a series of thrillers starring Jay Qasim.

Reviewers love East of Hounslow:

‘Marvellous. Totally marvellous. Hilarious. Brilliant. Grounded in reality, with some fabulous dialogue. So absorbing, you forget the rest of the world exists. Khurrum Rahman is an author to keep your eye on.’

‘Told with wit and flair, it is both funny and gripping in equal measure. I can’t wait for the next one.’

‘One of the most enjoyable books I have read this year’

‘Superb British crime writing.’

‘If you like modern spy novels, such as the excellent, “Slow Horses,” series, by Mick Herron, then you will enjoy this. Realistic, intelligent, moving and also full of humour, this is a great read.’

‘Apparently, we haven’t heard the last of Jay and I for one can’t wait for his next outing, for if it’s anything like East of Hounslow it’ll be great.’