The Battle For Bradford

Streets Of Darkness by A.A. Dhand is an exciting contemporary crime novel that drew me in from the start. It is the first book in the D.I. Harry Virdee series which promises to be fabulous.

The reader is introduced to Harry Virdee, a no nonsense copper who does what he has to in order to fight crime and to keep his family safe. He is not afraid to dirty his hands.

Harry Virdee is working for improvement from within the law. When he sees a miscarriage of justice, he is determined to right the wrong no matter who it is being set up.

Family is important. Harry Virdee and his wife chose love over their respective religions as they entered a mixed race marriage and are now estranged from both sets of parents. They still feel love and loyalty to their elders.

The novel is set in Bradford. It is a multi-cultural city but there are those who seek to ignite tensions and fan the flames for personal gain.

All the characters are well drawn. Harry Virdee is realistic and easy to relate to with his fierce love for his wife and mother.

Streets Of Darkness was a marvellous start to a new series. I think it would make a fabulous gritty television drama. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series.

JULIA WILSON