Why Join?

  • Add New Books

  • Write a Review

  • Backpack Reading Lists

  • Newsletter Updates

Join Now

Crime thriller set in Greater LONDON

30th November 2022

Stone Cold Trouble by Amer Anwar, crime thriller set in Greater LONDON.

Crime thriller set in WEST LONDON

“Together they stand: together they fall”

Stone Cold Trouble begins when Zaq’s brother, Tariq, is severely beaten and left for dead by an unknown assailant, with no apparent motive for the attack. Sitting in the hospital with only his own thoughts for company, Zaq wracks his brains, trying to think who might be responsible, and it seems possible that people from his own past have turned up to even an old score. He knows he has made enemies, and he is due to give evidence that might send others to prison. On the plus side, Zaq has his loyal sidekick, Jags, and other friends who will support him as he sets out to avenge the attack on his brother.

Meanwhile, Jags’ uncle, the inappropriately nicknamed “Lucky”, foolishly gambles away a family heirloom necklace in an illegal card game. The necklace is in the possession of Mr Shergill, a dangerous and powerful individual in the same Punjabi community. Lucky sends Zaq and Jags to repay the debt in order to get the necklace back – but they return empty-handed. For Zaq this is an annoying distraction but he’s loyal to his friend and determined to help. Together the friends piece together a plan to recover the necklace and outwit the thugs who protect Shergill.

Stone Cold Trouble is a crime thriller: a sequel to Brothers in Blood, which also featured the close bond between ex-con Zaq and his lifelong friend Jags. Zaq has a highly developed sense of fair play and sees it as his responsibility to investigate and avenge injustice. It is this personality trait that has landed him in trouble in the past. When faced with the “trouble” in the book’s title, Zaq just about manages to retain the moral high ground, though his first solution to most of his problems seems to involve violence. He justifies his actions because he feels that the underfunded and pressed police won’t be able to spare the manpower. The authorities are dealt with deferentially, but Zaq and Jags prefer to handle their own problems in their own way, just leaving the cops to mop up after they have restored the balance in their favour and avenged the wrongs that they, or their connections, have suffered.

The locations that feature in Stone Cold Trouble are mainly industrial and suburban Greater London. While the setting might not be the destination of most London-bound readers, there’s a fascinating level of detail about locality – from the small businesses and housing estates of the mainly South Asian community in Southall, to sprawling Slough and beyond. The boys comment on the contrast between their home territory and the unfamiliar open spaces of the smaller villages and the countryside, and between Zaq’s house-share and Shergill’s affluent lifestyle in his rural villa. There are also detailed descriptions of Asian life in Britain – including strong family ties, the importance to the characters of their culture and traditions, and a great emphasis on food. The conversation includes snatches of Punjabi, which are not translated but it’s usually clear from the context what’s going on. I particularly enjoyed the history lesson that Uncle Lucky gives to the boys, when describing partition in India and the fallout of political decisions in the area.

The jovial interchanges between Zaq and Jags provide much-needed levity between the tense and often violent passages in the book. They could be seen as an amateur Starsky and Hutch de nos jours, solving crimes and mysteries together and engaging in banter. Their relationship is easy and familiar, the sort that comes of being lifelong friends. It’s almost a marriage, with Zaq telling Jags what to do, including whipping up essential Asian pick-me-up food at no notice. There’s also a large group of housemates and friends; a supportive, close group of street-smart males who can be called on in a sticky situation, and also relied on to accompany Zaq and Jags to the pub if they’re paying. Violence is depicted in great detail and characters keep themselves fit to be ready to fight their way out of trouble. There are few women in the cast, but Rita and Nina provide a tantalising prospect of love interest for the pair, and a counterbalance to all the testosterone that’s flying around.

Stone Cold Trouble is very much a sequel: the twists and turns in the plot appear to be linked to, if not driven by, events in Brothers in Blood. For example, there are mentions of a secret cash hoard that Zaq dips into, but we don’t discover where this came from and why it is secret. We are told that Zaq has previously been in prison but not much is revealed about the circumstances. If possible, I would definitely choose to read the books in order. Despite this drawback, the book is tensely written, and the characters are entertaining and engaging – rather like flawed Asian superheroes – and we are definitely rooting for them to the end.

Sue for the TripFiction Team

Catch the author on Twitter

Join Team TripFiction on Social Media:

Twitter (@TripFiction), Facebook (@TripFiction.Literarywanderlust), YouTube (TripFiction #Literarywanderlust), Instagram (@TripFiction) and Pinterest (@TripFiction)

Subscribe to future blog posts

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *