The Khan

Praise for The Khan

‘With The Khan, Saima Mir delivers a once-in-a-generation crime thriller and in Jia Khan has created a female South-Asian protagonist who is fierce, passionate and absolutely compelling. This is not simply black-and-white on the page. It’s blood. It’s emotion. It’s tears, anger, betrayal and revenge. An outstanding debut which deserves to be read widely.’

A. A. Dhand, author of Streets of Darkness

‘A tremendous debut (Jia Khan is a fascinating, multi-layered protagonist). Timely, authentic, immersive and powerful. Hints of The Godfather. SUPERB.’

Will Dean, author of the Tuva Moodyson mysteries

‘Bold, addictive and brilliant.’

Stylist, Best Fiction 2021

‘Compelling and gritty.’

Cosmopolitan

‘Saima Mir’s debut, The Khan, traces its lineage to such classics as Mario Puzo’s seminal work The Godfather… Mir’s novel pulls no punches, taking aim at cultural stereotypes, sacred cows and the attitudes and morality of the community within which the story is based. The book operates on various levels: crime family saga, character study and an exploration of clan-run organised crime. A sterling debut.’

Vaseem Khan, author of The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra

‘A brilliant debut from an exciting new voice for our times. A thrilling book with a thrilling hero in Jia. Brava.’

Imran Mahmood, author of You Don’t Know Me

‘Superb. In particular the character development is excellent. I’m going to have to step up my game just to keep up. Damn you, Saima!’

Khurrum Rahman, author of the Jay Qasim series

‘It’s an amazing piece of work and very timely… An amazing sense of place and time. I’m sure it’s going to be a sensational debut.’

Lesley McEvoy, author of The Murder Mile

‘Blown away by the intricacy of such a clever, complex plot and the sense of unease.’

Huma Qureshi, author of How We Met

‘Jia is incredibly compelling without being simply likeable. It’s a joy to read a book set in Northern England that does not veer into cliché. It’s so good on motherhood, morality and gender.’

Nell Frizzell, author of The Panic Years

‘Saima Mir reinvents the gangster genre with dark lyrical prose that explores trauma, being an outsider, white privilege and revenge. Jia Khan is the enigmatic female lead we have been waiting for. I loved this book and can’t wait to see whom Jia visits her vicious yet calculated brand of justice on next.’

L V Hay, author of The Other Twin

‘The Khan is a dark, gripping thriller that subverts the usual “women as victims” narrative of crime fiction. Mir’s writing is complex and evocative and The Khan is a fantastic read, sure to catch you in its clutches and not let you go until the final, heart pounding pages.’

The Bookbag

‘Just fantastic… Take a bow Saima Mir, you have nailed it.’

Surjit’s Books Blog