This is an incredibly fascinating, and harrowing, look inside the British justice system. It’s difficult to read how we still fail so many vulnerable individuals- however, this story provides hope that we are moving in a positive direction of change!
I will definitely be recommending this book.

An interesting and informative read which opened my eyes a bit. Recommend to those who are interested in the British justice system.

A fascinating read, I found this book incredibly interesting. It was a little dark in parts but it’s needed to give a truth perspective on what Nazir Afzal sees during his work.
Thank you to both NetGalley and publishers for gifting me this book

A look at the CPS from the inside stance of Nazir Afzal. I found this a bleak if truthful read. Very interesting but I’d be hard pressed to say it was enjoyable.

A wonderful memoir of Nazir's life from his humble beginnings in Birmingham to becoming top of the Criminal Prosecution Service. I've had the pleasure of hearing him speak at a book event and found him to be passionate and full of heart
This is a well written and insightful book

This book appeared an interesting read, and having seen the author on interviews, I knew I would like to hear his story. There is a little bit of background history to the author throughout the book, but not to the extent where it has been written as an autobiography, just enough to explain why he followed the career path he did. The author has been Chief Prosecutor of the Crown Prosecution Service, and as such has helped convict some of the most violent criminals in the most harrowing of cases. The book is hard hitting with talk of some cases which may be upsetting, but all written in context with what the author was doing.

The Crown Prosecution Service is something which, of course, I’d heard of but didn’t really know how it worked. The book gave me a glimpse as to how things work behind the scenes, and how difficult it is to decide on whether to prosecute. The author discusses some really interesting cases, some which I’d heard of, and I found myself gripped to these. We certainly owe a lot to this author for his tireless work in changing policies and how things worked to make our country a safer place.

This was a captivating read and was eye-opening to see it from the view of the prosecution service as opposed to seeing how the police work their investigation. Would definitely recommend!

This is an outstanding book, I recommend everyone should read it. To not only have their eyes opened to what many have endured in the recent past, but to what some still currently endure.

Reading the opening chapter of this book, made me feel so desolate. Not only for the unprovoked violence that the young Nazir faced, but also that his Father knew it was pointless contacting the Police. “There is no justice”.
Having said that, Nazir’s parents sound truly wonderful, the sort of people you would want to be there for you, when you needed support and well thought guidance.
His Mother, in particular, sounds remarkable, playing a vital role within the Pak Pakhtoon Association, which still exists today, all while bringing up 7 children. Her determination for girls and women to be educated, to be treated well, and not married at an exceptionally young age, plain for all to see.

The attitude of many of the people Nazir mentions towards women and girls is genuinely astounding to me. That a daughter brought more shame on a family, because she married for love, than her brother who was imprisoned for drug offences. I find this dumbfounding, and am so pleased that Nazir called out these attitudes at the time, as well as channeling this injustice in his career, wanting to give a voice to all genders and skin colours. I don’t have words to describe how unbearable the ironically called “honour killings” are, those responsible are truly dishonourable murderers, who don’t understand the meaning of family, love and respect.
So many other sensitive and extremely weighty issues are discussed in the book too. FGM, modern slavery, family war councils, and more. Gender terrorism I think is an accurate umbrella description for these abhorrent crimes.

You could see how these experiences, both Nazir’s parents, and his much loved cousin Yasmin, shaped his choice of career. That drive to fight for those who needed justice, protection and a voice.

This book made me incredibly emotional, reading of the injustice suffered by so many. Sadly not just historically, that this injustice is still very much ongoing, in a world that we like to think is modern, decent and progressive.
I genuinely don’t know how Nazir Afzal sleeps at night. To have seen and heard the evidence of those he tried to find justice for, must weigh extremely heavy on the head and heart. This is not an easy read, very far from it, at some points I was reading with tears running down my face. Safiya’s and Banaz’s cases I found particularly distressing, they were both let down enormously by so many. Just one person being unafraid to stand up for them, to truly see them, could have made so much positive difference in their lives.
I can’t recommend this 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read highly enough, it genuinely will stay with me.

Excellent book.
Found this an engaging telling of recent times within the life of the prosecution service.
It also incorporated the personal life which is affected by this.
Would highly recommend to anyone interested in the British justice system of recent years.

Nazir Afzals amazing insight into the narrow and very archaic legal system. This story follows Nazirs life, from a very humble beginning in Birmingham through to becoming top of the CPS. He explains the tumultuous relationships the CPS had with police force and how he tried to change this and various peoples attitudes to a more forward-thinking and result inducing outcome. The hardships and 'brick walled' menfolk of the old-fashioned legal system and how he tried to change this into a more person centred system rather than a one box ticks all, results driven field

The Prosecutor is a fantastic memoir detailing Afzal's career and involvement in major crime cases, as well as their attempts to influence the prosecution service. A must read for anyone with an interest in crime!

this was a really interesting look at an important area of the justice system that we don't get told about much. cps turns up in the news all the time but admittedly i didn't really know what their specific role is. i'd heard of some of the major cases nazir afzal has worked on and it shows how integral he's been to huge progress in justice throughout the years. you can tell how passionate and driven he was for his career and all the good he wanted to do the in world. really enjoyed this one

This is an amazing book from Nafzir Afzal. A true insight in to his world, processes, thoughts and feelings. Well written and understandable.

The Prosecutor by Nazir Afzal is an interesting and fascinating insight into the lifetime of service of Nazir Afzal as the Prosecutor. The cases he highlights in his book I can still remember, particularly as someone from Manchester originally.
He talks unflinchingly of the abuse and racism he encountered as a Pakistani, firstly as a child in Birmingham and at times in his adult life, when he was in the minority particularly in the legal field in his early working years.
I enjoyed ready his insights into the cases he became involved in, particularly the Rochdale Grooming Gangs. Although enjoyed is the wrong word to choose, when reading of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Highly recommended.

Thank you this was a real eye-opener and I cannot recommend enough. This should be read and it was very well written and I enjoyed.

Interesting and enjoyable read giving background to Mr Afzal prosecuting career and his early life. Growing up in Britain and experiencing racism

Really well written and could not recommend enough! It was really interesting to read about Nazir’s early start in life through to the many cases that he’s even involved in (including the infamous Rochdale case that we’ve all heard about). His drive and determination to succeed is inspiring!

The Prosecutor ⚖️🌼

Ad - thanks @netgalley and @eburybooks for an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Nazir Afzal tells the story of his career, beginning with life as a defence barrister before leaving this role to work for the CPS, and rising to Chief Prosecutor, then moving to Manchester to become a Chief Constable.

As a boy, Afzal faces racist violence and also witnesses the death of a young family member. What he goes on to achieve in his career is amazing.

This book has so so much impact. This is the best kind of non-fic memoir where you finish and have so much respect for the author and everything they’ve gone through and achieved in their life so far.

Being in the legal profession I found this so interesting and loved learning about the (legal and strategic) detail of the cases that Afzal prosecuted and his fight for justice and change within the CPS and the communication between the police and the CPS.

Some of the cases are incredibly sad: the Rochdale sex ring, honor killings and modern slavery. These are described with dignity and sensitivity and you know that this is a man who cares so deeply about those victims.

This really is such a great memoir, and I’m going to tell everyone I know to read it.

4.5⭐️

The Prosecutor is the story of Nazir Afzal, a Muslim boy from Birmingham who worked his way up to the highest echelons of the Crown Prosecution Service.

This is a great book! I had some familiarity with Nazir Afzal, having seen him pop up on tv to comment on various things that have happened in the news, but I didn’t have much insight into his background or the sheer number of cases he’s worked on, or how he has helped to influence policy on prosecutions.

It’s interesting to see how a line can be drawn from his parents, almost directly influencing his work in regards to honour killings and coercive control, with a lot of influence from his own mother, who sounds like an intuitive, amazing woman. I think that this book demonstrates the incredibly positive effect that immigration can have on our culture and how we can assimilate and adapt to welcome different cultures and by doing do, improve and enrich the lives of everyone.

I was happy to review this as I am particularly interested in the justice system, how it is applied and how it changes over time, so I found this a fascinating read! I think it’s amazing that Nazir had the ability and the insight to be able to redirect policy and recognise when things needed to be focused on, for example in the Rochdale grooming case and when honour killings were occurring, things that may have been missed by people who didn’t have much awareness of cultural influences.

This is a great read and I really enjoyed it - one of the best I’ve read from the current trend of solicitor / lawyer memoirs. I have finished the book with a great respect of Nazir Afzal, and would recommend this book highly!

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Prosecutor is a punchy, quick read from former Chief Prosecutor Nazir Afzal, telling the stories of his time in various roles but mainly working with the CPS.

Nazir is really relatable and tells the stories in a frank, interesting and engaging way. It doesn’t feel like he is sensationalises the cases he’s worked on but instead explains the context, why it was so important to him and what happened as a result. I am fascinated by all things criminal, and read so many crime novels (and watch many crime series on TV too), so I was aware of the CPS and what they did, but hadn’t really thought about how much responsibility they have on a day to day basis and how hard they work to ensure trials and cases are fair and carried out properly.

There are some really interesting cases here, and some that I found really upsetting – particularly the honour killings that Nazir takes such an active role in trying to prevent during his career. It made me so angry to read about, and Nazir does a great job conveying the horror for those caught up in this kind of case.

Nazir also gives a background to his career and experiences growing up as a muslim in 1960/70s Britain, and I finished the book thinking Nazir is definitely someone I’d want to have on my side! He’s brilliantly sharp, fair and passionate about doing the best he can. Definitely recommended.

I have such respect for this man. And I can't rate his book highly enough. The language is straight and pulls no punches. There is no need for elaborate metaphor, the bare facts are enough. The cases Afzal has prosecuted throughout his life - including honour killings, modern slavery, and the Rochdale sex grooming gang - beggar belief.

"Justice", Afzal writes, "it's the glue that binds society together". And it is this firm, deeply ingrained belief, along with a vehement determination to see justice done – especially for the voiceless – that endures. "Every statement is a person", Afzal says, and as Chief Crown Prosecutor he tasked himself with closing the gap between law and justice to help communities – including those with little reason left to trust – feel safe. In so doing, we learn, Afzal called out societal wrongs, including those committed by the justice system itself. And in so doing, we also learn, Afzal found his own family under threat.

I honestly would love to see this book in every sixth-form library. It inspires.

The Prosecutor by Nazir Afzal OBE is out in paperback, published by Ebury Press.