This was a refreshingly different novel tackling themes which are unfortunately so relevant nowadays.
This is the story of Javid Qasim or Jay as he prefers to be called, small time drug dealer and not very religious British born Muslim. Jay is not particularly devout although he attends his Mosque once a week on a Friday and performs religious rites on that day only. He even refrains from drug dealing on Fridays !! He lives at home with his Mum and has a best friend Idris who is a policeman whom he has known since they were small. He is also friendly with his neighbour, Parvez who is much more religious than Jay.
All of a sudden Jay's world changes when he is asked to spy for MI5 and infiltrate an Islamist cell operating from his mosque.
At the same time his mother elopes with her teacher boyfriend and goes to live abroad whilst all of Jay's drugs and illegal earnings get stolen in his car. Jay has to work out how to appease his violent drug boss who wants the money and drugs Jay has lost. He has to grow up fast at the tender age of 28!
This is such a well written book- I loved the way it was narrated in the first person by Jay with lots of funny asides. He is a real character and extremely likeable despite his drug dealing career. He seems much younger than his years in the beginning as he tells his story. I chuckled when he said"No shame living with your Mum, especially if you're Asian." My only criticism of the style would be Jay's liberal use of swear words!!
However about half way through the book this changes from being an amusing story about life in Asian Hounslow to a full blown thriller in I Am Pilgrim style and Jay really steps up to the mark as an MI 5 agent.
On a more serious note East Of Hounslow gives a real insight into how terrorists recruit their followers and radicalisation can occur.
I couldn't put this book down it was that good! A fabulous read and highly recommended. The author Khurrum Rahman is definitely one to watch and I can't wait to read the next book in what I believe is going to be a series featuring Jay, the accidental spy! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my arc in exchange for an honest review.