A good first novel, full of mystery and suspense.
DI Maya Rahman is investigating the murder of a Headmistress at an East London School. What makes this case so significant to Maya is the fact that this is the school she went to as a girl, and part of this story includes flashbacks to her time at the school with her sister.
The story is right up to date, very modern and multi-cultural in its creation. Maya is the central figure of this book, though other characters are given almost equal space. I found this a bit confusing, and I would really have liked the author to have delved much deeper into the character of Maya, and given less time to the others. Because of this, I did not really feel any empathy with the character. Perhaps this aspect will be developed in the sequel, an extract of which is included at the end of this book, and which reads really well.
A fascinating look at today's society framed within a tightly constructed crime novel. Brilliant
A remarkable, exhilarating and challenging debut. I think that any dedicated crime fiction fan really looks forward to to debut authors, for the freshness and originality they so often bring. 'Turn a Blind Eye' does not disappoint. It gives a stunning introduction to police officer Maya Rahman, who works in East London and who must investigate a large cast of characters to discover who has murdered the headmistress of a local school. The author effortlessly navigates this elaborate scenario which blends the personal lives of the characters within an increasingly threatening crime scene. Despite the complexities of the plot the book is extremely readable. The author clearly understands what she is writing about, whether it is OFSTED, the tenets of Buddhism, or problems within Australia. The story moves along quickly, giving different viewpoints and tackling major social issues - how mixed groups of people get along together, work/life balances, domestic problems. It is an absolutely fascinating look at today's society , all framed within a tightly constructed crime novel. It takes a comprehensive and frank look at the realism of life in East London and the challenges that face its inhabitants.
Introducing DI Maya Rahman - a Bangladeshi detective working in London!
The book was very well written, and the main character was sympathetic and likeable. The story was very entertaining, and it ended neatly with all loose ends being tied up, which is always a plus for me. The only thing I found disturbing is that it does mention suicide and also looks at the reasons behind some suicides, which is a subject I tend to steer clear of.
When a headmistress is found murdered in her study it starts an investigation that involves cultural prejudices, Buddhist precepts, personal problems and further deaths with a twist at the end.
I found this book a compelling and a very enjoyable read. At first, I was worried by the story being developing from several viewpoints and the switching between first and third person narrative would make it difficult to follow but it all seemed to add to my enjoyment.
The story is set around a school in the Mile End area of London. DI Maya Rahman is the SIO investigating the murder of Linda Gibson, headmistress at her old school, who is found brutally murdered. Maya has problems of her own having just buried her brother in Bangladesh so instead of grieving at home and getting over her jet lag she's pitched straight into a murder investigation. Helped by DS Dan Maguire whose family is still at home in Australia where his wife, of Aboriginal descent, knows all about prejudice. The third view is from Steve, a teacher who finds the head teacher’s body
When Steve finds Linda’s body her hands are bound and beside the body is a card with a Buddhist precept: I shall abstain from taking the ungiven. It's the second of five precepts and Maya is worried,rightly, that this is the prelude to a series of deaths.
It's a complex case made difficult by having to cope with the cultures that clash with the British ideas of normal, such as arranged marriages.
Several times I thought I had spotted the culprit but then found I was way wrong. At the end the culprit was a surprise.
Turn A Blind Eye by Vicky Newham gives a new slant to a contemporary crime novel set in multicultural cosmopolitan London. Readers will look forward to future novels featuring DI Maya Rahman.
Imagine starting a new job, and on your first day there is a murder!
That's exactly what happens to Steve a new teacher in this clever debut novel by Vicky Newham.
The detective leading the investigation has a lot on her hand's as she unravels the mystery behind this curious case with Buddhist quotes left at the scene of crime.
DI Maya Rahman brings quality as a female detective handling the case. Dealing with a recent bereavement of her own and memories and her Bangladeshi roots combined with the multicultural character's in busy East End London.
I like how Vicky Newham gives each character his/her own voice in the chapters and yet intertwines the whole novel together.
For a first novel I would recommend this to anyone who likes a crime novel with a promising lead detective to follow in future books. A great introduction to a new female detective series.