Mystery

Streets of Darkness

Streets of Darkness

  • Downloads：8883
  • Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
  • Create Date：2021-05-20 11:55:46
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：A.A. Dhand
  • ISBN：0552172782
  • Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
  • Download

Summary

Luther meets The Wire， this is the first Detective Harry Virdee novel

The sky over Bradford is heavy with foreboding。 It always is。 But this morning it has reason to be – this morning a body has been found。 And it’s not just any body。

Detective Harry Virdee should be at home with his wife。 Impending fatherhood should be all he can think about but he’s been suspended from work just as the biggest case of the year lands on what would have been his desk。 He can’t keep himself away。

Determined to restore his reputation， Harry is obliged to take to the shadows in search of notorious ex-convict and prime suspect， Lucas Dwight。 But as the motivations of the murder threaten to tip an already unstable city into riotous anarchy， Harry finds his preconceptions turned on their head as he discovers what it’s like to be on the other side of the law…

Download

Reviews

Drew ，

Reads like it would make a really good and popular tv police drama like Line of Duty or Luther， complete with the tell-tale cliff-hanger endings to chapters。 Would happily pick up the sequel。

Heather Fitt ，

Now this is my kinda police procedural！ What an amazing book， I cannot even conceive of how A。A。 Dhand came up with such a brilliant idea， but oh my goodness is it brilliant！That ending was one of the best endings to a book I have ever read and it absolutely made me want to read Book 2 to find out what life has in store for Harry Virdee next！

Paul Grantham ，

Intense I’m not going to waste time explaining the plot of this book， which others no doubt have。 All I will say is that I personally came across this book by chance and boy am I glad I did because it’s an absolutely beautifully written piece of work， that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish with its fast paced storyline。 A storyline which is that strong it carries you along through it’s many twists and turns ， until you reach a conclusion that you won’t see coming。 This stor Intense I’m not going to waste time explaining the plot of this book， which others no doubt have。 All I will say is that I personally came across this book by chance and boy am I glad I did because it’s an absolutely beautifully written piece of work， that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish with its fast paced storyline。 A storyline which is that strong it carries you along through it’s many twists and turns ， until you reach a conclusion that you won’t see coming。 This story is written with so much detail and thought， that you actually feel that you are part of it。 If you don’t believe me， read it yourself and find out what I mean， I can assure you that you won’t be disappointed。Happy reading。 。。。more

Lorraine ，

What a cracker of a book - I couldn't believe that this was AA Dhand's debut。The novel introduces us to Bradford DI Harry Virdee， currently suspended from duty， but tasked with a covert investigation by his superior officer。 It's exactly what I want from a thriller， gritty， tightly plotted， and with plenty of twists and turns。 It kept me up to the wee small hours。 And the ending。。。。。。。well！ I honestly didn't see that coming。I'm really looking forward to reading the rest in this series。 What a cracker of a book - I couldn't believe that this was AA Dhand's debut。The novel introduces us to Bradford DI Harry Virdee， currently suspended from duty， but tasked with a covert investigation by his superior officer。 It's exactly what I want from a thriller， gritty， tightly plotted， and with plenty of twists and turns。 It kept me up to the wee small hours。 And the ending。。。。。。。well！ I honestly didn't see that coming。I'm really looking forward to reading the rest in this series。 。。。more

Meg Cowley ，

3。5* out of 5。I wanted to love this， but I just couldn't。 The characters are mostly flat and monotone， speaking unrealistically formally。 The location is great but sometimes slightly overdone。 And the references to known real life entities as the antagonists in the tale are a little uncomfortable - It feels a little thinly veiled and too much taken from reality rather than a plausibly fictional overlay on Bradford。That being said， whilst the pacing was off in places （bogged down by info dumps）， 3。5* out of 5。I wanted to love this， but I just couldn't。 The characters are mostly flat and monotone， speaking unrealistically formally。 The location is great but sometimes slightly overdone。 And the references to known real life entities as the antagonists in the tale are a little uncomfortable - It feels a little thinly veiled and too much taken from reality rather than a plausibly fictional overlay on Bradford。That being said， whilst the pacing was off in places （bogged down by info dumps）， the plot was compelling and unpredictable。 The peril at the end， especially Saima's， was very powerful。 The cultural references were incredibly insightful and rich， and it's a pleasure to read from an ethnic minority POV， especially the inter-faith marriage and the problems that poses。I didn't see the twist at the end coming， and that was brilliant！ I would read the next one， but it just won't be near the top of my reading list。 。。。more

Jack Rego ，

A compelling tale of family feuds， a dangerous underworld and one mans determination to restore his reputation。 I’m hooked on Virdee’s world。

Joseph McCann ，

Cracking read， so glad I picked this up on a whim。 It starts at a hell of a pace and doesn't let up until the end。 Brilliant！ Cracking read， so glad I picked this up on a whim。 It starts at a hell of a pace and doesn't let up until the end。 Brilliant！ 。。。more

Emma Williams ，

Really quite terrible。 I won’t be reading the rest of the series。

Tom Kirkbright ，

I went into this book expecting the usual run of the mill detective story， and whilst there are obviously some elements which are familiar there is a lot that sets this book apart。It's refreshing to have characters from BAME backgrounds being represented so authentically in conjunction with their British identities。 It's also refreshing to have a book set in the north that isn't like a bad parody of Alan Bennett。Whilst I mentioned there was a few moments that seemed familiar - I think it's impos I went into this book expecting the usual run of the mill detective story， and whilst there are obviously some elements which are familiar there is a lot that sets this book apart。It's refreshing to have characters from BAME backgrounds being represented so authentically in conjunction with their British identities。 It's also refreshing to have a book set in the north that isn't like a bad parody of Alan Bennett。Whilst I mentioned there was a few moments that seemed familiar - I think it's impossible to have a crime thriller that doesn't these days - it's still a gripping and entertaining read with more than enough twists to keep the reader on their toes。 I look forward to reading more from the Harry Virdee series。 4/5 。。。more

Katheryn Thompson ，

I'm always looking for something different when it comes to crime fiction， wary of falling out of love with such a well-worn genre， and I've once again found it with Detective Harry Virdee。 It's the attention to detail that made this one for me; details of Bradford， and details of Harry's life。 Streets of Darkness might be a melodramatic story about a maverick police officer， but the world that A。A。 Dhand creates feels fresh and real。 It also helps that it's compulsively readable。 I'm always looking for something different when it comes to crime fiction， wary of falling out of love with such a well-worn genre， and I've once again found it with Detective Harry Virdee。 It's the attention to detail that made this one for me; details of Bradford， and details of Harry's life。 Streets of Darkness might be a melodramatic story about a maverick police officer， but the world that A。A。 Dhand creates feels fresh and real。 It also helps that it's compulsively readable。 。。。more

Mother of ，

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 I read this book on the recommendation from a friend。 I was intrigued to see what it was all about， and I wasn’t disappointed。Being Yorkshire born and bred and living only 9 miles away from Bradford， this was going to be an interesting read。 It is A。A。 Dhand’s debut novel and to begin with a bit slow and boring， in the authors defence I believe it because he was introducing a character that’s hopefully going to be around for a long time。 DI Harry Virdee is not your average police officer！ He’s g I read this book on the recommendation from a friend。 I was intrigued to see what it was all about， and I wasn’t disappointed。Being Yorkshire born and bred and living only 9 miles away from Bradford， this was going to be an interesting read。 It is A。A。 Dhand’s debut novel and to begin with a bit slow and boring， in the authors defence I believe it because he was introducing a character that’s hopefully going to be around for a long time。 DI Harry Virdee is not your average police officer！ He’s got demons snapping at his heels and a firm belief that Karma is just around the corner！ His wife is 9 months pregnant and he’s suspended from work for beating someone up， his boss is 5 days from retiring and newly elected MP is found hanging in the entrance of Bradford Grammar school！ And so the Streets of Darkness begins。。In the space of 12 hours everything and everyone is turned on it’s head。 Bradford burns， the riots are worse than they were in 1995 and 2001 and its anarchy on the streets！ His Father hates him， his mother misses him， and his brother owns more than a corner shop！ It’s a very fast paced book， once you get past the first couple of chapters。 Who is responsible for the riots？ The BNP or someone closer to home。。。。Definitely worth a read。I liked the idea that A。A。 Dhand included quite a lot of historical information about Bradford and how it was once a bustling thriving mill town， how it became run down， how it rebuilt itself。 He’s not afraid to write about issues that are never far from the headlines of any newspaper or news broadcast。 I will definitely be buying the second Harry Virdee novel。 。。。more

ChopperCrimeBooks ，

“If you keep wandering the dark streets， maybe it is because you find peace in the darkness rather than in the light” – Mehmet Murat IldanThe sky over Bradford is heavy with foreboding。 It always is。 But this morning it has reason to be – this morning a body has been found。 And it’s not just any body。Detective Harry Virdee should be at home with his wife。 Impending fatherhood should be all he can think about but he’s been suspended from work just as the biggest case of the year lands on what wou “If you keep wandering the dark streets， maybe it is because you find peace in the darkness rather than in the light” – Mehmet Murat IldanThe sky over Bradford is heavy with foreboding。 It always is。 But this morning it has reason to be – this morning a body has been found。 And it’s not just any body。Detective Harry Virdee should be at home with his wife。 Impending fatherhood should be all he can think about but he’s been suspended from work just as the biggest case of the year lands on what would have been his desk。 He can’t keep himself away。Determined to restore his reputation， Harry is obliged to take to the shadows in search of notorious ex-convict and prime suspect， Lucas Dwight。 But as the motivations of the murder threaten to tip an already unstable city into riotous anarchy， Harry finds his preconceptions turned on their head as he discovers what it’s like to be on the other side of the law…We are introduced to the complex character of DI Harry Virdee。 A man driven by his dark and sinister past。 The guilt of a past event and a seperation from his immediate family drives him to do anything for his family。 He is clearly a determined man pounding the streets on an early morning run he discovers something grisly and disturbing。 It is more than a murder as we find out。I was struck by the grit and stark description of modern day Bradford。 The social problems， drug wars， poverty and violence closely observed and explained by the author。 His understanding of different cultures and religion set against the backdrop of Bradford are first class。 I have not been to Bradford， however; the attention to detail and description of every nook and cranny of the streets and buildings takes you right there。 His depiction of the weather leaves you shivering throughout craving a blanket and a warm drink！The religious tensions are clear between the Sikh and Muslim communities。 Harry chose outside of his religion and culture and his understanding and description of what takes place when this happens makes you feel that you are in amongst it。 It is sad and tragic to see how much his Father detests and hates his decision and hates him for doing it。 It left me feeling saddened and with little hope regarding the chance of their relationship ever repairing itself。 I will read on in the hope they will reconcile。Not only are there religious tensions， but there is a racial divide apparent throughout。 Harry is suspended from duty， however; in a similar vein to Luther is given license to investigate privately。 With the help of a convict who was a BNP activist。 Again the author gives us an insight into the complexities and intricacies of right wing policies and racism。 The author knows his city and what takes place within it。This debut highlights clearly the state of the human condition and how evil it can be and not only that he makes it clear to us in the spirit of transparency how bad our society is。I highly recommend this to you and the others in the DI Harry Virdee series。CheersBenChopperCrimeBooks 。。。more

Robert ，

I can’t believe so many 4 and 5 stars。 So far fetched and unbelievable。 Only reason got to three stars is so unusual。 Really disappointing 。

Rachel Stephenson ，

I was excited about this book - a different perspective on mystery/thriller with a Sikh protagonist in a little-known （outside the UK） town that I know and like。 But I was disappointed。 The dialogue is unnatural， bordering on melodramatic。 The protagonist isn't particularly likeable， and the fact that it's drummed into us every few pages that each character has a terrible dark secret in their past is grating。 The whole premise of a city being driven into chaos in a day seems a bit unlikely。 Also I was excited about this book - a different perspective on mystery/thriller with a Sikh protagonist in a little-known （outside the UK） town that I know and like。 But I was disappointed。 The dialogue is unnatural， bordering on melodramatic。 The protagonist isn't particularly likeable， and the fact that it's drummed into us every few pages that each character has a terrible dark secret in their past is grating。 The whole premise of a city being driven into chaos in a day seems a bit unlikely。 Also， if you're going to write something this dark - there is some pretty gruesome violence， and very little let-up - it just needs to be。。。 better。 。。。more

Samantha Luke ，

Absolutely loved this。Raw & grittyFantastic， want to read the rest if the series now。

David ，

Plenty of action， could be a good series。 Now to read the next one。

Jacqueline ，

Excellent！What a brilliant book。 DI Harry Virdee does get himself into some scrapes doesn’t he？ Twists and turns， with the real twist right near the end！ Action all the way through。 What more can I say？ A superbly written book， well worthy of its 5 Star review。

Patricia Scaife ，

I've been meaning to read this book ever since it was first written as it is set in the city I was born and grew up in。 I'm wondering why I left it so long， though I don't recognise such dark events as are in the book， I do recognise landmarks and areas of the city。 I enjoyed this and will go onto other books in the series。 I liked Harry Virdee but loved his wife Saima I've been meaning to read this book ever since it was first written as it is set in the city I was born and grew up in。 I'm wondering why I left it so long， though I don't recognise such dark events as are in the book， I do recognise landmarks and areas of the city。 I enjoyed this and will go onto other books in the series。 I liked Harry Virdee but loved his wife Saima 。。。more

Jamie Bowen ，

Detective Harry Virdee is suspended， his career may be over， and then he finds a body that could lead to Bradford exploding。 With ex-con and former BNP leader， Lucas Dwight， back in town it seems there is only one person responsible for this murder。 With Harry working outside of the system he sets out to solve the crime and redeem himself， but without his normal police resources to count on he’s on his own， even more than he realises。An incredible first novel to the Harry Virdee series， gritty， Detective Harry Virdee is suspended， his career may be over， and then he finds a body that could lead to Bradford exploding。 With ex-con and former BNP leader， Lucas Dwight， back in town it seems there is only one person responsible for this murder。 With Harry working outside of the system he sets out to solve the crime and redeem himself， but without his normal police resources to count on he’s on his own， even more than he realises。An incredible first novel to the Harry Virdee series， gritty， dark， thrilling and a proper page-turner。 Harry is no ordinary cop and the comparisons to BBC’s Luther is valid， there’s also a bit of L。A。’s Harry Bosch。 An excellent book！ 。。。more

Lesley ，

This book wowed me。It's gritty， raw and feels very real。 I like something extra with my crime books， and AA Dhand has added a good splash of Asian culture。It is action packed， and fast paced。Parts of it had an action movie feel to it， but i felt that it worked。 It would make a great tv drama。 This book wowed me。It's gritty， raw and feels very real。 I like something extra with my crime books， and AA Dhand has added a good splash of Asian culture。It is action packed， and fast paced。Parts of it had an action movie feel to it， but i felt that it worked。 It would make a great tv drama。 。。。more

Trudy ，

I really enjoyed this book， which focused on Bradford， poverty， drugs， racism。The key character， Harry， is a Sikh but was cast out by his family for marrying a Muslim。 His wife is heavily pregnant and is trying to keep some elements of both religions going。 Harry is a suspended detective and an engaging character。 In order to keep his job he sets out to find a far right extremist who is suspected of murder。 The second half of the book is a fast paced thriller with lots of twists， highly recommen I really enjoyed this book， which focused on Bradford， poverty， drugs， racism。The key character， Harry， is a Sikh but was cast out by his family for marrying a Muslim。 His wife is heavily pregnant and is trying to keep some elements of both religions going。 Harry is a suspended detective and an engaging character。 In order to keep his job he sets out to find a far right extremist who is suspected of murder。 The second half of the book is a fast paced thriller with lots of twists， highly recommended。 。。。more

Michael Smyth ，

Very entertaining and moved at a fast pace。 Well worth reading。

Iris ，

Cannot tell anything good because I did not understand a single word of what the heavily accented narrator was reading。 Was this supposed to be an Indian accent？ If yes， I am sorry。 I have listened to hundreds of English audiobooks and I even understand Scottish or Irish accented narrations。 If this book is read in English one should be able to comprehend。 I am annoyed。

Jane Garner ，

Serious northern grit set in the seedy underbelly of Bradford。 Detective Harry Virdee， newly suspended， starts the toughest day of his life。 Nonstop action。

Mark Worsnop ，

Loved this book！ A proper page turner that kept me guessing。 All the more interesting because I have spent many years working in various parts of Bradford so the places were familiar。 Looking forward to reading the next book in the series！

Asha Stark ，

Enjoyed that it wasn't a bunch of whites running about solving crime which most murder mysteries are。 Enjoyed that it wasn't a bunch of whites running about solving crime which most murder mysteries are。 。。。more

Farhana ，

I love thrillers and Streets of Darkness delivers。i couldn't put it down。 I love thrillers and Streets of Darkness delivers。i couldn't put it down。 。。。more

Huw ，

Excellent。。。 read on a recommendation。。。 have now bought the next two！！！ High praise indeed。

Alison Rayner ，

Dramatic thriller especially for readers who know Bradford

Kate Niestrom ，

This book taught me so much about the streets of Bradford and the Asian culture and divide that exists there。 I was fascinated by the characters and their backstories， but to point where I honestly can't tell you anything about what the plot or mystery of this book was。 This book taught me so much about the streets of Bradford and the Asian culture and divide that exists there。 I was fascinated by the characters and their backstories， but to point where I honestly can't tell you anything about what the plot or mystery of this book was。 。。。more

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Streets of Darkness

hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Streets of Darkness&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft

The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,Streets of Darkness&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0