A scientist specialising in chemical warfare is on the run in Istanbul in a gripping new investigation for 'one of crime fiction's most interesting and sympathetic detectives' (The Times)

One of crime fiction's most interesting and sympathetic detectives. Bilal's Cairo is a Los Angeles of yesteryear, Makana a wonderful Marlowe. That's a compliment to an author who gets better and better -- Marcel Berlins The Times This beautifully written series just gets better and better Sunday Express Paints a vivid picture of an effervescent Cairo, a city that could have been tailor-made as a crime-fiction backdrop. In Makana, Bilal has created a private detective who ticks all the usual boxes of doggedness, valour and ragged nobility, but it's his backstory, and the political ferment in neighbouring Sudan, that mark him out as a fascinating protagonist Irish Times For some time now, Parker Bilal has been writing superb crime novels set in Egypt Sunday Times Parker Bilal whisks the reader straight to the dark heart of Cairo ... His prose has a subtlety that is rarely found in crime novels Economist Richly evocative mystery ... It delivers much more than efficient intrigue ... We see and feel all the drama of Egypt on the brink of change Independent Bilal's powers of description and his sensible, wryly compassionate leading man make this an enthralling read Guardian Makana is a compelling, even an archetypal, hero ... A must-read series for fans of international crime fiction Booklist