About

New York Review of Books

‘Private investigator Makana is a breath of fresh air…filled with humanity and empathy…An electrifying psychological thriller, one that will keep you guessing right to the very last page.’

Marcel Berlins – The Times

‘One of crime fictions most interesting and sympathetic detectives.’

‘[W]onderfully written, compelling thrillers.’ The Guardian

‘This beautifully written series just gets better and better.’ Sunday Express

‘Sharp, witty, politically astute thrillers…The perfect 21st Century detective.’ Al Jazeera

‘Bilal whisks the reader straight to the dark heart of Cairo.’ The Economist

‘[An] excellent series.’ The New York Times Book Review

‘Makana is a compelling, even an archetypal, hero . . . [A] must-read series.’ Booklist

‘Deftly wraps a whodunit around an eloquent, character-driven look at recent history.’ Kirkus Reviews

‘Brilliant.’ Joan Smith, Sunday Times

‘Gripping’ Literary Review

‘Brilliant, tremendously successful.’ Independent

‘Enthralling’ The Guardian

‘Superb crime novel.’ Sunday Times Must Reads

‘Excellent…More please.’ Literary Review

Books

CRANE & DRAKE

There are three books so far in the series beginning with The Divinities.

These books pit the muscle of an ex-serviceman and sometimes Detective Inspector Cal Drake with the brains of forensic psychologist Ray Crane.

The books take place against the setting of a changing London hit by the vast sums of money flowing into the property market. Political and financial corruption combined with an underfunded and failing Met police set the scene for the three stories.

MAKANA

There are six books so far in the MAKANA series which chart the progress of the main character across the decade leading up to the Egyptian revolution of 2011.

Each book takes place in a particular year, with a story set within the evolving political context of Egypt and the Middle East.

There are four more books planned to complete this series.

The Author

Parker Bilal was born in London and raised in Khartoum, since then he has lived in a number of places, including South Wales, Sheffield, London, Cairo, Aarhus, Barcelona and Amsterdam. He speaks a number of languages including English and has published fiction and non-fiction.

To find out about his other writing you can go to the site of his alterego JAMAL MAHJOUB

More Press

«A brilliantly written London noir from a master of the genre» – Mason Cross

«A firecracker of a novel» – Eric van Lustbader, author of The Bourne Legacy

“A new best for this absorbing series, [City of Jackals] offers a must-read, street-level look at African politics; a compelling personal journey; and a top-rate mystery.” —Booklist, starred review

“[A] distinctive private detective . . . [An] excellent series.” —The New York Times Book Review

“Sharp, witty, politically astute thrillers . . . The perfect 21st-century detective.” —Al Jazeera America

“Makana is a compelling, even an archetypal, hero . . . [A] must-read series.” —Booklist, starred review

“One of crime fiction’s most interesting and sympathetic detectives . . . [Bilal] gets better and better.” —The Times

“Bilal whisks the reader straight to the dark heart of Cairo.” —The Economist

“Deftly wraps a whodunit around an eloquent, character-driven look at recent history.”—Kirkus Reviews

“This fifth entry in the international thriller series is excellent.”—Library Journal

“Deeply atmospheric.”—Seattle Times

‘A must-read series for fans of international crim fiction’ Booklist

‘This beautifully written series just gets better and better’ Sunday Express

“One of crime fiction’s most interesting and sympathetic detectives” Marcel Berlins, The Times

“Brilliant” Joan Smith, Sunday Times

“Gripping” Literary Review

“Superb” Independent