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The Cook

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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

The gripping new novel from the award-winning author of the Sunday Times Book of the Month, THE WAITER.

Kamil Rahman is a cook in a Brick Lane restaurant. But he used to be a detective back in Kolkata. And somehow trouble still knows how to find him.

When a young woman Kamil knows is murdered the police are convinced her boyfriend is the culprit. Kamil isn't so sure and feels he has no choice but to start his own investigation. Meanwhile, his friend and restaurant manager, Anjoli, is troubled by a rise in the number of homeless deaths in their local area.

The cases seem unrelated and as the duo dig deeper, discovering tentacles that stretch from Lahore to London, they find themselves in grave danger.

Together they take on the indifference of the authorities to the homeless and the casual racism that pervades the investigation of killings of Muslims - all while a supremely intelligent murderer is manipulating events to stay several steps ahead of them.

Praise for The Waiter:

'A hugely entertaining first novel, taking us from Kolkata to Brick Lane' Ann Cleeves

'An outstanding debut' Sunday Times Book of the Month

'A rip-roaring mystery that's engrossing from start to finish... a refreshing and welcome addition to the world of detective fiction. One of my favourite reads of the year' Abir Mukherjee

© Ajay Chowdhury 2022 (P) Penguin Audio 2022

Amateur Sleuths Crime Thrillers Detective Fiction International Mystery & Crime Mystery Private Investigators Thriller & Suspense Crime

Critic reviews

A real surprise... It is not just the descriptions of food that leave you hungry for more (Mark Sanderson)
Thrilling... This is a terrific series, a vivid portrait of the East End where a thriving economy is overshadowed by the effects of inequality (Joan Smith)
Chowdhury's portrait of multicultural London is as effective as his portrayal of the mixed feelings of his characters, who may enjoy aspects of their lives but still long for the pleasures they have left behind (Natasha Cooper)
Kamil and Anjali are a terrific team. Chowdhury makes the murder mystery feel like a brand-new invention. His second thriller is chockfull of authentic flavours and tasty surprises that will leave readers wanting more. (Christopher Fowler, author of the Bryant and May Mysteries)
Marvellous! A vivid romp through the Londoner's London, seen through the sharp eyes of a recent arrival. The only thing that induced me to put it down was the fact that it made me so hungry...
A real page-turner
The Cook is an ideal summer read... [a] dazzlingly clever plot
All stars
Most relevant
Thoroughly enjoyed this second book. Entertaining and engaging will listen to the next one now.

Great series

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And unusual and eccentric detective from India. Find himself in Brick Lane in London. It’s not what is full of twists and turns and lots of mouthful mean descriptions of food stop uneasy and fun read.

Tasty recipe

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The Waiter was a superb debut but The Cook takes it to the next level. The story is even more compelling; and the key characters from the first novel all return with plenty of twists and turns. I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series!

Defying the norm, the sequel rocks!

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I enjoyed the chararactors, location and the plot and the unexpected twist.Waiting for the next one

Enjoyable

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I got The Waiter on Audible by pure chance, intrigued by the idea of a Bengali detective hiding out in London. It was so much fun that I then bought The Cook, which is even better, being more propulsive and developing the relationship between the hero and his friend Onjali.i loved the details of the food he cooks in her parents’ Brick Lane restaurant, his naivety and thoughtfulness, her sassiness. Now buying the paperback and ordering the happy birthday of The Detective. He’s a real find. The audiobook is brilliantly read, with brio and charm.

First rate detective novel

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