Andrew Killeen s debut novel is a historical thriller with a difference. Inspired by the spirit of The Thousand and One Nights, from which the book takes it structure, it propels the reader on a whirlwind tour of the poetry and politics of Harun Al-Rashid's Baghdad. At the heart of the story lies the relationship between the narrator Ismail, a storyteller and petty thief, and Abu Nuwas, the most celebrated poet of his age. This unlikely pairing is assigned the task of investigating rumours that the devil is stalking the streets of medieval Baghdad, and the plot has everything from murder and secret agents to forbidden cults. If you like your historical fiction full of action, intelligent and well-researched, then you ll be captivated by Killeen s interweaving plot lines. With a sequel in the pipeline( which revisits the characters over a decade later) Andrew Killeen is certainly one to watch out for. David Viner in the Bookseller
The Father of Locks
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In one sense, this is a classic use of the detective-story form the apparently unconnected mysteries that combine, the likely suspect who becomes a victim, the detective framed for the crimes investigated. In another, it is a celebration both of the Islamic world at one of its peaks and the sudden reversals of fortune that characterise its best-remembered product. Killeen appropriates cheerfully, but with a consciousness that what is at stake is the common cultural heritage of humankind. He is providing us with a splendid piece of entertainment; he is also making a sly but important point. --Roz Kaveney in The Independent
The characterisation of the narrator the aspiring poet Ismail-al-Rawiya and Nuwas are very strong. Ismail s fascination and frustration with the genius poet is shared by the reader; Nuwas is charming and maddening in equal measure. --Hugh Armitage in Gay Times
Somehow this complex narrative is controlled and brought full circle in this entrancing and turbulent book, as full of accurate historical detail as any scholarly work, yet as compellingly readable as its great original. --Jane Jakeman in Shots Magazine
The characterisation of the narrator the aspiring poet Ismail-al-Rawiya and Nuwas are very strong. Ismail s fascination and frustration with the genius poet is shared by the reader; Nuwas is charming and maddening in equal measure. --Hugh Armitage in Gay Times
Somehow this complex narrative is controlled and brought full circle in this entrancing and turbulent book, as full of accurate historical detail as any scholarly work, yet as compellingly readable as its great original. --Jane Jakeman in Shots Magazine
About the Author
Andrew Killeen was born and lives in Birmingham. He studied English at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, and has spent most of his career working with homeless and disadvantaged children. He supports Birmingham City FC, as karmic punishment for sins in a past life. In his spare time he makes music, and can occasionally be found performing as a singer, musician and DJ. He supports Birmingham City FC, as karmic punishment for sins in a past life. He published The Father of Locks to critical acclaim in 2009 and in 2010 the sequel The Seven Voyages of Abu Nuwas will follow.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Paul Ashby
Format:Paperback
First things first - don't be encouraged or put off by the cover image. In fact, such is the huge range of subject matters covered in this book it would probably be difficult to come up with a truly representative cover. Essentially its an swashbuckling adventure based whodunnit with an amazingly rich cast of characters who rattled around my head for days after I'd finished the book. In addition to this it's generously littered with some exceptionally witty passages that had me laughing out loud at times. As well as being entertaining its also interesting for the time period chosen and the perspective this gives. i.e. Baghdad is the centre of civilisation and everything that goes with it. In contrast, the UK is just some far flung barbarian inhabited island. One word of warning though - there are a lot of strange Arabic names to the characters and I sometimes found it difficult to even pronounce some of them in my head! However, this does add authenticity to the book which I thoroughly recommend to anyone who likes historical fiction with a bit of an edge to it.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By E. O'Brien
Format:Paperback
I loved the Father of Locks - it's brilliant without being clever-clever, and set in an amazing period of history that I knew nothing about. It's a great loose rambling tale, with intricate sub-tales and some hefty - apparently historical - characters. It's all loosely pinned to a whodunnit - hints of Name of the Rose but not nearly so smug. A good read, smart and very funny.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By T. Foster
Format:Paperback
I'm not a reader of novels by any stretch of the imagination. Looking at the cover of this book, I wouldn't have picked it up as a "throw away" at the airport either. However, after being told (from a biased source) about the book, I bought and read it. How glad am I that I did? This is quite literally a masterpeice. When you consider that this is the first published work from the author, it's even more incredible.
There isn't a page in the book that doesn't have you enthrawled. Most novels have some enthrawling pages, some that pass you by and some that drag. The Father of Locks has only the first. It moves at a pace unheard of in most literary works.
After reading the synopsis I was a little sceptical that it would be "my type of book", but the first few pages pushed that though out of my head. From the outset the book moves along at such a pace that you are desperate to turn the page and find out more.
You need no knowledge of the area or the history to enjoy this work. Andy skillfully gives every reader a very vivid impression of both the geographical and the historical, without sounding like a school teacher. The characters, based primarily on actual people of the time, are very believable and credible, even when artistic licence is envoked. The subject area may put a number of potential readers off, but if you clear your mind of everything you know, or think you know, about Iraq, you cannot fail to enjoy this.
I have bored many people, in a number of countries, with my enthusiasm about this book. If this is a taste of Andy Killeen's future literary offerings then I think he has a very bright future ahead of him.
There isn't a page in the book that doesn't have you enthrawled. Most novels have some enthrawling pages, some that pass you by and some that drag. The Father of Locks has only the first. It moves at a pace unheard of in most literary works.
After reading the synopsis I was a little sceptical that it would be "my type of book", but the first few pages pushed that though out of my head. From the outset the book moves along at such a pace that you are desperate to turn the page and find out more.
You need no knowledge of the area or the history to enjoy this work. Andy skillfully gives every reader a very vivid impression of both the geographical and the historical, without sounding like a school teacher. The characters, based primarily on actual people of the time, are very believable and credible, even when artistic licence is envoked. The subject area may put a number of potential readers off, but if you clear your mind of everything you know, or think you know, about Iraq, you cannot fail to enjoy this.
I have bored many people, in a number of countries, with my enthusiasm about this book. If this is a taste of Andy Killeen's future literary offerings then I think he has a very bright future ahead of him.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
When asked to describe this book, I tell people it is like a Bond novel set in the Islamic Golden age with a surprising amount of sodomy and fellatio. However this fails to do justice to Killeen's superb writing and thorough research. Rich in the storytelling vein of Arabian Nights, complete with some beautiful poetry of the Golden Age, it is an enthralling adventure story and a crime thriller that keeps you guessing to the end. Engaging characters, sparkling dialogue and rich historical settings made this a book that I looked forward to reading every night. I'm going to start on Killeen's next book 'The Khalifah's Mirror' and hope it matches up to the first!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By EM Eames
Format:Paperback
A fascinating read, thoroughly recommended for all literary types, especially those who appreciate the wit, wisdom and wily arts of the storytellers associated with the misnamed "Middle East". Father of Locks is funny, insightful and carefully structured - a major contribution to the slim body of literature that plays knowingly around the edges of history and myth.
Apparently this is Andy Killeen's first novel, which makes it an even more significant achievement. It deserves a wide readership. When so much literary fiction is safe and predictable, it is refreshing to come across a writer who takes risks with style and structure, and who puts a contemporary 'feel' into an important strand in our literature.
I'm shocked to see "Da Vinci Code" as a potential tag for this book. Father of Locks is many floors above that in the Tower of Storytelling!
Apparently this is Andy Killeen's first novel, which makes it an even more significant achievement. It deserves a wide readership. When so much literary fiction is safe and predictable, it is refreshing to come across a writer who takes risks with style and structure, and who puts a contemporary 'feel' into an important strand in our literature.
I'm shocked to see "Da Vinci Code" as a potential tag for this book. Father of Locks is many floors above that in the Tower of Storytelling!
By K. D'Souza
Format:Paperback
This is a book which has it all: crime, romance, adventure, friendship, superstition, politics, humour and thrills. There are stories within stories and unforgettably colourful characters. I was initially put off by the gory cover image and the fact I knew nothing about the historical period/location in which the story is set (medieval Baghdad) but within a few pages I was hooked and happy to be carried along by the action. It's one of those stories which leave you with vivid images and more knowledgeable than before. I enjoyed it so much I moved straight on to its sequel, The Khalifah's Mirror, for more.
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