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A review by frasersimons
The Language of Secrets by Ausma Zehanat Khan
4.0
Really enjoyed this. Police procedural that centres a practicing Muslim man, Esa, with Rachel, an athlete who’s thoughtfully navigating multiple intersections. CPS, a community policing effort with those two as partner, gets called in to investigate a childhood friend of Esa who is found murdered in the Algonquin woods. It turns out that this friend was a police officer embedded at a mosque where some of its members are planning a terrorist attach in Toronto.
There are so many things about this that make for a fantastic book. For one: it’s thoroughly researched and inspired by the Toronto18. Failings and successes of the police in those events allows for a highly compelling drama. It explores the differences in interpretations of the Qur’an, including historical contexts that are provided by Esa, as he has to navigate these really personal aspects to the case. It allows the reader to be educated about really politically fraught topics, which is needed. There is so much misinformation around Islam and Muslim culture in general. It made for really great reading. Plus, it paralleled the mandate of CPS, showcasing why diversity in action literally makes people better at their jobs. In this case it allowed for the police to solve what was going on. The ending just reinforced how real that struggle is too. Throughout Esa takes so much bullshit from coworkers.
Another subversion of the procedural genre is with Rachel too. She’s not just athletic, she’s an actual athlete. She eats all the time, stands up for what’s right, and routinely her views and thoughts lead to breakthroughs that are a team effort with Esa. It’s a very great pairing. And she serves as the a foil for people who aren’t aware of cultural issues and dynamics in the work place.
Love this series. Fantastic.
There are so many things about this that make for a fantastic book. For one: it’s thoroughly researched and inspired by the Toronto18. Failings and successes of the police in those events allows for a highly compelling drama. It explores the differences in interpretations of the Qur’an, including historical contexts that are provided by Esa, as he has to navigate these really personal aspects to the case. It allows the reader to be educated about really politically fraught topics, which is needed. There is so much misinformation around Islam and Muslim culture in general. It made for really great reading. Plus, it paralleled the mandate of CPS, showcasing why diversity in action literally makes people better at their jobs. In this case it allowed for the police to solve what was going on. The ending just reinforced how real that struggle is too. Throughout Esa takes so much bullshit from coworkers.
Another subversion of the procedural genre is with Rachel too. She’s not just athletic, she’s an actual athlete. She eats all the time, stands up for what’s right, and routinely her views and thoughts lead to breakthroughs that are a team effort with Esa. It’s a very great pairing. And she serves as the a foil for people who aren’t aware of cultural issues and dynamics in the work place.
Love this series. Fantastic.