The Kingpin by A.A. Dhand

A. A. Dhand’s The Kingpin is a relentless, high-stakes thriller that builds confidently on the foundations laid in The Chemist. Set against the unforgiving backdrop of Leeds and Bradford’s criminal underworld, it delivers an intense blend of organised crime, family loyalty and moral compromise. While newcomers may be able to follow the broad strokes of the story, this is very much a continuation of Idris Khan’s journey, and readers will gain far more by beginning with the first novel.

Once a respected pharmacist, Idris is now a man haunted by the choices that have reshaped his life. He longs for an ordinary future, but that possibility seems increasingly remote when his estranged brother Zidane is unexpectedly released from prison. Charismatic, dangerous and endlessly ambitious, Zidane arrives with a proposal that promises power beyond anything either brother has imagined. His vision of controlling the drug trade across two cities forces Idris to confront an impossible question. Can he walk away while he still has the chance, or has he already crossed too many lines to turn back?

Dhand excels at creating protagonists who occupy the uneasy space between hero and villain, and Idris remains one of the most compelling characters in contemporary crime fiction. Intelligent, compassionate and deeply flawed, he repeatedly finds himself making decisions that are difficult to defend yet strangely understandable. His background as a pharmacist continues to distinguish the series, with his medical knowledge adding an original and unsettling dimension to the novel's violence and ingenuity.

The relationship between Idris and Zidane forms the emotional heart of the story. The brothers represent contrasting responses to the same world, one seeking survival, the other domination. Their dynamic is layered with resentment, affection and shared history, giving the novel an emotional complexity that elevates it beyond a conventional gangland thriller. Around them, Dhand assembles a cast of memorable returning characters whose shifting loyalties and hidden motivations keep the narrative in constant motion.

The pacing is exceptional. Despite its substantial length, The Kingpin rarely pauses for breath, balancing explosive action with quieter moments that deepen both character and tension. The intricate plotting demands attention, rewarding readers with a succession of revelations, reversals and escalating conflicts that rarely feel predictable. Dhand also demonstrates a keen understanding of place-making in the narrative. Leeds and Bradford emerge as fully realised settings, where legitimate lives and criminal enterprises exist side by side, shaped by deprivation, ambition and community.

Beneath its thrilling exterior lies an exploration of power, identity and the corrosive nature of violence. The novel repeatedly asks how far an ordinary person can be pushed before extraordinary actions begin to feel inevitable. It also reflects on family obligation, personal responsibility and the seductive nature of influence in environments where survival often depends upon compromise.

The Kingpin confirms A. A. Dhand as one of Britain's most accomplished crime writers. Combining authentic settings, morally complex characters and breathless storytelling, it is a gripping sequel that not only surpasses expectations but leaves his avid readership base eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Idris Khan's story.

Reviewer: Chris Reed

Harper Collins