I would love to interview Ausma on my podcast again! Ausma is an incredibly talented and underrated author. It was so cool to see a Muslim detective in an adult mystery book.

The Community Response Unit is tasked with addressing two officer involved shootings involving minority victims and trying to calm two communities on edge. The shooting of Duante Young appears to be justifiable but tragic. Officer Harry Cooper repeatedly identified himself as a police officer, repeatedly told Duante to stop, and after Duante stopped, turned, and charged at the officer with a possible weapon, Officer Cooper repeated his order to stop and fired a warning before the fatal shot was fired, all caught on the body cam. Harry Cooper is the last officer anyone would ever expect to be involved in a racially motivated shooting, especially in Blackwater Falls. The shooting of Mateo Ruiz is hazier. It occurred in the midst of a drug raid with suspects fleeing, smoke in the air from tear gas, civilians in the mix, and Mateo being shot in the back. Kelly Broda has been identified as the officer who fired the shot, but he is refusing to talk. To complicate matters further, Inaya’s nemesis John Broda has come from Chicago to Denver to enlist her aid in clearing his son, whom he is convinced cannot be responsible. The investigations into the shootings will reveal numerous secrets. And it will be discovered that race was not a factor in either shooting, both of which had more personal motives. Complicating things for the CRU are personal issues involving multiple members of the unit, which obscure their objectivity and cause them to overlook critical details.

Blood Betrayal is the second book in the Blackwater Falls series. Blackwater Falls is a town where cultures sometimes collide. Inaya Rahman works for the Community Response Unit. This unit tries to stand between the community and the police. In this book there is the murder of two young men of color by police officers. Are these shootings justified or something else? The community becomes a tinder box because of these two cases. Inaya is trying to investigate both murders.

This series is very interesting. Inaya was forced out of the Chicago Police department by her fellow officers. She is now in Blackwater Falls trying to start anew. This is a series of different cultures and maybe can open hearts and minds. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #AusmaZehanatKhn and #MinotaurBooks for a copy of this book.

Tragedy strikes twice in the same night in Blackwater Falls and nearby Denver. Two young men are killed in police-involved shootings that are potentially racially motivated, and the Community Response Unit is tasked with both investigations. But one of the officers involved is the son of John Broda, the man who led a violent attack on Inaya when she worked in Chicago. Forced to face her past and prejudices, Inaya must discover the truth of what happened that night…

Both crimes were detailed and complex with plenty of viable suspects to keep me guessing.

Inaya is strong, compassionate, and faithful. Her partner Catalina has a fierce commitment to justice and realistic vulnerabilities. Areesha is a bridge between the police and the victims’ families, keeping everyone accountable. I love seeing women supporting and uplifting other women.

And the romantic tension between Inaya and Seif was a delicious slow burn.

I highly recommend this series!

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC.

This was a good book, it is the second in the Blackwater Falls series, I had read the first which I found a bit better than this one. Two young men have been killed in Colorado and their deaths are being investigated by the CRU (Community Response Unit), Detective Inaya is tasked with investigating both, along with Catalina "Cat", and their boss Lieutenant Seif. There is a very diverse number of ethnic backgrounds in this story, Inaya is Muslim but has struggled with her faith after events in the first book, she is also attracted to Seif, who returns that attraction, he is from Palestine. A policeman was the shooter of one of the young men, a very reliable non confrontation type of policeman who has a clean record, no one can believe that he shot this person. The other shooter may have been part of a drug task force team who had been conducting a raid and chasing the young man through the streets. As the investigation goes on, bits of clues begin to come together and a picture of both shootings becomes clear. Then the story goes off in a direction that I didn't see coming, it was interesting though I'm not sure if added much to the story, but it was interesting. Overall I would recommend and I look forward to the next in the series. Thanks to #Netgalley and #St Martins for the ARC.

Blood Betrayal brings back Inaya Rahman, a Muslim detective in the Community Response Unit in Denver. She is surprised when John Broda, one of the police officers that harassed her so badly in Chicago she moved to Denver, shows up asking her to help clear his son’s name. His son, Kelly, is a young patrolman in Denver and has been accused of shooting a young Latino man. Meanwhile, Inaya’s boss, Seif, is investigating another officer involved shooting in Blackwater Falls of a young black man. The CRU’s goal is to investigate police interaction with the community, specifically to see if violence is warranted. As such, they are often at odds with the police who want to believe all actions, no matter how violent or even deadly, are justified.
Areesha, a civil rights lawyer, also returns, representing the mother of the young black man. As does Cat, Inaya’s partner.
There’s a lot of internal thought processes that all three women go through. We watch them try to meld their religious beliefs, their beliefs about prejudice and persecution with their jobs. Each is also dealing with family, romantic and/or marital issues. It makes for a much deeper story than the typical police procedural. The characters are fully fleshed out and interesting in all their complexities.
The two different investigations did keep the plot moving forward at a brisk pace. I enjoyed the resolution for both murders. It will be interesting to see where the series goes next.
I don’t feel that this would work well as a stand-alone.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

I had read the first in this new series, Blackwater Falls, and although the political themes and social issues running through that novel seemed too much to me, I looked forward to reading this second in the series — especially because of the interesting characters and great storyline. I may be an outlier again, but unfortunately, Blood Betrayal did not improve my view of what could be a dynamite series. Once again, the diverse and eclectic group of both main and supporting characters more than hold their own and are very well developed (and this is a definite strength of this novel). And again, although I agree with the author’s stance on the political and social issues that form the backdrop for the intriguing plot, the focus on these issues seems far too heavy handed and surface far too much.

Another great book from an author and a series that have become favorites of mine.
This story deals with 2 police murders, very timely topic indeed. On the surface they appear to be much like many we read about in the papers- over zealous police tactics in course of investigations. But the story is so much more.
The community policing unit ( with Inaya and Seif) become involved in both cases. I totally enjoyed their investigations with a really intriguing unifying plot. So many twists to the story as it evolves I could hardly put the book down.
I love that we continue to learn more about Inaya, Seif, their families and the rest of the team.
I continue to be appalled by the corruption and racism exhibited by these local police departments. We do see the human side of this as well in this novel though.
CAN NOT WAIT for the next in this series!
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC to read and review. Opinions are my own.

Ausma Zehanat Khan's "Blood Betrayal" is an extraordinary literary achievement that transcends the boundaries of crime fiction. With a meticulously crafted narrative, complex characters, and profound themes, this novel addresses important social issues.

One of the most compelling aspects of "Blood Betrayal" is its unwavering dedication to exploring complex and pressing societal themes. The novel digs deep into issues of justice, human rights, and the enduring impact of historical injustices. Khan's ability to weave these weighty topics into a gripping crime narrative is brilliant.

The characters in "Blood Betrayal" are richly developed and multi-dimensional. Esa Khattak and Rachel Getty, continue to evolve, grappling with personal and professional challenges while remaining steadfast in their pursuit of justice. Khan's portrayal of their inner struggles and moral dilemmas adds depth and authenticity.

Khan's writing is exquisite, with a lyrical quality that elevates the narrative. Her ability to evoke a sense of place and atmosphere is masterful, transporting readers to the various settings of the novel, from Canada to the Middle East. The vivid descriptions and immersive storytelling make this novel capitvating.

The plot of "Blood Betrayal" is a labyrinth of intrigue and mystery, expertly woven together with historical threads and contemporary dilemmas. Khan's narrative skill keeps readers on the edge of their seats, unraveling secrets and connecting dots with each turn of the page. The novel's multifaceted structure, combining past and present, adds layers of complexity..

"Blood Betrayal" shines a light on dark corners of the world. Khan tackles the atrocities of war and the lasting scars they leave on individuals and communities. Her unflinching exploration of these topics serves as a call to action, urging readers to confront the injustices that persist in our world.

"Blood Betrayal" stands as a beacon of innovation and substance. It is a book that challenges conventions and invites readers to engage with profound questions about morality, responsibility, and the pursuit of justice.

"Blood Betrayal" by Ausma Zehanat Khan is a masterpiece of crime fiction that transcends its genre. It is a novel that not only entertains but also educates and inspires. Khan's storytelling is a powerful force, shining a light on the darkest corners of our world and reminding us of the enduring importance of seeking justice, no matter the cost.

This is a book that has left me deeply moved and profoundly impacted.

The Community Response Unit (CRU) is investigating two officer involved shootings. A young Latine man is killed during a Drug Task Force raid in Denver while a young Black graffiti artist is shot by a reliable, veteran officer in Blackwater Falls.

This is the second in the Blackwater Falls series. I liked the main characters and most of the supporting ones, a diverse group of individuals whose culture and background experiences interact with and enhance their professional responsibilities. This is a very good story, well paced, with important, timely social and political issues.

The story does seem to be a bit uneven as it covers various relationships and diverse concerns. I did not read the first book in the series and because there is so much emphasis on the interpersonal connections, I would have liked to have had more background on the characters. I also would have liked to have known more about the CRU and just how it fit (jurisdiction?) with both the Denver and Blackwater Falls police departments. Still, this is a worthwhile read.

Book 2 of a series. Will definitely read book 1. Interesting characters of different cultures. Well written mystery. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

Book 2 in the Blackwater Falls series is getting personal. All the characters from book one are fleshed out as living human beings outside of their jobs. Personal Faith or lack thereof is also a large component to this sophomore outing.

With two police involved killings in separate incidences involving both the black and Latine communities, the Community Response Unit is once again called upon to determine what actually happened and to hold accountable the Police regardless of the outcome. This Unit headed by Qas Seif and with the help of Detective Inaya Rahman along with others are disliked and suspect by both the police department and the communities they seek to help and protect.

Author Zehanat Khan pens a complex story that boils down to father and sons while delivering some personal insight to the reader that might be unaware of what it's like to be nonwhite or non christian in the U.S.A. (the story continues to be set near Denver, Colorado). If you want more from your murder/mystery series outside of police procedure, give the Blackwater Falls a try.

4.5 stars

Thank you to Minotaur Books and St. Martin's Press for providing early access via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Book Title: Blood Betrayal
Author: Ausma Zehanat Rahman
Series: Blackwater Falls#2 - Detective Inaya Rahman
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery Thriller/Multicultural
Pub Date: November 7, 2023
My Rating: 3.2 Stars
Pages : 305

I was attracted to this story by the title as my hubby and I went to Blackwater Falls West Virginia for our Honeymoon.
Although I knew this was not going to be a sweet romance. Story takes place in Colorado not West Virginia and deals with serious issues.
I did read the first in this story and actually had a mixed reaction. In that story I was disappointed with so many of the men with their nasty language and lack of respect or empathy. They definitely confused being a male with being superior.
The police corruption, racial tensions with hate crimes against minorities were all difficult to read.

In the first story Inaya Rahman is a female Muslim detective and a member of the Community Response Team. She is investigating the murder of a young Muslim girl who was found crucified on the doors of a Muslim mosque.
Inaya has two female colleagues that she can turn to for help Muslin attorney Areesha Adams and Detective Catalina Hernandez her Hispanic partner.

I wanted to give this series another chance so here I am.
This story starts when Duante Reed a young black man appears to have a gun and is shot and killed by police officer Harry Cooper who is trying to stop a local group of vandals.
On the same night in Denver, Mateo Ruiz is shot and killed by Officer Kelly Broda in a drug raid.

The two victims appear to be law abiding young men their deaths a tragedy. The fact that both of the officers involved are white and both victims were young men of color, has locals believing it is racist behavior as situations have occurred within the local police department; however neither of the police officers’ have a history of excessive force or of racist behavior.

Detective Inaya Rahman takes on these two seeming racially motivated shootings – as we read on both have extenuating circumstances.

I did like this better than the first. I am a big thriller fan and not really big on police procedure but sometimes I need to change it up a bit!.

Want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for November 7, 2023.

My first reading of this author Ausma Zehanat Khan but not my last. Story line is riveting even though the subject is difficult. Impressed with the charactor definition. Looking forward to more.

Thanks for the chance to read this work.

After an incredible first book in the series, the second is just as complicated and captivating. There’s not much I could say that will do the subject matter justice.

I look forward to the next installment.

https://www.This is the second book in Khan's new series about Detective Inaya Rahman. I enjoyed the first one, as well as Khan's previous work, so I was excited to read this one. In some ways I enjoyed this one more than the first one, as I felt like it was less heavy (even though this one deals with heavy subject matter- and Khan's previous series was even heavier) and moved a bit better, however this one tried to cover too much in my opinion. It went between multiple characters, with the end result being there wasn't much depth to it. In the first book we learned a lot about the main character- in this one, especially as the book went on, it felt like we barely spent more time with her than than the multiple side characters the book focused on.
Also as a result I thought the plots of the cases got a bit lost at times- both were interesting and ended in interesting ways but with trying to further 2 cases plus various personal plots of side characters it was hard to really delve into much detail. Characters were distracted and didn't pick up on/follow fairly obvious investigation tracts, or would just take things at face value that seemed obvious to question.
I would definitely be more interested in future books going to primarily if not exclusively from the point of the main character, and the development of her relationships with various side characters told from her point of view.
All in all though this was an interesting/worthwhile/enjoyable addition to the series and I'm definitely interested to see what happens next, especially in the development of the relationship between two of the characters.

A fascinating mystery concerning two young men of color shot and killed by police officers.

In Blackwater Falls, a town just outside of Denver, a young black man named Duante Reed, is shot and killed by white police officer Harry Cooper who is trying to curb the actions of a local group of vandals. Harry sees what he thinks is a gun in Duante’s hands, and after his warnings to put it down are ignored, he shoots and kills him. On the very same night back in Denver, a drug raid gets out of hand, and a young Latine teen named Mateo Ruiz is also shot and killed, presumably by a police officer. Neither officer has a history of excessive force or of racist behavior, and there is bodycam footage of both incidents to show just how events unfolded. In the case of Harry Cooper shooting Duante, it appears that all protocols were observed to the letter, and the death was a tragic accident. In the case of Mateo, however, things are not quite as clear. It appears that Officer Kelly Broda fired the fatal shot, but the video’s quality does not actually show who fired the shot, and Kelly refuses to talk about the incident. The two victims appear to be law abiding young men, highly thought of in their communities and loved deeply by their families. Each death is clearly a tragedy, but was their any wrongdoing on either side? The fact that both alleged shooters were white police officers, and both victims were young men of color, has raised the specter of racist behavior in the eyes of many in the local communities, especially given the negative reputation of the sheriff’s department in Blackwater Falls. Denver’s Community Response Unit is tasked with looking into both incidents, which will stretch the tiny department’s resources very thin. Lt. Waqas Seif leads the unit, with Detectives Inaya Rahman and Catalina Hernandez and Officer Jaime Webb as investigators and occasionally with the services of civil rights attorney Areesha Adams. The unit’s purpose is to create open lines of communication between the police and the communities they serve, particularly those of color, to ensure that the law is fairly applied to all and that prejudices do not cause situations to escalate to violence. Clearly the CRU’s presence is needed in both of these cases, as either could cause their communities to explode. The present situations also have ties to the past; Kelly Broda’s father has an ugly history with Inaya, yet pleads with her to intervene to help his son, while several of the characters have connections to events in Afghanistan which may or may not have implications in Duante’s case. The members of the CRU have a very fine line to walk….they are not fully trusted by other members of law enforcement, nor are they completely accepted as advocates by the communities they try to represent. As they dig deeper into the lives of both the victims and the officers who took their lives, as well as the families and friends of both, many secrets come to light but the truth will be very difficult to unearth.
Blood Betrayal is the second book in the Blackwater Falls series, but it is not necessary to have read the first to throughly enjoy and understand this installment (I have not read the first). As the story progresses, different characters narrate their investigations as well as related goings on in their lives. The characters are extremely well-developed, but not at the expense of keeping the investigation moving at a brisk pace. The torn loyalties between duty and community, homeland and adopted country, tradition and progress, are all dualities explored alongside that of prejudices of and against law enforcement and the communities of different colors and beliefs. There is even a little sexual tension thrown in for good measure. As a reader, I no more knew who the villains were in this story than the investigators, and like them I learned about the many schisms that exist in today’s world. Readers of Ms Khan’s previous works will certainly enjoy her latest offering, as would readers who enjoy Angie Kim and Amanda Jayatissa. Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press/MInotaur Books for allowing me access to an advanced’ reader’s copy of Blood Betrayal.

Blood Betrayal by Asmara Zehanat Khan was almost like having two books in one. The story is about the murder of two non-white young men within a short period of time. There are no apparent connections between the killings. One killer was a policeman with a clean history, having never used his firearm. He admitted he drew his gun when he felt his life was in danger. The other is an unknown killer but it seems it was random, and the wrong person was killed.

In the book, there is a Community Response Team which tries to intervene to keep interactions between police and community members from becoming heated when things go bad. They are also law enforcement. The story revolves around members of the team and law enforcement. The characters are well developed, and many, but they are diverse enough that they are not easy to confuse while reading. I would like to see more from these characters.

If you are looking for a book that is inclusive of differing cultures, this is your read. As well, as a murder mystery, it may surprise readers. Things are not always as they seem. It was a puzzle that was not easy to solve.

Thank you Netgalley for a prepub copy to read and review.

Blood Betrayal is the first book I have read by Ausma Zehanat Khan. It definitely would not be the last. I thought this suspense filled book to be a great read. Five stars.

The Blackwater Falls series is very much a timely portrayal of a divided nation. The second in this series continues to follow Inaya and the other members of the Community Response Team. You would benefit by reading the first for context, it certainly helped my perspective. In the Denver area there are two police shootings in one night, one victim was Black the other Latino. A very broad range of characters encompasses the devastated family members, citizens of the neighborhoods, along with many sides of law enforcement personnel. There are devastated families in mourning, angry citizens, peaceful protests turned violent and everyone wants answers and demands justice. Relationships struggle with faith, heritage, roots, goals, the long lasting scars of war and secrets. There are immigrants trying to bury trauma and bitter memories from the Afghanistan war. The observance of faith, customs and beliefs are woven throughout the plot. The outcome of the shooting investigations was not at all what I’d braced for. Lots to think about in this moving and emotion filled story. The author took on an ambitious endeavor by combining two investigations, multiple agencies, several cities, other countries along with personal family dynamics and emotions into a cohesive story. I would definitely read more of her books.
An digital advance reader copy of “Blood Betrayal” Detective Inaya Rayman Series #2, by Ausma Zehanat Khan, St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books was provided by NetGalley. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.