The Unbroken

What a gritty start to a new series with a pair of kick-ass detectives for good measure.

Ok, it took a while to get to grips with DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton, they are not what you would call typical officers, and their personal lives are rather troubling, but yet it is clear they are great at their jobs.

This is a story that is incredibly diverse, and I loved getting to know the police team and their backgrounds, in addition to learning all about the family that is at the heart of this story.

For the Hayat's are uber rich, and think nothing can touch them, but whether they actually care for each other is another matter, even when their oldest son, Oscar and heir apparent is kidnapped and his new wife turns up dead.

I had no idea how the plot was going to unravel and I was gripped as a result of it. I was eager to learn everything I could about this case, and in it meet some very misguided people.

Yet at the same time, it's what has been happening in Moomy and Sarah's recent pasts, that I feel is going to shape the series, to the extent that I'm already dying to read book 2, based on the way this one finished. I feel there is far more to them both than has already been revealed and I am so looking forward to seeing how they develop over a series.

Fast paced and addictive, this is yet another fabulous thriller from Alex Caan, which asks the question of just whether you have to obey the law if you are a billionaire.

Thank you to Hera and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

My thoughts of this brilliant powerful police thirller was outstanding Alex Caan has written a crime thriller that deals with love revenge sacrifice greed how far could you go to protect your family it is a story of millie and Oscar's disappearance when they are on honeymoon in Turkey they get kidnapped and milles body has been found in London enter 2 hard hitting cops DI Sarah Heaton and DS Khan who investigate the murder of millie and still missing oscar what they also find out is shocking and who is behind this was gripping the characters were so hardhiting they looked real the detectives that Alex Caan has created are brilliant Sarah and Moomy are so brilliant and hardhiting they share a similar past that is so painful I feel for there characters a hardhiting plot that is fast paced and gripping loved it excellent and explosive can not wait for the next one a rollocoster Blockbuster ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐💥💥💥💥💥

Wow, this was such a great read! I don't think I've read a police procedural where both the detectives are women & I loved the dynamic between them. There were so many twists to this story - every time I thought I knew who did it, there was another revelation. This is a new series to look out for & I will be waiting to read them.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Hera Books for an advance copy of The Unbroken, the first novel in a projected series to feature DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan of the Met.

When a woman’s body is found on Hampstead Heath Sarah knows it is going to be a high pressure case because the dead woman is Millie Beaumont who was kidnapped on her honeymoon in Istanbul a week ago along with her new husband, the incredibly wealthy Oscar Hayat. So where is Oscar?

I enjoyed The Unbroken which is a compulsive tale with plenty of twists and turns. I found the narrative engrossing, if a touch far fetched in its motive and solution. It is told from various points of view, mostly Sarah and Moomy but some others who give the reader reason to be suspicious of them. Fortunately there is no word of the why until the denouement which keeps the reader interested and baffled, well, this reader at least.

It is also a cluttered novel with lots going on. Not content with the murder/kidnap plot which would be sufficient on its own as it is quite complicated with all sorts of potential scenarios the author spends fair chunks of the novel on Moomy’s backstory and hints at things to come for Sarah, as she too has secrets. Moomy’s story is harrowing and explains much of her angry, self destructive personality but it takes up too much room in a crime novel and detracts from the main event. At least it’s credible whereas Sarah’s story is, to me, too ludicrous to be believable but I’m not a big city girl so what do I know?

Moomy is a great character, loud, abrasive and effective with a strong streak of self destruction so you can’t help but warm to her. Sarah, I’m not so sure about and I think I’d need more time with her to warm to her. She seems like a woman who needs a crutch.

The Unbroken is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

5 stars

Millie Beaumont, from an ordinary family, married the billionaire Oscar Hayat in a dream wedding. There the dream ends.

A week later Millie’s body is found she died from a single gunshot to the head. Where is Oscar? Is he dead too?

DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan are assigned the case. Ir is a big one due to the amazing wealth of the Hayat family. Even the higher ups in the government get involved. There is much pressure on the police officers. They begin an intense investigation by first interviewing the Hayat family. Something in wrong here. Lara Hayat, Oscar's mother is hiding something as is her husband John. The other two sons are Spencer who seems to be pretty much a wastrel and Victor who is as driven as his father – and perhaps not as honest.

The investigation leads the police all over. Intense searches by their computer wizard provide real clues and new trails to follow.

Both Moomy and Sarah are survivors (one might say), of bad family experiences. The degree of pain and humiliation they have suffered is very well told in this book. It is folded into the story almost seamlessly. Very well done.

This book is remarkably well written and plotted. One event follows another in a logical manner. It is easy to read and addictive. The reader just must find out what the Hayat's are hiding and where Oscar is. What happened to him? This is a tense whodunnit complete with surprises and twists. While some things are obvious, others are not nearly so clear. This is my first Alex Caan novel, but it definitely won't be my last. I immediately went to Amazon to look for other books of theirs.

I want to thank NetGalley and Hera Books for forwarding to me a copy of this absolutely great book for me to read, enjoy and review.

An absolutely amazing story. Grady police proceedings story. Very informative and insightful. Loved it x

The body of Millie Beaumont is found on Hampstead Heath. She had just married into the wealthy Hayat family, none of whom were thrilled to have a girl of mixed heritage join their ranks. Detectives Moomy Khan and Sarah Heaton are on the case, but the Hayats remain tight lipped and the evidence is conflicting. The story of finding Millie’s killer is interspersed with snippets from the detectives’ lives. Both are struggling with previous trauma but choose to deal with it in very different ways.
A fast paced, exciting read, with interesting characters.

This book introduced us to some police characters who were certainly different,and I liked that.We got to know them as they were working on and trying to solve a complex case where nothing was as it seemed.The plot was good and the characters were well written,and I did guess some of the story but certainly not all.Good book, plenty going on ,good start to a new series,I hope.

Wow, what can I say about this book, but I absolutely loved it. I have to say I have the authors three previous books on my bookshelf which haven’t yet been read, but after this I will get there. I love the main female characters in this DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan. Two officers who really get things moving. Putting their boss DI Scott Blake in at times a difficult position, mainly because of politics of the wealthy and influential people who seem to get away with more than your everyday average Joe.

This is a police procedural but it’s not just that, it’s about greed, wealth, power given to those with money, race, religion. The story flows, the action is fast paced and the characters are all relatable in some way, three dimensional and believable. I really hope this is just the start of this series as I really need more.

I love the back story of the two officers, Sarah white female misses her mum after she died, could find no solace in the religion she has been brought up into, so converts to be a Muslim which gives her the peace she craves, but there is also a guilt there about her half sister. Then their is Moomy an Asian, who has had the strict upbringing that comes with being Asian female, the restrictions she had put on her, forced into marrying someone she had never met. The repercussions of that when she comes back to the United Kingdom. Her family have told people she is dead. But she is one strong lady, who has lost all her faith through the blows she has been dealt in life. Moomy and Sarah just make a perfect police team. Both hardened in some ways but there is still a softness that’s creeps through at times.

The investigation is into a missing woman Millie Beaumont who had married into a wealthy family. But on their honeymoon Oscar and Milly had disappeared, until Milly’s body is found on Hampstead Heath. But where is Oscar? Milly was from a poorer background, as well as being of colour, something Lara Hayat was not happy about. One of her three boys marrying someone of race and of lower class. Lara and John Hayat are moneyed people who can pull strings. They have three sons Oscar, Spencer and Victor. Lara had been raised with money, whereas John was American and had made his own way in the world becoming very wealthy, their marriage had been seen as a love match. But was it really. Victor the youngest son is very driven and wants the business all to himself, even if it means stepping on both his brothers toes.

An absolutely gripping, engaging, engrossing read, I could not put this down, really look forward to the next book in the series and where is leads Sarah and Moomy.

I would like to thank #netgalley and #Hera for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest, fair and unbiased review.

This is a new police procedural crime book series. The first chapter starts with a bang- a young educated mixed raced woman from a humble modest background called Millie is on a honeymoon in Turkey with her wealthy husband Oscar. Millie is found dead in Hampstead Heath, London and her husband is missing.

The story is told in multiple POV’s but it mainly centres on the POV of the police officers investigating the case D.I Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan. They are a bad ass duo who have very low tolerance to bull. In their pursuit to solve the case they navigate the world of Oscar and his family where they encounter abundant wealth and many hidden secrets. I particularly enjoyed the different mix of cultural and class backgrounds of the characters and how they all fit into the plot. The Muslim representation was also heavy as D.I. Sarah Heaton is a convert to Islam who encounters hostility due to this, and her partner DS Moomy Khan is struggling with identifying with her Muslim faith and her Asian culture due to past trauma. This is explored further in the story with many chapters giving a background on the Police Officers dysfunctional upbringing and family problems.

I found the story enjoyable and a quick read. It is a very character driven plot. Whilst there was action and some twists I felt too much focus was placed on the Police Officers personal lives which can take you out of the crime/murder investigation trail, and this for me ended up pushing the story into a more contemporary women fiction feel and not a thriller/crime book. I will still recommend this book and will look out for the second instalment of this series.

Thank you to Netgalley and Hera Books for this Arc in exchange for an honest review.

Mommy and Sarah are strong independent women. So different in many ways. In the ways that count they are a lot alike.
They are investigating the crime of a murder. Millie a young beautiful African American girl is getting married to a young handsome white man. He is extremely wealthy. His family are in the top echelons of society. Millie grew up as an only child in a middle class family.
Two young adults so different yet so alike.
Until Millie is found murdered. Signs of torture are evident on her body. Her groom remains missing.
An intriguing story of wealth, hypocrisy, racism, love and betrayal.
So many twists and turns! You're kept guessing to the very end!

Alex Caan has returned to the world of crime in his latest novel, The Unbroken and he explores the world of the seriously wealthy and introduces to a new, diverse cast of characters who really make this book feel fresh in the crime fiction genre. It really does make you look closely at the idea that there seems to be one law for a select few and one law for the rest of us.

For me, what made this novel stand out were the two lead detectives, DS Moomy and DI Heaton. While they both practise the Muslim faith, they have very opposing views. I think this is a much more character-driven crime novel than it is plot-driven, but I really liked this. Alex Caan still kept me invested in the main story, and I wanted to know who was behind the crime that takes place.

DS Moomy Khan grew up a Muslim and has spent her life trying to fight back against tradition and what is expected of her by her family and her religion. It does seem that she is still trying to work out if she believes in her faith. DI Sarah Heaton, however, has recently converted, having been brought up in a Christian family in England. I was really intrigued by DI Heaton, and I wondered what it was that had prompted her to make such a decision. Alex Caan fleshes out his characters really well, and he has given them interesting back stories which don’t feel overly familiar as so many back stories often do in crime fiction.

The novel opens with the discovery of the body of a young woman, Millie Beaumont, who has recently got married to the son of a self-made billionaire, Oscar, who is due to inherit his family’s fortune. They had recently left the country to go on their honeymoon to Istanbul, so how has she ended up back in London? Was she murdered in Istanbul and her body later dumped here? Or was she kidnapped and transported alive back to the capital? As DS Moomy and DI Heaton delve into the family she had married into, schemes and dark secrets are uncovered, which prompt the detectives to think someone within the family organised Millie’s murder. But could this be the case when their son has gone missing as well?

I loved how Alex Caan delved into the Hayat family and how he examined every part of their lives as his detectives raced to find an answer to the questions behind Millie’s murder. When I first started reading the book, I felt some level of respect for the head of the family, John Hayat, who escaped persecution during the reign of Sadam Hussain and strived to make his fortune. He seemed to be someone who stood on his morals, and he was the only person who seemed to approve of his eldest son’s choice to marry Millie. Despite how much he is worth and what he has achieved in his life, he seems really down to earth. His wife, who inherited her fortune, certainly isn’t pleased with the choice her son has made, and you can see that she has a very controlling personality.

As this series progresses, I’m going to be really intrigued to find out more about DS Moomy and DI Heaton. I hope Alex Caan takes these books a lot further and I will definitely be looking out for when the next one’s out.

So happy that this seems to be the first in a new series that I can enthusiastically get behind. Besides being a solid British police procedural, I appreciated the diverse, multiracial cast of characters in the story, especially the possibility of the women’s backstories featuring in more stories. Issues of race,, class, abuse politics and privilege are welcome in this genre and add to an engrossing plot.

The Unbroken is a really intriguing read, starting in quite spectacular style as it does with the abduction of a newly married couple at the start of their honeymoon. The results of this abduction are tragic, the story that unfolds of the family, the couple and their complicated lives, compelling and full of suspense. It is a read that drew me in and held me rapt, but perhaps not in the ways you are expecting.

This is not a fast paced story, in spite of the almost startling opening scene which sees Millie and her husband, Oscar, fall prey to an ambush. This is a far more contemplative read than the previous two thrillers from Alex Caan, and although different in their tone perhaps, equally as enticing to read. The reason? Quite simply the characters that he has put into this story, and the way in which he has chosen to portray them. A large portion of this cast, including the two lead Detectives, are female, and far from being the shrinking violet victim types, they are strong, independant and with authentic and powerful voices.

The two main Detectives make for a really interesting pairing. One is a lapsed Muslim who in the search to find who she is and where she belongs has lost her family, her love and her faith. DS Moomy Khan's story is one that I think many people will be able to relate to, whether Muslim or not, but especially for anyone who has come from a predominantly patriarchal community. She is spiky and her introduction to the story is almost shocking, but in a sly smile on your face kind of way. She is not your conventional Detective in any sense, but the more I got to know her, the more I liked her and the more I understood her. Some of her character traits I can relate to, others felt like a case of acting up after a very restricted upbringing.

Her absolute polar opposite is her boss and possibly closest friend, DI Sarah Heaton. Sarah is a white woman who has turned to Islam as a way of finding reason, peace and perhaps penance, in her life to recover from a very dark time. She was harder to get to know than Moomy, a little from staid in character, but as the story moves on we do come to learn more about her than perhaps even I expected. She has a complicated past with one of the key witnesses in the story, one which helps the reader to understand her better, but also see the conflict that still exists within her between what she desires and what her new found faith permits.

The main story, that of the abduction, leads the pair to the door of a very rich and powerful family, a blend of old money and new, one where everybody seems to be covering up some kind of lie. It is easy for suspicion to fall upon each of Oscar's family in turn for what comes to pass, many, especially his youngest brother, Victor, who makes no attempts to hide his contempt for his family. I loved the internal conflict, the feeling that they were hiding not only from the police but from each other too. It added another layer of suspense and tension to the story and kept me guessing as to who was really behind the abductions.

This is very much a family led story as everything, from the abduction to the lives of the main investigative team, is shaped by their combined or individual pasts. It seems to be a slow discovery of just how far people will go to support or protect the people they love. Of the sacrifices they are willing to make for them. Yes there is a murder at its heart, but the book is very much more than that and I am really looking forward to seeing the author develop the main characters further as this is one of the strengths of his writing - creating people you believe in and are happy to go on a journey with. Definitely one to read if you like to see a strong, female led, family based drama unfurl.

Alex Cain has written a marvelous novel of two strong policewomen that share a major case of a missing couple in The Unbroken.
It slowly reeled me in an kept me reading half the night and up early the next morning!
It always amazes me how rich people think they have their own set of rules.
This time, they find out, maybe the consequences are not in their favor.
Solid five stars.

The author has done a good job of combining police procedural and a crime thriller. A good start to a series with two female lead characters and a convoluted plot with suspicion falling on all involved in turns. The conclusion fell a bit flat for me. I would definitely recommend this book and look forward to the next one.

Alex Caan is a new writer to me but this is an impressive way to be introduced. The Unbroken is the first in a series which promises much. The two lead cops, Sarah Heaton and Moomy Khan, are fascinating characters with great back stories; if I had one tiny criticism, it is that a little too much time is devoted to background. However, the story is an intriguing and engrossing mystery; a well-known and glamorous couple are kidnapped on honeymoon in Istanbul and the bride turns up dead in London. Can't wait for future additions to this series.

The Unbroken is the first book in a new crime series featuring two women detectives, DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton. I have to say I don’t know many crime series’ where they have two female leads. Girl power!

Both characters, whilst different, have a troubled past. I loved the dynamic of the vulnerability and strength that come with both these women. I was as invested in finding out about their pasts as I was with the case they were working on. Sometimes in the start to a new series, there is to much background, affecting the thrill and excitement of the actual case. This author makes the reader care about both whilst making it a page turner of a read.

The story starts off with Millie. Just the brief introduction was enough that I was as desperate for justice as Moomy and Sarah was for her. They seem to keep hitting walls in the investigation which had me as frustrated as they were. Their emotions with this case transferred from the pages over me, leaving me go through an array of emotions.

The Unbroken is a brilliant start to a new crime series. I am loving Sarah and Moomy and can’t wait to read more of this duo. I have a feeling there is more to come from their pasts that will add to the tension and suspense. A riveting read that had me clinging onto every word.

Millie Beaumont has just married rich boyfriend, Oscar Hayat, but soon after they both disappear whilst on honeymoon. Within days, Millie's body is found on a heath in London whilst Oscar is still unaccounted for. DI Sarah Heaton and partner, DS Moomy Khan investigate amongst the world of the super rich of the UK's capital.

This book is unusual for having two female police officers as its main partnership, and I think this gave it an interesting dynamic. I'm not convinced a DS would be able to talk to senior officers in the fashion that Moomy Khan does though and I'm unsure whether or not her character would outstay her welcome with me sooner rather than later. That said, I did enjoy reading it, the plot was interesting and didn't sag in the middle like some crime novels do. I enjoyed it enough to read a second one.

Thanks to NetGalley and publishers, Hera Books, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

I really, really don't know if I can do justice to the book with this review. But I will try my best.

Alex Caan is fucking brilliant!! His writing... Oh my freak... It hit me right between my eyes, a hard round, which stopped my breath. With personal lives and past of the lead detectives slowly being interweaved with the layers of investigation, this master conductor swayed the direction of the story so effortlessly that the winds blew in almost a synchronized way. It was nothing short of brilliant. I read the entire book with bated breath.

Millie and Oscar had a dream destination wedding and honeymoon in Istanbul, but those were only for the photographs. Something was brewing between them. Then came their kidnapping at their honeymoon but Millie's tortured and dead body was found in UK. Go figure... In fact it were the lead Detectives Sarah and Moomy who were given this convoluted case.

My first book by this author, man, had I been living under a rock? I didn't expect it to be so exciting, my due apologies to the author for underestimating him. How do I write about the eagerness that struck me when I started reading? How do I show about the way the book slowly enveloped me within itself, entrancing me? How do I explain the craving that overwhelmed me to know the truth? The book did all that and more.

The police investigation was swift with the brains of the lead detectives working overtime. The pages turned almost by itself, I was lost into the suspense of the story. The author was a master strategist who knew how to make the pieces of subplots fit seamlessly as well lay down the foundation of the main characters for the subsequent books.

That's it, my brain is broken. No more words can spew forth. I am done!!

I freaking loved the book!!

And that's all I am saying!!

This is the first book in a new series focusing on two police officers. The case in this book involves attempting to find out who abducted a couple on their honeymoon. The family has tons of enemies, so this isn't an easy case to solve. The book was filled with a lot of suspense and action. I will definitely read that next book in the series.

This book had me on the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed this book. This is a first from Alex Caan for me. I cant wait to read more from this author. I flew through this book it was so good. I highly recommend to all.

The Unbroken is the first instalment in the Detective Inspector Sarah Heaton and Detective Superintendent Moomy Khan series both of whom are employed by the Metropolitan Police Force. When the body of Millie Beaumont is discovered on Hampstead Heath in London killed by a single gunshot wound to the head, Sarah and her colleagues know they will be under huge pressure to bring the case to resolution quickly. Born into your average British family she went on to meet and marry billionaire Oscar Hayat in a lavish ceremony others could only dream about. It is then they ventured to Istanbul, Turkey, on their honeymoon where they were both apparently kidnapped, yet Oscar is still nowhere to be found. Is he dead? Or is something else going on? The police start by interviewing the Hayat family to ascertain whether they know anything about what happened or where Oscar may be but they almost immediately pick up that the family is hiding something; they definitely know more than they are letting on as they are bewilderingly calm.

This is an exciting and drama-filled start to a promising series that had me rooted to the spot reading long into the night. It's compulsive and completely absorbing from beginning to end, and there were twists and turns aplenty and the surprises just keep coming. Caan keeps the motive under wraps until the very end and this keeps you glued to the pages. All developments unfold in a linear and logical fashion making it so upincredibly easy to get lost in the story; it's addictive and the mission to uncover the secrets the Hayat family are hiding beneath their perfect facade is engrossing. The plot is gritty and both Moomy and Sarah are both talented and dogged investigators with incredibly painful pasts which I imagine we will hear more about in future books. Moving at a swift pace, The Unbroken leads you to consider whether money andhaving contacts in high places that often go along with that, really can buy you everything, including protection from the law. A highly entertaining and absorbing read. Many thanks to Hera Books for an ARC.

Alex Caan kicks off an action-packed new crime series with The Unbroken, a nail-biting and hair raising thriller featuring intrepid detectives Moomy Khan and Sarah Heaton. Tense, sinister and packed with jaw-dropping shocks and surprises that will make readers jump out of their skin, The Unbroken is high quality crime fiction that grabs readers by the throat from the very first page and keeps them captivated throughout.

Millie Beaumont and Oscar Hayat’s wedding was the event of the year. This high profile and high society wedding was on everyone’s lips and all everyone could talk about, however, nobody could foresee the shocking and catastrophic events that would follow their walk down the aisle. Their romantic dreams turn into a blood-curdling nightmare when they are both abducted with Millie killed in cold blood whilst billionaire playboy Oscar goes missing. Who would want to do such a thing? What secrets did Millie and Oscar have that would drive somebody to commit such a gruesome, despicable and heinous act? Was it somebody driven by money? Or is there something even more sinister and terrifying going on?

DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton are on the case and they are both determined to get to the bottom of this gruesome mystery. Both Moomy and Sarah have had their own demons to contend with. Their lives and their pasts have not exactly been free of difficulties and hardships, but their experiences have helped shape them as both human beings and police officers. Finding who killed Millie and tracking down Oscar becomes top priority for the two of them and they both realise that this is going to be anything but easy and straightforward. The Hayats are a family with plenty of enemies which leads Moomy and Sarah to wonder whether this act of violence was the ultimate act of revenge – or whether there is someone even more disturbed and deranged behind the scenes planning something even twisted…

With Oscar’s life in jeopardy, Moomy and Sarah will leave no stone unturned to track him down and save him from a similar fate to his wife, but are they already too late? Or will they save Oscar at the eleventh hour?

A fantastic page-turner that is brilliantly written, wonderfully plotted and so compulsively readable that readers will find themselves unable to get any sleep as they find themselves desperate to find out what happens next, The Unbroken is a high stakes edge of your seat thriller that is definitely not for the faint-hearted. Alex Caan brilliantly and deftly ramps up the tension and suspense from the off and will keep readers on a knife’s edge and chewing their fingers to the bone as they find themselves completely and utterly consumed by this story.

Gutsy, gripping and impossible to put down, judging by The Unbroken, the Khan and Heaton series looks set to be a must-read for crime fiction fans everywhere.

Absolutely riveting read for me this! Loved it! We are introduced to two female coppers DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton, who are thrown headlong into a murder case...but not just any murder case! This one is a high profile case, from a very rich and powerful family, The Hayats. It is also a kidnapping case, these two officers do nothing by halves! The eldest son Oscar has recently got married to the beautiful, clever Millie,who is not the typical match for the eldest son of money, she is of colour and poor. The problems begin when Millie is found dead on Hampstead Heath and Oscar is missing. Sarah and Moomy have to delve into both families and discover all was not as well as it seemed, the perfect facade cracked but papered over.
The speed of which this story moves is fast, with a gritty plot and raising the question of how much can money protect you, from anything, including the law? Moomy and Sarah are doggedly determined to get to the bottom of it all, but at what cost?
With thanks to Netgalley and Hera books for the ARC which I offered to review.

OVERALL - I liked The Unbroken. The Unbroken kept me interested until the end. The Unbroken was well written and engaging. The Unbroken evoked emotion. The story was beautifully written, with a consistent style and tone, and efficiency of description that didn't slow the pace. The Unbroken was original, and well written. An excellent addition to the genre. The Unbroken had standard tropes delivered with a smooth writing style. The dialogue in The Unbroken was nice and tight. I would recommend The Unbroken to any fan of the genre.

The Unbroken by Alex Caan
A Khan& Heaton Crime Thriller #1

A wedding rushed into
An unhappy couple beginning their honeymoon
Kidnapped
One missing and one dead
Police called in
Will they find the missing before he is dead?
Who is the mastermind behind the crime
and
Why did it happen as it did?

This was a complex complicated character driven twisted terrible tale in which every person seemed to have a secret, past horrible experiences, ulterior motives or just not be 100% normal...but then...what is truly normal?

From the beginning of the story to the end I kept wondering how the author came up with the plot and the characters. I felt horrible for more than one person in the story and especially so for Millie who paid with her life. The team set to solve Millie’s murder were an unusual duo of women that were similar and yet very different. Their partnership at work proved to be excellent as both were skilled in doing their jobs but they also were scarred in ways that created a dependency between them outside of their job that was intriguing and made more and more sense as their pasts were revealed.

There was so much to contemplate in this story...so very much. My mind is struggling to put into words what to say about this book. Hmm…

What I liked:
* It was not a simple tale and made me think
* Learning more about what made each character tick
* Finding out who was behind the tragic events and why what happened did
* That the perpetrator did not achieve all that was planned
* That this was deeper and darker than I thought it might be
* Learning about Sarah and Moomy but not learning everything – there is more I want to know about both of them
* The police procedural aspects of the story
* How twisted it was – and how dark – but also how karma might eventually get the baddie
* Knowing this is not a one and done story

What I did not like:
* The loss of an innocent life
* The darker hidden sides of some of the characters
* Some of the past experiences of more than one character
* The fact that there are so many dysfunctional families in the world
* The reminder of how evil people can be.

Did I enjoy this book? Yes
Would I read more in this series? Yes

Thank you to NetGalley, Hera and BOTBS Publicity for the ARC – This is my honest review.

4.5 Stars

I have read a couple of Alex's books now and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading them. When I heard that he was due to release another book, I just knew that I had to read it as soon as I could. The synopsis seemed so intriguing and enticing at the same time. I couldn't wait to start reading so without further ado I grabbed the Kindle, grabbed a cup of tea and then settled down on the couch to read 'The Unbroken'. Oh my word 'The Unbroken' was certainly one hell of a read, which I thoroughly enjoyed but more about that in a bit.
I did like the new detective pairing of Moomy and Sarah. I have to say though that it took me a little while to warm to Moomy as she got on my nerves initially. However as time went on and I got to know her a bit better I felt myself thawing towards her. My favourite one of the pair is Sarah without a doubt. Moomy and Sarah work well as a team and each bounces off the other as it were. Both are no nonsense female police officers, who carry out their jobs to the best of their abilities. I look forward to watching their working partnership develop as each new book in the series is released.
It didn't take me long at all to get into this book. In fact by the time I got to the end of the first page, I knew that I was going to be in for one hell of a read and that reading this book would prove to be extremely addictive. I was right on both counts. I was intrigued by the chain of events that led to Millie's sad death and I had to keep reading to see how the story developed and whether or not the guilty would be found and punished. The pages of the book turned increasingly quickly as my desperation to find out what happened and how the case concluded grew and grew. I had my own theories as to what was going to happen so of course I had to find out if I was correct or not. I reached the end of the story far quicker than I had intended or wanted to.
'The Unbroken' is really well written but then I think that to be true of all of Alex's books. He captures your attention from the start and he takes you on one hell of a fast paced journey through an investigation with more twists and turns than you would find on a 'Snakes & Ladders' board. For me, the story hit the ground running and maintained the pace throughout. 'The Unbroken' gripped me from start to finish and had me on the edge of my seat throughout.
In short, I thoroughly enjoyed reading 'The Unbroken' and I would definitely recommend this book to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Alex's work in the future. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.

This is the first instalment in this new series featuring DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan and what a cracking debut.

Millie Beaumont and billionaire, Oscar Hayat have just married, however, practically only landed on their honeymoon in Istanbul in Turkey, they are kidnapped at gun point from their car. Sarah & Moonmy are called to the scene of a murder, a young girl with a single gunshot wound to the head and had certainly been tortured beforehand, it is quickly discovered, they have found the body of the missing Millie Beaumont, but if they have found her body, they can expect the body of her new husband, Oscar to turn up also?

Oscar Hayat’s family are mega rich, loaded in fact, could this be one of the reasons the newly-weds were kidnapped? No ransom has been received and the family are acting oddly…with a deep rooted history and plenty of enemies, the race is on to find Oscar before he suffers the same fate, the pressure is on Sarah and Moomy.

A dynamic duo takes us on this journey, I loved the fact that the main detectives were both female which not sure that’s been the case with any others I’ve read so from the outset, it was set aside from other series I’ve read. They each have many issues of their own, both troubled and dealing with personal issues. I look forward to getting to know more of their characters although if Moomy keeps on with that attitude, she may not last the distance!

Overall a great fast paced detective thriller, full of suspense and intrigue, great plot and very well written and weaved together, this one will keep you up well into the night. Have absolutely no qualms in recommending this series.

I've read enough crime novels to know that it doesn't usually matter too much if a reader doesn't start with the first book in a series but equally, I'm also aware that to really appreciate the development of the characters, it is advisable to read from the beginning if possible and I think this will most definitely be true for Alex Caan's new series featuring DS Moomy Khan and DI Sarah Heaton. As the first book, there is necessarily a certain amount of scene setting but far from detracting from the plot, I found the inclusion of the two main characters' back stories to be absolutely fascinating and written in such a way to give me a clear indication of who these women are while also holding enough back to ensure I'm eager to discover more.
The juxtaposition between Moomy and Sarah is particularly striking; the former having turned her back on her Muslim upbringing while the latter has chosen to convert to Islam - with severe ramifications for their relationships with both their families. Moomy has an unexpected introduction to the storyline which immediately suggests that she is most definitely not a run-of-the-mill detective. Indeed, there are points within the novel where I couldn't help but wonder how she manages to keep her job. She is insubordinate and inappropriate - and I loved her! As the story progresses, we learn more about her background and why she feels such hatred towards her family. It's a familiar enough yet still shocking tale of control and coercion in the name of family and faith and one that reflects the reality for any number of women.
Sarah's experience of Islam is in direct contrast to this, revealing the comfort and succour that faith gives to some people, with the ritual observance of prayers grounding her at the moments where she most needs the support. However, her conversion has also led to personal difficulties and this is something I'm very much looking forward to being expanded upon further in later books, particularly given that her father and half-sister have such wildly differing beliefs. Moomy and Sarah's individual experiences could have divided them but somehow the partnership works with each leaning on the other as the case they are investigating stirs up painful memories for both.
The third woman of the storyline is Millie Beaumont who also found herself at odds with family, although in this case it's the one she marries into which may hold the clues to why she is tragically murdered, shortly after her high profile marriage to Oscar Hayat. As Sarah and Moomy investigate her death they are given a glimpse into the murky underworld of the seriously wealthy. With chapters which give us a tantalising insight into a few of the Hayat family's thoughts, it's never obvious whether any of them are ultimately responsible for Millie's death but it is only too evident that they will do anything possible to protect their way of life, and they have the money, power and influential associates to do just that. There are dark secrets and scandals just waiting to be discovered here but Moomy and Sarah need to figure out which are important to the case and which are just further examples of a corrupt, privileged lifestyle.
The red herrings and cliffhangers at the end of chapters meant I couldn't put the book down and read The Unbroken in just a few hours. I love novels with a strong, well-written character-driven narrative and that's exactly what I was given here, with the various motivations behind the actions of the characters being explored with insight and authenticity throughout. The Unbroken is a compelling police procedural and an excellent introduction to a new series. I am excited to discover what lies in store for Moomy and Sarah next, especially after the intriguing epilogue...

I'm a huge fan of Alex Caan and have read all of his novels. I wasn't sure if he could top the partnership of DI Kate Riley and DS Zain Harris from his first two books but he certainly has with DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan. I absolutely loved Moomy. She's a very broken individual who hides her pain with men, alcohol and a lot of attitude. She's turned away from her Muslim family, culture and faith. Sarah does the opposite to Moomy when faced with tragedy in her life. She turns to Islam in an attempt to find peace. So quite different characters but their bond is unbreakable.

The plot is just as good as the characters. Millie Beaumont, newlywed, is found shot dead on Hampstead Heath. The confusing part is she was kidnapped in Turkey. How did she end up back on British soil? Her husband, Oscar Hayat is still missing. The Hayats aren't your usual family as they're mega-rich but Millie had a totally different background. With so many possible motives and perpetrators, Sarah and Moomy have to act fast to find Oscar alive.

The pace of this book is fast. Even when things slow a little so we find out more about Sarah and Moomy's past, the thread there is always compelling. In this current strange times, it's good to have a variety of books to read. This only took me a couple of days to finish and I appreciated the chance to step out of the real world and into Sarah and Moomy's. I hope I'll be able to meet them again sometime soon.

The Unbroken is the first in a new series by Alex Caan and it is fantastic. With two female lead protagonists , The Unbroken explores many contemporary and relevant issues. I loved the contradictions between the two characters and i was particularly drawn to Moomy (Mumtaz) Khan - such a well written, bubbly, feisty and yet vulnerable character. Her boss Sarah Heaton a recent convert to Islam is calmer, more thoughtfull, yet toucgh as nails. The dynamics between the two characters are explored further buy flashbacks which illuminate their backstories.

I can't wait for the next one.

This book is a marvellous thriller, it’s a roller coaster of emotions, a lot of wtf occurrences, great female protagonists, and a believable (but unbelievable) story!

The book opens with a happy couple on their honeymoon when they are kidnapped. Millie’s body is found on Hampstead Heath and her husband Oscar is still missing.

Cops Moomy and Sarah are called in to work it all out. I loved these characters - Moomy has been brought up in a Muslim family but now is non practising and no longer talking to her family. Whereas, Sarah is a recent white convert to Islam, which she found a great comfort after her mother’s death. I loved the opposite side of the coins when it came to this religion. It was unique, refreshing and unusual. Especially as a female team on the police force. We do need better representation in literature and crime fiction in particular. Normally it is an older white man, had an affair and has a drinking problem. This duo is a breath of fresh air and I can’t wait to read more about them!

The narrative itself was great! The intrigues of money, power and the call of family duty. Who can you trust when you can’t trust your family? There are shady goings on with private security, private planes and diplomatic immunity - all the makings of a good thriller! And this is certainly one! I highly recommend it to you all.

The Unbroken by Alex Caan was a easy read and very addictive I was hooked on the very first few pages. I loved it, especially as it's a new crime series that features two women detectives, DI Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan. (at last!) These new characters were just great and I just loved them, they both have a past and it works well in this new series.
I am looking forward to the next installment of these two working together and finding more about them.

WoW, The beginning of this book starts with a Bang! that will have you hooked and you want to find out what happens next!
A young mixed race woman called Millie is on honeymoon in Turkey with her new wealthy husband Oscar. Millie is found dead in Hampstead Heath London - How did she get there? as she is on her honeymoon!
Her husband can not be contacted - and is missing!

This is a story that is told by several people mainly by the police officers investigating the case D.I Sarah Heaton and DS Moomy Khan which was very interesting throughout.

This new book is full of twists and turn which I love. I highly recommend this book.

Big thank you to Hera Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.

Reviews on Goodreads, Amazon UK and this book will be read in my Book clubs I Run

**Thank you Net Galley & Hera Books for this eARC**
So I want to start with I think and hope Alex Caan continues this series. I want to know who the hell Moomy ran in to at the end...
**
OK so back to the story. Moomy and Sarah are the detectives that are pulled into this high profile case. It's only high profile because of the family involved. You see, Millie Beaumont is the new wife of Oscar Hayat. And by new I mean both Millie and Oscar were kidnapped on their honeymoon; resulting in Millie turning up dead in Moomy and Sarah district.
As these two detective start to unravel the hot mess that is the Hayat family and the lengths their money reaches; they uncover some farfetched motives for Millie being killed. Dark secrets kept from family and friends. I will say I did think this story was a bit too muddied with stories of Mommy's and Sarah's past. While all this information may be useful for future novels; all the information doled out on their lives prior to being detectives did nothing but confuse me in the beginning; then kept me looking for ways it crossed with the story of who killed Millie. Let me tell you; their past did not come in to play in this book, but again maybe it will the future hopeful books.
The Unbroken is a good read, which I would recommend to my reader friends. Can't wait to see what other novels Alex Caan has awaiting us.

Quite liked this! I’ve read all of Alex caans book and this didn’t disappoint there’s two sting but very different leads who are detectives in this it’s written in two POVs and I’d love to read the second one. If you like crime check this out!

This is a very well written, tense, thrill ride of a book! I didn’t realize it was the start to a series, but after finding out was happy that it was and think it’s definitely a great start! It has many roller coaster rides of twist and turns, chills, and thrills! And plenty of shocks! I’ll be looking for more by this author!
Will make sure to buzz it up on the different platforms, and use my low amazon reviewer number for a review!

Wow. I was drawn into this book and couldn't stop until it was finished.
Talk about gripping, emotional, thrilling and filled with lies, secrets and amazing 2 kick arse leading lady detectives!

You will find these two ladies trying to solve the murder/case of Millie. Who was the killer? Who did it? Why? The more they dig to find the evidence... leads them in lots of directions, some they never thought coming.

This is the first book I've read by this author and it won't be my last.
Now that I've read this first book in the series-- I need to go looking for the next in this series!

If you're into a unique thriller read- one that you've not read before; this is the book for you!

4.5 stars from me.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for allowing me to read/review this read.

This was an easy to read thriller that kept my attention all the way through! Lots of twists and surprises I didn't see coming. Very good, would recommend

This was a very interesting crime mystery. It definitely takes a different twist, with the crime team being lead by two females of very different backgrounds. I am very excited to see how this series will play out, as the author did a great job building up both story lines and backgrounds. The ground work is laid out very nicely to keep me pulled in and wanting more.

The story line, a wealthy family involved, and their eldest son, the heir to their fortunes, and his newlywed wife go missing on their honeymoon, and she ends up brutally murdered. It then pulls you through twists and turns just showing how far money can get you. I definitely had ideas on how the case was going to turn out throughout the book, but it still took another turn right at the end. This book kept me pulled in and going, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in crime novels.

Following the wedding of the year, billionaire Oscar Hayat and his new bride, Millie are abducted while on their honeymoon. A few days late, Millie is found .... dead with a gunshot wound in the head. Oscar is still missing .....

DC Moomy Khan and DI Sara Heaton are called in to investigate. The two women have as many differences as they have commonalities, but they both want justice for the victim and are determined to find Millie's killer.

What they find is that the Hayat family is not that distraught over Millie's death .. however, the missing Oscar is of great concern. The parents and brothers of Oscar all seem to have secrets .. and reasons to have wanted Millie out of the way.

There are many suspects, other than the Hayat family. There's the previous boyfriend of Millie who was not happy when he was dumped. When autopsy showed old fractures, he became the prime suspect. When it comes to money, the Hayats are easy targets .. and the detectives are finding many who are enemies.

The plot is tightly woven around the swirling mass of suspense and mystery ... and death. Characters are deftly drawn and highlight the detectives personal lives as well as the professional. Both are Muslim, but with differing views of what that means and this adds another layer of interest due to religion, race, culture.

This is the first book in a new crime fiction. I'm looking to see how these characters adapt and grow over time.

Many thanks to the author / Hera Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of this riveting crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

This book is a great start to a new series. I enjoyed all the cleverly plotted twists. The characters and premise were well written and believable.
A good crime thriller