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Black Sparrow
At Heathrow airport, a hired assassin is boarding a plane to Paris. On the same plane is young Uzma Rafiq, heading for a new life with her French lover.
The passengers carry identical suitcases, but their motives for traveling to the European city couldn’t be further apart. When they accidentally pick up the wrong luggage on arrival, a deadly series of events is set in motion.
As a sinister twist brings them together, they will dictate each other’s destinies. Against a backdrop of The City of Lights, who will survive?
A thriller full of twists and turns, A.J. Griffiths's 'Black Sparrow' is a riveting story of love, murder and deadly secrets.
The passengers carry identical suitcases, but their motives for traveling to the European city couldn’t be further apart. When they accidentally pick up the wrong luggage on arrival, a deadly series of events is set in motion.
As a sinister twist brings them together, they will dictate each other’s destinies. Against a backdrop of The City of Lights, who will survive?
A thriller full of twists and turns, A.J. Griffiths's 'Black Sparrow' is a riveting story of love, murder and deadly secrets.
514 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 25, 2018
12 people are currently reading
50 people want to read
About the author
A.J. Griffiths-Jones
33 books73 followersA.J.Griffiths-Jones is a historian & genealogist with a special interest in Victorian Crime. After a decade of living & working in China, she now lives in Shropshire, England. A.J's interests include cooking, travelling & swimming.
Her debut book 'Prisoner 4374' was the result of ten years research in to the life of Dr.Thomas Neill Cream, the notorious Lambeth Poisoner & Jack the Ripper suspect.
A.J. is currently working on a sequel Ripper book and a series of novels, the first of which 'The Villagers' was published early 2016.
Her debut book 'Prisoner 4374' was the result of ten years research in to the life of Dr.Thomas Neill Cream, the notorious Lambeth Poisoner & Jack the Ripper suspect.
A.J. is currently working on a sequel Ripper book and a series of novels, the first of which 'The Villagers' was published early 2016.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
June 28, 2019
Black Sparrow is a thrilling adventure that completely surpassed my expectations... and that's only because the plot was so tightly woven and the characters were so incredibly complex, it just floored me in a super positive way. This was the second book I've read by A.J. Griffiths-Jones, and while I really enjoyed the first one, this was truly a fantastic and memorable read of a different level. I definitely recommend this to those who like international connections, religious beliefs buried in character's logic, and tons of surprises in the story.
There are several main characters that connect to two primary travelers on a flight to Paris. One is a young Muslim girl who longs to be with her French boyfriend and to escape the clutches of her very religious and overprotective parents. Another is a man nearing retirement who must finish one last contract before he can decide where to spend the remaining years of his life. They notice one another at the airport and again on the plane, but what they don't know at the time is how connected their lives will be for the subsequent week. Throw in a hotel owner, the young French boyfriend, the extended Muslim family, and a couple of other people who fill out the story, and you will truly not know what to expect. This is an adventure I will not forget anytime soon!
This wouldn't be a proper review if I didn't tell you how much the Muslim girl's family thoroughly annoyed me beyond any reasonable expectation. I understand different religions have different beliefs, and I respect it. I recognize that there are extremists who fail to understand the delicate balance to a successful life. I get that there are still men in this world today who think they can control women. But all of it can still develop an intense hatred for the way some of these people behave -- and thanks to the phenomenal style of delivering these character's emotions and motives, Griffiths-Jones successfully pulled that utter frustration and anger from me. She created such tension and drama, I wanted to leap into the book to hurt these people.
As if that wasn't enough, the torture of some characters was simply brilliant. After several chapters of thinking someone will suffer a certain type of pain -- BAM -- you're thrown for a loop and down a different awful pathway. I hated it and loved it at the same time. Hated it because of the end result, loved it because I didn't want to put the book down. All-in-all, this story will take you up and down several peaks only to slap you with the truth in the end. It's often difficult to keep things under wraps for voracious readers, but this time I didn't see the end coming.
Part of me believes that I was so engrossed in the story and the wonderful writing tone that I didn't want to think about what would happen... I just wanted to experience it as the words hit each page. That's the kind of story and book that makes you thrilled by an author's talent. A strong recommendation for me on this novel. Be prepared, there are some extremes, and while the author is merely choosing characters and beliefs that aren't always the reality, it definitely happens and represents the truth of what some people experience even in today's modern society. Sit back and enjoy it... and let your passion develop for a multitude of reasons. It'll be the kind of read that prompts you to shake the book or tablet like a madman at times!
There are several main characters that connect to two primary travelers on a flight to Paris. One is a young Muslim girl who longs to be with her French boyfriend and to escape the clutches of her very religious and overprotective parents. Another is a man nearing retirement who must finish one last contract before he can decide where to spend the remaining years of his life. They notice one another at the airport and again on the plane, but what they don't know at the time is how connected their lives will be for the subsequent week. Throw in a hotel owner, the young French boyfriend, the extended Muslim family, and a couple of other people who fill out the story, and you will truly not know what to expect. This is an adventure I will not forget anytime soon!
This wouldn't be a proper review if I didn't tell you how much the Muslim girl's family thoroughly annoyed me beyond any reasonable expectation. I understand different religions have different beliefs, and I respect it. I recognize that there are extremists who fail to understand the delicate balance to a successful life. I get that there are still men in this world today who think they can control women. But all of it can still develop an intense hatred for the way some of these people behave -- and thanks to the phenomenal style of delivering these character's emotions and motives, Griffiths-Jones successfully pulled that utter frustration and anger from me. She created such tension and drama, I wanted to leap into the book to hurt these people.
As if that wasn't enough, the torture of some characters was simply brilliant. After several chapters of thinking someone will suffer a certain type of pain -- BAM -- you're thrown for a loop and down a different awful pathway. I hated it and loved it at the same time. Hated it because of the end result, loved it because I didn't want to put the book down. All-in-all, this story will take you up and down several peaks only to slap you with the truth in the end. It's often difficult to keep things under wraps for voracious readers, but this time I didn't see the end coming.
Part of me believes that I was so engrossed in the story and the wonderful writing tone that I didn't want to think about what would happen... I just wanted to experience it as the words hit each page. That's the kind of story and book that makes you thrilled by an author's talent. A strong recommendation for me on this novel. Be prepared, there are some extremes, and while the author is merely choosing characters and beliefs that aren't always the reality, it definitely happens and represents the truth of what some people experience even in today's modern society. Sit back and enjoy it... and let your passion develop for a multitude of reasons. It'll be the kind of read that prompts you to shake the book or tablet like a madman at times!
August 22, 2020
I have to be honest - I have no idea how this gets the 5 star reviews it does. This book takes "coincidence" to a whole new level. Two people catch the same plane and each have very similar black suitcases. Funnily when they arrived in Paris they get the wrong suitcases. However the are both staying in the same B&B... And so it goes on.
That said it was readable. The characters were quite interesting. The outcome was a surprise in some ways. Not bad but not 5 star - call it 3.5/5
That said it was readable. The characters were quite interesting. The outcome was a surprise in some ways. Not bad but not 5 star - call it 3.5/5
December 27, 2018
This is a story of different lives, colliding against the backdrop of Paris.
A young Muslim girl, fleeing her family to be with her true love.
A city gent, travelling abroad for one last assignment before his impending retirement.
A hotel owner with a shadowy past, who knows why the English gent has turned up at her door.
All three lives must come together, with a devastating conclusion.
I loved this book. It's a real game of chess, with characters playing off against each other. The chemistry between the hotel owner and the gent is edgy, full of promise. Yet there is a veiled threat that hangs between them.
The young girl is yearning for a new life. Hoping that she can reignite the feelings shared a few months before with her French lover.
But all is not what it seems? I will say no more about the plot. Suffice to say, it is a thrilling read, beautifully described against the coffee shops and cathedrals of Paris.
This author has done it again, drawing me in, wanting more with each page turned.
Wonderful book.
A young Muslim girl, fleeing her family to be with her true love.
A city gent, travelling abroad for one last assignment before his impending retirement.
A hotel owner with a shadowy past, who knows why the English gent has turned up at her door.
All three lives must come together, with a devastating conclusion.
I loved this book. It's a real game of chess, with characters playing off against each other. The chemistry between the hotel owner and the gent is edgy, full of promise. Yet there is a veiled threat that hangs between them.
The young girl is yearning for a new life. Hoping that she can reignite the feelings shared a few months before with her French lover.
But all is not what it seems? I will say no more about the plot. Suffice to say, it is a thrilling read, beautifully described against the coffee shops and cathedrals of Paris.
This author has done it again, drawing me in, wanting more with each page turned.
Wonderful book.
April 26, 2019
This is the third book I have read by this author and from the opening sentence I found myself sinking into the story. The author has a way of drawing her readers in and I loved the domestic intimacy, the thoughtfulness and attention to detail. The story is told from multiple viewpoints, chapter by chapter and what unfolds as a young Muslim woman, Uzma, flees her family in search of a new life is confronting. Overall Black Sparrow is a thrilling and well-paced tale with the essential twists along the way as it builds to a devastating finish. I loved the portrait of Paris in the story too.
August 24, 2019
Wow! What a fantastic read. I loved how the story unfolds, the cultural challenges, the twists and turns. I felt fully entertained as I was engrossed with the story told from different points of view. Lies, deception, going against the grain, and all with the beauty, and complexity of underlined love and emotion.
Set in both London and Paris, this is a great book. A.J. knows people. She understands how to write deep characters and surround them in a well thought out plot. We'll done!
Set in both London and Paris, this is a great book. A.J. knows people. She understands how to write deep characters and surround them in a well thought out plot. We'll done!
February 12, 2019
Black Sparrow Kindle Edition
by A.J. Griffiths-Jones
This is the story of how three people with different backgrounds finds themselves intertwined into each other's life in the city of Pairs.
You have the young Muslim women, running away from home to be with her lover, the businessman travelling abroad one last time, for one last job before retirement but what is his job and finally the hotel owner a secretive women with a mysterious past and who seems to know alot about the businessman and his job.
This author has done a great job of leaving the reader wondering what is going to happen right to the very last minute.
The story is well written and has a great twist at the end.
The only problem I found and what made reading difficult at times for me was the characters names but this was not the authors fault but my own as I have dyslexia making the pronunciations of the names very difficult for me.
I would definitely recommend this to mystery and thriller readers readers.
by A.J. Griffiths-Jones
This is the story of how three people with different backgrounds finds themselves intertwined into each other's life in the city of Pairs.
You have the young Muslim women, running away from home to be with her lover, the businessman travelling abroad one last time, for one last job before retirement but what is his job and finally the hotel owner a secretive women with a mysterious past and who seems to know alot about the businessman and his job.
This author has done a great job of leaving the reader wondering what is going to happen right to the very last minute.
The story is well written and has a great twist at the end.
The only problem I found and what made reading difficult at times for me was the characters names but this was not the authors fault but my own as I have dyslexia making the pronunciations of the names very difficult for me.
I would definitely recommend this to mystery and thriller readers readers.
June 5, 2020
This book has love, murder, mayhem,and intrigue galore to satisfy the reader who likes their thrills served English style and cold, with a twist of Paris as well. The fundamentalist Muslim faith has been well researched where traditional families are concerned, particularly in regard to women and marriage. The clash of cultures is well written.
The bad guys get their comeuppance at the end, or most of them! The story is written in first person from the viewpoint of several characters and ends with the Black Sparrow and a fascinating twist on his fate.
Somehow I am reminded of A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where given enough time a masterpiece can be composed of improbabilities and coincidence.
It's a warning, too, for young naive girls who see true love in a summer dalliance. I read it avidly throughout the night. Quite the thriller! Recommend.
The bad guys get their comeuppance at the end, or most of them! The story is written in first person from the viewpoint of several characters and ends with the Black Sparrow and a fascinating twist on his fate.
Somehow I am reminded of A Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, where given enough time a masterpiece can be composed of improbabilities and coincidence.
It's a warning, too, for young naive girls who see true love in a summer dalliance. I read it avidly throughout the night. Quite the thriller! Recommend.
May 8, 2019
A brilliant read
For quite some time my mind has been far too busy for reading and I can’t remember the last time I read for pleasure. However, I recently purchased Black Sparrow on Kindle. If it was a paperback book I’d have said “I can’t put it down” but being the Kindle version I couldn’t stop scrolling! Within 24 hours the book was finished. I particularly loved all the twists and turns. And the fact I had a good excuse not to do housework. Keep up the good work AJ.
For quite some time my mind has been far too busy for reading and I can’t remember the last time I read for pleasure. However, I recently purchased Black Sparrow on Kindle. If it was a paperback book I’d have said “I can’t put it down” but being the Kindle version I couldn’t stop scrolling! Within 24 hours the book was finished. I particularly loved all the twists and turns. And the fact I had a good excuse not to do housework. Keep up the good work AJ.
March 17, 2021
Uzma believes herself to be in love. So strong is this feeling that she takes herself to France to be with the man she met during a month long educational trip. On the same flight is The Black Sparrow, who is on a business trip and hopes it'll be his last so he can retire. Both their plans get turned upside down when they accidentally pick up each other's suitcases at the airport, neither wanting the contents disturbed.
What follows is frustration and confusion for Uzma's family as they try to locate her, and worry with a trace of fear for The Black Sparrow. I enjoyed reading this book, but had an intense dislike for Uzma's father, Jameel. There's a lot of 'pot calling the kettle black' with his opinions on love and relationships - do as I say, not what I do. I also didn't expect the story to end how it did, it came completely out of blue, but worked really well to give a twist and turn many things earlier in the book completely on their head.
What follows is frustration and confusion for Uzma's family as they try to locate her, and worry with a trace of fear for The Black Sparrow. I enjoyed reading this book, but had an intense dislike for Uzma's father, Jameel. There's a lot of 'pot calling the kettle black' with his opinions on love and relationships - do as I say, not what I do. I also didn't expect the story to end how it did, it came completely out of blue, but worked really well to give a twist and turn many things earlier in the book completely on their head.
May 7, 2019
The fates of two very different people converge when a sinister twist brings them together. The young Muslim woman running from her traditional family and the city gent hoping to round off his career before a comfortable retirement, find themselves inextricably bound up in each other’s destinies.
The last book I read by Ms Griffiths-Jones was the fantastic ‘Prisoner 4374’ (the fascinating story of Dr Neill Cream). This one, however, is a very different affair. Written in the present tense, we get every character’s point of view as each one reveals his or her own story. Though it’s a bit of a slow start, the author gradually lets us see who has secrets, who has obsessions, and who has ulterior motives. A cleverly told story that keeps its twist until the last minute.
The last book I read by Ms Griffiths-Jones was the fantastic ‘Prisoner 4374’ (the fascinating story of Dr Neill Cream). This one, however, is a very different affair. Written in the present tense, we get every character’s point of view as each one reveals his or her own story. Though it’s a bit of a slow start, the author gradually lets us see who has secrets, who has obsessions, and who has ulterior motives. A cleverly told story that keeps its twist until the last minute.
January 20, 2019
This author has used Juxtapositioning of characters, using chapters to describe the activities of each, the desires, the life of each, one against the other in the past. In this book she puts up a young girl, the family of the girl (Muslims), the girl's lover (an affront against the family), the mother of the lover, and the assassin to create her story. Bringing them together, separating them, using a little political statement of her attitude toward the honor killing of Muslim women by their family, she creates a wonderful thriller. Sometimes it moves a little slowly but as with all books it grows in momentum until a crashing penultimate series of scenes takes place. As usual, with Ms. Griffith's-Jones, you must wait for and watch for a major twist in the story. The wait is well worth it for in the end this is a really good read that anyone can enjoy. Give it a shot. You will not be disappointed.
April 27, 2019
After finishing my English Degree, my way of reading books has become so critical that I very rarely find a book that I don't find fault with. However, after reading Black Sparrow I can honestly say that I truly enjoyed it from start to finish. The characters are realistic, all fighting their own hidden battles. Just when the reader believes that they have each character pigeonholed and that they know all there is to know about each one, something new is discovered that constantly puts "the cat amongst the pigeons". There are some great twists in the plot which impels the reader to devour more. An excellent storyline and a highly recommended book.
March 8, 2022
A TENSE THRILLER WITH THE WOW FACTOR!
Having read and enjoyed a few of Ms Griffiths-Jones's novels, I was really looking forward to reading Black Sparrow. This book is now my favourite of her works, it is a fascinating and brilliant novel. The story is told through multiple points of view each one narrated in first person. I loved reading the different character's perspective, the author cleverly draws the reader in with a superbly crafted cast of diverse and interesting characters.
The story centres around a traditional UK Muslim family whose lives are thrown into disarray when the 20 year old daughter Uzma goes missing. The story follows Uzma to Paris, where she is hoping to be reunited with her lover Sylvain, but her hopes for a new life are thwarted by the interference of the people around her and it soon becomes clear that she has become trapped in a web of lies and danger where everyone seems to be hiding secrets.
I flew through this book in a few days, keen to find out what would happen. It is clear that it has been well researched and the attention to detail is brilliant. The writing was in my opinion faultless, it flowed well and was utterly compelling. There were some harrowing scenes in the novel which were heartbreaking and tugged at my emotions. A truly brilliant, inventive plot which was different to anything I've ever read. Lots of tension and surprise twists throughout the book which culminates in a surprise finale that ends with a bang. A brilliant book. Five shiny stars - WOW!!
Having read and enjoyed a few of Ms Griffiths-Jones's novels, I was really looking forward to reading Black Sparrow. This book is now my favourite of her works, it is a fascinating and brilliant novel. The story is told through multiple points of view each one narrated in first person. I loved reading the different character's perspective, the author cleverly draws the reader in with a superbly crafted cast of diverse and interesting characters.
The story centres around a traditional UK Muslim family whose lives are thrown into disarray when the 20 year old daughter Uzma goes missing. The story follows Uzma to Paris, where she is hoping to be reunited with her lover Sylvain, but her hopes for a new life are thwarted by the interference of the people around her and it soon becomes clear that she has become trapped in a web of lies and danger where everyone seems to be hiding secrets.
I flew through this book in a few days, keen to find out what would happen. It is clear that it has been well researched and the attention to detail is brilliant. The writing was in my opinion faultless, it flowed well and was utterly compelling. There were some harrowing scenes in the novel which were heartbreaking and tugged at my emotions. A truly brilliant, inventive plot which was different to anything I've ever read. Lots of tension and surprise twists throughout the book which culminates in a surprise finale that ends with a bang. A brilliant book. Five shiny stars - WOW!!
December 19, 2020
Wow, what a disappointment
A plot that relies on too many coincidences, wooden stereotypical characters and an annoying POV shift in every chapter made me regret starting this stinker. 1 Star, not recommended.
A plot that relies on too many coincidences, wooden stereotypical characters and an annoying POV shift in every chapter made me regret starting this stinker. 1 Star, not recommended.
January 16, 2020
A joy to read
Uzma is a love-struck, runaway, Asian teenager, her family desperate to find her. Colin is an English hitman seeking to fulfil his final contact before retirement and Collette is the aloof French proprietor of a guest house. They are brought together by impossible coincidence. Their stories and lives become inextricably linked.
A.J. Griffiths-Jones uses the technique of telling the story, spoken from the viewpoint of the different characters interpreting events from their own point of view. It’s a technique which I’m not keen on unless it’s done well, but in the case of Black Sparrow, it has been done very well.
She brings the characters to life and constructs a compelling story with neatly woven twists to keep you locked in. A joy to read, from start to finish.
Uzma is a love-struck, runaway, Asian teenager, her family desperate to find her. Colin is an English hitman seeking to fulfil his final contact before retirement and Collette is the aloof French proprietor of a guest house. They are brought together by impossible coincidence. Their stories and lives become inextricably linked.
A.J. Griffiths-Jones uses the technique of telling the story, spoken from the viewpoint of the different characters interpreting events from their own point of view. It’s a technique which I’m not keen on unless it’s done well, but in the case of Black Sparrow, it has been done very well.
She brings the characters to life and constructs a compelling story with neatly woven twists to keep you locked in. A joy to read, from start to finish.
December 9, 2021
This is the first book I've read from A. J Griffith-Jones and I thoroughly enjoyed this cleverly plotted thriller which empasses so many differing elements to keep you engrossed throughout. The characters are brilliant, the naivety of the young muslim girl is well portrayed as she sets out to find her French boyfriend, her art teacher, after a summer romance.
At the guest house where she stays two more characters, the exuberant French guesthouse owner and English gent with OCD enrich the storyline intriguing us with their conversations, musings, and contemplative flirtitiousness.
Expect to discover a hitman at work on his last mission who longs to retire! Elements of humour sneak into the narrative and made me chuckle! Who is this person and why are they at the same French guesthouse for many years?
I particularly loved the exploration of culture in this book, and muslim extremism as it effects young vulnerable women and elderly married women alike. Many aspects are considered, including discussion on honour killing, infidelity and betrayal. It explores how far extremists will go to protect their way of life, beliefs and their family honour.
The young girl's father is insufferable and his behaviour and his family's turning a blind eye is shocking. The younger generation are portrayed in a softer light but seem unable to stand up to the extremist beliefs of their elders.
I felt so sad for the young girl's mother and her desperation and anger were conveyed exceptionally well. So poignant and sad.
In fact this human interest aspect is the thread of the story which I enjoyed the most.
Towards the end there were missing suitcase and other discoveries and twists to keep the reader wondering what now and I was surprised by some aspects of the conclusion.
Highly recommended read.
At the guest house where she stays two more characters, the exuberant French guesthouse owner and English gent with OCD enrich the storyline intriguing us with their conversations, musings, and contemplative flirtitiousness.
Expect to discover a hitman at work on his last mission who longs to retire! Elements of humour sneak into the narrative and made me chuckle! Who is this person and why are they at the same French guesthouse for many years?
I particularly loved the exploration of culture in this book, and muslim extremism as it effects young vulnerable women and elderly married women alike. Many aspects are considered, including discussion on honour killing, infidelity and betrayal. It explores how far extremists will go to protect their way of life, beliefs and their family honour.
The young girl's father is insufferable and his behaviour and his family's turning a blind eye is shocking. The younger generation are portrayed in a softer light but seem unable to stand up to the extremist beliefs of their elders.
I felt so sad for the young girl's mother and her desperation and anger were conveyed exceptionally well. So poignant and sad.
In fact this human interest aspect is the thread of the story which I enjoyed the most.
Towards the end there were missing suitcase and other discoveries and twists to keep the reader wondering what now and I was surprised by some aspects of the conclusion.
Highly recommended read.
January 16, 2020
The book for review is “Black Sparrow” by A. J. Griffiths-Jones. This falls in the genre of action and adventure.
Normally I start my review with the main character. However, this novel has a few
I will start with Farida who is a Muslim woman with a husband, two kids and who live in London. She is saving money on the side unknown to her husband. After years of marriage she has gained weight and is in a marriage that is another but loving.
Uzma, her daughter, is interested in art and also her art teacher. Stealing money from her mom’s secret account she runs away to Paris to meet up with her lover. The problem being she has not told him he is coming. Arriving at her destination her luggage gets picked up by another passenger. She has his now.
Colin Foster, who has mistakenly taken Uzma’s luggage, goes about his business and to his destination-Collette Joubert’s hotel. He wishes more than a friendship with her.
What Uzma has left behind is a hot mess. Her parents are frantically trying to find her and their shambles of a marriage continues to disintegrate.
The Black Sparrow soon has his next job. What he does not know or anyone else in Paris is that he was hired by Uzma’s dad to do away with her lover who has now disgraced his only daughter.
My thoughts:
This book had me turning the pages quickly as I wanted to know what was going to happen next. The characters were delightfully done, the pace was amazing and the story was weaved exactly how it was suppose to be done.
The ending was perfect. I am so glad I got this book to review.
Normally I start my review with the main character. However, this novel has a few
I will start with Farida who is a Muslim woman with a husband, two kids and who live in London. She is saving money on the side unknown to her husband. After years of marriage she has gained weight and is in a marriage that is another but loving.
Uzma, her daughter, is interested in art and also her art teacher. Stealing money from her mom’s secret account she runs away to Paris to meet up with her lover. The problem being she has not told him he is coming. Arriving at her destination her luggage gets picked up by another passenger. She has his now.
Colin Foster, who has mistakenly taken Uzma’s luggage, goes about his business and to his destination-Collette Joubert’s hotel. He wishes more than a friendship with her.
What Uzma has left behind is a hot mess. Her parents are frantically trying to find her and their shambles of a marriage continues to disintegrate.
The Black Sparrow soon has his next job. What he does not know or anyone else in Paris is that he was hired by Uzma’s dad to do away with her lover who has now disgraced his only daughter.
My thoughts:
This book had me turning the pages quickly as I wanted to know what was going to happen next. The characters were delightfully done, the pace was amazing and the story was weaved exactly how it was suppose to be done.
The ending was perfect. I am so glad I got this book to review.
January 1, 2021
Uzma Fariq, a young Asian girl, living with her parents and her younger brother in England, secretly leaves the family home and boards a plane to Paris. She is hoping to contact her boyfriend, a man she met a few months previously while on an art course - the man had been her tutor. However, on the same flight, is a man called Colin Foster. He, too, is a man on a mission, but in his case he is going Paris to kill someone. As it turns out both Uzma and Colin are staying at the same guest house, both having used it before but not at the same time.
Obviously once Uzma's parents become aware that their daughter has run away, they look for ways to find her. But where do they start? OK, she left a letter saying she had gone to Germany. Why Germany? She had never been there before, so why now? Who could they turn to to answer this riddle? Had their daughter confided in anyone?
There is so much more I would like to say, but I do not want to give away any of the plot.
The story is written from the viewpoint of each of the characters. Not only from Uzma and Colin's perspective, but also Collette, the rather attractive and well bred lady who ran the guest house, and each of Uzma's family members. Every chapter opens a door and tells the reader what really really went on in behind the scenes in the Fariq household.
Don't let this one pass you by, it's a really good read!
Obviously once Uzma's parents become aware that their daughter has run away, they look for ways to find her. But where do they start? OK, she left a letter saying she had gone to Germany. Why Germany? She had never been there before, so why now? Who could they turn to to answer this riddle? Had their daughter confided in anyone?
There is so much more I would like to say, but I do not want to give away any of the plot.
The story is written from the viewpoint of each of the characters. Not only from Uzma and Colin's perspective, but also Collette, the rather attractive and well bred lady who ran the guest house, and each of Uzma's family members. Every chapter opens a door and tells the reader what really really went on in behind the scenes in the Fariq household.
Don't let this one pass you by, it's a really good read!
April 2, 2022
A Work of Genius
With twists, turns and turnarounds, Black Sparrow is an utterly captivating book, unlike anything I have read before, which is what I have come to expect from this multi-talented author. Black Sparrow is a novel of family relationships and betrayal, of teenage obsession and people who hide their reality behind layers of seeming respectability.
Writing about a different culture is never the easiest task, but Griffiths-Jones is uniquely qualified, having lived and worked in diverse countries. She writes with a smooth style that draws the reader from one page and one character to the next with seeming effortless skill. Including of religion in a basically secular book is also a tricky task, but one which Griffith-Jones manages; the reader realises the influence of religion to the characters without feeling any coercion to agree or disagree with the concepts. Brilliantly done, A. J.
By using alternating characters, the author maintains a high level of tension, and keeps the story crisp and fresh until the final page, with its unexpected twist. I would challenge anybody to guess the outcome of this five star book.
With twists, turns and turnarounds, Black Sparrow is an utterly captivating book, unlike anything I have read before, which is what I have come to expect from this multi-talented author. Black Sparrow is a novel of family relationships and betrayal, of teenage obsession and people who hide their reality behind layers of seeming respectability.
Writing about a different culture is never the easiest task, but Griffiths-Jones is uniquely qualified, having lived and worked in diverse countries. She writes with a smooth style that draws the reader from one page and one character to the next with seeming effortless skill. Including of religion in a basically secular book is also a tricky task, but one which Griffith-Jones manages; the reader realises the influence of religion to the characters without feeling any coercion to agree or disagree with the concepts. Brilliantly done, A. J.
By using alternating characters, the author maintains a high level of tension, and keeps the story crisp and fresh until the final page, with its unexpected twist. I would challenge anybody to guess the outcome of this five star book.
June 3, 2020
The story is of 2 people heading to Paris on the same plane for very different reasons.
Uzma is a 20 year old Muslim girl who has to leave home secretly to be with her boyfriend, Sylvain, who lives in Paris.
Colin Foster is planning his last assignment in Paris and is thinking about retiring afterwards.
Collette Joubert runs the B&B that they both stay in and is not all she appears to be.
The story is set in Paris and London, we learn about Uzma’s family and the fallout from her leaving is heartbreaking. The story is told from different views and we find out the different lies and deceit within the family.
This is an excellent and well thought out story that keeps on giving. Some parts had me close to tears.
A story of repercussions and devastation, I couldn’t put it down.
Uzma is a 20 year old Muslim girl who has to leave home secretly to be with her boyfriend, Sylvain, who lives in Paris.
Colin Foster is planning his last assignment in Paris and is thinking about retiring afterwards.
Collette Joubert runs the B&B that they both stay in and is not all she appears to be.
The story is set in Paris and London, we learn about Uzma’s family and the fallout from her leaving is heartbreaking. The story is told from different views and we find out the different lies and deceit within the family.
This is an excellent and well thought out story that keeps on giving. Some parts had me close to tears.
A story of repercussions and devastation, I couldn’t put it down.
March 9, 2022
This is the perfect mystery. I almost said a different word after perfect, but that would have been a spoiler. The author has written a gripping mystery about a transplanted Pakistani family, the Fariq’s and their involvement with a daughter rejecting their idea of marriage, an assassin, the modern world. There are twists and turns everywhere you read making you turn the page to see what happens next. The story carries you back and forth between London and Paris. Then the husband discovers his wife has a secret bank account and his brother and nephew reject his marriage plans for his daughter. Next there is a suicide and the assassin begins to court the mother of his intended victim. A most surprising ending. Superb.
November 8, 2019
This is the story of two extremely contrasting characters. The young Muslim woman is very well-written and it really puts you in her shoes. The best part of the book for me is her escaping her traditional life and home. The emotions are spot on. The shady gentleman on the other hand is looking for a perfect retirement. Their fates become entwined.
There's quite a lot of back story, which slows the start somewhat, but it's an opportunity to immerse yourself into their personalities and motivations, which will lead you to a most satisfying conclusion.
There's quite a lot of back story, which slows the start somewhat, but it's an opportunity to immerse yourself into their personalities and motivations, which will lead you to a most satisfying conclusion.
September 12, 2022
An innocent young lady and a calculating assassin cross paths in this fast paced, character driven tale set in the beautiful city of Paris. The author does a fabulous job of creating authentic credible characters who are goal driven yet blind to the obstacles in front of them. A great example of how a misguided decision can change the lives in so many people and lead to tragic ends. Vivid story telling, well worth the time. Highly recommend. I would've liked to have seen a short epilogue to shed a bit of light on the aftermath of Ali's meddling.
October 31, 2024
Uzma Fariq is in love. Leaving her Muslim family behind in London, she secretly travels to Paris to reacquaint with her lover, Sylvain. But her plan slowly unravels as she arrives at the boarding house with someone else’s luggage and she’s unable to reconnect with Sylvain.
This is a unique story filled with secrets, mystery, and several twists right up until the last page. The tale is told from the point of view of each character. It is well done as the heading of every chapter lets the reader know just whose head they’re in. The story is fast paced, and I could hardly wait to read what happened next.
This is the first of AJ Griffiths-Jones’ novels that I’ve read, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
This is a unique story filled with secrets, mystery, and several twists right up until the last page. The tale is told from the point of view of each character. It is well done as the heading of every chapter lets the reader know just whose head they’re in. The story is fast paced, and I could hardly wait to read what happened next.
This is the first of AJ Griffiths-Jones’ novels that I’ve read, and I’m sure it won’t be the last.
July 28, 2019
Good plot. Not so great proof reading.
March 25, 2020
This was a lot of fun. Fast paced, tightly plotted with believable, real-world characters - will read more from this author!
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