Agency Rules - Never an Easy Day at the Office (42 page)

Born in Pakistan's troubled Swat Valley, educated and raised in the United States, Khalid returned to Pakistan almost 17 years ago and fell in love with his country. His debut novel, Agency Rules - Never an Easy Day at the Office, is a journey behind the headlines about Pakistan, the world's most dangerous place, to deliver an intense story that will challenge the reader to question what they have been told.

Khalid Muhammad

January 2014

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What the Critics say...

“A comparison to works by LeCarre has been made by a fellow reader and while I would hate to imply that there are obvious similarities I will say that the two authors have certainly the same admirable competence in strong plotting, vivid characterization and atmospheric style.

Pakistan and its people are often misrepresented in the Western world and I loved how the author managed to bring in a whole spectrum of characters, showing again a complex picture instead of resorting to simple stereotypes or clique; all the while also highlighting outside interests in the country and the internal struggles. While the story moves at a fast pace with compelling writing the author also raises many points about the country's current state of affairs. It shows a writer with a sharp and thoughtful mind who knows also about diplomacy and international politics - just like any good spy thriller writer should in my opinion. A good thriller with substance. Very recommendable.”

–
Christoph Fischer, author of The Three Nations Trilogy

“I thought that this was going to be quite a difficult read for me because on top of the plot complexity of a spy novel there would be the unfamiliar names and places because it was set in Pakistan. So I started off with my laptop beside me open to Google Maps and Wikipedia only to discover that the story was delivered in such an easily digestible way that I hardly had to refer to either. There were a lot of unfamiliar names of people and places at first but they started to sort themselves out as the plot advanced, leading in to a fascinating world of secrets, lies, subterfuge and scandal, not to mention gangs and bribery and corruption reaching right to the top of the government.”

- Karen Prince, author of Lost Kingdoms of Karibu

“The story moves at an amazing pace, just like any good spy thriller writer should, and there is a bewildering succession of names and situations to grip and often confuse the reader. Gripping because Khalid Muhammad’s imagination and writing has you constantly on the edge of your seat to find out what happens next. I am loathe to describe in detail much of the plot since I am of the opinion that this can prove too much of a spoiler for potential readers of the book. Our hero, Kamal Khan, turns out to be not only a skilled engager of covert operations and gung-ho fighter, as we expect, but also a ruthless interrogator of suspects. This encourages one to ponder with suspicion the reality of events that we may regularly read about in the news media… I can happily compare this first novel to those of Frederick Forsyth (The Afghan, Dogs of War) and Jack Higgins (The Judas Gate), for its verve and ability to capture the imagination.

I look forward to seeing more from this exciting new writer.”

             
                                                       
- G.J. Griffiths, author of Fallen Hero