Parker Bilal

Parker Bilal is the pseudonym of Jamal Mahjoub. Mahjoub has published seven literary novels in his own name. In 2012, he began writing a new series featuring the exiled Sudanese detective, Makana. Dogstar Rising is his second Makana mystery. Born in London, Mahjoub has lived at various times in the UK, Sudan, Cairo and Denmark. He currently lives in Barcelona.

Books by Parker Bilal

The Heights

When a severed head falls out of a bag on the Tube, Cal Drake makes a connection to the case that led him to leave the police and become a private detective.

Reviewed on 21 August 2021 by Chris Roberts

The Divinities

Detective Sergeant Cal Drake gets an opportunity to restore his tarnished reputation with the help of forensic psychologist Dr Ray Crane.

Reviewed on 13 July 2019 by Chris Roberts

Dark Water

Exiled policeman Makana is induced to visit Istanbul to help British Intelligence prevent a chemical warfare specialist falling into the hands of a dangerous terrorist.

Reviewed on 16 December 2017 by Chris Roberts

City of Jackals

Cairo investigator Makana is asked to find a young student who has gone missing. The next day a human head is fished out of the river next to the investigator’s houseboat.

Reviewed on 25 June 2016 by Chris Roberts

The Burning Gates

Investigator Makana is hired by a Cairo art dealer to find an Iraqi war criminal said to have treasures looted from Kuwait, but soon finds that several parties have an interest.

Reviewed on 21 March 2015 by Chris Roberts

The Ghost Runner

Egyptian PI Makana seeks answers to a dreadful murder by visiting the victim’s past in Siwa, an oasis town, but his arrival seems to trigger more deaths.

Reviewed on 12 July 2014 by Chris Roberts