Detectives In The Dock: AA Dhand's detective Harry Virdee

Today in the dock we have the charismatic Harry Virdee. Virdee is the main character in AA Dhand's crime thrillers , Streets of Darkness and Girl Zero.  Harry prowls the streets of Bradford seeking justice, whilst his creator dispenses his own kind of medicine from his pharmacy in Bradford.

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Tell us a little about Harry's background

Harry Virdee is a fiercely patriotic British Sikh man and a detective who will do anything for justice. He mirrors the city of Bradford, light and dark constantly battling for supremacy. And he is not shy of handing out his own version of justice.

The Fields of Wheat moment… What is the most rebellious thing Harry has ever done?

Marry his Muslim wife, Saima resulting in them both being disowned by their families. Harry’s father tried to kill him when he broke the news, but Harry would not tolerate age-old discriminations which continue to blight the Asian community. Racism exists within the Asian community as much as anywhere else.

Which 3 items would your character bring to a desert island … and why?

iPhone to listen to his favourite album (Hanz Zimmer, The Dark Knight soundtrack).
 Headphones with extra bass. 
“The Stand” by Stephen King.

The Nitty Gritty: The Big Reveal

What secret does Harry have?

He murdered somebody.

What or who does Harry hate most?

Racism especially within the Asian community.

What or who does Harry love most?

His wife, Saima.

What does Harry fear most?

Failure.

What is his worst trait?

Inability to quit, even when it might cost them their life.

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What is his dream?

To unite his family and allow them to see Saima as the wonderful human-being she is and not just “a Muslim”.

What is their worst nightmare?

Losing his family forever.

What is their Achilles heel?

His brother, Ronnie.

What traits does your character share with you?

Fear of failure. Fierce patriotism. Dismissing heritage and culture when it clashes with being British.

How important is justice  to Harry?

It is important but so is getting it the right way. Sometimes a prison-cell doesn’t cut it.

Has Harry got regrets?

Yes. A rash decision when he was a youngster which feeds into the books and the alienation of his family because of who he decided to marry.

If Harry has recurrent nightmares, what are they about?

His father trying to kill him when he told him he was marrying Saima.

In five words describe… 

What his friends think of him

Loyal. Dependable. Passionate. Driven. Impulsive.

What his enemies think of him

Relentless. Unforgiving. Fierce. Intelligent. Savvy.

All of their favourite things …  

Harry's favourite:                             

Holiday destination: Maldives.                                           

Ice cream flavour: Strawberry Cheescake                      

Food:   Chinese 
                                                                    
Drink/beverage: Jack Daniels

Night wear :    Boxers.                                                           

Perfume: Isey Mayike.   
                                                      

Weapon: Fists                                                                                

Film    Silence of the Lambs.                                                    
TV programme: Luther

Comedian Romesh Ranganathan

 

                                              

Would Harry rather…

Snog Hannibal Lecter or eat a scabby horse

Eat a scabby horse

Visit a Post Mortem or clean up a drunk’s sick
Post Mortem

Eat a doughnut or a muffin

Muffin

Listen to Country& Western music or Punk

Punk

Use a gun or their bare hands

Bare hands

Salute or shoot Dexter

Salute

Drink tisanes with Hercule Poirot or snort coke with Sherlock Holmes

Coke with Holmes.

Find out what Agatha Christie did when she disappeared or discover Jack The Ripper’s true identity

Jack’s identity.

Car chase or shoot out

Shoot out!

Save a friend or kill their worst enemy

Save a friend.

Star Trek or Star Wars

Star Wars