Book - Kingdom United Clean Up London 1

KINGDOM UNITED is the second graphic novel series from Henry Chebaane. This first story is a 220 pages thriller blending family drama, fast action, and speculative fiction with occasional violence, pop culture and wry humour.  Lovers of London will recognise that the action takes place in familiar parts of East and West London. Woven within the complex plot are philosophical questions about the nature of Loyalty, Family and Identity. This story started as an idea while the author was working on the design of an Indian restaurant near Earl’s Court. He drew on his memories of working across India, Malaysia and Singapore….and, oddly, of his first job when in arrived in London, cleaning kitchens, some 37 years ago.

WHO WILL CLEAN UP LONDON?

Neeta Rao is a London botanist with a fondness for fungi and rescuing stray cats. Recently returned from a long study trip to South-East Asia, she looks forward to starting her first job at Kew Gardens. 

All she wants is to study and follow in the footsteps of her late mother, a prominent Singaporean ecologist who died 20 years ago in unresolved circumstances.  Following this tragedy, her father Anand Rajah moved to London with Neeta, started a cleaning business and eventually remarried to Suzy Smith, an English lawyer, with whom he has a son, Vikesh. 

Now, the aging entrepreneur wants to retire and is concerned about who will succeed him. Family matters soon get more complicated as long-simmering issues erupt one after another, testing Neeta’s resolve and loyalties in ways she would have never suspected. 

Meanwhile, the streets of London are descending into chaos, the prisons are full, the authorities are in meltdown, shady property development are turning the city into dangerous building sites, and gangs are terrorising the streets of the capital.

When the violence comes hitting home, Neeta must choose between staying a dutiful daughter and law-abiding citizen or turn the family business into a secret vigilante organisation to save her neighbourhood.