Avien Gray’s Rough Diamond, Rough Justice is a gritty and cinematic thriller that follows Cain, a former professional photographer turned MI5 surveillance agent, as he navigates a world of espionage, betrayal, and violence. Starting in early 1990s Britain, where the digital world had yet to take over, the story opens with a stakeout gone wrong and spirals into a bloody encounter that sees Cain commit his first kill. What follows is his slow, reluctant descent into a covert government agency known as the Bureau, an off-the-books group tasked with eliminating threats to national security. Alongside his best friend Jerry, a member of the Royal Protection Team, Cain undergoes a transformation from observer to executioner, trading in his camera lens for a Beretta.

I enjoyed the writing style. It’s punchy and full of swagger, packed with banter, dry wit, and sharp observations. The dialogue pops. There’s a real rhythm to it, almost like watching a well-rehearsed play where the pauses and timing matter just as much as the lines. The early scenes between Cain and Jerry crackle with believable camaraderie. I felt like I was eavesdropping on two lifelong mates who’d seen far too much and still managed to laugh at life’s mess. And the pacing was great as well. It hits the gas early and never really lets up. Even the quieter moments carry a tension, like something’s about to go sideways. And often, it does.

But it’s not just the action that carries the weight. The book dives deep into moral gray areas like what it means to kill, how one justifies it, and what’s left behind after the blood dries. Cain isn’t a gung-ho hero. He’s thoughtful, even reluctant, but deadly when pushed. His reflections after his first kill, mixed with dark humor and flashes of raw honesty, got under my skin. I found myself rooting for him and questioning him at the same time. That tension between duty and humanity gave the story its real punch. I also appreciated the nostalgic backdrop. The pre-digital details, the analog grit. It grounded everything in a tangible, almost tactile realism.

Rough Diamond, Rough Justice is a fierce and memorable read across the world. In Britain, Australia, the United States, South Africa, and a Chinese prison in 2005. It blends old-school spy grit with a modern sense of psychological depth. I’d recommend it to fans of The Spy Who Came In from the Cold who don’t mind a bit more blood and banter, or anyone who enjoys fast-paced thrillers with brains. If you like your action served with sharp edges and a stiff drink, this one’s for you.

Rough Diamond, Rough Justice is a recipient of the Literary Titan Book Award.

Pages: 516 | ASIN : B0DDW2C1XP