Westland Books on Thursday announced the opening of pre-orders for Maryam & Son, the new novel by award-winning writer Mirza Waheed. The book will be published under Westland’s Context imprint on January 26, 2026.

Waheed’s fourth novel centres on Maryam Ali, a London-based school chef and widow whose life is upended when her son goes missing. When authorities suggest that her son, Dil, may be involved in a distant conflict, Maryam is forced into a prolonged wait marked by suspicion, surveillance and emotional uncertainty.

Set against the backdrop of global conflict, Maryam & Son shifts focus from the spectacle of war to the psychological toll borne by families left behind. The novel explores themes of motherhood, grief, state power and desire, examining how ordinary lives are reshaped by prejudice, misinformation and intrusive scrutiny.

Speaking about the book, Waheed said he had spent the last five years writing the novel. “I hope Maryam breaks some hearts and makes some laugh,” he said.

Karthika VK, Publisher at Westland Books, described the novel as “taut, dark and deeply affecting”, adding that it would be a lead title for the Context imprint.

Maryam & Son is Waheed’s first novel since Tell Her Everything, which won the Hindu Literary Prize in 2019. His debut novel, The Collaborator, was an international bestseller and has recently been adapted into a feature film.

The book is now available for pre-order and will be released nationwide on January 26, 2026.