This book was purchased by me for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
Lightseekers: A Novel by Femi KayodeSeries: A Philip Taiwo Mystery #1
Publication Date: March 2, 2021
Publisher: Mulholland Books / Hachette Book Group
Pages: 432
Goodreads
Genre: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / International Crime & Mystery
Rating: ★★★½
Synopsis:
A Nigerian psychologist travels to a remote southern border town to uncover the truth about the murder of three university students in this "original and fast-paced thriller" (Lauren Wilkinson, author of American Spy).
When Dr. Philip Taiwo is called on by a powerful Nigerian politician to investigate the public torture and murder of three university students in remote Port Harcourt, he has no idea that he’s about to be enveloped by a perilous case that is far from cold.
Philip is not a detective. He’s an investigative psychologist, an academic more interested in figuring out the why of a crime than actually solving it. But when he steps off the plane and into the dizzying frenzy of the provincial airport, he soon realizes that the murder of the Okriki Three isn’t as straightforward as he thought. With the help of his loyal and streetwise personal driver, Chika, Philip must work against those actively conspiring against him to parse together the truth of what happened to these students.
A thrilling and atmospheric mystery, and an unforgettable portrait of the contemporary Nigerian sociopolitical landscape, Lightseekers is a wrenching novel tackling the porousness between the first and third worlds, the enduring strength of tribalism and homeland identity, and the human need for connection in the face of isolation.
REVIEW
As much as I enjoy reading crime thrillers, I sometimes struggle to fully immerse myself in a thriller book set in a different culture or country. I often miss the nuances and little details in those stories, which prevents me from truly engaging with them. However, that was not the case with Lightseekers: A Novel by Femi Kayode, the first book in the Philip Taiwo series. It was the perfect blend of what I’m familiar with and an introduction to a completely different culture and way of life.
Dr. Philip Taiwo, an investigative psychologist in Nigeria, was educated at an American university. Despite his Nigerian heritage, he is unfamiliar with the Nigerian way of life. As he learns about the culture, you, as the reader, also learn about it. This approach makes it feel less intimidating and aids in the assimilation of information.
I appreciate that Dr. Taiwo is both an outsider and not an outsider. This makes him the ideal person to investigate the mob attack on a group of young men, which resulted in several deaths. He is driven by a genuine desire to uncover the truth, rather than having a personal stake or connection to the people or places involved. His objectivity sets him apart from others in positions of power.
The plot development and pacing are exceptional. There are no dull moments, and no lapses in interest, and the author ensures that you, as the reader, are never left out of the loop. The author skillfully explains the cultural differences between Nigeria and the West, as well as the diversity among the different peoples and tribes that make up Nigeria. It is fascinating and captivating.
