LoveReading Says
An intelligent, brooding yet vibrant crime thriller debut that just thrums with atmosphere. Investigative psychologist Philip Taiwo walks straight into trouble when he is hired to investigate the brutal crowd murder of three students known as the Okiri Three in Nigeria. It is an absolute thrill to be in at the start of a new series that promises so much. Femi Kayode has created a relatable and likeable main character who is quickly out of his depth, and Philip tells his own tale. The setting was brought so vividly to life I found myself wide-eyed as I looked around and soaked up the sense of place. I could reach out and touch, could feel Nigeria and it’s history. Another story sits alongside Philip’s, it’s intense and provocative, it felt as though it was hunting down the main tale, ready to attack. While Philip investigates, the link to his home life allows a further connection and understanding of his background. There are a number of other characters that I sincerely hope will make a return and I am already excitedly waiting for the next book in this series. Lightseekers is a smart, action-packed and intriguing read. I want to shout about this one, so it’s not only a Liz Pick of the Month, it’s also a LoveReading Star Book too.
Liz Robinson
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Femi Kayode Press Reviews
“A superb novel – so inventive and so well done. It's just brilliant” – Harriet Tyce,
“Gripping, beautifully written and unlike anything else you'll read” – William Ryan,
“What a sensational debut. Confident, beautifully-paced writing. Dr Philip Taiwo is a protagonist I want to meet again, and the setting is so well-drawn. Intelligent, suspenseful and utterly engrossing” – Will Dean,
“Thrillingly good. Femi Kayode takes crime fiction – very literally – to new places ... Told from the perspective of a returning expatriate, Lightseekers takes us deep into the rich complexities of contemporary Nigeria” – William Shaw,
“An original and fast-paced thriller that masterfully explores the smoldering historical tensions underpinning modern-day Nigeria, the role of social media, and the complexities of family, friendship and belonging” – Lauren Wilkinson,
“An important story masterfully told” – Leye Adenle,
“An absolutely cracking debut – fresh, unique and beautifully written, a sure-fire candidate for next year's big prizes. In a time when travel is nigh-on impossible, it's wonderful to be transported to another world in such a vivid and memorable fashion” – Trevor Wood,
“[A] page-turner” – Cosmopolitan
“The gripping tale of the mystery of three young students who are brutally murdered in a Nigerian university town” – Best Books 2021, Independent
“These brand new releases for 2021 will certainly keep you on your toes, promising spine-chilling twists and turns in their pages … the first in a major new crime series” – Eight Gripping New Novels, Metro
“This debut has an intriguing setting – the Nigerian countryside; an engaging fish-out-of-water hero in Dr Philip Taiwo, recently returned after living in the US for years; and a smart plot centring on a covered-up murder” – 75 of the best books for 2021, iNews
“Transporting us to Nigeria, this is an atmospheric, vivid and beautifully written mystery that oozes with intrigue, and a brilliant first novel from the winner of the 2019 UEA Crime Writing Prize” – Dead Good Books
About Femi Kayode
Femi Kayode grew up in Lagos, Nigeria. He studied Clinical Psychology at the University of Ibadan and has worked in advertising over the last two decades. He was a Packard Fellow in Film and Media at the University of Southern California and a Gates-Packard Fellow in International Health at the University of Washington, Seattle. His writing credits include several award winning work for the stage and screen. He has an MA in Creative Writing - Crime Fiction at the University of East Anglia, where Lightseekers won the Little, Brown/UEA Crime Fiction Award. He lives in Namibia with his family.
Photo credits: Nicholas Louw
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