Great book! I loved the fact it was set in Nigeria. I haven't read any Nigerian thriller yet so it was definitely a nice experience. I loved the storyline and how the story developed. I wish it was a bit more fast paced as the book was dragging at times.
Overall, very good! I'll definitely check author's previous book!

Bishop Jeremiah Dawodu, the charismatic leader of a Nigerian megachurch, finds himself ensnared in a harrowing ordeal when he is apprehended and charged with the murder of his wife, Folasade, who held the esteemed title of the church's 'First Lady.' The arrest, a public spectacle laden with humiliation and intrigue, sends seismic tremors reverberating throughout the bustling city of Lagos. Unwavering in his claim of innocence, Bishop Dawodu stands as a figure shrouded in ambiguity amidst the tumultuous storm of allegations.

In the midst of this tumult, Philip Taiwo emerges, acclaimed in the realm of investigative psychology. Urged by his sister, a devout member of the church, to clear the tarnished reputation of the embattled pastor, Philip takes on the task despite his personal aversion to organized religion. Initially, the mission seems uncomplicated, buoyed by the absence of a corporeal body. As a gesture of goodwill toward his sister, Philip ventures into the enigmatic labyrinth of this case. However, the simplicity dissipates abruptly when the lifeless form of the First Lady is discovered in a nearby lake. The investigation plunges Philip into a perilous abyss as a menacing assailant threatens his beloved family, serving as a chilling warning to desist from his inquiries. The convoluted web of truth and deception enveloping this case shatters any notion of straightforward answers.

Was it a calculated murder or a shrouded suicide? Is Bishop Dawodu the victim of a nefarious plot, or was the First Lady ensnared in her own complex secrets?

The narrative unfurls with a depth and obscurity that plunges into shadowy depths, interwoven with layers of intrigue that slowly coalesce as threads of revelation are meticulously woven. This is a narrative that compels, captivating with its enigma and suspense. The author's mastery in crafting intricate psychological drama is evident, rendering this work an embodiment of unrivaled excellence.

This is a first for me by the author and one I enjoyed and I would read more of their work. The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.

I tried so, so, so hard with this book, but I couldn't finish it, it just wasn't meant to be.

The story itself is set in Nigeria and points a heavy finger at the evangelical churches there for being corrupt.
The Bishop as he is known, Jeremiah Dawodu becomes a chief suspect when his wife, Falosade, or "Sade" goes missing with no trace, she is later found dead, Dawodu is head of the Nigerian Mega Church but nobody suspects him to begin with especially not his followers!

There were some good bits despite not completing, the plot was decent and that's what drew me to the book, but when I picked it up, I found it very difficult to get into for someone who loves murder mysteries, it just didn't keep me on the edge of my seat. Despite this I did think that characters seemed very real and can be likened to actual real people, which is unusual as most author's struggle with that.

With thanks to Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishers for this free ARC in return for my review,

Thanks to an early netgalley courtesy of Bloomsbury, I had great fun reading this mystery set in Nigeria, pointing a heavy finger at the corrupt evangelical churches which are huge in Africa and the US. 

The plot is almost a side issue but the atmospheric portrait of some key characters and life in Nigeria is what I found entertaining, mainly around Philip Taiwo, an investigative psychologist, his formidable wife, pastor Jeremiah Dawodu, head of a Nigerian mega church who becomes a chief suspect when his wife Folsade goes missing and is eventually found dead. The corrupt entourage around the bishop is heavily borrowed from real life TV churches. In the novel they are trying their best to keep Taiwo poking around to find the truth around Folsade's death. 

Definitely a mystery that stands out by its Nigerian setting alone

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (UK & ANZ) for an advance copy of Gaslight, the second novel to feature investigative psychologist Philip Taiwo, set in Nigeria.

Bishop Jeremiah Dawodu of the Grace mega church has been publicly arrested for the murder of his wife, Folasade, despite there being no body. Philip is asked by his sister, Kenny, a member of the church to clear the bishop’s name. He’s working on it when Folasade’s body is found and things get a lot more complicated.

I thoroughly enjoyed Gaslight, which has a strong story, plenty of twists, action packed scenes and a clever plot where nothing is quite as it seems. I have not read the previous novel in the series (something I intend to remedy) so I was excited to try a new series and I feel well rewarded by the experience as I found it a difficult book to put down.

The novel is mostly told from Philip’s first person point of view with several chapters told from an unnamed person’s point of view, a person intent on revenge and trouble. It’s an interesting contrast of bad feelings on the one hand and a good man trying to sort out a tangle on the other and the reader can’t help but think that the two might be linked. Philip is an interesting character. Both he and his wife are Nigerian, but have lived most of their adult lives in the States and have only returned to Nigeria for a sabbatical and to introduce their children to their roots, with mixed results. In a sense it makes Philip an outsider as he has no experience of Nigeria as an adult and it takes some navigating.

The plot is great. It is non stop with developments and twists in every chapter that keep the reader enthralled and wanting more. It is rather more than a standard thriller, so I found it impossible to predict almost anything and got surprised at every turn. I was impressed by how the author’s mind works and how he constructs his plots. I don’t think it spoiled my read to see him take on a mega church and lay bare some of the hypocrisy involved and at the same time give the true believers respect.

Gaslight is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

Renowned forensic psychologist Philip Taiwo finds himself in a difficult position when his sister asks him to help out the pastor of her church, who is accused of murdering his wife. Taiwo himself is not a fan of organised religion, and is understandably reluctant to get involved in what soon promises to turn into a circus.

Not to mention, the case is already quite sensational enough. It is not every day that a senior church official becomes a murder suspect - least of all someone as well known as Bishop Jeremiah Dawodu, whose wife Folasade was considered the "First Lady'" of the church!

Nevertheless, Taiwo succumbs to the pressure from his sister, and begins looking into the matter. But it is only once the Bishop's wife's body is found that things really get complicated. Taiwo finds himself unexpectedly in the firing line as his family is threatened due to his involvement in the matter.

The book does a great job of introducing the reader to the intricacies of Nigerian society, and its rules both spoken and unspoken. It is particularly interesting to see the way that family relationships are portrayed, including the bond between the two siblings.

While parts of the book are slow moving, it is an easy and engaging read. Kayode has done a good job in following up his introduction to Taiwo, the main character in his earlier novel. Highly recommended.

Gaslight revolves around the investigation of a murder case in Nigeria. The story begins when the protagonist, Philip Taiwo, is asked by his younger sister to help solve the case of the Bishop’s missing wife, while her husband is the prime suspect. As Philip delves deeper into the investigation, he begins to uncover secrets and lies that threaten to tear apart the religious community.

Delaying tactics

Femi Kayode introduces the case in the first few chapters and keeps the plot moving at a slow but pleasant pace. The second italics intermezzo promises an interesting investigation with plenty of counteractions. This is a good way to hook readers. The author likes to distract the reader by not having the narrator immediately follow-up on leads, even though both the narrator and the reader know that it is dangerous to delay. This creates a sense of tension and urgency that makes you keep turning the pages. As with the previous book, the Nigerian setting is what piqued my interest. I don’t know how things ‘work’ there, so I am learning along with the narrator.

Realistic characters and Nigerian setting

All the characters in Gaslight feel like real people, and I enjoyed reading about the families of Philip and Chika. There is not one brilliant hero; depending on their type of involvement and influenced by personal circumstances and a new sense of self, characters alternate between being very active and rather passive. The way in which this is balanced adds to the realism of the story.

Philip’s thoughts are detailed, but some thoughts feel too obvious (telling after showing), while others come out of the blue (considering seeking outside help for his daughter before the reader knows what’s going on). He is always so sure about his observations of other people, and this certainty is what sets his point of view apart from narrators in other books. Although this sounds like he should be regarded as obnoxious, somehow it is okay because it is Philip Taiwo.

Final thoughts

The denouement of the plot won’t come as a surprise, but the journey toward the moment when it all becomes clear is worth following. The realistic portrayal of the characters and the setting, along with the well-paced plot, make Gaslight a comfortable and relaxing read that is worth picking up.

I have a new favourite crime/mystery author in Femi Kayode. Once I realised this was the second in the series featuring Philip Taiwo, I got hold of Lightseekers. I read that in a day and came straight onto this title, Gaslight. They're both superb. Great insights into Nigeria's society, corruption and beauty. Taiwo's reluctance to return to his home country and his differences in opinion with his wife are well-drawn, as are his concerns for his children. And against this backdrop are well-plotted, pacey mysteries. Just got to wait for the next now!

Thanks to Bloomsbury and NetGalley for ARC.

Philip Taiwo, psychologist on a hiatus from his life in the USA, has been teaching at the police college in Lagos and trying to navigate family life and relationships. His sister asks him to investigate the mysterious disappearance of the young wife of the bishop of a megachurch she's involved in. He wants to decline, but she is insistent, and the Bishop is very persuasive in person. When her body is found, Philip is off the case, which just makes him more determined to uncover the secrets he's begun to find.

I'm so glad I found this! It's human and warm, with the perfect set up (fish-out-of-water returnee to the country acts as our eyes and ears, family life gives us a sense of place and alienation all at once) and very engaging characters in Philip, his extended family and his police colleagues. It's well plotted, and there's a great sense of place. I was delighted to find it's the second in a series.

Lovely writing and great characters. I really enjoyed the way the pastor was written and overall kept me engaged.

This was all about the local Nigerian colour and the great character of investigator Philip Taiwo together with his military friend Chika and his fantastically sharp wife Folake. The plot is not especially pacy or innovative but the writing feels fluent and natural and I could see myself investing in the Taiwo family and friends. Just the thing for commute/travel/holiday reading.