I was intrigued when I first heard about this novel. I love historical mysteries in (for us) unusual settings, and the island of Gorée, off the coast of Senegal, proved to be the perfect backdrop for a series of seemingly unexplained deaths.

On the French-occupied island of Gorée, the dead bodies of two French soldiers are discovered within a short time, and whilst the first could have a simple explanation, the second appears to be a little more sinister.

So when Inspector Maurice Leroux is called in all the way from France, he finds himself in a strange environment. The local tribes, with their – to a European – strange, supernatural beliefs; the métis women called signares, who held court like queens; the surreal heat and humidity – and European merchants keen on profits, whichever way possible.

As running slave ships was no longer permitted, other ways of making money had to be found, and Maurice feels he entered a nest of vipers. But at first, he is irked that the deaths seem natural. Has he wasted his time? Then another body is discovered – and it is definitely murder.

But with his gut instinct telling him that everyone he meets holds secrets – the mayor, Laporte, the army command, and especially the signare women – he must dig deeper into the island's dark past to uncover a plot no one wants to be revealed. And the dead men don't come away unscathed. What did they do to deserve such cruel deaths?

When he meets beautiful signare Angelique Aussenac, he feels drawn to her, but he knows she doesn't trust the French. And with not-so-secret French plans of setting up a major city in Dakar – disturbing the tribes and their traditional way of life – Maurice treads a fine line.

Will he uncover the person or persons responsible for the murders? And will he be able to bring them to justice? Find out by reading this vibrant, intriguing mystery!

The Signare of Gorée is a fascinating tale, combining European arrogance and greed with a most exotic setting. The signare women are utterly compelling creatures, highly respected and revered by the local tribes – and wanted by European adventurers for their wealth and the power they wielded.

It is an unhealthy setting, and not only from a physical point of view, with mosquitoes, parasites, and crocodiles amongst other threats to human life. The cooperation between the signares, the locals, and the French occupiers is fraught with distrust, and rightly so.

No one emerges from this adventure unscathed. The reputation of the French amongst locals is shredded, and their arrogance in face of what they deem to be local superstitious beliefs is staggering, though not surprising.

Not having ever heard of signare women before, I found them utterly compelling. Women with power were rare in the mid-19th century, and these women were highly regarded. I'm sure that alone was a thorn in the side of any European occupiers and their pitiful views on women. It made for a truly unique setting.

Maurice is a typical investigator when he first arrives on Gorée, but as he delves deeper into the background, his assumptions are challenged, and he must decide where his loyalty lies.

Angélique is a truly incomparable woman, surrounded by an air of mystery, yet at the same time, she is forced to ensure her own independence and survival by evading the attentions of the French. She has a solid network of allies who help her preserve her status as one of the most powerful women on the island.

Lieutenant Leopold Candeau (an ancestor of the author) is another fascinating character, torn between his duty to the French state, and his experiences of living in an area which turns out to be a hotbed of intrigues, rogue deals, and open hostility. More than once is he forced to question his calling.

The Signare of Gorée is a vividly painted mystery that takes you to another world – a world of djinns, sacrifices, and strange beliefs. The beat of the tam tam drums sounds in your head as the stifling heat descends. But it is also a world of occupation and dominance, of obliteration of 'blasphemous' traditions and old ways of life. And it is a world of European greed and cruelty.

Ms Rahme paints a colourful picture of West African island life, with a thrilling plot, lots of dubious characters, and a stunningly vibrant backdrop. There are some unexpected twists and turns, which increase the tension slowly but steadily, until you eventually arrive at the final revelation.

The Signare of Gorée is a truly sumptuous murder mystery that sweeps you not only back in time, but also into a world unimaginable to many 19th-century Europeans.

A highly recommended novel with a clever, satisfying ending.

Goree is an island off the coast of Africa where the French, among others, once ruled, in the mid-19th century. The colonizers and the islanders have been enmeshed in each other’s history and blood for generations. When a Frenchman dies under strange circumstances, Maurice the inspector is sent from France to investigate what happened. More men die before Maurice is able to solve the first murder, but they are all connected by magic and revenge. Excellent writing and history, and highly recommended.

I finally started this a couple of days ago (18 Sept 2024) and finished it today (20 Sept 2024). I would have completed it in one sitting but was rudely interrupted by life.

A compelling mystery dripping in ancient culture and superstitions, the land of Goree and its people sweep evocatively across the pages, as Rahme demonstrates her mastery of story-telling. Without giving too much away, the reader, like Leroux, is beguiled and bewitched by Goree, succumbing to the rhythmic tam-tams and its ancient magic, a distraction from the task at hand - finding a killer that may not be human.

Highly recommended.

I received an ARC of this historical fiction novel. Following is my honest review.

Rating is 3.75 stars, but these systems only allow whole numbers.

I love reading stories where I learn about cultures that I know virtually nothing about. And this novel about the slave trade route and people who chose to ignore attempts at stopping that horrific practice introduced me to the Bambara of Goree belonging to Senegal, an island off the West African coast in the mid 1800s, an island which was colonized by the French, who had a difficult time letting go of it.

In the wake of the deaths of two French soldiers, Maurice Leroux is summoned to investigate the suspicious deaths. The locals and even the Naval officers fear the rumored magic of the locals, especially the mixed-blood signares, courtesans who are able to live relatively freely but who carry resentments. Leroux's investigation leads him to Angelique Aussenac, one of the signares who captures his attention and almost his heart, causing him to doubt his investigative abilities and the veracity of the claims of malevolence being involved in the deaths.

The body count rises while Leroux struggles to identify motive, opportunity, and murderer, and the tensions mount for the readers, too.

My only issue--and it's a relatively small one that is not the fault of Rahme--is my own with not having had any familiarity with the region and historical moment specifically. My own ignorance I fear got in my way more then once. But, again, I do not fault the author one bit. In fact, I thank her for introducing and revealing this period and these people to me, allowing me yet another perspective of the slave trade and colonial efforts to capitalize on human greed.

I recently finished “The Signare of Gorée”, and I have some final thoughts. First off, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Laura’s team for the opportunity to read and review this book. I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to dive into this story and share my impressions.

For context, I am West Indian, so the description of “The Signare of Gorée” intrigued me right away. I anticipated a certain resonance, as the history of Gorée Island shares ancestral echoes with our own storylines, which played into my expectations for a rich, historical setting. I was particularly looking forward to seeing how the author would unfold the narrative, especially since I enjoy stories rooted in historical contexts.

To my surprise, this was my first real exposure to the culture of the Gorée people. I genuinely appreciated the way the author took care to paint vivid, textured descriptions of the island, the people, and their heritage. What excited me most was the foundation she laid in the first quarter of the book. It set up an atmospheric mysticism, a captivating occult vibe, linked to the Wolof people, which hooked me early on. As I read on, the question surrounding the murders shifted from "who" to "what," and this subtle change gave the story a fresh appeal that kept me invested as it progressed.

The characters were varied, and I was drawn in by the dynamics among them, particularly by Anna Colas Pépin, who took center stage in her own way. Anna’s character felt particularly vibrant, and I could tell the author invested time into crafting her personality and presence, especially in the lead-up to the ‘Folgar.’ Anna felt lifelike and three-dimensional; her interactions with Maurice captured the allure and intensity of a foreigner immersing himself in an unfamiliar, proud society. Her appearance, her pipe, and her larger-than-life persona, all these elements worked together to make her scenes compelling and memorable. Maurice, as the outsider, constantly felt out of place, which added to the novel’s tension and intrigue as he navigated the complexities of his environment and the people around him.

However, here’s where my enjoyment hit a snag. As the story reached its high points, I found myself frustrated by what felt like a lack of confidence in the narrative delivery. For example, Laplante’s history with his cousin André Aussenac was introduced as a potentially gripping storyline, yet it came across as underwhelming. The author had introduced such intriguing elements to explore, a complex backstory and hints of mysticism, that I couldn’t help but feel disappointed that these weren’t fully developed. The early setup invited readers into an eerie, suspenseful atmosphere, which could have been sustained further. Instead, the mystery became more about the ‘who’ than the ‘what,’ which lessened the impact, especially given how the Wolof mysticism was initially highlighted as a central theme.

This shift in tone made the story feel a bit uneven. Although “The Signare of Gorée” was presented as a mystery, it quickly became clear who was behind the murders, which dulled the suspense and left me wondering why the author didn’t lean more into the eerie hints she’d established. I’ll admit, this realization made it tempting to put the book down. I did take a break and only returned to it a month later to finish.

Another significant issue was the characterization. Despite being a character-driven novel, many of the figures felt like flat archetypes rather than fully realized individuals. It was often more “telling” than “showing”; rather than experiencing characters’ actions and personalities, we were told who they were or what they represented. This approach left them feeling less memorable and made it hard to stay invested in their roles, or even care about some of their fates. For example, Maurice’s presence started strong as he tried to investigate and make sense of his surroundings, but after a while, his main purpose seemed to dwindle, with an excessive focus on his fascination with Angélique, rather than any real stakes in his investigation. Knowing what was at risk for him if he failed would have added much-needed depth and urgency.

The same could be said for the deaths of certain characters. Before learning they were part of the illegal slave trade, there wasn’t much emotional impact or reason to care. This revelation, while significant, was merely told to us, lacking the build-up that would have made it feel consequential. Characters like Casano and Germaine seemed to be introduced at random, without convincing integration into the plot. Their roles felt arbitrary, as though they were added to fit certain moments but weren’t woven into the story in a way that made them believable.

Ultimately, “The Signare of Gorée” had a strong foundation, but it felt like the author held back from fully immersing readers in the darker, more mysterious elements of the plot. The story had so much potential, but the delivery often fell short, leaving a lot to be desired. For these reasons, I would give this book a solid 2.5 out of 5.

Sorry for the delay!!
This book was incredibly well written to me, and definitely worth a read. Would recommend.

A murder mystery Set against the backdrop of a long skipped over history. Goree, on the coast of Africa is a mix of cultures- where the Signares hold court with social and economic power. Yet a string of murders of white men leads an inspector to search for answers that reveal the true horrors of the trans-Atlantic space trade. Engaging, revelatory storytelling that evokes the dynamics of the mid 19th century.

The setting of Goree is the strenght of this book. Laura Rahme's description of the Senegalese island and people is immersive and beautiful. A French detective, Maurice Leroux, is invited to investigate several deaths of French men. The deaths appear to be the result of the savage environment, but some believe there is something more sinister happening. The mystery offered an interesting exploration of the folklore beliefs of the native Africans and unfolded well. The character of Maurice was the weak spot for me. He was easily distracted and believed himself to fall in love with one of the Signares in Goree. His lovesick behavior was sudden and random, and becaming a frustrating influence on his behavior. Overall, it was an enjoyable mystery set in a lushly beautiful African locale.

Thank you to Victory and NetGalley for providing an eARC for my honest review.

I thought The Signare of Goree was an engaging read. I loved the location and general setting of the book; it's not anywhere I've read about before and I found the environment and culture fascinating. The plot was well-done. I had anticipated the "who," but not the "how," and it ended up being very complex! Inspector Leroux was a good main character. He was skeptical enough to question what others thought might be coincidences. The element of the French army vs the native population lent another angle to the investigation and caused a little more trouble than it was worth. The respect that Leroux showed the native population, even if he didn't quite understand their customs, was kind.

Thank you NetGalley and Victory Editing NetGalley Co-op for this eCopy to review

I recently finished reading The Signare of Gorée by Laura Rahme, and I have mixed feelings about it. The novel is set against the rich historical backdrop of Gorée Island, and Rahme does an excellent job of bringing this unique setting to life. The vivid descriptions and historical details were definitely a highlight for me, immersing me in a time and place that I knew little about before.

The story follows the life of a signare, a woman of mixed African and European heritage, navigating the complexities of her identity and the societal expectations placed upon her. The protagonist’s journey is compelling, and I appreciated the depth of her character development. Rahme’s portrayal of the cultural and social dynamics of the time is both informative and engaging.

A significant part of the plot revolves around a murder investigation led by Maurice, a determined detective sent from France. This added a layer of intrigue and suspense to the story, as the detective delves into the dark secrets of Gorée Island to uncover the truth. The murder mystery kept me guessing and added a thrilling element to the narrative.

However, there were aspects of the book that didn’t quite resonate with me. The pacing felt uneven at times, with certain sections dragging on while others felt rushed. Additionally, some of the secondary characters lacked the same depth and development as the protagonist, making it harder to fully invest in their stories.

Another point of contention for me was the dialogue, which occasionally felt stilted and unnatural. This sometimes pulled me out of the otherwise immersive narrative. Despite these issues, the book’s exploration of themes such as identity, heritage, and resilience kept me interested enough to see it through to the end.

Murder mysteries are ten a penny, but this one stands out for its unusual setting and historical context. The story takes place mainly on the Senegalese island of Goree, in the mid 19th century. The island is home to French colonialists and local people, and was built on the slave trade, which has been made illegal before the start of the story. High society is ruled over by the signares - local woman who have risen to wealth and power thanks to temporary marriages to French men during their time in the country. It's a fascinating society, very different from anything I've heard of before, particularly with females and non-white people having so much power at that time.

The story begins with the discovery of a murdered French soldier, followed by others, and detective Maurice is called in from France to investigate. The authorities are quick to point the figure at disgruntled locals, but Maurice is not so sure. Initially not even believing the deaths to be murder at all, he changes his opinion as he learns more about the island and its people, and as the body count rises.

I loved the setting, both in terms of location and time period, which is well evoked. The story flows well, is easy to read, and quick to 'get into'. It's a story I looked forwards to reading. The occasional sentence was slightly clumsily worded, making me think it may be a translation, but it doesn't appear to be. Maurice is an unobjectionable character although not very distinctive, unlike the 'quirky' detectives often found in whodunnits. He has apparently appeared in an earlier novel by Rahme, which I haven't read, but that didn't affect my enjoyment at all - it certainly didn't read like 'sequel'. I did work out the culprit, and fairly early on, but I still enjoyed the untangling of the story. There is one particularly gory description of a murder that made me shudder, but it is only the once and only the most squeamish need avoid.

If you enjoy murder mysteries and want something that has all the ingredients of a good one, plus a really original setting, look no further. It's also essential reading for anyone with an interest in this part of Africa or period of history.

This is a clever murder mystery/ historical fiction / multicultural interest - the book definitely has an Agatha Christie feel but since I am an avid reader of this genre --I started to suspect who the killer was in the last quarter of the book-- the storyline was interesting with a diverse cast of characters-- the weaving of the folklore was well done. There is French scattered throughout the book -- so annotations of the meanings would be nice for those who don't speak or understand French . Overall a nice cozy mystery in a far away land.

Thanks to Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for this ARC . This is my honest review.