GASLIGHT

A Nigerian psychologist investigates the case of a bishop's wife who's gone missing.

When Bishop Jeremiah Dawodu, the head of a Nigerian megachurch, is arrested on suspicion that he murdered his missing wife, Folasade, investigative psychologist Philip Taiwo (a consultant at the Police College in Lagos) is asked by his sister, Kenny, a devout member of the congregation, to meet with the church elders. Not a fan of organized religion, he reluctantly agrees to investigate the possibility that Dawodu may have been framed and that the young and impulsive Sade, who was known to go away for days, might still be alive. Why would the First Lady, who was not particularly well-liked by the elders, seek to discredit her eminent spouse? On the home front, Philip must deal with 15-year-old Lara, who has been stealing money from her mother, Folake. When he discovers his daughter’s heartbreaking reason, he realizes that his family has not quite escaped the racism and colorism left behind in America. “We never worried about our daughter because by the time we should have, we were already in Nigeria, where everyone was Black." When Sade’s body is found floating in Lekki Lagoon, Philip’s investigation, aided by former mercenary Chika, takes a dangerous turn. Kayode has written a twisty, cleverly plotted mystery where nothing—and no one—is what it seems. Philip is a warm, compassionate, and insightful narrator, although the interspersed chapters featuring an unknown speaker feel like a distraction. While some details of Nigerian life are fascinating (Lagos’s notorious traffic jams will comfort L.A. readers who think they have it bad), a few more atmospheric touches could have enhanced an already entertaining read.

Readers will eagerly await Kayode's next novel.