Gaslight - (A Philip Taiwo Mystery) by Femi Kayode (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Philip Taiwo returns to solve a missing-persons case, and in so doing, uncovers dark secrets the church has worked tirelessly to hide"--

Book Synopsis

In this follow-up to Kayode's "action-packed and spirited debut" Philip Taiwo returns to solve a missing-persons case, and in so doing, uncovers dark secrets the church has worked tirelessly to hide (Oyinkan Braithwaite, author of My Sister, the Serial Killer).

A shadow has fallen over the megachurch in Ogun State, Nigeria: the beloved Bishop Dawodu has been arrested for the murder of his wife. Sade Dawodu has vanished without a trace and although no body has been found, the police have acted based on what they claim is damning evidence. Philip Taiwo, hot off the success of solving the Okriki Three case, is brought on to investigate. He quickly learns that Sade, young, impulsive, and outspoken, is no favorite of the congregants. She has also been known to disappear for long stretches of time. As Taiwo and his trusted associate, Chika plunge into the investigation, they unearth secrets that go beyond the missing persons case, ones that if leaked, threaten to shatter not only the Bishop, but the church itself. Taiwo quickly begins to feel like a hired gun, put up to the task with the express purpose to clear the bishop's name rather than find the naked truth.

As Taiwo strives to crack the vast conspiracy he's up against, he's tugged away by the demands of family life, and derailed by systemic challenges: in Nigeria, cash is king, there are no viable databases, and records are sparse. Through his eyes, we're treated to religion's cult-like grip, the ways in which the state is in bed with the church, and the difference between police corruption in Nigeria and America, where Philip has been living for over two decades. In turns high-octane, dark and political, but always emotionally stirring, this highly-anticipated follow-up to LIGHTSEEKERS has the bones of a classic mystery with a fresh, global tilt.

Review Quotes

"Mystery fans who revel in an intricate tale that focuses on the "why" of criminal behavior will enjoy this slow burning and atmospheric thriller. . . with Gaslight, Kayode urges readers to consider the risks of imbuing an individual with prodigious power, and the ways in which groupthink can take hold of an otherwise decent person or system. That, plus an emotionally complex narrator and a cast of well-developed characters, makes Gaslight a provocative and memorable mystery."--Linda M. Castellitto, Bookpage

"Those looking for meaner streets to travel should pick up Femi Kayode's Gaslight, which brings back the investigator Philip Taiwo after the impressive 2021 debut, Lightseekers . . . . if this crime took place in the United States, the story would most likely follow the structure of a classic police procedural. But Kayode refracts those tropes through what actually ails Nigeria: rampant corruption, cavalier record-keeping and a sense that justice can never be achieved. Taiwo must struggle through murky depths to arrive at a truth that will please no one." --Sarah Weinman, New York Times Book Review

"GASLIGHT is a dizzying poetic crime novel. Femi Kayode is an unparalleled wordsmith."
--S. A. Cosby best selling author of ALL THE SINNERS BLEED

"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...details of Nigerian life are fascinating (Lagos's notorious traffic jams will comfort L.A. readers who think they have it bad)... Readers will eagerly await Kayode's next novel."--Kirkus Reviews

"Kayode joins the two investigations in surprising and satisfying ways, maintaining steady momentum and populating the story with well-drawn characters. His evocative portrait of contemporary Nigeria is icing on the cake. This series continues to captivate."--Publishers Weekly

"Kayode delivers another ensnaring, vividly realized, suspenseful, and witty tale of a reluctant yet gifted investigator who susses out the truth about people trapped within entrenched criminality and injustice."--Booklist

About the Author

Femi Kayode trained as a clinical psychologist in Nigeria, before starting a career in advertising. He has created and written several primetime TV shows and recently graduated with a distinction from the UEA Creative Writing programme. He is lives in Windhoek, Namibia with his wife and two sons.