A review by outsmartyourshelf
Lightseekers by Femi Kayode

dark emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? N/A
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

Three young students are brutally murdered in a Nigerian university town, & the murders & those who participated are filmed & put on social media. Very few people are on trial for the murders & those who are seem to be at risk of escaping justice. The father of one of the boys contacts investigative psychologist, Philip Taiwo, & asks for his help in ascertaining why the killings happened. Philip's research is into crowd behaviour & violence but he may be out of his depth with this case.

This one puts you through the wringer of emotions! The sheer horror & brutality of the three young students' deaths is shocking, but there's more to come when Philip Taiwo (recently returned to Nigeria with his family from living in the US) comes up against the culture clash during his investigation. It's not a high action thriller, or even a pacy legal thriller, it's an examination of the issue of mob violence & the atrocities to which this can lead. The main character also has his flaws, an estrangement with his wife could be sorted out with a conversation but Philip decides to nurse his grievances instead, & he flirts with his attraction to another woman. Overall though I enjoyed it enough to finish reading it & will pick up the next in the series.  
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