A review by bookdragon217
The Nigerwife by Vanessa Walters

informative mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

"The last photo of Tonye and Nicole showed a man in love with his wife, but pictures could lie. Men lied all the time. Men held you in their arms and lied and smiled and lied...Even with their last breath."

The Nigerwife by Vanessa Walters was just the story I needed to  whisk me away for a while. The dual POV's and air of mystery kept me interested the entire time. Walters' vibrant storytelling brought the culture and vibe of Lagos to life. Seeing the story unfold in pieces through different characters and flashbacks really built up the suspense nicely. The themes of generational trauma, abandonment, and classism of Lagos blended nicely with the overall story. Thrillers after a while start feeling redundant but this one had a unique feel and a cast of characters that had me looking at everyone suspiciously. I love when authors can write a unique blend of characters without it feeling muddled and confusing. Also, the idea that nothing is at it seems echoed throughout the story and fit the reveal perfectly. 

If you're a thriller reader and looking for a new author to add to your TBR, consider picking this one up. Thanks to @atriabooks for the gifted copy. 

You'll love this one if you like stories with:
🇳🇬 dual POV's 
🇳🇬 Nigerian setting and language
🇳🇬 secrets of elite society
🇳🇬 diasporic experiences 
🇳🇬 fast paced thrillers where everyone is a suspect
🇳🇬 slow reveals
🇳🇬 secrets and lies 
🇳🇬 suspicious characters

I can't wait to read more from Vanessa Walters. I thoroughly enjoyed her way of storytelling and her ability to bring the setting to life. 


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