A first time author seems to write like a first time author. It reads easy and the plot is logical enough but you get very little sense that it takes place in Africa. She tells you the leaders are corrupt and their are demonstration but the book could have taken place in dozens of third world countries in different parts of the world. There is of course a love story within the mystery but nothing exceptional about anything in the book. You can read it in 2 or 3 sitting and you will forget you read it in a couple weeks. ( )

Engrossing thriller with a strong female protagonist. I can't understand her daredevil choices sometimes, suppose they're necessary for the story to move forward. The revelation of the villain is not that surprising, really like the moral ambiguity of the tale. ( )

I won this ARC in a giveaway hosted by Goodreads First Reads.

Let me be frank: Politics bore me. My eyes tend to glaze over at the mere topic. Typically, I steer clear of any book with the word “politics” in the description. Despite the fact that this book is a political thriller, there was something in the synopsis that intrigued me.

I am glad that I trusted my gut because this book did not disappoint! This is Darnton’s debut novel. She is a gifted writer, and her career as a journalist segues into fiction writing.

Our protagonist is Lindsay Cameron, a foreign correspondent for the New York Globe who is currently in Lagos, Nigeria to cover the political unrest that she hopes will garner the coveted Pulitzer. Her character is likeable and gutsy. She knows what she wants and goes after it, putting herself in constant danger to uncover the treachery and fraud of a corrupt country. I love that Lindsay is a strong female character. She certainly is no damsel-in-distress!

I was fascinated by Darnton’s description of African culture and society. It is hard to imagine the corruption that exists in countries like Nigeria, but I realize that it does. The blatant bribery is shocking. Although this is a work of fiction, I have the impression that Darnton relied on her experiences as a journalist to bring attention to the type of depravity that that is prevalent in such a country. This gives her work an authentic feel.

I love the style of Darnton’s writing, and I was caught up in her whirlwind of danger and suspense. She has a way of grabbing the reader’s attention and holding onto it.

I look forward to reading Darnton’s next novel, and I hope that Lindsay’s adventures will continue. She is a great character. This book was a pleasure to read, and I recommend it.

MY RATING: 4 stars! ( )