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The Search for Othella Savage
When one of their own is found unconscious in the boot of her car, Scotland's Sierra Leonean community is cast into a state of shock. And the young woman's death a few days later sparks a murder investigation.
Though Hawa Barrie lives on the fringes of that community, which revolves around the Lion Mountain Church, the disappearance of a second woman - her childhood friend Othella Savage - draws her in.
But as the police investigation drags on, Hawa grows increasingly suspicious of the charismatic Pastor Ronald Ranka - and increasingly fearful for her friend, Othella. Desperate, she launches her own search, which will take her from Scotland to Sierra Leone and back again, revealing the true nature of Ranka's church whilst exposing dark secrets within the fabric of both countries she calls home.
A darkly compelling read inspired by a real incident, The Search for Othella Savage is an engaging and compulsive debut which examines the insidious nature of corruption - both religious and political - whilst also exploring the enduring power of friendship.
Though Hawa Barrie lives on the fringes of that community, which revolves around the Lion Mountain Church, the disappearance of a second woman - her childhood friend Othella Savage - draws her in.
But as the police investigation drags on, Hawa grows increasingly suspicious of the charismatic Pastor Ronald Ranka - and increasingly fearful for her friend, Othella. Desperate, she launches her own search, which will take her from Scotland to Sierra Leone and back again, revealing the true nature of Ranka's church whilst exposing dark secrets within the fabric of both countries she calls home.
A darkly compelling read inspired by a real incident, The Search for Othella Savage is an engaging and compulsive debut which examines the insidious nature of corruption - both religious and political - whilst also exploring the enduring power of friendship.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 20, 2025
Lucky to get to read an early version of this. Surely the first, and finest, example of what will come to be known as Diaspora Noir. Can't wait to get the finished version to read again. What a beautiful cover!
Update! The book is coming out this week and it's even better second time around. The Search for Othella Savage is set, for the most part, in and around central Scotland in locations I know well. What I don't know well is the close-knit Sierra Leone community that exists in these places and it was this cultural insight, as much as the mystery that drives the novel, that I particularly enjoyed exploring. This is emphasised even further n the second part when the book takes us 'home' to Sierra Leone.
Mannah's style achieves that rare balance between poetic language (honed over years of short story writing) and being a genuine page-turner. Similar to the way Percival Everett utilised the format of a crime novel to explore the deep south's failure to address its racist past (and despite being an entirely different type of novel altogether) Mannah adapts the structure and expectations of the crime novel to explore themes of identity, religion, politics and corruption, in Scotland and in Sierra Leone.
Most rewarding, for me, was being invited into a community that is not my own and guided through it so vividly by a writer who is completely in charge of their craft.
Update! The book is coming out this week and it's even better second time around. The Search for Othella Savage is set, for the most part, in and around central Scotland in locations I know well. What I don't know well is the close-knit Sierra Leone community that exists in these places and it was this cultural insight, as much as the mystery that drives the novel, that I particularly enjoyed exploring. This is emphasised even further n the second part when the book takes us 'home' to Sierra Leone.
Mannah's style achieves that rare balance between poetic language (honed over years of short story writing) and being a genuine page-turner. Similar to the way Percival Everett utilised the format of a crime novel to explore the deep south's failure to address its racist past (and despite being an entirely different type of novel altogether) Mannah adapts the structure and expectations of the crime novel to explore themes of identity, religion, politics and corruption, in Scotland and in Sierra Leone.
Most rewarding, for me, was being invited into a community that is not my own and guided through it so vividly by a writer who is completely in charge of their craft.
August 20, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this, particularly as its a debut. Good characters, good storyline, I just felt it wrapped up a little too quickly in the end.
February 15, 2025
Thank you Netgalley and Quercus for sending this novel where we meet Hawa, originally from Sierra Leone who now lives in Scotland. Her life is organized between her studies, her friends, her work and visits to the church: Lion Mountain Church. When several young girls, all members of this church disappear, Hawa begins to investigate and her doubts revolve around the Pastor who seems to be a man with a lot of power and influence.
I really liked this novel, where the investigation led by Hawa and the police in parallel is really very well constructed. The chapters are short and the suspense is present. The religious aspect is interesting and well written.
I was incredibly surprised by this huge community where everyone knows each other and helps each other. Being an expatriate myself, I must say that I know few people from my country of origin. Here, it is quite pleasant to see the links that are woven between all the characters.
I loved discovering Sierra Leone, and I was happy that a passage of the book takes place there. It's a country that I don't know at all, and which in the end is rarely talked about. For that alone, the book is worth reading for the change of scenery.
I really liked this novel, where the investigation led by Hawa and the police in parallel is really very well constructed. The chapters are short and the suspense is present. The religious aspect is interesting and well written.
I was incredibly surprised by this huge community where everyone knows each other and helps each other. Being an expatriate myself, I must say that I know few people from my country of origin. Here, it is quite pleasant to see the links that are woven between all the characters.
I loved discovering Sierra Leone, and I was happy that a passage of the book takes place there. It's a country that I don't know at all, and which in the end is rarely talked about. For that alone, the book is worth reading for the change of scenery.
May 31, 2025
Scottish author Foday Mannah, was born in London but spent his early years in Sierra Leone. His debut novel The Search of Othella Savage is based around the expatriate Sierra Leone community in Scotland but also takes readers to Sierra Leone. It is a crime novel but one in which the crime and its investigation are deeply infused with the culture and history of Sierra Leone.
The protagonist of The Search for Othella Savage is Hawa Barrie, who is living and studying in Scotland but also as a the overseas member of the family, buying dresses and other supplies for her sister’s wedding. While working as a cleaner at a local hotel, Barrie meets and befriends an African American singer, Anaka, who becomes a bit of a reader surrogate in learning about the Sierra Leone community. Hawa introduces Anaka to her friend Othella Savage and when Othella goes missing in mysterious circumstances following the death of another young woman from their community, the two start to investigate. The disappearance seems to be connected to the local chapter of the Lion Mountain church run by the charismatic Father Ranka and his English wife.
The Disappearance of Othella Savage takes readers deep into the Sierra Leone community, including a trip to the country for Hawa’s sister’s wedding. And Mannah does explore the influence of the Church, issues of corruption and exploitation of women as ambassadors for the church’s fundraising efforts. But this is in no way black and white – Mannah ensures that readers understand the complexity of the relationships and the situation. The story is also written in a very matter-of-fact style in which twists and surprises are not telegraphed and land as just the way life happens.
The Search of Othella Savage does what all good crime fiction does – Mannah uses the tropes of the genre to go deeply into a milieu that will be unfamiliar to many readers and make it come alive. With an appealing central investigative duo, and a deep respect and understanding of the community that he is portraying, Mannah delivers a delightful (if sometimes dark) crime fiction debut.
The protagonist of The Search for Othella Savage is Hawa Barrie, who is living and studying in Scotland but also as a the overseas member of the family, buying dresses and other supplies for her sister’s wedding. While working as a cleaner at a local hotel, Barrie meets and befriends an African American singer, Anaka, who becomes a bit of a reader surrogate in learning about the Sierra Leone community. Hawa introduces Anaka to her friend Othella Savage and when Othella goes missing in mysterious circumstances following the death of another young woman from their community, the two start to investigate. The disappearance seems to be connected to the local chapter of the Lion Mountain church run by the charismatic Father Ranka and his English wife.
The Disappearance of Othella Savage takes readers deep into the Sierra Leone community, including a trip to the country for Hawa’s sister’s wedding. And Mannah does explore the influence of the Church, issues of corruption and exploitation of women as ambassadors for the church’s fundraising efforts. But this is in no way black and white – Mannah ensures that readers understand the complexity of the relationships and the situation. The story is also written in a very matter-of-fact style in which twists and surprises are not telegraphed and land as just the way life happens.
The Search of Othella Savage does what all good crime fiction does – Mannah uses the tropes of the genre to go deeply into a milieu that will be unfamiliar to many readers and make it come alive. With an appealing central investigative duo, and a deep respect and understanding of the community that he is portraying, Mannah delivers a delightful (if sometimes dark) crime fiction debut.
November 23, 2025
4.5⭐️My choice for book club this month! Really different read for us but enjoyable, easy read sparking insightful discussions. Loved the themes of power and religion with many interesting female characters. Ready for the next one Foday Mannah!
June 15, 2025
What a beautifully written novel that had me in its grip from the first sentence. Totally immersive and seamless throughout. Foday Mannah is a master of language and I can only hope for more from him soon!
May 19, 2025
Wow! There are very few books I have the time, energy or inclination to read in one go, but I was 100% committed to finding Othella Savage-just like main character Hawa-my new best friend! This is one of those novels that is so beautifully written, and that I was so immersed in, I couldn’t see the seams…silky smooth storytelling! Moving from the familiar (to me) surroundings of Edinburgh and the Lothians to the bustling streets of Freetown, this is surely the first and finest example of the genre mentioned above, Diaspora Noir. 🇸🇱🏴
June 16, 2025
3.5
Not as suspenseful as expected for a thriller, and a bit slow-paced when it comes to the plot. I enjoyed the characters, mostly women from Sierra Leone living in Edinburgh, I thought Hawa, the main character was a good character and I felt involved in her search for her friend Othella and her own investigation into the doings of the Lion Mountain church and Pastor Ranka. I disliked the overuse of the "ignorant friend" trope, Anaka, the friend from America who is used as a way of explaining everything about Sierra Leone and its culture.
It was a somewhat fun and interesting read though about community, church, about the vulnerability of female immigrants, and the disinterest of the British police for them.
Free ARC sent by Netgalley.
Not as suspenseful as expected for a thriller, and a bit slow-paced when it comes to the plot. I enjoyed the characters, mostly women from Sierra Leone living in Edinburgh, I thought Hawa, the main character was a good character and I felt involved in her search for her friend Othella and her own investigation into the doings of the Lion Mountain church and Pastor Ranka. I disliked the overuse of the "ignorant friend" trope, Anaka, the friend from America who is used as a way of explaining everything about Sierra Leone and its culture.
It was a somewhat fun and interesting read though about community, church, about the vulnerability of female immigrants, and the disinterest of the British police for them.
Free ARC sent by Netgalley.
May 28, 2025
This book had me enthralled since the first chapter. It's an insightful read into the Sierra Leonean community in Scotland, and makes the unfamiliar familiar with poignant descriptions, authentic characters, and incredible storytelling focusing on culture, location, and corruption. I'll definitely continue recommending this book to everyone.
June 7, 2025
Thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel by a very talented Mr Mannah. The insights into the culture and politics of Sierra Leone and the experience of those now living in Scotland were eye opening and added a colourful and interesting backdrop to what was a well thought out and gripping mystery. I hope this is the first of many novels by this author and have no doubt his work will continue to educate and entertain.
June 11, 2025
an amazing book!!!
July 20, 2025
Multi-layered novel that covers a lot of ground
—
To call this simply a crime novel would be to do disservice to all of its many layers. To reduce it to any other of these would be just as bad. Instead, it is a novel that uses the crime novel structure to look at migrants and immigration, faith and coercion, expat communities and found families, and the very specific community of Sierra Leoneans in and around Edinburgh. Student Hawa is on the very edges of the community of the Lion Mountain Church, but her suspicions are raised when women associated with the church disappear and are found locked in the boots of cars, one fatally. When Hawa’s friend Othella vanishes, Hawa and her new friend Anaka set off in hot pursuit throughout Edinburgh and overseas to Sierra Leone, where things come to a head.
This well-written debut covers a lot of ground but keeps the pace going so that you are never lost in the overlapping threads of plot. The setting of the expat Sierra Leonean community and the section in Sierra Leone itself contrast with the slow bureaucracy of the police and the distant background of Edinburgh, the latter highlighting how the Sierra leoneans have their own distinct geography and networks that overlap gently with other communities. Hawa and her friends feel real and capable, although the reader surrogate of Anaka is perhaps a little too on the nose as an innocent, but this could be because of her American-ness.
—
To call this simply a crime novel would be to do disservice to all of its many layers. To reduce it to any other of these would be just as bad. Instead, it is a novel that uses the crime novel structure to look at migrants and immigration, faith and coercion, expat communities and found families, and the very specific community of Sierra Leoneans in and around Edinburgh. Student Hawa is on the very edges of the community of the Lion Mountain Church, but her suspicions are raised when women associated with the church disappear and are found locked in the boots of cars, one fatally. When Hawa’s friend Othella vanishes, Hawa and her new friend Anaka set off in hot pursuit throughout Edinburgh and overseas to Sierra Leone, where things come to a head.
This well-written debut covers a lot of ground but keeps the pace going so that you are never lost in the overlapping threads of plot. The setting of the expat Sierra Leonean community and the section in Sierra Leone itself contrast with the slow bureaucracy of the police and the distant background of Edinburgh, the latter highlighting how the Sierra leoneans have their own distinct geography and networks that overlap gently with other communities. Hawa and her friends feel real and capable, although the reader surrogate of Anaka is perhaps a little too on the nose as an innocent, but this could be because of her American-ness.
January 25, 2025
The search for a missing childhood playmate reveals a dark side to the happenings at an African church in Scotland, as Hawa begins a determined search to find her friend Othella, the second woman to have recently disappeared from the ethnic community to which she belongs.
In the telling of a story that ranges geographically from Scotland to distant Sierra Leone, the writer delivers a gripping tale with some very interesting cultural elements as well as the always fascinating exploration of how a shady religious setup can provide cover for other nefarious activities.
Overall, this is an intriguing read and worth checking out for those who enjoy stories with a multicultural aspect to them.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
In the telling of a story that ranges geographically from Scotland to distant Sierra Leone, the writer delivers a gripping tale with some very interesting cultural elements as well as the always fascinating exploration of how a shady religious setup can provide cover for other nefarious activities.
Overall, this is an intriguing read and worth checking out for those who enjoy stories with a multicultural aspect to them.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
September 10, 2025
This tipped between being really good and not so much. It less crime, more Sierra Leonean community, and I did feel drawn to Hawa and her life. But the Othella thing...well...if you read it we can talk about it!
July 13, 2025
Great premise, poor execution
July 27, 2025
Great dialogue, great rich characters and a look at Sierra Leone and a glimpse at the evils of preying on vulnerable people.
August 25, 2025
Not for me. A bad choice.
Too ‘cosy’ and such a long time given over to hairdressing.
Too ‘cosy’ and such a long time given over to hairdressing.
November 3, 2025
Easy and quick read. I didn’t love the plot and I found the writing itself to be a little simplistic
June 8, 2025
The title is a bit misleading…
The transliteration of Sierra Leonean vernacular doesn’t work in English and is rather distracting.
I read a proof copy and there were lots of typos so hopefully these are corrected.
For a crime novel there was very little suspense and the characters needed a lot more development…in a way this book could have benefited from being longer!
The author has potential and I hope he will write more novels. We need more from Sierra Leonean authors.
The transliteration of Sierra Leonean vernacular doesn’t work in English and is rather distracting.
I read a proof copy and there were lots of typos so hopefully these are corrected.
For a crime novel there was very little suspense and the characters needed a lot more development…in a way this book could have benefited from being longer!
The author has potential and I hope he will write more novels. We need more from Sierra Leonean authors.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews