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Gaslight
Folasade Dawodu is married to the Bishop of a Nigerian Megachurch. She is prominent, she is young, she inspires: she is the First Lady.
But when Bishop Jeremiah Dawodu is arrested at the pulpit for the murder of his beloved wife, shock cuts through this tight community. The arrest is televised all around Lagos, but while Bishop consistently maintains his innocence, and his congregation believe him, the First Lady remains missing.
Philip Taiwo, compassionate investigative psychologist, is asked by his sister, a member of the Dawodus' church, to take on the case: to find out the truth, whatever the cost. But as he searches for Folasade, his own beloved family begins to fracture.
But when Bishop Jeremiah Dawodu is arrested at the pulpit for the murder of his beloved wife, shock cuts through this tight community. The arrest is televised all around Lagos, but while Bishop consistently maintains his innocence, and his congregation believe him, the First Lady remains missing.
Philip Taiwo, compassionate investigative psychologist, is asked by his sister, a member of the Dawodus' church, to take on the case: to find out the truth, whatever the cost. But as he searches for Folasade, his own beloved family begins to fracture.
- GenresCrime
400 pages, Paperback
Published July 4, 2024
About the author
Femi Kayode
14 books25 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author with this name on GR
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
May 1, 2025
After many years in the USA, Philip Taiwo has returned to Nigeria with his wife and children. His sister asks him to clear the name of the leader of her church, Bishop Dawodu, who has been arrested and accused of murdering his wife. His investigation leads him to uncover sexual abuse and corruption right at the heart of the megachurch, including powerful people in the police force who try to stop him from getting to the truth.
Our reading group enjoyed this thriller. We thought the cover and title were eye-catching and that the story itself was a real page-turner.
This book is the second Philip Taiwo investigation by Femi Kayode. We didn’t feel it was necessary to read the first in the series to enjoy this book, but one of our book group read Light Seekers and said that it was worth reading it first as there were many references in Gaslight to characters and events which had taken place in the first novel.
When we read it, a documentary series about T.B. Joshua was being shown on the BBC (Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua), so the book was very topical. This added to our understanding of the story.
We felt Kayode captured the hustle and bustle of Lagos with the traffic jams and roadblocks and the banter of talk on the streets. As much as we enjoyed the story with all its twists and turns, what we all enjoyed was the relationship between Philip and his wife, Folake. It was refreshing to have the dynamics of married life play such a central part in the novel, especially in their parenting styles. We did have a slight quibble that the bullying their daughter faced at school due to colourism was resolved too quickly and tidily. Some of us felt that the descriptions of the sexual abuse were too explicit and felt incongruous with the tone of the rest of the book.
Overall it was a book we all enjoyed and would recommend to anyone looking for a thriller with strong characters.
Our reading group enjoyed this thriller. We thought the cover and title were eye-catching and that the story itself was a real page-turner.
This book is the second Philip Taiwo investigation by Femi Kayode. We didn’t feel it was necessary to read the first in the series to enjoy this book, but one of our book group read Light Seekers and said that it was worth reading it first as there were many references in Gaslight to characters and events which had taken place in the first novel.
When we read it, a documentary series about T.B. Joshua was being shown on the BBC (Disciples: The Cult of TB Joshua), so the book was very topical. This added to our understanding of the story.
We felt Kayode captured the hustle and bustle of Lagos with the traffic jams and roadblocks and the banter of talk on the streets. As much as we enjoyed the story with all its twists and turns, what we all enjoyed was the relationship between Philip and his wife, Folake. It was refreshing to have the dynamics of married life play such a central part in the novel, especially in their parenting styles. We did have a slight quibble that the bullying their daughter faced at school due to colourism was resolved too quickly and tidily. Some of us felt that the descriptions of the sexual abuse were too explicit and felt incongruous with the tone of the rest of the book.
Overall it was a book we all enjoyed and would recommend to anyone looking for a thriller with strong characters.
July 11, 2026
This book will leave you doubting what you think you know.
The story of Folasade is a painful one that gives a glimpse into the rot that society has allowed to fester for so long; how humans partake in the evil they so condemn.
Dawodu and his cohorts portray the men of God who aren't actually for God. They have taken their high places because of the subservience of the old and young, who have decided not to think for themselves. This book is a sort of exposition on the religion certain people practice, which makes them erroneously quote 'Touch not my anointed' when eyebrows are raised. They are the ones who say 'it is well' to quell the raging dissatisfaction people express about the role of men of God and politicians in the evil permeating our society.
In the end, good friends fought for Folasade.
'All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing'- Edmund Burke
The story of Folasade is a painful one that gives a glimpse into the rot that society has allowed to fester for so long; how humans partake in the evil they so condemn.
Dawodu and his cohorts portray the men of God who aren't actually for God. They have taken their high places because of the subservience of the old and young, who have decided not to think for themselves. This book is a sort of exposition on the religion certain people practice, which makes them erroneously quote 'Touch not my anointed' when eyebrows are raised. They are the ones who say 'it is well' to quell the raging dissatisfaction people express about the role of men of God and politicians in the evil permeating our society.
In the end, good friends fought for Folasade.
'All that is required for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing'- Edmund Burke
October 18, 2024
This book drew me in from the first page. What makes this books stand out for me is how the author wrote this book with vivid realism. This book is nuanced with thrilling mystery, racism and identities, Christianity and Church hurt and morality. It's an all packed book that's extremely relate able. A solid 5 star book and a must read!!!
May 18, 2025
I didn’t realise this was the second book with Dr Taiwo but it didn’t matter. Great book. Pulls you in straight from the start and carries you through to the end. Fancy a murder mystery, then this is the book for you. Set in Nigeria this follows the intrigue around a church and all its politics. Read it.
July 3, 2026
Philip Taiwo does it again, and this time it brings things a little closer to home for most of us: the church.
Tbh, the things that go on behind the scenes of some churches are sickeningly disgusting! Man no be God!! You are not God—stop parading yourselves as such!!
Philip Taiwo's cases always have such a unique twist to them. When I read Lightseekers, I was surprised by how the whole case came together at the end, and Gaslight is no different.
An influential bishop's wife, Folasade Dawodu, goes missing, and Philip is asked by his own sister, who attends the very same church, to look into it. And I thought, if this is a missing person's case, why is Philip Taiwo being brought in? Which can only mean something sinister is at play!
I love that Chika is back in this novel, and even better, Chika has such a sharp mind, and I am here for it.
The humanization of Philip Taiwo was something else entirely. You would think that an investigative psychologist wouldn't have problems, but the author proves that Philip is just a man, like any of us, who goes through things.
The issue with his daughter was one that had me glued to the pages because I wanted to see how Philip and her mom were going to tackle it. What were they going to say to their daughter to make her stop believing everything those bullies had made her believe? How?!
And again, I wasn't disappointed. I must say that I was a little sceptical of Philip's wife's approach, but at least it went well. 😅
You, Bishop Dawodu, you are a demonic bastard!!!!
How can you claim to know God and preach the gospel, yet still do such devilish things to your wife!! How?! Don't you think about your wife's physical and mental well-being?!
I feel so bad that Folasade could only think of one way for her so-called bishop of a husband to get punished. Folasade, you don't deserve what happened to you.
Solid 4-star read. It demanded my attention from start to finish, and I can't wait for the next book Femi Kayode writes.
Tbh, the things that go on behind the scenes of some churches are sickeningly disgusting! Man no be God!! You are not God—stop parading yourselves as such!!
Philip Taiwo's cases always have such a unique twist to them. When I read Lightseekers, I was surprised by how the whole case came together at the end, and Gaslight is no different.
An influential bishop's wife, Folasade Dawodu, goes missing, and Philip is asked by his own sister, who attends the very same church, to look into it. And I thought, if this is a missing person's case, why is Philip Taiwo being brought in? Which can only mean something sinister is at play!
I love that Chika is back in this novel, and even better, Chika has such a sharp mind, and I am here for it.
The humanization of Philip Taiwo was something else entirely. You would think that an investigative psychologist wouldn't have problems, but the author proves that Philip is just a man, like any of us, who goes through things.
The issue with his daughter was one that had me glued to the pages because I wanted to see how Philip and her mom were going to tackle it. What were they going to say to their daughter to make her stop believing everything those bullies had made her believe? How?!
And again, I wasn't disappointed. I must say that I was a little sceptical of Philip's wife's approach, but at least it went well. 😅
You, Bishop Dawodu, you are a demonic bastard!!!!
How can you claim to know God and preach the gospel, yet still do such devilish things to your wife!! How?! Don't you think about your wife's physical and mental well-being?!
I feel so bad that Folasade could only think of one way for her so-called bishop of a husband to get punished. Folasade, you don't deserve what happened to you.
Solid 4-star read. It demanded my attention from start to finish, and I can't wait for the next book Femi Kayode writes.
April 17, 2025
Even better than his first novel! I got a little confused by the end, but who cares! All my favorite detective novels leave me a little confused - especially Ian Rankin - but it’s the journey that counts!
October 6, 2024
A great read for a second novel. Delighted to find something new.
May 24, 2025
5/5 one of the best books I’ve read so far this year. Femi Kayode always leaves you wanting more, such a great crime novel. I can’t wait to see what Phillip does next, I will be waiting!
June 27, 2025
A slow starting book with a strong finish.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews