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A Killing in Lagos: a fast-paced must-read suspense
It's dawn in Lagos. Sifting through mounds of rubbish dumped overnight from the affluent Island estates, a man and his son are shocked to discover the body of a young woman amongst the waste. Kike Bankole was an investigative journalist, fearless in exposing injustice. She was also the daughter of one of the most influential men in Nigeria.
Kike's brother, Remi, works as a lawyer in London. He's not returned to his hometown for nearly a decade after an incident that ripped his family apart. But when Remi hears of his sister's death, he's on the next flight, determined to stand by his family despite the wounds of the past.
As soon as he steps off the plane in Lagos, Remi is sucked back into a world he's learned to both love and hate. Amongst a system driven by tradition, religion and the relentless pursuit of power, he embarks on a mission of finding the truth behind his sister's murder. And as it turns out, there were many who would benefit from Kike's death.
Readers love Amen Alonge
'One of those books that you hate to put down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Totally captivating' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Keeps you on your toes, always wanting more' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Addictive and entertaining' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Can't. Stop. Reading!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kike's brother, Remi, works as a lawyer in London. He's not returned to his hometown for nearly a decade after an incident that ripped his family apart. But when Remi hears of his sister's death, he's on the next flight, determined to stand by his family despite the wounds of the past.
As soon as he steps off the plane in Lagos, Remi is sucked back into a world he's learned to both love and hate. Amongst a system driven by tradition, religion and the relentless pursuit of power, he embarks on a mission of finding the truth behind his sister's murder. And as it turns out, there were many who would benefit from Kike's death.
Readers love Amen Alonge
'One of those books that you hate to put down' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Totally captivating' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Keeps you on your toes, always wanting more' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Addictive and entertaining' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Can't. Stop. Reading!' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
377 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 2, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I heard that Amen Alonge was releasing a new book I immediately took notice. I loved the London set Pretty Boy series and know how compelling a story this author can spin. Whilst A Killing In Lagos may not have the gangland edge of his previous books, do not underestimate the amount of threat packed into these pages. The book's protagonist, Remi, may be about as far removed from Pretty Boy as you can imagine, a successful London based Lawyer who thinks before he acts and has a much more considered approach to solving his problems, but that doesn't mean that this book lacks punch or that Remi is a pushover. He, and the book, are equally as compelling, but for very different reasons.
I love learning more about different cultures and throughout the pages, Amen Alonge really does deliver a vision of Lagos that many would never see or never consider. Remi comes from a wealthy family, his father holding great influence over the city's elite. When his sister's body is discovered Remi is drawn to a home that he had long left behind and a family situation that is all too familiar and yet strangely changed. The politics of the situation are clearly defined, although fed carefully into the narrative to not give too much away too soon, some of the tensions being key to the escalation of the story. I got a real sense of place from the book, as well as a really clear picture of the parts of Remi's past that jarred with the person he had grown to be.
I really liked Remi. Liked his cool demeanour, the way in which he neither takes his privileged position for granted, nor overlooks the importance of the people who serve his family in the day to day. He has great respect for the traditions of his country and his household, whilst still managing to bring a more modern mindset, and I enjoyed the way in which he was capable of holding his own in the face of adversity, yet wasn't some larger than life tough guy who would stomp over his enemies. He was much more nuanced than that and the way in which he was written was, in my opinion, pitch perfect.
Another character who really stood out in this book was Remi's driver/personal protection, Rasaq. I felt as though he was just tough and street smart enough to deliver the gravitas and strength his role required, without being overbearing, and the spark between him and Remi was well balanced. More than a simple employer/employee situation with two personalities that really bounced off each other and made the scenes flow brilliantly. But his past allows Amen Alonge to take this book down a lightly more troubled, action paced path at times, which contrasts well with the more low key investigations that Remi undertakes amongst the elite friends who may have been able to tell him what his sister, Kike, was working on before she died.
There is an all too familiar, sadly relevant issue at the heart of this book that I won't go into as it verges n spoiler territory. But it was handled well in the story. Not gratuitous or simply there for scandal, but the kind of thing that served to both surprise, in terms of the revelations that came thick and fast towards the end of the book, whilst also leaving me thinking 'of course' given the almost inevitability about it as the full story becomes clear. It's a carefully plotted mystery with clues being fed throughout for the observant, and enough held back to ensure that nothing is revealed too soon. It is perhaps, because of this, and because of the time spent establishing the background of Remi's family, and the scene setting in terms of politics and geography a slower paced book, but when the need, and situations arise, the tension is high and the tempo spot on.
I really enjoyed this slice of Lagos and Remi's life, and kind of hope that we'l meet him again. The link between him and Rasaq made this a joy to read and I was really kind of sad the book ended. The mystery of his sister's murder may have been solved, but I feel like there are still stories there to be told. Definitely recommended.
I love learning more about different cultures and throughout the pages, Amen Alonge really does deliver a vision of Lagos that many would never see or never consider. Remi comes from a wealthy family, his father holding great influence over the city's elite. When his sister's body is discovered Remi is drawn to a home that he had long left behind and a family situation that is all too familiar and yet strangely changed. The politics of the situation are clearly defined, although fed carefully into the narrative to not give too much away too soon, some of the tensions being key to the escalation of the story. I got a real sense of place from the book, as well as a really clear picture of the parts of Remi's past that jarred with the person he had grown to be.
I really liked Remi. Liked his cool demeanour, the way in which he neither takes his privileged position for granted, nor overlooks the importance of the people who serve his family in the day to day. He has great respect for the traditions of his country and his household, whilst still managing to bring a more modern mindset, and I enjoyed the way in which he was capable of holding his own in the face of adversity, yet wasn't some larger than life tough guy who would stomp over his enemies. He was much more nuanced than that and the way in which he was written was, in my opinion, pitch perfect.
Another character who really stood out in this book was Remi's driver/personal protection, Rasaq. I felt as though he was just tough and street smart enough to deliver the gravitas and strength his role required, without being overbearing, and the spark between him and Remi was well balanced. More than a simple employer/employee situation with two personalities that really bounced off each other and made the scenes flow brilliantly. But his past allows Amen Alonge to take this book down a lightly more troubled, action paced path at times, which contrasts well with the more low key investigations that Remi undertakes amongst the elite friends who may have been able to tell him what his sister, Kike, was working on before she died.
There is an all too familiar, sadly relevant issue at the heart of this book that I won't go into as it verges n spoiler territory. But it was handled well in the story. Not gratuitous or simply there for scandal, but the kind of thing that served to both surprise, in terms of the revelations that came thick and fast towards the end of the book, whilst also leaving me thinking 'of course' given the almost inevitability about it as the full story becomes clear. It's a carefully plotted mystery with clues being fed throughout for the observant, and enough held back to ensure that nothing is revealed too soon. It is perhaps, because of this, and because of the time spent establishing the background of Remi's family, and the scene setting in terms of politics and geography a slower paced book, but when the need, and situations arise, the tension is high and the tempo spot on.
I really enjoyed this slice of Lagos and Remi's life, and kind of hope that we'l meet him again. The link between him and Rasaq made this a joy to read and I was really kind of sad the book ended. The mystery of his sister's murder may have been solved, but I feel like there are still stories there to be told. Definitely recommended.
July 10, 2026
There have been quite a few interesting crime novels recently coming out of or set in Nigeria. This includes Femi Kayode’s Lightseekers and Oyikan Braithwaite’s Booker-shortlisted My Sister, the Serial Killer. Giving another view of Nigeria is Amen Alonge’s new crime novel A Killing in Lagos. This book very much focusses on the Nigerian ultra-wealthy, only occasionally venturing away from the island on which they have their compounds.
A Killing in Lagos opens with the discovery of a body in a rubbish dump. Readers soon learn that the body is Kike Bankole, sister of Remi who has a successful life in London. Remi returns home but is told by his father not to let on about his sister’s death until they can tell his mother who is out of contact at a religious retreat. Remi starts to investigate, finding that there are a number of very powerful people who may have wanted Keki dead.
Remi comes from a very wealthy and powerful family. His father Kunle is a kingmaker but prefers to wield his influence from the shadows. On Remi’s return he is assigned a security guard and essentially has a personal staff. But, unlike many of his ilk, Remi tries to treat all of those around him with respect and humanity. Alonge makes a point of this and of Remi’s growth, as he spends time with those he grew up and went to school with, who stayed in Nigeria and who have retained a high sense of entitlement. Fortunately for Remi he is also a blue belt in Tai Kwon Do and so is able to look after himself in a fight. Because his investigations start to draw attention to him and some of that with violent intent.
A Killing in Lagos uses crime genre conventions to shine a light on the highest of social classes on Nigeria. Of the web of power, nepotism, corruption and hedonism that exists. Of the lack of real consequences even when some of those issues are brought to light due to the levels of protection for the perpetrators. The reaction of surprise of staff to Remi’s displays of humanity imply a much harder life for all of those people that we don’t see. But even in among the darkness Alonge also takes to time to appreciate and celebrate Nigerian food and culture, of the joy people have in locally made music (a Spotify playlist would have been great) and just friends having a good time together.
A Killing in Lagos gives readers a peek into the rarified world of Nigeria’s ultra-wealthy but through the eyes of a character who eschews some of the trappings of that lifestyle. It does so through a well-paced story with plenty of tension and action that continues the trend of fascinating crime fiction coming out of Nigeria.
A Killing in Lagos opens with the discovery of a body in a rubbish dump. Readers soon learn that the body is Kike Bankole, sister of Remi who has a successful life in London. Remi returns home but is told by his father not to let on about his sister’s death until they can tell his mother who is out of contact at a religious retreat. Remi starts to investigate, finding that there are a number of very powerful people who may have wanted Keki dead.
Remi comes from a very wealthy and powerful family. His father Kunle is a kingmaker but prefers to wield his influence from the shadows. On Remi’s return he is assigned a security guard and essentially has a personal staff. But, unlike many of his ilk, Remi tries to treat all of those around him with respect and humanity. Alonge makes a point of this and of Remi’s growth, as he spends time with those he grew up and went to school with, who stayed in Nigeria and who have retained a high sense of entitlement. Fortunately for Remi he is also a blue belt in Tai Kwon Do and so is able to look after himself in a fight. Because his investigations start to draw attention to him and some of that with violent intent.
A Killing in Lagos uses crime genre conventions to shine a light on the highest of social classes on Nigeria. Of the web of power, nepotism, corruption and hedonism that exists. Of the lack of real consequences even when some of those issues are brought to light due to the levels of protection for the perpetrators. The reaction of surprise of staff to Remi’s displays of humanity imply a much harder life for all of those people that we don’t see. But even in among the darkness Alonge also takes to time to appreciate and celebrate Nigerian food and culture, of the joy people have in locally made music (a Spotify playlist would have been great) and just friends having a good time together.
A Killing in Lagos gives readers a peek into the rarified world of Nigeria’s ultra-wealthy but through the eyes of a character who eschews some of the trappings of that lifestyle. It does so through a well-paced story with plenty of tension and action that continues the trend of fascinating crime fiction coming out of Nigeria.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A Killing in Lagos opens at dawn, in the city’s quieter, grittier edges—where the waste of the wealthy is dumped overnight and where two men make a discovery that will shake Nigeria’s elite. The body of Kike Bankole, a fearless investigative journalist and daughter of a powerful man, is found among the rubbish. It’s a stark, arresting beginning, and the novel never loses that sense of urgency.
At the heart of the story is Remi, Kike’s brother, a London lawyer who has spent nearly a decade avoiding the city that shaped him. His return to Lagos is charged with grief, guilt, and the complicated love that comes with going home after too long. The moment he steps off the plane, he’s pulled back into a world of dazzling wealth, deep-rooted tradition, and political power plays that operate in the shadows.
The novel shines in its portrayal of Lagos itself—vibrant, chaotic, beautiful, and unforgiving. It’s a city where influence can open doors or close them forever, where truth is a dangerous pursuit, and where Kike’s work clearly threatened the wrong people. As Remi digs into her final investigation, he uncovers a tangle of motives: corruption, family secrets, political ambition, and the kind of systemic injustice Kike dedicated her life to exposing.
What elevates the book is its emotional depth. Remi’s grief is raw, but so is his determination. His journey becomes as much about confronting his own past as it is about finding his sister’s killer. The tension builds steadily, and the revelations feel both shocking and tragically inevitable in a world where power protects itself at any cost.
A Killing in Lagos is a compelling blend of mystery, family drama, and social commentary—richly atmospheric, morally complex, and impossible to put down.
With thanks to Amen Alonge, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
At the heart of the story is Remi, Kike’s brother, a London lawyer who has spent nearly a decade avoiding the city that shaped him. His return to Lagos is charged with grief, guilt, and the complicated love that comes with going home after too long. The moment he steps off the plane, he’s pulled back into a world of dazzling wealth, deep-rooted tradition, and political power plays that operate in the shadows.
The novel shines in its portrayal of Lagos itself—vibrant, chaotic, beautiful, and unforgiving. It’s a city where influence can open doors or close them forever, where truth is a dangerous pursuit, and where Kike’s work clearly threatened the wrong people. As Remi digs into her final investigation, he uncovers a tangle of motives: corruption, family secrets, political ambition, and the kind of systemic injustice Kike dedicated her life to exposing.
What elevates the book is its emotional depth. Remi’s grief is raw, but so is his determination. His journey becomes as much about confronting his own past as it is about finding his sister’s killer. The tension builds steadily, and the revelations feel both shocking and tragically inevitable in a world where power protects itself at any cost.
A Killing in Lagos is a compelling blend of mystery, family drama, and social commentary—richly atmospheric, morally complex, and impossible to put down.
With thanks to Amen Alonge, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Set in Nigeria this book tells the story of how a female investigative journalist is found dead, with her body dumped in the mountains of garbage generated by the affluent segment of Lagos society and this ignominious fate discovered by a pair of garbage pickers.
But while a dumped corpse like this may not be that unusual a find in a mega city like Lagos, this woman Kike is - unusually enough - herself a member of one of those affluent families. And when her long estranged brother Remi finally returns to his hometown to find out really happened, there is the chance that the truth of Kike's death may actually come out...
This is an interesting story and a fascinating window into a different society. Worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
But while a dumped corpse like this may not be that unusual a find in a mega city like Lagos, this woman Kike is - unusually enough - herself a member of one of those affluent families. And when her long estranged brother Remi finally returns to his hometown to find out really happened, there is the chance that the truth of Kike's death may actually come out...
This is an interesting story and a fascinating window into a different society. Worth checking out.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews