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A Decent Man
His wife wants him dead. Discovering why might kill him faster.
Cold and calculating, insurance executive Michael Azodo has built a life on refusing mercy to others. Then he meets Rebecca, a compassionate nurse with shadows behind her smile who breaks through his carefully constructed walls. Their intense romance leads to a happy marriage—until Michael collapses.
Hospital tests reveal someone is poisoning him. Evidence points to his beloved wife, but Michael, refusing the police, seeks her hidden motives alone. His investigation uncovers a devastating Rebecca’s true identity is tied to a tragedy he caused but cannot remember—one his psychologist mother made him forget. As his health deteriorates alongside his crumbling marriage, Michael confronts who he’s been and who he could become.
In a race against his failing body, Michael faces the ultimate what price is too high for redemption?
Cold and calculating, insurance executive Michael Azodo has built a life on refusing mercy to others. Then he meets Rebecca, a compassionate nurse with shadows behind her smile who breaks through his carefully constructed walls. Their intense romance leads to a happy marriage—until Michael collapses.
Hospital tests reveal someone is poisoning him. Evidence points to his beloved wife, but Michael, refusing the police, seeks her hidden motives alone. His investigation uncovers a devastating Rebecca’s true identity is tied to a tragedy he caused but cannot remember—one his psychologist mother made him forget. As his health deteriorates alongside his crumbling marriage, Michael confronts who he’s been and who he could become.
In a race against his failing body, Michael faces the ultimate what price is too high for redemption?
257 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2026
2 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 20, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️ (2.5–3 stars) | 6.5/10
Spoiler Warning ⚠️
A Decent Man by Gilbert Bassey pulled me in fast, and then slowly let me go.
The story follows Michael, a wealthy, highly calculated man who lives his life without the thought of others except maybe Rebecca his wife, Lydia his mother and Amaka his assistant. He is blunt, often rude, and at times outright mean, but not without reason. Sometimes.
the way he has learned to survive the world have shaped him into someone stoic, emotionally repressed, and borderline narcissistic (though I’m still not sure that label fully fits him completely).
The first few chapters genuinely had me giggling. I was intrigued, invested, and curious about where Michael’s character was headed. Unfortunately, somewhere in the middle, the story lost momentum for me. By the time I reached the ending, I was honestly pissed. I kept thinking, Wait… what? How did we get here? I was expecting some form of resolution,(there was just one I didn’t enjoy) maybe even a proper happy ending, but instead, I was left unsettled.
That said, I finished this book in one sitting (from around 1 p.m. to 8:33 p.m.), so it is a compelling and fast read.
Characters I Loved (and Didn’t) ps don’t hate me I’m a little shocked at myself too.
My favourite characters were Oruamen and Amaka… without question.
I also grew to appreciate Michael’s mother, who initially seemed complicated but ultimately felt painfully human. You begin to understand how far a parent might go for their child… even when that child has done something unforgivable (yes—murder).
Speaking of which, I figured out very early on that Michael killed his Rebecca’s brother. The hints were everywhere in the first five or six chapters. It wasn’t shocking, just annoyed that it was so fast to predict.
Rebecca, however, was my least favorite character. I understood her pain, her anger, and even her intention to poison Michael with mercury. But what I couldn’t understand was her silence—especially not telling Michael she was pregnant. That choice frustrated me deeply. Still, it reflects real human behavior: we don’t always make logical decisions when we’re hurt. Especially when that hurt is the death of your brother.
I did feel conflicted about Rebecca’s father. But that’s all I have to say
One of my biggest disappointments was the romance.
I truly believe Michael had more chemistry with Amaka than with Rebecca. Amaka feared him, yes, but she also loved him honestly and clearly. Their connection felt more natural.
With Rebecca, I wanted more depth. I wanted to understand why Michael loved her so much. We’re told she made him want to be “a decent man,” but I needed more scenes, more dates, more shared history, more emotional buildup. Especially since she originally came into his life intending to kill him, their love-hate dynamic deserved deeper
This book is ultimately about consequences, how the choices we bury, ignore, or rationalise eventually resurface. Michael’s life felt painfully realistic. You find yourself relating to him in uncomfortable ways, even when you don’t want to.
If you’re looking for a short, thought-provoking read with little to no romance, moral complexity, and flawed characters, this book is worth picking up. Just don’t go in expecting a clean sweep cause karma somehow comes back to bite, Micheal in the ass… no wait… buttocks. Pardon my language.
Ps the ending is 😩😩😩😩😩
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2026
This is officially my first 5⭐️read of the year, and honestly, I didn’t see it coming. When I picked up A Decent Man, I just thought, “Oh, cool, a thriller.” I mean, the cover literally says:
“His wife wants him dead. Discovering why might kill him faster.”
So I was ready for mystery, betrayal, maybe even a little chaos. But what I got? Way deeper.
Yes, it’s a thriller, but that’s not even the point. The real story is Michael — a man facing the consequences of his past, trying to do right in a world that doesn’t make it easy. His wife wants him dead, and as the story unfolds, we find out exactly why. But underneath all that, there’s so much pain, regret, and humanity in this man.
Then there’s Oruamen, a 15-year-old boy whose lungs are failing. His friendship with Michael completely broke me. There’s a scene where he says, “I don’t want to die. I’ve not had my first kiss, my first blunt…” and I just sat there crying. Because there’s something about knowing you’re dying and still choosing to smile and that hits differently🥺
Michael isn’t a good man or a bad man — he’s a decent man. And someone in the book says it perfectly:
“Not a perfect man, not a saint or hero, but just decent. And being decent was perhaps the hardest thing to be in a world that rewarded cruelty and selfishness.”
That line has lived rent-free in my head since I closed the book.
The ending was bittersweet, heartbreaking, and so beautiful. Michael proves, in the end, that decency still matters and that even the most flawed people can choose to do what’s right.
Then there’s the part about a mother’s love — how much she was willing to do for her son. Michael’s mother carried the biggest secret of his life for 17 years, just to protect him. And when I saw the part where she said, “I’m a mother,” it just clicked. You could feel the pain, the sacrifice, and the love in those words.
When I finished the book, I just sat staring at the sky for five minutes, thinking, What masterpiece did I just read? How do authors come up with something this layered, emotional, and hauntingly real?
Because that’s what A Decent Man is — not just a thriller, but a mirror. It reminds you that the choices you make, the kindness you show (or don’t), they all come back eventually.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — a deeply human story about mistakes, redemption, and the quiet power of simply being decent.
“His wife wants him dead. Discovering why might kill him faster.”
So I was ready for mystery, betrayal, maybe even a little chaos. But what I got? Way deeper.
Yes, it’s a thriller, but that’s not even the point. The real story is Michael — a man facing the consequences of his past, trying to do right in a world that doesn’t make it easy. His wife wants him dead, and as the story unfolds, we find out exactly why. But underneath all that, there’s so much pain, regret, and humanity in this man.
Then there’s Oruamen, a 15-year-old boy whose lungs are failing. His friendship with Michael completely broke me. There’s a scene where he says, “I don’t want to die. I’ve not had my first kiss, my first blunt…” and I just sat there crying. Because there’s something about knowing you’re dying and still choosing to smile and that hits differently🥺
Michael isn’t a good man or a bad man — he’s a decent man. And someone in the book says it perfectly:
“Not a perfect man, not a saint or hero, but just decent. And being decent was perhaps the hardest thing to be in a world that rewarded cruelty and selfishness.”
That line has lived rent-free in my head since I closed the book.
The ending was bittersweet, heartbreaking, and so beautiful. Michael proves, in the end, that decency still matters and that even the most flawed people can choose to do what’s right.
Then there’s the part about a mother’s love — how much she was willing to do for her son. Michael’s mother carried the biggest secret of his life for 17 years, just to protect him. And when I saw the part where she said, “I’m a mother,” it just clicked. You could feel the pain, the sacrifice, and the love in those words.
When I finished the book, I just sat staring at the sky for five minutes, thinking, What masterpiece did I just read? How do authors come up with something this layered, emotional, and hauntingly real?
Because that’s what A Decent Man is — not just a thriller, but a mirror. It reminds you that the choices you make, the kindness you show (or don’t), they all come back eventually.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — a deeply human story about mistakes, redemption, and the quiet power of simply being decent.
January 14, 2026
I didn’t expect A Decent Man to sit with me the way it did.
I picked it up thinking I was getting a thriller, and yes, there’s suspense, danger, and tension, but what I actually got was a story about people carrying things they never really put down. Grief. Guilt. Promises made in anger. Love that survives in uncomfortable shapes.
Michael Azodo is an insurance executive known for his cold, unmerciful approach to life. He's successful, disciplined, and emotionally distant; he prides himself on control. Michael collapsed, and the Doctors confirmed he's being poisoned. All signs first point to his wife, Rebecca. Without involving the police, he decided to find out why his wife wanted him dead.
The women in this book are what really unsettled me.
Rebecca’s grief is heavy. Death stole from her multiple times, and that broke her beyond recognition. Her pain was more cumulative rather than theatrical. When she said, "You grow to hate someone so much that you can't imagine a life of liking them," The resentment she had lived inside for years. Life played her an unfair card.
Lydia’s point of view is chilling because she isn’t confused about what she did; she’s certain. Her love as a mother is fierce enough to justify anything. When she said, “I am a mother! I protect my own... You are an extension of me. It didn't matter that I lost the love of my life in the process. If I had to do it all over again, I would, without a moment's hesitation… and if that makes me a terrible person, then so be it."
I was going to judge her character, but I thought to myself, who wouldn’t protect their own? Not after millions of years of natural selection has conditioned you to.
Frank’s counsel to Sarah, when he framed forgiveness as an exhausting act of re-vision, learning to see someone not as who they once were at their worst, but as who they insist they are now. In his words, "To forgive him, you have to break free from the chains of your promise. And every time you look at him, you have to see the man who claims to love you, not the boy who killed your brother.”
I love the tension in each character. The suspense builds not only from the threat to Michael’s life, but from the gradual unmasking of his moral blind spots. Memory, guilt, and mercy run in the plot, giving the story emotional weight beyond its thriller framework.
The writing is intentional. By the end, I wasn’t thinking about who was right or wrong. I was thinking about how easily any of us could become someone we don’t recognize under the weight of love and loss.
I picked it up thinking I was getting a thriller, and yes, there’s suspense, danger, and tension, but what I actually got was a story about people carrying things they never really put down. Grief. Guilt. Promises made in anger. Love that survives in uncomfortable shapes.
Michael Azodo is an insurance executive known for his cold, unmerciful approach to life. He's successful, disciplined, and emotionally distant; he prides himself on control. Michael collapsed, and the Doctors confirmed he's being poisoned. All signs first point to his wife, Rebecca. Without involving the police, he decided to find out why his wife wanted him dead.
The women in this book are what really unsettled me.
Rebecca’s grief is heavy. Death stole from her multiple times, and that broke her beyond recognition. Her pain was more cumulative rather than theatrical. When she said, "You grow to hate someone so much that you can't imagine a life of liking them," The resentment she had lived inside for years. Life played her an unfair card.
Lydia’s point of view is chilling because she isn’t confused about what she did; she’s certain. Her love as a mother is fierce enough to justify anything. When she said, “I am a mother! I protect my own... You are an extension of me. It didn't matter that I lost the love of my life in the process. If I had to do it all over again, I would, without a moment's hesitation… and if that makes me a terrible person, then so be it."
I was going to judge her character, but I thought to myself, who wouldn’t protect their own? Not after millions of years of natural selection has conditioned you to.
Frank’s counsel to Sarah, when he framed forgiveness as an exhausting act of re-vision, learning to see someone not as who they once were at their worst, but as who they insist they are now. In his words, "To forgive him, you have to break free from the chains of your promise. And every time you look at him, you have to see the man who claims to love you, not the boy who killed your brother.”
I love the tension in each character. The suspense builds not only from the threat to Michael’s life, but from the gradual unmasking of his moral blind spots. Memory, guilt, and mercy run in the plot, giving the story emotional weight beyond its thriller framework.
The writing is intentional. By the end, I wasn’t thinking about who was right or wrong. I was thinking about how easily any of us could become someone we don’t recognize under the weight of love and loss.
January 14, 2026
Rating 4.5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
From the title of this book, A Decent Man, I knew he wasn't decent😂. And then you have the book cover very beautiful by the way I just knew something was about to go down.
Micheal Azodo, a ruthless man who does whatever pleases him without a care in the world, didn't know that his life was about to change forever. His past mistakes in life returned with a vengeance. The question remains, why does his wife want him dead?
The addition of Oruamen into the story took a different turn to the story, I would say it was fate.
Michael Azodo
A Decent Man
Not a perfect man. Not a saint or hero. Just decent.
This book was filled with different emotions for me, from curiosity, anger to sadness, and then tears
I cried yall 😭 😢
Chapters 41 broke me from this chapter to the very end. It was different. I didn't expect the end at all. I knew that might be a possibility, but for it to really happen was a different ball game entirely
Why I liked this book 👍📖
Firstly, the story is so different from any book I have read. It was very interesting and entertaining. I wasn't bored. I was happy reading this book.
secondly, the multiple pov's was actually interesting to read, The writing was easy to raed and straight to the point.
Thridly, the short chapters, each chapter, reveal a new twist to the book.
I urge you all to read this book if you haven't already, but be prepared to cry, and also to be shocked at the mystery that will unrival as the story goes on.
Favourite quote in the book
“This one time, when my mom and I were both crying, she told me, ‘Life goes on. We’re going to bed in tears tonight, but tomorrow we’ll wake up and try to smile. If we cry again tomorrow, we’ll try again the next day, and the day after that, until we finally do smile. Because life doesn’t stop for anyone, and neither should we.’”
From the title of this book, A Decent Man, I knew he wasn't decent😂. And then you have the book cover very beautiful by the way I just knew something was about to go down.
Micheal Azodo, a ruthless man who does whatever pleases him without a care in the world, didn't know that his life was about to change forever. His past mistakes in life returned with a vengeance. The question remains, why does his wife want him dead?
The addition of Oruamen into the story took a different turn to the story, I would say it was fate.
Michael Azodo
A Decent Man
Not a perfect man. Not a saint or hero. Just decent.
This book was filled with different emotions for me, from curiosity, anger to sadness, and then tears
I cried yall 😭 😢
Chapters 41 broke me from this chapter to the very end. It was different. I didn't expect the end at all. I knew that might be a possibility, but for it to really happen was a different ball game entirely
Why I liked this book 👍📖
Firstly, the story is so different from any book I have read. It was very interesting and entertaining. I wasn't bored. I was happy reading this book.
secondly, the multiple pov's was actually interesting to read, The writing was easy to raed and straight to the point.
Thridly, the short chapters, each chapter, reveal a new twist to the book.
I urge you all to read this book if you haven't already, but be prepared to cry, and also to be shocked at the mystery that will unrival as the story goes on.
Favourite quote in the book
“This one time, when my mom and I were both crying, she told me, ‘Life goes on. We’re going to bed in tears tonight, but tomorrow we’ll wake up and try to smile. If we cry again tomorrow, we’ll try again the next day, and the day after that, until we finally do smile. Because life doesn’t stop for anyone, and neither should we.’”
January 19, 2026
You know when you pick up a book thinking it’ll be a simple domestic story, and then you suddenly realise you’re in way deeper than you expected? That was my experience with A Decent Man.
At its core, this book follows Michael, a man who has built a life he thinks is stable, but the cracks start showing faster than he can understand. There’s an unsettling feeling that something in his marriage isn’t right, and even he can’t fully explain why. That confusion? It’s intentional, you feel it with him.
The story digs into how the past chases people, even when they’ve tried to move on. The author doesn’t make anyone a villain or a saint. Everyone carries something, and Michael’s past decisions quietly linger, with consequences creeping back into his life long before he realises.
Reading this wasn’t a smooth ride, at times the pacing felt slow, almost too quiet, but that’s what built the tension. This isn’t a thriller that throws twists at you every chapter. It’s a slow tightening of a rope around your chest, and you don’t realise how much pressure has built until certain scenes hit you.
One part that really got me was the emotional connection Michael forms later, it added warmth to a story that could have been bleak and made the weight of his earlier choices hit harder. The book doesn’t force you to feel sorry for him, it lets you decide for yourself.
By the end, I didn’t close the book feeling mind-blown or shaken, I closed it thinking....about accountability, about the quiet ways people hurt each other, and how the past never truly disappears.
If you’re looking for a loud, twist-every-chapter thriller, this isn’t it. But if you want a slow, unsettling story that quietly digs under your skin and makes you think… this is one to try. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely thought-provoking.
At its core, this book follows Michael, a man who has built a life he thinks is stable, but the cracks start showing faster than he can understand. There’s an unsettling feeling that something in his marriage isn’t right, and even he can’t fully explain why. That confusion? It’s intentional, you feel it with him.
The story digs into how the past chases people, even when they’ve tried to move on. The author doesn’t make anyone a villain or a saint. Everyone carries something, and Michael’s past decisions quietly linger, with consequences creeping back into his life long before he realises.
Reading this wasn’t a smooth ride, at times the pacing felt slow, almost too quiet, but that’s what built the tension. This isn’t a thriller that throws twists at you every chapter. It’s a slow tightening of a rope around your chest, and you don’t realise how much pressure has built until certain scenes hit you.
One part that really got me was the emotional connection Michael forms later, it added warmth to a story that could have been bleak and made the weight of his earlier choices hit harder. The book doesn’t force you to feel sorry for him, it lets you decide for yourself.
By the end, I didn’t close the book feeling mind-blown or shaken, I closed it thinking....about accountability, about the quiet ways people hurt each other, and how the past never truly disappears.
If you’re looking for a loud, twist-every-chapter thriller, this isn’t it. But if you want a slow, unsettling story that quietly digs under your skin and makes you think… this is one to try. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely thought-provoking.
January 20, 2026
~ The story follows Michael, whose teenage mistake that caused pain to others is not in his memory. An unexpected visit to the hospital makes him question his marriage but a sudden revelation from a visit to his secondary school now makes him question himself and the one who sacrificed to protect him. Has his marriage been all a lie or will Love bring about forgiveness?
~ I saw how Lydia, a mother whose love driven by the need to protect, led her into morally questionable choices. What was meant to shield her child from reliving a mistake only deepened the consequences. Protection turned into a quiet nightmare, and when the truth finally surfaced, facing it became an unexpected path to what I'm calling 'character growth!
~ Love, in its many forms, can push people to extreme lengths. Through sibling love and loss, the story asks how far someone can go in secret revenge for a life taken too soon. It quietly but powerfully examines how love can drive both healing and destruction. I understand Rebecca (Sarah) I actually do
~I understood everyone's choices. (From Lydia, Frank, Patience, Sarah even Martin) Love, grief, and responsibility drove them, and even when some actions were difficult to accept, their reasons felt painfully human
~ Oruamen's part to this story made me tear up a bit especially after I read the plot! I still wonder if there was any chance for a happy ending for both him and Micheal? Like another option?
~ "A Decent Man" questions morality, love, and the price of becoming better. I am here reflecting on my actions (I no do reach Micheal sha o) and the idea that some mistakes may never be forgiven, yet choosing to become better matters. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Link to My IG in my bio to check out my other reviews🤍
~ I saw how Lydia, a mother whose love driven by the need to protect, led her into morally questionable choices. What was meant to shield her child from reliving a mistake only deepened the consequences. Protection turned into a quiet nightmare, and when the truth finally surfaced, facing it became an unexpected path to what I'm calling 'character growth!
~ Love, in its many forms, can push people to extreme lengths. Through sibling love and loss, the story asks how far someone can go in secret revenge for a life taken too soon. It quietly but powerfully examines how love can drive both healing and destruction. I understand Rebecca (Sarah) I actually do
~I understood everyone's choices. (From Lydia, Frank, Patience, Sarah even Martin) Love, grief, and responsibility drove them, and even when some actions were difficult to accept, their reasons felt painfully human
~ Oruamen's part to this story made me tear up a bit especially after I read the plot! I still wonder if there was any chance for a happy ending for both him and Micheal? Like another option?
~ "A Decent Man" questions morality, love, and the price of becoming better. I am here reflecting on my actions (I no do reach Micheal sha o) and the idea that some mistakes may never be forgiven, yet choosing to become better matters. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Link to My IG in my bio to check out my other reviews🤍
January 9, 2026
A Decent Man is a gripping psychological novel that explores the uncomfortable gap between appearance and character. Through the life of Michael Azodo, a successful, confident, and outwardly respectable man, Gilbert Bassey asks a powerful question: what does decency really mean?
The story is layered with tension, emotional complexity, and moral ambiguity. Michael is not written to be liked easily, and that is one of the book’s strengths. His relationships with his wife, his colleagues, and his mother reveal how unhealed trauma, entitlement, and emotional repression can quietly shape a man’s choices and harm others.
The female characters are especially well written and exist as more than supporting roles. They challenge, confront, and expose the limits of Michael’s self perception, making the novel as much about accountability as it is about identity.
Bassey’s writing is cinematic and confident, with strong dialogue and steady pacing that keeps the reader engaged. The novel tackles themes of masculinity, power, guilt, love, and responsibility without preaching, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
A Decent Man is not a feel good story, but it is an honest one. It will appeal to readers who enjoy character driven fiction, psychological depth, contemporary African literature, and stories that linger long after the final page.
The story is layered with tension, emotional complexity, and moral ambiguity. Michael is not written to be liked easily, and that is one of the book’s strengths. His relationships with his wife, his colleagues, and his mother reveal how unhealed trauma, entitlement, and emotional repression can quietly shape a man’s choices and harm others.
The female characters are especially well written and exist as more than supporting roles. They challenge, confront, and expose the limits of Michael’s self perception, making the novel as much about accountability as it is about identity.
Bassey’s writing is cinematic and confident, with strong dialogue and steady pacing that keeps the reader engaged. The novel tackles themes of masculinity, power, guilt, love, and responsibility without preaching, allowing readers to draw their own conclusions.
A Decent Man is not a feel good story, but it is an honest one. It will appeal to readers who enjoy character driven fiction, psychological depth, contemporary African literature, and stories that linger long after the final page.
January 18, 2026
This book took me completely by surprise.
When I started it, I was genuinely excited because it’s a Nigerian psychological thriller, and that’s one of my favourite genres. I love trying to guess twists in thrillers, and I honestly thought I knew where the story was headed at the beginning. I really did. But this book had other plans.
Without giving spoilers, there’s a moment early on that hit me hard emotionally. I told myself I wouldn’t cry while reading, but I did. And by the end of the book, I wasn’t even fighting it anymore.
What stood out the most for me is the writing. This does not read like a debut novel at all. It’s emotionally driven, thoughtful, and incredibly well-crafted. Every character feels real. There are no unnecessary or flat side characters, no caricatures just to move the plot along. Everyone matters, and you feel it.
The story is heavy, painful, and beautiful in the way it explores human flaws and consequences. It’s the kind of book that sits with you even after you’ve closed it.
This is an easy five stars for me and my first five-star read of the year. Superb, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.
When I started it, I was genuinely excited because it’s a Nigerian psychological thriller, and that’s one of my favourite genres. I love trying to guess twists in thrillers, and I honestly thought I knew where the story was headed at the beginning. I really did. But this book had other plans.
Without giving spoilers, there’s a moment early on that hit me hard emotionally. I told myself I wouldn’t cry while reading, but I did. And by the end of the book, I wasn’t even fighting it anymore.
What stood out the most for me is the writing. This does not read like a debut novel at all. It’s emotionally driven, thoughtful, and incredibly well-crafted. Every character feels real. There are no unnecessary or flat side characters, no caricatures just to move the plot along. Everyone matters, and you feel it.
The story is heavy, painful, and beautiful in the way it explores human flaws and consequences. It’s the kind of book that sits with you even after you’ve closed it.
This is an easy five stars for me and my first five-star read of the year. Superb, heartbreaking, and unforgettable.
Read
January 16, 2026A Decent Man by Gilbert Bassey was a really strong way to kick off my reading year. It was good good. The kind of book that pulls you in early and reminds you why great storytelling matters. His passion for the craft is evident on every page, and the writing flows so easily that you almost forget how intricate the story actually is.
The plot is built like a carefully laid puzzle. Intricate webs unravel with every turn of the page, subtle clues are planted in plain sight, and the Easter eggs make it a dream for anyone who loves paying attention and being rewarded for it. Nothing feels wasted. Everything leads somewhere.
Beyond the story itself, there’s a quiet pride that comes with reading this knowing the amount of work, discipline, and heart it took to bring it to life. This is an impressive feat, and I’m genuinely proud of what my friend has accomplished here. I can’t wait to see what he writes next.
Francis Sule
The plot is built like a carefully laid puzzle. Intricate webs unravel with every turn of the page, subtle clues are planted in plain sight, and the Easter eggs make it a dream for anyone who loves paying attention and being rewarded for it. Nothing feels wasted. Everything leads somewhere.
Beyond the story itself, there’s a quiet pride that comes with reading this knowing the amount of work, discipline, and heart it took to bring it to life. This is an impressive feat, and I’m genuinely proud of what my friend has accomplished here. I can’t wait to see what he writes next.
Francis Sule
January 17, 2026
Dear Mr. Bassey,
I just finished reading A Decent Man, and I felt I should write to you immediately.
Like IMMEDIATELY, with tears still streaming Down my face.
I don’t think I’ve cried over a book like this in a long time. The story felt painfully human; quiet, honest, and deeply moving. The characters stayed with me even after I closed the book, especially in the way decency was portrayed as something fragile but powerful.
The book kept me hooked from cover page, to dedication, till the end.
Thank you for writing a story that doesn’t shout but still says so much. It reminded me that gentleness and integrity still matter, even when the world makes them seem small.
I hope to get the physical copy soon to add to my collection.
The missing one star is for making me cry my eyes out 🌚.
I just finished reading A Decent Man, and I felt I should write to you immediately.
Like IMMEDIATELY, with tears still streaming Down my face.
I don’t think I’ve cried over a book like this in a long time. The story felt painfully human; quiet, honest, and deeply moving. The characters stayed with me even after I closed the book, especially in the way decency was portrayed as something fragile but powerful.
The book kept me hooked from cover page, to dedication, till the end.
Thank you for writing a story that doesn’t shout but still says so much. It reminded me that gentleness and integrity still matter, even when the world makes them seem small.
I hope to get the physical copy soon to add to my collection.
The missing one star is for making me cry my eyes out 🌚.
January 13, 2026
As someone who loves to understand how the human mind works, I appreciate the depth and emotional psychology given to each character, including their flaws.
The story helped me understand that humans-past, present, or even future-
should try not to be so consumed by their emotions that they begin to behave unreasonably.
Michael, the protagonist of this story, is a man filled with many flaws.
He is so consumed by self-hatred over a mistake from his past that he struggles to show empathy, even to a pregnant woman in need. This makes him a deeply flawed but realistic character.
The writer, Gilbert, has done a wonderful job for this story and I anticipate more.
The story helped me understand that humans-past, present, or even future-
should try not to be so consumed by their emotions that they begin to behave unreasonably.
Michael, the protagonist of this story, is a man filled with many flaws.
He is so consumed by self-hatred over a mistake from his past that he struggles to show empathy, even to a pregnant woman in need. This makes him a deeply flawed but realistic character.
The writer, Gilbert, has done a wonderful job for this story and I anticipate more.
January 15, 2026
I am so blown away by this book. Since the moment I got my copy delivered to me, I couldn't put it down till finished reading. Every moment spent not reading it was suspense and torture mixed together. I can't believe this is the author's first book.
The plot twists are totally unexpected. The precision in the description gives a perfect visual image of the scene in the head of the reader. This is a great work. Weldone!
The plot twists are totally unexpected. The precision in the description gives a perfect visual image of the scene in the head of the reader. This is a great work. Weldone!
January 18, 2026
A decent read!
Beautifully written, I loved the way the tension built up,it felt like a thriller in the beginning, then gradually eased.
The fast paced chapters worked really well, and the character development was strong. Very Good story, quite predictable, yet engaging throughout.
I’m a sucker for happy endings, and this one broke my heart. Still, it ended the way it should have, gave the story a poignant real life feel.
Beautifully written, I loved the way the tension built up,it felt like a thriller in the beginning, then gradually eased.
The fast paced chapters worked really well, and the character development was strong. Very Good story, quite predictable, yet engaging throughout.
I’m a sucker for happy endings, and this one broke my heart. Still, it ended the way it should have, gave the story a poignant real life feel.
January 20, 2026
A Decent Man by Gilbert Bassey is a painful but honest read. Lydia shows what true motherhood looks like, loving even when her son was wrong. Michael was cruel, yet his death still hurt because his change came too late. Amaka and Oruamen prove how much good friends can shape a broken life. This book made one thing clear. Revenge destroys peace. Forgiveness matters, and delay costs memories. Worth reading.
January 15, 2026
This is an epic and iconic book
It was was a rollercoaster of life, marriage, love and choices and truly taught me what giving away your interests to help others
Gilbert Basset sir
You deserve the award sir
It was was a rollercoaster of life, marriage, love and choices and truly taught me what giving away your interests to help others
Gilbert Basset sir
You deserve the award sir
January 20, 2026
A Decent Man comes with different questions to the reader. A Decent Man is one book you would not like to put down till the last page.
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