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Cell One
A high-profile kidnapping. A countdown to a live execution. The race is on to find the victim before the clock hits zero…
Rookie cop Bobby Fatokun's first day on the job in Lagos is off to a bad start. Not only has his life in London not prepared him for the hustle of the Nigerian city, but his new boss seems to be missing.
When a popular blog is hacked, the horrifying truth becomes clear – Superintendent Adams has been kidnapped, and his captors plan to kill him live on camera in a matter of hours.
As chaos unfolds and the team scrambles for leads, Bobby begins to suspect that Adams’ role in the police may have had something to do with his abduction.
But without knowing who he can trust, Bobby will have to rely on his instincts alone to find the truth before time runs out.
Rookie cop Bobby Fatokun's first day on the job in Lagos is off to a bad start. Not only has his life in London not prepared him for the hustle of the Nigerian city, but his new boss seems to be missing.
When a popular blog is hacked, the horrifying truth becomes clear – Superintendent Adams has been kidnapped, and his captors plan to kill him live on camera in a matter of hours.
As chaos unfolds and the team scrambles for leads, Bobby begins to suspect that Adams’ role in the police may have had something to do with his abduction.
But without knowing who he can trust, Bobby will have to rely on his instincts alone to find the truth before time runs out.
128 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 9, 2026
About the author
Leye Adenle
16 books74 followersLeye Adenle is a Nigerian writer. He has written a number of short stories and flash fiction pieces. Leye has appeared on stage in London in plays including Ola Rotimi’s Our Husband Has Gone Mad Again. He comes from a family of writers, the most famous of whom was his grandfather, Oba Adeleye Adenle I, a former king of Oshogbo in South West Nigeria. He lives in London.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
May 27, 2026
Bobby from England with no work experience whatsoever is the new rookie cop at the bar beach police station in Lagos, Nigeria.
A chief superintendent is kidnapped and about to be executed live on camera.
A lot of suspension of disbelief is required here. Even from the start. Like, they recruit someone from abroad with no experience and no connections, and he’s immediately promoted to deputy superintendent. What? How? Why? I have so many questions! I don’t know, this bothered me. It unfortunately kept me from getting hooked more by the rest of the story a bit too.
The best tip I can give: turn your brain off. Just go with it. I will say, the setting is pretty cool. The plot is intense, with quite a few twists and turns. But the story’s most obvious flaw in my opinion is that it was not written as a standalone novella. It’s made clear at the end that this is just a teaser for the first full length novel of a series. So it raises questions, but you don’t get the answers.
A chief superintendent is kidnapped and about to be executed live on camera.
A lot of suspension of disbelief is required here. Even from the start. Like, they recruit someone from abroad with no experience and no connections, and he’s immediately promoted to deputy superintendent. What? How? Why? I have so many questions! I don’t know, this bothered me. It unfortunately kept me from getting hooked more by the rest of the story a bit too.
The best tip I can give: turn your brain off. Just go with it. I will say, the setting is pretty cool. The plot is intense, with quite a few twists and turns. But the story’s most obvious flaw in my opinion is that it was not written as a standalone novella. It’s made clear at the end that this is just a teaser for the first full length novel of a series. So it raises questions, but you don’t get the answers.
May 6, 2026
A high-profile kidnapping. A countdown to a live execution. The race is on to find the victim before the clock hits zero.
Rookie cop Bobby Fatokun's first day on the job in Lagos is off to a bad start. Not only has his life in London not prepared him for the hustle of the Nigerian city, but his new boss seems to be missing.
When a popular blog is hacked, the horrifying truth becomes clear – Superintendent Adams has been kidnapped, and his captors plan to kill him live on camera in a matter of hours.
As chaos unfolds and the team scrambles for leads, Bobby begins to suspect that Adams’ role in the police may have had something to do with his abduction.
But without knowing who he can trust, Bobby will have to rely on his instincts alone to find the truth before time runs out.
Rookie cop Bobby Fatokun's first day on the job in Lagos is off to a bad start. Not only has his life in London not prepared him for the hustle of the Nigerian city, but his new boss seems to be missing.
When a popular blog is hacked, the horrifying truth becomes clear – Superintendent Adams has been kidnapped, and his captors plan to kill him live on camera in a matter of hours.
As chaos unfolds and the team scrambles for leads, Bobby begins to suspect that Adams’ role in the police may have had something to do with his abduction.
But without knowing who he can trust, Bobby will have to rely on his instincts alone to find the truth before time runs out.
April 10, 2026
Rating: 3.8/5
"Cell One" is part of the 2026 Quick Reads programme from The Reading Agency. The scheme is primarily intended to attract new readers or to tempt lapsed readers back into the fold, but you don't need to fall into either of those categories. Personally, I am a very much a supporter and always try to read all of the books they publish each year.
That point aside, I also have great admiration for any writer who can successfully tackle the short story format. There is a real skill in constructing a rounded story, with fleshed-out characters in the space of a hundred or so pages. Author, Leye Adenle, certainly pulls it off with this solid example of the genre that tells the story of rookie cop, Bobby Fatokun. Thrown straight into a high-profile kidnapping case in the Nigerian city of Lagos, we follow Bobby on his compelling first case. A gripping read that should take about ninety minutes of your time.
"Cell One" is part of the 2026 Quick Reads programme from The Reading Agency. The scheme is primarily intended to attract new readers or to tempt lapsed readers back into the fold, but you don't need to fall into either of those categories. Personally, I am a very much a supporter and always try to read all of the books they publish each year.
That point aside, I also have great admiration for any writer who can successfully tackle the short story format. There is a real skill in constructing a rounded story, with fleshed-out characters in the space of a hundred or so pages. Author, Leye Adenle, certainly pulls it off with this solid example of the genre that tells the story of rookie cop, Bobby Fatokun. Thrown straight into a high-profile kidnapping case in the Nigerian city of Lagos, we follow Bobby on his compelling first case. A gripping read that should take about ninety minutes of your time.
August 23, 2026
I devoured this quick read in one sitting. A good thriller and I’ll be looking out for the next installment in September. Hoping the next one doesn’t end on a cliff hanger!
April 25, 2026
This was disappointing. I was expecting a short story and although that's what it is, it doesn't have an ending. As another reviewer said, it's more like a teaser for a longer novel.
The ending was annoying. What happened to Rocky? Was he in on it or not?
Is the novel going to rewrite this story into a longer story and finish it off? Why did they want Bobby to watch?
I don't really enjoy when the main character is an amateur at what they're doing either, which is what Bobby is, especially when they're being constantly talked down too.
Don't think I'll bother with anymore books following this character.
The ending was annoying. What happened to Rocky? Was he in on it or not?
Is the novel going to rewrite this story into a longer story and finish it off? Why did they want Bobby to watch?
I don't really enjoy when the main character is an amateur at what they're doing either, which is what Bobby is, especially when they're being constantly talked down too.
Don't think I'll bother with anymore books following this character.
April 19, 2026
this was not very good. the voice actor was bad but the story was also not very interesting. one part was slightly but nothing actually came of it and it had no real ending other than a ‘to be continued’. written as part of a scheme to get people into reading but pretty dire for a thriller.
May 11, 2026
2.5 rounded up since the main problem is there isn't enough
Thoughts:
This is the first quick reads book that I have read and felt like it didn’t quite feel right. I read quick reads as a taster for new authors as well as whenever a story sounds interesting but I know the point is accessible stories for new and returning readers but this one felt more like the beginning of the authors full book rather than a story in it’s own right and we need to go buy/read the new book to be able to find out who actually did it which I’ve never felt before even with the books that are shortened versions of full length novels. We did find out why the kidnapping happened and the build up is great so I was looking forward to the explanations and while I did like the why it’s frustrating that the rest of the story is just missing. It’s a shame as the premise, writing and characters were all great, I just wish it was either a novel in its own right or penned as a prequel novella rather than a quick reads book.
Favourite Quote:
“Stop talking unless someone asks for your opinion. The problem with people like you is that you think you're better than locals because you studied abroad. Look, we're not stupid here. Lose that know-it-all attitude before you irritate everybody.”
Thoughts:
This is the first quick reads book that I have read and felt like it didn’t quite feel right. I read quick reads as a taster for new authors as well as whenever a story sounds interesting but I know the point is accessible stories for new and returning readers but this one felt more like the beginning of the authors full book rather than a story in it’s own right and we need to go buy/read the new book to be able to find out who actually did it which I’ve never felt before even with the books that are shortened versions of full length novels. We did find out why the kidnapping happened and the build up is great so I was looking forward to the explanations and while I did like the why it’s frustrating that the rest of the story is just missing. It’s a shame as the premise, writing and characters were all great, I just wish it was either a novel in its own right or penned as a prequel novella rather than a quick reads book.
Favourite Quote:
“Stop talking unless someone asks for your opinion. The problem with people like you is that you think you're better than locals because you studied abroad. Look, we're not stupid here. Lose that know-it-all attitude before you irritate everybody.”
July 23, 2026
Bobby Fatokun has just arrived in Lagos after training in London. His first day on the job is anything but ordinary: the Superintendent of Police is kidnapped and slowly drowned on camera. Everyone becomes a suspect, and when Bobby’s own secret is uncovered, he is removed from the investigation. Even so, he refuses to let the case go and continues trying to help, sometimes without making the wisest decisions. Part of the Quick Reads 2026 series, this is an engaging and intriguing story with a strong plot. My only criticism is that it doesn’t really have an ending, as it serves as the opening to a longer novel. That wasn’t a problem for me, but I wonder whether the audience these books are aimed at will be motivated to read the full novel to find out what happens to Bobby.
https://redheadwithabrain.ch/index.ph...
https://redheadwithabrain.ch/index.ph...
May 7, 2026
An electric little crime thriller set within the police force itself - a rookie cop moves to a new continent after being recruited and finds himself in a case he'd never have imagined. Immediately, Bobby discovers the sheer ego and arrogance that is rife within the police force, before leaping into a fast, tense investigation to find his new boss before he's killed on live stream. It's a searing indictment of police brutality and government corruption told from within the system itself. Clever, fast and exciting - however it does leave on a very mean cliffhanger so I guess I'll be back to see where Bobby goes next.
July 28, 2026
Cell One is a short story set in Lagos, Nigeria, with police procedural elements. I really liked the concept. It was short, fast-paced, easy to read, and I finished it in one sitting.
The premise was quite strong for such a short story, but I wasn't really a fan of the ending. It felt a bit rushed, and while I wasn't necessarily looking for a perfectly satisfying conclusion, something about it just felt off. It didn't quite stick the landing for me.
Overall, it was still an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a quick story.
The premise was quite strong for such a short story, but I wasn't really a fan of the ending. It felt a bit rushed, and while I wasn't necessarily looking for a perfectly satisfying conclusion, something about it just felt off. It didn't quite stick the landing for me.
Overall, it was still an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, and I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for a quick story.
August 27, 2026
My second “Quick Reads” book from The Reading Agency.
I enjoyed the concept of the plot, the consistent quick pace and the main character Bobby Fatokun, a rookie cop thrown in at the deep end with a high-profile kidnapping on his first day on the job.
Bit frustrating that it ends on a cliff hanger as it wasn’t made clear that this isn’t a stand alone novella, it’s a prequel novella setting up for the authors next book, Fall From Grace. Despite my frustration, the hook worked, and I do feel the need to read this next book and find out what happens next.
I enjoyed the concept of the plot, the consistent quick pace and the main character Bobby Fatokun, a rookie cop thrown in at the deep end with a high-profile kidnapping on his first day on the job.
Bit frustrating that it ends on a cliff hanger as it wasn’t made clear that this isn’t a stand alone novella, it’s a prequel novella setting up for the authors next book, Fall From Grace. Despite my frustration, the hook worked, and I do feel the need to read this next book and find out what happens next.
May 12, 2026
3 stars ⭐️ Cell One is part of the 2026 Quick Reads programme from The Reading Agency. I was gifted my copy when attending a reading event.
This was an okay read, an interesting thriller but I was left with questions at the end. I think rather than a short story it was a teaser for a full book which was disappointing. However I did like how it was set in Nigeria as I felt it did give me a flavour of West Africa.
This was an okay read, an interesting thriller but I was left with questions at the end. I think rather than a short story it was a teaser for a full book which was disappointing. However I did like how it was set in Nigeria as I felt it did give me a flavour of West Africa.
June 30, 2026
I am actually kind of sad that I didn't like this, because it sounded right up my alley. The rookie cop and the super complicated case he works to save his boss sounds really good, doesn't it?
SPOILERS AHEAD
But the case being all about an old incident that the boss was involved in and it resulting with a bunch of gay people getting captured, tortured and killed... I don't know. I am not a fan.
SPOILERS AHEAD
But the case being all about an old incident that the boss was involved in and it resulting with a bunch of gay people getting captured, tortured and killed... I don't know. I am not a fan.
April 15, 2026
Disappointed that this wasn’t a fully rounded short story but instead appears to be a teaser for a book due for release Sept 2026. Really enjoyed what I read hence the rating but unsure if I will pick up the book follow up.
June 23, 2026
Great short read. Only 118 pages long. Full of details and quick chapters. It was well written andkept me gripped. I felt like there were some unanswered questions but for a short read it was good. I would recommend
July 5, 2026
I didn't particularly like the writing style/language to begin with and found the book a little slow for a short story. But it totally redeemed itself towards the end and really picked up. I want to find out more now. Give it a chance, it's a good story!
July 5, 2026
🎧
Kinda farfetched in terms of Bobby's recruitment and immediate involvement of an incredibly high-profile case. Also the fact that this was essentially an intro into a bigger story kind of defeats the point of it being a short story
Kinda farfetched in terms of Bobby's recruitment and immediate involvement of an incredibly high-profile case. Also the fact that this was essentially an intro into a bigger story kind of defeats the point of it being a short story
September 17, 2026
The 'Easy Motion Tourist' author made me read this. It has a good start to it.
Bobby has recently gotten back to Nigeria to join the NPF. Everything has proven to be nothing like what he expected. It's a race against time; everything and everyone is suspicious.
It is a good enough quick read.
Bobby has recently gotten back to Nigeria to join the NPF. Everything has proven to be nothing like what he expected. It's a race against time; everything and everyone is suspicious.
It is a good enough quick read.
April 10, 2026
Short storiy. Exciting read
April 18, 2026
Quick read! Thriller!
April 22, 2026
Umm that was a waste of my time, basically was my library book of the week. However I personally found it more confusing and just unable to connect to the character 😐
April 23, 2026
3.5 star nice short read.
April 23, 2026
An ok read.
April 27, 2026
A captivating short story and quite action packed, but it doesn’t really reach a conclusion. It seems more to encourage you to read the authors next book due to be published later in the year.
May 4, 2026
This was a good read but has no ending, characters are just hanging around at the end? I don't think I'll be reading anymore from the author
May 10, 2026
Excellent quick read!
May 28, 2026
I really loved this book and i’m so excited that it’s just the beginning, although I would have liked to know if Rocky was in on it from this book but I can be patient. I like Bobby’s character because you can see how he comes to understand the world he just stepped into and realize that his personal mission may not be as easy as he hoped but he is ready to fight.
I honestly can’t wait for the next book and I hope we get more insight into the side characters and I wonder who will be in the remaining chairs!?
I honestly can’t wait for the next book and I hope we get more insight into the side characters and I wonder who will be in the remaining chairs!?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews