Brilliant book, one of the best crime stories I've read in ages. The characters were the stars for me; the main character Dr Taiwo was really likeable, a modern gentleman sleuth - kind, intelligent, compassionate but not without troubles. The side characters are equally as complex and interesting, from his family to the friends and foes he meets along the way. There are so many characters and the relationships (love/expectations/pressure) between them feels real without making the book feel bogged down with too many people and unnecessary information. It reminded me in a way of the best Jack Reacher stories - a good man investigating where no one wants him, the claustrophobic atmosphere of the town, and the rich cast of characters met along the way. The story had some good twists and turns, not just in the crime itself, but in the way the characters revealed secrets and personal plots unfolded, sometimes it's annoying when a story is too complicated or you feel the author is hiding information, but in this book it felt like all the information was being delivered to you at the right time - even though I was desperate to know what happened and couldn't put the book down I didn't want to rush and miss anything. As much as a crime book is about solving the mystery, this book is also about enjoying the journey the characters take you on.

I was gripped till the end as this is not a whodunnit but a how and why? Loved the setting in Nigeria. The book sheds a light on the corruption and many other issues the country faces. Well written, scary, entertaining.

Wow! From the very first page I was hooked. This story is intricate and moves at a steady pace throughout. I loved seeing all the threads come together at the end. I'm looking forward to reading future works by this author.

I got totally drawn into this by the very personable narrator, investigative psychologist Philip Taiwo. I loved the humour and humanity, despite the awful crime he investigates and an extra layer of interest comes from the problems in his personal life which he shares with us. The relationship with his driver, Chika, is reminiscent of all the best detective duos. The book even put me in mind of Lee Child’s Killing Floors in its evocation of small town hostility and concealment. A great read.

"Lightseekers" has been on my radar for a while now. Selected by numerous publications as a crime book of the month in 2022, as well as Waterstones Thriller of the Month, it was always something I planned to get to eventually. And now, here we are. Femi Kayode's debut novel is a beautifully crafted, fast-paced and disturbing journey through the aftermath of a horrifying crime in Nigeria. With a crime based on real events, specifically the lynching of three students, Femi Kayode does not want us to dwell on the who behind this harrowing event but rather the question of why. Swiftly introducing us to investigative psychologist Dr Philip Taiwo, "Lightseekers" is more concerned with peeling back the layers on reasoning rather than settling for the standard whodunnit mystery approach. We know right from the beginning who is responsible for the horrendous crime, but the motive eludes us. Through Kayode's excellent storytelling and the remarkably engaging character of Taiwo, we start to see the disturbing truth behind the murders. Kayode is an award winner at this point, and in fact, so is "Lightseekers." The novel won the 2019 UEA Crime Writing Prize and it is easy to see why. The prose is sharp and punchy, the chapters short and engaging, and the characters all feel like real, fully defined individuals. Kayode proves right from the off that he is an expert crime writer and the prospect of further investigations involving Dr Philip Taiwo is exciting. Filled with dark turns, a shocking final act and a deep respect and love for culture and heritage, "Lightseekers" is a thrilling debut that demands to be consumed.